Xuanjing followed Zhou Bo to the rear courtyard and the guest room. The quiet place contrasts sharply with the bustling front yard.
A few lush bamboo trees outside the guest room swayed gently in the wind, making a shushing sound, as if they were telling a story of tranquility.
He sat quietly by the window, with his eyes closed and mind focused, yet his heart was like a turbulent sea, unable to calm down.
He reminisced about that night at Zhou's village and all that had followed.
She was gentle, kind, and the hardships of raising children alone weighed heavily on his conscience, causing him great guilt and confusion as to how to proceed.
As a monk, he first broke his vows, then had children in the secular world, and also had a woman he loved.
He even wasn't sure if he could continue to practice Buddhism...
Through the open window, he looked at the bustling front yard shops and faintly saw her busy figure.
The occasional light laughter, like the warm sunshine of spring, brushed over Xuanjing's heart unknowingly, but made him even more confused.
Time slowly drifted by, until the remaining glow of the setting sun filled the backyard.
YUYAO finally had the chance, and walked into the guest room lightly, carrying a plate of exquisite pastries. "Master, you have been waiting for a long time. I've been sitting still for half a day, I guess I'm also hungry. These pastries are made by me, please try them."
Xuanjing quickly got up, took the plate with both hands, and a warm stream of feelings surged in his heart. "Mr. Yu's kindness is beyond words, I am truly grateful."
He took a light bite of the pastry, sweet and soft, just like her, gentle yet strong.
"Mr. Yu, in fact, this time I came, there are some things I want to talk to you."
Xuanjing put down the pastry, his eyes looking seriously at her.
YUYAO hesitated slightly, then smiled, "You may speak freely, Master. I am all ears."
She had already guessed what Xuanjing came for and did not feel surprised. She tidied up her skirt and sat opposite him.
"About... about what happened after that night, Mr. Yu have...?" Xuanjing stopped short and finally summoned the courage to ask, "have you given birth to anything?"
Upon hearing this, she passed a complex look in her eyes, but quickly regained her composure. "I understand what you're saying, Master. Indeed, after that night, I conceived a child of yours and gave birth to a pair of twins, a boy and a girl."
Her voice was calm, as if she was telling a story as ordinary as any.
Xuanjing's heart was a maelstrom of emotions, a mix of shock and relief.
"Oh, now I see. I, the monk, have always been in doubt, but dared not intrude upon you recklessly."
He closed his hands in prayer, and his voice was filled with a sense of apology.
YUYAO gently shook her head, "Master need not blame himself. This matter was a secret between the two of us. I did not tell Master because I was afraid it would interfere with your meditation practice."
"Mr. Yu, you truly understand the principles of justice, and I am impressed."
Xuanjing's heart became increasingly guilty, and his love for her grew a few morefold. However, he himself had not yet realized it.
"I have always wondered in my heart, whether the two children... are human or demons?"
Xuanjing stared at her intently, his expression extremely tense, and he asked uneasily.
This was also the most concerned question in his heart.
He has always taken the task of vanquishing demons as his primary duty. If the two children are demons, then that would be…
YUYAO knew what he was worried about, and she smiled faintly, explaining, "Master, rest assured, both children are humans like you. They look very much like you."
Xuanjing let out a sigh of relief, and his heart was finally put at ease.
He remained silent for a long time, as if making a certain decision.
Gazing at her with a serious expression, he said, "Ms. Yu, your noble gesture makes me feel deeply guilty. Although I am a monk, I too know the word 'emotion' and cannot abandon it. I wish to raise the children together with you and protect them well."
YUYAO's expression was surprised. She had thought that this man, who always said "Amiditābuddha" on his lips, would at least often visit the two children down the mountain.
She hadn't expected him to agree to raise the children with her, and it was a pleasant surprise.
But then, she thought, since he is the father of the children, it's normal for him to want to raise them.
Her eyes misted with tears, and she looked at Xuanjing with blurry vision, moved and touched: "Master's heart is truly commendable, and I am deeply relieved. However, Master's actions may hinder your path of enlightenment."
Xuanjing looked melancholic and shook his head slightly, "The path of cultivation is long, but having something to hold on to is also a form of cultivation. Since I have already broken the precepts, why should I be so concerned with form? Now, I just want to do my best to protect you and the two of you."
She stared at him, her eyes bottom floating with a bewitching smile, making Xuanjing's mind stir and he hastily averted his eyes.
Since that day, Xuanjing stayed in Lianhua County.
His figure appeared frequently at the mansion next to Baichuan Academy, accompanying her and the two children to spend time together.
YUYAO thought that his frequent coming and going was very troublesome, so she proposed, "Master, since you have decided to raise the children with me, why not stay here for a long time? This way, the children can spend more time with you and feel the paternal love."
Xuanjing hesitated for a moment, his heart feeling somewhat hesitant.
He knew that his status was unique, and staying here for a long time would inevitably bring about many controversies.
But seeing her hopeful gaze and the innocent smiles of the children, his heart softened gradually.
"All right, since Ms. Yu has made such a suggestion, the monk will humbly comply."
Xuanjing slowly nodded in agreement.
Seeing Xuanjing's agreement, YUYAO was very pleased and immediately ordered Zhou Aunty to prepare a room so that Xuanjing could stay.
"Yes, Madam."
Zhou Aunty replied and turned to tidy up the room.
At this moment, she already knew that Master Xuanji was the father of the two children.
Who knows, when she learned the truth, her expression was shocked.
In fact, the mistress had never married and had no husband who died in battle. All of this was just a lie that covered up her lies.
Although Zhou Aunty didn't know what had happened between the mistress and Master Xuanji, it was strange for a high monk in the Buddhist order to have a child...
This event was just unbelievable, no matter how you look at it.
Zhou Aunty was not one to gossip, and although she knew the truth, she kept it to herself. She didn't reveal a single detail to anyone outside her family, except for her husband.
Zhou B patriarch also knew a few things, but he pretended not to know.
He was clear about what to say and what not to say.
"Master, look at An'an. He's learned to roll over today."
YUYAO didn't know what Zhou Aunty was thinking, holding her son and shining with maternal love. She gently handed the child to Xuanji in front of him.
Xuanjing took the baby in his arms, his movements were awkward but his eyes were filled with gentle love. He examined the little guy carefully and found that he really looked like himself.
Especially the eyebrows and eyes, they were strikingly like his.
A sense of unprecedented responsibility and happiness rose in his heart.
Xuanjing had never thought he could have a child, this was something he had never dared to think about.
But now, all of this was actually happening right in front of him, as if in a dream, making him feel somewhat Unreal.
"Is An An his name? Then what does he have the last name?"
Xuanjing heard her call the baby "An An," reminded of something, he couldn't help but ask.
YUYAO was holding a rattle and playing with the baby, Yu Yuu. Hearing Xuanji's words, she paused for a moment.
But she quickly reacted and smiled to explain, "An An is his nickname, his real name is Duxu Rui. Yu Yuu is his daughter's nickname, and her real name is Duxu Min."
"Surnamed Duxu?"
Xuanji furrowed his brow and looked at her with a puzzled expression, not understanding why she chose that surname for the child.
YUYAO looked at his puzzled expression and remained silent for a while before saying, "Because your surname is Duxu, I chose this name for the child."
"You mean what? You say my secular surname is Duxu?"
Xuanji looked at her with a shocked expression.
He only knew that he was abandoned at the entrance of Wan Fo Si Temple when he was young, and was then adopted by his teacher and raised with Buddhist teachings, which led to who he is today.
In his heart, the master was his father.
YUYAO watched as Xuanji looked shocked and nodded slightly.
In a moment of silence, she finally spoke, "Master, I was also accidentally informed. I had heard some old stories about the palace, among which mentioned the complications during Princess Min's childbirth. It is said that Princess Min was betrayed during her childbirth and her life was endangered. Before she died, she entrusted her close attendant, Cloud Mistress, to take you out of the palace with her as an infant."
She glanced at Xuanji and continued, "The palace maid Cloud Mistress met her childhood friend shortly after she left the palace. The man thought you were a burden and encouraged her to discard you. Although Cloud Mistress did not want to give you up, she still sent you to Wan Fo Si Temple."
Xuanji stood still, his thoughts swirling like a tidal wave.
He had never thought that his own circumstances had such a complicated past.
The master had never told him about these events, and he had always thought he was an abandoned child.
