Chapter 407 - 143: Offering Incense_2
The incense at Hualin Temple was flourishing, and a burst of fragrance greeted them as soon as they stepped down from the carriage. Yueyao looked at the central cauldron filled with incense candles, its lingering smoke drifting in all directions with the wind.
Yueyao watched with a hint of disgust as the nun came over to meet them, her face overly ingratiating. However, Yueyao also knew restraint and did not let it show on her face.
The group accompanied Lady Mo to the main hall to offer incense and pay respects to the Buddha, then took turns visiting various halls to pray to the Bodhisattvas.
Yueyao earnestly offered incense and prayed to the Bodhisattvas. She was devout, but she had stopped believing in karmic retribution. If there truly were karmic consequences, Lady Mo wouldn’t have enjoyed wealth and prestige after harming so many in her previous life. Instead of believing in such intangible karmic retribution, Yueyao preferred to have faith in herself, as only she could protect herself.
After praying to the various Bodhisattvas, they were led by a Young Nun to the back courtyard. Hualin Temple’s backyard housed many independent courtyards, which were well-arranged with flowers and plants under the corridors. The courtyard they entered boasted a tall Bodhi Tree, like a giant umbrella covering the place. The sunlight was mottled, scattering down through the leaves like tiny golden leaves.
Yueyao was familiar with this courtyard; in her previous life, she often came to visit temples with Lady Mo, and they would rest in this very spot. Thus, she stared at the Bodhi Tree in a trance.
Xi Yu saw Yueyao gazing absent-mindedly at the tall Bodhi Tree and nudged her, saying, "Miss, Eldest Madam and the other young ladies have all gone inside."
Yueyao came back to her senses and also went inside.
Yuehuan surveyed the small courtyard. Although it was small, it was delicately arranged with flowers, plants, and towering trees, and the furniture was all complete. It was unlike the courtyard in Zhaohua Temple, which was bare and in no way resembled a place for people to live.