The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

I stayed at Baiyun Temple for three days and asked all the questions I needed to.

Baiyun Temple is indeed a very popular temple with many worshippers. The monks there seem to be upright and honest. If it weren't for its distance from the capital, it might be comparable to a royal temple.

"I would like to trouble Master Wuchen to introduce me to the abbot who manages the temple's secular affairs. I would like to offer some of my family's wealth to the temple."

In the past two days, Hua Sirong's lavish spending has been evident to all, especially to the young novice monk Wuchen, who has been responsible for taking care of all the daily affairs of their courtyard and has personally experienced it.

Although the young novice monk Wuchen was young, he had received many wealthy people. In his young mind, he believed that everyone who brought money and food to the temple should be treated with respect.

"Please wait a moment, female benefactor. I will go find the senior monks now." Wuchen walked very quickly.

With permission, she and Wang's mother were led to the outer courtyard of a meditation room in the temple.

"Master, this is the female benefactor who wishes to make an offering." Wuchen brought her over and then went to attend to other matters.

"Please sit down, female benefactor," the abbot said, chanting Amitabha.

Although Baiyun Temple is quite popular, it still falls short of Baohua Temple in the capital.

High-ranking officials and nobles could leave for Baohua Temple in the morning and return home in the evening.

Baiyun Temple is not an option; you have to stay overnight.

Fortunately, the peonies in Peach Blossom Town are famous for their elegance and nobility, and the vegetarian dishes at Baiyun Temple are also famous for their deliciousness, attracting many wealthy and leisurely old feudal lords.

"I never expected that the abbot would personally receive me today. I thank the abbot." Hua Sirong quickly gave a polite bow.

"This devout woman wishes to see the abbot of the temple, for her parents have passed away, leaving behind only a small amount of wealth. She recently came to the capital to visit relatives and passed by Baiyun Temple, feeling a connection with it. She wishes to ask if there are any areas in the temple that need repair?"

After drinking the tea poured by the host, Hua Sirong felt her mind become clearer.

The abbot first exchanged a few polite words with Hua Sirong, saying, "Benefactor, you are compassionate and accumulate good deeds, which will surely bring you blessings from Buddha. I will also personally preside over the funeral rites for your parents."

Hua Sirong raised her eyebrows, thinking, "I'm about to have a major hemorrhage."

The host realized that this female benefactor was not the virtuous, sheltered type, so he refrained from the usual mutual flattery.

"The journey from the capital to Baiyun Temple is not too far, but if the bridge connecting Huaqiao Town to the East Gate could be repaired, it would be much more convenient for those who come to the temple by carriage to make wishes."

There is an official road from the South Gate to Huaqiao Town, but the East Gate is actually closer to Huaqiao Town. However, there is a river between the two sides, and a temporary pedestrian bridge has been built.

However, the bridge is old and now only pedestrians can cross it; horse-drawn carriages are prohibited from using it.

Since the carriages and horses detoured through the south gate, it didn't take much time, and the high-ranking officials and nobles had no objection to this, which made it difficult for the incense offerings of Baiyun Temple.

"Building a bridge." Hua Sirong suddenly felt that the tea in her hand was no longer fragrant. If it were cheap, there are many high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, and they would have built it long ago. How could she possibly get a bargain?

She secretly calculated the assets she held in her hands and tentatively held up three fingers.

The host swallowed hard and tentatively asked, "Thirty thousand taels?"

Hua Sirong shook her head.

The host... it can't be three thousand taels, can it? That's the amount given for the ritual.

So, the host heard himself swallowing hard. Be bolder!

"Three hundred thousand taels?"

Hua Sirong wanted to speak, but then she heard Wang Mama swallow hard, and she saw her nervously tugging at her daughter's sleeve, though she didn't know what she was trying to say.

At this moment, Madam Wang exclaimed inwardly, "Good heavens! Three hundred thousand taels! That's a lot!" Back then, the Marquis's dowry was just over ten thousand taels, which was considered top-tier in high society.

The abbot naturally noticed Wang Mama's subtle actions and, fearing that the 300,000 taels would be wasted, quickly nodded, "300,000 taels, the female benefactor is truly like a compassionate bodhisattva."

Many distinguished guests come to Baiyun Temple, and many of them are generous, but it is rare to find someone who can take out 300,000 taels of silver in one go, and even 10,000 taels is not uncommon.

This female benefactor is indeed destined to be with our temple; she is our most loyal follower of Buddha. We must take good care of her.

Although her sincerity may not be genuine, there are two aspects to believing in Buddhism: putting it into practice and following one's heart.

How can one say that a female benefactor is not sincere when she gives so much alms?

Hua Sirong seemed quite satisfied with the host, and she couldn't help but swallow hard, along with the words 'three million.' After all, throughout history, everyone knows that building bridges and dams is extremely expensive.

What merit or ability does she possess to have a tiny amount of money enough to build a bridge that will be passed down through generations?

It was at this moment that she realized so clearly that she was a walking golden goblet, and everyone who saw her would want to take a bite. It was very dangerous, extremely dangerous!

Thinking about it, her father was indeed clever. On the surface, the eldest branch of the Hua family was only slightly wealthier than their ancestors, but not excessively so. In reality, the wealth they had secretly accumulated far exceeded her comprehension.

She has to keep this secret well, and protect her money.

"Is 300,000 taels enough? If not, I can sell some of my family property."

"I'm a woman, and I've gone to stay with relatives. My daily expenses won't cost much; I only need to keep a little money for myself," Hua Sirong asked tentatively.

The abbot smiled and said, "Baiyun Temple has many distinguished guests and devout men and women who would like to do the same good deed as the female benefactor."

Hearing this, Hua Sirong blushed. Such a good thing that benefits all living beings cannot be shown by only one person.

This matter requires the temple to take the lead, and also to bring in distinguished guests from the capital, in order to accomplish such a major undertaking that benefits the country and its people as repairing the bridge.

"The believer also wants to ask the abbot to do something: the offerings she makes to the temple need not be made public like those of other benevolent bodhisattvas."

People want to leave their names when building bridges and roads, and I'm sure many people will donate money and goods then.

Although she envied such a good thing as fame, it was really not suitable for a merchant's orphan daughter like her to show off in the capital city where nobles gathered. "If my relatives come to inquire in the future, the abbot can just tell them the truth."

Although the abbot was devoted to Buddhism, he dealt with laymen and immediately understood the key point. “Don’t worry, female benefactor, I understand.”

"The female benefactor is kind-hearted and has donated all her wealth to Baiyun Temple. If she encounters any trouble in the future, she can come to the temple for my protection. I still have some influence in the capital." This was quite a promise to Hua Sirong.

Just moments ago, Wang's mother was heartbroken at losing such a large sum of money, but after listening to the banter between the girl and the host, she understood the girl's concerns.

Hua Sirong stood up and solemnly bowed to the host.

I present the 300,000 taels of silver notes with both hands.

The host accepted it with a smile, thinking to himself: What a generous gesture! Three hundred thousand taels of silver so casually. Who raises their child like this?

Even the most extravagant playboys in the capital don't live this lavishly.

Hua Sirong had no idea what the abbot was thinking. She took out a few more silver notes from her sleeve. "This is 20,000 taels. The abbot should use it to buy some more temple land around Baiyun Temple so that more people in need can be helped."

I wouldn't dare call them poor people; under the emperor's nose, where would so many poor people come from?

Who dares to say that the current era is not a time of peace and prosperity?

"Amitabha." The abbot carefully folded the silver notes and placed them in a box on the small table. He then personally saw Hua Sirong and her maid out of the temple gate. He was in a very good mood, walking with a limp. It was only a matter of time before Baiyun Temple would reach new heights.