When he returned to the palace, he happened to meet Fu Yueli and Lu Lingyan who had returned from the Ministry of Rites.
"Where did you find it?" Fu Yueli had already given up hope of finding Pippi.
Master Mingyue answered truthfully: "In Ningguo Temple."
At Ningguo Temple, Fu Yueli's gaze suddenly grew dark. He remembered that upon returning from Xinzhou, the men who had been monitoring He Jun had told him that Shi Mingyue had visited Ningguo Temple and spent a long time alone with He Jun in a room. He didn't doubt Shi Mingyue; he doubted He Jun's intentions. What was going on in He Jun's mind? Had he truly attained the state of emptiness? This was the one thing he couldn't be sure of.
Inside the Baoshu Courtyard of Ningguo Temple, the trees were lush and green, and many birds were perched on the branches, chirping. He Jun was listening to their calls under the trees. Two birds flew down from the tree and flew around He Jun happily several times.
Suddenly, a young monk entered the courtyard and happened to witness this scene. He was immediately impressed by Brother Jun He's profound spiritual attainments, as he managed to get along so harmoniously with the animals. Jun He had suddenly become prominent within the temple, even holding lectures, because he had won a debate with the abbot several days ago. He had become so prominent in the debate that many monks began to admire him. The young monk approached and said, "Brother, it's time for evening classes."
He Jun turned his head, glanced at him calmly, and nodded: "Okay."
When he left with the little monk, many birds in the trees flew over, as if they were reluctant to see him go.
When Pipi returned home and saw the duckling again, it didn't show any overt hostility this time, instead standing proudly to the side. The little yellow duck, seeing it, seemed to have spotted a fellow duckling and darted towards it. Pipi, disdainful, flew over to the stone table. The duckling, unable to fly, desperately tried to jump onto it, but the stone table was too high for its current size, and it cried out in frustration from below.
Shi Mingyue couldn't help but want to help the little yellow duck, but Fu Yueli stopped her and whispered to her: "Don't help it, just watch what Pipi does."
Shi Mingyue could only hold back and not help. After a while, Pipi seemed to be moved by the little yellow duck and flew to the ground. The little yellow duck stopped quacking and happily came up to it, pecking at its feathers. But Pipi didn't move much, and seemed quite helpless to passively accept the little yellow duck's enthusiasm.
"Look, they are fine now." Fu Yueli said with a smile.
Shi Mingyue was relieved. She had been worried that Pipi wouldn't accept the little yellow duck, but now it seemed they were getting along just fine. Suddenly, she remembered something: "We haven't named the little duck yet."
"Let's call it Lele. You see, it's very happy every day." Fu Yueli thought for a moment and said.
Shi Mingyue thought Lele was a good name. She squatted down, stroked the duckling's fluffy head, and said, "From now on, your name will be Lele."
September 20th was Fu Yueli's birthday. Last year, Shi Mingyue had just married him, and they weren't close, so they didn't know the date. This year, he forced the question out of him, but Fu Yueli repeatedly emphasized that it wasn't about birthdays, and that he just wanted to spend the day peacefully.
Shi Mingyue understood that he felt Empress Lu had gone through so much hardship to give birth to him, and therefore considered his birthday an unlucky day. She followed his wishes, and the day passed like any other. Except for the early morning gifts from the palace, the emperor remembered his son's birthday.
Fu Yueli was not in a good mood after receiving the gift. He was not an ignorant child who would dance with joy for a little favor.
Shi Mingyue saw that he was in a low mood and felt sorry for him, so she took his hand and asked, "Why don't you go out for a walk?"
Fu Yueli was in no mood and didn't want to go anywhere. Just as she was about to refuse, Shi Mingyue added, "Go out. Don't stay home alone. Come with me."
Seeing Shi Mingyue's determined expression, he couldn't bear to refuse her, so he let her pull him out.
Before setting off, Shi Mingyue specifically told the driver the location and asked Hongyin to pack things in the basket.
Fu Yueli didn't know what she was planning, and thought to herself that she should make the final decision.
The carriage traveled for nearly an hour before reaching the destination. When Fu Yueli lifted the curtain, he was stunned. This was the place Mingyue wanted to take him to.
The two got off the carriage. Shi Mingyue carried the basket, took Fu Yueli's arm, and walked into the gate.
This is the imperial mausoleum in the eastern suburbs of Zhao State, where Queen Lu is buried.
The mausoleum is magnificent. Four pine and cypress trees flank the stele, symbolizing the evergreen nature of pine and cypress. These pines and cypresses are over a decade old, standing tall, strong, and lush. Not far from the stele is a patch of white magnolias, Empress Lu's favorite flower.
Fu Yueli walked to the stele and knelt silently. Shi Mingyue knelt beside him and lifted the cloth from the basket, revealing freshly made snacks and incense sticks. She placed the snacks in front of the stele and lit two incense sticks, handing one to Fu Yueli and holding the other. Together, they bowed three times to Queen Lu and offered the incense.
Then Fu Yueli just knelt silently for a while without saying anything, and then helped Shi Mingyue stand up.
"Let's go." He said softly, and he seemed to be in a much better mood.
The two left the mausoleum and did not notice that on the other side, there was someone looking at them from afar with a very complicated look.
Not long after, the list of successful candidates in the provincial examinations was compiled. Fu Yueli went to the Hanlin Academy on business and met Shi Mingji.
Shi Mingji was holding a stack of books when, in a daze, she bumped into someone, sending the books scattering across the floor. The person complained, "Mingji, what's wrong with you lately? You seem so absent-minded every day?"
Shi Mingji did not answer the man's question, but just squatted down and picked up the books one by one.
Seeing him like this, the man shook his head, sighed and left.
Fu Yueli walked forward, and Shi Mingji saw his shoes before slowly raising her head, "It's you."
Fu Yueli helped him for a while. After Shi Mingji put the books away, he pulled him to a quiet place and asked, "What's wrong with you? Last time I asked you if anything happened in Lingzhou, and you said no. Why do you look so dazed now?"
How could nothing have happened in Lingzhou? He just couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. He turned his head and said with difficulty, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
"Why?" Fu Yueli was quite confused. "Is that person harassing you again? Just tell me, don't worry."
Shi Mingji smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Don't worry about it, thank you, I will take care of the rest myself."
Fu Yueli grasped the key from his words, "Do you already know who that person is?"
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