Chapter 50 Possession

The abbot chanted a Buddhist prayer.

To my surprise, I heard such a question as soon as I entered the door.

After thinking for a moment, he walked around to Cen Yan's side, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, please rise. Shall we sit down and talk?"

Cen Yan: "Allow me to bow to my father again."

He bowed respectfully to the old prince's memorial tablet once more before rising.

The abbot, with a compassionate expression, slowly said, "It is a strange coincidence that I heard a similar question several years ago."

"It was the old prince who asked this before he left the capital."

“At that time, it was also one early morning when the old prince came, prayed to the Bodhisattva, and asked this question to me.”

Cen Yan looked dazed for a moment.

Abbot: "Your Highness surely knows who the old prince is asking about."

Cen Yan remained silent.

He not only knew, but also knew how the story ended.

Looking back at the enshrined memorial tablet, Cen Yan seemed lost in thought.

Abbot: "Since you have asked, Your Highness, would you like me to perform a divination?"

Cen Yan closed his eyes: "I haven't thought it through."

"Then please, Your Highness, come with me to the meditation room. If you need to perform divination, the divination rope is readily available."

Cen Yan asked in surprise, "Doesn't divination require an appointment in advance? How come the abbot is available to perform a divination for me today?"

Within Daci Temple, each high-ranking monk has a limited number of divination sessions per day, and appointments must be made in advance.

The nobles in the capital all knew this rule.

The abbot twirled his prayer beads and said with a smile, “Cause and effect, there is no effect without a cause. Your Highness’s question originated from my divination, so I am also involved in the cause of this matter. Therefore, I cannot escape the connection with your question. If a divination is to be performed, it should be done by me.”

Cen Yan understood and nodded.

After giving a few more words of advice to the high monk who was chanting sutras, he and the abbot walked out of the main hall. As soon as they left the hall, they heard the sound of a wooden fish being struck behind them, followed by the clear sound of chanting sutras.

Liu Qi was left outside the palace by Cen Yan to guard the old prince.

Wandering through the temple, the mountain temple was serene and quiet. It was neither a holiday nor a festival, and it was early in the morning, so there weren't many worshippers coming and going. I walked from the cobblestone path to the stone slab path, and all I could hear were the ringing of the bell and the chirping of birds. A thin mist shrouded the pointed temple roof, and the wind blew the clouds away. It was truly a beautiful natural scene, and my heart gradually calmed down in this landscape.

Passing by the dining hall, the abbot asked Cen Yan, "Has Your Highness not had breakfast yet?"

"Never."

"If you don't mind that the vegetarian meal is simple, why don't you sit down and have some?"

After a moment's hesitation, Cen Yan nodded.

A bowl of congee, a few vegetarian buns, and a small dish of side dishes were Cen Yan's breakfast today.

When I used it, I thought of Zhuang Dongqing. I wondered if she was awake at that moment.

Looking at the sun again, Cen Yan was certain: there was none.

Zhuang Dongqing was a heavy sleeper. During his time in the east wing, he would get up regularly, do his morning exercise, and sometimes he would wake up late, even after Zhuang Dongqing had started handling official business.

He wasn't particularly energetic when he woke up; he was still sleepy-eyed. If you let him close his eyes, he could doze off for a while longer.

Only after being pampered by Liu Fu and having a proper breakfast can one fully wake up.

Thinking of Zhuang Dongqing's dazed expression, Cen Yan suddenly smiled.

I just think it's pretty fun.

I can't quite put my finger on it.

After breakfast, Cen Yan got up and continued walking with the abbot.

A winding path leads to a secluded spot, where a Zen room is surrounded by flowers and trees.

After taking off his shoes, he sat down on the meditation cushion in the meditation room. The tea was brewed, and the young novice monk took care of everything, gave an announcement, bowed, and withdrew.

The abbot then spoke, “Actually, the answer I gave to the old prince back then is also the answer I can give now.”

"I would like to hear the details." Cen Yan lowered his eyes.

The abbot slowly said as the prayer beads were moved, "Your Highness asked about the stars, but the answer is right there in the riddle itself, so it cannot be found."

Cen Yan's heart skipped a beat.

"But if Your Highness wants to ask about the fate between people, that's a different story."

Cen Yan: "How are they different?"

The abbot chanted a Buddhist prayer, “All sentient beings, the true nature is ever-abiding.”

"We are destined to meet, but not destined to part."

"Previously, the celestial signs indicated that this strange star was connected to the prince, and it seems that this connection has not yet been resolved."

"As for Your Highness's question about whether we can stay together for a long time and be companions forever..."

"Amitabha,"

"It depends on what Your Highness wants."

Cen Yan: "What do you mean?"

Abbot: "With the Prince's power today, it would be incredibly easy for him to force someone to stay."

"That's the same choice the old prince made back then."

"As far as I know, the Dowager Consort is still living peacefully in the Prince's residence."

Cen Yan remained silent.

After a moment, he said softly, "What if what I want is more than this?"

Abbot: "Then people should treat each other with sincerity and exchange sincerity for sincerity."

"Those who are forced to stay are, to some extent, also a kind of excessive attachment."

"It's better to cherish the present and do what you want, so that even if the relationship fades away in the future, you won't have any regrets."

Sincerity for sincerity...

Fate has faded...

Cen Yan closed his eyes.

After a moment, she asked again in a low voice, "What if you can't get it and insist on forcing it?"

Abbot: "Does Your Highness know about training hawks?"

"I've met you."

People in the capital like it.

Abbot: "If you insist on forcing it, it's like training a hawk. Some succeed, while others fail miserably, either the hawk or their own hawk dying from the training."

"But after taming the eagle, there is still the process of training it. Making it submit is only the first step; the real key is the subsequent domestication."

"There will always be an eagle that can never be tamed, but eventually, it will be released back into the sky."

Changing the subject, the abbot added, "But humans and eagles are naturally different."

"Falconry is only for hunting. A good eagle is one that can be a good helper."

"There are countless types of people and countless temperaments. If you insist on forcing things, you might change their temperament and nature. Who knows if that won't be another case of losing more than you gain?"

Cen Yan: "..."

Cen Yan: "I understand."

In short, it all boils down to four words: you can't force it.

Fate and destiny cannot be forced.

The same applies to people.

The abbot clasped his hands together, with prayer beads in his palms, and chanted, "Namo Amitabha Buddha, well done, well done."

*

Cen Yan ultimately refused to have the divination performed.

Nothing else,

Cen Yan: "Keep it for now. If I need it someday, I will come to the abbot."

The abbot agreed.

Having promised the princess to find someone to perform a ritual for the deceased, Cen Yan and the abbot agreed to secretly hold the ceremony at Daci Temple.

After finishing speaking, she added, "The princess said she wouldn't let me go. I'm afraid I might bring something home with me. Could you ask the master in the temple to exorcise the evil spirits and cleanse me of any bad things so that I won't offend my family when I go home?"

The abbot examined the body and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I have not seen any spirit following you."

Cen Yan: "Perhaps they hid when they entered the temple?"

The abbot was speechless.

A moment later, “If Your Highness is worried, it would be fine to have someone chant a spell to cleanse the area.”

"As for unclean things, the Buddhist beads that Your Highness wears are the best for warding off evil and bringing good fortune, so there is no need to worry."

Cen Yan then touched his left wrist and slowly nodded.

"Finally, I'd like to ask someone for a pendant to ensure their safety and well-being. What does the abbot think?"

"If it is for someone from another planet, his fate is different from that of ordinary people. I'm afraid Your Highness will need to bring him here so that I can examine him before I can make a decision."

Cen Yan agreed.

*

The back and forth took so long that it was noon.

Fearing to offend the gods, Cen Yan did not allow anyone from the Prince's Mansion to enter the temple gate, but only had Liu Qi prepare vegetarian food and send it out.

On the way back in the afternoon, the people at the front all wore talismans to ward off evil spirits.

They rode at full speed and made contact with Hao San and his group who had evacuated from the Yuan residence before heading to Beijing.

Hao San bowed and said, "Everything has been taken care of, Master."

Cen Yan: "Those who should return to camp, return to camp. The rest of you, come with me to the palace to report back."

The crowd agreed.

After having their waist tokens checked at the city gate, they rode into the capital. Upon arriving outside the palace walls, they dismounted, where Eunuch Feng had been waiting for a long time. Cen Yan greeted him, and the group split up again. Only Hao Sanliuqi followed Cen Yan and was led inside by Eunuch Feng.

A day later, he received Cen Yan again in his bedchamber.

Before entering the palace, Eunuch Feng privately told Cen Yan, "Last night's commotion was huge, and news of it reached the capital this morning. During the morning court session, despite the irrefutable evidence, many officials still spoke out in defense of the Yuan family... His Majesty was furious and dismissed several ministers in court, and ordered the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate their connections with the Yuan family."

After a pause, Eunuch Feng continued, "His cough relapsed at noon, and he was bedridden again."

"What Your Highness knows during this time is that first, Consort Shu passed away, then the deposed Crown Prince..."

Cen Yan understood the implication and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Father-in-law."

Eunuch Feng smiled and said, "Your Highness, what are you saying? There's no need for any advice or suggestions."

“The Yuan family has been a behemoth since the previous dynasty. His Majesty has had to be careful to appease them since he ascended the throne… It’s one thing to deal with the muddle-headed people in the court, but the prince has always been favored by the emperor and should know how to handle them.”

Cen Yan: "It's just fulfilling my duty as a subject."

Having received the hint, Cen Yan entered the bedchamber and reported only on the Yuan family's situation, which indeed uncovered some remarkable things.

Although it is not a house purchased with self-funded funds, it can still serve as proof.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Shengwu let out a long breath, his spirits lifted. "I knew it all along, the Yuan family harbored wolfish ambitions..."

Cen Yan stood quietly with his eyes lowered, simply listening.

After a while of rambling, Emperor Shengwu was delighted and praised Cen Yan for his hard work, rewarding the Prince's residence with many gifts.

Cen Yan could only respond.

Before leaving, Emperor Shengwu said to him, "My health has been poor for the past two years. With the Emperor's birthday approaching, I heard that your elder sister is pregnant and that you were recently poisoned. Your mother has requested permission to come to the capital to celebrate my birthday and also to visit your elder sister and you."

Cen Yan's eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Emperor Shengwu: "She was originally a member of the imperial family. After marrying your father, she did not return to the capital for many years. I also forced you to stay for so many years. She lived as a widow in her fiefdom, with no children to take care of her. It was my fault."

Cen Yan: "Your Majesty is too kind. It is a subject's duty to share the emperor's burdens."

Emperor Shengwu waved his hand and laughed amiably, "I grant your permission."

Cen Yan paused for a moment, then expressed his gratitude.

Emperor Shengwu continued, “I often dream of your father lately. He fought hard in those years. Without his bravery and support, how could the world be at peace today? After I was made a king, I didn’t even get to see him one last time. I want to do something for him. I’ve already posthumously conferred titles on him in the past.”

After much thought,

"It seems that Consort Tao has not yet received an imperial decree."

Cen Yan looked up.

“He had one principal wife and one concubine during his lifetime, and three children. I thought it would be better to grant Consort Tao an imperial title, so as not to let his love and respect go to waste.”

"What do you think, Ayan?"

Since ancient times, only the principal wife could be granted an imperial title, and for a concubine to receive one was indeed an immense honor.

Cen Yan felt no joy in his heart, but he still smiled outwardly.

After several refusals, Cen Yan, confirming that Emperor Shengwu's mind was made up, thanked the emperor.

*

"ah?"

"ah?!"

On the way back to his residence after leaving the palace, Hao San was constantly startled.

Xu Si was stunned, swallowed hard, and said, "Isn't this favor a bit too blatant?"

Cen Yan calmly replied, "Isn't it always been like this: give a stick and then a sweet treat?"

"Furthermore, is my eldest sister pregnant?"

Liu Qi: "No report has been sent, but in the capital, it's customary to wait three months before making an announcement. I'm afraid the message was only sent to the Dowager Consort beforehand."

Cen Yan let out a soft sigh, "It's only natural that Mother wants to visit my elder sister."

Liu Qi, however, thought of something else: "Is it necessary to grant an imperial title...?"

"Yes, they all come because the emperor needs to come to the capital to bestow titles upon them."

Liu Qi felt a chill run down his spine.

Cen Yan didn't care. "Consort Tao has always been a woman of few words. In our fiefdom, the two of us lived in different residences. We haven't seen each other for so many years. You can arrange for the courtyard to be further away. It won't cause any trouble."

Liu Qi said, "But Young Master Zhuang..."

Cen Yan already had a plan in mind, but he didn't say it outright, only saying, "Let's see first."

"His Majesty has always been wary of the imperial clan, so Mother Consort will not stay for long."

"As for Consort Tao..." After a moment of silence, Cen Yan said, "She has never been involved in affairs. If she comes, she will probably just stay in the courtyard. It won't matter."

Liu Qi, however, worried, "Will the matter of bestowing an imperial title displease the Empress Dowager?"

Cen Yan chuckled, "That's a matter between Mother Consort and His Majesty."

Seeing Cen Yan's attitude, Liu Qi and Xu Si exchanged a glance, and Xu Si cautiously mentioned, "The title of Imperial Concubine..."

Cen Yan: "If Your Majesty likes it, then consider it a favor."

The two understood.

Cen Yan didn't care about this matter.

Even if His Majesty's original intention was to bestow a title upon his birth mother as a reward upon him.

Liu Qi thought about the layout of the Prince's Mansion again. The space was enough. With proper planning, the two big shots could each be placed in a different place, which would be fine.

Cen Yan had inherited the title long ago and was already the undisputed ruler in the Prince's Mansion.

The decision for the two imperial concubines to live in separate residences was made by Cen Yan himself.

With a master keeping watch, there shouldn't be any problems.

On the way back to the mansion, Cen Yan did not go to the east wing. Instead, he changed his clothes in the west wing, having stayed up all night doing errands, and was preparing to catch up on some sleep.

Just as she lay down, Liu Qi said that Zhuang Dongqing had arrived.

After thinking for a moment, Cen Yan said, "Let him in."

*

Upon entering Cen Yanxi's room, Zhuang Dongqing found the door tightly shut and the room shrouded in darkness, causing her to pause.

"Did I disturb you?" Zhuang Dongqing asked anxiously.

"No, come here."

A gentle response came from the bed, and Cen Yan reached out to Zhuang Dongqing.

"oh oh."

Walking to the bedside, after adjusting to the light, Zhuang Dongqing was stunned again when she saw Cen Yan.

"What's wrong?" Cen Yan asked.

Zhuang Dongqing shook her head and said, "You look very tired. Did I come at the wrong time?"

"No, come and sit down."

He simply patted the edge of the bed.

It wasn't a big deal, but it was related to Liu Fu. A letter came from Liu Fu's hometown saying that his father had broken his leg and was bedridden. Liu Fu wanted to go back to see him and see if he needed to send some money home.

"I think it's urgent, but I still need to ask you before I leave the manor."

"However, it seems the timing isn't right either."

Upon hearing this, Cen Yan summoned Liu Qi and immediately arranged for someone to send Liu Fu back to his hometown, thus resolving the matter.

After Liu Qi left, the room became quiet again.

Suddenly, Zhuang Dongqing raised her hand and pressed Cen Yan's temples, asking him, "Does your head hurt?"

“You’ve been frowning ever since I came in.”

Cen Yan didn't hide anything from Zhuang Dongqing: "A little."

"I did errands all night."

"Huh?" Zhuang Dongqing quickly pressed Cen Yan's shoulder and said, "Then you should get some sleep."

But Cen Yan grabbed her hand, ran his fingers from the back of her hand to her wrist, and then peered into her sleeve, saying in a deep voice, "No rush."

Cen Yan said wearily, "There are so many things to do, they're all piling up in my head, I won't be able to fall asleep anytime soon."

"Then I..."

"Stay with me."

Zhuang Dongqing, who had just gotten up and disappeared, thought: "..."

Now that I'm settled, I say, "Okay."

Zhuang Dongqing: "You should lie down first."

"Um."

This time, unusually, Zhuang Dongqing pulled the blanket up for Cen Yan.

Even after lying down, Cen Yan still held Zhuang Dongqing's hand tightly, refusing to let go, squeezing and kneading it as if it were some kind of stress-relieving toy.

It didn't hurt. Zhuang Dongqing tried to pull back but couldn't, so she just let it be.

They remained silent.

After a moment, Zhuang Dongqing hesitated and asked, "Are you unhappy?"

Cen Yan remained silent.

She sighed, "Hmm, a little bit. Young Master, would you like to comfort me?"

"..."

Zhuang Dongqing: "Then, how about I sleep with you for a while?"

Cen Yan chuckled, “…Good idea.”

He smiled, and Zhuang Dongqing became a little reluctant, "Otherwise, I'll still tell you..."

Cen Yan made room for Zhuang Dongqing, saying, "Come on up."

"..."

Zhuang Dongqing took off his outer robe, climbed into bed, and yawned as soon as his head hit the pillow. Cen Yan wasn't sleepy yet, but Zhuang Dongqing yawned first.

"Didn't you sleep well last night?" Cen Yan asked him.

Zhuang Dongqing rubbed her eyes and mumbled, "I was thinking about Liufu's matter and was afraid you would miss it when you came back, so I didn't take a lunch break."

"That's perfect, let's sleep together for a while."

Okay.

But Zhuang Dongqing immediately noticed something was wrong and asked, "Why aren't you sleepy at all?"

She paused, then whispered, "Are you feeling very upset?"

Cen Yan replied as usual, "It's alright."

After spending some time together, Zhuang Dongqing understood that Cen Yan was alright, but not very good.

After watching Cen Yan quietly for a while, Zhuang Dongqing suddenly leaned forward and kissed Cen Yan's brow bone.

Cen Yan was taken aback.

The next moment, Zhuang Dongqing cupped his face and kissed him haphazardly on his eyes, eyebrows, and nose.

Her lips were soft and dry, and she kissed him repeatedly until he had no temper left.

Cen Yan chuckled, "Who taught you all this?"

What kind of deceptive tactics are these?

The answer was unexpected: "You."

"I feel like you really like it when I kiss you."

His voice, tinged with drowsiness, became soft and sticky.

Cen Yan's smile faded, but her heart softened.

He admitted, "That's right."

Zhuang Dongqing came over, hugged him, and patted his back gently, coaxing him patiently, "Don't be angry, don't be angry, getting sick from anger will make you sick and no one can take your place."

"If I get angry and die, who will benefit? Besides, it's exhausting and stressful."

Cen Yan: "?"

Cen Yan was both amused and exasperated. "What is this now?"

"There's a folk song that tells people not to get angry. There are a few more lines. Would you like to hear it?"

Cen Yan decided to broaden her horizons: "Go ahead."

"Well, don't compare yourself to your neighbors and relatives, and let your children and grandchildren handle their own affairs."

"Sharing hardships and joys together, even the gods would envy such a good couple."

Cen Yan couldn't stop smiling. "Even immortals envy such a good couple?"

Zhuang Dongqing rubbed her eyes, "...that's how it's sung."

"I quite like it."

Zhuang Dongqing usually falls asleep the moment her head hits the pillow, but after talking for a few more minutes, she couldn't stay awake any longer. "Want to go to sleep?"

His voice was slurred.

Cen Yan: "Sleep."

Kiss me again.

Zhuang Dongqing touched Cen Yan's face, wanting to kiss Cen Yan's nose, but unexpectedly Cen Yan raised his head halfway.

A kiss landed on the other's lips.

Zhuang Dongqing paused for a moment, then her lips and tongue were entangled.