CHAPTER 5
Yu Qinghe arrived at the temple in the afternoon, when the sun was at its highest point. The temple was surrounded by many tall trees, their dense canopies blocking most of the heat. The breeze up there felt cool and refreshing, carrying the faint scent of incense.
An ancient bodhi tree stood in the center of the courtyard, its sprawling branches heavy with countless red wish ribbons. They fluttered softly in the wind, each one carrying someone's prayer for love, fortune, or peace.
Beneath the tree sat a monk beside a low wooden table filled with folded red ribbons. He wore simple temple robes, and his clean-shaven head shone under the bright sunlight. His eyes were closed, one hand raised near his chest while the other rolled a string of wooden prayer beads between his fingers as he chanted softly.
"Grab a ribbon, write your wish, go into the temple, offer incense, then hang your ribbon."
He spoke the moment A Yu approached, as if repeating the same words for the hundredth time.
A Yu stared at the ribbons.
Then she quietly grabbed five and began stuffing them into her pouch.
"Greediness is the root of all evil," the monk continued, eyes still closed.
A Yu froze.
She slowly pulled her hand back out of the pouch and returned the ribbons with a guilty expression. She glanced around nervously to see if anyone had witnessed her attempt.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but do you know where the monk who grants pregnancy is?" she asked, leaning closer.
"Walk straight ahead, make the third left turn, then the last door on your right."
He answered immediately, clearly used to the question.
A Yu thanked him and turned to leave. After taking two steps, she suddenly remembered she hadn't taken a ribbon. She quickly turned back, snatched one, stuffed it into her pouch, and hurried off before the monk could say anything.
After walking for what felt like forever, she finally arrived in front of the door. The temple was enormous, and by the time she got there she was panting heavily.
"This monk better be helpful for all the walking I'm doing," she muttered between breaths. "It's like they purposely put his room the furthest away to give me time to rethink my choices."
She tried her best to compose herself before knocking.
She waited.
No response.
She knocked again.
Still nothing.
"Your humble servant seeks your presence, god of fertility…" she called out politely.
Maybe I need to kowtow for him to listen.
Still no answer.
Is he not in?
She pushed the door slightly. It was already half open, so she stepped inside.
The room was small, its walls lined with scriptures. Large windows allowed sunlight to pour in, filling the space with warm light. On one side stood a table with a small fertility Buddha statue, incense, and offerings placed neatly before it.
Even with the windows open, the smell of incense was strong. A Yu wrinkled her nose slightly.
"I'm busy at the moment. Please come back another day."
She froze.
There was someone inside.
At the front of the room, behind a curtain, sat a figure. The curtain was mostly opaque, but with the strong sunlight shining through, she could see the outline of a man sitting cross-legged behind it.
She had walked all this way and he expected her to leave?
Immediately, she dropped to her knees and kowtowed.
"Venerable one, please help this disciple!"
The man behind the curtain shifted slightly, sounding a bit restless.
"I have other matters to attend to. Please come back—"
"Venerable one, I'm really at my wits' end! If you don't help me today, I might truly die!"
She exaggerated shamelessly. She had no intention of making multiple trips up this mountain.
Wen Hao had just escaped from his master and wandered here to find his senior brother. His senior brother had told him he rarely received visitors that day, since it wasn't considered auspicious, and left him to wait.
Yet now, some girl was kneeling outside begging for help.
Wen Hao hesitated.
He had watched his senior brother perform these consultations many times.
It should be easy.
"…Fine. What is it you desire?" he said, lowering his voice into a calm, Buddhist tone.
Seeing her begging had worked, A Yu straightened slightly.
"Venerable one, your servant prays that you heal her illness," she said, voice trembling.
Illness?
Wen Hao stiffened.
He thought his senior brother specialized in pregnancy matters. What if she truly had an incurable disease? Wouldn't he cause trouble?
He cleared his throat.
"What… illness troubles you?"
Shouldn't he already know? Is he a quack?
Then I better explain clearly.
"Venerable one, I've been sleeping with my husband three times a week for the past three years and I still haven't gotten pregnant. I think I'm greatly ill."
Wen Hao had just poured himself a cup of tea.
He choked instantly.
The tea sprayed out in front of him.
With his entire face, neck, and ears turning bright red, he stared at the silhouette of the woman kneeling before him.
…Are women usually this brazen?