Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Jinjiang First Release
Chapter 21
Lotus Temple is nestled against the mountains and beside the water, surrounded by lush trees.
In the depths of winter in December, heavy snow fell. The temple's eaves were covered with thick white snow, and icicles formed under the corridors.
The palace where the Buddha statue is enshrined is like a palace in heaven, covered with silver light, which makes people feel awe and dare not desecrate it.
Arriving at the Imperial Temple, Su Li looked at the strong soldiers and horses that had followed the royal family and noble families, lined up in a row, their horses' hooves rumbling, their army moving with great momentum, marching forward courageously.
Chen Heng took the reins and mounted his horse, changing his previous unruly and dissolute demeanor to a solemn expression. He led the cavalry behind him, with more than a thousand men and horses, and rushed towards Cui Jue on the high platform of the Dharma Assembly.
As the new head of the Cui family, Cui Jue carries the hopes of the family and the expectations of his followers and retainers, and puts on the golden robe with the inscription of "Wanfu" that has been passed down for generations.
A man stood in the cold snow, his brows thick and ridged, his expression stern, his posture as straight as a sword. He held a fragrant incense stick, waiting for the ritual to begin.
Chen Heng led his troops and stood behind Cui Jue, clearly a loyal supporter of Cui Jue.
It is precisely because of the great support from the Langshan Chen family that the powerful and aristocratic families that dominate the area are so wary and dare not rashly attack Jianye, usurp the throne, and seize power alone.
Similarly, Emperor Xuanning knew that the Cui family was powerful and secretly had troops to defend themselves, which would threaten the imperial power in the future, but he pretended to be peaceful on the surface and even used the legitimate princess to win over Cui Jue, not daring to touch him rashly.
After all, two tigers fighting each other cannot survive together.
Cui was used to being flamboyant and refused to back down, so Emperor Xuanning had no choice but to turn a blind eye and allow him to commit crimes.
Emperor Xuanning was no fool. Even though he held military power and trained his troops, he didn't dare to fight the Cui family. He feared that Jianye would be in turmoil. Before Emperor Xuanning could swallow the Cui family's fat piece of meat, prominent families from all over the country would have heard the news, risen up, and attacked the capital.
By then, the Li Dynasty would be attacked from all sides and would be devoured alive by the aristocratic families from all over the country...
Princess Chonghua Li Muyao remembered her father's admonition that she must marry into the Cui family, win over the talented Cui Jue, and fulfill Emperor Xuanning's long-cherished wish of marrying into an aristocratic family.
After Cui Jue, under the guidance of the abbot of Lotus Temple, lit incense and offered three respects to heaven and earth, Li Muyao lifted her skirt to greet Cui Jue.
Li Muyao raised her soft face and looked up at Cui Jue with affection. She suddenly stretched out her hand and said to Cui Jue, "Master, I want to burn incense with you."
Li Muyao signaled Cui Jue to give her the first incense stick in public.
Every year when the head of the Cui family got married, he would go to the temple to burn incense on the first day of the new year. He would hold a Buddhist ceremony with the emperor, or bring his wife along to burn the first incense.
Li Muyao was just a princess of the dynasty, not a king in charge of the country, yet she dared to approach Cui and ask for incense... She was so bold and daring.
I don’t know if Li Muyao asked for the incense in the name of Emperor Xuanning.
Still, as Cui Jue's future wife, she burned incense with him.
This move was tantamount to proposing marriage to Cui Jue in public and establishing a friendly relationship between the two families.
The aristocratic family members present suddenly became quiet. They tilted their heads and watched the scene without blinking... They also wanted to know Cui Jue's attitude. After all, everyone had heard that as the head of the Cui family, Cui Jue would marry into the royal family.
It was almost a foregone conclusion that Cui would marry the princess.
Even Cui Jue himself might not reject this proposal if forced by the situation.
Cui Jue understood that he should stabilize Li Muyao, or at least make Emperor Xuanning think that he wanted to get close to the royal family.
Cui Jue has always been good at planning and doing things flawlessly.
He would not make such a mistake and arouse Emperor Xuanning's suspicion.
However, Cui Jue looked at the rising incense smoke and for some reason, he was reluctant to pass the fragrance to Li Muyao.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Muyao didn't immediately ask for the incense and candles. The smile on her face gradually faded, her white teeth biting her lower lip, her beautiful eyes slightly filled with tears, and she softly called out, "Young Master..."
She can't lose face in public, she will become a laughing stock in the world!
Cui Jue was silent for a moment and came back to his senses.
Cui Jue didn't let the situation get out of hand. He handed the burning incense to Li Muyao...
-
On the bluestone steps in the distance, Cui Shunying lifted her skirt and ran to find Su Li, panting.
"Sister Su, Sister Su! You made me look for you so hard!"
Cui Jue and others were holding a Buddhist ceremony in the main hall. Su Li saw such a grand and solemn ceremony and the huge crowds of people, all of whom were young men from wealthy families wearing tall hats and wide belts and gold and jade attire, so she did not overestimate her own abilities and join in the fun.
Instead, he avoided the crowds and went to the side hall where the Eighteen Arhats were enshrined, burned incense and candles, and offered a Bodhi oil lamp to protect the well-being of the family.
Just as I finished these things, Cui Shunying came.
Su Li wiped her sweat and said helplessly: "Why are you in such a hurry? I'll be back soon."
Cui Shunying pulled her arm, her cherry lips raised high, her face full of displeasure: "I think good things are coming to my brother!"
Su Li blinked, not understanding.
Cui Shunying stamped her feet, leaned close to Su Li's ear, and whispered, "In our Cui family, every New Year's Day, the head of the family personally burns incense to heaven and earth and prays for blessings. Only if a wedding is held, or if the emperor attends the ceremony, will he give the incense to others. But Li Muyao and my brother are not related at all, and yet my brother actually gave her the first incense..."
Cui Shunying clearly meant that Cui Jue had the intention of getting married, which was why he made such an unexpected move.
Cui Jue regards Li Muyao as his future wife!
Su Li was stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly.
It was something she expected.
Su Li had nothing to be unhappy about.
Just thinking that a cold-blooded and ruthless person like Cui Jue could actually treat others gently, I couldn't help but feel touched and sigh in my heart.
Li Muyao was a princess and had been pampered since childhood. Not only was she loved by her father, but she also had someone to cover for any mistakes she made. She also had been married off to a man as outstanding as Cui Jue very early on.
She is really lucky.
Su Li thought that Cui Jue's marriage was imminent, and she was afraid that the two would get married soon.
By then, she would no longer be able to get close to Cui Jue, and her plan of borrowing sperm would probably fail.
I just hope that God will bless Su Li and help her escape from the family before Mr. Cui and the others find out...
Su Li only wanted to return to the countryside to be a farmer. She was not at all greedy for the wealth and glory of the gentry.
-
In the evening, on the way back home, the Cui family's carriage led the way, and the other families followed closely behind.
This time, Cui Jue did not invite Su Li to join him.
Su Li and Cui Shunying took a carriage and slowly headed towards Cui's mansion.
Chen Heng didn't know where Cui Jue had sent him. He guessed that he was sent to clear the way, so Su Li didn't ask any more questions.
As for whether Cui Jue went down the mountain and returned home with Li Muyao in the same car... this was Cui Jue's private matter and had nothing to do with her anyway.
The road down the mountain was not easy to walk. The strong horse trudged along the mountain road, staggering and shaking, and the bell hanging outside the carriage kept ringing...
In such a bumpy ride, Su Li actually fell asleep.
In her dream, she returned to her childhood.
On New Year's Eve, she took the children in the village to set off firecrackers.
Several small bamboo cannons went out when they were thrown into the farmland. When Su Li was digging through the weeds to investigate, he was covered in mud by the duds.
Su Li ran home all dirty and complained to her grandmother about the chaos. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, she saw not only a bowl of steaming sour soup dumplings on the edge of the stove, but also a bowl of mung bean soup from the temple.
Grandma pulled out a few more roasted taro from the stove, rolled them to the child's feet, and smiled as she told Su Li that the bowl of mung bean soup was a sweet soup that the abbot had chanted sutras for, and that it would soothe the child's soul and prevent it from being captured by ghosts wandering around at night...
Su Li understood that her grandmother was worried that her weak horoscope would lead to her being possessed by a ghost and she wouldn't be able to grow up. She muttered to herself, "Grandma is really too cautious. She's obviously healthier than anyone else!"
Su Li was happy. She stepped onto the bench and took a bite of the dumplings happily.
Before she could taste it, the walls of the thatched hut on all sides suddenly collapsed and turned into powder.
Her dream was shattered.
When she opened her eyes again, Su Li was lying on a soft couch covered with a quilt again.
Her hands and feet were bound with chains, and when she looked up she could only see the dark beams of the house. She could not see the stars or the moon, and was surrounded by towering white walls. No matter how much she cried out, no one could hear her.
Only she was imprisoned in the airtight room.
"ah--!"
Su Li woke up from her dream and the carriage stopped.
The carriage was empty, even Choi Sun-young was gone.
Su Li was sweating profusely. She huddled in the corner of the carriage, unable to tell whether the scene before her was a dream or reality.
Until the curtain of the car was lifted by a slender and thin hand.
It was a man's hand.
His skin was fair, his fingers were symmetrical, and he looked very familiar.
The next moment, moonlight filtered in, illuminating Cui Jue's beautiful and elegant face.
It's him.
At this moment, Su Li realized that she was not trapped in a dream.
The man seemed to have seen her as well, and his gaze suddenly stopped.
Su Li had just had a nightmare. Her face was pale, her lips were bloodless, and she couldn't speak for a long time.
The girl's breathing was irregular, her chest heaving violently, and beads of sweat condensed on the tip of her nose and temples. She looked frightened and pitiful.
Cui Jue frowned slightly: "Madam Su?"
Su Li suppressed her fear and was unwilling to explain that her miserable condition was due to a nightmare.
Su Li smiled and said to Cui Jue, "Are you here to look for Si Niang, Master? She's not in the car. She may have gotten off."
"Yeah." Cui Jue didn't ask any more questions, lowered the curtain and left.
He really came to look for his sister.
Su Li breathed a sigh of relief. After calming down, she leaned back in the carriage and rested for a while.
Soon, Qiu Gui came and helped Su Li get off the carriage.
"The fourth young lady is feeling unwell and has returned to the courtyard to rest. Seeing that my lady was sleeping soundly, she did not disturb you. She only sent someone to tell the servant to remember to bring a warm cloak and come to pick up my lady..."
Su Li nodded, grateful for Cui Shunying's thoughtfulness, but she had just had a nightmare and was frightened. The root of her tongue was bitter, and she felt weak all over, so she didn't want to talk much.
Later, Su Li planned to take out the jujube seeds and lily slices prepared in the medicine box to make some calming and sweat-reducing tea to drink, and then have a good night's rest.
However, when Su Li returned to Muchong Pavilion, Aunt Qingxia took time out of her busy schedule to come over.
Su Li was surprised.
Aunt Qingxia explained that it turned out that it was the eldest son Renshan who, after completing the ritual, gave each young lady in each courtyard a string of wooden Buddhist beads struck by lightning.
This is a bracelet blessed by Master Huili of Lotus Temple. It can be placed next to your pillow to calm your nerves and scare away evil spirits.
Su Li sent Aunt Qingxia away and handed a few packets of sweet pastries to the maids around her.
Su Li held the dark-colored jujube wood Buddhist beads in her hand, looking at them over and over again, feeling very confused.
Of course she knew what lightning-struck wood was.
The trees that have been struck by the Thunder and Lightning Mother are called Lightning Wood. Among the many Lightning Woods, the Jujube Wood is the best.
When Su Li was young, she picked dates and climbed countless date trees. Naturally, she could recognize that the wood pattern of the black Buddhist beads in her hand came from a date tree.
Cui Jue didn't seem like the type to believe in gods and Buddhas. Why did he suddenly want to give gifts to the ladies in each room? And these magical beads?
Could it be that when Cui Jue saw Su Li just now and learned that she was suffering from a nightmare, he suddenly felt pity for her?
Su Li shook her head.
No, someone as cold-hearted as Cui Jue would never have such a gentle moment.
Su Li thought that Cui Jue was a vegetarian, so maybe he was a Buddhist.
This would explain why Cui Jue suddenly had the idea of sending Buddhist beads to every household and courtyard to calm the mind.
Su Li understood that this was probably just a warm coincidence...she wouldn't take it to heart.
-
Shuyue Pavilion.
The dormitory was filled with hot air and a faint fragrance.
Cui Jue took a bath and changed his clothes. His jet-black hair was still dripping with water, flowing down his tight and strong back muscles and into the black robe he was wearing.
Before Cui Jue could wring out his black hair, Wei Zhiyan ran back to the courtyard covered in snow.
Being so agitated, something big must have happened.
Cui Jue thought about it and didn't stop him.
The man casually waved his hand to create a gust of wind, shaking the candle flame and sending a signal to "come in".
Wei Zhiyan knelt on one knee and came forward to report: "Master, I have found out information about Madam Su's background..."
Cui Jue paused, lowered his dark eyes, and said coldly, "Speak."
Wei Zhiyan was a little frightened when he thought about the secret he had found out.
Especially since the master seemed to be in a bad mood today, he didn't want to cause trouble for Su Li, and he didn't know whether he should say...
"What are you hesitating about?" Cui Jue twitched the corners of his lips. "After being fed by Madam Su for a few days, you don't know who you belong to anymore?"
This statement implies that he was being blamed for betraying his master.
Wei Zhiyan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed his head and apologized: "I dare not!"
Cui Jue said nothing, lifted his robe and sat down, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand.
Wei Zhiyan knew that he could not keep the secret for long, so he could only report the information he had obtained truthfully.
He told Cui Jue that Su Li was not a young lady from the Su family's side branch, but Su Youli, the third lady of the Su family.
And this young lady named "Su Youli" is the second granddaughter-in-law of the Cui family in Lanhe, and the wife of Cui Ming!
In other words, that is to say...
Su Li is the widow of Cui Jue's cousin, she is his sister-in-law!
With a click.
The white porcelain teacup suddenly shattered as the man applauded.
Bright red blood trickled down the man's fingers, along with the boiling tea, dripping onto Cui Jue's robe and soaking into his dark black sleeves.
"master……"
It was the first time that Wei Zhiyan saw the head of the family lose his composure like this, and his legs felt weak... He knew that Cui Jue rarely showed his emotions on his face, and it was obvious that he was really angry at the moment.
He lowered his head even lower, trying his best to reduce his presence, and even used his internal force to suppress his breathing, for fear that if he was not careful, he would offend Cui Jue and let him vent his anger on him.
Wei Zhiyan remembered that Cui Jue rarely punished people, but when he got angry, he would never show mercy.
Previously, a brother was suspected of betraying his master and was called into the house by Cui Jue.
When Wei Zhiyan was ordered to go in, the man's head had already been chopped off by Cui Jue with a sword... Wei Zhiyan came to collect the body.
From that moment on, Wei Zhiyan understood that Cui Jue's invitation wasn't to hear him confide his grievances or explain his reasons. As Cui Jue's personal guard, he should have done everything he could to prevent his master from becoming suspicious, rather than being so reckless as to let such rumors reach Cui Jue's ears and hope he would take it easy.
That day, the scene of his colleagues' bodies being scattered was still vivid in Wei Zhiyan's mind, and he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
Until Cui Jue asked again in a cold voice: "Are you serious?"
"Seriously..."
Wei Zhiyan also hoped that this matter was false. He did not dare to harm Su Li, but he took Su Li's portrait and investigated everywhere. He not only went to the Su family, but also went to the Cui family in Lanhe.
It took two full months and a lot of inquiries before Su Li's identity was confirmed.
Su Li is a pseudonym, Su Youli is her real name.
Wei Zhiyan didn't dare to keep this matter secret. If other secret guards were sent to investigate, Cui Jue would definitely kill Wei Zhiyan if he found out that he had concealed the news about Su Li.
Wei Zhiyan is still young and hasn't even married yet. He doesn't want to lose his head...
Cui Jue chuckled lightly, but the smile did not reach his eyes, leaving only a viciousness that was enough to bite people.
Wei Zhiyan was so frightened that he barely dared to look up. He swallowed hard and whispered, "It's absolutely true. I've captured several of the Su family's maids and even confirmed it privately with the Lanhe Cui family's servants. The news is absolutely true... But Madam Su is a widow from the second wife's family. Why would she be so secretive when she returns to her family? Madam Su is so secretive... perhaps she has some ulterior motive?"
Cui Jue curled his lips: "What kind of hardship could there be? It's nothing more than..."
She was simply afraid that he would not be willing to take on the responsibility of inheriting the throne, so she tried another way and tried to seduce him with her beauty.
His second aunt from Lanhe County has always been a treacherous woman. However, as Cui Jue is a younger generation, he only has a few small ancestral inheritances, so he doesn't want to argue with her too much.
But Second Aunt dared to fool Cui Jue like this.
They also sent a woman named Su Li, who had superb acting skills, to deliberately provoke him.
Cui Jue glanced at his bloody palm, his face darkened, and his phoenix eyes were filled with rage.
In this way, Cui Jue could also understand why Su Li had a different beginning and end from him.
No wonder she doesn't care about chastity.
No wonder she often treated Cui Jue with tender affection and care, intending to gain his trust...
Su Li simply loved her husband Cui Ming, who died unjustly, deeply.
She just wanted to use Cui Jue to ensure that her husband would have children.
She wants to borrow seeds from Cui Jue!
In this way, the second branch of the Cui family had Cui Jue's eldest son and daughter, which was like having a golden medal of immunity from death, and they could receive Cui Jue's protection for generations.
It's quite a good calculation.
Especially Su Li, this stupid woman, had the nerve and the audacity to agree to such an incestuous and immoral thing!
Su Li was so shameless, so mean, so disgusting. She treated Cui Ming with such deep affection and love...
It was a waste of Cui Jue's intelligence all his life that he was fooled by a woman in the inner palace and he showed mercy to her again and again.
Thinking of the string of Buddhist beads he had just given away... he really wanted to kill Su Li.
Cui Jue laughed in anger and took down the silver sword hanging high on the wall.
Cui Jue was tall and slender, with a majestic figure. He used a handkerchief to wipe the long sword that shone with clear silver light. The shimmering blade of the sword reflected the man's eyes that were as cold as frost and snow.
He looks so gloomy, like a demon crawling out of hell!
Cui Jue discarded the handkerchief and said in a deep voice, "Send a message to Grandfather, saying that I agree to the dual succession. I also hope that the younger brother and sister-in-law of the second branch will hurry to Jianye as soon as possible to prepare to inherit the family line."
Wei Zhiyan was frightened and looked up suddenly.
Cui Jue's eyes were fierce and sinister, his jaw was tense, his jawbone was clearly defined, and his long white neck was filled with suppressed anger, with veins bulging inside, ready to strike.
Seeing Wei Zhiyan remained silent, Cui Jue looked at him: "Why? Do you want to plead for Su Li?"
Wei Zhiyan hesitated.
Cui Jue approached, his black clothes draped over the ground, like a ghost. His eyes were dark and intimidating, clearly filled with rage.
The next moment, Cui Jue swung his sword with lightning speed and instantly placed it on Wei Zhiyan's shoulder.
The sharp sword blade was only an inch away from his head!
Wei Zhiyan was convinced that Cui Jue dared to kill someone, and he didn't dare to disobey his master. He immediately replied respectfully, "Yes... I will pass on the message immediately."
Cui Jue slowly retracted his sword, letting his palm grip the hilt tightly, leaving a winding line of blood on the ground.
"Go ahead."
Cui Jue thought of Su Li's beautiful face that was as red as a pear blossom in the rain, her hypocrisy, and her aggressive defiance and offense.
The man raised his eyes coldly and sneered.
He wanted to see... whether Su Li, who was always telling lies, dared to come.
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