To attract customers as soon as possible, she asked Zhou Bo to buy some firecrackers and hired someone to dance dragons and lions.
By the time tomorrow opens its doors, the people will naturally come to see the commotion, listening to the sound of firecrackers and watching the dragon and lion dances.
With more people coming to watch the commotion, business will naturally improve.
A layer of red cloth covered the plaque above, with red silk hanging from both sides. Once tomorrow's auspicious time comes, with a gentle tug on the red silk, the signboard hanging above the shop will be revealed.
Usually, a distinguished celebrity would be invited to cut the ribbon at an opening ceremony, but Yu Yao, a widowed woman, was unknown to everyone in Lianhua County. Even if she wanted to invite someone, she didn't know who to ask.
Alright, she decided to cut the ribbon herself tomorrow.
"Zhou Bo, has the dragon and lion dance team been arranged over there? Make sure they remember the time, and don't delay the auspicious hour."
Yu Yao anxiously instructed Zhou Bo, who was busy beside her.
"Please rest assured, your servant has already taken care of it over there, and they all remember the time. They have all promised to come early and will not miss the auspicious hour for the opening ceremony."
Zhou Bo held a broom, sweeping the floor of the shop. Upon hearing her words, he paused and replied.
"All is well."
She nodded slightly, checking once more to ensure nothing was overlooked, fortunately everything was in order.
After Zhou Bo finished cleaning the shop, the two of them closed the door and went back.
Wu Fo Temple.
The sun's rays slanted over the gold roof of Wufo Temple, casting a faint golden glow on this ancient temple.
In the monk's room, the incense burner released wisps of smoke gently, filling the air with a faint sandalwood scent, yet it could not hide the surging waves in the serene heart.
Since that day, when he learned from Jue Ming about Mrs. Yu's news and the two children's birth dates and eight-character codes in his hand, Xuan Jing's heart could not return to its former calm.
He tried countless times to erase those thoughts, telling himself it was just a coincidence.
But the birth time of the children, the same surname as the mother, and the events that occurred under the moonlight at Zhou's mansion that night.
"Amituofo, I have sinned, I have sinned."
Xuan Jizhe cupped his hands together in prayer, whispering a litany in an attempt to calm the turmoil within his heart with the teachings of the Buddha.
However, as the beads in his hand turned, the yearning and doubts in his heart grew deeper.
To ensure he does not leave any regrets, he decided to follow the inner guidance and go down the mountain to investigate further.
He changed out of his monk's robe and put on an unadorned green robe, which carried a touch of secular air. The face that was once handsome beyond compare now had a hint of dignity, and he set off on the journey to Lianhua County.
Lianhua County.
The sky turned pale, and faint figures could be seen moving around the streets.
Yu Yao wore a simple and elegant long dress, its hem fluttering like dew drops.
She stood at the shop door that was about to open, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
"Madam, the auspicious hour has arrived. The dragon and lion dance troupe is waiting at the street corner."
Zhou Bo rushed over, his face beaming with joy.
"That's good, let's open the door and welcome our guests."
Yu Yao nodded slightly, then remembered something and instructed, "Zhou Bo, prepare some tea and snacks. I might be too busy to attend to the guests, so remember not to be remiss."
"Madam, please rest assured. Your servant has noted it."
Zhou Bo hurriedly replied and went to open the door.
With a clear "click," the shop door creaked open slowly.
The first ray of sunlight in the morning pierced through the mist, landing on the red silk threshold. It shone brilliantly, adding a special joy to the entire shop.
After Zhou Bo opened the door, he quickly ran to the door and gestured to the dragon and lion dance troupe waiting at the corner of the street.
"Bang-dong qiang, bang-dong qiang…"
With a lively drumbeat, the dragon and lion dance troupe marched into the street in a grand manner. The golden dragon leaped and jumped ferociously, while the lions shook their heads and wagged their tails with great ferocity.
In an instant, it drew the attention of the surrounding villagers.
The children excitedly followed behind the troupe, and the adults also stopped in their tracks, curiously gazing at this sudden commotion.
At this moment, Xuan Jing happened to arrive in Lianhua County and appeared on the east street of the city.
He intended to ask someone about Mrs. Yu's home, but suddenly a lively sound of beating drums and gongs could be heard in the distance.
He followed the sound and saw a dragon and lion dance troupe. He wasn't sure what had happened, but it was so lively.
And he followed the crowd curiously to see what was happening.
"Look! It's the newly opened clothing shop!" someone shouted in the crowd.
"Huh? Isn't that the widowed woman who moved to Lianhua County half a year ago? She recently gave birth to a pair of dragon and phoenix twins. Could she afford a dragon and lion dance?"
Someone recognized Yu Yao.
The words happened to catch Xuan Jing's attention as he was following the crowd. He couldn't help but frown and mutter to himself: "Neo widow? Moved to Lianhua County half a year ago? Just gave birth to a pair of dragon and phoenix twins?"
He originally just wanted to watch the commotion and leave, but now he felt compelled to find out more.
He pushed through the crowd, and what appeared before him was a newly opened clothing shop - "Yao Hua Fang."
The signboard above was covered with red silk, obviously waiting to be taken off once the auspicious hour arrived.
Zhou Bo didn't recognize Xuan Jizhe, mainly because there were too many people and he hadn't noticed him.
He saw that the people were all rushing over to watch the commotion and was very happy. He immediately cleared his throat and said, "The auspicious hour has arrived. Please allow the lady to pull down the red silk."
As his voice fell, the crowd of onlookers shouted in agreement and excitedly applauded.
The sound was deafening, adding to the excitement, as it was accompanied by the blaring of suona (a Chinese double-reeded horn), creating a very lively atmosphere.
Xuan Jizhe did not clap, but his eyes were tightly focused on the direction of the shop entrance, eager to know who the newly born Neo Widow Yu was.
At that moment, a woman slowly emerged from the shop, wearing a simple and elegant long dress, her hair neatly tied in a bun, her face exuding beauty and allure while also carrying a hint of ethereal grace.
The familiar face, the serene eyes—she was her, Yu Yao. It struck Xuan Jizhe's heart instantly.
It was also the spider demon who had saved him by taking her place to cure his love potion at that night under the moon at Zhou's mansion.
Yu Yao's face lit up with a smile as she looked at the crowded spectators, feeling very happy.
As she was about to pull down the red silk from the signboard, her glance swept across the crowd, and her smile froze.
A hint of surprise flashed across her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a gentle smile.
She didn't know why Xuan Jizhe had suddenly come down the mountain, to Lianhua County, and was present in the crowd of onlookers.
But now was not the time for a conversation between them.
She nodded gently to Xuan Jizhe, holding one end of the red silk, and pulled it slowly, revealing the beautifully carved signboard: "Yao Hua Fang."
The characters were bold and powerful, as if foretelling the birth of countless beautiful garments here.
The door was filled with the sound of drums and gongs, along with the enthusiastic cheers, creating a joyous and warm atmosphere.
Xuan Jizhe's eyes were filled with a complicated smile, and he stared at her intently. She was dazzling, radiant, and so captivating.
He unconsciously moistened his eyes, and his heart was stirred again, with winds rising and clouds swelling, making it difficult to calm down.
It turned out that after that night, she really had his child and had given birth to it alone, and now she had come to live in Lianhua County.
She had sent someone to climb up the mountain to pray for the children, which may also be a way of informing herself that she had given birth to his child.
Xuan Jizhe's heart was filled with countless thoughts and emotions, which he had to suppress. He wanted to go forward and talk to her but knew it wasn't the right time.
Yu Yao saw Xuan Jizhe's complex and unspoken eyes, but she did not go forward to speak to him.
She turned her gaze back to the crowd and shouted loudly, "Thank you, dear neighbors, for your support. Yao Hua Fang is now officially open for business. Please come in and choose your items. Today's grand opening is auspicious, and all customers who come in today will receive a gift."
Zhou Bo took out a prepared fruit basket filled with red fruits from the shop, and continuously threw sunflower seeds, candies, and lucky money to the spectators.
"Good, good."
The effect of throwing sunflower seeds, candies, and lucky money is that the people kept cheering.
Xuan Jizhe seemed to have been infected by this lively atmosphere, suppressing his countless thoughts, smiling on his face, lessening the former indifferent and cold, and adding a bit of worldly atmosphere instead.
Whether it was because of joy or just to join in the fun, he even reached out to grab the sunflower seeds and candies that Zhou Bo was throwing to the crowd.
Yu Yao saw this and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
It's really unexpected that Xuan Jizhe, a sacred monk in the Buddhist realm, also has such an interesting side.
Xuan Jizhe did not grab the lucky money; he only snatched some sunflower seeds and candies, playing with them in his hand.
Seeing her smile at him, he hesitated for a moment before also smiling.
The smile was like the warmth of spring, bringing everything to life.
A young woman beside him was stunned and gasped, covering her mouth in awe, "What a handsome monk! But why is he a monk? It's such a waste."
Yu Yao glanced at the woman and smiled as she walked towards Xuan Jizhe, "Master Xuan Jizhe, it's been a long time. How are you doing?"
Xuan Jizhe put the sunflower seeds and candies in his pocket, clasped his hands together, slightly bowed, and tried to calm the turmoil within him.
"Yu donor, you have been well. The monk came down the mountain this time to..."
He wanted to say something but didn't know how to start, and also felt that it wasn't suitable to speak here.
"Yu donor, please take care of your business. The monk will come to find you in the evening."
He slightly bowed and turned to leave.
"Please wait a moment, master."
Yu Yao quickly spoke to stop him, and when he stopped and turned back with a questioning look, she said.
She pressed her lips together, smiled, and said, "If you don't mind, master, could you please wait in the back yard for a while? I'll come to you after I finish my work."
Xuan Jizhe looked at her, nodded slightly, and said, "Of course."
The voice was like the sound of spring water, very pleasant to listen to.
"Zhou Bo, please take the master to the rear courtyard pavilion and treat him well."
At this time, there were many customers at the door, and many people had already entered the shop to choose their clothes. She was really unable to spare time and turned to Zhou Bo beside her.
Zhou Bo quickly came over, looked at Xuan Jizhe, and knew that he was the acquaintance of the lady. He was polite and said, "Please follow me, master."
"Thank you."
Xuan Jizhe nodded slightly, clasped his hands together, and followed Zhou Bo to the courtyard pavilion to wait.
The woman who had been staring at Xuan Jizhe saw him go into the shop courtyard. Her eyes briefly flashed with regret.
She then went into the shop to look at the clothes.
