Chapter 168 - 108: Astonished to See a Celestial Being
Ran Yan felt the annoyance caused by Sang Chen ease slightly in her heart and resolved to have a calm and patient heart-to-heart with Sang Chen later, persuading him to cancel the engagement.
Wan Lu spoke a few words with the monk at the entrance, and then the monk led her inside.
Yuncong Temple also accepted incense offerings from worshippers, so it was common for ladies and wives to come and go. Ge Lan sent Wan Lu to find Sang Chen mainly because she considered the demureness appropriate for a lady, who could not simply storm in directly. Moreover, seeing Ran Yan’s previous state, Ge Lan thought it best to give her time to calm down, to avoid damaging Sang Chen’s face, for he was after all from the prestigious Cui family of Boling.
There were many young novices and monks at the temple entrance, as well as the occasional worshipper, all appearing to be ordinary folk. Ran Yan and Ge Lan stood under a willow tree not far from the temple gate, its dense leaves hanging low, half-concealing their figures.
"Amitabha Buddha. The master has returned," the crisp voice of a young novice came.
Soon after, a melodious Buddhist chant followed, "Amitabha Buddha."
It seemed to drift down from the clouds, clear as a flowing spring. Ran Yan and Ge Lan turned around as the breeze stirred the green willows. Through the flickering leaves, they saw a monk in a loose monk’s robe with wide sleeves, hands joined in prayer and slightly bowing in salutation. From the delicate profile, the long neck leading to broad shoulders, even to the shorn head, the lines were flawless.
Whether a person is truly good-looking can be discerned when all adornments and hair are removed, and the monk before them was undoubtedly very handsome.