When Pei Shiju heard this, he wanted to say a few words. He had studied the works of sages since childhood and believed in respecting ghosts and gods while keeping his distance from them. Naturally, he did not want to get too entangled in such matters.
But seeing his mother's expression, he could not bring himself to contradict her. He simply nodded and agreed.
Mother Pei was delighted.
After taking leave of his mother, Pei Shiju did not sit idle. He summoned the steward who had accompanied her and questioned him closely about her visit to worship the god.
"The mistress went to the Great River at the invitation of the old madam of the Cui Household to worship Buddha. While there, she heard of the River Lord's miracles, and the local magistrate invited her to his temple. She happened to witness the River Lord manifest his power. Her years-long ailment from wind and cold was cured without medicine, so she was deeply moved by his divine might and wanted to invite him into the household!"
As the steward spoke, longing crept into his eyes and even a trace of fervor into his voice. "Young master, if you have the time, why not visit the River Lord Temple and offer some incense? Perhaps your official career will go smoothly from then on!"
"An official career depends on one's own abilities. What help can ghosts and gods offer?" Pei Shiju laughed. Seeing that the steward still wanted to argue, he said plainly, "I once heard that although ghosts and gods exist in this world, studying the classics and keeping one's heart upright will naturally give rise to Righteous Qi for protection. Besides, the imperial court gathers the Yin-Yang of heaven and earth and the wishes of countless people. Ghosts and gods