Borne Away by the Sound of Buddhist Chants

Cool, aloof Buddhist monk × Mischievous young lady

To escape an arranged marriage, Ruan Zhixia, the Third Young Lady of the Minister of Revenue’s household, climbs over the wall into Jingye Temple, where she runs into the Buddhist monk Xuanji, a cinnabar mark between his brows. She disrupts his meditations with her antics, and he calmly puts up with her caprices.

When an epidemic breaks out and political intrigue swirls, she joins him in treating the people. On a rainy night, he gathers her into his arms. It is only when the disaster of confiscated property and an entire family’s execution strikes that he reveals his origins: he is, in fact, a prince who grew up among the common people.

“Return to secular life,” she says, tugging at his sleeve. “I’ll take care of you.”

Beneath the Bodhi tree, he smiles softly. “All right.”

The Buddha saves all living beings. You saved me.