Chapter 378 Dharma Assembly
Chu Zhengfei said, "There have been too many monks entering the pass these days, at least eighty or a hundred a day. There are also quite a few white-robed monks. I just don't know which one the young mistress is asking about. Does he have a name, Dharma name, and where he practices?"
"...?"
Both of them were stunned upon hearing this.
For a moment, they didn't care about names, Buddhist titles, or where they practiced. Yuwen Ye frowned and asked, "How come there are so many monks entering the pass?"
Chu Zhengfei laughed and said, "It seems that the Second Young Master and the Young Madam are unaware that there is a Dharma assembly in Daxing City on the fifteenth of August—that is, the day after tomorrow. Monks from all over the country are invited, and the news has already spread to the surrounding prefectures and counties. In recent days, monks from all over the country have been rushing to Daxing City. Before, they crossed the pass in groups every day, almost blocking the pass. Moreover, the imperial court has also granted them free food and lodging in the prefectures and counties along the way, which almost emptied the granaries of Tongguan. In the last two days, most of them have arrived in Daxing City, and there are fewer people passing through."
Shang Ruyi frowned and said, "We stopped in Yanyue City before, how come we didn't know?"
"this--"
Chu Zhengfei was stunned for a moment and couldn't answer. Yuwen Ye, on the other hand, pondered for a while and said, "Before, it was probably because of the war in Dongdu that the news couldn't get through. When we came here, we took the back roads and didn't see anyone, so we didn't hear the news."
Shang Ruyi nodded, then looked at Chu Zhengfei and asked, "But where was the Dharma assembly held?"
"It's a Buddhist ceremony at the royal temple, Daiyan Temple."
What is the purpose of this Dharma assembly?
"Purpose……"
Speaking of this, Chu Zhengfei's face showed a strange expression, and he said with a half-smile, "One purpose is naturally to preach and spread Buddhism."
Yuwen Ye asked, "And the second one?"
Chu Zhengfei did not answer immediately, but instead glanced at Shang Ruyi cautiously.
That one glance deepened the gloom that had already risen in Shang Ruyi's heart; she seemed to have vaguely guessed something.
After a long silence, Chu Zhengfei cautiously said, "The second is—the late emperor."
"...!"
Upon hearing those two words, Shang Ruyi's breath caught in her throat.
Yuwen Ye's expression also darkened.
I see.
In fact, Chu Zhengfei's previous words were merely a deliberate attempt to conceal the true purpose of this Dharma assembly. At this moment, given the current state of affairs, holding the assembly had only one purpose, a single, unparalleled one—
The late Emperor Chu Yang!
Although Yuwen Yuan had already enthroned Prince Zhao, Chu Chengfei, as emperor after occupying Daxing City, and nominally honored Chu Yang of Jiangdu Palace as the Retired Emperor, effectively rendering him powerless in the eyes of the people, the Retired Emperor was still the Retired Emperor and retained the dignity of an emperor. Moreover, since news of his passing had spread throughout the land, the new emperor who succeeded to the throne had to make a gesture.
This Dharma assembly was held for him.
Yuwen Ye also understood why Chu Zhengfei had given Shang Ruyi such a strange look just now.
Now that news of Chu Yang's passing has arrived, it is clear that the information Wang Shao and others attached to this news has also become known to the people of Daxing City—Shang Ruyi murdered the emperor!
Therefore, in the eyes of the world, Chu Yang died at the hands of the young mistress of the Yuwen family.
And now, the imperial court is going to hold such a Buddhist ceremony...
I wonder what will become of Shang Ruyi.
Yuwen Ye glanced down at the person beside her. Although she seemed to be trying her best to appear calm and indifferent, her dim eyes and the slightly trembling fingertips hanging at her side could not lie.
Without making a sound, Yuwen Ye reached out and gently took her hand.
"...!"
Shang Ruyi was startled and looked up at him.
Yuwen Ye didn't look at her, but said to Chu Zhengfei, "Since there is such an important matter, we cannot be negligent. If we can get back in time to participate in this Dharma assembly, that would be good."
A look of surprise appeared on Chu Zhengfei's face: "Second Young Master and—Young Madam, are you going too?"
Yuwen Ye replied, "Of course."
Chu Zhengfei glanced at him, then at Shang Ruyi, who seemed to have calmed down.
Although Yuwen Ye never looked down at her, the warmth from his palm gradually calmed her down. Shang Ruyi even took a deep breath, raised her head, and smiled, saying, "Of course we should go to such a Dharma assembly."
"..."
Chu Zhengfei looked at them with a complicated expression.
After a long pause, he smiled and said, "Since that's the case, I will prepare a carriage and new horses tomorrow to ensure that you two have a smooth journey and arrive in Daxing City before the fifteenth of August."
Yuwen Ye said, "Then, I will thank General Chu in advance."
Chu Zhengfei immediately said, "Second Young Master, you flatter me."
So the three of them raised their glasses again and drank together.
That night, they drank quite a bit, but when Yuwen Ye brought Shang Ruyi back to the room, the two of them, still reeking of alcohol, were calmer than usual. In fact, when Shang Ruyi sat in front of the bronze mirror and removed her hairpins, her eyes, reflecting Yuwen Ye's image, were incredibly clear.
Yuwen Ye also looked at her through the mirror.
The two stared at each other for a long time, both seemingly having something to say, yet remaining silent.
After a long silence, Shang Ruyi finally spoke first: "Then the Dharma assembly—"
"Don't worry."
Yuwen Ye sat on the couch in the room and said in a deep voice, "Now that Father is the Grand Chancellor, although Dayan Temple is a royal temple, holding a Dharma assembly still requires the court's permission. This matter must have been approved by him."
"..."
"Since he agreed, there's nothing to worry about."
"..."
Shang Ruyi looked up at the mirror, her gaze shifting to the hand resting on his knee.
Just now, when I heard the purpose of the Dharma assembly, it was that rough yet warm hand that grasped me, conveying its warmth and calming me down.
At that moment, even just a glance at his large fingers seemed to bring her a sense of peace.
So he nodded.
But after a moment of silence, she couldn't help but ask, "Have you ever thought about who proposed holding this Dharma assembly?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Ye seemed to pause for a moment.
He looked at Shang Ruyi's eyes reflected in the bronze mirror, remained silent, and did not speak.
But actually, this question is not difficult to answer. Since this Dharma assembly is a grand event of Buddhism, it is naturally the Buddhists who proposed to hold this Dharma assembly.
However, this question is also somewhat difficult to answer—
Who is this Buddhist person?
As the two remained silent, the night deepened.
Under the cover of night, a group of riders left Tongguan and hurriedly headed towards Daxing City.
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