The Cold-Hearted Princess Who Transmigrated Here

“Young benefactor, there is no need to be afraid. There is a nunnery not far from the back of my temple.”

"Originally, it was a shelter for homeless women and children. If any women secretly sought Buddhism, they could also be ordained as nuns. Later, as the number of people gradually increased, our temple changed its name to Yue Nian Nunnery for easier care. There are also many female disciples who practice Buddhism with their hair still intact. Although the environment is simple and the conditions are not even one or two tenths as good as the Prime Minister's Mansion, it is quiet and natural. There are also martial monks from our temple guarding the nunnery for safety."

“Young benefactor, there is no need to worry about the inconvenience of daily life.”

Huiming noticed the unease in Wang Xiyue's eyes and promptly explained the situation.

"Thank you for the arrangements, Master!"

In this way, Xia Yi can live with him without any worries.

As for my brother, I'll ask him about his plans later.

“I will have Kongyuan explain the specific rules and layout of the temple to you in detail.”

Huiming turned to the young monk in a light blue robe standing behind him on his right and gestured.

"Yes, Master!" Kong Yuan accepted the order.

“Young benefactor, please follow me to the dining hall. We can learn more about this after we have eaten.”

Kong Yuan stepped forward a few steps and led the way.

"Master, I take my leave!" Wang Xiyue bowed to Master Huiming and bid him farewell.

"Amitabha!" Huiming clasped his hands together.

"Brother, why aren't you going in? Have you rested enough?" Before they even arrived, Wang Xiyue saw her brother standing outside the dining hall, looking around.

"Yueyue, why did you take so long to arrive? I was so worried about you, I thought you were lost."

Wang Xijie was relieved to finally see his sister's figure after waiting anxiously. He had overslept yesterday because he was too tired, and he would still be in bed if Zhao Shan hadn't woken him up. Knowing that his sister had come first and he was afraid she would be waiting anxiously, he quickly got up and washed up.

He rushed over without stopping, but didn't see anyone. He waited and waited, but she didn't come. He almost thought he had lost his sister. If she didn't appear soon, he was going to search the temple.

“Brother, I’m fine. I thought you should rest more, so I went to find Abbot Huiming first to ask about my accommodations and meals,” Wang Xiyue explained.

"I'm not blaming you, let's eat! After we finish eating, I'll take you to formally pay your respects to Master Zhishang. After the apprenticeship ceremony, we can discuss the next steps in more detail."

"Please enjoy your meal, esteemed guests. If you require anything later, please come to the Mahavira Hall to find this humble monk."

Before anyone could stop him, Kong Yuan calmly turned and left after giving his instructions.

Watching Kong Yuan leave with such nonchalance, Wang Xijie remarked on how solemn the monks here were.

The monks in the dining hall belong to the lowest level of the eighth category, and are responsible for the most basic chores such as cleaning, fetching water, and cooking.

It was quite a surprise to see Senior Brother Kongyuan today.

Senior Brother Kongyuan is the abbot, and he and Senior Brother Kongjian are also the abbot's right-hand men. Usually, the reception of pilgrims is managed by Yuanyi, Yuanye, Yuanshan, and Yuanxin. Today, seeing that Senior Brother was suddenly assigned to be the guide for this female pilgrim, it is clear that this guest is special.

Guozhao Temple is the national temple of Xiyue Kingdom, so naturally it is very popular with worshippers.

Because countless people come to the temple to worship Buddha and draw lots every day, a special dining hall has been set up for worshippers. Food is prepared all day long, so as long as it is not too late, visitors do not have to worry about going hungry at the temple.

The temple rules also clearly state that the monks of this temple only eat two meals a day, namely lunch and dinner, and there is no breakfast.

This shows how austere the life of a monk is, and how much one must restrain one's desires for food and drink.

Ordinary people can live a carefree life as long as they don't do anything illegal, and they can try all kinds of delicious food, fine wine, and fine clothes. But once they become monks, they have to endure all kinds of taboos and rules.

Therefore, the precepts and rules are not something that ordinary people can endure.

After breakfast, Wang Xijie and Wang Xiyue took only Zhao Shan and Xia Yi with them to pay their respects to Master Zhishang, while the rest of them stayed at their temporary lodging from the previous night.

Upon arriving at the place, Wang Xiyue found that the quiet courtyard from yesterday was a bit crowded. Several monks were standing in the courtyard, with Master Zhishang standing at the front, seemingly waiting for their arrival.

Master Zhishang, along with Huiming, Kongyuan, and three others, had been waiting at the courtyard gate for a long time. Upon seeing Wang Xijie and Wang Xiyue arrive, they all bowed with their palms together and said, "Amitabha!"

Wang Xiyue and the other three returned the greetings.

Wang Xijie clasped his hands in apology, "I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting!"

Master Zhishang nodded kindly, "Let's go inside and talk!"

Upon entering the room, Master Zhishang sat down in a chair, while the others stood on either side.

Apart from Huiming and Kongyuan, the other two had never met Wang Xiyue. They only knew that their master had something important to announce today, but they hadn't heard what it was.

Wang Xijie gestured to his younger sister that she could perform the apprenticeship ceremony.

"Master, please accept my bow!"

Wang Xiyue stepped forward, knelt down, placed her left hand on her right, clasped her hands on the ground, and kowtowed once to Master Zhishang.

"Good boy, get up!"

"Come, let me introduce you to these guys. You can ask them for help with anything you need in the future."

After Wang Xiyue stood up, Master Zhishang gently announced to the other disciples, "She is my last disciple. From today onwards, she will be practicing in this temple for the next six years while keeping her hair intact. You all need to work together with your master to teach her wholeheartedly."

Master Huiming had already met with Wang Xiyue that morning, so he was not particularly surprised. "Yes, Master!"

Kong Yuan and the others were a little confused and hadn't reacted yet. Although they didn't know why the master had given such a solemn and special instruction, they still agreed.

"Yes, Master."

Master Zhishang then explained to Wang Xiyue, "Huiming is the abbot of this temple. You can consult him for all matters, big and small. He is also your senior brother."

Wang Xiyue felt slightly embarrassed. Master Huiming was about the same age as her father, so it was definitely inappropriate to call him "Senior Brother." "Greetings, Abbot!"

Huiming returned the greeting with his hands clasped together.

Wang Xijie also bowed to Abbot Huiming, saying, "I will have to trouble you to take good care of my younger sister in the future."

"You're too kind, benefactor. It's my duty to take care of everyone in the temple, especially my junior sister."

At his master's instruction, Abbot Huiming pointed to the remaining three people and said, "These are Kongyuan, Kongjian, and Yuanye. They assist me in handling temple affairs, and they are also my disciples."

Kong Yuan had heard his master mention before that his grandmaster was going to take on a disciple, but he didn't know the specifics.

Although he had seen Wang Xiyue that morning and knew she was the daughter of the prime minister, he only felt that his master treated her differently. He never expected that she was his grandmaster's last disciple.

She was a nine-year-old girl, and according to seniority, she should call her "Shigu" (a term of respect for a female disciple). However, she was already twenty-three years old, a full fourteen years older than her. It was really difficult to say the title, and she felt a little depressed and embarrassed. She struggled to say it for a long time.

Kong Jian was twenty-five years old this year, much younger than him. Although he was also surprised, he never cared about such trivial matters, so he suppressed his embarrassment and promptly bowed, "Junior Martial Aunt!"

Facing her nephew, who was much older than her own brother, Wang Xiyue felt it inappropriate to address him by their seniority or lineage. Instead, she addressed him by his age and seniority, saying, "Brother Kongjian."

"Brother Kongyuan."

Yuan Ye is eighteen years old this year. Although he is nine years older than Wang Xiyue, compared to the other two senior brothers, the age gap between them is the smallest. He simply treats her as a younger sister. So he greets her generously, "Little nun, I am in charge of the temple's accommodation arrangements. I will take you to Yuenian Nunnery to tidy up the courtyard later."

Seeing that Yuan Ye seemed a bit more lively, Wang Xiyue relaxed a lot. "Okay, thank you, Brother Yuan Ye!"

Wang Xijie was getting anxious. Why was no one there to receive or make arrangements for him? He had no choice but to ask, "Abbot, what should I do?"

Unless they are true monks, other laypeople can only stay in the inner courtyard. Only a small number of outer disciples can stay in the inner courtyard for a long time without becoming monks. Most of them are children from poor families who become lay disciples to do odd jobs and help out in order to earn a living.

Of course, some wealthy young men occasionally come to stay for a month or two to meditate, seek enlightenment, and cultivate their character.

"Knowing you can't let go of your sister, you'll have to stay in the temple as an outer martial monk for now! Once your sister is fully familiar with temple life, you can make your own arrangements."

Wang Xijie expressed his complete understanding, saying that it's not that monks can't stay in the temple for long. As long as he's fed, has a place to stay, and can keep his sister company, that's enough. "Thank you, Abbot!"

Master Zhishang, seeing that everyone had met, then instructed, "Huiming, you all go and arrange everything now!"

Then he turned to Wang Xiyue and kindly instructed, "Child, you go with them. Make sure the courtyard where you're staying is tidy up today, and come back here at dawn tomorrow."

Wang Xiyue bowed in farewell, "Yes, Master."

The others bowed and left the small house one after another.

Under Master Huiming's arrangement, Yuanye took Wang Xiyue to Yue Nian Nunnery.

Preparing the courtyard where they would be staying was a big deal, while Kong Yuan took Wang Xijie to find another place to stay.

Yuan Ye introduced Wang Xiyue to Abbess Lin, the head of Yue Nian Nunnery.

Although they were all monks, there was a distinction between men and women, and Yuanye only arrived at the entrance of the temple without entering.

"Little nun, I have already told Master Lin about your matter. If there is anything missing, please let me know in time."

Yuan Ye was not at all unfamiliar with this very young "elder," but treated him like a friend.

Although Wang Xiyue was rather reserved and even a bit aloof, she knew exactly who was good to her, so she was naturally very polite to Yuan Ye as well, "Okay, thank you, Third Brother Yuan Ye."

"Young benefactor, please come this way." Master Lin led the way.

After walking for a short while, Wang Xiyue and Xia Yi arrived at the front of a secluded courtyard.

This courtyard is located in the northeast corner, and just a few feet away is the wall of the Yue Nian Nunnery.

Wang Xiyue felt that the layout was somewhat similar to Dongfang Yu's dilapidated courtyard.

This side is more than twice the size of the other side. A simple bamboo fence surrounds a small courtyard, with lush green bamboo in one corner.

There are two small houses side by side. No one has lived here for a long time. The yard is overgrown with weeds. There is a half-leg-high mound of earth around the fence, and the sides are built with stones. The previous owner probably used the yard to grow vegetables or flowers. There is a small swing in one corner of the yard. Although the yard looks dilapidated now, you can still tell that the former occupant was a person who knew how to live a good life.

Wang Xiyue saw no disdain or contempt in Master Lin, so she patiently explained the origin of the courtyard.

“Young benefactor, this courtyard was originally built for a divorced woman. She came alone and was pregnant. To make it easier for someone to take care of her, I specially built a small courtyard here. Although this place is simple, it is quiet.”

"Later, when her child was five years old, the woman went back to her ex-husband."

"It's been almost half a year since she left. No one has lived here since she left, and the courtyard has been abandoned ever since."

"I will arrange for someone to come and help clean up later. Your luggage can be brought in after the cleaning is finished, so it won't get dirty."

Seeing that the young benefactor was dressed in fine silks and satins and was Yuan Ye's junior nun, Master Lin knew that her status must be quite high. However, she was also kind and polite, so Master Lin was willing to have more contact with her.

Previously, she had also worried that this rich young lady might be unruly and willful, and that she might clash with the other people in the nunnery.

She suggested that he live further away so that he would have less contact with others and thus fewer conflicts.

Looking back now, I realize I was being petty and judging others by my own standards.

However, this courtyard is indeed a rare and beautiful courtyard within the nunnery.