The Princess Wei Yang

76.2.Reversed Fate

1Monk clothings are made of patches because according to their doctrine, the clothing must be patched together from recycled pieces of cloth to show disregard for material comfort.

*old sleeves- I think this is a various of how one refer to themselves. I could not find any other explanation

2庐山真面目: lúshānzhēnmiànmù: the true face of Lu Shan (mountain): meaning the true character of someone

**the original one say inconvenient San Xiaojie and Si Xiaojie to stay in one. I think it was a typo and meant that number 4 and 5 were to stay in one room (since they are full-blood sisters) and Si Yiniang has responded about the inconvenience.

3观音: Guānyīn- Goddess of Mercy

4尺: chǐ: a unit of length which is equivalent to a third of a metre.

5投桃报李: tóutáobàolǐ: give a plum in return for a peach: means return a favour with a favour.

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The current Puji Temple's abbot, already over 80 years old and prior to becoming a monk, was a scholarly man; full of knowledge, talent but has however experienced many mishaps, his life full of bumps, in the end became cynical, shaved his head and became a monk. Now he take care of the this temple, wholeheartedly study Buddhism, and became a prestigious and respected senior monk.

Knowing that the Li house has come to pray to Buddha, the old abbot, along the monk in charge of monastery reception, personally went to the monastery gate to welcome them.

Da Furen alight from the carriage, with a Yatou assisting her, raised her eyes towards the monastery gate and saw only the abbot wearing a red embroidered monk's ragged robe1, leading the monks standing in front of the monastery gate, that way, it can be considered enough display of splendour, attracting a crowd of people around Puji Temple.

The abbot saw Da Furen coming, take a step forward, both hands clasped in a praying gesture, said: "Merciful Buddha! Prime Minister Furen's esteemed presence in the temple is a great honour! These old sleeves* came late in welcome, I hope that Furen would forgive!"

Da Furen immediately returned the gesture and said: "Please forgive me! Master is a senior monk, I have troubled you into coming out to welcome, I do not deserve such honour."

The abbot said: "Furen had a tough journey, please enter the temple for tea!"

Da Furen nodded and ordered: "The Xiaojies at the back please alight from the carriages."

Ya Huans immediately followed, letting down the steps and stood waiting in front of the carriages. Li Chang Le wore a veil, first to exit the carriage, she moved with light footsteps, slender figure moving, delicately and gracefully walked closer. The crowd only felt it was bright in front of their eyes, couldn't help but suspect that a fairy from heavens had descend to the lotus throne, here to help people in distress, a divine intervention. Even though they could not see what Lu Shan really look like2, with just this outfit, this figure, it also drew sighs from the crowd. They originally thought it was just this one Xiaojie, who knew that at the back was one more carriage, three more veiled, slender girls alighted, for the moment the people watching were huddled together, each fighting to see with their own eyes, the elegances of the Prime Minister's daughters, there was no lacking of loitering Gongzis from wealthy and influential clans among them, who made special trips to seek novelty, but regrettably, all of the Xiaojies' faces are covered by veils, shadowy shapes, they just know that they are beauties, but not know what they look like.

Along the way into the temple, the noises from outside were cut off. The abbot said: "A courtyard has already been prepared for Furens and Xiaojies, the courtyard is rather spacious, the area is peaceful and quiet, separated from the small temple by an enclosing wall, there would not be anyone disturbing you."