Chapter 114 The Guest Arrives
Xiao Qing felt that today was a truly special day.
First, Zhao Youchen took the jade finger she had given him and swore an oath to the heavens, then Yu Zaiting knelt in her carriage and revealed his heart.
To be honest, she's not very good at handling these kinds of situations.
However, having experienced Zhao Youchen's blood oath before, Xiao Qing was able to regulate her emotions somewhat.
She didn't really understand why they did these things and said these things. She thought that the main reason was probably her position and the influence of the Grand Tutor.
But it doesn't matter. She could see that they were truly people who cared about the world and the country. Such people would make many contributions to the nation, and their efforts would improve the lives of many.
Even if she were fortunate enough to realize her wish within those five years—to leave the palace and become an ordinary woman with land, property, and freedom—she still hoped that the era and country she lived in would be stable, prosperous, strong, and free.
She unconsciously placed her clenched fist on her chest, as if only in this way could she bury those feelings for distant times and places deep in her heart.
She helped Yu Zaiting up. "Alright, I'll keep an eye on things. Actually, I should be thanking you all." It was the kindness and sincerity of these people that gave her the confidence and courage to keep going.
Yu Zaiting lowered his head to cover his slightly burning eyes, and when he raised his head again, he clasped his hands and bowed by the carriage, saying, "Please take care, Your Majesty."
After speaking, Yu Zaiting backed out.
Ma Hong had stopped the carriage by the roadside at some point. After Yu Zaiting got out of the carriage, he stood by the roadside with his hands clasped and bowing towards the carriage until it disappeared on the wide official road, its silhouette in the night so dark that even the moonlight could not illuminate it.
Xiao Qing gently lifted the curtain and glanced back, firmly imprinting his figure and the image of Zhao Youchen wielding his sword and cutting his hand in her memory.
The carriage continued on its way. Xiao Qing sighed softly, and Ma Hong, who was sitting by the door, couldn't help but feel a little sentimental as well.
The Grand Tutor always felt that Xiao Qing had an indelible naive kindness in his bones, along with the emotionality and weakness that came with it.
This is not a quality that a wise ruler should possess.
But it is precisely because Xiao Qing possesses such qualities in this position that he is able to give hope and warmth to many people in this cold and cruel era of turmoil, national collapse, and mountain ruin.
The Grand Tutor, who stubbornly wanted to change Xiao Qing's mindset, was also thinking that Xiao Qing in this way was actually more likely to make good friends and win people's hearts.
Amidst the revelry of the palace, Fu Mingyi gently swirled his wine cup, casually conversing with Wang Xiang as they sat side by side. In his heart, a part of him seemed to have drifted away from the imperial city and Nanhua, carried away by the sound of the turning wheels, towards Tianyin Temple.
Inside the Martial Soul Tomb during the day, both Xiao Qing and Jue Yan were focused on the sound of the bell, but Fu Mingyi and many others only heard the bell of Tianyin Temple.
Fu Mingyi smiled at Wang Xiang and said, "The Mid-Autumn Festival is a rare occasion. It's late tonight, the singing and dancing have reached their peak, and the banquet has been lively. Prime Minister, what do you think..."
The two had recently developed a good rapport, so they announced the end of the banquet and went home to reunite with their families.
Wang Xiang and Fu Mingyi walked out of the palace gate together. Wang Xiang said with a half-smile, "The title of Grand Tutor and Imperial Tutor is well-deserved. Every single thing he has done is simply 'good.' If the old master knew, he would be proud of such an accomplished grandson as the Grand Tutor."
Fu Mingyi smiled and said, "You flatter me, Prime Minister. My father often mentions your prestige in Nanhua to teach the younger generation. I still need to learn a lot from you, Prime Minister. Please don't think I am bothering you."
Wang Xiang chuckled, “How could this old minister possibly teach talents like the soul and the pearl of the Fu family? Grand Tutor, you are too modest.”
He quickly apologized, as if realizing his slip of the tongue, and said, "Oh dear, I've spoken too much. It's just that this old minister is too worried about His Majesty. His young son has suffered this national calamity at such a young age, and his mother is not by his side. I was hoping that Consort Ming could help him, but... oh well, never mind, never mind..."
Fu Mingyi was incredibly intelligent; he understood perfectly well what Fu Mingyi meant by those words. However, he simply smiled, exchanged a few pleasantries with Fu Mingyi, and then they parted ways.
Beside the carriage, Fu Mingyi's attendant, Fu Shan, asked, "Does Your Excellency wish to return to the manor?"
Fu Mingyi replied in a low voice, "Take a detour to Tianyin Temple."
Fu Shan didn't ask any further questions, but simply raised his whip and did as instructed.
Just as Xiao Qing arrived at Tianyin Temple, a monk at the entrance, seeing their carriage, came over as if he had expected it and bowed, saying, "Abbot Jueyin is already waiting in the meditation room. This way, please, benefactor."
Ma Hong looked around before helping Xiao Qing down, saying, "You just need to lead the way."
The monk didn't ask any further questions and indeed turned to lead the way.
Ma Hong whispered, "Your Majesty has been working hard lately. The stairs here are difficult to climb. Let me carry Your Majesty."
Xiao Qing was unwilling and insisted on walking, but after walking a short distance, he was indeed exhausted and panting heavily. The monk who was leading the way pretended not to know and continued to walk forward.
"How much longer?" Xiao Qing couldn't help but ask.
“Abbot Jueyin has a meditation room not far from the Tianyin Bell.”
We're almost at the top of the mountain!
Xiao Qing suddenly had no strength left.
“Your Majesty need not worry. I have taken the medicine and am now no different from an ordinary person. Moreover, I am skilled in martial arts and have a strong body. Carrying Your Majesty is not difficult for me.”
In the end, Ma Hong carried her on his back.
Carrying the little Xiao Qing on his back, Ma Hong followed the monks who were walking faster and faster, and in just a quarter of an hour they arrived at Jueyin's meditation room near the Heavenly Sound Bell.
He wasn't indoors, but instead set up a small long table under the cover of night, with three futons. He sat on one, and two were placed opposite him. A set of white porcelain teaware was also on the table.
From a distance, the moonlight shines on the teaware, seemingly casting dappled light on the white porcelain surface.
Ma Hong put Xiao Qing down and stood to one side. The monk who had led the way had already left.
Xiao Qing walked up, wondering if there were other guests.
Jueyin smiled and began to brew tea.
"I haven't brewed tea in a long time, so my skills have become rusty. Please don't take offense, benefactor."
Xiao Qing sat cross-legged on the futon, mimicking Jueyin's posture, and shook her head, saying, "I don't know anything about tea either."
Jueyin smiled, but did not look at her.
Xiao Qing didn't pay any attention. He saw that Jueyin was skilled and the tea soup was clear. Jueyin looked beautiful under the moon, and he couldn't help but rest his chin on his hand and stare at her, somewhat infatuated.
Xiao Qing admitted that appreciating and pursuing beauty is truly human nature. Perhaps this trait was particularly pronounced in her.
Jueyin pushed the small white porcelain teacup over, and Xiao Qing saw the silver rim of the cup and the white porcelain surface that seemed to shimmer with starlight. He found it very beautiful.
"This is Langzhou white porcelain. The craft has been lost. This is one of only two sets of white porcelain in the world."
"What about the other set?" Xiao Qing asked curiously, picked up the cup and took a sip as if she were doing it properly. She didn't know if it was because she was beautiful or because the cup was beautiful, but she found the clear soup to be very sweet.
Jueyin smiled and said, "I am in Langzhou."
He took out the string of bells tied with red rope from his bosom. "This is a protective bell prepared by Jueyin for you. It will not ring normally, but Your Majesty can carry it with you at all times."
Xiao Qing took it and looked at it. She saw that the small silver bell was smooth and elegant in the moonlight. She shook it but there was no sound. She felt a little disappointed, but she liked it more and more as she looked at it. She smiled and said, "Thank you, Abbot. I like it very much." She then put it on her left wrist.
It's a talisman! And it was even blessed by Buddha!
Could this be considered a Mid-Autumn Festival gift?
She thought to herself with delight. "It's only right to reciprocate; I'll pick out a gift for this monk when I get back."
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