The weather in the Northwest is bitterly cold, and many outsiders find it difficult to adapt. Winter days with snowfall are especially unbearable.
In the stele forest behind Huatan Temple.
Eunuch Wang stood with his hands behind his back, holding a string of Bodhi seeds in his hands.
The Qin merchant stood to the side with his hands hanging down.
Eunuch Wang: "The Emperor sent a letter yesterday inquiring about the progress, saying that His Majesty intends to bestow a marriage upon Prince Qishan."
The Qin merchant laughed and said, "This is indeed a good thing."
Eunuch Wang snorted coldly.
"He also needs to be willing to return to secular life."
The Qin merchant smiled but remained silent.
Eunuch Wang: "How's the progress with the young lady from the Qi family?"
Qin Shang: "The other day, the two of them were naked in the room. However, Dao Ci is very strict in observing the precepts, and Chan Zong was also watching from the side, so it was not advisable to force him. It still needs time."
Eunuch Wang frowned, idly tossing the bodhi seeds in his hand.
“Unless absolutely necessary, the capital does not want to use force. But the news that the Zen sect wants to pass on its mantle has spread, and those things from the former Zhou dynasty that should have been buried long ago are starting to stir again. The court is very unstable recently.”
"Even so, if we forcibly take Yun Zheng back, we will be breaking ties with the Chan sect, which is the worst possible strategy. What His Majesty wants is for him to fall from grace and lose the support of the people. In this case, it would be the Embroidered-Robe Envoy's dereliction of duty."
This means that if Dao Ci fails to return to secular life, the Embroidered Robe Envoy will have to take the blame.
Qin Shang cupped his hands in greeting: "This humble servant understands. The Embroidered Robe Envoy has recently discovered some information about Master Dao Ci's old ailment, which may be used to make a fuss."
Eunuch Wang: "Arrange it as soon as possible. At the latest, wait until the twelfth lunar month. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard still hasn't made any progress, things will get very bad."
After saying that, Liangliang glanced at Qin Shang.
"Lord Qin, you are a young and talented man. I hope you will take good care of yourself and not let your career end here."
The Qin merchant said respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, sir."
Until the eunuch's round figure disappeared into the stele forest.
The gentle smile that had been on Qin Shang's face finally faded.
But he didn't seem bothered at all.
It's December, but it's the end of October now, so there's still a month left.
After a moment of contemplation, he addressed the attendants outside the stone forest:
"Go find Miss Ayan, I need to see her."
A gust of wind swept through the stone forest, and after a moment there was no further movement.
.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
It was on the third day that Qi Su was preparing medicine for the monk.
Upon entering the quiet study, she noticed a cup of hot tea on her usual desk.
See? People, after resisting for a while, eventually adapt.
I must say, this tea tastes quite different when eaten with osmanthus sugar.
Half an hour later, the white candle was half burned.
The room was quiet and still.
Qingyan got up and quietly pushed open the window to peek outside.
In the darkness, the faint calls of birds could be heard.
Qingyan: "It's almost time, Senior Brother, you should go."
He pressed a button on the bookshelf in the quiet study, and with two clicks, the bookshelf popped open, revealing a passageway in the wall.
Before Dao Ci stepped into the passage, he glanced back.
The woman was fast asleep, lying on the desk.
She has a slender waist, a head of jet-black hair hanging down in front of her, and long eyelashes covering her skin.
Like a rag doll, quiet and still.
.
The Embroidered Robe Envoy would never know that there was a secret passage in Dao Ci's quiet retreat.
In fact, this secret passage was newly dug after Dao Ci moved into Hua Tan Temple.
The secret passage leads to Qingyun Mountain.
Knowing that this secret passage would be used tonight, people had already lit the oil lamps on the stone walls along the way.
Dao Ci only needs to walk forward step by step along the stone steps.
Night had fallen, and faint light shone through the rock walls of the cave.
Inside the stone wall is a spacious Buddhist cave.
An old monk with long white eyebrows that hung down in front of him was sitting in meditation on a futon.
He looked very old, with deep wrinkles on his face. If it weren't for the slight breathing movements on his chest, he would have looked like a stone statue in meditation.
Dao Ci entered the cave and sat down opposite the old monk.
The old monk seemed to awaken from a dream, slowly opening his eyes.
"Hmm, it's here."
Dao Ci put his hands together in prayer position.
"Amitabha."
The old monk spoke slowly, his eyes half-open, his voice weak and feeble.
"Put today's medical consultation aside. I received a letter from Lotus Mountain about the Buddhist assembly next spring. What are your thoughts?"
Dao Ci sat cross-legged with his hands on his knees.
"As you know, although my heart is set on enlightenment, my body is caught in the sea of desires and entangled in karma. I believe I am incapable of inheriting the mantle of Zen."
The old monk chuckled slowly.
“Kasyapa once said, you have the appearance of a Buddha, but not the heart of a Buddha. Child, although you understand Buddhist principles, you have never been enlightened. From the bottom of your heart, you have never taken refuge in the Pure Land.”
Dao Ci remained silent.
This comment was given to him by his master.
Although everyone says that his Buddhist disciple is exceptionally talented and a great talent in Buddhism, the Master said long ago that he would not go very far on the path of Pure Land Buddhism.
His eyes were lowered, and he remained silent.
A moment later, the old monk seemed to wake up and opened his eyes.
"Where were we? Oh, the Gu worms on your body. Yes, it's time to administer the medicine."
.
Dao Ci walked out of the Buddhist cave, where the moonlight was as white as frost.
His steps suddenly stopped.
Looking at the lake directly in front of him, his usually calm face now showed ripples.
Firelight flickered on the lakeshore, reflecting the colors of the sky, water, and moon.
People by the lake were grilling fish over the lake water. A large orange and white cat with a big tail was meowing and rubbing against her legs obsequiously, hoping to get a little fish skin or tail as a reward.
People who prefer grilled fish are unusually cold-hearted, unwilling to give it even a scrap.
He was also pushing and shoving the big-tailed cat while scolding it.
"You are a cat from a Buddhist temple, so you must abide by the precepts and cannot eat meat."
Halfway through her sentence, the woman turned around, and her gaze met Dao Ci's.
Her eyes lit up instantly, a clear light shimmering within them.
The colors of the sky, the water, and the moon were all reflected in her radiant smile.
"Master, have you finished your business?"
Dao Ci looked at her without saying a word.
Qi Su didn't feel awkward at all.
"I'll leave as soon as I've grilled this fish, just a little while longer." She busily flipped the fish skewers on the fire.
The monk remained silent for a moment, then sighed silently.
"Benefactor, how did you get here?"
Qi Su blinked.
"I came into this world in the same way you came into it."
This time, Dao Ci remained silent for a longer period of time.
"You didn't faint?" he asked, his voice carrying a chilling undertone.
Qi Su: "I felt dizzy for a moment."
To be precise, I realized something was wrong while drinking the tea. After finishing it, I naturally slumped over.
The monk looked at Qi Su with a cold and quiet gaze.
His lips were slightly pursed.
Where is Qingyan?
Qi Su: "She's asleep in the quiet room, perfectly fine."
Qi Su sat cross-legged on the ground, tilting her head slightly as she spoke to him, the stray hairs falling onto her slender neck.
As if realizing it belatedly, she spread her hands.
"Master, are you going to kill me to silence me?"
Her expression was calm, and her two round almond-shaped eyes were clear and pure.
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