Lin Xiuxue was smashing things in the room, while Zhao Shuze was writing on the lantern with the Empress Dowager.
"My life has a limit, but knowledge has no limit. To pursue the unlimited with the limited is perilous."
The Empress Dowager held up the lantern that Zhao Shu had just finished writing on and glared at her, "All you do is slack off. How could I have a granddaughter like you? You really infuriate me."
Zhao Shu quickly pretended to soothe the Empress Dowager, her face full of smiles, "Grandmother, as the old saying goes, 'To understand the ways of the world is to be learned, and to be adept at human relationships is to be cultured,' isn't that right, Father?"
Prince Yong, who had just finished writing the name of a lantern, nodded in agreement, saying, "My daughter is indeed worthy of being my daughter; she has deeply inherited my essence."
"Hehe, thank you for the praise, Father." Zhao Shu was proud, her eyebrows and eyes relaxed, and her smile was particularly irritating.
The Empress Dowager wanted to clutch her chest and weep bitterly to express her remorse towards the late Emperor. "Late Emperor, I am sorry for raising Chonghou into this state."
She even corrupted her granddaughter; I am guilty!
"You unambitious wretch! Get out of here and go to your study and copy the 'National Policy' ten times over!" The Empress Dowager was furious.
Zhao Shu realized that the Empress Dowager wasn't really angry; she was just giving her a perfunctory reprimand. She felt that having one wise son was enough; there was no need to raise another capable minister.
The two brothers have taken on all the roles of wise ruler and capable minister. Is there any way for anyone else to survive?
“Grandmother, the national policy has been given to my brother, the Crown Prince,” Zhao Shu hurriedly chimed in.
Speaking of the Crown Prince, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but worry, "The Crown Prince has grown up now, his wings have hardened, and he doesn't even listen to my words anymore."
She disagreed with the Crown Prince leaving the capital, but she had no right to stop him. The Crown Prince was first and foremost the Crown Prince, and only then was he her grandson. The Crown Prince needed to establish his authority and achieve merit in order to win over the people.
“Grandmother, the Crown Prince is the grandson of Heaven, and naturally he is protected by the gods. You don’t need to worry too much. Ah Jun has great faith in the Crown Prince and believes he can defeat all those ghosts and monsters.”
The Empress Dowager patted her head and said, "My dear grandson is right."
Soon it was the seventh day of the seventh month. Zhao Shu got up early and had breakfast with the Empress Dowager and Prince Yong. Then the group went out in a grand procession.
The Lin family also got up early to prepare to receive the Empress Dowager's carriage. The head of the Lin family, Grand Secretary, waited at the gate as soon as it was light. As soon as he saw the Empress Dowager's carriage, he would immediately inform the masters of the house to go out and receive the carriage.
However, after waiting and waiting, no one came. "Go to the Prince's residence and see when the Empress Dowager will arrive."
The servant disappeared in a flash, and half an hour later, he appeared in front of the attendant, panting. "Master Dian, the Empress Dowager took the Prince and the Princess to Huguo Temple and did not come to our mansion."
"What? Say it again!" Lin Dian's face turned green. He quickly realized that the rumors were just that—rumors. When did the Empress Dowager ever say she was coming to the Lin family?
If the Empress Dowager is coming to the Lin family, why haven't the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Guards come to make arrangements? Could it be that someone is trying to harm the Master?
The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he hurriedly went to report to Lin Chaoying.
Lin Chaoying was furious and his face turned ashen when he heard her report. If the Empress Dowager had such rumors in the palace, he would not have believed them. But since the Empress Dowager was staying at Prince Yong's residence at the time, he subconsciously felt that the Empress Dowager must have come incognito.
I never expected this! Could it be that the Emperor is going to target him? We haven't been in much contact lately, what's going on?
"A-Dian, go and investigate whether anyone in the manor has recently offended the Prince Yong's manor." He had no choice; he was now as easily frightened as a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow.
Huguo Temple is located south of Beijing, nestled on the steep Nanshan Mountains. From afar, one can see the majestic peaks, the tall and evergreen trees that stand tall and undaunted by wind and frost, and the green tiles and red eaves hidden behind the leaves.
Huguo Temple was built with funds allocated by the national treasury in the first year of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and each abbot in Dayong enjoyed the treatment of a national teacher.
The abbot of this generation was named Miaokong, who was said to be an upright master. Why was he considered upright? Zhao Shu remembered that when Zhao Bi ascended the throne, Master Miaokong refused his reward and died on the spot by hitting his head against a pillar, right in front of the Buddha statue in the Mahavira Hall.
Zhao Shu knew very little about this Miao Kong; all she knew were fragments of rumors circulating in the streets.
Granny Zhong had informed Miao Kong well in advance that he would lead all the monks of the temple to stand in front of the mountain today, to respectfully await the Empress Dowager's arrival.
After Zhao Shu helped the Empress Dowager down from the carriage, a monk in his sixties came over to pay his respects. He was wearing a kasaya, holding a tin staff in one hand and turning prayer beads in the other.
"This humble monk pays his respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager live a thousand years!" He bowed to the Imperial Preceptor but did not kneel.
The monks behind him knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Empress Dowager!"
No need for formalities.
The Empress Dowager excused himself from the formalities, and only then did Miao Kong bow to Prince Yong and Zhao Shu, saying, "This humble monk greets Your Highness and Princess."
Prince Yong and Zhao Shu hurriedly returned the Buddhist greeting, saying, "Master, there's no need for such formalities."
"Empress Dowager, Your Highness, Princess, please." Miao Kong gestured for them to enter.
Zhao Shu and Princess Yong, one on each side, helped the Empress Dowager through the leftmost of the three main gates.
Huguo Temple, also known as the National Temple, was built with the permission of Emperor Taizu, which allowed it to have thirteen gates to signify its status as a sacred Buddhist site. The right main gate was for ordinary pilgrims, the middle inner gate was for monks, and the left gate was the most prestigious. The Empress Dowager and her entourage naturally used the left main gate.
Zhao Shu had also learned the etiquette for entering the temple to worship Buddha, and she walked smoothly into the main hall without any obstacles.
After paying respects to the Buddha and offering incense, the Empress Dowager went to meditate with Miaokong. Prince Yong and Zhao Shu were led by a young novice monk to their room to rest.
As I walked to a wishing well, a middle-aged monk approached, who looked slightly older than Prince Yong.
Zhao Shuqing clearly saw that when he looked at her, his face showed a moment of confusion and shock, which finally turned into understanding. Zhao Shuqing felt a chill in her heart. What had he discovered?
"This humble monk greets Your Highness and Princess." He stepped forward to pay his respects.
“Master Liaoyuan, it’s been many days. I was just looking for you, but I didn’t expect to run into you here.” Prince Yong’s tone was warm, as if he knew him.
Liaoyuan clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer, saying, "This humble monk has come to find the prince."
As he spoke, his expression returned to normal. "Is this Princess Jun?"
"It is indeed my daughter," said Prince Yong, a hint of pride in his voice.
Liaoyuan then performed a Buddhist salute to Zhao Shu, saying, "This humble monk has a few words to offer to the princess."
"Master, please speak. I am all ears."
“Amitabha, a person is in the dust, yet is not dust; dust resides in the heart, turning to ashes.” Liao Yuan finished speaking and no longer looked at Zhao Shu, gesturing for her to enter, “Your Highness, please.”
Upon hearing his words, Zhao Shu felt an urge to burst into laughter. She wanted to ask, "Master, if you repay evil with good, how will you repay good?"
"The body is a Bodhi tree, the mind a bright mirror; constantly wipe it clean, lest it be covered with dust."
Zhao Shu didn't know how long she had been standing by the wishing well until those words disturbed her wandering thoughts, bringing her back to her senses. At that moment, a man was bowing to Prince Yong.
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