Chapter 417: Chapter 402 Devotion
Fengyu worried day and night for Feng Shu in Jiaozhou, unable to sleep well. Her heart was consumed with anxiety for her sister in Xiangguo Temple, especially with the impending childbirth. She couldn’t be sure if the Second Young Master would make it in time.
Fengyu wished she could grow wings and fly to Xiangguo Temple, staying by her sister’s side. Like Xie Xun, she did not believe in gods or Buddha. Yet, recently, she had been visiting Jiaozhou’s temples frequently to pray for peace. She offered incense money at the temple. Yanyang was deeply devout, as were the clan’s ladies and madams, who often visited temples to worship, each hoping the gods would protect them.
Whether seeking promotions, peace and joy, or love, it seemed as if praying before Buddha would grant them their wishes.
Fengyu, despite her fractured soul, should have believed in Buddha, yet she didn’t at all. She believed more in humanity’s ability to defy fate. Ever since being abducted in her youth, she hadn’t even trusted her parents—let alone gods or Buddha.
This time, for Feng Shu’s sake, she piously climbed all nine hundred and ninety steps. Amongst the twelve regions, Lingyun Temple was said to be the most efficacious. Many flocked there after hearing its reputation. The Buddha resided high above, and from the mountain’s base to its summit were nine hundred and ninety steps. Those with true devotion would bow every three steps and kneel every nine, supposedly bringing divine intervention.
Fengyu prayed to the gods and Buddha, ascending the mountain step by step in the snow and wind. Normally, she found climbing the mountain extremely arduous due to her poor health, usually opting for a sedan chair to reach Xiangguo Temple. But this time, she sincerely bowed and knelt.
Qiuxiang and Chunlu felt deeply for her, shielding her with umbrellas against the snowstorm. Qiuxiang gazed at the whirling snow, her heart anxious. "Miss, are you really going to bow every three steps and kneel every nine? Your body won’t be able to take it."
"I can!" Fengyu thought. For her sister, she could endure anything.
According to Lady Thirteen’s letter, the delivery was imminent. She had to wholeheartedly pray to the gods for protection and safety for her sister and the child.
Though Fengyu had never considered bowing to the gods when she was personally in danger, this time, for Feng Shu, she was willing. To Fengyu, Feng Shu was more important than herself!
Fengyu continued her bowing and kneeling until her knees had reddened halfway up the mountain.
Her knees throbbed with pain and discomfort. Even wrapped in thick fox fur, the fabric failed to lessen the abrasion against her knees. Chunlu felt distressed, but understanding Feng Shu’s importance to Fengyu, she chose not to plead with Fengyu to stop but instead hoped Fengyu could complete the arduous journey quickly.
Zhang Da, Nuanyang, and Xiaoqi followed closely behind. Xiaoqi frowned as he watched Fengyu’s back against the snow. He followed her steps, his gaze enigmatic.
During their childhood, they had relied on each other to survive, hiding in caves from danger. Fengyu had once said that she loved her sister most. Even though she had already fallen seriously ill and was burning with fever, the younger Xiaoqi had held her and listened as she repeatedly called out for her sister.
Xiaoqi grew furious. He recalled how Feng Shu had almost found Fengyu but narrowly missed her, leaving Fengyu to endure untold suffering. Over time, he had watched Fengyu become increasingly wary and guarded. He heard her complaints about their parents but had never heard her utter a single negative word about her sister.
Now, nearly ten years had passed, and Fengyu was still unwavering in her devotion to her sister.
For her sister, she would even cast aside her own life!
Was Feng Shu really that important?
If there ever came a day when Xiaoqi found himself in dire straits and at death’s edge, would his sister climb and kneel in prayer for him? Would his sister sincerely plead for divine protection on his behalf?
He chuckled coldly. Today’s sister had far too many people in her heart.
Her sister, Xie Xun.
He no longer held a place of significance. His importance was nowhere near what it once was.
Lowering his head, a shadow flickered across Xiaoqi’s eyes.
He hated Xie Xun, but wasn’t it jealousy as well? Jealousy that his sister cherished Xie Xun, placing him above all else? This jealousy made him nearly mad, though he kept it carefully hidden deep within his heart.
Fengyu’s knees were worn until they bled, but she finally reached the summit. She kneeled within the Grand Hall, earnestly praying to the gods for Feng Shu’s well-being.
"Gods, I have never asked anything of you in all my life. Today, I beg you to protect my sister and her child. Keep them safe and sound, and Fengyu will devote herself to your worship every day from now on."
Fengyu kowtowed, lit incense, and donated incense money.
The snowstorm on the mountain was fierce that day, leaving few visitors around. Fengyu knelt and wandered the mountaintop briefly before she stood at the peak, gazing toward the direction of Capital City. The Second Young Master had personally traveled there; everything should proceed smoothly.
Yet her heart remained unsettled.
Xiaoqi stood with his arms crossed. "Sister, do your knees hurt?"
Fengyu almost forgot her knees’ pain—perhaps the cold weather had dulled the ache. Xiaoqi’s reminder brought back the sensation, and Qiuxiang and Chunlu helped her apply medicine.
Fengyu’s knees were utterly bloodied, a pitiful sight.
Xiaoqi’s gaze darkened. He felt annoyed and saddened.
For someone who didn’t believe in gods or Buddha, why subject oneself to such suffering?
How could human destiny ever surpass the will of heaven? Even an emperor—let alone an ordinary person—was no exception.
As Fengyu kneeled her way up the mountain, Xiaoqi recalled an event from long ago, his expression growing even more somber.
"Xiaoqi, why aren’t you saying anything?"
Xiaoqi laughed softly and said, "I’m just feeling for my sister."
Fengyu froze. Xiaoqi always expressed his care and concern bluntly, never hiding his feelings of pity or worry. Perhaps in Xiaoqi’s heart, she was the most important person to him!
"Sister, I’m fine. Just scraped knees—they’ll heal in a few days." Fengyu smiled lightly.
Xiaoqi’s jealousy drove him insane. He envied Xie Xun for earning Fengyu’s favor and Feng Shu for occupying such a critical place in Fengyu’s heart.
"Sister, if one day I found myself at death’s edge, would you kneel and bow in prayer to the gods for me?"
"I would!" Fengyu said with a faint smile. "If praying to the gods truly worked, I’d do anything for you."
"Really?" Xiaoqi’s eyes lit up.
"Really, sister wouldn’t lie to you."
Xiaoqi’s gloomy mood lifted slightly, and he didn’t feel quite so tormented anymore. His jealousy had made him nearly insane, but his sister’s words soothed him instantly. Nothing was more important than his sister!
"I’d do anything for my sister too."
The two exchanged a smile, just like their childhood promises.
Nuanyang privately worried. Could it be that this young man harbored feelings for Miss that went beyond sibling affection? Could it be that, with the master away in Ningzhou, he intended to pursue Miss?
His internal alarm bells rang loudly. No wonder the master had been so uneasy when he left for Ningzhou and had repeatedly instructed him to keep close watch on Xiaoqi.
"Xiaoqi, regarding Miss..." Nuanyang nearly asked but wisely retracted his words. He dared not continue. If Xiaoqi himself hadn’t realized his feelings, bringing it up would only add trouble for Miss and the master.
Miss loved the master dearly and would never betray him.
"What?"
Nuanyang shook his head, refraining from further comment. Instead, he monitored Xiaoqi closely, silently vowing to watch him carefully to prevent any improper behavior.
Xiaoqi saw Nuanyang’s wary gaze but didn’t mind it.