As Fourth Master emerged, a sudden clap of thunder appeared on the horizon like a startled dragon. The weather was unbearably hot and humid.
Before long, a torrential downpour began. The pilgrims returning home from the mountain temple were unlikely to escape a baptism of rain.
The Fourth Prince thought to himself, and then went to Kangxi's meditation room.
Emperor Kangxi was sitting cross-legged in meditation. He had been in this mountain temple for almost two months and had become accustomed to this cross-legged meditation.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty!" the Fourth Prince said, bowing to Emperor Kangxi.
"Qin Gang said you've captured all the bandits?" Kangxi asked with his eyes closed.
"No, we forgot one person. I am deeply ashamed, and I will definitely find a way to eradicate the White Lotus Sect. Please rest assured, Father!" The Fourth Prince restrained the emotions he had when talking to Shunzhi. He was always respectful and even somewhat distant in front of Kangxi.
"I suppose he went out with the pilgrims. Leave the White Lotus sect matter to the local government. You, a prince, don't need to personally oversee such a trivial matter," Kangxi said, opening his eyes.
"Yes, those bandits are just some local people, bewitched by the White Lotus Sect. I think it would be better to exile them all. After a few years, they will forget the existence of the White Lotus Sect and naturally return to being good citizens," the Fourth Prince said to Kangxi after thinking for a moment. If he didn't speak up, these people, charged with attempting to assassinate the emperor, would be executed. Twenty-four people in total, twenty-four heads about to roll. In this mountain temple on Mount Wutai, the Fourth Prince couldn't bring himself to say those words, but he still pleaded for them.
Kangxi looked at the Fourth Prince for a while and said, "As you say, they shall all be exiled to the Northwest to do hard labor and shall not return for ten years!"
Fourth Master was certain that, for these people, such punishment was exceptionally lenient.
"He wants to take that girl next to the Fourteenth Prince back as a concubine!" Kangxi said, thinking of Xi Niu.
The Fourth Prince was startled and cursed the Fourteenth Prince in his heart. He then said, "Father, how can we bring back a woman whose background we don't know? The Fourteenth Prince is being too reckless."
Emperor Kangxi smiled slightly and said, "I think that woman could be his concubine, but as you said, I don't know her background. So, I want you to investigate her background. In a few days, I plan to return to the capital. If this woman has a clean background and the Fourteenth Prince likes her, then take her back as a concubine."
Seeing that Emperor Kangxi had agreed, the Fourth Prince had no choice but to suppress his dissatisfaction and comply.
Finding out the background of such a woman was actually not difficult at all. Fourth Master personally went to the Xin County government office. The local magistrate naturally gave Fourth Master a warm welcome. However, after Fourth Master explained his purpose, he forbade him to reveal any trace of his whereabouts to outsiders, and only ordered him to investigate the old flower seller by the river and his children.
The magistrate was surprised that a noble prince would come to inquire about a flower-selling family. Although he had this thought, he dared not refuse. Soon, the Fourth Prince learned about Xiniu's ancestors for eighteen generations. Sure enough, her family had lived there for generations and did indeed make a living by selling lotus flowers.
On this day, Emperor Kangxi played chess with Xingchi under the ginkgo tree in the temple behind his residence. He had already made preparations to descend the mountain and return to the capital the next day. This was the last game of chess between father and son.
"Father, are you really unwilling to go back with your son? The environment here is harsh. After you come back with me, I will build a temple in the Yuanmingyuan for you to cultivate. Why must you stay here?" This was the third time that Kangxi had asked Shunzhi if he was willing to go down the mountain with him.
"This humble monk has grown accustomed to hearing the whispers of this place; why should I return to that wealthy and worldly land? You need not worry about me; I will remain here," Xingchi said slowly, his gaze fixed on the chess pieces.
“I am truly worried. In truth, if you do not wish to be disturbed by worldly affairs, my Yuanmingyuan Garden is very quiet and elegant. No one can disturb you there,” Kangxi continued to persuade. “I am concerned that if you stay here, sooner or later the White Lotus Sect, or some other sect, will find out. At that time, they will try every means to use you to threaten me.”
Xingchi's hand, which was holding Yunzi's, froze on the spot. His heart skipped a beat; he knew that what Kangxi had said was true. The White Lotus Sect probably already knew of his existence.
That one who slipped through the net?
If someone were to actually come to Mount Wutai and use themselves to blackmail the emperor, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Master, I am not only your son, but also the emperor of the world. For both public and private reasons, I feel you should return to the capital with me. For private reasons, I will fulfill my duty as a son and let you live out your days in peace at the Yuanmingyuan. For public reasons, news of your presence here will inevitably leak out sooner or later. If they use you to blackmail me into exchanging the empire for you, what should I do? If I refuse, it would be a great act of filial impiety. If I agree, the Qing dynasty may once again face a threat," Kangxi said.
After a long silence, Xingchi smiled slightly and said, "Xuan Ye, you have indeed not been raised by your grandmother for so many years in vain. Your thoughts are far more profound than mine. You are right. If I stay here, those with ulterior motives will use me to blackmail you sooner or later. So it is better for me to leave."
When Emperor Kangxi saw that Xingchi had finally agreed, he said to him happily, "Good, Master, then let them prepare your travel gear for tonight. Tomorrow you will come down the mountain with me to return to the capital."
That evening, after returning to his meditation room, Kangxi told the Fourth Prince and others about Xingchi's desire to return to the capital with him.
"What? Master Xingchi is going to return to the capital with us!" Fourteenth Prince was completely unaware of this. He knew nothing about Xingchi's identity and was even more surprised that Emperor Kangxi would bring an old monk back to the capital.
"Yes. Master Xingchi and I have a strong affinity for Buddhism. Let's take him back together and he can stay at the Yuanmingyuan. You all need not say more. Master Xingchi needs to be properly cared for. Fourth Prince, you go down the mountain first thing tomorrow morning to inform the local garrison in Xinxian County and take my token. Then they can mobilize a thousand-man guard to escort Master Xingchi and me back to the capital!" Kangxi said. After the White Lotus Sect incident, he dared not return alone again. Although he had secret guards to protect him, if they encountered a large group of bandits, his safety, Xingchi's safety, and the safety of the Fourth Prince, Tenth Prince, and others would not be guaranteed.
The Fourth Prince was slightly surprised; he hadn't expected Xingchi to agree to Kangxi's request. However, he also realized there was still one survivor. It was no longer safe for Xingchi to stay in the mountain temple. They would do everything in their power to find out what was in the temple that made Kangxi stay for over a month.
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