Chapter 97 Tianyin Temple
After bidding farewell to the Grand Tutor, Zhao Youchen escorted the royal carriages westward, the wheels rolling forward in circles.
Xiao Qing sat inside, feeling drowsy. He casually touched his waist and sleeve pockets, and found both the brocade pouch containing the lion-head jade and the small bamboo tube with hidden secrets beside him, which immediately made him feel a little more at ease.
Grand Tutor stood on the city wall of the west gate of Nanhua City, watching their departing figures gradually disappear. Finally, he turned around and walked down the city wall step by step, heading towards the heavy palace wall.
Inside the palace walls, Xiao Yan placed Xiao Xiao on the small table in front of him, trying to get it to accept his feeding.
He has always believed that cats are sentient beings.
Before this, when he teased it in the small garden, it would play well with him, but now it was being stubborn, and deep down it still didn't want to pay attention to him.
Even if he takes it to see its former owner every day, is that not allowed?
"Look, you see, your former owner is ignoring you now. You haven't eaten anything since last night, is it really that hard to accept the food I'm offering?"
He rested his chin on one hand and held a small fish in the other, seemingly unconcerned about the unpleasant fishy smell that might linger on his hands.
But Xiao Xiao lay sprawled on the table, lazily squinting her eyes, and didn't come closer.
Cats are animals that love freedom, but Xiao Yan insisted on keeping it by his side every day, often holding it in his arms and not allowing it to move freely.
Liu Yi and Dan Ying can feed it, but Xiao Yan can't.
Xiao Yan wasn't angry at all, and actually compromised, saying, "Dan Ying, you can do it." He then stood up, casually picked up the bowl of small fish he had brought, and walked out.
As he reached the door, he turned back and smiled at Xiaoxiao, saying, "Okay, I can't bear to let you go hungry, so I'll indulge you one more time."
Xiao Xiao seemed to understand, and turned to look at him. Her half-closed eyes opened wide when the corner of his clothes disappeared by the door.
Dan Ying patted its head and sighed inwardly.
Compared to other people, His Highness Yan treated Xiao Xiao quite well.
Aside from needing to be with it day and night, having to hold it in my arms and not let it play by itself.
Sure enough, just as Dan Ying was preparing food for Xiao Xiao, Xiao Yan returned.
He stood by the door watching Dan Ying feed Xiao Xiao, watching Xiao Xiao practically wolf down the food, her whole face almost buried in the bowl, and a faint smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.
Even when life got really bad, he seemed to still remember the little bit of warmth he had found in the cold palace.
Moreover, although he has gone from one quagmire to another, at least he doesn't have to worry about whether he will be hungry and have a stomachache tomorrow, or whether he will be freezing cold on a snowy day.
This is already a stroke of luck for him.
As for the rest, he will get everything he wants with his own two hands, one by one.
Liu Yi announced from outside, "Your Highness, the Grand Tutor has arrived."
Xiao Yan turned around, his face showing a mixture of dependence and joy.
"Grand Tutor!" He strode forward.
At this moment, Xiao Qing's carriage was slowly entering Tianyin Mountain.
Tianyin Mountain is located about ten miles west of the city, and Tianyin Temple is situated on the mountain.
It is a century-old temple that is about the same age as the Nanding Palace.
There is a Heavenly Sound Bell in the temple. It was made from a giant stone from outer space, donated by Emperor Jianshi, and then mixed with fine copper. The sound of striking it is clear, melodious and far-reaching, and it is said that it can be heard even in the Nanding Palace.
Whenever there was an important ceremony at the Nanding Palace, the Tianyin Temple would ring its bell in accompaniment. However, during the Tianhe era, with the abandonment of the Nanding Palace, the Tianyin bell fell silent and never rang again.
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival, during the ceremony to honor the Martial Soul, will feature the rising smoke of war in the Martial Soul Tomb and the resounding bell in Tianyin Temple.
The carriage wound its way up the wide mountain road, and when it reached the halfway point, it arrived at the gate of Tianyin Temple.
The mountain path leading up from the gate of Tianyin Temple is entirely within the temple grounds. It is not only narrower than the path at the foot of the mountain, but also a winding path of bluestone steps. This is not a path for carriages or horses.
Zhao Youchen said from beside the carriage, "Your Majesty, Abbot Jueyan of Tianyin Temple has come to welcome you with a group of monks."
Xiao Qing then ordered everyone to get out of the carriage.
Before they arrived, Fu Mingyi had given them instructions on how to get up the mountain. The royal procession would stop at the entrance of Tianyin Temple.
The temple was quiet, and the group of people arranged their food, clothing and lodging in a Buddhist villa not far from the gate of Tianyin Temple. Zhao Youchen led a small group of people, along with Mingxiu and Ma Hong, to follow Xiao Qing up the mountain and into the temple, where they stayed in the side rooms for pilgrims.
This is for safety reasons, and also for the convenience of arranging the rituals.
Master Jueyan was a kind-faced, smiling, plump monk who exuded warmth even without speaking.
"It is an honor for our temple that His Majesty has personally visited us."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Master Jueyan led Xiao Qing and the others inside, gesturing towards the stone steps as he went, saying, "The sedan chair is ready, Your Majesty, this way please."
On the old bluestone steps, some parts were worn smooth by countless footsteps, while others were cracked and broken. Sure enough, a sedan chair was parked at the bottom of the steps, with four burly martial monks standing beside it.
Xiao Qing looked at it for a while and said, "This road is the Buddhist pilgrimage route, isn't it?"
Jueyan glanced at Xiao Qing a couple more times.
The pilgrimage path is the only way for pilgrims to climb the mountain to worship Buddha. To show their respect and piety, pilgrims will walk up the bluestone steps one by one from the moment they enter the temple gate, worshipping all the Buddhas along the way, until they reach the top of the mountain and see the Heavenly Sound Bell on another mountain peak in the distance. Only then is the pilgrimage complete.
According to custom, it is best to personally go up to the temple to pay homage to Buddha. However, before Xiao Qing arrived, the Grand Tutor had given prior notice. Although he did not say it explicitly, Jueyan could tell that this emperor was young and frail.
His Majesty has come to pay homage to the Martial Spirit on the Mid-Autumn Festival, and will be participating in lengthy and complicated rituals for the next three days. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to conserve His Majesty's energy and strength.
Jueyan has also examined him. This young emperor is thin and frail, with a worried expression on his face. This is not a sign of longevity.
Jueyan suddenly had an idea. He thought of his junior brother who was hiding in the meditation room. Although he seemed a bit unorthodox, his ability to meditate, understand the Dharma, and judge people was far superior to his own.
I wonder if my carefree junior brother will be interested in the little emperor?
The thought vanished in an instant, and Jueyan said calmly, "Your Majesty is of noble birth. Although you follow the Buddhist path, as long as you have Buddha in your heart, whether you go or not is merely a formality."
My junior brother has never been one to follow formalities properly since he was a child. Now that he's grown up, although he still puts on a show in front of others, he's quite lazy in private. Yet, among his fellow disciples, only he has formed a karmic connection with Buddhism and received the supreme lineage.
Xiao Qing nodded, "Even so, as I am new here, I still need to be mindful of formalities."
She glanced at the sedan chair and said, "Let's leave it there for now." With that, she stepped forward and began to climb up.
Ma Hong and Zhao Youchen quickly followed, while Ming Xiuzhui lagged behind, too late to object.
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