Qiao'er didn't notice that Qin Sheng had quietly gone out, and Qin Sheng didn't call her either, intending to just wander around ahead by himself.
In front of the main hall is a square courtyard with a pond containing many red carp.
Qin Sheng watched the carp for a while, then figured the sermon in the main hall was almost over, so he went to the outhouse and came back.
As he came out of the outhouse, he happened to see a monk and a female pilgrim arguing in the grove in front of him. They said something, and soon they were tearing at each other's clothes and doing their business on the grass.
"..."
The sounds of unbearable moans from the mixed man and woman instantly sent shivers down Qin Sheng's spine.
She just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible, but she bumped into someone just as she was about to turn onto the corridor.
It was a man, very tall and dressed luxuriously. Qin Sheng bumped headfirst into his chest, and her nose instantly stung with pain.
"Ugh---" Qin Sheng quickly covered her nose and backed away.
A slightly angry voice rang in her ears: "How dare you!" In a flash, the other party had already drawn the sword from his waist. It was the guard accompanying the man Qin Sheng had bumped into.
"Stop being rude." The man's voice rang out, like pearls clashing on a plate, with a touch of deepness, which was very pleasant to listen to.
Qin Sheng couldn't help but look up.
Upon seeing this, they were somewhat stunned.
This person is... the current regent, Yue Rongheng.
Qin Sheng instinctively wanted to bow, but then thought it might be too abrupt, and besides, this Regent Prince probably didn't recognize her.
"I'm sorry." Qin Sheng covered her nose, bowed her head, and apologized. After saying sorry, she turned around and ran away in a hurry.
...
On the carriage back to the mansion, Qin Sheng was somewhat distracted.
The second wife spoke to her: "I only remembered today that it is the anniversary of Empress Dowager Duanxian's death."
"..."
Qin Sheng was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, yes, Empress Dowager Duanxian was the biological mother of the Regent and the late Emperor.
Due to certain events, Empress Dowager Duanxian was not buried in the imperial mausoleum after her death. Qin Sheng remembered that her memorial tablet was enshrined in Huaguang Temple.
No wonder I ran into the Regent here today.
Yun sighed as she spoke, "But speaking of which, the Regent was quite thoughtful. Back then... sigh."
She dared not discuss royal affairs too much, and in the end, Yun Shi simply shook her head.
Qin Sheng lowered her eyes; she naturally knew why the Second Madam was shaking her head and sighing.
Speaking of which, Qin Sheng almost got engaged to the Regent Prince Yue Rongheng when she was young.
The Regent was seven years older than her. Qin Sheng was brought into the palace by her mother when she was a little over one year old. In fact, before Empress Dowager Duanxian got married, she was still a student of Qin Sheng's grandfather.
Empress Dowager Duanxian disguised herself as a man to study at the academy. She was knowledgeable and her eloquent speech and insightful views were no less than those of any man.
Unfortunately, she eventually had to follow her family's arrangements and go back to get married.
At that time, Qin Sheng couldn't even walk yet. She was carried by Empress Dowager Duanxian, and her marriage to Yue Rongheng was verbally arranged.
Then---
As Qin Sheng grew older, although she was confined to the mansion all day studying this and that, she vaguely heard about some of the things happening outside.
The late emperor was frail from childhood and died just a few years after ascending the throne, leaving behind only one bloodline, who is now the young emperor.
Before His Majesty ascended the throne, a palace coup actually took place.
Empress Dowager Duanxian launched a palace coup, attempting to ascend the throne as empress, but was later personally executed by Yue Rongheng.
After that, the young emperor ascended the throne, and Yue Rongheng became the regent.
The marriage that Qin Sheng and Zhuang had agreed to was null and void with the death of Empress Dowager Duanxian.
A few years later, the Pingyin Earl's Mansion sent someone to propose marriage. After discussing it, the father and mother thought the marriage was a good one and agreed.
Qin Sheng had seen Yue Rongheng many times when she was a child, but after she became sensible, she was confined to the house to learn how to manage the household and do needlework. After Empress Dowager Duanxian died, she never saw him again.
So it's not accurate to say I'm head over heels in love with him.
Her parents told her that marrying Yin Wenxiao was a good choice, so Qin Sheng got married.
She snapped out of her reverie, and the carriage had already arrived outside the Wuping Marquis's residence, where maids and servants were waiting to greet them at the gate.
...
Huaguang Temple.
Yue Rongheng instructed his guard Yun Yin to wait outside the courtyard. He closed his fan, pushed open the dilapidated courtyard gate, and strode inside.
This courtyard was the residence of Zen Master Wujing.
The old monk was over seventy years old this year. His body looked somewhat hunched, and he had grown a large, silvery-white beard.
“Zen Master.” Yue Rongheng stopped and respectfully bowed to the old Zen Master before sitting down opposite him.
When he was young, Zen Master Wujing liked to travel around. More than ten years ago, he returned to the temple because he had a serious illness and was getting old.
"They're here."
Master Wujing didn't look at him, slowly busy with his work. He was brewing tea, and his movements were practiced.
Yue Rongheng smiled slightly: "The Zen Master seems to be living a leisurely life."
Zen Master Wujing laughed, “It’s not leisurely at all; he’s just an old monk counting down the days until he dies.”
After the tea was brewed, Zen Master Wujing poured tea for Yue Rongheng before asking, "How is your headache, benefactor?"
Yue Rongheng thanked him for the tea and said with a faint smile, "The usual."
Zen Master Wujing asked him to extend his hand so he could take his pulse.
Back then, Empress Dowager Duanxian launched a palace coup in order to become empress.
Yue Rongheng dared to enter the palace with only a few dozen men and rescue the young prince from her, but he himself was also poisoned.
The poison wouldn't kill him immediately, but it would flare up from time to time, causing him excruciating headaches each time.
Three years ago, Zen Master Wujing learned by chance about the poison in Yue Rongheng's body and became very interested, so he began to study how to treat him.
However, to my shame, three years have passed and he has still not been able to completely eradicate the lingering poison in the Regent's body.
After drinking a few cups of tea, Zen Master Wujing instructed the young novice to go inside and fetch the things he had prepared earlier.
The young novice monk came out carrying a simple, antique-looking box.
At around ten years old, the young novice monk dared not look directly at the ruthless and decisive Regent. His palms were sweating with nervousness as he carried the box over.
But His Highness the Regent simply smiled at him, even thanking him gently, and then accepted the box.
Zen Master Wujing stroked his beard and still cautioned, "Although this pill can relieve pain when it occurs, it can be addictive if taken in excess... Please remember not to worry too much."
"Understood." Yue Rongheng stood up, holding the box. "Take care, Zen Master. I'll take my leave now."
Since Zen Master Wujing was physically unwell, he asked a young novice to escort him out.
Upon reaching the courtyard gate, Yunyin reached out to take the box for his master, saying, "Oh, right, this—"
The young man, his face slightly flushed, took out a light blue handkerchief and said, "This was dropped by the girl who bumped into you."
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