Chapter 323 Beautiful Spider Spirit VS Cold and Ascetic Monk 27
The spring breeze blows gently and the willow branches dance lightly. Since Xuan Ji left, Yu Yao's life has not changed at all and everything is as usual.

An'an and Youyou are carefully taken care of by Aunt Zhou every day, while she rushes to "Yaohuafang" to be busy every day.

At first, Yaohuafang was just an inconspicuous little shop, but it gradually gained fame in the county for its novel and unique styles.

Business is very good every day, with customers coming in an endless stream and orders scheduled for several months in the future.

Even the wives of county magistrates and some prominent ladies liked to order custom-made clothes at Yaohuafang.

Gradually, the fame of Yaohuafang spread like a spring breeze to various places around Lianhua County.

Yu Yao is so busy every day that sometimes she doesn't even have time to drink a sip of water. She often eats lunch in the store and has no time to go back, let alone see An An and You You.

She felt too tired and wanted to hire an experienced female manager to replace her in the store.

In this way, she can have more time to accompany An An and You You, or do other things.

The new female shopkeeper was called Liu Yun. She was dressed in elegant plain clothes, with her hair tied up high. Her eyes revealed a calmness and composure that came from having experienced many hardships.

She was originally the owner of a well-known clothing store in the capital.

Due to a sudden change in his family, he had no choice but to leave the capital and traveled all the way to Lianhua County.

"Manager Liu, I'll have to trouble you to take care of Yaohuafang from now on."

Yu Yao smiled and personally led Liu Yun to tour the store, introducing in detail each best-selling style, as well as the situation of the needlework masters in the backyard and the inventory quantity in the warehouse.

While listening, Liu Yun carefully observed the layout of the store and the flow of customers, and was secretly surprised.

It is surprising that the passenger flow in this small Lianhua County is no less than that in the capital.

Moreover, the clothing styles in the store are novel and unique, which she has never seen before. No wonder the business is so prosperous.

She secretly thought that if she managed her business well, she might have a chance to return to the capital.

"Madam, rest assured. I will do my best to live up to your trust."

Liu Yun concealed the thoughts in his eyes, looked at her, and said seriously.

Yu Yao curled her lips and smiled, "I trust Manager Liu's ability."

In the afternoon, the shop was a little empty, so she invited Liu Yun to the backyard for a rest. The two of them sat at the stone table, sipping tea and chatting.

"Manager Liu, I see that you behave very well. I guess you have done something in the capital, right?"

She opened her red lips slightly, with a hint of tentativeness in her words.

His intuition told him that Liu Yun was a woman with a story.

Liu Yun smiled slightly, with a barely perceptible sadness in her eyes. "That's true, but things are unpredictable, and my family encountered an unexpected change, so I had no choice but to leave the capital and come to Lianhua County to find a living."

She paused and continued, "However, it is my honor to meet you here. I have heard of the name of Yaohuafang for a long time. After seeing it today, I found that it is indeed worthy of its reputation."

Yu Yao raised the corner of her mouth and smoothed her hair. "Manager Liu, you are too kind. It is only because of the novel and unique styles that we have come to this day. From now on, we will still need Manager Liu to take care of it."

"Thank you for your trust, Madam. Liu Yun will do her best."

Liu Yun bowed slightly and said respectfully.

Yu Yao pulled her up, and they smiled at each other, with a little more tacit understanding and trust between them.

The spring sunshine shines through the gaps in the leaves and shines onto the stone table, making it look mottled, warm and bright.

From then on, Liu Yun officially took over the daily operations of Yaohuafang and managed the store in an orderly manner.

Not only did she retain the original novel design, she also introduced the fashion of the capital, making the reputation of "Yaohuafang" even more famous, and even guests from afar came to visit.

Yu Yao has more time to accompany An An and You You. When she has time, she will concentrate on studying new designs and then send them to the store for Liu Yun.

In addition to the clothing styles, she also designed several bag patterns and sent them over.

Liu Yun saw the new styles of clothing and bags she had never seen before. After learning the purpose of the bags, her eyes lit up.

She thought this thing was both beautiful and convenient, so she immediately gave the drawings to the needlework masters in the backyard and ordered them to make it as soon as possible and put it up for sale in the store.

The bags were produced quickly, and their exquisite workmanship and unique design quickly became a new trend in Lianhua County.

Women flocked to Yaohuafang just to take a look at these novel bags.

Whether walking in the streets or attending various parties, you can always see people carrying Yaohuafang bags, which becomes a beautiful landscape.

Seeing this, other silk shops followed Yaohuafang's example and launched bags.

Soon, many imitations appeared on the streets.

Liu Yun was furious when she saw these imitations. She felt that these seriously affected the interests of Yaohuafang.

"Madam, these people are so shameless. They can imitate the bag you designed so easily." No matter how calm Liu Yun was, she couldn't help but complain to Yu Yao when she saw this situation.

Yu Yao seemed relatively calm, and had expected this situation to happen.

She smiled and said, "Manager Liu, there's no need to be so angry. Our designs are unique. Those imitations can only imitate the shape but not the spirit. As long as we continue to innovate and improve quality, customers will naturally distinguish the real from the fake and choose our products."

After hearing her words, Liu Yun's anger subsided a little, but she was still very angry when she saw the imitations on the street.

He cursed secretly in the shop for several days. Yu Yao saw it, smiled indifferently, and didn't take it seriously.

Do what you should do every day and live a carefree life.

Many textile products appeared on the streets, and some business was indeed taken away.

But people who like Yaohuafang are still willing to buy here. Besides, the bags and styles produced by Yaohuafang are the most unique and exquisite, so it has not affected the business much.

The money rolls in every day and you make a fortune.

Yu Yao counted the money until her hands cramped, she was so happy.

On this side, Xuan Ji finally arrived at Wanfo Temple after several days of travel.

The sound of the bell came from afar, clear and melodious, as if it could wash away all the dust in the world.

Xuan Ji walked into the temple gate, and the familiar scent of sandalwood hit him in the face, calming him down a little.

He walked through the corridor with ease and went straight to the abbot's meditation room.

The abbot's meditation room is located in the deepest part of the temple. It is surrounded by silence and only the occasional sound of chanting adds a bit of solemnity.

He passed through one ancient palace after another and finally stopped in front of the abbot's meditation room.

In the Zen room, the smoke of incense curled up and the abbot was meditating with his eyes closed, as if he was isolated from the world.

Xuan Ji knocked on the door lightly, and after getting a response, he walked into the house respectfully, knelt on his knees and bowed.

"Master, I have something to ask you. I hope you can help me solve this problem."

The abbot slowly opened his eyes, and those eyes that had experienced many vicissitudes of life seemed to be able to see into people's hearts. He smiled gently and motioned Xuan Ji to stand up and speak.

"Xuan Ji, you grew up in the temple since you were young, you have a pure heart and are diligent in Buddhism. What you asked today must be something that is difficult to let go of. But you can speak for yourself."

Xuan Ji looked up at his master and told him everything Yu Yao had said, including what happened to Concubine Min, Yun Yan's helplessness, and his own fate of being almost abandoned.

The abbot's expression did not change after hearing this. "Xuan Ji, you know that our Wanfo Temple has never been concerned with worldly affairs. We only seek to deepen the Buddhist teachings and save all living beings. Your life experience may be important to you, but to Buddhism, it is nothing but a passing cloud."

Xuan Ji understood the deep meaning of his master's words, "Disciple understands, but..."

He hesitated to speak, but finally asked the question in his mind, "Master, have you ever heard of the palace maid Yunyan? Or do you know where she went later?"

The abbot shook his head slightly and sighed, "I have never heard of the name Yunyan. But when I found you at the mountain gate, there was indeed a jade pendant with a dragon pattern in your swaddling clothes. That jade pendant was extraordinary and must have come from the palace. Therefore, I guess you may really have some connection with the royal family."

"Dragon pattern jade pendant?"

When Xuan Ji heard this, he felt mixed emotions, shock and confusion.

He had never thought that he would have items related to the royal family on him, let alone expected that his life experience would be so complicated.

"Yes, I have been keeping the jade pendant for you. I wanted to return it to you when you are an adult. Perhaps it can help you solve the mystery of your life. Since you asked about it today, I will take it out and show it to you."

As the abbot spoke, he stood up and walked to a wooden cabinet beside him. He took out an exquisite brocade box and gently opened it. Inside lay a jade pendant with a dragon pattern wrapped in yellow silk.

Xuan Ji took it with trembling hands and slowly unfolded the yellow silk, revealing a beautifully carved jade pendant with a dragon pattern.

The dragon on it is lifelike, as if it will take off into the sky at any time.

He stroked the jade pendant, feeling mixed emotions.

Looking at the dragon pattern on the jade pendant, it seems as if I can see through it the dusty history and the relatives I have never met.

"Thank you, Master, for telling me the truth. I will keep it in mind. As for the mystery of my origin, I will find the answer myself."

Xuan Ji kept the jade pendant close to his body and bowed to the abbot to express his gratitude again.

"Go."

The abbot nodded slightly, "Xuan Ji, you have to understand that everything in the world has cause and effect. Since you have entered my Buddhist sect, you have a predestined relationship with me. Everything in the past is in the past. What matters is how you practice in the future and how you face your own heart."

Hearing this, Xuan Ji bowed again and said, "Thank you, Master, for your guidance. I understand. No matter what my life experience is, I will devote myself to Buddhism and live up to your kindness."

After saying this, he left the meditation room and strolled through the temple, feeling both relieved and having new doubts.

He looked toward the misty mountains in the distance, wondering where the clouds and smoke were, and vowed to seek justice for the mother he had never met.