Chapter 123 Master
There were no visitors to Nanli Temple today, and the temple was much quieter than usual.
They stopped outside the temple in a carriage with about ten guards.
When Lan Wu got off the carriage, Chu Mingheng pulled up her hood and covered her head completely.
Before they even entered, they saw an old monk with a white beard leading two young novices forward to perform a Buddhist salute and to lead them into the temple.
Just then, the temple bell rang. Lanwu looked up and saw birds startled by the bell soaring into the sky, flying away in small groups.
The sound of the bell is truly calming.
They entered the temple without delay, and Chu Mingheng led them inside. Soon they entered a courtyard.
Gradually, the chanting and worship of the monks faded away, and even the sandalwood incense became faint.
A man in a monk's robe walked out of the temple gate facing the courtyard and bowed in this direction from a distance.
His appearance and attire were no different from the monks he had seen along the way, and he even seemed more amiable. He didn't look like a high-ranking monk who had renounced worldly life; rather, he looked like an ordinary person.
"Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Majesty." Hui Fan closed her eyes and bowed again in a Buddhist salute.
The moment he opens his mouth, he gives people a sense of calm that can soothe even the most anxious heart.
Lan Wu glanced at him curiously, just as he looked up and opened his eyes, their eyes meeting.
Hui Fan's eyes were light in color and not cloudy; when he looked at people, it was as if he could see right through them.
He seemed a little slow to react when he looked at Lan Wu, but quickly led them into the hall.
This hall is clearly an elegant hall, without any Buddha statues, only calligraphy and paintings. There is a small table, about an arm's width wide, in the center of the hall.
After taking her seat, Lan Wu lowered her hood.
Hui Fan spoke first: "It has been five years since we last met. I hope Your Majesty has been well."
Chu Mingheng poured tea for Lan Wu, hummed in agreement, and said, "Master, you're still so leisurely."
Half a cup of hot tea was poured. Lan Wu reached out to touch the inside of the cup to warm her hands, then lowered her head and didn't interrupt, just listening to their conversation.
"I have come today specifically to ask the master if there is anything unusual about my beloved wife's health," Chu Mingheng said. Seeing Lan Wu look up at him in surprise, he reached out and patted her back reassuringly, and continued slowly, "She was frightened a few days ago and had nightmares that kept her awake. Her condition was quite critical. Although she has improved now, I am really worried and cannot sleep at night. I would like to ask the master to take a look at her."
Master Huifan smiled gently and reached out to Lan Wu: "Your Majesty, please allow this humble monk to examine your pulse."
Lan Wu was shocked when she heard Chu Mingheng say those two words. She stared at him in disbelief, thinking he had misspoke. But when she saw him not change his mind, she panicked and hurriedly reached out her wrist. She pursed her lips and looked at Chu Mingheng with trepidation and suspicion.
Although there is no empress in the harem, can the words "beloved wife" be uttered casually?
Moreover, isn't Master Huifan a highly accomplished monk? How could he possibly be able to diagnose pulses?
"Focus on yourself, don't look at me." Chu Mingheng patted her back reassuringly, looked at Hui Fan, and reminded Lan Wu to focus on herself.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Hui Fan's expression remained unchanged. After taking her pulse, he withdrew his hand and looked at Lan Wu, asking, "Your Majesty has come to this day by chance. Although the past events were a mix of joy and sorrow, you will surely have a smooth and peaceful life from now on, free from worries."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, Her Majesty's illness is nothing more than a result of excessive worry. As long as she relaxes and doesn't overthink, she will naturally recover."
Lan Wu listened with suspicion, and her heart skipped a beat. She felt that this Master Huifan knew about her past life.
Could his eyes truly see through everything?
Before Chu Mingheng could say anything, Master Huifan suddenly turned the conversation to Chu Mingheng.
"As for Your Majesty, Your Majesty is burdened by worries and anxieties, and suffers from many nightmares at night. If this continues, I fear for your life."
"I hope Your Majesty will take good care of your health."
Lan Wu was startled by his words, her heart leaping into her throat. The teacup beside her was knocked over, but she ignored the water stains and rushed past Chu Mingheng, hurriedly asking, "Master, is what you say true? Master, please don't speak nonsense. His Majesty is in excellent health, but... but..."
Chu Mingheng pulled her back to sit down, touched the wet stains on her sleeve, and said softly, "It's alright, I'll be fine."
Will everything be alright?
Lan Wu suddenly remembered the mouthful of blood that Chu Mingheng had spat out earlier.
She felt as if she had fallen into ice, and her whole body froze—she really shouldn't have told Chu Mingheng those truths back then.
"I know my own body. Since you say I'm worried and stressed, I'll just be more careful in the future. Why say it to her face and frighten her?" Chu Mingheng squeezed Lan Wu's hand, but his words were directed at Master Huifan opposite him.
Hui Fan seemed to smile slightly when she heard this, but then, realizing what was happening, softened her voice and said, "Your Majesty need not worry too much. His Majesty is a divinely ordained emperor. Even in times of crisis, he will surely turn misfortune into good fortune and have nothing to worry about."
"I spoke too soon. Your Majesty's condition is not yet out of control. As long as Your Majesty does as I said and lets go, there will be no worries."
Chu Mingheng suddenly glanced at him, his dark eyes meeting his, as if he had gleaned another meaning from his words.
He lowered his head again, pinched Lan Wu's cheek slightly, and said in a gentle voice, "Alright, I'm fine, don't overthink it."
"Go find someone to dry your cuffs first. I need to talk to Master Huifan. Don't go too far. I don't want to lose track of you. Also, don't let the wind blow on you and make sure you don't catch a cold."
Lan Wuyuan wanted to ask more questions, or even have Chu Mingheng reach out to let Master Huifan examine her pulse. But after hearing what he said, she had no choice but to give up. Looking at him, she whispered, "Then I will wait for Your Majesty outside the palace."
"Go."
As Lan Wu's figure gradually walked away and finally disappeared at the palace gate, Chu Mingheng put away his tenderness. He looked at Hui Fan, making no attempt to hide his coldness, and asked him, "What do you mean by letting go? What do you want me to let go of?"
Hui Fan seemed to sigh, his light-colored pupils appearing to see through everything.
He wasn't surprised that Chu Mingheng could understand the meaning behind his words. After all, things had come to this point, and soon this high-ranking emperor with real power would be able to recall everything.
"Does Your Majesty often dream, and are all the things you see and feel in your dreams related to the same person?"
Chu Mingheng's breathing became slightly heavier, but he turned his head to look outside the hall.
Lan Wu was nowhere to be found outside the palace gates. She must have been taken to another room. She had come in a hurry today, and there were no clean clothes prepared in the carriage. She didn't know if her wet cuffs had been cleaned up...
Not only did he see Lan Wu in his dreams, but his mind was almost completely occupied by her.
He turned back, nodded slightly, and then asked, "What else do you know?"
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