The bells of the Dragon Painting Temple were still ringing as the Guest Monk led Lou Yuancheng, a merchant who had returned to the Capital City before the New Year, through the temple grounds.
It was already evening. The ordinary pilgrims had all left the mountain temple, leaving only the few who were staying overnight.
Along the way, some monks were giving various parts of the temple a light cleaning, while others had already begun heading to the meditation halls to prepare for evening prayers.
Lou Yuancheng was quite devout and knew the Dragon Painting Temple well. Though he had not visited in over a year, the familiar sights before him brought considerable peace to his heart.
As they climbed a flight of steps along one side of the mountain, Lou Yuancheng saw someone dressed as an attendant carrying a food basket wreathed in steam into the distance. He knew then that some high-ranking dignitary must be staying overnight.
The Dragon Painting Temple observed the rule of eating nothing after noon. Its monks ate only breakfast and lunch, and pilgrims staying overnight generally followed the temple's rules and fasted along with them.
There were always exceptions, however. If someone truly wanted an evening meal, the Dragon Painting Temple would not stop them. They were allowed to cook in the kitchen, but meat and fish were forbidden.
Those who made such exceptions were mostly high-ranking dignitaries. With the New Year approaching, people of that sort often came to the Dragon Painting Temple to eat vegetarian meals and pray for blessings.
"May I ask which noble is staying in the temple today?"
At Lou Yuancheng's question, the Guest Monk smiled and shook his head.
"I'm afraid I cannot say!"
Lou Yuancheng nodded slightly. Though the monk said he could not tell him,