Zhu Guifu puffed on his dry tobacco pipe, the sound rhythmic and steady. "It is what it is," he said, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "They have split off. If he can build a house, that is his own skill. He is not spending our money."
Seeing Gan Juhua still looked unhappy, he added, "Enough. Do not keep it in your heart. We should focus more on Xiangyao’s house. After all, we will be living there in the future."
Gan Juhua still felt uncomfortable inside, but she could only purse her lips and say nothing more. However, for the next few days, whenever she saw Zhu Shunyao’s family, no matter who it was, she kept a cold face. Zhu Shunyao pretended not to notice. Xie Xinlian ignored her directly. Zhu Yanli and Zhu Yanyi were just children, so she could pretend they did not understand. In the end, the one who felt the frustration was still Gan Juhua.
During the preparations for building the house, the nineteenth day of the second lunar month arrived.
The nineteenth day of the second lunar month was the birthday of Guanyin. The weather was exceptionally good, with clear skies and bright sunshine. It was unclear if it was an illusion, but this spring, the flowers seemed to bloom more completely than usual. Especially today, all kinds of flowers were open, competing in beauty and fragrance, as if predicting some good omen.
Early in the morning, Qi Qiaoer took out a modified red off-shoulder child’s Hanfu for Zhu Yanyi to wear. Qi Qiaoer had rushed to finish it. Then, she styled Zhu Yanyi’s hair into two small child buns, tying a tiny red silk ribbon on each bun. This matched the cinnabar mole on her forehead. With this look, Zhu Yanyi looked exactly like a jade maiden walking out of a painting, particularly beautiful.
After her body was transformed by the Spirit Spring, Zhu Yanyi’s skin had improved day by day. Now, anyone who saw Zhu Yanyi, whether they knew her or not, would praise her, saying the child had great spiritual energy. It was true. Zhu Yanyi’s facial features were not stunningly beautiful. If judged solely by her features, she was only more delicate than the average person. But with the transformation from the Spirit Spring and the influence of various knowledge and etiquette, her entire temperament had changed. Now, when taken out, people would only think Zhu Yanyi was not an ordinary mortal.
Xie Zhong held Zhu Yanyi in his arms. Zhu Shunyao supported Xie Xinlian. Qi Qiaoer held Zhu Yanli’s hand. Following them were Xie Shengyu, Xie Chengyu, and the Cheng Baokun family. They had originally wanted to invite the Xie Jingyu family, but he was too busy to leave, so they did not come.
The Guanyin Temple was even more lively. Unlike before, there were now many small vendors here, selling food, daily necessities, and clothes. Many people from Sicheng Town had heard that the Guanyin Temple was officially open, so they came. Of course, the most visitors were from the nearby villages.
"The Guanyin Temple has regained its former vitality," Xie Zhong said, looking at the sky above the temple with some emotion.
Zhu Yanyi looked at the people at the temple entrance and smiled. "Grandpa, it is Grandpa Wisdom." Indeed, standing at the entrance were the old bald Master Wisdom and the person in charge, A Guang.
"Old bald head, you are dressed very formally today too," Xie Zhong teased Master Wisdom. Master Wisdom was wearing a brand-new kasaya, and even his bald head was polished until it shone.
Master Wisdom chanted a Buddhist name. "As the abbot of the Guanyin Temple, on such an important day, I naturally must welcome guests with a new look. I should also welcome everyone at the entrance. You must know that from today on, the Guanyin Temple is officially open to the public."
"Alright, let’s go in," A Guang urged from the side. He particularly wanted to see a miracle. He did not know if Guanyin Bodhisattva would really show her spirit, but he believed she would.