On the eighth day of April, the birthday of the Buddha, the streets were packed with people. Almost the whole family went out to celebrate the birthday of the Buddha. There were monks and believers from the temples on the street carrying Buddha statues and holding up the Buddha's portraits in parade to celebrate. The people came to the street to pay their respects and pray for blessings.
There are performances such as step songs and King of Heaven games, which can be said to be full of variety. The temple is even more crowded, and Buddhist flags all over the city are flying in the wind, celebrating the arrival of this grand festival with the people.
It is not much different from the temples in the capital. On this day, the temple will also hold fasting meals, as well as Buddhist lectures and performances, attracting people from all over the country to come and watch the fun.
Qingrong and Xu Niang also followed the local customs. They went to Thousand Buddha Temple. After the Buddhist ceremony, they were invited by the monk who led the way to watch the Buddha bathing ceremony. After the presiding master made a grand entrance, they began to invite the statue of Buddha.
The statue had already been scrubbed until it was shiny. Several monks carefully placed it on the copper basin, and then poured water to bathe the statue.
"I heard that the water used to bathe the Buddha has magical power. Drinking it can cure all diseases and make wishes come true. Is it really so efficacious?" Xu Niang whispered next to Qingrong, because she saw that there were many
People gathered around hoping to drink the water.
Qingrong was noncommittal and just smiled, "Whether it's true or not, it's all for good luck."
The leading monk saw that Xu Niang was about to make a move, so he squeezed into the crowd with great discernment and gave her a scoop. Originally, Xu Niang was just curious, but his move made her feel embarrassed not to drink.
Xu Niang was a little embarrassed, "Just drink it like this?"
The young monk did not bother to wipe the sweat from his forehead and nodded: "If Nutan feels more inconvenienced, I will go find a cup."
Seeing that there were more and more people, Xu Niang didn't want to embarrass him, so she waved her hand and said: "Forget it, that's it." After saying that, she held up the melon ladle and took a sip of the "holy water" used to bathe the Buddha. "Why is there still a fragrance of flowers?"
?”
"The water for bathing the Buddha is made with various spices and five-color perfume mixed with flower petals in advance, so it naturally tastes like flowers."
Xu Niang couldn't help but secretly gasped when she heard this, this... is so weird.
Qingrong also noticed this at this time. Seeing that Xu Niang was holding a melon gourd, she came over and asked with a smile, "Did you go to scoop it up too? How does this Buddha bathing water taste?"
Xu Niang smiled sheepishly.
The monk saw that Shui Xu Niang had only taken one sip, and Xu Niang had no intention of finishing the drink, so he asked her if she wanted to drink the rest. If not, he would leave it to other believers.
Xu Niang was a little surprised for a moment. She drank the rest, but someone still wants it? Could it be that the water for bathing the Buddha is particularly precious? She looked at the sincere eyes of the little novice opposite, but it didn't look like he was trying to fool her.
.
The little novice monk understood the surprise in Xu Niang's eyes, and thought that she was indeed a daughter of an official and didn't know about the people's livelihood. He sighed and explained: "Nv Tan is more unaware of something. There is a shortage of water in the city now. From the beginning of spring to now, there is actually
There have never been a few decent rains. Xizhou is originally a dry land. Now that the hot summer has not arrived, there is little water in the rivers and the ground is short of water. I don’t know what will happen in the future. Right now, the water is naturally
Use sparingly, not to mention the water used to bathe the Buddha."
Qingrong had heard about this matter, and heard that Lu Kaiyan was very anxious about it. Rain is related to rice and grain. If there is a drought, wouldn't it make the already poor people even worse?
Xu Niang didn't say anything after hearing this, so she had to ask Bai Li to take the melon ladle back.
For a while, the atmosphere was a bit dull.
Seeing that both Mrs. Lu and Xu Niang didn't speak, the young novice knew that he had said something wrong. He had to say this on this festive day. Isn't it a bad idea? He was about to say something to make up for it, but he didn't have the chance to make up for it.
, I heard Qingrong ask: "Xu Niang, do you want to listen to secular lectures in the temple?"
Xu Niang shook her head and asked, "Madam, are you planning to go back?"
Today, I think I have no time to come. I wanted to go and visit, but I thought it would be better not to disturb me. Qingrong nodded, "There are many people today, so I think this is the end of it. If you have other arrangements, I will take the first step."
Already."
Xu Niang said: "No, I'm going with my wife. It just so happens that I haven't been to the store for several days and I just happened to go to the store to have a look at a new batch of fabrics dyed." In fact, she had no intention of coming here today.
It was lively, but I was really afraid that the governor's wife Zhang would find me, so I came to Qingrong to go to Qianfo Temple together.
Oddly enough, this Governor's Mansion is really weird. Not long after the crown prince left, Mrs. Zhang came. As soon as she came, the ladies from the high families in Xizhou had to entertain her, but Xu Niang didn't expect Mrs. Zhang to come.
When she came to find her, she said she just wanted to find someone to keep her company...but she was not an official's family now, so why should she accompany him? Thinking of what Ju Yunwei said before he left, Xu Niang felt something was not right in her heart.
Qingrong smiled and nodded, "That's fine."
So the two of them left together, leaving only the little novice who was secretly annoyed that he had said the wrong thing.
After leaving the temple gate, one could still see a steady stream of believers coming to the temple. When Qingrong left, she still stopped and looked back with a complicated expression. Xu Niang asked: "What's wrong, madam?"
She looked away, shook her head and laughed, "Nothing, let's go."
…
It's only April, but it's already like midsummer. The sun is shining so brightly on the ground that it's hard to keep your eyes open. The scorching light dries the loess, as if it's about to evaporate the last drop of water.
After the excitement of the Buddha's birthday has passed, the people of Xizhou have returned to their usual lives, and what people talk about the most is the weather. They are worried about this year's harvest. If there is no harvest, how will the family live... It's like people
My mood was like the Xizhou City that had been blown by the wind, covered with layers of loess and sand, and there was a sense of weakness beneath the heaviness.
As night fell, the whole city became quiet, quiet but dull.
"Alang is back." Azhen ran in from outside the house.
Qingrong had already washed up, took off her hair and let it down. She was about to lie down and rest. When she heard Azhen's words, she turned over, thinking that Xue Shao had sent someone during the day to say that he would not be back tonight. Could it be that he was out of luck?
What's the emergency? She got up and went outside.
As soon as Xue Shao entered the backyard door, he saw Qingrong walking quickly outside wearing a goose-yellow chest-length gauze skirt. The tulle swayed, outlining her figure, which was light and agile. Seeing her figure made his originally nervous heart relax a little.
He calmed down a bit. He quickly walked over and took Qingrong's hand, "Why are you still coming out? Just wait for me in the house."
Qingrong shook his head and smiled, and walked to the back room with him, "Why did you come back suddenly? Is there something wrong?"
Speaking of this, Xue Shao's face became solemn.
Qingrong waved his servants away, but was also stunned by Xue Shao's next words.
"Just three days ago, the Ashinahe branch led people to attack the Wami tribe of Western Turks. The chief is dead, and his wife and children have become prisoners under the Ashinahe branch."
Qingrong pondered for a moment, "Ashena Hezhi's ambition is now revealed, and he doesn't even try to hide it." In less than a month, the Xuanfu envoy from Daye will arrive, but he doesn't even try to hide it.
Worry about stirring up strife.
Xue Shao frowned, "This is what I'm worried about as well. If so, I'm afraid Xuan Fu will be of little use and will only encourage his ambition. Now that the situation is unpredictable, I'm still worried about you."
Qingrong smiled softly and said with relief: "I understand, but in my opinion, with the defense of Xizhou, the Turks would not dare to put their ideas on it."
This is because of Xue Shao's heart. Xizhou may be able to avoid it, but it will be sooner or later. The defenses of Tingzhou and Yizhou are not as good as those of Xizhou. If something happens, they will be the first to bear the brunt. Before, he wanted Qingrong to retreat from Yizhou.
, but because it is far away, and from this point of view, sending people to Yizhou may not be as reliable as Xizhou...
Xue Shao warned: "There is chaos outside. If nothing happens during the day, you should not go out casually. I will keep Xue Chang here..."
"I know how to measure. It's just that Xue Chang has been with you for many years and has been with you through life and death. With him by your side to help you, I feel relieved and let him stay by your side. I think it's enough for me to have the guards arranged by you.
Well, if you think about it in the city, there won’t be any surprises.”
Xue Shao thought silently for a moment, "That's fine. I want to tell you when I come back today. Maybe I will be in the outer city for a while to strengthen defense and won't come back. If you have anything, please find some guards and come to the outer city barracks."
Now that Xue Shao is stationed in the entire Xizhou City, he cannot be careless. Qingrong nodded, "I know, don't worry."
Having said that, he also knew that Qingrong was not an impulsive person, but he still felt uneasy and hesitated to speak. Qingrong smiled helplessly, seeing that he had been a little uneasy all night, so he turned around and asked him: "I
Can you ask someone to bring water in for you to wash up?"
Xue Shao nodded.
Soon Azhen and the others brought water in. After Xue Shao washed up, he also changed his clothes and prepared to go to bed to rest. In fact, he didn't have this habit before. If he changed clothes after taking a bath, he usually took off his clothes.
After taking off his outer clothes, he went to bed in his inner clothes. But after sharing the same bed with Qingrong, he secretly discovered that Qingrong always had to change his clothes before going to bed, and would not go to bed in the same clothes as when he went out.
.In the beginning, he followed her behavior so as not to break her habit. Over time, he consciously changed his clothes when he slept with her.
Qingrong leaned in Xue Shao's arms, neither of them had any intention of falling asleep.
“The temperature difference between day and night is huge here, and it’s quite cool at night.”
Xue Shao said "Yes" and said: "It's very hot during the day. I heard that farmland in several places has died of drought. The water is in short supply."
Qingrong raised his head and asked, "Can it be used in the military camp?"
"It's okay for now. Is there water in the well at home?"
"Well, it's still the same as before. It's not affected much." Although the house Xue Shao chose is not close to the government office, it is well-equipped with everything, including a well, and you don't have to go to the river to get water. Now the water in the river
The water is almost dry, but the well is not affected at all.
“Man-made disasters can be avoided, but how can natural disasters be avoided?”
Qingrong was silent and said to him: "This is only temporary. After a while, there will be rain. There will not be a severe drought here this year."
Xue Shao naturally knew that she had miraculous powers, but she had a good budget. He felt somewhat relieved when she said this. After all, in January this year, Qingrong told him that he wanted to collect rice and buy more.
Some rice and grain were prepared. When he asked why, Qingrong said that he was afraid of a drought, so he was prepared.
It was also thanks to her that he reminded Lu Kaiyan about the grain storage in the government. Until now, the price of grain in Xizhou and several other military towns has been rising. Although at that time he only had the mentality that he would rather believe it,
But now I feel that it is too wonderful. Xue Shaofu said in his heart, "You are really the treasure of the family."
When Qingrong heard this, she couldn't help being happy, and stretched out her hand to hit him, "You use all kinds of weird words on me."
"I was serious."
"I know what you are thinking, but I can't afford your compliments. I can only make a general deduction, and not everything is accurate."
Xue Shao said "Yeah", "Nothing in this world is fixed, not even fate."
"It's just a subtle difference. In terms of the general trend, it's just dispensable."
Xue Shao didn't know what he was thinking, so he responded, "Really?"
Qingrong chuckled, "Okay, don't you have to get up early tomorrow? Get some rest."