Chapter 398 Calamity
The next morning, after having breakfast.
Looking at the rare clear weather outside the window, Huo Lin suddenly said to Jiang Huan, "The weather is alright today. Accompany me out of the palace to Huguo Temple outside the city, offer incense, and pray for blessings."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan looked up in surprise.
Huo Lin has always been a staunch materialist and rarely takes the initiative to suggest going to temples.
It seems that bad things have been happening one after another lately, and Huo Yunxing's fate is still unknown. He wanted to pray for Huo Yunxing's safety and also for his own peace of mind.
Jiang Huan was only surprised for a short time before nodding and saying, "Great! It's good to get some fresh air. It's so boring to stay cooped up in the palace all day."
Going to a temple to change the environment might help him relax his tense nerves.
I've heard that the vegetarian food at Huguo Temple is quite famous. I wonder if I could get a free meal there?
If there's something good to eat, everything will feel a little better.
Seeing that she agreed so readily, Huo Lin's gloomy expression seemed to ease a little: "Then let's make preparations and set off later."
The two did not make a big fuss. They only brought necessary guards and personal palace servants, and quietly left the palace in a carriage, heading towards Huguo Temple on the outskirts of the capital.
The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, making a rumbling sound. The hustle and bustle of the city outside the window was gradually left behind, replaced by an increasingly rich mountain forest atmosphere.
Huguo Temple is located at the foot of Xishan Mountain. It has a long history and is very popular. However, because Huo Lin had sent people to clear the area in advance, it is now particularly quiet and secluded.
The two first burned incense and prayed in the main hall. Huo Lin held three sticks of incense, his expression solemn, and he closed his eyes and prayed silently for a long time.
May the country be stable, the epidemic soon eradicated, and the people healthy and well. And may my uncle, far away in Jiangnan, recover from this crisis.
Listening to his heartfelt words, Jiang Huan followed his example and prayed devoutly.
I pray to Buddha and Bodhisattva to bless Huo Lin so he won't be so tired anymore, that my baby will be healthy, that Huo Yunxing will get better soon, that Ayina will arrive safely, and also...
Hmm, if possible, please make today's vegetarian meal a little tastier!
Huo Lin looked at Jiang Huan's serene profile as she prayed with her eyes closed, and his heart softened. The gloom of the past few days seemed to have been dispelled somewhat by the tranquil atmosphere before the Buddha.
After the prayers were completed, the abbot of the temple was already waiting outside the meditation room.
He was an old monk with white hair and beard, a kind face, and clear eyes that seemed to see through the world.
"This old monk pays his respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty." The abbot clasped his hands together and bowed.
“Master, there’s no need for such formalities.” Huo Linxu offered a slight gesture of support. “I have come today for two reasons: first, to pray for blessings, and second, because I have some questions that I would like to ask you for guidance.”
The abbot nodded slightly and stepped aside to make way: "Your Majesty, please follow this old monk."
Huo Lin turned to look at Jiang Huan, his gaze softening slightly, and said in a low voice, "I have a few words to say to the master. You go to the side hall to rest for a while and try some vegetarian snacks from the temple. I will come to find you later."
She'll definitely leave some for me; I didn't eat enough for breakfast.
"Okay." Jiang Huan secretly smiled to herself, thinking, "I'll definitely save some for you."
But on the surface, she simply nodded obediently and was led by a palace maid to a side hall not far away.
The side room was decorated very elegantly and quietly. The window faced a small bamboo grove, and a gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves.
The palace servants served tea and a few simple snacks made by the temple, then quietly withdrew to wait outside the door.
Jiang Huan leaned against the soft couch by the window, picked up her teacup and took a sip. The tea was clear and refreshing, with a faint aftertaste.
She picked up another piece of Poria cocos cake and tasted it. It tasted alright, but it was so bland that it seemed to have killed all the salt vendors nearby.
Pregnancy already makes one lose their appetite, and at this point, it feels like chewing on a piece of colorless and tasteless air—it's just not interesting.
She couldn't resist taking out a few pieces of pine nut candy that she had specially made in the kitchen from her purse and quickly popping one into her mouth.
Mmm, this sweet taste still makes me feel good.
She was enjoying her meal when she suddenly heard a faint noise coming from the doorway.
Turning my head, I saw a young novice monk, about seven or eight years old, clinging to the door frame.
He poked half of his bald little head in, his big, dark eyes fixed on the candy in her hand, and his little nose even unconsciously sniffed, clearly attracted by the sweet smell of the candy.
Seeing this, Jiang Huan found the little monk's simple and honest appearance adorable and couldn't help but chuckle, waving at him.
"Little master, don't be afraid, come in."
The young novice was startled, like a frightened rabbit, and quickly shrank back, hiding behind the door.
But after a while, perhaps the temptation of the candy was too great, she couldn't help but slowly peek out, her face showing shyness and curiosity.
Jiang Huan found it amusing, picked up a piece of candy, shook it, and her smile became even more amiable.
"How about I treat you to some candy?"
The young novice's eyes lit up. After hesitating for a moment, he finally couldn't resist the temptation of the candy. He shuffled in, took the candy, and whispered, "Thank you... thank you, female bodhisattva."
Then he quickly stuffed the candy into his mouth, squinted his eyes contentedly, and puffed out his cheeks, looking incredibly cute.
Looking at him like this, Jiang Huan felt a warmth in her heart, and suddenly an idea flashed into her mind.
Although the food at Huguo Temple is refreshing, it can become bland after a while.
Moreover, Huo Lin often forgets to eat when he is busy. If he could research some vegetarian snacks that are delicious, easy to carry, and can also fill him up, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?
For example, the modern crispy rice crackers are made by baking glutinous rice flour until crispy and crunchy, then sprinkling a little bit of powdered sugar on top. They are fragrant, crispy, and not greasy.
This way, he can have something to eat when he's hungry, and he can grab a few pieces to eat when he's busy, which is better than going hungry.
Hmm, I'll think about it when I get back to the palace. Maybe I can even develop a new industry!
The more she thought about it, the better she felt it was, and she began to mentally calculate what materials she would need and how to do it.
Meanwhile, inside the meditation room, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, but the atmosphere was somewhat stagnant.
The abbot dismissed his attendants, leaving only him and Huo Lin in the meditation room.
He looked at Huo Lin's face, his brows furrowed slightly, and after a long silence, he slowly spoke, his voice somewhat solemn: "Amitabha, Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness, but judging from your face, you are destined for a great calamity, which concerns your lifespan, and you are not destined for a long life."
Huo Lin's hand holding the teacup paused almost imperceptibly, and his heart sank.
The steam from the tea obscured his features, making it impossible to discern his emotions, but his knuckles were slightly white.
The nightmares he had before kept resurfacing in his mind.
He assumed it was due to being busy with official duties and didn't think much of it at the time.
But at this moment, the abbot's assertion seemed like an ominous sign, and the previously blurry and unclear images in the nightmare suddenly became clear.
But then the abbot changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat mystical: "However, the ways of Heaven are unpredictable, and fate is not immutable. The Emperor has benefactors in his destiny who have quietly altered part of your fate and averted many calamities, but..."
He paused, his gaze deep: "There is still a major calamity, hidden beside the Purple Star, obscure and unclear. My cultivation is shallow, and I cannot fathom its full extent. I only know that this calamity is perilous. If we can overcome it, the imperial star will be stable, and the empire will last forever. If not… alas…"
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