Miss Truth
Chapter 212 - 134: Benefactor, You’ve Overthought It_2

Chapter 212: Chapter 134: Benefactor, You’ve Overthought It_2

"Yu Shiji is not that remarkable, yet he still fathered a few sons with some backbone," Ran Yunsheng commented offhandedly at the end.

"Big Brother, to judge him in such a way could be considered unfair!" Ran Yan knew a bit about Yu Shiji, a famous calligrapher and literary figure of the Sui Dynasty, a man with considerable talent and deep strategies, unfathomable in his depth, well-versed in the ways of bureaucracy, and possessing the craft of a powerful politician.

Ran Yunsheng, full of interest, said, "His obsequiousness before Emperor Yang, his flashy nature, have completely stripped away the bearing of a Scholar and the integrity of a proper gentleman. He lacks any kind of moral fiber."

"Big Brother is right, I have only read about him in some history books. However, I feel the personal emotions of the historians weighted too heavily, influencing how future generations will judge him. Yu Shiji had the talent to govern a nation, but it’s a pity he did not meet a wise ruler. Emperor Yang of Sui favored flattery, and Yu Shiji was only catering to his preferences. This is the way of an official, and for an individual, there’s no right or wrong in it. For the nation and the people, just as Big Brother said, indeed he was not a good official, going against the great currents of the world, disregarding the wellbeing of the people. As for integrity..." Ran Yan had never truly seen such a stance. In her mind, only the carefree comportment of figures like Ji Kang and Ruan Ji of the Wei and Jin Dynasties could be considered the bearing of a Scholar, yet she had never seen such for herself.

Ran Yunsheng stared at Ran Yan for a moment in silence, suddenly burst into a smile and applauded, "Ah Yan’s breadth of mind could make many young gentlemen feel ashamed!"

Ran Yan laughed and said, "I am merely speaking about what my eyes have seen, where’s the breadth of mind in that?"

"How many people in the world can give an unprejudiced account of a courtier? Even the famous scholars and great literati wouldn’t praise Yu Shiji with a single word," Ran Yunsheng began to reassess Ran Yan. His sister, who used to only dabble in anthologies of boudoir laments and self-pity, actually had such depth and breadth of thought; how could this not surprise him.

Ge Lan, following behind, had also been listening to Ran Yan’s words, and couldn’t help but look up at her. That beautiful profile, no longer bearing the delicate charm of past days, no longer as lively when she smiled, but appeared so steadfast, precisely what her Wife persona had previously lacked.

Ran Yan did not dare to claim any greatness in her breadth of mind; her impartiality was merely because the matter was too distant from her, irrelevant and painless. If it had been about the Japanese invasion of China, Ran Yan would have felt at least some anger and resentment.

Upon returning to Yingmei Temple, Ran Yunsheng instructed Er Dong and Qian Xue to help pack up the belongings, preparing to move down the mountain.

Meanwhile, Ran Yan, accompanied by Xing Niang, went to bid farewell to the Temple Master.

The Temple Master was a lover of tranquility, and usually, only Jing Yuan would serve by her side. After Jing Yuan passed away, a quiet young Nun took her place.

Having stayed in Yingmei Temple for over a month, Ran Yan had only met the Temple Master four or five times. She gave sermons every four or five days, and sometimes they were canceled if it rained.

"You have come at the right time, the Temple Master just finished lunch and is enjoying the scenery in the forest," the young Nun led Ran Yan to a Maple Forest behind the courtyard.

From afar, Ran Yan could see a figure in a monk’s robe, sitting cross-legged on a flat rock, as still as a withered pine tree. If not for the occasional movement of the Buddhist beads in her hands, she would not have seemed alive at all.

The red leaves fluttered down, resting upon her shoulders without slipping off.

Ran Yan stopped not far from her, silently watching this tranquil scene.

After about a quarter of an hour, the Temple Master finally said, "Since you have come, why not join me in admiring this Maple Forest?"

"I was just enjoying the view. With the Temple Master sitting here, the Maple Forest takes on a few more shades of Zen, particularly calming." Ran Yan said this without any intention of flattery.

The Temple Master laughed hoarsely, "The Zen has always been here."

Ran Yan replied, "But for someone with worldly eyes like mine, it’s usually hard to perceive."

She was always a pragmatic person. Just like the Maple Forest, if she looked at it on any ordinary day, Ran Yan would only find it very tranquil and wouldn’t sense any Zen in it. Today, seeing the Temple Master meditating still as a withered tree, there was a quiet simplicity, yet she experienced a subtle feeling, and her intuition told her, this was Zen.

"Do you know... a person faces countless choices in life. I guess you’re someone who, once you find your true heart, wouldn’t hesitate in the slightest, which can be both good and bad..." The Temple Master muttered ambiguously.

Ran Yan said, "Are you talking about the destined men in my life?"

The Temple Master was taken aback, then turned and smiled at her, "You child, take things too seriously. Even when I try to give you a Zen riddle, I can’t reveal too much. But this is what you guessed; the old nun has not leaked any secrets."

In the end, she seemed to be talking to herself.

They say old people are like children, and even such a devoutly ascetic old nun can’t escape convention, talking too much and giving herself away. Ran Yan couldn’t help but smile, "Temple Master needn’t worry, even if I’ve understood which issue you are referring to, I’m completely clueless about what you are trying to convey."

That one sentence: both good and bad. To Ran Yan, it seemed as pointless as if nothing had been said.

The Temple Master gave a dry laugh, "Buddha said: ’It is unspeakable.’

Ran Yan understood the Temple Master meant: she might meet several decent men, and she should choose the right one quickly and accurately.

"Temple Master..." Ran Yan had just opened her mouth to take her leave when she heard rustling sounds from the bushes. Shortly after, a figure in earthen-colored robes emerged from a thick pile of fallen leaves, exhaling forcefully, "I mean, Reverend, how much longer do I have to experience this vast world?"

Ran Yan’s eyes widened slightly as she stared at Liu Qingsong’s gaunt face for a few moments.

"What have you felt?" the Temple Master asked slowly, her eyes lowered.

Liu Qingsong was slightly taken aback to see Ran Yan, for the Temple Master had told him that the person he was waiting for would arrive soon. In desperation, he clutched his hair and squatted on the ground, "Could it be that you’re saying Lady Seventeen is the woman destined for me, but my brother took a liking to her first, and I can’t snatch her away, so I can only watch them grow old together, love without attainment, and protect them in silence? It’s too cruel, too heart-wrenching! It’s simply a human tragedy!"

He sprang up from the ground, hands on his hips, pointing to the heavens, "Damn heavens! Damn heavens!"

The Temple Master, who had kept her eyes closed, couldn’t help but open them and looked Liu Qingsong up and down. Had she not been a spiritual practitioner, she surely would have cursed: Are you sick? However, as a revered figure in the Buddhist community, the Temple Master looked at him for a few moments and then slowly closed her eyes again, taking a deep breath, "Patron, you are overthinking it." (To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to vote for it with your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)