Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 391 - 345: Do your best, and heaven will surely follow
However, upon reconsideration, since the abbot of this temple sent back the earrings, he must have also explained the ins and outs to Yu Wenye. It was not surprising that he knew about Shantong’er.
So, she stopped overthinking and lowered her head to finish washing her face.
Once she was done with her ablutions, Yu Wenye finally stood up: "Let’s go."
The two of them left the dormitory and walked towards the dining hall.
Most temples are dedicated to the same Gods and Buddhas, but the layout of the halls and the resident monks can vary. For example, Ban Yan Temple, which they often visited before, was near Luoyang and frequented by many dignitaries and nobles, so it was grand and magnificent, with even the dining hall built larger than those in other temples, able to accommodate dozens or even a hundred people at once.
But this temple in front of them was small and scarcely populated, and the dining hall was very cramped, with only four tables for the monks here to have their meals.
Fortunately, by the time they arrived, it was already late enough that the monks had already eaten, so it wasn’t crowded. As soon as they entered, they saw Shen Wuzheng sitting at a wooden table by the window, with Tushere setting the vegetarian meal he had brought in front of him.
Shang Ruyi walked over: "Brother."
Shen Wuzheng looked up at her, smiled, and said, "Awake now."
Shang Ruyi nodded, and Yu Wenye also cupped his fist in greeting to Shen Wuzheng, calling him "Elder Brother." Shen Wuzheng merely glanced at him, then looked at Shang Ruyi, and calmly nodded.
Then they sat down to have their meal.
Shang Ruyi ate half a bowl of porridge and looked around, noticing that there seemed to be fewer people they brought with them. So she asked, "Where are Mu Xian and the others?"
Yu Wenye replied, "I instructed them to take turns guarding below Wanggang Village."
Shang Ruyi asked, "Are you waiting for Xiao Yuansui?"
Yu Wenye raised his head and exchanged a glance with Shen Wuzheng across the table. Shen Wuzheng said, "Based on the middle route and the speed of the people dispatched by Wang Quyi, as long as Xiao Yuansui sets off immediately upon getting the news, he should reach Wanggang Village in one day and night."
Shang Ruyi steeled herself: "So, by this evening, he could arrive?"
At this point, she felt a bit nervous.
Even until now, she still thought that wanting to take down Wanggang Village with just the few of them was somewhat fantastical. After all, they still hadn’t figured out the true identities of several key figures within Wanggang Village, and they were up against not just any ordinary rebel leader, nor some incompetent court officials.
But Xiao Yuansui!
The last time at Xingluo Granary, even with Yu Wenye’s nearly flawless strategy, they hadn’t managed to fully capture him.
So this time, she couldn’t afford to be careless.
If Xiao Yuansui was indeed arriving at Wanggang Village by evening, shouldn’t they be preparing for it?
Yu Wenye then added, "Elder Brother is right, if Xiao Yuansui sets off at once upon getting the news, then by this evening, he could arrive."
Shang Ruyi turned her head to look at him and pondered over his words, realizing something: "But, he would likely make some preparations, wouldn’t he?"
Yu Wenye nodded: "This person is by no means an incompetent fool."
"..."
"From the last battle at Xingluo Granary, although he retreated to Wanggang Village, he must have already grown disenchanted with Wang Quyi. So this time, when attacking Luoyang with Liang Shide, he didn’t bring Wang Quyi along. Given this situation, how could Xiao Yuansui not be wary when Wang Quyi suddenly summons him back to Wanggang Village?"
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "So, he might anticipate that Wang Quyi intends to make a move against him, and in that case, he would surely be thoroughly prepared before setting out, possibly even bringing back a large force."
"..."
"If that’s true, doesn’t it align with what you both anticipated earlier?"
A treasure from the Left General’s Tomb aroused mutual suspicion between the two sides.
As long as Wang Quyi and Xiao Yuansui come to blows, and the people within Wanggang Village turn against each other, even if they don’t annihilate each other, their strength will be greatly reduced, which exactly serves their purpose.
Shen Wuzheng said, "But that’s what we hope for."
Shang Ruyi turned again to look at him.
Shen Wuzheng said, "Whether Xiao Yuansui will act as we hope is something we cannot know."
"..."
"In fact, just from the incident where Wang Quyi killed Li Wen Yang, we can see that people’s hearts are unpredictable. I could foresee Wang Quyi’s greed, but didn’t expect him to be so greedy. As for Xiao Yuansui—he was already very clever; with years of honing and experience, he might be even smarter and more sophisticated now."
"..."
"Thus, it is really hard to determine how he will respond to Wang Quyi’s summoning him back this time."
They could only stir the waves, but within these waves, where the rootless floating grass drifts to, maybe it’s by the waves’ pounding, but also perhaps there’s wind, there’s rain, and myriad unaccountable factors affecting it.
Hence the saying—do one’s best and leave the rest to fate.
At this moment, Yu Wenye calmly said, "Do one’s best, and Heaven will follow."
Shang Ruyi turned to look at him, seeing Yu Wenye calmly stating, "Since the situation at Wanggang Village is complex, taking this place cannot rely solely on letting them fight among themselves."
"Oh..."
Shen Wuzheng also looked at him, and as they exchanged glances, a keen light seemed to flash in both their eyes.
Just at this moment, a hunched figure walked into the dining hall. It was none other than the abbot of this temple. The old monk was advanced in years, and even his steps were shaky. As he entered the dining hall, he looked around as if searching for someone, but finding no one, he sighed deeply.
Then, he turned around and walked out.
As soon as she saw him, Shang Ruyi thought of something and quickly got up to rush over. But just as she stood up, Yu Wenye immediately grabbed her wrist: "What are you doing?"
Seeing the two of them holding hands, Shen Wuzheng, sitting opposite, flashed a subtle gaze.
Shang Ruyi was also somewhat flustered, but she couldn’t say much, so she reluctantly said: "I, I have something to say to the Abbot. You all continue eating."
After speaking, she gently brushed his hand off her wrist and then turned to walk out.
"Abbot."
The old monk heard her, turned around and saw her coming. He quickly clasped his hands together in a ceremonial gesture: "What instructions does the lady benefactor have?"
Shang Ruyi said: "Abbot, about yesterday—"
The old monk, with cloudy gray eyes, glanced at Shang Ruyi’s ears, immediately thought of something, and said: "Lady benefactor, the disciple’s practice is lacking; he was greedy for wealth. Please forgive him."
Shang Ruyi hurriedly said: "Don’t say that, Abbot. I gave it willingly to your disciple. In these difficult times, we were the ones troubling your temple, it’s just a small gesture."
The phrase ’difficult times’ seemed to resonate deeply with the old monk.
He sighed longingly and said: "Indeed, but the harder the times, the calmer the mind should be. Otherwise, the greedier the heart, the more chaotic the world."
"... "
"Moreover, charity is charity, but the disciple’s heart is not pure."
"... "
"If it weren’t for the second young master, he would have gone astray."
Listening to this, Shang Ruyi felt that the old monk’s words were somewhat severe, but on further thought, prevention is indeed the practice of the ascetic.
But—
If it weren’t for the second young master?
His words sounded as if Yu Wenye had done something, even though he was the one who returned the belongings.
At that moment, Yu Wenye’s voice came from behind: "What are you talking about?"
Turning around, she saw him and Shen Wuzheng coming together. Upon seeing them, the old monk immediately performed a ceremonial gesture towards them and said: "My apologies for disturbing you during your meal."
Shen Wuzheng smiled and waved his hand: "We just finished eating. By the way, I noticed the Abbot entering, looking like he was searching for someone. Who are you looking for?"
The old monk smiled bitterly: "I was searching for the little apprentice Shantong’er. Because he stole food, I scolded him last night, and this morning, he’s nowhere to be found."
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi asked worriedly: "Where would he go?"
The old monk shook his head and said: "I don’t know. Although this child has been in renunciation for some time, his heart is wild. Even in this humble temple, my disciplines have no effect. He runs out frequently and we can’t find a trace. We believe he went elsewhere, yet he runs back himself. Truly—"
He shook his head and sighed as he spoke.
Yet upon hearing this, Yu Wenye seemed to think of something and asked: "You mean, Shantong’er wasn’t initiated in this temple?"
The old monk said: "No. This child wandered to the humble temple due to the turmoil not long ago. Seeing him pitiful and alone, I took him in as a disciple, thus allowing him to hang the name of practice here. But he, alas—"
Shang Ruyi was somewhat surprised.
She thought the hardships she heard of Shantong’er last night were tough enough, but it turned out he also endured such tumultuous wandering; so young he already experienced so many hardships, truly pitiful.
While feeling emotional and worried, Yu Wenye who had been silent spoke: "Abbot, do you know where Shantong’er practiced before coming here?"
Shang Ruyi turned to glance at him.
The Abbot shook his head.
With a sigh, he said: "Though he talks a lot and eats much, he rarely speaks about his renunciation."
"... "
"Speaking of which, even if taken in as a disciple, he spends more time roaming outside than staying in the temple."
"... "
"I don’t worry about anything else, just fear he won’t have enough to eat outside, might take to stealing food. Outside people are not like us in the temple; It’s not about punishing him with copying scriptures or scolding him. I fear he might get beaten up..."
Yu Wenye said: "You mean, although he often runs away, even more than his time spent in the temple, there’s no news of him stealing and getting beaten outside?"
The Abbot considered and nodded: "Yes."
"Oh...
Yu Wenye slightly raised his eyebrows, as if a flash of light passed through his eyes. After a while, he smiled and said: "In that case, Abbot, you don’t need to worry too much."
"... "
"It seems he has his places for refuge."
