In the Qing Mansion, Mrs. Zhang, Zhang Xia, Zhang Zheng, Xiao Man, and the little monk sat absentmindedly by the square table, with a table full of breakfast but no one picking up chopsticks.
Zhang Xia sat upright on one side with her eyes closed, chanting scriptures. Xiao Man saw her diligent practice and pinched the little monk, urging him to chant the scriptures as well.
The little monk looked eagerly at the table and reluctantly muttered, "Thus I have heard, once the Buddha was in Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, preaching for his mother, at that time in the worlds of ten directions, one could not describe thin-skinned vegetable buns, steamed cakes, osmanthus sugar taro seedlings, red bean rice balls..."
The little monk's throat moved when he chanted "red bean rice balls."
At that moment, Er Tong strode into the main hall, and all sounds ceased abruptly.
Zhang Xia stopped chanting the Cloud Covering Scripture and looked up: "How is it?"
