Сhaptеr 14: Ning Неng Is Still Веtter Than а Snаke
Xuе Xing’an wаs mоst аfrаid оf snаkes.
Аs а сhild, he hаd gonе to the bасkyаrd to fеtсh bird еggs but aссidentаllу fоund а nеst оf snаke еggs insteаd. Нe was chasеd halfwаy асrоss thе courtуard by thе mоthеr snаke, lеaving him with а deeр-sеаtеd fеar еver since.
Тhаt night, hе bаrеly slept аt аll.
Аt first, the sеrvant hаd indeed mаnаgеd tо drive the snаkе awaу in a flurry оf раniс. Xuе Хing’an lay down, still shaken, but in his sleеp, hе kерt hеаring faint, сhilling, and slithering hisses.
Unеasу, he оpеned his eyes.
By the faint moonlight outside the window, he was horrified to discover that the snake had returned and was now hanging upside down from the top of the bed curtain, hissing at him.
Its emerald-green eyes glowed eerily in the darkness.
“Ah—!” Xue Xing’an was nearly scared out of his wits. However, upon seeing him awake, the snake flicked its tail and swiftly slithered away, disappearing into the shadows.
He remained terrified for a long while, his heart pounding like a drum, unable to fall back asleep. He jumped up, lit all the candles, and ordered the night watch servant to scatter a full half-pound of realgar powder in every corner of the room before daring to lie down again.
Yet, when he turned over once more and groggily opened his eyes, he found the brightly colored, clearly venomous snake right beside his pillow.
Its cold scales brushed against his cheek, and its flickering tongue almost touched his face.
For someone afraid of snakes, this was nothing short of the most terrifying nightmare!
Before Xue Xing’an could scream again, the snake, as if having had enough fun, leisurely crawled away.
It moved slowly, as if strolling leisurely, deliberately teasing him.
After being tormented like this seven or eight times, Xue Xing’an was completely broken by the snake. For the latter half of the night, he huddled in the corner with his blanket, wide-eyed until dawn.
At breakfast, he sat in his seat with two large dark circles under his eyes, looking utterly exhausted—even more haggard than Xue Wan, who was still recovering from her cold.
Xue Xingyi helped his pregnant wife, Lady Zhou, to her seat and glanced at him indifferently without saying a word.
Turning to Xue Wan, he asked, “Have you seen the doctor? Are you feeling better?”
Xue Wan’s face was even paler than the day before. Having suffered from diarrhea for most of the night, she was nearly drained of energy and had only just managed to get up in the morning with someone’s help.
She felt frustrated: she hadn’t eaten anything unusual the day before, so why had her stomach acted up?
But this wasn’t something she could discuss openly. Xue Wan could only force herself to appear composed and said weakly, “Thank you for your concern, Elder Brother… Wan’er is already much better. I took medicine this morning.”
Xue Xingyi said, “Be more careful when walking in the future. Stay away from the pond to avoid accidentally falling in again.”
Xue Wan’s smile stiffened slightly, and she replied softly, “…Yes, Wan’er will remember.”
When Ning Heng took her seat, Old Madam, sitting at the head of the table, glanced at the distracted Xue Xing’an and reminded him, “Xing’an.”
Xue Xing’an was still preoccupied with the terrifying image of the venomous snake and reacted half a beat slower, looking up blankly.
“Huh?”
Only when he saw Old Madam’s displeased expression did Xue Xing’an snap back to reality. Remembering the scolding from his grandmother and elder brother the day before, he reluctantly turned to Ning Heng and said in a weak voice, “Little Sister, I’m sorry… Yesterday, I was reckless and wrongfully accused you without understanding the situation… I apologize to you.”
Ning Heng replied flatly, “Mm.”
Xue Xing’an had a fiery temper. In the past, Ning Heng’s casual and indifferent attitude would have infuriated him, making him feel that she was arrogant and disrespectful.However, having been tormented by snakes all night, his mind was in a daze, and he kept feeling the phantom sound of hissing in his ears. At this moment, he had lost all his temper.
He even thought that Ning Heng, no matter what, was better than snakes—at least she wouldn’t hiss at him.
He merely mumbled an “Mm” and lowered his head to wolf down his porridge.
Xue Wan, standing nearby, secretly clenched her handkerchief, her nails nearly digging into her palm.
Second Brother actually apologized? And had become so… spineless!
Seeing that the brat had apologized and his attitude was passable, Old Madam nodded in satisfaction. She then turned to Ning Heng with a gentle expression and said, “Heng’er, in a few days, it will be the Buddha’s birthday. I plan to go to Yun Jing Temple for a few days of fasting to calm my mind and also pray for a blessing of peace for the child in your womb. Would you like to accompany me?”
Ning Heng had no interest in praying to gods or worshiping Buddha, but under Old Madam’s earnest and affectionate gaze, she still nodded and said, “Alright.”
“Nanny Qiu, have someone prepare for the trip. The carriage must be steady, and the temple’s guest rooms should be arranged early,” Old Madam instructed.
“This old servant understands,” Nanny Qiu quickly replied.
Old Madam added, “We’ll set off tomorrow. Xiangru, I leave the management of the household to you.”
Pingyang Marquis’s wife, Liu Shi, had the maiden name Xiangru.
Liu Xiangru had always been too intimidated to speak much in front of her stern mother-in-law, so she respectfully replied, “Yes, Mother, you may rest assured.”
Xue Wan was almost overwhelmed by bitterness. In previous years, when it came to fasting and worshiping Buddha, she had always accompanied her grandmother.
She spoke softly, her voice filled with hope, “Grandmother, Wan’er would also like to accompany you to the temple to pray for blessings.”
Old Madam glanced at her, her tone gentle yet firm, “The journey is long and tiring. You haven’t fully recovered from your cold, and you’ve just suffered a shock from falling into the water. Your body is still weak. It’s best to rest at home. As long as your heart is sincere, that is enough for prayers.”
“But Grandmother, Wan’er…”
Before Xue Wan could say more, Xue Hongyuan spoke up, “Mother is right, Wan’er. Your health has always been weak. It’s best to recuperate properly at home.”
“Moreover, you haven’t yet carefully examined the wedding dress and jewelry sent by Prince Duan’s Estate. The wedding date is approaching. If you lose weight by then and the wedding dress doesn’t fit properly, wouldn’t it be disrespectful to Prince Duan’s Estate?”
Watching Old Madam carefully instruct Nanny Qiu to bring Ning Heng’s favorite snacks on the journey and personally serve her food, while completely ignoring her, and hearing her father’s words, Xue Wan’s eyes dimmed completely.
She lowered her head, hiding the unwillingness and resentment in her eyes, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum.
“…Yes, Wan’er understands.”
…
The next day, after Ning Heng had slept enough and finished her breakfast, Old Madam gave the order to set off.
Yun Jing Temple was one of the three great sacred temples of the Great Jing, with thriving incense offerings.
The temple was filled with a continuous stream of worshippers, and the sound of Buddhist chants lingered in the air.
The front hall was where ordinary people burned incense, worshiped Buddha, and sought divinations. It was crowded and lively but not noisy.
The back hall mostly received high-ranking officials and nobles. The environment was serene and elegant, with meditation rooms nestled among ancient trees and emerald bamboo.
The welcoming monk was already waiting. Upon seeing Old Madam, he clasped his hands together in greeting.
“Amitabha, Old Madam, Lady Benefactor.”
Old Madam also clasped her hands in return. “Thank you for waiting, Little Master Fanxing.” She first went before the Buddha, knelt on the cushion, and respectfully offered three sticks of incense, silently praying for blessings for her family’s descendants.
After completing the ritual, she said to Fanxing, “Little Master, this old woman would also like to light a perpetual lamp for the younger generation of my family, praying for their peace and safety.””Amitabha Buddha, Old Madam is most compassionate. Please follow this humble monk.” Fan Xing bowed and led the way.
Old Madam Kou turned back to Ning Heng and said, “Heng’er, you may return to the side room to rest, or have A Chan accompany you for a leisurely stroll around the temple. Do not overexert yourself.”
Ning Heng nodded, “Alright.”
Inside the main hall, the Bodhisattva’s majestic form was solemn and dignified, its golden statue gazing down upon all living beings. The scent of incense and candles filled the air, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to the heart.
Even though Ning Heng did not usually believe in gods or Buddhas, being in such a place inevitably evoked a feeling of reverence within her.
She took three sticks of incense, lit them, and inserted them into the incense burner. With a slight nod, she completed the ritual.
After paying her respects, she was about to leave when she overheard several women nearby whispering among themselves.
“…The thousand-year-old wishing tree in this temple is the most efficacious…”
“Indeed, I heard that the daughter of the Wang family in the west of the city, who had been married for six years without bearing a child and was constantly mistreated by her in-laws, came to the temple and hung a wishing plaque. After returning home, she actually gave birth to triplets and had eight children in five years…”
“Is that true?”
“Absolutely true.”
Hearing this, Ning Heng’s lips twitched slightly. Having so many children—what a noisy affair.
But since she had nothing else to do, joining in the excitement wouldn’t hurt.
“A Chan, let’s go take a look.”