Aunt Liu came in from outside and said, “Eldest Master, the Eldest Mistress instructed that if the young masters and misses are not happy, you may take them out for a stroll. The mistress said that one must not confine oneself to a single courtyard in this world. Since you, Eldest Master, are well-traveled and knowledgeable, you are the best teacher for the young masters and misses.”
“Hehe, why didn’t the mistress tell me directly instead of having you relay the message?” Dalang spoke with a hint of jealousy, clearly disappointed.
“Mother said she was afraid Father would worry too much, and even if she told you, you might not take it to heart,” Lin Fang added on behalf of Aunt Liu.
“Did your mother really say that?” Dalang was pleasantly surprised, realizing his wife hadn’t overlooked him.
To Lin Fang’s ears, it sounded like a child asking, “Do I really get candy?” Oh, Father definitely has the makings of a henpecked husband.
Dalang picked up Lin Fang and walked outside, calling out as he went, “Cuie, Juane, Xiaer, Wuer, come, let’s go out for a walk. Today, whatever you want to eat or play, it’s all up to you.”
His sudden whim startled Aunt Liu. The master was so impulsive—like the wind changing to rain in an instant. The eldest and third young misses were well-behaved and would follow obediently, but the fourth young miss and fifth young master were like little whirlwinds, disappearing in the blink of an eye if not watched closely. She quickly instructed a few older maids and Zhou Sanxiao to drop their tasks and accompany the master outside, sternly warning them that if the young masters or misses suffered even the slightest harm, they’d be in deep trouble.
Though the family had servants, Li Cuimei insisted the children do most things themselves, only seeking help when necessary. Each child was assigned specific servants to avoid chaos in emergencies. On ordinary days, all servants were managed by Aunt Liu.
A wealthy master, holding a little girl, surrounded by children—the eldest no more than twelve—and followed by servants no older than fifteen, was a sight far removed from the norm in an era where men were expected to hold grandchildren, not their own children. To put it bluntly, it was scandalous. Passersby stopped to stare and whisper, but Dalang paid no mind, chatting and laughing with the children, utterly carefree.
“Amitabha, Master Lin, what a delightful outing.”
“Master Huiyuan, how have you been?”
“This old monk has returned from wandering and heard you’ve built quite a prosperous household. Curiosity brought me to see for myself.”
“Perfect timing. I was just taking my younger sisters and nephews out. Please join us, Master. You’re in for a treat—my sister-in-law tends a greenhouse that yields fresh vegetables even in winter, and my second brother’s wife is an excellent cook. She’ll prepare a meal for you later.”
“Hahaha, you know me well, Dalang.”
A plump monk suddenly appeared, seemingly familiar with Father. Apart from Lin Wu and Lin Xia, who looked around curiously, the others grew solemn. Lin Fang studied Huiyuan’s face. Are you the reincarnation of Maitreya? With your round, smiling face and big ears, you must be quite the glutton.
“Dalang, is this your daughter?”
Father and daughter shared the same wide-eyed gaze. The little girl had been staring curiously but then suddenly smiled, her rare blood-red birthmark flushing vividly. Huiyuan grew intrigued.
“Yes, she’ll soon be two. Her name is Lin Fang.”
“May I take a look?” Huiyuan extended his plump hands.
No way! I’m not some object to be examined. They say enlightened masters can see past lives—what if he realizes I’m not from this era and labels me a demon? Lin Fang turned away, clinging tightly to Dalang’s neck, refusing to let go no matter how he coaxed.
“Hehe, no matter. There’s no hurry. Bring her with Cuimei to see this old monk another day.”
“Of course. Fang’e is usually friendly—I don’t know why she’s shy today.”
“No harm done. Hurry and take this old monk to taste those delicious vegetables you mentioned. Any longer, and my robes will be soaked with drool—your Cuimei will have to compensate me.”
“Hahaha, no need. Cuimei already prepared a set for you, just waiting for your return.”
The already peculiar entourage now included a round, jovial old monk playing with the children like a carefree grandfather. Passersby exchanged greetings with him, shaking their heads in amusement. If this was an enlightened master, would you believe it?
Erlang and Li Cuihong seemed familiar with the monk too. Li Cuihong handed all kitchen duties to her assistants, including Yuan Li, who was learning to cook, and personally prepared a vegetarian feast. The monk shooed the adults away, insisting the children join him. He playfully teased them into competing for food, and even Lin Cuie and Lin Juan shed their reserve. Soon, the table was littered with empty plates.
Full and content, the children and the old monk rubbed their bellies, utterly unselfconscious. The adults stifled laughter, but Lin Fang remained pensive. Why was the monk so intent on examining her? Was he truly enlightened and had sensed something? She hadn’t believed in gods or spirits, but if she could be reborn here with memories, who was to say they didn’t exist?
After parting ways with Huiyuan, Dalang’s family walked home. Lin Fang voiced her doubts. Influenced by his wife, Dalang never spoke down to the children, answering their questions earnestly. Thus, his children were sharper than most their age.
“Father, who is that monk?”
“He was your second grandfather’s friend. Once a constable, he renounced the world and became a monk.”
Self-ordained—meaning he’d never formally taken vows but shaved his own head and adopted a title. In short, he was a self-proclaimed monk. Yet people greeted him with reverence, as if they knew him well. Did he truly possess some wisdom?
“Aunt Liu said monks are profound and mysterious. Why doesn’t he seem that way?”
“Hehe, Fang’e, do you know what ‘profound and mysterious’ means?”
“Second Brother explained it to Fifth Brother—it means something hard to understand but seems impressive.”
“Oh? Your brother put it simply. Monks are ordinary people who just see things more clearly.”
Lin Wu and Lin Xia, at the age of endless questions, pestered everyone daily, much to the servants’ dismay.
“Is Huiyuan powerful?”
“Hmm, hard to say. To me, he’s just a wise elder who lives more freely than most.”
“Do monks only eat vegetables?”
“Eating meat breaks their vows, but Huiyuan never ate meat even before becoming a monk.”
“Did he kill before becoming a monk?”
“No need to kill if you don’t eat meat.”
“Eldest Brother said constables often deal with bloodshed.”
“Though a constable, Huiyuan, like your second grandmother, was a healer.”
A constable-healer—someone who treated prisoners and the injured. Lin Fang sighed. So this monk’s life hadn’t changed much. Who knew if he was truly enlightened or just pretending?
There was one more thing Dalang didn’t mention, which would’ve frustrated Lin Fang further. Huiyuan’s original name was Huiyuan. Thinking his daughter too young to grasp such details, he kept it to himself.
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