Empress Dowager Du would go to Yuanhua Temple to offer incense on the fifteenth of every month, as she firmly believed that the temple was extremely popular and efficacious.
The fact that the Qi royal family had few heirs and no descendants had become a source of great distress for her.
Xie Qiyu had countless beauties in his harem, but after the death of the late empress, the most favored was Consort Lu.
But so many years have passed, and not only Consort Lu, but none of the concubines in the harem have conceived.
Therefore, Empress Dowager Du specially chose the fifteenth of this month to go to Yuanhua Temple in a grand procession, ostensibly to pray for blessings for the royal family and to ask Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, for offspring.
The ladies-in-waiting who accompanied her praised the Empress Dowager for her compassion and concern for the nation, showering her with compliments and lauding her for her tireless efforts for the Great Qi.
However, Jiang Luoluo knew that Empress Dowager Du's real purpose in coming to Yuanhua Temple today was not to pray for the imperial heir.
Empress Dowager Du only cared about the power in her hands; what did the imperial offspring have to do with her?
When ordinary people go to a Buddhist temple to offer incense, they pay attention to dressing simply and easily. However, Empress Dowager Du was dressed in a magnificent and luxurious manner today.
Even the phoenix hairpin in her hair was fully inserted, her earrings and hair ornaments jingled, and she applied rouge and powder to her entire face, making her look like she had dressed up carefully.
Luxury carriages and fine horses lined both sides of the official road, their golden and jade-carved frames gleaming, stretching for miles, creating a magnificent sight.
Empress Dowager Du's entourage was particularly magnificent. Her phoenix palanquin, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, was surrounded by eunuchs and palace maids, and heavily guarded by the imperial guards, showcasing the majesty and nobility of the imperial family.
The number of noblewomen accompanying them was countless, their silks and satins, jewels and ornaments swaying in the breeze. The magnificent carriages of each family were lined up in a staggered pattern, almost filling the entire official road, creating a grand and imposing spectacle.
Jiang Luoluo stood at the back of the crowd, looking at Empress Dowager Du, who, though over forty, still retained her charm, with a half-smile.
He looked up again at the majestic and solemn plaque of Yuanhua Temple and sighed inwardly. The old house of Daqi was on fire and was probably beyond saving.
Mr. Qian's words really described it so perfectly!
Jiang Luoluo wasn't in a hurry to get close to Empress Dowager Du, knowing that Empress Dowager Du would summon her sooner or later.
As an informant, she should be aware of her role. Now it is Empress Dowager Du who needs her, not the other way around.
Led by the Empress Dowager, the noblewomen lifted their skirts and ascended the steps.
Yuanhua Temple is divided into north and south courtyards. The south courtyard is the monks' courtyard, which is presided over by Lu Tingyue, which is quite strange.
In the past, although Yuanhua Temple was popular, it was far from the current level of attracting a large number of worshippers.
Since Lu Tingyue, the former king of Jiaozhou, laid down his butcher's knife, shaved his head and became a monk, Yuanhua Temple has undergone earth-shattering changes.
He resolutely gave up royal honors and shed the fierceness of military life, entered the Buddhist order, took over Yuanhua Temple, and became the abbot of the temple.
Since then, Yuanhua Temple has become increasingly popular, with its incense burning brightly and its doors constantly bustling with visitors.
Local people say that the Buddha here grants all requests, and believers who worship sincerely are always granted their wishes.
As a result, Yuanhua Temple's reputation spread far and wide, attracting an endless stream of worshippers and reaching unprecedented heights.
To the north is a nunnery, where Jiang Yuelan is currently confined.
The north and south courtyards of Yuanhua Temple are separated by the Huimin River of the Great Qi Dynasty, and they do not interfere with each other on a normal day.
However, every year on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Yuanhua Temple holds a grand trade fair for all surnames, attracting merchants from all over the country. The fair is filled with rare and exotic treasures, drawing countless people to come.
At that time, the crowds will be huge and the atmosphere will be lively. Even the emperor will come here to share in the joy of the people. Many people will also come here to catch a glimpse of the emperor's face.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the group finally stepped onto the last step and arrived at the gate of Yuanhua Temple.
The eighty-one steps wind their way up. Although they are not steep, even the usually pampered Empress Dowager Du and the ladies of the court were slightly out of breath after climbing them.
The monks were already waiting at the gate, leading the crowd in one after another.
The temple was filled with the faint sound of chanting, the pine and cypress trees were evergreen, and the sandalwood incense was fragrant, giving it a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
With many distinguished guests on this trip, the temple has already prepared quiet and elegant meditation rooms for everyone to rest in.
Empress Dowager Du stood before the crowd and said gently, “You must all be tired from your journey. Please rest for a while and have a vegetarian meal before proceeding to the Mahavira Hall to offer incense.”
Upon hearing this, everyone bowed in agreement and went inside to rest.
Jiang Luoluo glanced over and saw that Empress Dowager Du's eyes and brows were filled with undisguised joy, even showing a hint of impatience.
She scoffed softly, secretly amused: the fire in this old house is burning very brightly.
Jiang Luoluo and Dingdang rested in the meditation room and had a simple vegetarian meal. The food tasted the same as that of Liuyun Pavilion, so it was probably cooked by a chef hired by Liuyun Pavilion.
"Miss, look at these monks. They are all strong and healthy, with steady breathing. They don't look like ordinary monks at all."
"He seems to be a trained martial artist." Dingdang took a bite of the vegetarian spring roll and muttered in a low voice.
Before coming to Yuanhua Temple, Jiang Luoluo had specifically instructed her to be careful in everything she did, especially to observe whether there was anything unusual in the temple.
If it were an ordinary worshipper, they would probably just be immersed in the atmosphere of chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha, without thinking much about it.
But if you look closely, many things that don't seem right will gradually come to light.
Having practiced martial arts for many years, Dingdang's eyesight was sharper than others, so he could naturally notice unusual details.
Jiang Luoluo smiled slightly and nodded gently, "That's right."
She had already discussed this matter with Xie Yizhi. The biggest problem is that if someone has been eating meat for many years and suddenly switches to a vegetarian diet.
In the early days of the Great Qi Dynasty, the eight vanguard generals who had fought alongside the late emperor were all granted the title of king, each guarding a region and wielding immense power and influence.
However, in his later years, the late emperor implemented a policy of weakening the power of the princes, which aroused dissatisfaction among the princes, and several of them joined forces to rebel.
Ultimately, they were all suppressed, their titles and fiefdoms were all revoked, and their entire families were executed. The once glorious regional military governorships declined from then on.
Of the eight vassal kings, only Lu Tingyue, the Prince of Yan of Jiaozhou, is still alive.
The stone tracks made a deep, rhythmic sound, and the sunlight shone on the glazed tiles of Yuanhua Temple's eaves, casting a warm and brilliant glow.
Before long, the temple bell rang out melodiously, signaling that it was time to offer incense.
The noblewomen were already waiting inside the main hall when Empress Dowager Du, supported by her maid, slowly approached.
Jiang Luoluo looked up and saw that Empress Dowager Du was radiant, with joy even in her temples, and her face was flushed from being moisturized.
The monks distributed incense and candles to everyone. Empress Dowager Du accepted the incense and candles, bowed slightly, and led everyone in a devout bow to the Buddha statue in the hall.
After worshipping the Buddha statue, Empress Dowager Du, guided by a monk, personally went to worship the Guanyin Bodhisattva who grants children.
Empress Dowager Du and the noblewomen all gave money for incense oil, as it was said that the more money given, the more likely their wishes would be granted.