Chapter 43 Conversation

Having accepted His Majesty's order, Princess Yuzhen no longer maintained an indifferent attitude. She led Chanzhen to the meditation room nearby and asked Xuanyang to make a pot of hot tea for them.

"Your Highness, please."

Zen Zhen looked at the woman in front of him who smiled at him, hesitating about how to address her.

Princess Yuzhen sensed her embarrassment and smiled, offering relief: "She is my niece, the Princess of Xuanyang County. You can just call her Xuanyang, just like Your Majesty does."

The Princess Xuanyang looked about the same age as himself, yet there was a whole generation between them. Chan Zhen couldn't treat her as an elder, as His Majesty did, so he smiled politely and said, "Thank you, Princess."

Princess Yuzhen didn't care. She asked Xuanyang to sit down beside her and said to Chanzhen, "This place is quiet and simple. There's only this cup of coarse tea. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Your Majesty."

Chan Zhen glanced into the cup. Though it was coarse tea, it was only slightly inferior to the tea she drank in the palace, and it was a rare find even in the homes of ordinary nobles. It seemed that Princess Yu Zhen, despite becoming a nun, was still the only princess of the current dynasty, and her food, clothing, and other expenses hadn't been reduced in the slightest.

"Your Highness, you are so polite. I think this tea is excellent."

Princess Yuzhen saw that she was a little infatuated with His Majesty when they parted before, and was worried that this imperial concubine was too delicate and difficult to get along with. Now that they were talking, she found that she had a very easy-going personality, and she was relieved.

"After all, I can't compare with my royal brother in the palace." She looked much more relaxed.

Chan Zhen smiled and said, "The Imperial Palace has its advantages, but I prefer your Highness's place. It's so peaceful and tranquil. I once read a line in a poem: 'A winding path leads to a secluded place, where a Zen room is nestled among flowers and trees.' It perfectly describes your Highness's place; it's truly refreshing."

She was somewhat envious of Princess Yuzhen's life, far away from the hustle and bustle of the world, living in peace, freedom and without any constraints.

When she was in the Song family, she had considered becoming a nun to escape her father's control, but she had never had the opportunity. Even entering the palace wasn't her original wish, but now with His Majesty by her side, she gradually began to enjoy it. She no longer had any thoughts of escaping, but occasionally she still wanted to step out of the palace to have a look.

Before Princess Yuzhen could say anything, Princess Xuanyang couldn't help but ask curiously, "Does Your Majesty also like poetry and books?"

She had heard that the imperial concubine was originally from a merchant family and thought that she had won the emperor's favor only because of her beauty. She did not expect that she had such insight and could say such words.

Princess Yuzhen frowned. Xuan Yang was really spoiled by her and spoke without restraint.

Chan Zhen, however, did not care: "I did not learn much poetry and literature before, but only after entering the palace did Your Majesty teach me a little."

She didn't find it embarrassing to admit this. After all, her background and the reasons behind her rise to favor were no secret in the capital, and her talent and learning were indeed far inferior to those of the noble ladies. She could slowly learn what she didn't know. She still had so much time to learn, and she could always make up for what she had missed.

Princess Yuzhen looked surprised. "My royal brother is actually teaching the Imperial Concubine himself? Back when my father was alive, my royal brother's academic performance was the best among all the brothers. My father even said with a smile that if my royal brother were allowed to take the imperial examination, he might even come back as the top scorer."

"Really?" Chan Zhen's face showed curiosity. "Your Majesty is so powerful."

She only knew that His Majesty had good handwriting and could march and fight, but she had no idea that His Majesty was so talented. In her mind, the most talented person in the world was the top scholar, and His Majesty was no less talented than him. She felt that she was truly fortunate to be taught by His Majesty herself.

Princess Yuzhen hasn't talked about her youth for a long time, and there is a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.

"Yes, my brother has been extremely gifted since he was young, suppressing all his brothers. He has basically never made any mistakes in his life."

Zenzhen remembered His Majesty's usual strong and confident demeanor and nodded in agreement.

His Majesty doesn't look like he's ever experienced any setbacks. Even if the people in the court are furious, he can suppress it all without batting an eyelid, making people feel that he is very reliable.

The Princess of Xuanyang County suddenly added, "Your Highness the Prince of Jin today seems very similar to Your Majesty when he was young."

Princess Yuzhen glanced at her indifferently and did not respond.

Chan Zhen recalled the appearance of Prince Jin and agreed, "Your Highness Prince Jin does look very similar to Your Majesty."

Whenever she looked at His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin, it was as if she were looking at His Majesty in his youth. You were born before I was born, and I was born when you were already old. It was truly a pity that she hadn't witnessed His Majesty at his most youthful and vigorous.

Princess Yuzhen sighed silently. Yun Yi was indeed a perfect match for her brother in every way: the same looks, personality, talents, and aspirations. It was only a shame that his luck was somewhat worse. When her brother was young, his father didn't have such a favored imperial concubine in the palace. Now, her brother was completely devoted to the imperial concubine. If the imperial concubine became pregnant, it was unclear whether Yun Yi could maintain his current advantage.

At this moment, the sound of chanting suddenly came from somewhere, like the sound of heaven, calming the restless hearts, as if they were purified from head to toe.

Zen Zhen was fascinated by what he heard: "What is this?"

Princess Yuzhen explained, "It's the Taoist priests from the Fahua Hall who are chanting sutras."

"I seem to have heard this chanting sound somewhere before..." Chan Zhen felt inexplicably familiar, as if someone had chanted it in her ears countless times without sleep or night.

…

She seemed to be trapped in a huge palace, surrounded by yellow gauze hanging down to the ground and fragrant mist.

Many Taoist priests sat around her, their eyes closed, chanting scriptures non-stop, making her soul feel as if it had been cleansed and comfortable.

After a long time, the scripture gradually stopped, and a vague yet familiar voice asked, "Is this method really feasible?"

Another old voice said, "Your Majesty, the fate of mortals is determined by heaven and cannot be forced."

The familiar voice seemed to sneer.

"What if I insist?"

Someone seemed to sigh: "So, there is only one last step left."

"Why?"

"Life for life."

After a long time, the man said calmly:

"good."

…

Zen felt a slight tingling in his head.

Life for life? Whose life is being exchanged for whose life?

"Royal Concubine?" Princess Yuzhen saw her expression suddenly change and called out to her worriedly several times before finally getting her response.

Zen Zhen raised his head in confusion, feeling that it was just a dream, which disappeared without a trace as soon as the headache stopped.

Meeting Princess Yuzhen's worried gaze, she came to her senses and shook her head gently: "It's just that I was a little distracted when I heard the chanting just now, and I'm sorry to have worried Your Highness."

"But the chanting is too loud and disturbs the imperial concubine?" Princess Yuzhen was worried that something had happened to her and she would have trouble explaining to her brother when he came back.

Chan Zhen lowered his eyes, looked at the tea in the cup and smiled softly: "That's not the case. The sound of the sutra is very pleasant to the ears, and I am a little mesmerized by it."

Princess Yuzhen was so used to hearing this kind of sutra that she didn't think it was anything special. She just thought that she had no experience with it before and was fascinated by it now that she heard it for the first time.

"This sutra can be heard every day. If the imperial concubine likes it, why not ask the emperor to invite some Taoist priests to come down the mountain and recite it for you?"

Zen Zhen smiled faintly: "Why go to so much trouble? I'll be staying at the mountain's palace for the time being, so even if I have to go up a few times, it won't be a big deal."

"I've heard of the noble concubine's virtuous name for a long time, and now I finally see it with my own eyes." To Princess Yuzhen, royal family members naturally enjoy many privileges, and she does not think it is a bad thing to use these privileges. However, this noble concubine is of common origin after all, and she is afraid that she has not yet fully adapted to these privileges.

"Your Highness, thank you for your kind words." Chan was really embarrassed to accept these false names. It was obviously just that His Majesty deliberately released it to accumulate fame for her, but the people spread it as if it were true.

At this time, a maid knocked on the door and announced, "Your Highness, Princess, Your Highness, Prince Jin is here to bother you."

After being silent for a long time, the eyes of the Princess of Xuanyang County lit up: "Aunt, I will go and greet His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin."

Princess Yuzhen glanced at her helplessly and smiled at Chanzhen, "What a coincidence today! My brother just left and Yunyi arrived right after."

Chan Zhen hadn't seen His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin since the last palace banquet, but he didn't expect to meet him again at the Princess's place today.

Soon, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin walked in, followed by the Princess of Xuanyang County with sparkling eyes and a joyful look on her face.

Prince Jin seemed to have not expected the imperial concubine to be here. He was obviously stunned when he saw her. It was not until Chanzhen gave him a gentle smile that he came back to his senses and greeted Princess Yuzhen first.

"How is Aunt Yuzhen these days?"

"Very good." Princess Yuzhen had always liked this nephew who resembled her royal brother. She smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Yunyi, for your concern."

Then, Chen Yunyi turned to Chan Zhen, his voice strangely nervous. "Yunyi didn't know the Imperial Concubine was here too. Since we parted at the palace banquet, I wonder how the Empress has been doing lately? I wonder if the Empress still likes the celadon Yunyi gave her last time?"

Chan Zhen felt a little embarrassed. The celadon had long been stored in the warehouse by His Majesty in the name of fearing that palace maids would break it. Later, His Majesty ordered people to make many porcelains from Yue Kiln and give them to her. If His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin had not mentioned it at this moment, she would have forgotten about the celadon.

She felt a little guilty and didn't dare to meet His Royal Highness Prince Jin's gaze. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern. I also like that celadon very much."

Chen Yunyi felt as if her heart was soaked in warm water because of her word "like". His voice became gentler: "As long as your Majesty likes it."

Princess Xuanyang had not attended the palace banquet before, and asked with some confusion, "When did His Majesty give the Imperial Concubine the celadon?"

His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin is the son of Concubine Shu. How could he be so close to Concubine Gui that he would give her gifts?

Chan Zhen explained, "This celadon was originally a birthday gift from His Highness to Your Majesty, but Your Majesty gave it to me because he saw that I liked it."

"So that's how it is." Princess Xuanyang breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Yunyi had a dull expression, and felt inexplicably depressed. He didn't want to hear that she was so distant from him.

"If the Imperial Concubine likes it, Yunyi has a few celadon pieces that can be given to her." He looked at the Imperial Concubine deeply. As a younger generation, respecting elders is a natural thing. Even Princess Yuzhen was present and she didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Chanzhen felt that the way he looked at him was somewhat similar to that of His Majesty, so he lowered his eyes in panic and avoided them, comforting himself in his heart that perhaps it was an illusion. It was because His Royal Highness Prince Jin looked too similar to His Majesty that he had such an illusion.

"No need." She felt her tone was a little stiff, so she smiled and said, "Your Highness's filial piety is touching. I will remember this thought."

Filial piety?

Chen Yunyi smiled bitterly in his heart. If only he was truly doing this out of filial piety, he wouldn't have to suffer like this.