Chapter 78 Yang Guifei (VIII) Leaving the Temple
Dewdrops on the bamboo tips rolled down, hitting the bluestone slabs and splashing tiny water droplets.
Lin Jiaojiao stood in the corner of the yard, watching the last piece of rice paper being dried by the wind. The paper page was a soft beige color, and the music score of "Bamboo Catkins" copied on it had notes as fresh as if they were covered with morning dew.
Today is the day when Concubine Wu Huifei's mourning period ends. She touched the jade pendant in her collar, and felt the warm touch on her fingertips - Ling said through the consciousness link last night that he would not wait for Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's consent today. He just needed her to cooperate with the "body change", and he had arranged the rest.
"Master, Master!" The young nun who brought the food came running in breathlessly, her food box shaking violently, her eyes tinged with nervousness. "The senior sister in the front yard said a 'distant cousin' has come to seek refuge with you. She's right at the temple gate, wearing the same plain robe as yours!"
Lin Jiaojiao felt relieved - it was the substitute arranged by Ling.
She followed the little nun to the front yard. As soon as she turned the corridor, she saw the nun in charge standing at the entrance of the temple. Beside her stood a woman who looked 70% like her. She had a cloth wrapped around her head, covering most of her face. She was wearing a plain robe exactly the same as hers.
Two trusted aides sent by Zero stood behind the woman, with bulges around their waists. They were obviously there to escort the substitute and ensure a smooth replacement.
The nun in charge saw her and quickly came over, stuffing a cloth bag into her hand. She lowered her voice very low, "The Crown Prince's men told you to change into this ordinary dress and leave through the back corner door of the temple. Don't let anyone see you. This girl will stay in the temple for you and will follow your daily habits so nothing will be revealed."
Lin Jiaojiao took the cloth bag, which contained a coarse cloth dress that still had a hint of new cloth smell. She looked at the substitute woman, who nodded slightly, without a trace of panic in her eyes - it seemed that Zero had been trained in advance.
"Thank you, senior sister." Lin Jiaojiao thanked her in a low voice and followed her confidant to the backyard. When passing by the woodshed, she picked up a few pieces of revised rice paper and stuffed them into her sleeves, as a recollection of her life in the temple.
The corner gate behind the temple is hidden deep in the bamboo forest. Outside the gate is an inconspicuous black-covered carriage with its curtains closed. Only a figure can be vaguely seen sitting inside.
As soon as Lin Jiaojiao approached, the car curtain was gently lifted, and Ling's face appeared in front of her - he was wearing casual clothes, his hair was neatly tied, and there were bloodshot eyes. It was obvious that he had been busy all night for today's affairs, but he couldn't hide the smile when he saw her.
"Jiaojiao, get in." Ling's voice was a little hoarse, and he reached out and pulled her into the carriage.
The carriage was covered with thick cotton mats and there was a heater in the corner to dispel the early morning chill.
As soon as Lin Jiaojiao sat down, Ling handed her a cup of hot tea. "The substitute is an orphan Zhao Heng found among the people. We've practiced your voice and mannerisms for half a month. Most of the Taoist nuns in the temple haven't seen your face closely, so you won't be caught. We're taking a small road, so even if Li Linfu's men notice us, they won't be able to catch up."
She took the teacup and her fingertips touched his hand, only to find that his hand was a little cold: "As for Emperor Xuanzong of Tang...shouldn't I tell him?"
Ling scoffed, his eyes cold. "He's only obsessed with beauty, too lazy to even attend court meetings, so how could he care about the affairs of Taizhen Temple? The beauty I placed beside him is currently enjoying great favor. By the time he realizes what's happening, you'll already be safely in the other courtyard."
Lin Jiaojiao nodded, took a sip of hot tea, and the warmth slid down her throat.
The carriage started slowly, and the sound of the wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs was very light. It was obvious that the speed was deliberately slowed down for fear of attracting the attention of eyes outside the temple. She lifted a corner of the curtain and watched the back wall of Taizhen Temple gradually disappear into the distance. She suddenly felt a little emotional - this place that had trapped her for nearly a year, she finally left in such a "leaving without saying goodbye" way.
Just as they were leaving Chang'an City, the carriage suddenly sped up, and the driver's voice came from outside: "Your Highness, there are two carriages following behind, and they look like Li Linfu's men!"
Ling's face darkened instantly. He pulled out a dagger from his waist and handed it to Lin Jiaojiao: "Take it for self-defense. Don't make any noise. Stay in the car and don't come out. The Yulin Army will be here soon." After he said that, he lifted the curtain of the car and jumped out.
Lin Jiaojiao's heart was in her throat. She gripped the dagger tightly and put her ear against the car wall to listen to the noise outside.
All that could be heard was the sound of swords clashing, the men's shouts and curses, and the neighing of horses. It was a chaotic mess.
She couldn't help but open the curtains and saw Ling fighting with several men in black. His movements were neat and his eyes were sharp, completely different from the "cowardly Shou Wang" in the past - that was the first time she saw Ling fight in real life, and every move was fierce, obviously to protect her, leaving no room for maneuver.
Not far away, the sound of horse hooves came hurriedly. It was the Yulin Army coming!
Seeing that the situation was not good, the man in black turned around and tried to run, but he was surrounded by the Yulin Army and was pinned to the ground one by one, unable to move.
Ling walked back to the carriage, his body stained with blood but uninjured. He lifted the curtain and saw Lin Jiaojiao's nervous look. He quickly stepped forward and held her hand: "It's okay. Those are the remnants of Li Linfu's forces who wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to ambush and kill us. Now they have been captured. Let's continue on our way. The villa is ready."
The carriage started again, moving faster this time.
Lin Jiaojiao leaned against Ling, looking at his tense profile, feeling relieved.
She knew that for this day, Ling had not only arranged substitutes and beauties, but also secretly mobilized the Yulin Army. Every step was calculated precisely to avoid any accidents.
After about an hour's journey, the carriage finally stopped at the gate of a villa.
The villa was hidden deep in the bamboo forest at the foot of the mountain. There were guards of the Imperial Guard at the gate. When they saw Ling's carriage, they immediately let it pass.
Ling helped Lin Jiaojiao get out of the car and walked into the courtyard. There were a few plum trees planted in the courtyard. Although they had not yet bloomed, they already exuded a sense of elegance. In the west wing of the main house, there was a newly made seven-stringed zither with the luster of paulownia wood. It was obviously prepared by Ling specially for her.
"I bought this villa last year, and no one knows it's mine." Ling said with a smile, "There's a small study in the back where you can keep your revised rice paper. It's convenient for copying music or practicing. When I finish dealing with the affairs of the Eastern Palace, I'll come here to accompany you."
Lin Jiaojiao walked to the west wing, gently stroked the piano with her fingertips, turned to look at Ling, her eyes slightly warm: "Thank you, Ling."
"Between us, you're welcome." Ling walked over to her and hugged her gently. "Next, there's something more important. I want to take advantage of Emperor Xuanzong's obsession with beauty to slowly undermine his power."
Lin Jiaojiao was stunned for a moment: "Isn't this too risky? What if Emperor Xuanzong of Tang finds out?"
"Unnoticeable." Ling's eyes were filled with a hint of certainty. "Now, he only thinks about having fun with beautiful women every day. He even lets Gao Lishi approve memorials. I just need to control the military and government affairs. By the time he realizes it, he will be alone. By then..." He paused, his voice very low, "As long as he 'caught a cold' and gradually became seriously ill, no one would suspect anything."
Lin Jiaojiao was shocked but did not refute. She knew that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was willing to sacrifice his son and covet his daughter-in-law for the sake of imperial power. Such a person was not worthy of sympathy at all.
In the evening, Zhao Heng arrived at the other courtyard and reported the situation to Ling: "Your Highness, the substitute has been stabilized in Taizhen Temple. He only copies scriptures and practices the qin every day, exactly the same as Taoist Master Yang's previous habits. The nun in charge and the middle-aged nun have no suspicions. In addition, the beauties in the palace have reported that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang will not attend court today. He has also asked the court officials to deliver the horses sent from the Western Regions to the East Palace first, asking you to 'select a good one for him'."
Ling nodded, a hint of a sneer on his face. "Very good. Go and make some arrangements. Have the Imperial Guards use 'training' as an excuse to move more around the capital. Let the court officials know that the military power is now in my hands. As for Li Linfu's confidant Cui Lin, after you arrest him, don't deal with him immediately. Wait until you find evidence of his corruption, then expose him in front of the court officials. Let everyone know that following Li Linfu will not end well."
Zhao Heng agreed and turned to leave.
Lin Jiaojiao looked at Ling and asked, "What can I do for you in the other courtyard?"
"Just stay here and do what you like," Ling said. "Occasionally, you can write some music. I'll have it sent to the palace music house, claiming it's a 'new folk music'. I'll have them play it for Emperor Xuanzong. This will not only make him feel 'peaceful under heaven, with time for music,' but also help him relax his guard."
Lin Jiaojiao smiled, walked to the table, picked up a piece of rice paper that she had corrected, and wrote the last melody of "Bamboo Catkins".
Ling walked up to her, looked at the notes she had written, and whispered, "Wait till tonight, play it for me. I haven't heard the complete "Bamboo Catkins" yet."
"Okay." Lin Jiaojiao nodded.
As the night deepened, the candles in the courtyard lit up.
Lin Jiaojiao sat in front of the piano, plucking the strings with her fingertips. The melody of "Bamboo Catkins" flowed slowly, gentle and peaceful.
Ling sat beside her, listening quietly, his eyes full of tenderness. The bamboo forest outside the window swayed gently in the moonlight, as if accompanying this secret plan.
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