In the depths of the temple.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There was no Buddha.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There was an old woman.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Time had carved many traces on her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yet in her every movement, one could still sense an indescribable beauty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Perhaps this was the meaning of "beauty in the bones, not in the skin."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Some beauties radiate loveliness from their bones; with beautiful bone structure, the skin hardly matters.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mianmian rarely saw people stringing beads.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Embroidery wasmon.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But stringing beads was also normal; prayer beads don''t grow on trees in strings. They must be polished from seeds or fruits, then strung together with thread. It looks simple, but if someone is good at matching, choosing different beads can make a beautifulbination.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mianmian walked up to the old woman and saw her stringing a prayer bead bracelet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After their family''s circumstances improved, Grandma taught her daily, honing her eye for quality.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The beads the old woman was stringing seemed very expensive.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The prayer beads were made of soapberry, probably chosen for its auspicious name meaning "no worries, peace, and well-being" in Chinese.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In fact, soapberry itself is excellent, rich in saponins. Rubbing soapberry shells produces bubbles, cleaning hands thoroughly. So wearing soapberry beads is like wearing a string of soap??<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This string of soapberries was uniform in size, dense, and beautiful.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The matching beads were even more stunning. There was a golden top bead with intertwining dragons, two dragons on one gold bead, their ws lifelike, their faces very expressive.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In this era, dragons were not decorations ordinary people could use.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So this old woman must have royal connections.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She might be a royal nanny.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just like Grandma.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Besides the golden dragon top bead, there wererge pearls, a flowing green jade safety sp, a piece of red coral carved into a bat, arge oriental pearl carved with double happiness, and a teardrop-shaped green jade pendant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When Mianmian arrived, the old woman was already halfway through stringing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She watched as the old woman picked up beads and threaded them deftly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then she tied knots, very skillfully – one couldn''t tie such knots without stringing hundreds of sets.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even without beads, the string in her hands twisted into beautifully intricate knots.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mianmian always paid extra attention to people with nimble fingers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Like Grandma''s small hands, skilled in delivering babies.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This old woman''s hands were no less dexterous than Grandma''s.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Indeed, the elderly in ancient times were treasures, rich in life experience. Just living to such an age was remarkable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mianmian sat down quietly to watch the old woman finish stringing the bracelet and tying the knots. Only then did the old woman look up at her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Whose child are you?" the old woman asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her voice was hoarse, not pleasant to hear, as if her vocal cords had been injured, but her expression was gentle.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I''m my parents'' child," Jiang Mianmian replied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The old woman: ...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"You look very much like an old acquaintance of mine."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Mianmian nodded: "Then your acquaintance must be very good-looking."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The old woman smiled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yes, her acquaintance was very beautiful.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She saw the girl watching her string beads for a long time, and asked, "Do you like this?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Mianmian nodded: "Granny, you string them very beautifully. You have good taste and match them well."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The old woman was stunned for a while at being called "Granny."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her smile faded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"At first it was just a string of soapberries. I thought it was too in, so I added a gold bead. Still thinking it was in, I added a jade ring, coral, pearls. Every time I add a new bead, I have to restring the whole thing."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Mianmian nodded seriously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Seeing her serious nod, the old woman couldn''t help asking, "What did you hear from that?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Granny, you''re very rich, very leisurely, and very bored."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The old woman: ... Her defenses were broken.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Where did this little brate from?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mianmian wanted to chat more.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But at this moment, her mother came and pulled her away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Madam, I''m sorry, we have something to do, we''ll be going now," Qin Luoxia said, pulling the child away without further ado.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had just been discussing arrangements for a religious ceremony with the temple monks. They had settled on performing a ceremony, with options for one day, three days, nine days, or even forty-nine days.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although they were now wealthy, money didn''t grow on trees.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She felt a bit cheated giving money to these bald monks, and wasn''t sure if the ceremony would be effective.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But to put Cong Brother at ease, she boldly chose the nine-day option.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She made a mental note to tell her children before she died to just do a one-day ceremony, no, make it three days.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Don''t spend too much money, it''s wasteful.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After choosing the nine-day ceremony, she also selected some eternalmps.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
An eternalmp is amp that''s kept lit continuously, with the monks adding oil daily. She chose this for one year, nning to renew it year by year.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qin Luoxia thought that as long as they were doing well, themp could stay lit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If they weren''t doing well, surely no one woulde to renew themp.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That should do.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The wall of eternalmps was beautiful though, a whole wall of flickering lights, like trembling souls.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After settling the arrangements, she turned around and her little one was gone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qin Luoxia asked Cong Brother to follow the monk to check the ceremony preparations, worried they might cut corners or use unsuitable items. Whether he understood or not, just watching would help a bit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was originally a sad affair, but being given a task made Cong Heng feel the warmth of everyday life again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Aunt Qin always managed to make life vibrant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Perhaps Mianmian took after her aunt more.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qin Luoxia went out to look for her daughter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She circled therge temple once but didn''t see Mianmian.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although Mianmian was yful, she shouldn''t run off without saying anything.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qin Luoxia started to panic and looked more carefully.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Suddenly she felt something was off about one area.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At first nce, it seemed like a dead end.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Theyout seemed different, like a hiding ce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It also looked like an ordinary corner.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There seemed to be more than meets the eye.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It felt like a ce full of experts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It gave her the excited feeling of hunting in a forest full of prey.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As if a tiger was hiding here, a bear there, and a python hanging from a tree.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qin Luoxia stepped in and looked around.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She assessed the fighting strength.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She could probably handle them all alone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But it would be difficult with Mianmian and Cong Brother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Besides, it probably wouldn''te to fighting.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Avoid fighting if possible.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After all, this was a temple.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It didn''t feel like they were specifically lying in wait for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The aura was different.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even so, faced with an unknown situation where she couldn''t be 100% sure of defeating everyone and escaping unscathed, Qin Luoxia felt she should be cautious.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As expected, she saw her little one when she turned the corner.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She was talking to an old woman.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The old woman''s expression wasn''t good.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Qin Luoxia noticed that the encirclement was centered around the old woman.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She walked into the encirclement, pretending to be unconcerned, then grabbed her child''s arm, smiling openly as she greeted, "Madam, my daughter doesn''t know better, if she''s bothered you, I''ll take her away now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In reality, her hand was already applying force.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mianmian sensed her mother''s slight tension, like when she was about to be scolded, and obediently became docile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She waved goodbye to the old woman: "Bye-bye, Granny."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Madam, we''re leaving now, we''lle again another time," Qin Luoxia said with a smile as she pulled her child away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Left behind was Princess Huiyun, called "Granny" on one side and "Madam" on the other, her face almost smoking with anger.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Normally, although this was part of Tai''e Temple, outsiders couldn''t enter here.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A high-level expert had set up an illusion here, a very profound illusion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Children, pure and innocent, might identally stumble in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Because here, even confused rabbits might wander in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Some children who were particrly focused and pure might be able to enter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But then a middle-aged woman also walked in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She took her child away as if they were just having a casual conversation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Had the illusion outside disappeared?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
What shocked Princess Huiyun most was being called "Granny" and "Madam."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ah...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The bracelet she had spent all morning stringing was gone too.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She just remembered that person calling her "Madam," she was so surprised that the bracelet fell into the child''s hands.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The child held the bracelet, looking embarrassed as she said, "Thank you, Granny."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then she took a piece of wood from her pocket and handed it to her, saying, "You can smell this if you can''t sleep, it helps with insomnia."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If it weren''t for the jade, pearl, and coral bracelet in her hand turning into a piece of wood, Princess Huiyun would have thought it was all an illusion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Now her mind was full of "Granny," "Madam," "Madam," "Granny"... She wanted to kill someone!!!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0