Chapter 67 [67] If virtue does not match one’s position, disaster will surely follow. …

【67】/First release

Yun Ran had just found the library behind the Taiqing Palace when he saw the Taoist Master Ziqing, who looked like an immortal, escorting a purple-robed Taoist wearing a Five Elders crown out through a corridor.

The purple-robed Taoist priest looked to be about fifty years old, of medium build, with phoenix eyes and a long beard. His demeanor was pleasant, and he seemed to have some Taoist skills.

"This is Peng Qiuzi."

A man's voice suddenly came from behind him. Yun Ran shuddered. Turning around, he saw Sima Jing standing behind him. He breathed a sigh of relief: "You suddenly spoke up and scared me."

Sima Jing didn't understand why she was so sneaky. Since she was curious, why not go up and meet her?

Yun Ran held his breath until the Imperial Master and the two Taoist children left gracefully. Only then did he look at Sima Jing again and ask, "Your Highness, have you seen him before?"

Sima Jing nodded: "I have met him once."

Yun Ran: "Only met once? Where? In the palace?"

Sima Jing: "Pengqiuzi sent a boy to the eldest prince's first birthday banquet."

The so-called sending of a boy, also known as returning a boy, is a ceremony to relieve misfortune for those who are destined to have the "boy evil".

Usually straw or paper figures are used as substitutes, and are either buried or burned to ward off disasters and misfortunes.

In the past, at Shuiyue Temple, Yun Ran's master also took over some of the work of escorting boys. This job was easy and paid well, so it was considered a good job.

I didn’t expect that the eldest prince was destined to have a boy.

But I don’t know whether the boy he brought was a real one or a fake one.

Yun Ran's thoughts wandered for a while before he remembered something more important: "Your Majesty is not even thirty yet, why is he already taking pills?"

Sima Jing's eyebrows twitched slightly when he heard this: "I don't know either."

Yun Ran glanced at him suspiciously, "Your Highness, do you really not know, or do you not want to tell me?"

"...I have always been in the palace and rarely go to the palace. Even if I do, I am too lazy to ask about their affairs."

Sima Jing pondered for a moment and said, "All I know is that he fell ill in the spring four years ago, and he frequently summoned the imperial physician. Afterwards, this Pengqiuzi entered the palace and reportedly presented him with an elixir, which cured him. To this day, Pengqiuzi still remains in the palace, and it seems he's been taking the elixir himself."

After hearing this, Yun Ran knew that Sima Jing was not hiding anything from her.

After all, she had witnessed his distant attitude towards the palace.

"If it's for treating an illness, it's okay to take one or two pills occasionally. But if you're healthy, it's better to stay away from these." Yun Ran shook his head.

Sima Jing looked at her: "What do you mean?"

"Although I'm not an expert in alchemy, I do know that elixirs are often made from minerals. For example, cinnabar contains mercury, realgar contains arsenic, and sulfur and red lead are all strong substances."

Yun Ran said, "Doctors use medicine to treat a serious illness, emphasizing the principle of 'correcting the problem with the problem'. If you have a serious illness, you need to use these strong medicines to attack the source of the problem, supplemented by herbs to balance it out, and master the dosage and timing to achieve victory despite the risk. However, a healthy person's internal organs are in harmony, and their qi and blood flow smoothly, so they don't need any external intervention. The metal and stone properties in this elixir have nowhere to flow, so they will accumulate in the body."

"You may initially feel uplifted, but in reality, your internal organs are disturbed by the medicinal properties. Over time, the mercury and arsenic poisons corrode your spleen and stomach, and the lead gas damages your bone marrow, ultimately damaging your very foundation. Ordinary people don't understand the diagnosis and simply believe that elixirs can strengthen the body, not realizing that medicine is also toxic. Taking medicine when you're not sick is like adding wood to a fire without fire; it only adds fuel to the fire, and the loss outweighs the gain."

The more she spoke, the deeper her frown deepened. "Even if Your Majesty doesn't understand medicine, you should have read history books, right? Many emperors and dignitaries in previous dynasties took elixirs, but who truly achieved immortality? Not to mention living to a hundred years, some even died in their prime..."

Before the word "death" came out, Yun Ran stopped in time.

Trouble comes from the mouth. If this word gets out and she is accused of cursing the king, she will never be able to clear herself of the charges even if she jumps into the Yellow River.

Yun Ran simply didn't understand. "Look at us Taoists. We all practice pure heart and few desires, chanting scriptures and cultivating for our entire lives. At best, we live longer, but few can ascend to become immortals. And yet, those high-ranking officials, princes, and nobles, all indulge in lavish food and sensual pleasures, yet they think they can achieve immortality by taking elixirs... Isn't that just daydreaming?"

If they were really asked to rely on shortcuts to achieve longevity and ascend to heaven, wouldn't these devout and hardworking Taoists become a laughing stock?

Moreover, the Taoist alchemy is based on internal alchemy and relies on external alchemy...

Well, the risk is too great, don't try it lightly.

"Do the Queen Mother and the Empress know that Your Majesty is taking the elixir?" Yun Ran asked.

Sima Jing thought for a moment and said, "I should know."

"Then why is there no one trying to persuade His Majesty? From what I know, there are very few truly useful external alchemy techniques, and most are... scams."

Seeing that there was no one around, she lowered her voice and uttered the last two words.

It’s not that she is slandering her colleagues, but there are too many scammers in the Taoist sect who cheat people and they have to be on guard.

Seeing her worried look, Sima Jing thought to himself, "Are you worried about His Majesty?"

"Of course, he's yours anyway..."

Yun Ran paused, suddenly thinking of the estrangement between Sima Jing and the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

Her rosy lips moved twice, and she coughed lightly, "After all, he is my cousin's husband, the father of the eldest prince, and the monarch of the world."

"Now the seas are clear and the rivers are calm, and the four directions are at peace. As an emperor, Your Majesty can be regarded as a diligent and benevolent ruler."

Yun Ran said as he glanced at Sima Jing's face: "But don't worry, Your Highness, I will definitely stand on your side in private matters."

But from a public opinion perspective, if anything happens to the emperor, the government and the country will be in turmoil, and the common people will suffer.

Sima Jing saw her slender hands tugging at his robe, and the emotions in her eyes surged several times. After a while, he said, "I know."

"Actually, I don't want him to die either."

He held Yun Ran's hand, his tone calm and emotionless: "But he wants to die, no one can stop him."

Yun Ran was annoyed, thinking to himself, "Your Highness, you are too direct in your words."

but……

Emperor Wenxuan's taking of the elixir was indeed no different from seeking death.

Unless that national teacher is really a capable immortal.

But the probability—

Yun Ran, who has always been optimistic, couldn't help but give a zero in his heart.

After calming down a bit, Yun Ran stopped talking about it and took Sima Jing to pay a visit to Taoist Master Ziqing.

Taoist Master Ziqing was reviewing a recent chess game when he suddenly heard a clear laugh from outside the door: "Master Uncle, I'm here to wish you a happy new year."

Looking up, I saw a pretty lilac figure leaning out from the door—

Isn’t it the little nephew who married into the palace and whom I haven’t seen for half a year?

Taoist Ziqing smiled and said, "You are truly a distinguished guest. Please come in."

I didn't expect that more than one person would come in.

Behind the delicate young lady was a young man like a shadow.

He has handsome eyebrows and eyes, skin as white as jade, and wears a black robe and leather belt. He has the demeanor of a crane and a pine tree, and is extremely elegant.

With just one glance, Taoist Ziqing guessed the visitor's identity.

“So they are two distinguished guests.”

Taoist Ziqing bowed to Sima Jing and said, "Your Highness Prince Jing, may you be blessed with endless happiness."

When Sima Jing heard Yun Ran call him "Uncle Master," he also wanted to show some respect to the old Taoist priest and raised his sleeves in return, "You are so polite, Master."

Yun Ran smiled and bowed to Taoist Ziqing as a junior, then proudly introduced him: "Uncle Master, my prince is very handsome, isn't he?"

She looked so happy and smiling, no longer showing the fear she had when she asked him to write the talisman.

"Your Highness is a descendant of the royal family, so you are naturally extraordinary."

Taoist Ziqing smiled and looked at his nephew: "These days, I have also heard about the princess's act of sacrifice to save others. The princess is truly a great benefactor. Good, good, good."

Yun Ran had never thought that this matter would even reach the ears of the old senior. His cheeks flushed and he waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, it's just a small favor."

Taoist Master Ziqing smiled without saying anything. He just gestured for them to take a seat. He went outside and told the little Taoist boy to bring tea.

Turning around again, he saw the taciturn young man staring at the chessboard, while the pretty young lady on the side was staring at the Seven Star Sword hanging on the wall with shining eyes.

Taoist Ziqing approached slowly and asked, "Your Highness Prince Jing is also interested in playing chess?"

"I know a little bit."

Sima Jing raised his gaze from the intricate chessboard and looked towards Taoist Ziqing: "This chessboard is exquisite. I just took a closer look."

"I'm not afraid of being laughed at by His Royal Highness Prince Jing. This is the chess game I just played with my nephew."

Taoist Ziqing shook his head and laughed at himself, "Well, maybe I'm really useless. Even though I'm on guard everywhere, I'm still slaughtered and defeated..."

Upon hearing this, Sima Jing looked at the chessboard again.

"If you don't mind, could you allow me to take three steps?"

"Your Highness, are you in the mood? Please feel free to do as you please."

Taoist Ziqing became interested and looked at the chess piece that was already in a losing position with anticipation in his eyes.

When Yun Ran saw Sima Jing was about to play chess, his gaze shifted from the Seven Star Sword to the chessboard.

But she only knows how to play Gobang and really doesn't understand Go.

Sima Jing's slender jade-like fingertips picked up an inky chess piece and placed it on the black and white chessboard.

Taoist Ziqing frowned, not understanding the meaning of his last-ditch move, but still picked up the white piece and made a move.

Sima Jing dropped another one.

Taoist Ziqing's eyelids twitched slightly, as if he sensed something, but he didn't show it on his face and still took the most advantageous step.

Until Sima Jing placed the third chess piece.

Take them by surprise and turn the tide——

Taoist Ziqing was stunned at first, then clapped his hands: "Wonderful, wonderful!"

Yun Ran: “…”

I still don’t understand.

But being praised so highly by her uncle-master, her eyes towards Sima Jing suddenly became bright.

Her Highness is truly amazing! He is multi-talented!

Sima Jing also received the admiring gaze of his princess, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Soon, the little Taoist boy brought fragrant tea.

Yun Ran drank tea and chatted with Taoist Ziqing for a while. Finally, he changed the subject: "I heard from Senior Brother Xuanling that the National Master also came to visit my uncle. Does my uncle have a good relationship with him?"

Taoist Ziqing was slightly startled, and his peripheral vision glanced at King Jing, who sat quietly beside him like a shadow. He then said slowly, "We are all from the Taoist sect. Plus, today is God's birthday, so he just came by to have a cup of tea and play a game of chess with me."

The implication is that you are not familiar with it.

Yun Ran didn't ask any more questions.

Because there was a grand event in the temple today and there were many trivial matters, Yun Ran did not stay for long. After drinking a cup of tea, he and Sima Jing stood up and said goodbye.

Taoist Master Ziqing escorted them out of the library just as he had escorted the Imperial Master.

Before they parted ways, Taoist Ziqing specifically stopped Yun Ran and whispered to him, "Don't ask too much about the Imperial Master's affairs. If you can avoid getting involved, don't get involved. It's best to pretend you know nothing about it."

When Yun Ran heard this, his eyes rolled: "Does my uncle-master know something?"

Taoist Master Ziqing wanted to hit her head: "I told you not to ask questions, but you kept asking! If I were your master, I would definitely punish you."

Yun Ran was annoyed and quickly bowed, "Okay, okay, please calm down. I'll remember this."

Taoist Master Ziqing then said, "Go."

He glanced at the elegant figure standing with his hands behind his back in the corridor and murmured, "Even if you have a Qilin son, you can't defeat the Bone Dragon."

Yun Ran didn't hear clearly: "What?"

Taoist Ziqing lowered his head and looked at the young lady in front of him with long eyelashes and clear eyes, and sighed in his heart.

No matter whether he is a Qilin son or a bone-transforming dragon, God should still bless this little nephew who accidentally entered the Heavenly Palace.

***

After leaving the library, Yun Ran was still thinking about his great-grandmaster's advice to "stop asking questions".

Alas, when I came to Chang'an City, there were riddlers everywhere.

The little Taoist priest was really worried.

She was sighing in her heart when suddenly a figure stumbled towards her: "Madam, wait a moment, wait a moment!"

Yun Ran was startled, and before he could see what was happening, Sima Jing grabbed him and pulled him behind him.

She subconsciously grabbed Sima Jing's robe, and when she looked again, she saw a woman in a blue dress holding a child.

Seeing that they were now in front of the Taiqing Palace, surrounded by people burning incense, Yun Ran put aside the tension in her heart and slowly came out from behind Sima Jing: "Sister, what are you doing..."

Before she could finish her words, the woman in the blue dress knelt down with a plop: "Princess, it really is you. How wonderful!"

Yun Ran was startled again. Just as he was about to go forward to help, Sima Jing grabbed his arm.

His thick brows were furrowed, and there was always a cold wariness in his eyes.

Although Yun Ran didn't think there would be any danger in public, she didn't approach him because she saw that he was alert. She just kept her distance and raised her hand lightly: "Sister, if you have something to say, please stand up and talk."

"Princess, please help me and bless my Qiaoqiao!"

The woman in the blue skirt remained kneeling, looking up at the person before her as if she had found a lifeline. "My Qiaoqiao is only three years old, a perfectly well-behaved child. She shouldn't die! Your Majesty, you are the reincarnation of an immortal, a living Bodhisattva. Please save her! I kowtow to you!"

Yun Ran was dumbfounded.

He did not bother to correct the "fairy lady" and "bodhisattva" that they were not the same kind of gods at all, and only thought bitterly -

She is just an ordinary person. Before she returned to secular life, she was just an ordinary little Taoist nun. She prayed to the God of Wealth for more wealth every now and then. How could she have the ability to bless others?

"Sister, please get up first."

Yun Ran looked at the pale, eyes-closed little girl in her arms, her brows slightly furrowed. "You might be mistaken. I'm not the reincarnation of some immortal. I..."

"No, it can't be wrong! Everyone says that you are a lucky star sent from heaven, a fairy who saves the suffering. You were able to marry into the palace safely, and you were able to save a drowning child in the coldest days of winter. You can definitely save my Qiaoqiao too."

The blue-dressed woman's eyes flashed with fanaticism, and she kowtowed once more: "Princess, please be merciful. I'm really at my wit's end! I beg you to show me mercy and cast a spell!"

Yun Ran: “…”

Although she had once dreamed of becoming a great master who could slay demons and save people from suffering.

But dreams are just dreams, when she really saw the victim kneeling down to beg her for blessings, she felt sweat pouring down her back.

It’s not that she doesn’t want to, it’s that she really doesn’t have the ability!

But seeing the haggard and miserable appearance of the woman in the blue dress, she couldn't bear to refuse directly, so she just said with a stiff upper lip: "You...what happened to your child?"

Upon hearing this, the woman in the blue dress wiped her tears and snot, choking back tears as she continued, "About seven days ago, the child played outside our home a little late, and that night he developed a high fever, cold sweats, convulsions, and incoherent speech. I called a doctor, and he prescribed two fever-reducing decoctions, but they didn't help."

"The old man in the neighborhood said it was contaminated by something dirty, and that medicine wouldn't help. I needed someone to exorcise it. So I went to a local witch doctor and asked for two talismanic waters, but after drinking them, Qiaoqiao started vomiting and having diarrhea, and the situation got worse..."

"My family said the child was dying and told me to prepare for his funeral early, but I didn't believe it. How could a healthy child die just like that? I heard that Xuandu Temple is very spiritual, and today is the Jade Emperor's birthday, so I brought the child here to seek the Jade Emperor's protection! I didn't expect it to be so effective! I actually met you, Princess!"

The blue-skirted woman stared at Yun Ran with a fierce, desperate look in her eyes. "When the old couple from the Yang family were thanking their parents at Prince Jing's mansion, I happened to be squeezed into the crowd to watch the excitement. Your Majesty, you have a kind heart like a bodhisattva. You are the reincarnation of an immortal. If you can save that boy, you can definitely save my Qiaoqiao. Please, I kowtow to you—"

Yun Ran: “…”

She subconsciously looked at Sima Jing.

Sima Jing frowned and looked solemn.

Yun Ran knew that he hated trouble the most. With such a big commotion, more and more people gathered. Not to mention Sima Jing, even she felt uncomfortable and had a headache.

"Your Highness." She gently pulled Sima Jing's sleeve, signaling him to step back patiently.

Sima Jing understood what she was going to do at a glance. He pursed his lips and took a step back.

Yun Ran walked up to the woman in the blue skirt and said, "Sister, please stop knocking, or you might upset the child."

As expected, the woman in the blue dress calmed down considerably when the child was mentioned. She held the child carefully and looked at her: "Princess."

These days, Yun Ran stayed in the mansion all day long and hung out with Sima Jing, completely unaware of the legendary stories spread outside about her.

But looking at the sickly little girl in front of her, she remembered the question she had asked her master when she was little: "Master, are there really gods in this world?"

The Master said, "If you believe, then it exists; if you don't believe, then it doesn't exist."

He also said: "When you are alive, you must have something to believe in. At least there is a pillar that allows you to continue living."

Perhaps she was shallow in cultivation and had no divine power, but in the eyes of the woman in the blue dress, she was her life-saving straw.

Taking a deep breath, Yun Ran said, "Sister, I am just an ordinary person. I don't have any divine powers. All I can do is recite a sutra for your daughter."

As she spoke, she raised her hand and gently placed it on the little girl's forehead. She lowered her eyes and murmured, "Heavenly thunder is glory. May I live forever, have my five internal organs in good health, and enjoy peace and prosperity..."

Seeing her muttering to herself, the woman in the blue skirt also straightened her expression with great piety.

The people who followed the sound watched the scene in front of them, all holding their breath.

In front of the smoke-filled temple, a girl in a plain jacket and skirt stood on the steps, leaning forward and stroking the child's head with her hand.

In front of her was a woman kneeling with tears in her eyes, and behind her was a handsome man with an outstanding demeanor. He was dressed in a black robe, with solemn eyes, like the goddess' most loyal protector.

The goddess's profile was as white as porcelain, her black eyelashes drooped slightly, and the warm, pale golden sunlight shone on her, making her look like a wooden clay sculpture on a shrine, appearing in the holy light.

The people were stunned.

Until the "goddess" withdrew her hand, took out some small change from her purse and handed it to the woman in the blue skirt: "I have chanted scriptures for her. As for whether it works or not, it all depends on God's will. But there is a Jishitang on the corner of East Market Street. The treatment is not expensive and the doctor is honest. You can go and see him."

The woman in the blue dress was stunned, then quickly shook her head: "No, no, Your Majesty, it is a great mercy that you are willing to bless me. I cannot accept this money."

"Since we met, it was fate."

Yun Ran looked at the pale-faced girl and couldn't help but think of how her master must have looked like a sickly cat when he picked her up. "It's just a little gift from me. Take it."

Without waiting for the blue-skirted woman to refuse, she pressed the silver into her hand and turned around: "Your Highness, let's go."

Sima Jing nodded, stepped forward and held his hand.

Just as he was about to take a step, two people suddenly knelt down in the crowd and said, "Please, Princess, bless us too!"

Once someone started, more people immediately knelt down and said, "Please bless us, Princess!"

Yun Ran was embarrassed. How weird could this rumor outside be?

Almost without hesitation, she grabbed Sima Jing's hand and ran away, leaving only one sentence -

"Today is the birthday of the God of Heaven. He is the one who should bestow blessings. Come and pay your respects to him!"

He ran to the carriage, panting. Qingling, Changchun and others were shocked, thinking that something had happened.

Yun Ran didn't have time to explain. He climbed onto the carriage, picked up the teacup, and drank the water in gulps.

Who would have thought that burning incense in the middle of winter could make you sweat?

After drinking three bowls of tea, she finally calmed down. Looking at Sima Jing sitting opposite her, a faint blush appeared on his cold, pale face.

It was beautiful, but Yun Ran was too embarrassed to admire it. He just poured him a cup of tea as an apology: "Your Highness, have some tea."

Sima Jing took the teacup and drank a cup before looking at her. "Why are you running so fast? If they really come after us, the guards will stop them."

"That's not the case."

Yun Ran waved his hand: "They don't have bad intentions, they are just following the crowd."

Sima Jing said nothing, but took out a handkerchief and handed it to her: "Wipe it."

Yun Ran took it and wiped his face as he sighed with lingering fear, "But that scene just now was terrifying. If you didn't know better, you'd think it was some kind of cult. What kind of rumors are being spread about me out there? Why are even fairies and bodhisattvas coming out? It's too outrageous."

Seeing her depressed face, Sima Jing raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "So many people admire and admire you, aren't you happy?"

"Happy?"

Yun Ran thought about it and shook his head repeatedly: "Let's not do it."

"If I were truly a master with profound Taoist skills, I'd be delighted if they worshipped me. But I have no Taoist skills, no magical powers. At best, I can calculate people's horoscopes, look at feng shui, and tinker with some small magical tools to ward off evil spirits and protect homes—and those can only deal with shallow little ghosts. Even my master, with his Taoist skills, wouldn't dare to boast about bestowing blessings on others, let alone a small fish like me..."

"As the saying goes, if one's virtue is not in line with one's position, disaster will surely follow. As for me, although I don't have many good qualities, I am very self-aware."

Sima Jing smiled when he heard her words.

"Yes, if one's virtue is unworthy of one's position, disaster will surely follow. But you don't have to belittle yourself."

He took the handkerchief from Yun Ran's hand and carefully wiped the sweat from her forehead: "You have many good qualities, and they are all very good."

Yun Ran was slightly startled, and the tips of his ears couldn't help but feel hot: "Really?"

Sima Jing's fingertips carelessly brushed across the tip of her red ear: "Really."

Those so-called "benevolent kings and loving mothers" can occupy high positions in government and be worshipped by millions of people without any guilt, so why can't she?

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The author has something to say: A Jing: My wife is the best in the world!