Chapter 43 Ji Sheng: She should know her husband herself.

Lingyun Temple is located atop Huiling Mountain, hidden among ancient pines and cypresses.

Now it is late autumn, and winter is approaching. The lush greenery in the mountains has long since faded, replaced by a deeper, cooler gray-green and light brown.

The temple's morning bell had long since rung past its appointed time, leaving only its lingering echo in the mountains. The vermilion temple walls, stained with the marks of time, were covered with soft moss. Yet, the autumn wind stirred the copper bells on the eaves, causing them to ring softly.

Lingyun Temple can be traced back to the reign of the first founding emperor of the Great Chu Dynasty, which is hundreds of years ago. The entire temple is imbued with a sense of antiquity. When the imperial carriage stopped at the gate, Abbot Mingjue of Lingyun Temple was already waiting at the gate with his disciples.

Emperor Qianyuan stepped down from the carriage first, then helped Wen Miao down. The two walked side by side, one on each side, and entered Lingyun Temple under the guidance of Master Mingjue.

The procession, stretching for more than ten miles, extended backward from the entrance of Lingyun Temple. The Emperor and Empress had just stepped into the temple gate when the carriages behind them came to a stop, and the noble family members who were getting out of their carriages and walking upstairs were about to leave.

It was said to be a Buddhist ceremony, but Emperor Qianyuan, due to his own experiences, had never believed in gods or Buddhas, only in the goddess in his dreams. Therefore, when he arrived at the Buddha Hall, the emperor with deep eyes stopped, holding Wen Miao's hand. Master Mingjue seemed to be used to this and waited by his side.

Consort Rong nodded slightly, took Song Mama's hand and stepped over the threshold. With a solemn expression, she slowly knelt down.

Wen Miao was not quite aware of the situation and remained silent. However, in the instant she made eye contact with Master Mingjue, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and had a strange feeling that she had been seen through.

Her breathing rate changed slightly, and Emperor Qian Yuan, who was standing beside her, noticed it immediately. He frowned imperceptibly and tightened his grip on Wen Miao's hand. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"……fine."

Wen Miao shook her head, her gaze falling on Ming Jue's eyes again, but this time there was no chilling dread, only kindness and benevolence.

Did she see it wrong...?

"Amitabha."

Mingjue suddenly nodded, a gentle smile on his face, and asked in a low voice, "This old monk would like to invite His Majesty to the inner room to discuss Buddhism. Would Your Majesty like to join us?"

Wen Miao was taken aback.

Emperor Qianyuan said, "If the Empress is interested, she may accompany me."

Wen Miao herself had no interest in the talk of gods and Buddhas, nor did she think the emperor had any interest in studying Buddhism. Rather than "discussing Buddhism," she believed that Emperor Qian Yuan and Ming Jue had something else to talk about.

Wen Miao shook her head and declined softly, saying only that she wanted to wander around the area around Lingyun Temple.

This is true. Although it is late autumn, the scenery on Mount Huiling is absolutely stunning. In the distance, mist lingers, and there are pavilions in the mountains, their shadows looming over the landscape. Wen Miao was already captivated and only wanted to finish her Buddhist rituals and then wander around the area.

Now, the opportunity has presented itself.

Emperor Qianyuan did not insist, but only instructed Wen Miao to take good care of the palace servants and guards and to pay attention to safety.

After Wen Miao led the group away, Ming Jue, who had been quiet all along, suddenly spoke up: "Has Your Majesty's wish been fulfilled?"

The emperor paused, his gaze deep and penetrating, seemingly piercing through the crimson wall to land on the empress.

He said in a low voice, "I believe... not yet."

Mingjue's expression was calm as he asked, "The free bird on the distant mountain has landed on Your Majesty's shoulder. Isn't that enough to satisfy Your Majesty's desire?"

The bell in Lingyun Temple struck once at the appointed time, its deep sound echoing far and wide.

Emperor Qianyuan looked up at the tall, solemn, and gilded Buddha statue in the hall, whose compassionate gaze remained even in its lowered eyes, and murmured:

"……not enough."

"Far from enough."

He did not want to confine the free bird, but rather to let this bird, which had fallen into the mortal world, enjoy freedom in the Great Chu and in this land.

Emperor Qianyuan turned around and looked at the old monk who seemed to have seen through everything, then changed the subject: "After this is over, I would like to trouble the master to take the empress's pulse."

Master Mingjue nodded: "That is indeed the case."

...

Outside Lingyun Temple, Luo Shi, Shi Cui, and Wan Bi followed Wen Miao, while the other attendants stayed further away, surrounding the Empress and protecting her.

At this time, most officials and members of aristocratic families were kneeling and worshipping Buddha in the other halls of Lingyun Temple, making the area outside the temple unusually quiet and secluded.

Wearing a cloak with a thin layer of velvet, Wen Miao walked slowly on the stone steps in the forest. The autumn wind rustled on both sides, and fallen leaves could be seen dancing in the air from time to time. After walking for a short while, she saw a monk dressed in moon-white robes standing not far away.

Shi Cui and Wan Bi frowned slightly upon seeing this, and subconsciously reached out to protect Wen Miao behind them. However, Luo Shi remained calm and lowered her voice to explain to Wen Miao: "Your Majesty, that is the late Emperor's eighth son, Prince Yu, Ji Sheng."

Prince Yu, Ji Shengwenmiao, had also heard of him in the capital. He was said to be gentle and refined, charitable and generous, and had no attachment to power. After Emperor Qianyuan ascended the throne, Prince Yu shaved his head and became a monk, taking the Dharma name Huineng. Since then, he no longer cared about the affairs of the capital, but devoted himself to eating vegetarian food, chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha in Lingyun Temple, as if he had completely distanced himself from the secular world.

Wen Miao remained silent. She looked at the monk standing not far away and stopped in her tracks as well.

Clearly, Prince Yu, who had become a monk, was deliberately waiting here.

"This humble monk, Huineng, greets Your Majesty the Empress."

Ji Sheng nodded and bowed, one hand hovering in front of him, his face calm, seemingly with a compassionate expression.

Wen Miao thought for a moment and then asked, "Is there anything I can help you with, Master Huineng?"

Ji Sheng: "This humble monk heard of Your Majesty's and the Empress's wedding. After all, I had a past connection with the royal family before I became a monk, which is why I waited here to present the Empress with a gift."

As he spoke, Ji Sheng subtly observed the new empress of the Great Chu through the palace servants. She was indeed quite beautiful. Even if he didn't believe that Emperor Qian Yuan would fall in love with a widow, he had to admit that she was stunningly beautiful, a true beauty.

Such poise and elegance are a testament to the Xie family's prestigious lineage a century ago, which can be traced back to the Xie clan of Huaiyang. Even among the prominent families of that time, it would have been difficult to raise a noblewoman of such appearance.

Moreover, in his earlier years, Xie Jingxuan was merely a low-ranking official of the ninth grade in Jinling. Without power and wealth, how could he have raised such a voluptuous and stunning beauty?

Ji Sheng narrowed his long, narrow eyes as he recalled the message from his subordinate. His eyes showed no suspicion, only concern and kindness.

He was genuinely curious...

If Emperor Qianyuan were truly someone who could be easily seduced by beauty, he wouldn't have chosen to avoid the limelight and become a monk in this dilapidated temple to bide his time in the year he ascended the throne.

Ji Sheng felt that he understood Emperor Qian Yuan to some extent. The man was deep and unfathomable, sharp yet extremely indifferent and ruthless. To ordinary people, he was just a wise and powerful ruler. But if he could put aside the country and its people, what else could Emperor Qian Yuan have in his heart?

The harem has been without concubines or consorts for many years, and he has no children. In his early years, more than a dozen brothers died or went insane. How could a ruthless and rational emperor who has seized power do something as absurd as marrying a widow without any reason or benefit?

He preferred to guess that Lady Xie was hiding some other secret treasure, which was why the emperor, high and mighty, was "moved." However, this level of affection was so exaggerated that even Ji Sheng found it hard to believe.

Ji Sheng had practiced martial arts in his early years and had keen senses. He could tell that there were several layers of people protecting the Empress, and that the two maids who accompanied her looked inconspicuous, but in fact, they were both skilled in martial arts.

Not to mention that Wen Miao was wearing precious gold-threaded brocade. Even when the late emperor was incompetent and favored her, Consort Li only received a small piece of cloth handkerchief. How could the current emperor be so generous as to directly order a dress for the new empress?

What exactly makes Xie's daughter so special?

Is it just because of her beauty?

At this moment, Ji Sheng suppressed his distracting thoughts, took out a small wooden box from his sleeve, presented it with both hands, and softly called out, "Your Majesty."

Shi Cui stepped forward and took it. Wen Miao glanced at it lightly and said softly, "Then thank you very much, Master Huineng."

"Your Majesty is too kind."

Ji Sheng chuckled. His face was kind and gentle, and when he smiled, he perfectly matched the Great Chu's pursuit of male beauty—gentle, refined, and elegant.

It must be admitted that the royal family of the Great Chu is full of handsome men, none of them are ugly. Although Emperor Qian Yuan is handsome, he is too fierce and sharp, making him seem unapproachable. On the other hand, Prince Yu, Ji Sheng, has a face like jade and appears more refined and humble.

Ji Sheng said, "Although I have already become a monk, I still have something I would like to say to Your Majesty."

Wan Bi frowned, instinctively wanting to say something, but Wen Miao gently patted her arm.

Wen Miao asked, "What does Master Huineng want to say?"

"Your Majesty, could you please ask the servants to stand a little further away?"

Fearing the new empress would not agree, Ji Sheng even added more leverage, saying, "This matter concerns His Majesty, and I believe it is best to tell only to Your Majesty. After all, Your Majesty and His Majesty are now husband and wife, and there are some things... I think Your Majesty should know."

That gentle, slightly melancholic, and concerned expression on a monk's face always lowers the guard of others. An ordinary person would probably respond immediately, but Wen Miao calmly withdrew her gaze, adjusted her cloak over her shoulders, and said softly:

"I'm going to disappoint Master Huineng."

"His Majesty feared I might encounter danger, so he ordered them to stay close to me. If I agree to Master Huineng's request today, they will be punished in the future."

Wen Miao may be a little slow and soft at times, but she is never stupid.

Because of her amnesia, she always had a barrier in her heart, making it difficult for her to entrust all her trust to Emperor Qian Yuan, with whom she had spent more than half a year and who had done so much for her; it was even more impossible for her to entrust it to Prince Yu, whom she had only met once.

No matter how kind and friendly the other party may appear, you can't know what someone is really thinking.

not to mention……

Wen Miao had a feeling that in most cases, Emperor Qian Yuan would answer her questions, so why should she listen to Prince Yu's words?

Her husband is someone she should understand herself; what business is it of anyone else?

Moreover, the Prince Yu in front of her always gave Wen Miao a strange feeling, inexplicably reminding her of tea... However, Wen Miao was completely confused as to why this association arose, so she decided to follow her intuition and stay away as much as possible.

Ji Sheng probably never imagined that his pride and joy, his kindness and demeanor that made him so good at building relationships, and his good reputation that was so widespread in the capital, would one day be rejected.

In the brief moment he was stunned, Wen Miao had already nodded and turned away, leading the palace servants and attendants away, giving Ji Sheng no further chance to speak.

The light mist in the mountains made the scene slightly hazy, and Wen Miao quickly left the monk in his white robes behind. She headed towards a pavilion on the other side, asking thoughtfully as she walked, "The relationship between Prince Yu and His Majesty... couldn't have been considered very good, could it?"

Luo nodded. "His Majesty was born into a bad family in his early years. At that time, all the princes in the palace avoided him. Although they were brothers by blood, it would be more appropriate to say that they were strangers... Prince Yu has always been kind and friendly to people, but he has not had any close contact with His Majesty."

Wen Miao: "Affectionate and kind?"

Luo revealed some information not found in the rumors circulating in the capital:

"Although Prince Yu was born into a poor family, he was raised by the late Empress from a young age. Like Prince Gong, he was originally considered by many to be the crown prince and had an excellent reputation in the capital. However, after His Majesty returned to the capital from the northern expedition, his reputation soared, and Prince Yu became less prominent."

Prince Gong was the son of the Imperial Concubine. He was extremely talented in his early years, and his family was powerful, so he was naturally qualified to compete for the throne.

Although Prince Yu was raised by the late Empress, the late Empress was not favored, and her family had long since fallen from grace. She never rose to power because of her position as Empress. Therefore, Prince Yu was known for his "filial piety" and "kindness," and was not as prominent as Prince Gong.

The late emperor had many sons, but few were capable. One was Prince Gong, who went mad and was the loser after competing with Emperor Qianyuan for the throne; another was Prince Yu, who became a monk and had an excellent reputation but no interest in power; as for Prince Rui, who is still alive... let's not mention him.

Fratricide was common in the royal family. Apart from these few who are still alive, most of Emperor Qianyuan's other brothers died young.

Some were imprisoned and forced to commit suicide by the senile late emperor, while others were killed after failing to assassinate Emperor Qian Yuan. Of the dozen or so sons, only a few remain today, which is enough to show how ruthless the struggle for imperial power can be.

Wen Miao listened attentively as Luo Shi explained the affairs of the Great Chu royal family, but she did not believe that Prince Yu would be a truly kind person.

She looked at the wooden box that Shi Cui was holding in her hands. She was a little curious, but not very curious. She just told Shi Cui to put it away for now and take a look when they returned indoors.

But after only a few steps, a crisp slapping sound suddenly echoed through the woods.

Wen Miao looked up and saw several maids holding a woman in her early twenties kneeling on the ground. Her head was tilted to the side, her hair was messy, and there was a bright red handprint on her cheek. Directly opposite her was a noblewoman whose hand was raised high once again.

Wen Miao frowned slightly and subconsciously spoke up—

What are you doing?

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Author's Note: Here it is!