This day, Yu Yao ordered a large amount of Buddhist robes and rice in the town at the foot of the mountain, and arranged a carriage to be sent to Wanfo Temple.
The vehicle was packed to the brim, bags of grain neatly stacked, forming a small mountain-like pile.
The Buddhist robes were carefully wrapped and stacked in neat, tidy piles, revealing the trace of meticulousness.
There were as many as four or five vehicles, each drawn by a groom, the hooves of the horses and the rolling of the wheels intertwined together.
The young novice Jue Ming was diligently sweeping the fallen leaves at the entrance of the mountain.
Suddenly, the sound of rolling wheels and horsehooves came from afar.
He unconsciously looked up, towards the direction of the sound, and saw a long line of people slowly approaching the mountain gate.
Yu Yao followed beside the vehicles, having changed her scarlet long dress for a simple and elegant outfit, with a gentle expression and a faint smile on her lips.
Like a daisy blooming in the gentle breeze.
Jue Ming saw her, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stopped sweeping the leaves with his broom before rushing towards her with quick steps.
The procession soon reached the mountain gate.
Jue Ming walked to Yu Yao's front, bowing his hands and reciting a Buddhist mantra: "Amitabha Buddha, Yu Shizhu, what is this?"
Yu Yao smiled faintly, her eyes sincere, "I see that the monastery's grain and rice are insufficient, and the monks' robes are also somewhat worn out. So I went to buy some in the town at the foot of the mountain. I hoped to contribute a little to the temple."
Hearing this, Jue Ming's eyes were full of gratitude. He bowed his hands and struck another bell-like sound, "Amitabha Buddha, you are most generous. On behalf of all the monks in the temple, I thank you deeply."
At this time, other monks also heard the sound and came to see what was going on.
Seeing the full bags of grain and Buddhist robes loaded onto the vehicles, their faces were filled with expressions of shock.
The young monk Huikong widened his eyes, his mouth agape, and only after a while did he say, "That's too much!"
After saying that, he couldn't help rubbing his eyes, as if he couldn't believe the sight before him.
The monks looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise.
"Yu Shizhu is most benevolent. With this, the temple will not need to go out and purchase grain for several months."
Some monks were laughing, bowing their hands in supplication, and constantly thanking Yu Yao.
An older monk smiled and nodded, unable to help but sigh, "Yu Shizhu is a demon, but he has a kind heart. It can be seen that demons also have good and bad distinctions."
Yu Yao smiled awkwardly, gently lowering her head without saying a word.
At first, when everyone knew she was a demon, they all feared her and avoided her lest she might harm them.
However, after realizing that she was not harmful but often went down the mountain to do good deeds, they were no longer afraid of her but became more friendly and courteous.
They also dared to get close to her.
As the group was chatting, Xuan Ji slowly walked over.
He stood tall and straight, his expression calm, but his eyes flickered slightly when they met Yu Yao and the supplies.
There seemed to be a subtle ripple in the depths of his eyes.
Yu Yao saw Xuan Ji and her eyes shifted, like autumn water containing emotion. She bowed respectfully: "Master Xuan Ji."
Xuan Ji nodded slightly, his voice cold: "Yu Shizhu's kindness this time is boundless in merit."
He had seen her good deeds over these past days and could see that she was a good demon.
Yu Yao smiled faintly, like a spring flower blooming, "Master Xuan Ji, you praise me too much. I just wanted to contribute a little bit to the temple."
Xuan Ji's gaze fell on her face, and he stared at her for a few seconds without saying anything.
He simply turned to the monks and said, "You all take the grain and robes from the carts and carry them into the temple. Store the grain properly, and distribute the robes according to quantity."
"Yes, Master Xuan Ji."
The monks said respectfully.
Although Xuan Ji was not the abbot of Wanfo Temple, he had profound cultivation and boundless Dharma, making him a famous senior monk of the temple. His status was still very high.
Jue Ming saw the situation and quickly called out to the monks: "Huikong and Zhiqing, come and help unload the supplies."
The monks around helped unload the grain and Buddhist robes from the carts and carried them into the temple.
Yu Yao was also helping to carry, until everything was completely unloaded.
Her forehead had already started to sweat, her small face was flushed, and she was panting slightly.
She was indeed exerting physical effort to carry the items, without using any demonic power.
At this moment, the young novice Huijing handed her a towel and said gently, "Yu Shizhu, please wipe the sweat off."
Yu Yao looked at him and took the towel, smiling faintly, like a breeze blowing: "Thank you, Teacher Huijing."
She gently wiped her sweat away.
The setting sun cast a warm and harmonious glow over the temple.
Zhiqing waved his hand dismissively, "Ms. Yu, there's no need to be polite. It was just a small favor. Your kindness will surely become a celebrated tale in the temple."
Yu Yao smiled awkwardly, "I just wanted to do something useful for the temple."
Xuan Ji looked at Yu Yao, and the coldness in his eyes seemed to be melted slightly by the warm atmosphere.
Noticing the change in Xuan Ji's attitude, Yu Yao subtly curled her lips, feeling quite pleased in her heart.
Yu Yao originally did it on purpose for him to see, and there's nothing more convincing than doing good deeds to win a man like him.
In the evening, the bells of Wanfo Temple rang softly, as if singing for the good karma of that day.
Days passed by, and the interactions between Yu Yao and Xuan Ji gradually increased.
Whenever she helped out with tasks in the temple, Xuan Ji would silently observe her.
Sometimes, they would meet in the courtyard and have a brief exchange about Buddhist insight.
On this day, the sun was gentle, and she was as usual helping to care for the injured animals in the temple.
Xuan Ji passed by and saw her focused and gentle expression, causing a stirring in his heart.
"Yu Shizhu, your kindness is admirable."
Xuan Ji stopped in front of her and said gently.
Yu Yao raised her head to look at him, smiling faintly, with sparkles in her eyes, "Master Xuan Ji, you overpraise me. I just wanted to do what I could."
Xuan Ji's gaze lingered on her for a few seconds, as if he would see through her, but said nothing and soon left.
From that day on, he would occasionally give Yu Yao guidance on Buddhism, hoping to help her purify the demon aura from her body as soon as possible.
Yu Yao was also listening attentively, with a serious expression.
She had several attempts to seduce Xuan Ji, but the thoughts quickly faded away.
She didn't want to lose the hard-won affection and make Xuan Ji think that her demon nature was difficult to change.
Yu Yao still went down to the mountain every day to do good deeds, providing free medical care to the poor or setting up soup kitchens to distribute rice gruel.
Her kindness spread throughout the entire Qingshi Town, and even the townspeople from nearby towns were aware of her.
The people did not know that she was a demon; they only felt that she had a kind heart, with the compassion of a bodhisattva.
But they didn't understand why she, a good girl, had to live in the temple. Even her background couldn't be found.
Yu Yao had a fair and beautiful face, as well as a kind heart. In private, she didn't know how many families wanted to marry her.
However, because of her mysterious background, it caused many families who wanted to marry her to be uncertain in their hearts.
On this day, the wind was gentle and the sun was shining, with bustling streets in Qingshi Town filled with vendors calling out their wares.
A mediating auntie with a silver tongue heard of Yu Yao's good reputation, and came specifically to inquire about her family background.
The mediating auntie wandered around the town for a long time and finally met Yu Yao under a large tree outside Wanfo Temple just as she was about to go out.
The mediating auntie smiled broadly, her eyes forming a slit as she walked quickly forward and said, "Miss, I've heard that you are very beautiful and kind-hearted. I imagine your family background must be very good as well."
Yu Yao's eyes met that of the mediating auntie, and she paused for a moment. Does she want to matchmake with her?
She could only think of the situation as amusing.
But on her face, she showed a melancholic expression and said with a low voice, "My parents are dead, and I am alone. I have no family background to talk about."
After speaking, she sighed softly.
The mediating auntie's face showed some embarrassment and regret, and her eyes conveyed sympathy.
Such a beautiful and kind-hearted girl, who would have thought she was an orphan.
Without the backing of her family, the engagement would surely suffer a big blow.
Even if it's at a minimum, having uncles or relatives to support you would be better.
Considering that she lives in the temple, it seems she doesn't have any relatives or supporters.
The mediating auntie gathered her regretful gaze, still wearing a smile, and continued to ask: "Why does the lady always live in this temple? Ladies always need to get married. It's not a solution to live here for the long term."
Yu Yao looked up, her gaze drifting to the distance, a faint sadness appearing on her face. "The temple is peaceful, which allows my heart to find peace. As for marriage, I haven't thought about it yet."
The gentle breeze fluttered through her hair, and she gently combed through it.
Even if she was to marry, it would be to Xuan Ji.
It's just that the man in question won't marry, nor does he dare to marry.
The mediating auntie was startled, quickly saying, "Oh, lady, that's not good. With your beautiful appearance and good heart, how can you not find a good family?"
She went on to describe with great exaggeration, "I happen to have a few eligible young men here. What do you think, miss?"
"Thank you, madam, for your kindness, but I have no interest in marriage at the moment."
As Yu Yao finished speaking, she was about to turn around and go back to the temple, but was stopped by the mediating auntie.
"Oh, miss, please don't hurry away."
The mediating auntie was still not giving up, holding onto Yu Yao's sleeve and eagerly persuading, "Miss, please think it over. A woman needs to have a place to rely on."
Yu Yao had to stop her footsteps and turn around to look at the mediating auntie, helplessly saying, "Auntie, my decision is firm. Please don't encourage me any further."
As she spoke, she pulled her sleeve out of the mediating auntie's hand and turned back to the temple.
The mediating auntie stood there, sighing and muttering to herself, "Such a fine girl, why doesn't she want to get married?"
Xuan Ji happened to see this scene and looked at the disappearing figure of Yu Yao, with a complex expression on his face.
The cold eyes seemed to have waves stirring beneath, and his mind was in a whirl of thoughts.
He unconsciously brought his hands together in a prayer position and softly recited a Buddhist prayer.
