Chapter 76: Secret
Ye Xiao was an informant Li Zhao had planted in the palace, rarely showing himself.
At such a sensitive juncture, Li Zhao summoning Ye Xiao greatly startled Guan Ya.
He immediately cupped his fists, “Your subordinate understands.”
In the middle of the night, a light rain began to fall quietly.
Raindrops fell softly on the banana leaves, making a faint rustling sound, and the world was shrouded in a layer of misty moisture.
The palace lanterns swayed in the wind and rain, their halos flickering uncertainly, appearing even dimmer.
Beneath a side wall in the rear corner of the Eastern Palace, a dark figure quietly appeared. After a moment’s pause, like a lurking black panther, it leaped and nimbly scaled the wall.
The patrolling guards had already been sent away by Guan Ya.
The corner gate was gently pulled open, then quietly closed again, without a sound, as if nothing had happened.
It was late into the night, and Li Zhao had not yet retired, practicing calligraphy alone in his study.
The Crown Prince had recently become engrossed in practicing calligraphy, showing great enthusiasm. When Lai Fu entered for the third time to refill his water, a soft knock sounded at the door.
Li Zhao looked up at the sound, and the lamp wick crackled slightly at that moment.
He said in a low voice, “You may leave.”
At this time, no one was allowed to remain by Your Highness’s side.
Lai Fu responded respectfully, bowed his head, and slowly withdrew.
The curtain swayed gently, and a figure, like a ghost, entered silently.
The newcomer was Ye Xiao, dressed in black night-traveling clothes, his face covered with a black cloth, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes, as silent as a phantom.
“Your subordinate greets Your Highness!”
Li Zhao placed the wolf hair brush in his hand on the pen holder and slowly wiped his hands.
“Did Prince Duan go to Yun Lu Mountain on His Majesty’s orders?”
“Yes,” Ye Xiao replied.
“Every year in mid-March, when the peach blossoms are in full bloom, His Majesty always sends someone to pay respects at Yun Lu Mountain.”
Yun Lu Mountain is high, forming a natural barrier and serving as the boundary line for the imperial court’s “forbidden zone” of the Old Mausoleum Swamp.
In those days, the former emperor, exhausting the nation’s strength and ten years of time, expending countless manpower and resources, built that resting place for eternal peace, which bore the empire’s majesty and glory, to the north of Yun Lu Mountain.
Alas, fate is unpredictable, and the great trends of the world can change in an instant.
Li Huo, a prince of a different surname who held significant military power, rebelled. He did not hesitate to lure his sworn brother, the Great General Who Guards the Nation Xiao Chong, and over two hundred thousand of his soldiers into the emperor’s mausoleum, which had only recently been completed, and cruelly buried them all alive.
Instantly, war raged, and the land was shattered beyond recognition.
The Great General Who Guards the Nation Xiao Chong died under unclear circumstances, and his elite troops were annihilated along with him.
The war lasted less than a year, and the former dynasty’s military strength collapsed like a falling building, rapidly disintegrating.
The hearts of the people in the Imperial Court were scattered, and the dynasty’s reign came to an end.
Decades have passed in the blink of an eye. The former emperor’s mausoleum, which he never got to inhabit, now stands as mere ruins and overgrown weeds, silently recounting the empire’s past in the wind and rain.
Beneath the heavy stone gate, whether twenty thousand vengeful spirits are truly buried, no one knows.
However, the houses built anew on top of the ruins are chaotic, resembling shabby alleys of the poor.
A mixed crowd of all sorts of people gathers here, harboring filth and corruption, with black market transactions rampant.
Anyone who has been there emerges with lingering fear, saying that the sky there carries an eternal resentment, surely the souls of those who died unjustly, unable to rest…
The locals are all wary of Yun Lu Mountain and dare not approach it, saying the resentment there is too heavy.
Those who go to the Old Mausoleum Swamp are either daring individuals seeking to strike it rich.
Or they are Noble Persons with money to spare, harboring some unspeakable purpose…
The attitude of the Li Shi dynasty towards the Old Mausoleum Swamp has always been ambiguous.
Since Emperor Taizu, strict orders were issued that descendants of the Li Shi imperial family and officials of the court were absolutely forbidden to set foot in the Old Mausoleum Swamp.
But strangely, every year in mid-March, the Emperor sends people to Yun Lu Mountain for sacrifices.
It is unknown whether the sacrifices are for the Great General Who Guards the Nation Xiao Chong, who was tragically poisoned by a scheme after trusting his brother, or for the two hundred thousand soldiers who died unjustly.
In previous years, Emperor Chong Zhao always dispatched his esteemed teacher, Old Duke You, to handle the sacrificial rites.
However, in the first month of this year, You Zhimu had an accident in Qiong Tower, disappearing without a trace, and the court has yet to provide a clear explanation.
Old Duke You, grieving the loss of his grandson, fell ill and could no longer carry out duties for the Emperor, which is why Prince Duan was appointed at the last minute…
This alone shows Li Huan’s standing in Emperor Chong Zhao’s heart.
Ever since Li Zhao could remember, the Old Mausoleum Swamp has been a royal taboo.
Normally, it was not even to be mentioned in front of the Emperor…
When he was six years old, out of mere curiosity, he inadvertently asked, “I wonder what secrets the Old Mausoleum Swamp truly holds?” He was then ordered by the Emperor to be confined for half a month, instructed to reflect on his mistakes, and strictly forbidden to ever mention it again…
From then on, whenever the Old Mausoleum Swamp was mentioned, a mysterious black fog would appear in Li Zhao’s mind.
Li Zhao asked, “Regarding Princess Ping Le’s matter, will His Majesty not pursue it?”
Ye Xiao replied, “From your subordinate’s perspective, His Majesty will not only pursue it but will also investigate it severely.”
Li Zhao softly uttered an “Oh,” his eyes narrowing slightly.
Ye Xiao continued, “It just depends on the extent of the investigation. For the Princess, it will likely be difficult.”
In other words, others involved in this case would certainly be investigated severely, but the blame would not extend to the Princess.
Emperor Chong Zhao always showed leniency towards Ping Le.
The next morning, Li Zhao first went to Qian Yuan Hall to thank the Emperor for his grace and paid his respects to Empress Xie, before returning to the palace to issue instructions.
“Prepare the carriage, I am going out of the palace.”
–
Meanwhile, on the Xue family’s side, Xue Sui had been recuperating for some time and her health had fully recovered.
One day, she went to Shou An Courtyard to pay her respects to the Old Madam and mentioned that she wanted to go to Pu Ji Temple to burn incense, fast for three days on behalf of the First Madam, to ward off illness and disaster, and also to pray for blessings for the Xue family.
Old Madam Cui inwardly felt that Fu Shi was feigning illness and suspected that she was currently hiding in Qing Lan Courtyard, cursing them, mother and daughter, and perhaps even cursing the old woman herself…
Seeing her granddaughter’s filial piety, she couldn’t say much more. She simply held Xue Sui’s hand, her face filled with relief.
“Sixth Girl, you are truly a good child. With such pure and benevolent filial piety, you truly live up to the four words bestowed by His Majesty.”
Xue Sui smiled slightly.
“So many things have happened in the mansion recently, and Mister Shu also said I should go to the temple to fast for three days, to fulfill my filial duty…”
Tianshu’s medicinal decoctions and acupuncture had relieved the Old Madam’s headaches of many years, and she now regarded Tianshu’s words as divine pronouncements.
“Good, good, it’s good that you go. Listen to Mister Shu…”
Saying this, she signaled Jinshu with her eyes, indicating for her to take the maids out of the room, and then said to Xue Sui:
“I heard that Princess Ping Le is still unwell. Why not recommend Mister Shu to enter the palace? That would be a great merit…”
“Grandmother, that won’t do.” Xue Sui shook her head, and under the Old Madam’s hesitant gaze, patiently explained, “If the medicine works, there may not be a great reward; if it doesn’t work, disaster will surely befall us. Grandmother, our Xue family is already struggling to cope. We should stay far away from trouble.”
The Old Madam’s body stiffened, and she broke out in a cold sweat. As if waking from a dream, she patted her forehead.
“Sixth Sister is right. I am truly muddle-headed. I didn’t think as thoroughly as you, girl, and didn’t consider the potential consequences…”
Where in this world is there a divine doctor who never fails? If the Princess were not cured, let alone whether Mister Shu would be blamed, the Xue Mansion would likely be implicated.
The Old Madam increasingly found Xue Liu to be clever and intelligent, and relied on her even more.
She immediately instructed Madam Qian to take money from the public funds and have Xue Sui take it to Pu Ji Temple for offerings.
–
When Xue Sui’s carriage arrived outside the gates of Pu Ji Temple, she told the driver to return and pick her up in three days, bringing only Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi with her.
Pu Ji Temple was grand in scale, its red walls and yellow tiles gleaming under the sun. Incense smoke curled upwards, and Buddhist chants resonated. Groups of devout men and women, with varied expressions, shuttled between the various halls, kneeling in prayer and seeking blessings with great solemnity.
After worshipping in the Great Hero Hall, Xue Sui donated a considerable amount of incense money and solemnly inscribed Old Madam Cui’s name in the book of merits. She then called out to a young Sami who was arranging offerings and bowed slightly.
“Excuse me, little master, could you please inform Master Jing Kong that I wish to see him?”
The little Sami looked up at her, and seeing a beautiful young lady in a plain long dress, he frowned slightly.
“Master Jing Kong has been diligently cultivating in recent years and rarely comes out to move about, nor does he see lay worshippers.”
Xue Sui smiled, “Little master, just relay the message that the Sixth Miss of the Xue Mansion wishes to see him.”
Most enlightened monks live in seclusion and rarely interact with the outside world. Master Jing Kong held great prestige, and while many sought an audience with him, few were granted one.
As far as he knew, in the past two years, Master Jing Kong had only divined the fate of the Princess Consort of Prince Duan’s Mansion and offered guidance.
The little Sami did not believe Master Jing Kong would see this young lady.
However, seeing her beautiful appearance, refined demeanor, and the pleasant sound of her gentle voice, he did not refuse.
He lowered his head and clasped his hands in a salute.
“Please wait, benefactor. I will go and report.”
Ru Yi watched the little Sami’s retreating back and couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “Will Master Jing Kong see Miss?”
Xue Sui remained silent, standing quietly in Bodhi Courtyard, gazing at an ancient banyan tree that covered the sky, its branches so lush and tall that they extended above the rooftop.
How deep must its roots be, and how many years must it have grown, to possess such power to shelter this place?
“Amitabha, female benefactor, please follow me.”
When the little Sami returned, his expression had become much more respectful.
He had not expected that Master Jing Kong would actually agree to see this Sixth Miss Xue…
–
The group arrived at the monastic room, and the Sami stopped outside the door.
“Master Jing Kong is waiting inside. It is inconvenient for this humble monk to enter. Female benefactor, please make yourself at home.”
The room was exceptionally quiet, with a simple yet solemn arrangement. At a glance, the windows were bright and the tables clean. A crabapple blossom was placed in an exquisite celadon vase, emitting a faint fragrance. Several ink wash paintings of landscapes hung on the walls, and under the lingering scent of sandalwood, they exuded an even more ethereal charm.
Xue Sui entered alone.
She saw a kind-faced, benevolent monk sitting on a cushion, his face etched with deep and shallow wrinkles, his gray monastic robe as clean as new.
“Xue Liu pays her respects to the Master!” Xue Sui respectfully performed the ritual.
Jing Kong stroked his beard and smiled, “It has been several years since we last met. Is the young benefactor well?”
Xue Sui bowed, “Thanks to the Master’s blessings, I am well and all matters are proceeding smoothly.”
Jing Kong gestured for her to sit and personally poured her a cup of tea.
“Why has the young benefactor come to find this old monk today?”
Xue Sui knelt opposite him at his desk, leaning forward slightly, her posture respectful and sincere.
“I am grateful for the Master’s compassionate assistance and have never had the chance to thank you. I should have come long ago, but worldly affairs kept me busy, thus delaying it until now.”
Jing Kong smiled, “If the young benefactor had not come today, this old monk would not be in the temple tomorrow.”
Without waiting for Xue Sui to ask, he closed his eyes slightly, as if lamenting impermanence.
“When I was young, I received guidance from Daoist Master Lingxu and benefited greatly. I never knew he had already been harmed by villains. I am going to Zixiao Temple to contact some fellow eminent monks and Daoists, and prepare to find some of Daoist Master Lingxu’s old belongings to arrange a memorial service for him.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Sui clasped her hands together and closed her eyes slightly.
“All phenomena are empty, but karma is not. Daoist Master Lingxu lived a life of broad good karma; his good thoughts and wisdom will naturally flow through the world.”
–
After leaving Bodhi Courtyard, Xue Sui went to the monastic room and small courtyard arranged by the temple.
The people in this temple also need to live, and providing some convenience for worshippers is a common practice for all temples.
As long as the incense money is generous, the accommodation is also quite good.
Xue Sui’s visit to Pu Ji Temple was not for the First Madam’s blessings, but for the Old Mausoleum Swamp.
Every year on this date, a solemn sacrificial ceremony is held at the Old Mausoleum Swamp.
Three masters will meticulously set up the altar, offer abundant sacrifices, and devoutly chant scriptures and pray before the tomb gate overgrown with weeds and the fallen stone statues.
When she was young, she often heard crying on nights in March.
Now that she is no longer at the Old Mausoleum Swamp, she still wants to do her part on such a day.
Ru Yi was living in a temple for the first time and was very excited. She followed Xue Sui around, full of curiosity about everything unfamiliar.
To the west of Pu Ji Temple, there is a small gate. Because it is far from the main entrance, it is rarely frequented.
Going down from this small gate leads to the villages at the foot of the mountain.
Ru Yi heard that some monks who couldn’t keep their vows would secretly go down the mountain to buy chickens and geese to satisfy their appetites, and she told Xiao Zhao about it in great detail.
Suddenly, she heard Xue Sui hiss.
The two immediately fell silent, not daring to breathe.
They peered cautiously towards the other side through a row of dense, verdant bamboo.
In that quiet, dense forest, stood a man and a woman.
The woman had a delicate face and a graceful figure. Who else could it be but the Eighth Miss of the Xue family, Xue Yue Man?
And the man, dressed in magnificent robes, possessed an extraordinary aura. He was none other than the fourth son of the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion, Guo Zhaoxuan.
They did not notice anyone watching them. They leaned against each other, deeply in love. The man must have said something sweet, for the Eighth Miss’s face turned crimson, her eyes almost melting with affection…
Xue Sui stood still, a cold smile playing on her lips.
After the two lingered affectionately for a moment and reluctantly parted, she led her two maids and turned back along the path.
Sunlight filtered down through the gaps in the tree shadows.
On a nearby rock, a young man was sitting.
Facing the clear breeze, his stern features held a hint of a rebellious smile…
Several guards stood behind him, as if no one else were present.
“Sixth Miss Xue.”
Li Zhao: Sixth Miss Xue, I finally caught you. Tell me about this Gu poison…
Xue Sui: Stock, what stock? Haven’t the A-shares collapsed recently?
