novelaction Chapter 886 An Ominous Star Shines Upon Us
Chapter 886 An Ominous Star Shines Upon Us
“Uncle, I also got a good or medium fortune,” Pengpeng said, holding up a bamboo stick.
Zhang Ping'an took the fortune slip and looked at it, then comforted him, "A medium-to-high fortune slip is not bad. I'll take you to Abbot Yuantong for a reading later."
“Then your father and I will go to the dining hall to wait for you later. We’re old and frail, we can’t compare to you,” Xu said.
"Okay, let Xiaohu go with you. That way I'll feel at ease."
“Okay, sure,” Xu nodded.
Zhang Ping'an did not draw lots, but devoutly offered incense to Buddha, praying silently that he could overcome this calamity and that his whole family would be safe.
As he came out of the main hall, he subconsciously glanced at the side courtyard, where the monk interpreting the divination slips was a stranger.
Pengpeng noticed and asked, "Uncle, what are you looking at?"
"Sigh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about an old friend who used to interpret my fortune sticks in this side courtyard. It's a pity he has passed away. He was also a highly accomplished monk," Zhang Ping'an shook his head and sighed, feeling a sense of loss and change.
A young novice monk who was sweeping the floor nearby suddenly looked up upon hearing this: "Are you referring to Grandmaster Xuan Kong, benefactor?"
"You are... a grand-disciple of Master Xuan Kong?"
After carefully examining him for a while, Zhang Ping'an finally recognized him. He had always had a good memory, and since this person was clearly related to Master Xuan Kong, he immediately remembered that he was the little novice monk who was with Master Xuan Kong when he interpreted the divination slips.
"You still remember me, benefactor?" The young novice was clearly delighted.
"Of course I remember, but why are you doing odd jobs at the temple now?"
Even in a Buddhist temple, a place of tranquility, there are still different classes. The novice monks who do odd jobs are the least respected in the temple and have to do all the hard and tiring work.
This young novice monk had previously served Master Xuankong closely, and was one of his legitimate grand-disciples. He clearly did not belong to the ranks of errand boys, which is why Zhang Ping'an asked this question.
The young novice monk's eyes reddened at the question, but he pretended to be nonchalant and explained, "It was all arranged by the temple. But there is no distinction between noble and lowly jobs, and I don't care about that. I was just a little excited to hear that you still remember Master Xuan Kong, so I took the initiative to greet you."
After saying that, he asked, "Are you going to have your fortune told over there? I can take you there."
A hint of enthusiasm appeared on his face.
It's clear that they have a very good impression of Zhang Ping'an and his group.
Zhang Ping'an also had a good impression of the young novice monk and didn't want to trouble him, so he politely declined: "No need. When we came in, a young monk said that we could go to the abbot to have our fortune told today, so we were planning to go to Abbot Yuantong."
"Oh, you're going to see Abbot Yuantong?" The young novice stopped in his tracks.
"What's wrong?"
Zhang Ping'an had a keen eye for observation and immediately noticed that this young novice monk did not hold Abbot Yuantong in the same reverence and worship as the other young novice monks.
The young novice lowered his head and said sullenly, "It's nothing. Since you're going to see Abbot Yuantong, then I won't disturb you."
After saying that, he lowered his head and continued sweeping the floor.
It was early winter, but the young novice was dressed very thinly. When he lowered his head, his slender neck was revealed, forming a deep curve, which was due to his extreme thinness.
It seems that this young novice monk did not have a good life at the Xiangguo Temple after Master Xuankong passed away, Zhang Ping'an thought.
However, it was inconvenient for him to have a detailed chat with the person at the moment, so he politely thanked him: "Thank you for your kindness, young master. By the way, it is already early winter. Every year in early winter, Daxiangguo Temple sends monks out to beg for alms. If you have time, young master, you can come to my residence. I have many old cotton clothes and shoes that my family members don't want anymore. You can donate them to your temple."
"Thank you for your kindness, but I may not be able to send you out this year. If you do need to go out to beg for alms, I will definitely visit your residence," the young novice said with a smile and clear eyes.
"You still don't know the young master's Dharma name?"
"My Buddhist name is Huiyuan."
Zhang Ping'an nodded and took his leave: "Okay, I'll remember that. Master Huiyuan, we'll be going now."
Little Fish keenly sensed the problem. After taking a few steps, he turned back to look at the little novice monk. Zhang Ping'an said calmly, "Don't look around."
"Oh," Xiaoyuer looked away and changed the subject: "Father, in a few days you will be going out to escort the Empress's coffin to the Imperial Mausoleum. You will be kneeling and bowing, so remember to bring plenty of clothes so you don't get cold."
"Don't worry, your Uncle Tiger will take care of everything. I won't forget him," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile, his hands behind his back.
"Oh, I was just trying to be helpful. With so many of you going on a long trip at once, it's inevitable that there will be things you can't take care of."
Pengpeng, unaware of the situation in the capital, laughed foolishly and chimed in, "Yes, yes, Uncle, my cousin meant well. But only someone as capable as you, Uncle, could be chosen by His Majesty to be in the escort team. When this gets back to our hometown, it will be a great honor for our ancestors. Those other people will probably never have the chance to see His Majesty in their entire lives."
Zhang Pingan shook his head silently. "People who never leave their homes are blessed. Living a life of ignorance and confusion is not necessarily bad. The more you know, the more troubles you have."
"Huh???" Pengpeng scratched his head, not understanding.
Fearing his uncle would think he was ignorant and boastful, Pengpeng shrank back and dared not say another word.
The three walked in silence until they reached Abbot Yuantong's courtyard.
A young novice monk went in to report.
Abbot Yuantong had already received the news when they entered the temple gate, so he was not surprised to hear that they were coming.
Have the young novice monk invite the person in.
Although there had been some unpleasantness between the two, Yuantong didn't hold it against them.
Zhang Ping'an naturally moved on from the matter.
Neither of them tacitly brought up the past.
Pengpeng and Xiaoyuer handed over the fortune sticks they had drawn, and Abbot Yuantong carefully explained them. Both of the medium-to-good fortune sticks had the same meaning.
"The fish escapes the golden hook, wagging its tail and shaking its head, never to return. This is an omen of turning misfortune into good fortune. The dangers and difficulties faced by the two benefactors will be overcome without incident, and a smooth and bright period will follow. So there is no need to worry too much, as a benefactor will appear when necessary."
"Is that so? Then I'm relieved," Pengpeng said, feeling at ease.
Little Fish's mood improved a bit.
"However, if I may be so bold as to say a few words, although the two young masters are without worry, it is probably not so good for Benefactor Zhang. Although Benefactor Zhang did not draw a lot, I can see from your face that your forehead is dark and your brow is gloomy. This is an omen of low fortune and bad luck. You need to be more careful in the near future!"
"What?" Little Fish and Pengpeng were shocked.
Although Zhang Ping'an didn't completely believe it, he suspected that the bald monk was talking nonsense and deliberately trying to confuse him.
But these words, which sounded like a curse, still weighed heavily on his heart.
"Since the master has said this, surely he has a way to resolve it?!"