Chapter 10 Burning Body

The ban on unauthorized entry and exit was lifted in the afternoon.

The whole household was in a state of panic, but the lady of the house calmed them down temporarily by saying that the master was assisting with a case at the yamen and could not return home for the time being.

When Liu Fu arrived, Zhuang Dongqing took a detour, looked at the Xuan paper, and sighed, "I made a mistake again."

Aside from articles he had to memorize, his writing of traditional Chinese characters was always incomplete or missing parts.

If you can't remember even a little bit, it becomes simplified.

The power of compulsory education is fully demonstrated.

Liu Fu cared more about Master Zhuang than he did. "Young Master, is that really true?"

Of course not.

But Zhuang Dongqing didn't elaborate, instead asking, "What do you think?"

Liu Fu hesitated for a moment, then glanced back at the courtyard gate. Seeing no one, he lowered his voice and said, "There are all sorts of rumors circulating in the manor. Some people are even saying that Master might not be coming back..."

If you delve deeper into this statement, you'll find it has many layers of meaning.

But Zhuang Dongqing was already annoyed by this matter and didn't want anyone else to worry about him.

The most important thing is that there's no use in them being anxious.

"If Madam isn't panicking, why should we be?"

Zhuang Dongqing comforted her, saying, "Besides, the lady's surname is Bi, which is a distant branch of the current empress's family. Even if there is something wrong, it is not impossible to handle it properly."

Liu Fu stammered, "...That's true."

Zhuang Dongqing then changed the subject, saying, "Could you get me some more Xuan paper? We're almost done."

"Yes, young master."

*

The horse galloped away, and Cen Yan pulled on the reins at the main entrance of Daci Temple, dismounting.

A young novice monk was already waiting to the side. After the guests dismounted, he stepped forward, took the reins, and led the horses to drink water and rest.

After the secret report was sent back to the capital, the imperial decree was issued quickly. Three days later, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, who was in charge of the imperial clan, came with the imperial decree and took over the investigation and handling of the subsequent case from the Court of Judicial Review.

Cen Yan didn't care.

The Sizhi and Sizheng of the Dali Temple breathed a sigh of relief.

It's clear that nobody wants to get their hands on this hot potato.

After several more days of handover, he was finally able to completely extricate himself and set off back to Beijing.

"Amitabha, Your Highness, it's been a long time."

A familiar high monk stepped out from inside the gate, a string of sandalwood prayer beads wrapped around his left hand, and bowed to Cen Yan.

"Master of Humility".

Cen Yan bowed in return.

"Have you come to pay respects to the old prince?"

"yes."

"This way, please."

Master Xuhuai was a high-ranking monk who was responsible for chanting sutras for the old prince. They had known each other for many years.

After entering the temple gate, the group split into two. Hao San and Xu Si led the others to have tea and rest, while Liu Qi stayed with Cen Yan, guided by Master Xu Huai, and walked into the temple.

Upon arriving at the familiar Buddhist hall, a benevolent-looking Bodhisattva sat high above, with only a single, dimly lit lamp on the altar.

Liu Qi stayed outside the palace gate to wait.

Cen Yan entered the hall, lit a stick of incense, bowed three times, and then carefully inserted it into the incense burner.

"Is it still the same as before?" Master Xuhuai asked.

Cen Yan nodded. "Thank you for your trouble, Master."

After adding sesame oil to the lamp, Cen Yan knelt on the prayer mat amidst the rising smoke, his expression respectful. Master Xuhuai chanted a Buddhist prayer and slowly moved the prayer beads. Then, Liu Qi heard the sound of chanting.

Surrounded by scriptures, the sound of wooden fish accompanied by the scent of sandalwood, and facing the compassionate gaze of the Buddha, Cen Yan sat down at the head of the table.

Her long eyelashes hung down, and her face was as still as if in meditation, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

As the sun slowly began to set in the west, nearing noon, the recitation of the scriptures was finally completed.

After thanking Master Xuhuai again, and knowing that Cen Yan would be staying alone for a while, the master bowed again and then left.

Only Cen Yan remained in the Buddhist hall.

Liu Qi, who was standing at the door, also moved a little further away to wait.

After two more cups of tea, Cen Yan finally came out.

He came here often and was familiar with the place. He led Liu Qi to find Hao San and Xu Si, but unexpectedly they ran into the abbot halfway there.

"Your Highness." The abbot uttered a Buddhist chant and bowed with one hand, his expression seemingly surprised.

"This old monk noticed unusual signs in the sky and came looking for this place, never expecting... to encounter the Prince here..."

As she finished speaking, her tone grew increasingly soft, and her gaze lingered on Cen Yan, shifting between him and her gaze.

Cen Yan remained calm. "Has the abbot noticed something?"

Although Daci Temple was not an imperial temple, its eminent monks were extremely accurate in divination and fortune telling, making it very popular among the common people and nobles of the capital, and its incense offerings were always plentiful.

The abbot looked at Cen Yan for a while, then suddenly asked, "I wonder if the things Your Highness has placed in front of the incense table can be taken away, and if this can resolve your inner conflict?"

"...Never."

The abbot laughed, his hair white and beard long, with a kind expression. "An alien star has entered the world. In my opinion, it is destined to be connected with Your Highness, or perhaps it will be Your Highness's lucky star."

Then, looking at Cen Yan, she calculated with her fingers and said slowly, "I previously predicted that Your Highness's fate was weak. If you were to have a son, you would only have one. If you were to meet such a son, I hope Your Highness would consider it carefully."

"Amitabha."

*

After resting at home for a day, Zhuang Dongqing still took Liufu out the next day.

As the weather gets warmer, my hands and feet no longer feel cold when I walk around.

Two days later, the number of officials detained by the Ministry of Rites increased, and rumors began to circulate in teahouses and neighborhoods.

Zhuang Dongqing pretended not to listen and continued to play, but it still affected him. He tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep. Even if he knew about the major event of confiscating his family's property and exterminating his entire clan in advance, it was impossible to remain completely indifferent when it came to the moment.

After all, he himself was also caught in this dead end.

The next day, the emperor was furious at the morning court session. He reprimanded the Crown Prince's tutor in court and ordered the Crown Prince to be confined to the Eastern Palace.

The imperial examination fraud case that shocked the court and the public has officially come to light.

The rumors that had been circulating for several days were confirmed. After noon, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review all mobilized, and officials visited several residences and inns, taking away many candidates who had participated in the imperial examination.

Of course, the bookmakers also came.

A commotion arose at the entrance, interspersed with the sounds of clashing swords and spears. Zhuang Dongqing heard it all clearly in the courtyard, his fists clenched, his palms sweaty.

All three young masters were called out. When the official looked at the list in his hand, his gaze swept between the eldest young master and Zhuang Dongqing. At that moment, Zhuang Dongqing's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would fly out of his chest.

They didn't take Zhuang Dongqing, but they did take the eldest young master.

Fast, concise, and brutal.

The entire process will take no more than ten minutes.

But after the people were taken away and the officials left, Zhuang Dongqing realized that his legs were weak when he moved.

Living in modern society, in what is arguably the safest country, I have rarely seen such a brazen display of violence.

The lady and the third young master were incredulous and chased after them, their faces pale.

The servants all watched as Zhuang Dongqing, though a beat slower, was still swept up by the situation and followed them out.

The lady argued angrily with the official, saying that a higher rank can crush a person. The lady was of noble birth, and there were many high-ranking officials and dignitaries among her relatives. As she argued her case, the official gradually broke out in a cold sweat.

The lady protected him with her own body, resolutely refusing to let anyone take the young master away. The officials had no choice but to go outside to call for reinforcements, as they were unwilling to use force against the nobles.

Zhuang Dongqing unexpectedly met Cen Yan.

Unlike the wealthy and leisurely people at the Spring Banquet, this time the other party had a solemn face, a sword at his waist, and wore official clothes, his imposing presence making people dare not look directly at him.

At least Zhuang Dongqing lowered his head and swallowed.

nervous.

Cen Yan did not resort to violence against his wife; he was reasonable.

But it actually sounds rather aggressive.

After taking the young master's copied exam paper, she asked the madam to move aside. Regardless of how many people were around, she questioned him on the spot, one question after another. She didn't look at the exam paper much, as if she had memorized every detail. After several strangely connected words, the young master panicked, his eyes darted around, and he showed his fear.

Zhuang Dongqing: "..."

I initially thought the bookmakers were implicated, but now it seems that's not entirely the case.

In ancient imperial examinations, if examiners leaked questions, there was a method known as "using connections."

The examiners would first give the candidates one or more pre-arranged codes, which were mostly uncommon words or phrases of poetry. The candidates would then insert these codes into their essays during the imperial examinations, making it easier for the examiners to identify them when grading the papers.

The words and verses that Cen Yan used during his interrogation were the so-called secret codes.

"Since you've forgotten how you answered the question that day, then young master, come with us and think it over carefully."

The young master couldn't answer, and the madam was already in a state of panic. When she heard Cen Yan speak, she was supported by her trusted mother and wanted to say something.

Cen Yan froze her in place with a single glance. "If Madam continues to obstruct, then I will have no choice but to take Madam with me."

The lady paused for a moment.

Cen Yan waved his hand, "Take him away!"

The young master was immediately forcibly dragged out the door.

After all the officials had left, Cen Yan took a step forward. Before leaving, he glanced at Zhuang Dongqing very quickly, but Zhuang Dongqing knew that he was looking at her.

His hands and feet seemed to be frozen in place, and before he could react, Cen Yan had already turned and left.

Once again, entry and exit from the Zhuang residence were prohibited at will.

The lady was escorted away by the third young master and the fourth young lady.

People gradually dispersed, and Zhuang Dongqing and Liu Fu also returned to the courtyard.

After sitting for a while, unable to calm down, Zhuang Dongqing picked up paper and pen again to write.

With something to do, my breathing gradually became even again.

That night, I had another bad dream, but this time, the eyes of the person sitting at the head of the table watching the play were no longer smiling; they were cold and distant.

The next day, Zhuang Dongqing woke up to find that his wife had left early in the morning.

He wrung out a handkerchief to wipe away the cold sweat, thinking that he was probably a little afraid of Cen Yan.

Unconsciously placing her hand on her lower abdomen, Zhuang Dongqing was bewildered—

Is it really true that he has no choice but to go find the male lead?

*

In the following days, the situation in the capital became more and more severe. Under the atmosphere of fear and unease, the investigation into the corruption case became more and more rigorous. In addition, officials from the Crown Prince's faction were demoted one after another. It was clear that the case could not be resolved peacefully. Many wealthy families chose to close their doors to guests in order to protect themselves.

The lady goes out every day.

Although Zhuang Dongqing had not yet made up her mind, Li Yang's personal eunuch, Sande, came to the Zhuang residence first.

I contacted Luk Fook and left a few words with them.

The words were simple.

They asked Zhuang Dongqing if she was alright and if she needed any help. Finally, and most importantly, they left their contact address.

Tell Zhuang Dongqing to send someone to report if needed.

At this critical juncture, to still be able to act in this way is truly touching; it would be a lie to say it isn't.

It is easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow; this has been true since ancient times.

but--

Despite being moved, Zhuang Dongqing still couldn't make up her mind.

He ended up here by chance, which was not his intention.

He... wasn't servile at heart...

If he were to use every piece of his flesh and blood, along with the flesh and bones inside his belly, to repay Li Yang's kindness, he probably couldn't do it.

The thought of the suffering that awaited him after joining Li Yang made Zhuang Dongqing feel that such an ending was not without its merits.

Killing someone is just a matter of a head falling to the ground, a single stab.

In order to survive, he ended up with his body riddled with wounds. Today he takes a bullet to the shoulder, tomorrow he takes an arrow to the chest. Even if you're slowly being cut, this is not how you do it. He also has to devise strategies and is exhausted. What's the point of living like this?

Zhuang Dongqing was torn between two options.

Liu Fu also asked him what exactly his idea was.

Zhuang Dongqing could only sigh, "Let's wait and see."

He didn't say what he was waiting for, but his tone was firm, and Liu Fu listened.

Zhuang Dongqing's mind was not at peace, so he practiced calligraphy more and more frequently. Apart from eating and resting, he devoted all his time to calligraphy.

On the bottom of the previous Xuan paper, you could also find the original owner practicing large characters.

The writing... I really don't know how much better it is than his.

Zhuang Dongqing thought it looked good, so he placed it on his desk and copied it.

Most of the characters are quite difficult, but there are also some simple ones, such as 禾 (hé), 之 (zhī), 于 (yú). Simple characters have many ways of being written.

Zhuang Dongqing even counted that the character "禾" (hé) was written in seven different ways from beginning to end.

One has to admire the original owner of this body; she was indeed a talented individual.

In comparison, he really seemed like a useless person. He wanted to live, but was afraid of hardship and difficulty; he wanted to die, but was afraid of pain.

Madam was away for several days, and not only did Master Zhuang not return, but officials from the Bi family were also imprisoned.

The Empress's maternal clan was closely related to the Lady, and the Lady fell ill on the very day the news arrived.

The entire Zhuang family was in turmoil.

Sometime in the afternoon, Zhuang Dongqing was practicing the character "禾" (he) in front of the paper when the madam's trusted maid arrived, saying that the madam wanted to see Zhuang Dongqing.

After writing the last two strokes slowly and deliberately, Zhuang Dongqing put down his pen.

He straightened up and said calmly, "Let's go then."