After Becoming a Widow, I Pulled the Buddha Off His Pedestal

Married for only half a year, the newly eighteen-year-old Qi Su became a young widow, and a notorious one at that. Delicate and alluring, her beauty was a double-edged sword, one that ultimately hu...

Chapter 88 The Past, Turbulent Times

That's the key point.

Yun Zheng was assassinated at Qingyuan Post Station in Liangzhou on his way back to Ganjing from Jincheng.

At that time, half of Qingyuan Post Station was burned down, and Qishan King Yunzheng was also wounded by an arrow.

It was later discovered that the crossbows used by the bandits at Qingyuan Post Station that day were not ordinary items, but rather military equipment without any markings.

The subsequent events were handed over to the Imperial Guard of the Capital for a secret investigation, and the results have not yet been made public.

Duke Qian Tong of Ningguo was the young emperor of the empress. Although he was not much older than the crown prince, he was a legitimate brother-in-law of the emperor.

"How come I've heard that this matter is related to the seventh brother?"

The seventh prince, Wei Yan, was a brave and fierce man, and the most skilled warrior among Wei Zhao's sons.

He had been involved in military service since he was fifteen.

He repeatedly distinguished himself in battle on the border between Da Yan and Nan Chu. He only returned to the capital to report on his duties before the new year.

He had soldiers and military equipment.

Coincidentally, on the way back to Ganjing from Nanchu, they also detoured through Liangzhou.

The Crown Prince said, "Don't make things up without evidence."

Qian Tong: "How can this be nonsense? It must be him. He despises the former Zhou rebels the most. Relying on his merits, he acted impulsively and recklessly, assassinating the Prince of Qishan. His Majesty couldn't say anything out of consideration for his father-son relationship. Haven't he found excuses to reprimand him several times these past few days?"

Yun Wuyi lowered her eyelashes.

Holding a plate of bamboo shoots in front of me, I silently watched the play begin and end.

As long as he is sitting at the table, all of this makes sense.

.

After finishing his meal, Yun Wuyi went to change his clothes.

Prince Xiao Heng of Qin accompanied him.

When they reached a secluded spot, Xiao Heng clapped his hands and laughed, "Zen Master, you have excellent composure."

His speech and demeanor were intimate and composed, indicating that he and Yun Wuyi were old friends.

It was the young master who Qi Su had bumped into that day, attending a gathering with Yun Wuyi at Fengle Tower.

Yun Wuyi had no expression.

I'm already used to his teasing.

Then Xiao Heng said, "The Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince are one thing. But why do I see you paying so much attention to that little Crown Prince's attendant, Qi Yuanlang?"

Yun Wuyi: "You must have misread it."

Xiao Heng: "How could I be wrong? I saw it very clearly. You were indeed paying attention to him. What was the reason?"

Yun Wuyi: "Perhaps it's because he's wearing blue today, and his elegance surpasses that of the young master."

Xiao Heng: "Stop making excuses. I am the most handsome and talented young man in the capital. No one can surpass me."

He laughed, fiddling with the jade thumb ring on his right hand.

"In my opinion, could it be because he is the heir of the Marquis of Changping's mansion? And you, Zen Master, once had quite a connection with the Third Mistress of the Marquis of Changping's mansion?"

Yun Wuyi: "Oh, so there's such a connection."

Xiao Heng shook his head.

“Your Highness, since you returned to secular life, you have become even more unreserved in your lies.”

.

After the luncheon, everyone dispersed.

Either go to the park or go fishing.

The Crown Prince then invited Yun Wuyi to stay for tea.

The peach blossoms reflected in the clear water, creating a serene and tranquil scene.

The Crown Prince looked at Yun Wuyi and spoke earnestly.

"The investigation results regarding the Qingyuan Post Station incident have been released. However, Father Emperor has suppressed them and forbade their public announcement. Just as Qian Tong said, it was the seventh prince who did it."

Yun Wuyi knew what he should say.

"I have no old grudges against the Seventh Prince."

The prince laughed.

"This has nothing to do with old grudges. It's about different backgrounds and positions."

At this point, he looked at Yun Wuyi.

“As the Crown Prince, my vision extends far beyond a single corner. I am not as narrow-minded as the Seventh Prince. I have watched you grow up since you were a child, and I know your temperament well. You are compassionate and have the well-being of all people in your heart. But the Seventh Prince does not think so.”

What the Crown Prince is saying and doing right now is nothing more than a combination of kindness and severity.

The Great Yan Dynasty had only been established for eight years, and its foundation was not stable.

However, the transition of power with the previous week went relatively smoothly.

It is precisely because of this smooth progress, without the baptism of blood and thunder, that the Great Banquet Dynasty appears prosperous on the surface, but beneath lies a turbulent undercurrent.

There were many former officials from the previous Zhou dynasty in the imperial court.

According to the rules of dynastic change, when a new dynasty arrives, those who were once enemies of the emperor will either have their property confiscated and be demoted, or they will not be given important positions.

However, when Wei Zhao entered Ganjing, he used Dao Ci's name to resolve the conflict between the two sides.

He was a prince of the previous dynasty, and is now the Zen master Daoci.

Wearing a white kasaya, he walked along the Vermilion Bird Street towards the palace.

Just as the sun rises and the moon sets, the seasons change, and the court changes, these are all natural occurrences.

The old is gone, no need to dwell on it.

Now that the new emperor is wise and enlightened, he will surely be kind and accept the people of the old dynasty.

It was only through Dao Ci's persuasion that Gan Jing was able to successfully change dynasties.

Even powerful families and former officials in the capital, and even Wei Zhao, all felt grateful for Dao Ci's kindness.

This is both his merit and his fault.

He was a prince of a previous dynasty, yet he already wielded considerable power within the Zen Buddhist community and enjoyed such high prestige among the common people.

The new dynasty saw this and harbored suspicions.

There have always been two opposing voices in the imperial court.

The old regime should be dismantled with overwhelming force.

Several of the most prominent figures of the old dynasty, led by Dao Ci, were directly executed as a warning to others.

They also guarded against some civilian rebels who, under the banner of opposing Yan Fuzhou, stirred up unrest everywhere.

Another viewpoint is that the new dynasty should adopt a policy of appeasement, using both civil and military means to gradually win people over.

The Crown Prince is in favor of persuasion, while the Seventh Prince is in favor of elimination.

Regardless of the Crown Prince's true thoughts, he is the heir apparent and cannot do anything that would betray his promise and be condemned by the world.

The only option is to consider the overall situation and have the world in mind.

The Seventh Prince's unyielding nature may well reflect Emperor Wei Zhao's true thoughts.

The clouds, without obscuring the view, lowered their eyes.

Although he was dressed in ordinary clothes, he still carried a string of Buddhist prayer beads in his hand.

"Although I have returned to secular life in accordance with Your Majesty's wishes, I hope Your Highness understands that Dao Ci has no worldly desires and only wishes for the people to live in peace and prosperity throughout the world."

The crown prince patted his hand affectionately.

"I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I will definitely not let Seventh Brother and his gang bully you."

Yun Wuyi showed a hint of gratitude.

"If Your Highness has any requests, Zheng will certainly do his best."

The prince got the promise he wanted and smiled even more warmly.

“We’re brothers, we don’t talk like that.”

I drank a cup of tea and ate a pastry.

The Crown Princess sent a maid over.

"The Empress asked Your Highness how long it would take to finish here. She said that it is rare for the Prince of Qishan to come here, and that Your Highness should not keep talking to the Prince of Qishan about official business."

The Crown Prince laughed and said, "Look, your sister-in-law is getting anxious. She was unwell and couldn't attend the last palace banquet, and she hasn't even seen you yet. Her garden is beautifully tended; why don't you go take a look? Anle is here too; it's been a while since you two last saw each other, hasn't it?"

Yun Wuyi stood up.

Finally, this trip to Yuanxiang Mountain has come to an end.

.

Sunlight pierced through the thin clouds.

Beneath a tree of pink peach blossoms, a young girl in a green dress stood with a slender waist like a willow and eyes as bright as spring water.

"Sister-in-law Crown Princess, let me greet His Highness."

Yun Wuyi nodded.

"Thank you for your trouble, Princess."

They were the only two people on the garden path. It was quiet and secluded.