Yu Yao nodded slightly and looked at the two children beside her, thinking about what names to give them.
Dugu Bai, Dugu Min, Dugu Rui...
Thought of several names, but all were not satisfactory.
She suddenly thought of Du Guye and asked in shock: "Tongtong, you said that Xuanjing is the daughter of the Gu Empress, who surnames Du Gu. Then does Du Guye have nothing to do with the crown prince? Or is it just a coincidence?"
"Haha, not just a prince, Du Guye is actually the Crown Prince, the legitimate son of the Empress. And here's another truth for you: Princess Min was secretly poisoned by the Empress."
The system continued to shock and surprise, throwing another heavy bomb.
Yu Yao was shocked to the core.
Suddenly, she had a feeling of déjà vu, as if the male protagonist from the previous world was about to fight with the male protagonist in this world.
She shook her whole body, subconsciously looking at the two children beside her, worriedly asking: "Tongtong, Du Gu is a national surname. Should I give the two children the surname Du Gu? Will this not be too bad?"
"What's not good? Just because the royal family surnames Du Gu, can ordinary people not have this surname?" The system said with a face full of helplessness.
"Alright."
She didn't continue to ask and continued thinking of suitable names for the two children.
Thought for a long time, finally decided to let "An An" be called Du Gu Rui, which means intelligence and wisdom.
Yao Yao just calls herself Du Gu Min, representing smart and agile.
Since she was seen as a widow in others' eyes, had no relatives, and didn't know anyone, the wash-three-day ceremony for the two children was not grandly held.
A simple ceremony was held at home.
Zhou Auntie brought a basin of warm water, and scattered some flowers with auspicious meanings in it.
She gently placed Du Gu Rui into the water.
Du Gu Rui seemed to feel the special moment, and he didn't cry or make a fuss. His curious little eyes looked around the surroundings.
Aunt Zhou gently washed Du Gu Rui's body while softly chanting blessings: "May little Rui Rui live a peaceful and prosperous life, be wise and intelligent, and have no misfortunes or troubles."
Gou Dan was curiously watching on the side, with wide-open eyes, innocently saying: "Wow, the little brother is so obedient. In the future, he will definitely be as powerful as grandpa."
Uncle Zhou chuckled and gently patted Gou Dan's head, "Gou Dan, from now on, call him Master. Got it?"
Although the lady treated their family very well, they couldn't break the rules.
That would be a face, and that wouldn't be good.
Gou Dan looked up at Uncle Zhou, nodding with a mix of understanding and confusion.
After washing, Aunt Zhou wrapped Du Gu Rui with a soft cloth and placed him in the prepared crib by the side.
Next is Du Gu Min.
Du Gu Min was much more lively than her brother, her little arms and legs flailing about as if she was swimming in the water.
Uncle Zhou watched and smiled, "Hahaha, Miss is indeed active and lively."
Gou Dan innocently asked: "Grandma, sister... is she swimming in the water?"
Gou Dan wanted to call her "sister," but thinking of his grandfather's words, he hurriedly changed his mind. Not knowing how to address her, he then called her "she."
"Haha, indeed, Miss is the smartest."
Aunt Zhou smiled and continued, "Little Min Min, may you be wise and agile, lively and lovely, and have a happy life."
After washing, just like Du Gu Rui, she was wrapped up and placed in another crib.
The wash-three-day ceremony was held indoors.
Yu Yao lay on the bed, watching the ceremony, covered with thick blankets. Her expression was gentle, and she exuded a maternal glow.
Time passed day by day, and soon the two children were one month old.
The full-moon banquet was also not grandly held. They just prepared a table of fine food and wine at home, without following the rules of master and servant, everyone sat together to eat.
It was quite lively.
At the banquet, she remembered the father of the two children, Xuan Ji, and a trace of longing crossed her eyes. She then said to Uncle Zhou: "Uncle Zhou, go to the Wanfosi Temple on behalf of the two children and donate some materials to the temple. Add two vats of oil money as well, just for their blessings."
She really wanted to bless the two children, but at the same time, she also had the intention of casually asking about Xuan Ji's whereabouts.
She wanted to see if the man was still meditating in seclusion on the back mountain.
Uncle Zhou, hearing this, quickly put down his chopsticks and said with a confused look, "Madam, there is a temple near Lotus County that is also quite auspicious. Why do we need to go all the way to Wanfosi Temple?"
Wanfosi Temple is not close to here; even by horse carriage, it would take several days to go and come back.
He didn't understand why the lady had to go there. Was it because Wanfosi Temple had a better reputation?
Yu Yao furrowed her brow and slowly said: "Wanfosi Temple is renowned near and far, with flourishing incense and many enlightened monks. Going there should be more auspicious and can better bless the two children."
After hearing this, Uncle Zhou didn't think too much about it and nodded in agreement.
Wanfosi Temple is indeed renowned near and far, and is one of the most flourishing temples in the land of Daiyu.
"Uncle Zhou, when you get there, find out if Saint Xuan Ji is still meditating in seclusion on the back mountain."
Recalling something, she cautioned again, "If he comes out of seclusion, there's no need to pay him a visit, and don't mention the two children. Just find out if he has come out of seclusion."
Uncle Zhou, hearing this, looked at her with a confused expression. How could the lady's husband, who died on the front line of battle, be related to Wanfosi Temple's Saint Xuan Ji?
Letting her know not to visit him and not to tell him about the children?
Could it be...
Perhaps...
Uncle Zhou was startled by his own thoughts and didn't pry further, but quietly remembered the lady's instructions.
A few days later, he set off on the journey to Wanfosi Temple.
When Uncle Zhou arrived at the foot of Wanfosi Temple, several days had passed.
The mountain path was winding and rugged, with mist shrouding it. It felt as if each step was stepping into the intersection of the world of immortals and the world of mortals.
Along the way, he encountered many pilgrims heading to Wanfosi Temple, some carrying incense and offerings on their shoulders, others holding them in their hands. Each person's face was filled with devotion and anticipation.
When he arrived at the top of the mountain, it was already dusk. The remaining sunlight cast its glow on the ancient temple, giving it a faint golden radiance.
The temple bells rang softly, the monks either reciting sutras or meditating, exuding a serene and harmonious atmosphere.
As instructed by Yu Yao, Uncle Zhou first donated the materials and oil money he brought to the temple's administration monk, explaining that it was for blessing the two children.
The temple administration monk listened and blessed both hands together, reciting sutras, and gratefully accepted the donation, promising to pray for the two children.
Afterward, Uncle Zhou found a seemingly kind-hearted young monk, and in a low voice, inquired about the whereabouts of Saint Xuan Ji.
"Little monk, may I ask if Saint Xuan Ji is still meditating in seclusion on the back mountain?"
The tone was respectful and sincere.
The little monk smiled and said: "Sir, you may not know that Master Xuan Ji has been out of seclusion for several months. However, his current whereabouts are uncertain. Sometimes he teaches sutras in the temple, and sometimes he travels the world to enlighten beings. However, recently, Master Xuan Ji seems to be meditating quietly in the temple's meditation room. If you have the chance, you may be able to see him."
Hearing that Saint Xuan Ji had come out of seclusion, Uncle Zhou knew the answer in his heart and did not ask further.
Uncle Zhou bowed his hands together and sincerely said: "Thank you for your guidance."
After speaking, he turned around and went down the mountain without staying at Wanfosi Temple.
Wanfosi Temple, the meditation room on the back mountain, amidst the morning bells and evening drums, the years pass quietly, yet they could not conceal the surging waves in Xuan Ji's heart.
Since the day of seclusion for spiritual cultivation, he has tried to cleanse his soul with Buddhist teachings, but he always remembers that gentle face at night when people are quiet.
"Master, Jue Ming seeks an audience."
At this moment, the voice of a little monk speaking respectfully from outside interrupted Xuan Ji's contemplation.
"Come in."
Xuan Ji's thin lips opened slightly, and his voice was indifferent and cold.
Jue Ming pushed open the door and stepped in, holding a list in his hand. With a smile, he said, "Master, today the temple received a generous donation, both in kind and in money. It's from Yu Fuwife of Liuhua County, who is blessing the two newborn children. This Yu Fuwife is truly a kind-hearted person; just like the former Yu girl, she is generous with her alms."
"Nei Fuwife?"
Upon hearing that name, Xuan Ji's heart jolted violently, as if struck by lightning, instantly dragging him back from his state of meditation.
He struggled to calm his heart and asked, "Who is this Neu Fuwife?"
Jue Ming scratched his head, looking a bit troubled: "Master, the servant of Madam Yu came to make the donation and did not reveal her specific identity. However, he left the names and birthdates of the two children, saying that he hoped the monks in the temple would recite scriptures and pray for them."
He didn't associate the Neu Fuwife with the spider spirit that used to live in the temple that year.
He simply regarded their shared surname as a coincidence and did not think about it further.
Xuan Ji took the piece of paper passed by Jue Ming and looked at the two children's names and birth dates for a moment.
This birth time?
He couldn't help but remember the splendid night that happened by the river in Zhou's village.
If she was pregnant, if you count the days, it coincides with the birth times of the two children.
And the mother also surnamed Yu...
Xuan Ji was startled, shaking his head and laughing, feeling as though he must be possessed by demons.
If she was pregnant and gave birth to a child, how could she not inform herself?
Perhaps it's just a coincidence.
He squeezed the paper in his hand and, for some unknown reason, said, "In that case, I'll take care of the matter of reciting scriptures and praying for the children. It will be a way to repay Madam Yu's kind thought."
Jue Ming heard this and smiled: "Master is merciful. The two children are blessed."
Master's Buddha's law is boundless. The effect of him personally reciting sutras and praying for blessings is naturally better.
