Chapter 903: Master is leaving?
...
The news from the southern suburbs spread like wildfire, and within a few hours it was reported back to Kyoto.
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Master's trip may be very difficult. Do you think we should send someone to ask?" Liang Jiugong replied and then asked another question.
Emperor Kangxi was folding papers meaninglessly. After hearing this, he shook his head and said, "No need. This matter is of great importance. Now, it all depends on how he handles it. If he makes a mistake, he won't be able to shoulder such a heavy responsibility."
As he spoke, he picked up the paper in his hand again and said, "How did that kid Sibao do that? How could that thing he called a paper airplane fly so far and still return to his hand? I've been thinking about it for a long time, but I still can't figure it out."
Liang Jiugong was watching from the side, and he didn't dare to say anything more. He just said, "Your Majesty, if you really want to know a way, I have one."
As he said this, he took out the paper airplane from his arms and said, "Your Majesty, look."
Emperor Kangxi took it and looked at Liang Jiugong with a bit of suspicion on his face: "Where did you come from?"
Liang Jiugong said with a smile: "Your Majesty, this is a gift from Prince Hongzhou. I saw Prince Hongzhou playing with it a few days ago and praised him a few words. Prince Hongzhou then specially broke another one for me as a reward. You see, if it flies out, it will really circle back to the same place."
As he spoke, Liang Jiugong demonstrated it.
Emperor Kangxi took it and said, "Sibao, this kid really likes you."
I don't have any way to be the emperor, but Liang Jiugong has it.
Liang Jiugong heard the sourness in Emperor Kangxi's tone and immediately said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this servant has also benefited from your kindness. Prince Hongzhou even said at the time that he had seen this servant in your place and that's why he rewarded me. In fact, this is still a favor from your Majesty."
Emperor Kangxi laughed when he heard this: "You have become a spirit."
"Your Majesty, Master Guangci requests an audience."
As they were talking, they heard the servants' announcement.
Emperor Kangxi paused, casually put the paper airplane into his sleeve, and then said, "Please come in."
"Your Majesty."
"Master, are you here? Liang Jiugong, please take a seat." Emperor Kangxi said with a smile, and then asked, "Master, are you here today for something important?"
"I dare not. I have come to trouble Your Majesty today because of this scroll of the Heart Sutra, which you copied ten years ago and gave to me. I have kept it on my altar for eleven years. Now, I am about to embark on a long journey. After so many years, it is time to return it to Your Majesty."
"Master, are you leaving? Didn't you agree to stay in Kyoto?"
Guangci put his hands together and chanted "Amitabha": "Your Majesty, I am quite old this year, and my original intention was to stay in the temple, hoping to rest in peace in this temple.
However, I have heard that there are monsters plaguing the mountains. This is truly a strange phenomenon, and I fear it is a sign of disaster. I have earned the trust and food of the world, which is why I am able to live in this world today. If there is any criticism, I will investigate the cause. If I cannot find a solution, Guangci will not be able to face the world, nor will I be able to face His Majesty.
"Master..." Emperor Kangxi finally sighed, "You are still the same temperament as you were back then, even at this age. Having a great monk like you is a blessing for our Qing Dynasty. It is a blessing for the country. I just hope that you can find a solution soon and return to the capital as soon as possible."
"Your Majesty, I cannot accept your praise. I am only doing what I must do." Guangci said, putting down the Heart Sutra. He then said, "Your Majesty, please take a look at this."
Emperor Kangxi picked it up, flipped through it, and was stunned for a moment: "This handwriting is really unfamiliar. It has been many years since I have seen such a chaotic handwriting."
"Your Majesty's mind was restless back then, so the writing would inevitably reveal something. However, this scroll of the Heart Sutra has been enshrined for eleven years, and the various concerns it holds should have dissipated."
"Is it over?" Emperor Kangxi suddenly waved his hand to dismiss the people around him, then smiled bitterly: "Master, do you think it can be over?"
"Whether to disperse or not is up to your majesty. Appearances are determined by the heart, and your majesty has some ties in his heart. I'm afraid this Heart Sutra still needs to be worshipped."
"No need." Emperor Kangxi put away the Heart Sutra.
"It's useless to offer more. Master, you're right. This is my true intention." Emperor Kangxi was silent for a moment, then suddenly sat down at the table and picked up the chess piece.
"Master, you are going to go out, so let's finish the previous game of chess."
Guangci lowered his eyes, sat down, picked up the white pieces, and made a gesture of invitation to Emperor Kangxi: "Your Majesty, please."
Emperor Kangxi made a mistake and said with a calm expression, "If Master hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. It turns out she has been gone for such a long time."
Guangci also gave birth to a son: "Your Majesty is a man of long-lasting love."
Emperor Kangxi gave a bitter laugh: "How ironic it would be if she heard this statement of eternal love."
Was she ever pursuing such long-lasting love from him?
I clearly remember it. I remember her looking up at the boundless starry sky, smiling faintly and saying, "It doesn't matter if my future husband, Tong Baozhu, has no power or wealth. As long as he has an open mind, a good character, and only has me in his heart, and only marries me, that's enough."
She also pulled him and said, "Cousin, please help me pick a good one in the future. I don't want one who has wives or concubines. Even a maid is not acceptable. I feel sick."
I don't remember how I responded at that time, but I knew it wasn't a rejection.
Later, not only did she become the concubine he despised the most, but she also became depressed at such an old age and was buried in his backyard.
Emperor Kangxi actually knew that it was against her wishes at that time, but he also had a lucky mentality. He was the emperor, so how could he not have a harem?
If I marry her, she will definitely be happy, right? Even if we can't be together for the rest of our lives, I can give her my heart completely.
But he didn't expect that some people in this world are born unable to be trapped in a cage.
The tighter you hold on, the further away she will get, until she disappears.
"Your Majesty, your heart is not at peace. I'm afraid you will lose this round."
When Emperor Kangxi came to his senses, he had already been defeated by Guangci.
At that moment, he just put down the chess piece calmly: "Master, I lost."
"Your Majesty is a master at chess, but I was distracted today, so this was not a fair victory for me."
"If I am fortunate enough to return, I hope to play another game with Your Majesty."
Emperor Kangxi nodded: "By then, perhaps my place will have been cleared out as well."
"Your Majesty, reunion and separation are fate, and so is obsession. Since we can't disperse completely, why not keep it?" Guangci said as he collected the chess pieces.
Emperor Kangxi was stunned for a long time before he said, "Thank you for your guidance, Master."
"Amitabha." Guangci clasped his hands together and said, "Your Majesty, I have something else to discuss with you before this trip."
"Master, please feel free to speak."
"Your Majesty has previously intended for me to teach the lessons of several young masters in the Fourth Master's residence. I have carefully observed them and it seems to me that Prince Hongli is the most suitable person to learn my martial arts. You know, my current disciple is weak and it is not known how many years of life he has left. Of course, he cannot learn martial arts. I am now in need of a disciple to inherit my mantle. Your Majesty, are you willing to let Prince Hongli and me suffer this hardship?"
"Master, do you want to accept Hongli as your last disciple?" Emperor Kangxi asked in surprise.
Liang Jiugong, who was left standing nearby, was also taken aback. Everyone knew about Master Guangci's past. It was said that he was not only a master of martial arts, but also a master of medicine that was unmatched. Not to mention the reputation he could gain.
All in all, there are only benefits and no harm.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. If the young prince follows me on this trip, I will definitely protect him. I know the royal rules and will definitely not allow the young prince to be ordained. The young prince is still young. He will follow me for a few years. If I become ill, I will send him back before I pass away."
Emperor Kangxi was stunned for a moment. "Master, please don't keep mentioning Nirvana. In my opinion, you are very young and have a long life ahead of you."
This was true. The Master's words and actions suggested he was undoubtedly an old man, yet after all these years, his appearance seemed to have remained unchanged. His face remained wrinkle-free, though his eyebrows and beard had clearly turned white.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kind words."
"However, Master, I'm afraid Hongli won't be able to accompany you on this trip. I would be very happy if he could become your disciple, but he is still young and it's not easy for him to travel far. It won't be too late to wait until you return."
Guangci chanted "Amitabha" and then stood up. "Your Majesty, I understand your intention. I will bid you farewell."
After saying that, he nodded slightly.
"Master, have a bon voyage."
"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty. I'll take my leave." After saying that, Guangci bowed his head and nodded again, turned around and left.
"Wait." Emperor Kangxi looked at his thin back and couldn't help but call him to stop.
"Your Majesty?" Guangci turned around and looked.
"Master, I have known you since childhood. You have saved me from danger many times and freed me from my inner demons. If it weren't for you, I don't know if Xuanye would still be alive today. This time, please accept this gift."
After saying that, Emperor Kangxi walked quickly forward and took out a gold medal.
"I don't know when we'll meet again. This gold medal is for you, Master, in case of emergency. If you really need officers or soldiers, bring this token with you so you can ask for help."
Liang Jiugong's pupils shrank. The emperor actually took out the interview gold medal again. He couldn't help but look towards Guangci.
The emperor had offered it to this master many times before, but he had not accepted it. Now, I’m afraid the master still won’t accept it.
Guangci's eyes fell on the golden medal of immunity from death, his ten fingers slightly clenched together, and finally he took it.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. It's getting late, Guangci will take his leave now."
"When will the Master depart?"
"Amitabha, monks have no worries. I will just go back and call Tanluan, and then I will leave the capital."
“So soon?”
"I want to find out the reason as soon as possible."
Emperor Kangxi paused, rummaged in his pocket, and took out the paper airplane: "This is also for the master."
"Your Majesty, what is this?"
"It's just a little toy. I use it to wish the master a speedy return." After saying that, Emperor Kangxi released the paper airplane and watched it fly around before landing in his hand again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Guangci took it and bowed again, this time without looking back.
Emperor Kangxi waited until he was out of sight before he gave the order, "Send someone to keep an eye on the master. Don't let him see Dabao and the others."
"Yes." Liang Jiugong responded immediately. After giving the order, he came back and saw that Emperor Kangxi was still looking in the direction where the master had left.
"Your Majesty, why is the master so anxious? Actually, the capital is the place where the mountain monster outbreak is happening. If we want to investigate, we should investigate thoroughly in the capital even before things in the capital have calmed down."
Emperor Kangxi: "Either he has been following this matter closely and is well aware of its developments, knowing that staying is pointless. Or, he has already found a solution and is anxious to resolve it quickly. Otherwise, he has no choice but to leave."
"This... I am stupid and can't see clearly."
"Who can see clearly?" Emperor Kangxi finally sighed: "I hope the master remains the same as before and has never changed."
...
It is the middle of winter. After a snowfall yesterday, the branches on both sides of the road were covered with silver frost, like blooming silver fireworks, making the whole world look like a dream.
"drive!"
A cold whistle echoed through the air as a plain carriage sped past. Soon, the north wind swept up the white snow, filling the ruts completely, leaving no trace.
"Is this Guangci's carriage?" Wenjiu was hiding behind a tree, her white dress almost blending in with the surroundings, making her look as if she were glowing.
The Fourth Master was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said, "That's right."
"Stop talking and stop the carriage."
Soon, the sound of a horse neighing was heard.
Immediately afterwards, the Fourth Master walked out slowly with the warm wine.
"Fourth Prince, this... this is the master's carriage. I am here on the emperor's order to escort the master out of the capital." The coachman was also stunned for a moment, then immediately got off the carriage and saluted.
"Master, how are you?"
"Fourth Prince." Guangci lifted the carriage curtain and, upon seeing the Fourth Prince, his expression showed no surprise. "I thought I was going fast enough, but I didn't expect to be blocked by the Fourth Prince. It's cold outside. Would you like to get in the carriage and have a chat?"
The Fourth Master did not hesitate and got into the car with the warm wine.
"No words, turn to the southern suburbs."
"Yes." He responded silently, and the carriage immediately changed direction.
The driver next to him was stunned, but he didn't dare to say anything.
"Tan Luan?" Wen Jiu frowned as he sat down: "Master, why did you tie him up?"
"Sir, do you know this evil disciple of mine?" Guangci seemed not to care where they were going and poured hot tea for the two of them. "This evil disciple has committed a crime, and this poor monk has no choice but to do this."
Wen Jiu glanced at the little monk who followed him all day and frowned for a moment: "Master, I wonder what crime he has committed?"
"Amitabha, the ugly things that happened within our sect are not to be told to outsiders. Please forgive me."
The Fourth Master stared at Guangci for a moment. "Master, are you leaving? I wonder if you're aware of the recent spate of mountain monsters appearing in the capital."
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