Before he finished speaking, the emperor seemed to remember something, turned around and stepped back into the imperial study, with a hint of contemplation in his steps.
"No, Abbot Yuantong was forcibly arrested by the Marquis of Yongding this time. He must have endured many hardships during his long journey. I must compensate him appropriately! I will open the inner treasury and generously donate a large amount of incense oil to Rong'en Temple as a reward. Furthermore, Abbot Yuantong braved fire and water this time, slaying demons and monsters with outstanding merit. He dispelled the calamity of the ghost fetus and saved the people of Jindu from dire straits. I will personally draft an imperial decree to confer him the title of Imperial Master and build a magnificent temple for him within the imperial palace!"
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Observatory sighed with emotion, "Your Majesty is wise and powerful. Abbot Yuantong possesses high moral standards and boundless magical powers. If he can guard the Imperial Palace, he will surely protect the capital from the invasion of evil spirits and bring peace to the city."
The emperor returned to the imperial study and hurriedly ordered Eunuch Ying Shuo to grind ink. Then he wrote thousands of words with great passion, praising Abbot Yuantong as an unparalleled hero in the world. Only then did he put down his pen with satisfaction and blew away the ink.
He picked up the jade seal and was about to stamp the imperial edict to appoint him as the national teacher, when suddenly, a figure broke through the door of the imperial study like a bamboo breaking force.
The emperor was stunned, and the jade seal in his hand fell to the ground with a bang.
"Marquis Yongding, Marquis Yongding! How dare you enter the Imperial Study without the Emperor's order?"
The young eunuch outside the door shouted and chased after him, and even the palace guards drew the swords at their waists and stood guard at the door in full battle array. If they had not recognized the intruder as Jiang Dinglian, they would have almost swung their swords to kill him.
The emperor originally thought that assassins had become unprecedentedly bold, daring to break into the imperial study in broad daylight and attempt an assassination. However, after he saw Jiang Dinglian's true appearance, his tension instantly eased. However, his expression remained solemn, and his tone was clearly displeased: "Marquis Yongding, this is a royal forbidden area. How can you be so unscrupulous? What's the reason?"
Jiang Dinglian walked straight to the emperor's desk, bent down to pick up the jade seal that had rolled to the ground, and gently placed it back on the table. His eyes then fell on the long scroll of imperial edict that the emperor had just written.
"You've arrived just in time. Abbot Yuantong personally descended the mountain to resolve the Ghost Fetus Incident, and his achievements are remarkable. I intend to appoint him as Imperial Preceptor. You forcibly brought him down the mountain earlier, and inevitably offended him along the way. It's a good opportunity for you to personally convey my wishes and apologize to Abbot Yuantong to resolve any past grudges."
As the emperor spoke, he picked up the jade seal beside him, dipped it in cinnabar and prepared to stamp it.
However, Jiang Dinglian's palm, as broad as a mountain, stretched across the imperial edict, blocking the emperor's seal.
The emperor frowned slightly and gave him a questioning look: "What do you mean?"
He secretly wondered if his favor for Jiang Dinglian was too much, which made him a little too proud of himself and dared to openly block the promulgation of the imperial edict!
"Who told the Emperor that the hero who resolved the Ghost Fetus Incident was Abbot Yuantong?"
The reason why Jiang Dinglian rushed to the palace was that he heard from the eunuchs in the palace that the emperor wanted to confer the title of abbot Yuantong on him and the other eminent monks at the same time, so he hurried to clarify the truth.
The emperor's expression suddenly changed, and he said sternly, "Marquis Yongding, I know you have always doted on your daughter, but please do not tease me. I remember that your daughter, Jiang Yuyao, lives in seclusion. She is a talented woman renowned in the capital, not a fairy who can exorcise evil spirits."
Jiang Dinglian frowned slightly and corrected himself, "In fact, it is my biological daughter, Jiang Songyi. Her bravery in rescuing people in times of crisis is no less than that of a fairy descending to earth. If Your Majesty has any concerns, you may summon Ji Cheng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to present an audience."
The emperor noticed that Jiang Dinglian's expression was serious and he didn't seem to be joking. Although he still had some doubts in his heart, he couldn't help but order: "Send it."
Ji Cheng and Master Yuantong had originally entered the palace with Jiang Dinglian, but Jiang Dinglian's hurried pace left them a few steps behind. Despite this, they had also been waiting outside the imperial study at dawn.
The Imperial Astronomical Observatory held Abbot Yuantong in high esteem, and their excitement was palpable when they met him. "Abbot Yuantong, after months of absence, you've finally made your mark!"
Abbot Yuantong twirled his Buddhist beads, lowered his brows, and nodded gently. "Amitabha, may the Master of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory be well. During my retreat, I observed the celestial phenomena at night and cultivated my Zen mind during the day, and have gained quite a bit. This time when I came down the mountain, I had originally intended to visit the observatory and pay you a visit."
After hearing this, the Imperial Astronomical Monitor was immediately overwhelmed with surprise and humbly said, "No, no, Your Excellency the Abbot has traveled a long way to save the Jin Capital from danger. We should personally come and thank you. Oh, and by the way, from now on, I should respectfully address you as the Imperial Master."
Abbot Yuantong was slightly stunned, and suddenly a surge of uncontrollable excitement surged in his heart, "National Master?"
This title is far beyond what the abbot of Rong'en Temple can achieve. It means official recognition and respect, which is a rare honor even for those who practice cultivation!
"Indeed, the Emperor has spoken of this himself, and he intends to construct a temple within the palace specifically for the Imperial Preceptor to meditate. The Emperor's promise is as weighty as Mount Tai. This decree will be issued soon, so please do not refuse, Imperial Preceptor. I also look forward to sharing tea and stargazing with you in my free time, asking for your advice on Buddhism, and discussing the essence of the Dharma together."
The Imperial Observatory knew that Abbot Yuantong was indifferent to worldly affairs and was worried that he would regard his official position as dust and be unwilling to accept this honor. Therefore, they deliberately emphasized the tone to avoid misunderstanding from the Imperial Master.
Abbot Yuantong was thrilled, but outwardly he feigned a frown and a hint of resignation. He spoke calmly, "I have long lived in the mountains, accustomed to the freedom of a carefree life. If it weren't for the turmoil in Jindu, I would hardly be tempted to leave the mountain. However, if the emperor insists, and in order to ensure the eternal peace of Jindu and resist the invasion of evil forces, I can only go along with nature and obey God's will."
The officials of the Imperial Observatory expressed their deep admiration and exclaimed, "Abbot Yuantong is truly righteous and awe-inspiring!"
Abbot Yuantong wore a nonchalant expression, as if unconcerned with worldly fame, wealth, and status, yet inwardly he was deeply pleased with the Imperial Observatory's praise. He knew full well that this was the proper attitude the dignitaries and officials of the Jin capital should have towards him.
In his mind, what did the Marquis of Yongding and the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard mean to him?
Just as Abbot Yuantong assumed Eunuch Ying Shuo had come out to read the imperial edict, he straightened his sleeves and prepared to respectfully accept it. However, to his surprise, Eunuch Ying Shuo only held a whisk in his hand, not an imperial edict. Without even looking at Abbot Yuantong, he walked directly to Ji Cheng and calmly said, "The Emperor summons Master Ji Cheng, Commander of the Imperial Guard."
Ji Cheng nodded in agreement, gently unhooked his embroidered spring sword, and entered the imperial study. As a member of the Imperial Guard, he was authorized to carry the embroidered spring sword into the palace, but he was forbidden from carrying any other weapons when meeting the emperor within the palace. In the entire court, only the Marquis of Yongding was allowed to carry a sword into the palace.
In the imperial study, Jiang Dinglian criticized Abbot Yuantong harshly, but praised Jiang Songyi highly, as if she were a fairy from heaven, fascinating.
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