Chapter 79: How to Legally Disobey an Imperial Order

Bang!

Lu Haozhi slammed the silver-wrapped ivory chopsticks in his hand on the table.

Baohua Palace?

Chanting sutras and praying?!

When did she start to believe in Buddhism!

"When did she go to Baohua Palace?"

The emperor's indifferent tone was filled with anger that a storm was about to come.

Rong An hurriedly replied, "Before dinner, I, following the Emperor's orders, went to Changchun Palace to welcome the Imperial Concubine. Unexpectedly, upon reaching the door, I saw Yunxiang, the Imperial Concubine's maid, waiting for me. She said the Imperial Concubine had already gone to Baohua Palace and asked me to pass on the message to the Emperor..."

Having said this, he fell silent and looked at Lu Haozhi cautiously.

"Tell me, why did you become mute? Where did you learn this bad habit of telling half the truth and leaving the other half?"

Rong An had no choice but to continue, "The Empress said that the war in the southwest is urgent, and the soldiers on the front lines are fighting hard. As the Imperial Concubine of the Great Zhou, she cannot bear to live in peace in the harem, so she will go to the Baohua Palace to chant scriptures and pray for the soldiers on the front lines starting today. The Empress also said... that the Emperor, as the King of the Great Zhou, should also prioritize state affairs. At this critical moment, he cannot... cannot... indulge in pleasure."

After saying the last few words tremblingly, Rong An buried his head in the ground with a sad face, not daring to look at the emperor again.

"My Lady, you have truly wronged me. Who would dare to tell the Emperor such words? I was eagerly awaiting your arrival, yet you, not only have you left the Emperor alone, but have also sent me to convey such disobedient and defiant words."

Lu Haozhi only felt his forehead twitching slightly. Meng Yan had become more capable. He didn't dare to disobey the order in person, so he turned around and did this to him!

After a moment, Lu Haozhi stood up suddenly and walked out with big strides, without even passing the guard of honor.

Rong An climbed up from the ground and hurriedly chased after him, while repeatedly shouting to the eunuchs serving in front of the palace to prepare the sedan chair.

"Stop standing there and follow me! Oh, Your Majesty, please wait for me. My short legs can't keep up..."

Lu Haozhi strode towards Baohua Palace. He wanted to see what Meng Yan was trying to do.

All the concubines and palace maids they met along the way retreated away from him, and were all surprised to see the emperor's gloomy face.

Baohua Hall is located inside Zhaofu Gate behind Yuhua Pavilion. It was originally the secluded residence of the last emperor of the previous dynasty. In the Zhou Dynasty, it was converted into a Buddhist temple for the concubines in the palace who were devout Buddhists to worship Buddha.

The Empress Dowager Jiang and the former Queen Wang of this dynasty were both Buddhists and often came here, so this place is quiet and peaceful.

When Lu Haozhi walked to Baohua Hall, he saw two middle-aged nuns standing outside the hall.

Seeing him coming, the two put their hands together and bowed, "Your Majesty, this humble nun is here to pay her respects."

Lu Haozhi nodded slightly, "Master Huixian, is the imperial concubine in there?"

Empress Dowager Jiang, a devoted Buddhist, invited four nuns from the Guanyin Temple on Mount Beici to come to the palace last year to preach the Dharma. They still reside in the Baohua Hall. This nun, Huixian, is the leader of the four.

Nun Huixian smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is currently chanting sutras and worshipping Buddha inside. She has made a vow before the Buddha, praying for the blessings of the Great Zhou soldiers. She vows to recite the Ksitigarbha Sutra ninety-nine times and copy the sutra into one hundred volumes to be offered before the Buddha. She will not leave the Treasure Flower Hall until she has finished reciting the sutra."

Recite the "Dipankara Sutra" ninety-nine times?

Copy it a hundred times?

Is she planning to stay in Baohua Palace forever? !

Who will take care of the personnel in her palace, who will take care of Princess An, and... who will comfort him during his long lonely nights?

"I want to see the imperial concubine."

Master Huixian did not dare to stop him, so she stepped forward and opened the door of the hall.

When Lu Haozhi walked to the door, he saw Meng Yan kneeling on a cushion facing the Buddha, holding a string of rose sandalwood beads in her hand, and reciting scriptures with her eyes closed.

The treasure is solemn and the sandalwood is fragrant.

Meng Yan washed off her makeup and removed the jewelry on her head, revealing her natural beauty. Her fair and delicate face was full of solemnity, as if she was a fairy descending to the earth, or a sincere believer with only Buddhism in her heart.

This scene is enough to extinguish all people's enthusiasm.

Lu Haozhi stared at the crow-feather-like bun on the back of her head and her slender, straight back for a long time without saying a word.

The question I originally wanted to ask her suddenly disappeared.

She returned his sachet and ran to this place again. Her meaning was clear.

He didn't believe it, she really believed this crap!

"Okay," Lu Haozhi suddenly said, "It is my great blessing that my Great Zhou has such a virtuous concubine. I order them to take ten ingots of Hui ink, five pieces of raw rice paper, and four tribute brushes from the treasury for the concubine to copy the scriptures."

After saying this, he turned and left.

If she wants to stay here, then she can stay here.

Could it be that he had to beg her?

Rong An looked around, was stunned for a moment, and then followed the emperor's footsteps.

Your Majesty has seriously offended the Emperor this time. Even if you are angry, please don't do this.

They raised the banner of praying for the soldiers of the Great Zhou and made the emperor speechless. It would be strange if His Majesty was not angry.

Listening to Lu Haozhi's receding footsteps, Meng Yan's heart, which had been in her throat, finally settled down.

She also knew that this action was too deliberate, but when it came to this point, she really had no other choice.

But it did anger him.

Meng Yan sighed softly, finished reading a scroll of scriptures, and opened her eyes.

Ruizhu, who was serving beside her, hurriedly brought over a cup of tea and said, "My Lady, moisten your throat."

Meng Yan took the teacup, drank it all, and asked in a low voice, "Is Changchun Palace okay?"

Ruizhu nodded, "Everything is fine. Master Bai is taking care of us. Don't worry, Madam."

Meng Yan lowered her eyes and stood up with the help of Ruizhu's arm.

Bai Yuxin wanted to accompany her, but she said that she didn't know how many days she would have to stay in Baohua Palace this time. Changchun Palace could not be left unattended, and Doukou also needed someone to take care of it. Only then did she give up.

Bai Yuxin is meticulous and calm, so he is not worried about handing Changchun Palace over to her.

Master Huixian came in from outside, greeted her, and the two of them sat opposite each other on two chairs and talked.

Nun Huixian looked at Meng Yan for a while, then smiled and said, "I have something to say, Your Majesty, I hope you won't mind."

Meng Yan knew that this nun was a Buddhist nun who had practiced for many years and was quite accomplished. She was deeply respected by the Queen Mother. She said hurriedly, "Master, please speak frankly. I am nothing but a grain of sand in the eyes of the Buddha."

Nun Huixian said, "Last year, when I entered the palace, I saw the Empress. At that time, I noticed dark lines on her face, which seemed like an ominous sign. But today, I see that the dark lines have disappeared, and your future should be smooth. I only hope that the Empress will do more good deeds in the future and keep her original intention. Your wishes will surely come true."

What do you wish for?

All she wishes for in this life is for her family and friends to be healthy and for her to live out her life in peace.

Meng Yan pursed her lips and smiled. These auspicious words sounded quite interesting.

When Lu Haozhi returned to the Yangxin Palace, the food on the table was already cold.

When the palace maids came to ask if he wanted to prepare dinner again, he had no appetite and waved them away.

At night, for the first time, the Emperor of the Great Zhou had no mind to deal with government affairs, but just sat in front of the lamp.