Chapter 456 Duxin Temple
Outside the capital, the mountains were blocked by heavy snow.
There were bursts of bell sounds coming from a temple, among which there were faint sounds of Buddhist chanting.
The branches of the two green pines outside Duxin Temple were already covered with a thick layer of snow, which fell off with a light breeze.
"Please go back, lady donor. Duke Weiguo is a guest of my Duxin Temple.
If he doesn't want to see guests, I won't force him."
Zhu Qingyan was wearing a red cloak, looking like a red plum blossom among the white snow.
This was her third time to come to Duxin Temple to ask for an audience with Duke Weiguo, but the other party always refused to see her.
The descendants of the Li family in the court are pressing forward step by step and have begun to contact more ministers to impeach Zhu Lan. Many court officials are also watching the emperor's attitude.
The longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for Zhu Lan.
Zhu Qingyan took out a small box from his arms.
"Master Abbot, this is the blood ginseng produced in the South China Sea. It can warm the body and replenish blood. I brought it specially for Duke Weiguo. Please pass it on again..."
The abbot pointed at his staff and lowered his eyes and said:
"Amitabha, this blood ginseng is a treasure, but the Duke of Wei has already made it very clear...
Besides, as a woman, it is inconvenient for you to come to this place of meditation, so please go back."
After saying this, the abbot turned around and left.
Zhu Qingyan didn't care about anything else and simply shouted loudly towards the temple gate:
"Duke Weiguo, the Imperial Academy Academic Director Zhu Qingyan wishes to see you—"
"How outrageous." The host turned around and scolded in a low voice.
"Duxin Temple is an important Buddhist site, and behind the temple is the tomb of the late emperor. How can we allow you to make such a loud noise?
If you don't leave quickly, soldiers will come and drive you down the mountain!"
The abbot walked away after saying this, and the gate of Duxin Temple was closed tightly again.
Zhu Qingyan stood there, feeling very angry.
She came here three times, but not only did she not meet the Duke of Weiguo, she didn't even get into the gate of Duxin Temple.
If it really doesn't work, we can only visit Duxin Temple at night when the moon is dark and the wind is strong.
She was holding the valuable blood ginseng tightly in her hand, and was about to find a tall tree to jump up to check the layout of Duxin Temple, but suddenly she heard the sound of a carriage rolling over the snow.
Zhu Qingyan looked in the direction of the sound and saw a carriage with carved rosewood patterns parked in front of the temple.
The driver jumped down and said respectfully:
"Madam Hui, we are here."
A corner of the dark blue carriage door curtain was lifted, and a young woman with a maid's bun got out of the carriage first.
Then, a hand slowly emerged from behind the curtain.
The hand was as soft as if it had no bones, the fingers were as white as scallions, and the nails were painted with red caramel, and it was obvious that they were well maintained.
Zhu Qingyan couldn't help but feel curious, so he stopped and watched.
The maid stretched out her arm and let the hand support her, and the owner of the hand then leaned out of the car.
She was a woman about thirty years old, with a well-proportioned figure and a delicate and small face. She walked with a charming manner, and her every frown and smile seemed to be full of affection. She was a real beauty.
The woman was wearing a crane cloak and a fluffy white fox scarf around her neck, which made her look as delicate as a peony.
After she got off the car, the maid took out an octagonal food box from the car and went straight to knock on the gate of the temple.
The woman stood outside the temple gate, her lazy eyes casually sweeping around, and happened to meet Zhu Qingyan's eyes for a moment.
Zhu Qingyan smiled at her politely, but she ignored him and looked away, as if she didn't even notice her.
Soon, the temple door opened a crack, revealing the head of a little monk.
The little monk originally looked a little impatient and was about to speak, but suddenly he saw clearly that the person knocking on the door was not Zhu Qingyan, and immediately changed his attitude.
Zhu Qingyan was some distance away and could not hear clearly what the young monk said to the maid. He only saw that both temple doors were opened, and the young monk inside saluted the beautiful woman with clasped hands and respectfully welcomed her into Duxin Temple.
Zhu Qingyan was stunned for a moment and was about to follow in, but the little monk blocked her way.
"Amitabha."
He clasped his hands together, obviously not wanting Zhu Qingyan to enter.
"We are both women, why can she enter but I can't?" Zhu Qingyan said angrily.
The young monk did not answer, nor did he make way.
Zhu Qingyan suppressed his anger and asked in a gentle voice:
"Young Master, may I ask who is the girl who just came in?"
"Amitabha, the Duke of Wei does not want to see guests, so the donor should go back quickly."
After the little monk finished speaking, he closed the temple door again.
Zhu Qingyan was so angry that he kicked the stone next to him, but he could do nothing about it.
Duxin Temple is not an ordinary temple. It was built specifically for praying for the former emperor, so there will not be ordinary pilgrims coming to worship Buddha.
Since she is not a pilgrim, who is this woman?
Zhu Qingyan became more and more curious, so he just waited outside the temple gate.
She just didn't believe that Duxin Temple would dare to allow a woman to stay overnight, so when the beautiful woman came out, she would definitely find out everything!
…
Zhu Qingyan didn't expect that she would have to wait from noon to evening.
She stood in the heavy snow outside the temple. She had not experienced such hunger and cold for many years.
The bell in the temple rang, and soon the aroma of vegetarian food wafted in from within the courtyard wall, causing Zhu Qingyan's stomach to protest again.
She hugged her arms and shivered, her fingers and face were red from the cold, but she could only continue to wait in the cold wind.
After I rescue Zhu Lan from the prison this time, I will take away all the ancient books and precious books in her collection as compensation!
He also wanted her to bring him tea and water, massage his shoulders and legs, and serve as his maid for two days!
Zhu Qingyan imagined these scenes in his mind and suddenly felt motivated to continue waiting.
Finally, the temple door creaked open, and as expected, the beautiful woman came out with her maid, carrying a food box.
Zhu Qingyan immediately perked up, stepped forward and saluted:
"May I ask if this lady is a member of the Duke of Wei's family?"
The woman seemed to be in a good mood. She glanced at Zhu Qingyan and said:
"Who are you?"
Seeing that she did not deny it, Zhu Qingyan was overjoyed and said quickly:
"My father and the Duke of Wei are old friends. I came here to see the Duke of Wei for something important."
"Old friend?" The beautiful woman looked at her again, seemingly unconvinced.
“There is nothing about my master that I don’t know.
What is your father's name? If he is an old friend, tell me his name and I will know it for sure."
Zhu Qingyan didn't expect the other party to ask this and was speechless for a moment.
"You are still so young, yet you are telling lies. My master is the Duke of Weiguo, how can anyone meet him?"
The beautiful woman laughed sarcastically and immediately walked around Zhu Qingyan towards the carriage.
"Madam, wait a minute!"
Zhu Qingyan's cheeks were a little hot. He walked to the beautiful woman in two or three steps and said awkwardly:
“Human life is at stake. I do have an important matter to discuss with the Duke of Wei, and I would like to ask Madam for help.
This South China Sea Blood Ginseng..."
She gritted her teeth and used all her savings over the years to buy it, just for a chance to negotiate terms with the Duke of Weiguo.
The beautiful woman took the blood ginseng in her hand and played with it for a while, then said with a smile:
"You are from the court, right?"
Zhu Qingyan was a little surprised, "How did Madam know...?"
"My master said that recently some people in the court will definitely try to see him and ask for mercy from the Chief Censor.
You didn't come here just for this, did you? "
Seeing that the other party's guess was exactly right, Zhu Qingyan had no choice but to nod slightly.
"This blood ginseng..."
"If Madam likes it, I will present it to you. I only hope that Madam can lend a helping hand—"
Before Zhu Qingyan finished speaking, he heard the beautiful woman sneer with a contemptuous tone.
“The things are good, but look at me… do I look like someone who is in need of good things?
Life in the Heavenly Prison is very miserable. You should send this bloody ginseng to that Chief Censor to replenish his body. Don't go on this journey on an empty stomach.
Lian'er, let's go. We have to attend the fireside banquet tomorrow, so we can't be left behind in terms of clothing and perfume. Remember to get milk to bathe tonight..."
After the beautiful woman said this, she casually threw the bloody ginseng into the snow and mud beside her.
She gave some instructions to the maid, got on the carriage, and drove away.
…
The next day, Yuxiang Pavilion.
"I found out."
Xiao Wan spread out several sheets of rice paper on the table. On each sheet of paper was a painting, with scenes including streets, temples, and pavilions.
The people in the paintings are all that beautiful woman, and those pictures record some scenes in her life.
"This person's surname is Xue Hui, and she is the most beloved concubine of Duke Wei.
It is well known that Duke Wei favors his concubine over his wife, and he obeys every word of Lady Hui and dotes on her immensely. "
After listening to Xiao Wan's words, Zhao Sicheng touched his chin with one hand and said thoughtfully:
"In that case, since we can't meet that old fellow, Duke Wei, can we start with Xue Hui?"
Zhu Qingyan, who was standing by, did not look relaxed. She said:
"That's true, but I'm afraid it's a little difficult. I saw Xue Hui yesterday. She was a very alert person and was very wary of me.
If you want to start with her, you have to find her weakness."
"Then you might as well take a look at this." Xiao Wan was prepared and put another document on the table.
"This is what I found in the Ministry of Revenue and copied down -
All the information about Xue Hui's family background."
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