Re-embroidering life

"I understand everything, but you have to know that embroidering the portrait is only a temporary difficulty, while becoming a disciple is a lifelong matter. It is too rash for you to decide a lifetime matter because of a temporary difficulty. You'd better ask your grandmother. I won't accept you without the permission of the elders." Shui Qinghua's tone was gentle, but her attitude was firm.

Chen Jinlan's eyes lit up, and without saying a word, he got up from the ground and ran away.

After a cup of tea, she came back, supporting Old Madam Chen.

Everyone didn't expect Chen Jinlan to really persuade the old lady, and they all stood up and saluted. The old lady waved her hand and said to Shui Qinghua: "Madam Shui, I have heard about the matter. I agree that Jinlan can become your disciple."

"All descendants of the Chen family, regardless of gender, must learn medicine from a young age. Jinlan has no interest in medicine at all, but she likes needlework. I hired a needlework master for her, and she also studied hard and practiced diligently, thinking that her level was already outstanding among the ladies. But when she saw you, she realized that there are always people better than you." said the old lady.

Shui Qinghua was about to speak, but the old lady seemed to know what she was going to say. She stopped her with her eyes and continued, "I know what you are worried about. Do you think that with the reputation of the Chen family today, they will care about the Ji family? As long as you are satisfied with Jinlan's character and qualifications, you can become her disciple."

Jin Lan looked at Qing Hua eagerly, with respect and admiration in her eyes. Facing such a pair of eyes and such a smart girl, Shui Qing Hua really couldn't refuse, and finally nodded.

Jin Lan was overjoyed, and immediately knelt down and bowed solemnly, saying, "Master, please accept the respect of your disciple Jin Lan."

Yuhua felt disappointed. The position of the first disciple under her second sister was still snatched away by her! But she would be one generation higher than Jinlan in the future, so it was not a loss!

The master-disciple relationship was set, and time was running out. Qinghua immediately taught Jinlan the needlework and tips of natural embroidery. Jinlan's talent was slightly inferior to Dong Yajing's, and it took her two hours to learn the general formula. It was still one person guiding and one person holding the needle. Chen Jinlan had no experience in practice, so she didn't have a good grasp of the strength of the hair. She broke a lot of it, and she had to take it back one by one. It took a long time to find the feel. Until the lights were turned on, there was still a part of the spiral hair that was not embroidered.

The people waiting outside were extremely anxious, but the master and the apprentice were not anxious at all. They were calm and completely immersed in their own little world. It was not until after midnight that Chen Jinlan gave the last needle.

This is not the end, there are still the final steps of hanging and mounting, which cannot be neglected either. Each of the girls, with great piety, treated this work that condensed everyone's hard work with the most gentle hands and feet.

When everything was done, it was already the first rooster crow and the east was already bright. The dojo was to be held on Yuquan Mountain in the early morning. It would take an hour to get there from Chen's house, so there was no time to waste. Chen Cailan had already arranged for the carriage and guards, and ordered them to set off immediately. Dou Jianzhi had been guarding for a few days, and he insisted on accompanying them no matter what.

The moment the carriage drove out of Chen's house, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The girls who had endured seven days in the embroidery pavilion relaxed and fell asleep without even having time to find a bed. Nanny Chen took a few little girls and covered them with quilts one by one. Looking at their haggard faces and messy hair, she couldn't help but secretly wiped away a handful of tears.

On the other side, Dou Jianzhi had already left Echeng with the carriage and was heading towards Yuquan Mountain. He knew that if Bencaotang didn't give up, this stretch of road would be their last chance.

As expected, not long after leaving the city, several people jumped out from the roadside and blocked the carriage. Dou Jianzhi took a closer look and laughed: "Liu San, how come your injury has healed?"

Liu San didn't expect to see Dou Jianzhi here again, and secretly thought it was bad luck. He had spent some money on recuperation these days, and was just thinking of bringing a group of followers out to make up for the losses, but who would have thought that he would run into this evil spirit again. The money for Bencaotang had already been collected, and there was no reason to retreat at the last minute. He shouted: "Brothers, grab it! If you can't grab it, it will be destroyed!"

A group of hooligans came up waving wooden sticks. Dou Jianzhi was not in a hurry and went to meet them with two guards. The driver had already driven the carriage to the side. The hooligans were not stupid. They knew that the embroidered portrait was on the carriage, so they split into two groups, one half harassed Dou Jianzhi and the guards, and the other half went straight to the carriage.

Dou Jianzhi quickly dealt with the people blocking his way, exchanged glances with the guard, nodded, turned around and ran up the mountain. The guards were well-trained and could handle a few thugs easily, but there were too many of them and it would take some time. What they could not afford to waste the most was time.

Liu San had been paying attention to Dou Jianzhi. When he saw him running away, he realized what was happening. He pointed at Dou Jianzhi's back and shouted, "We've been fooled. Catch him!" Dou Jianzhi increased his pace to the highest possible speed. He felt that he had never run so fast in his life. In front of him were the vaguely visible palaces and pavilions, and behind him were a group of thugs shouting for war and killing. He didn't care about anything else and just ran!

When he heard the sound of bells and chimes, he finally ran to the gate of Yuquan Temple. The dojo had begun!

Yuquan Temple, inside the main hall.

Incense smoke curled, candlelight flickered, monks in robes lined up neatly on both sides of the hall, and the deep and melodious chanting echoed in the empty hall. Believers were either kneeling or standing, and everyone's face showed tranquility and expectation.

In the center of the hall, several monks were holding instruments and solemnly performing rituals. The chanting of scriptures, the beating of instruments and the rhythm of wooden fish intertwined and resounded throughout the hall.

"Please bring the Buddha statue!" Master Mingyi, who presided over the ceremony, sang loudly.

A young monk entered the hall holding a piece of silk in his hands. Behind him, far away, Dou Jianzhi, panting and soaking wet, collapsed on the ground.

Master Mingyi took the huge piece of silk and spread it out in front of the believers.

The world seemed to be silent; the sounds of chanting, ritual instruments, and wooden fish all disappeared.

The believers fell to their knees in a rush, prostrating themselves deeply.

"Buddha is alive!" "Buddha showed his spirit!" "My mother's illness can be cured!" Some people were shouting, while others were sobbing.

The monks also knelt down, clasping their hands together. The chanting of scriptures, the sound of instruments, and the sound of wooden fishes became particularly loud.

On the silk, Medicine Buddha sits on a lotus platform, his sleeves fluttering, and a thousand-foot Buddha light behind him. His eyes are as clear as glass, able to cure all diseases in the world, and a refuge in the hearts of those who desire health. In his compassionate eyes, diseases retreat and all ailments disappear.

And his hair, those curls of hair, trembled slightly in the wind! Those were real hair, the Buddha was really alive!