The Cold-Hearted Princess Who Transmigrated Here

Two quarters past the hour of You (5-7 PM).

In less than an hour, Wang Xiyue and her group of twelve arrived at Guozhao Temple.

While not exactly lightning fast, its speed is certainly not slow.

The sadness of parting had been washed away by the journey. This was not a separation of life and death, but a temporary separation, just for a better reunion next time. So the brother and sister put aside the sadness they felt when they left home.

Wang Xijie, in particular, soon after leaving home, was like a wild horse galloping freely, and his initial feelings of being away from home were completely replaced by an urgent desire to realize his dreams as soon as possible.

"Yueyue, we've arrived."

Wang Xijie dismounted and walked to the carriage, preparing to help his sister down.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Wang Xiyue stood up briskly and, after getting ready, gestured for Xia Yi to pull back the curtain.

“Brother, I’m all grown up now, not a little kid anymore. I can get off the carriage by myself.”

Wang Xiyue looked at her brother's outstretched hand, feeling both helpless and touched.

Wang Xijie inexplicably thought of Dongfang Yu and felt indignant. His sister was holding hands with a stranger like Dongfang Yu, so why was he, her own brother, being disliked? He was sure Dongfang Yu had used despicable means to gain his sister's sympathy. He immediately added another accusation against Dongfang Yu.

“You’ll be an adult when you turn 18, but no matter how old you get, you’ll always be my sister. It’s only natural for an older brother to take care of his younger sister,” Wang Xijie said matter-of-factly.

"Yes. My brother is the best, the best brother in the world."

Wang Xiyue was a little confused. Why had her brother become so neurotic these past two days? He used to take care of her, but never like this lately. Why was he suddenly treating her like one of those pampered young ladies from noble families?

Although she couldn't understand it, she happily helped her brother down from the carriage.

People always grow up, and many things change. Maybe when my brother meets the girl he loves, she won't be able to be as affectionate with him as she is now.

Hey!

People have worries when they're young, and they also have worries when they're grown up!

Looking at the current situation in Yuecheng, boys can be engaged at sixteen and girls at twelve. Families and powerful families often arrange marriages for their children in advance to consolidate their power.

Before a matchmaking meeting, one must first consider factors such as family background, appearance, and other conditions. This process of researching and getting to know each other takes at least a year. If both parties are interested, they will get engaged, but it will take at least three years before they can get married. All this means that a smooth marriage will take at least four years, and possibly more than five years.

According to custom, my brother should indeed be getting married, but my father didn't care much about the rules and didn't like to force my brother to marry someone he didn't like. My mother didn't know much about the eligible young ladies from prominent families in the capital, and my brother himself wasn't in a hurry. So he was just brilliantly delayed.

If my brother doesn't hurry up now, will he be too late to get married and become an old bachelor?

"Brother, don't you really have a girl you like? Do you need my help?"

Wang Xiyue began to worry and was also curious about what her future sister-in-law would be like. Would she dislike her? Would she try to sow discord between the siblings?

"I didn't, and I don't need your help."

Seeing the worry in his sister's eyes, Wang Xijie instantly became angry and retorted, "Am I that bad? Why are you so worried that no one will want me?"

He doesn't want to get married so early and be stuck in one place all the time. His goal is to establish a career first and then start a family. His current dream is to roam the world and experience the joys and sorrows of life.

"Yes, my brother is the best!" Wang Xiyue immediately became obedient when she saw that her brother was about to get angry.

He spoke so decisively, he probably really hasn't met someone he likes, so I shouldn't worry about it.

Of course, if he meets a good girl in the future, she will strongly recommend that her brother give it a try, after all, it's good to keep the good stuff in the family.

"Young master, young lady, the carriage and horses have been temporarily settled."

Commander Zhao Shan assigned two teams of three men each to deliver the horses and luggage to the temple's outbuildings and instructed them to guard them.

"it is good."

“Yueyue, since it’s still early, let’s go and pay our respects to Master Zhishang first. We’ll leave the arrangements for food and lodging to him later, okay?” Wang Xijie asked.

“No problem.” Wang Xiyue nodded in agreement.

Led by Zhao Shan, the group of six moved quickly and found the secluded place where Master Zhishang usually meditated in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

This is Wang Xijie's second time visiting this place.

The first time was when his younger sister was 100 days old. Although he was only six years old at the time, his usually well-behaved and quiet sister suddenly started crying loudly for no reason, and he still remembers that day vividly.

Nine years later, this place is still the thatched courtyard I remember, as simple as ever.

Although this was Wang Xiyue's second visit, she had no memory of it at all; it was the first visit she had ever made since she could remember.

"Prime Minister Wang Xijie, along with his sister Wang Xiyue, requests an audience with Master Zhishang!"

Wang Xijie called out to the house, and after everyone finished their greetings, they stood quietly outside the fence gate and waited.

"Amitabha!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Wang Xiyue saw an old man walk out of the door of a small house in the courtyard.

The master was rather thin, and despite having seen through the world over the years, his face only had a few wrinkles due to time, and he did not look as old as he actually was.

The old man had a smile on his face, his hands clasped together, his right hand holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads the size of an adult's thumb. His eyebrows and beard were all white, with his beard hanging down to his chest. He wore a simple cotton monk's robe with patches on it, and a worn-out kasaya was draped over it. The afterglow of the setting sun seemed to bathe him in a layer of golden light, like a Bodhisattva descending to save the world. His whole being exuded a peaceful and calm aura.

Wang Xiyue met his pitying and kind gaze, and felt a deep, resonant sound in her mind, like a drumbeat. Then, as if another scene appeared before her eyes, a loving old woman held her granddaughter's hand in one hand and gently stroked her head with the other. The warmth touched her heart, and the hard wall in Wang Xiyue's heart instantly collapsed. Everything around her seemed to stand still, and for the first time, she felt a peace and tranquility she had never experienced before. The ever-present sense of unease disappeared, as did the feeling of being out of place. Even the anger and resentment towards the injustice of the world in her nightmares vanished.

She seemed to have once possessed such a kind and inclusive paternal love.

She suddenly felt wronged like never before, as if she had lost something very, very important.

“Master…I…” Wang Xiyue’s eyes reddened, and she choked up.

"Yueyue, why are you crying? Are you feeling unwell?" Wang Xijie panicked when he saw his usually strong sister crying.

"Don't cry, child. It's good that you're here." The master stepped forward and gently stroked Wang Xiyue's head.

Wang Xiyue silently felt the warmth of the master's palm, and her emotions gradually calmed down.

After Wang Xiyue wiped away her tears, Master Zhishang slowly asked, "Now that you're here, you're not leaving, are you?"

“Yes! Yueyue’s health has worsened since yesterday. My parents and I begged the master to help my sister. I am willing to give everything for my sister’s safety!” Wang Xijie knelt down and began to kowtow before the master could answer.

He planned to keep kowtowing as long as the master didn't agree.

Wang Xiyue was startled and heartbroken by her brother's series of actions. Her brother always loved her more than she thought.

She was so grateful to have such a good brother that she quickly knelt down and kowtowed as well.

Several thuds were heard nearby, and Zhao Shan and the other three followed suit, kowtowing.

"Get up, children." Master Zhishang gently lifted Wang Xijie and Wang Xiyue.

"I have a master-disciple relationship with your sister. When she was 100 days old, I promised your parents that I would take her as my disciple. It is my duty to teach and help her. There is no need to be so polite!"

"Thank you, Master!" Wang Xijie pulled his sister to her feet and solemnly bowed again to express his gratitude.

"It's getting late. Have your dinner first, then ask Huiming to arrange your lodgings. Come back tomorrow when you're all settled in. I will explain everything to you then." Zhishang noticed that the group looked exhausted, clearly having rushed over without having had time to rest.

"Master, I take my leave!"

"Master, we take our leave!" The group bowed to the master and then returned to the temple courtyard by the same route.

“Brother Zhao, shall we go to the dining hall for a meal first, and then go and replace the others later, is that alright?” Wang Xijie asked.

"Yes, young master." Zhao Shan accepted the order.

After the vegetarian meal, Chen Tian received instructions to find the steward of Guozhao Temple and arrange temporary accommodations for the twelve people.

Chen Gang then took the food to the other six guards who were watching over the luggage and horses.

By the time the luggage was moved to the guest room and the beds were made, it was already completely dark.

The next day, before dawn, just after 5:00 AM, Wang Xiyue was awakened by the sound of wooden fish being struck and chanting.

She always preferred quiet to sleep, and would be startled awake by the slightest noise. Her boudoir was the quietest place in the Prime Minister's mansion.

It's probably time for the temple's morning prayers now, so it looks like I won't have the chance to sleep in anymore.

"Miss, you're awake. I'll go get some water for you to wash up right away."

Hearing Wang Xiyue get up, Xia Yi, who was sleeping on the tatami mat next door, also woke up instantly, quickly got up and dressed.

"Okay, take your time, no rush!"

Wang Xiyue noticed that Xia Yi, who usually gets up early, hadn't woken up yet. It seemed that Xia Yi was very tired after riding in the carriage for so long yesterday and packing her luggage. She probably hadn't rested well yet.

Wang Xiyue leaned against the headboard and continued to rest with her eyes closed.

By the time Xia Yi returned with the water, half an hour had passed since the two of them finished getting ready.

"Let's go! Let's find my brother and have breakfast together."

I'm not sure if the master has eaten vegetarian food, so it would be better to disturb him a little later.

There is still some distance between the male and female guest rooms, after all, this is a temple and men and women are separated.

The two walked for about half a cup of tea's time before arriving at their destination, only to find Zhao Shan standing outside the door.

"Uncle Zhao, where's my brother?" Wang Xiyue asked.

"Young Master hasn't washed up yet." Zhao Shan was a little embarrassed, after all, the young master hadn't gotten up yet.

He didn't want to go in and urge him, guessing that the young master had been riding a horse for a long time yesterday and hadn't recovered yet.

"It's alright, then I won't wait for my brother. Sister Xia and I will go to the dining hall first. You can come over slowly."

Wang Xiyue wasn't sure if the temple provided vegetarian meals in the morning, so she decided to inquire about the temple's daily routine first, since she would be spending the next few years there.

"Yes, Miss." Since Zhao Shan couldn't leave, he continued to stand guard.

After asking several monks, Wang Xiyue and Xia Yi finally found Abbot Huiming, who was performing his morning prayers.

Master Zhishang focused solely on spiritual practice, so he passed on his mantle to Abbot Huiming, who then took charge of all affairs within the temple.

"Good morning, Abbot! I apologize for disturbing you!" Wang Xiyue greeted everyone respectfully with her hands clasped together.

Huiming was dressed in a gray monk's robe with a relatively new red kasaya draped over his shoulders. He looked to be about fifty years old, older than his father. He appeared calm, gentle, and approachable, which was probably the essence of a monk who was free from desires.

"Amitabha! Young benefactor, you're too kind!"

"I wonder if you have any questions, young benefactor?" Huiming rose to return the greeting.

“Master, I am Wang Xiyue, daughter of Prime Minister Wang Boxing. My brother Wang Xijie and I arrived at your temple last night and were unable to pay our respects in time. Please forgive us!”

It is indeed impolite not to greet the host promptly upon arrival.

"So you are the daughter of Prime Minister Wang! I have failed to greet you properly! My master told me yesterday that a distinguished guest would be arriving today. I presume it is you, young benefactor?"

Looking at the little girl in the blue dress in front of him, with her clean and pure eyes, her calm and composed personality at such a young age, her upright and dignified demeanor, Huiming couldn't help but admire her. She was indeed a rare talent, no wonder she could become his master's last disciple.

"It is indeed your disciple. From today onwards, I will follow Master Zhishang to cultivate here for five or six years at most, and three or four years at least. I will have to trouble you to take care of me in the future."

Wang Xiyue was also afraid of unfamiliar environments. After all, she had never been away from her parents for so long. If her brother left, or even Xia Yi could not stay with her, she, a little child, would be filled with fear and anxiety.

But life must go on, and we must endure even the most difficult times. We must learn to grow and stand on our own two feet.

Even if you feel uneasy inside, you must suppress it.