Chapter 44 Chapter 44 Worship
"Isn't it Jiang Jieyuan's death anniversary in a few days? I'll go with you to pay tribute to him."
Du Lingjing didn't know where to put the bamboo leaf in her hand. When she heard him say this, she looked up in surprise.
He walked over, his dark pupils were like thick ink that could not be dissolved, and Du Lingjing was slightly stunned.
"If you don't mind, I can go by myself that day."
She thought that she was already very grateful that he had taken the initiative to mention it and said it to this extent, and there was no need for him to really accompany her to worship Sanlang.
After all, Sanlang had nothing to do with him, and because of previous events, their relationship was quite delicate.
But he looked at her and laughed, "It seems that Quanquan thinks I'm joking with you."
Du Lingjing did think so, but he said no, "I have already arranged a place for worship. Jiqingfang is the closest to Guangji Temple. Let the abbot set aside half a day for us."
Guangji Temple is an ancient temple from previous dynasties. After it was burned down in the war, it was not rebuilt until the last years of the previous emperor. The previous emperor attached great importance to this kind of ancient temple. It was considered a half-royal temple. It was very popular and the abbot was an accomplished monk.
She didn't expect that he had already made arrangements and occupied half a day in Guangji Temple.
She stood there in a daze, not knowing what to say for a moment, and just stared at the person in front of her.
At the beginning, his attitude towards Saburo didn't seem to be like this.
When they first met, the implication in his words was that the past was gone and she should forget about him.
Those words made her feel uncomfortable, and because she didn't want to get married, and didn't want to marry him, she called Sanlang "house husband" in front of him many times.
She naturally intended to secretly resist him, as if Sanlang had not left yet, but he forced her to marry him.
But he changed his attitude. Not only was he not angry, but he apologized and comforted her softly.
She thought that he still cared a little bit, so she didn't want to mention the matter of Sanlang's death to him, but he actually took the initiative to speak up.
Most of the time she didn't know what he was thinking, but he could always see through her mind.
"My Lord, you don't have to..."
There is no need to be so lenient.
Du Lingjing wanted to finish saying this to him, but he interrupted her halfway with a smile.
"It's not strange for your current husband to worship your previous fiancé with you. On the contrary, if I don't allow you to go, or avoid mentioning it, it will make our marriage seem improper, isn't it?"
Du Lingjing never thought that he had thought so much about it. She looked at him with more surprise.
The man's face was serious, his brows were relaxed, and he looked at her, allowing her to look at him.
Indeed, he married her three years after Sanlang passed away. Even if she had married Sanlang and mourned for him for 27 months, the mourning period had already expired.
What's more, she was unmarried at that time, and he met her in the past six months, and he married her based on the imperial decree.
Du Ling thought calmly, who would dare to say that he is not legitimate?
She had to say, "My Lord, you think too much."
He didn't say anything for a moment, just pursed his lips slightly and turned his eyes to the palm of her hand.
In her palm was the bamboo leaf she had just picked up.
He did not mention the bamboo leaves, but said, "We go to Guangji Temple to pay tribute to Jiang Jieyuan, so we should have one of his relics."
That's true, Sanlang is far away in Qingzhou, and there is not even a tomb for him in the capital. But bamboo leaves are not enough to be his relics.
But because she left Qingzhou in a hurry and had no intention of staying in Beijing at that time, and had already gotten married, she did not bring any of Sanlang's things with her except the lamp.
She was thinking about the lamp, and he just mentioned it, "Madam, do you think the lamp is suitable?"
Du Lingjing thought for a moment and said, "If that lamp is fixed, then forget it. We can look for another one."
That lamp accompanied her for a long time...
The man nodded when he heard this, but immediately called Chong'an over.
He asked directly, "Madam, is the lamp fixed?"
When Chong'an heard the sudden question, he blinked a few times.
Originally, it would only take half a month to find a lamp maker from Xi'an, but that day the Marquis privately told him not to rush.
Since the Marquis said there was no rush, he delayed for some time. It was almost the twelfth lunar month, and someone from Xi'an was going to deliver something to the Marquis's Mansion. He then mentioned the matter of the lampmaker, and now the lampmaker should be arriving soon.
It will only take a few more days to repair it.
But at this moment he looked at the Marquis and blinked quietly.
He replied that he had not, "I haven't found a suitable craftsman yet, I'm afraid I'll have to wait until after the New Year."
Chong'an replied, and Lu Shenru looked at his wife.
Are you willing to give it up? This lamp will be placed in Guangji Temple as a relic for a whole year.
But the light was broken.
Du Lingjing also knew that the light was not on. Although she didn't know why it suddenly went off, she could not use it if she kept it on.
She lowered her eyes and said, "Forget it, there's no need to find someone to repair it. Just use this lamp."
After the words fell, the man's eyes completely relaxed.
Chong'an took the order and went down. Lu Shenru stepped forward and held his wife's hand.
He said that it was rare for him to have some free time, so he went to the back garden and said, "Looking at the sky, it looks like it's going to snow. Why don't we have a banquet at Soseki-tei tonight?"
This winter is very dry, and the first snow only fell in Beijing today.
When it first snowed in the capital, he would hold a banquet in the Soseki Pavilion, the highest point of his mansion, to enjoy the snow.
Du Lingjing found him funny again. Those literati who were steeped in poetry and books might not understand this kind of elegant pastime of romance as well as he did.
Seeing her smile softly, Lu Shenru also quietly placed the bamboo leaf in his hand on the window frame outside the room.
The wind blew gently, and the bamboo leaves flew up and flew into the wind.
Under her long eyebrows, her eyes seemed to contain snowflakes, shining quietly.
Lu Shenru held her hand tightly in his palm.
She asked him, "My Lord, aren't you afraid that even if you hold a banquet in Shushi Pavilion, you won't see the first snow in the capital?"
Isn't it a bad strategy to wait in vain?
The man laughed, "Does my lady really think that I'm waiting for the first snow in the capital?"
It's her...
She was stunned, her face seemed to turn a shade of crimson, and she avoided his scorching gaze.
"Oh, it seems that what the Marquis is waiting for is a prosperous harvest, a peaceful sea and a peaceful world. You are worthy of being the Marquis."
But as soon as he finished speaking, the man laughed out loud.
He said, "Madam is the one who always cares about the peace and prosperity of the country and the people. Even if she has no merits or hard work, she has worked hard with her heart."
As soon as she finished speaking, she opened her lips slightly, and between her soft lips, she seemed to have not expected that he would flatter her and make fun of her for only saying nice things and thinking that she had done a great deed just for her idle thoughts.
The man even lowered his head and smiled.
She was much more naive than those old men who mocked him in the court every day.
But the stunned look on her face when she just recalled the previous person had disappeared. She couldn't argue with him, so she turned and walked aside.
He didn't stop her, but as soon as she took a step forward, a crystal white petal was blown over by the wind and landed on the tip of her nose.
She looked at the first snow in the capital on the tip of her nose, then turned to look at him.
“Is it really snowing?”
The man's eyes were smiling.
"Then do you still have any concerns about holding a banquet at Shushi Pavilion?"
He asked, and saw her pursed her lips and looked up, "My Lord, you always get what you want."
These words made Lu Shenru stunned, and he looked into her eyes.
If this is true, then it is God's will.
... ...
In the evening, at the Yongding Marquis' Mansion, the white first snow covered all the pavilions and towers. The snowy scenery was pleasant, and Marquis Lu personally brought his wife to the banquet.
This first snow fell for two days in a row. The whole capital was covered with snow, which changed the color of the city towers and gates. From a distance, the majestic and vast imperial city seemed a little more mellow, as if it was wearing a warm, fluffy snow-colored coat.
Two days later, when the snow stopped, it was the third anniversary of the deceased's death.
In Hongluo Temple, Jiang Fengchuan changed into plain clothes and went to the temple with Concubine Jiang to pay tribute to the deceased.
However, before he left the guesthouse, he received a message from a young monk.
The young monk said that Guangji Temple was also offering sacrifices to Jiang Jieyuan today. "It was Marquis Lu's wife who wanted to go, and Guangji Temple was closed at noon today."
Madam Lu.
Jiang Fengchuan was not used to hearing this name, but she didn't say anything. It was good that she hadn't forgotten that today was the anniversary of her third brother's death.
He called Uncle Hui over and told her that he had found out about a Song Dynasty book for her. "I have already paid for it. The book will be delivered tomorrow. Uncle Hui, please send it to her along with the two jars of mountain spring water that the abbot gave me. Doesn't she like to use spring water to make tea?"
He didn't do anything bad this time, he just gave her books and spring water. Uncle Hui saw that he was much more serious and didn't bother the girl anymore, so he kept saying good things to her.
"The spirit of the Third Master in heaven will be very pleased that the Sixth Master can have a normal relationship with his wife."
Jiang Fengchuan snorted twice.
As long as she can remember the third brother and not forget the old one just because she has a new one, he will naturally be willing to get along well with her.
However, thinking that Guangji Temple had kept her door closed for half a day, she couldn't help but ask the little monk a question.
"Mrs. Lu is well looked after by the abbot of Guangji Temple. He even went so far as to close the door and personally welcome her."
The little monk even said that it should be so, "I heard that Lord Lu is also going with us."
After the words fell, Jiang Fengchuan was slightly surprised.
"Did I hear correctly? Is he going too?"
What the young monk said was correct. Uncle Hui saw that Jiang Fengchuan looked unhappy and quickly sent the young monk away.
He said, "The Marquis doesn't care about the past between Madam and the Third Master, that's a good thing."
Jiang Fengchuan snorted, "Is he really that tolerant? I'm afraid he's not retreating to advance and win people's hearts, right?"
Uncle Hui didn't know what to say. Fortunately, Nanny Pu sent someone to invite him. Sixth Master didn't say anything more, pursed his lips and went to the worship hall.
*
Yongding Marquis Mansion.
Just as everyone was about to go out to Guangji Temple, Chong'an came and whispered beside the Marquis.
"The wife of the Duke of Wei wants to see you."
Du Lingjing also heard this, but saw the man raised his hand and said, "No."
Chong'an added, "The Crown Prince's wife came here once before, but the Marquis was not at home at that time."
Du Lingjing knew it, but the prince's wife was not looking for her, so Chong'an asked her to come back another day.
She couldn't help but say to the man beside her, "Maybe the Crown Prince's wife has something urgent to do. I will go to Guangji Temple by myself, and the Marquis does not need to accompany me."
Lu Shenru said he would accompany her, "Didn't we agree to go together?"
He said that the wife of the prince of Weiguo was the eldest daughter of the Yang family of the Rongchang Marquis's mansion. "What could she want from me? She just wanted me to go to the emperor and plead for her two brothers who were convicted of murder to spare their lives."
Now Shao Boju cannot escape his serious crime, and the Shao family has also been implicated. Dou Ge Lao and Prince Yong's party have been involved, so they will naturally not let go of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion. They will keep on holding on to the matter of the Yang family of the Rongchang Marquis' Mansion, and demand that the emperor impose heavy sentences on Miss Yang's two younger brothers.
"They are holding on so tightly, what can I do even if I go to the emperor to plead for mercy? Besides, killing someone means paying with one's life, which is only natural." He said, "For now, it's good enough that we can save the Rongchang Marquis's mansion. Miss Yang wants too much, and it's really inconvenient for me to see her."
Du Lingjing understood.
He chose the people of the Fu party and gave up the two young masters of the Yang family. Du Lingjing was in a difficult position to speak on this matter.
Seeing that he had made up his mind, she said nothing more.
The two of them left the house from time to time and went to Guangji Temple.
A small Taoist temple was built for Jiang Zhuxiu in Guangji Temple, where Du Lingjing worshipped.
She looked at the lamp that wouldn't light up no matter what she did, and suddenly she felt that Sanlang seemed to be far away from her, getting farther and farther away.
She felt a little panicky in her heart. She wanted to grab something but couldn't, just like a lamp that couldn't be lit.
Du Lingjing stayed in front of the relics for a long time until someone came up to her and held her shoulders.
She then slowly stood up and saw him also accept the three incense sticks, bowed, and placed the three incense sticks in the incense burner.
Seeing him like this, Du Lingjing didn't want to stay any longer. She turned around and took another look at the lamp that was temporarily stored in Guangji Temple, then turned around with him.
The abbot said a few Buddhist words, something like the dead are gone and the living can rest in peace.
The abbot of Guangji Temple was on good terms with the abbot of Hongluo Temple. He said that Guangji Temple was in the city, "If we want to hold a grand ceremony for Jie Yuan, it would be more convenient to hold it at Hongluo Temple."
Du Lingjing had this idea, but she was not sure whether holding a grand ceremony at Hongluo Temple would disturb the peace of the Queen Mother.
But the man had no such concerns. He directly said to the abbot of Guangji Temple, "Please ask the two abbots to go to Hongluo Temple to hold a water and land ceremony for Jie Yuan again. It would be best if all the activities were as grand as possible, before the New Year. The incense and offerings will be paid by me, Lu."
Every time he made a move, it was a grand water and land ritual.
As soon as he opened his mouth, the abbot of Guangji Temple said "Amitabha" and responded.
Du Lingjing couldn't help but whisper, "Wouldn't it be too much of a fuss to have two abbots preside over this water and land ritual at Hongluo Temple?"
He said that it was okay, "The three-year memorial service for the top scholar is not an ordinary memorial service, it should be like this."
Du Lingjing said, "I'll pay for the incense money..."
Before she finished speaking, the man frowned and looked over, "What do you mean, ma'am?"
"I mean, I mean..." She talked for a long time without saying anything under his fixed gaze.
He said directly, "I have also read Jiang Qianyun's essay, which was the first place in the provincial examination. It is very insightful and enlightening. Can I use this as a small token of my respect? Madam, do you not allow it?"
Du Lingjing didn't expect that he had read Sanlang's articles. He always did things that she couldn't imagine.
But could she still say no?
She said, "No, you are not allowed..."
The man said, "Then you don't have to worry about it."
The two followed the abbot of Guangji Temple and walked around the temple for a while, listened to some Buddhist teachings, and tasted some of the temple's vegetarian food before leaving.
When he was about to leave, Chong'an came to report again.
"My Lord, the wife of the Duke of Wei still wants to see you, and is waiting outside the temple."
Du Lingjing saw him frown, but still didn't respond.
He still refused to see her. "Go and tell her straight, I have tried my best, but there is nothing more I can do."
Murder was already a serious crime to silence the witnesses, and they were accused to death by Dou Ge Lao and others. If they wanted to save the two lives, it would be possible only if the emperor was willing to show mercy and spare Shao Boju and Shao Shi together.
He did not see anyone and returned to the mansion with his wife.
Outside the temple, the wife of the prince of Weiguo, the eldest daughter of the Yang family of the Rongchang Earl's Mansion, did not say anything more after hearing Chong'an's words.
She watched the carriage from the Marquis's mansion silently as the Marquis and his new wife left.
The maid in the room called her, "Madam, let's go back too."
She snorted, "What are you going to do back there? Wait for my two brothers to be beheaded?"
As she spoke, tears of unwillingness fell down.
"My father and my elder brother have worked hard for the Lu family's Yongding Army for many years. Once Marquis Lu married a new wife, he took care of the civil officials in his wife's family and ignored us, his in-laws and old friends... Then what is the point of us helping the Lu family siblings to establish the crown prince?"
She said, "Prince Hui hasn't even entered the East Palace yet. Marquis Lu has already been 'iron-faced and impartial' to us old people. Has the Marquis changed? Has he changed after marrying a new wife? I would like to see what kind of person his new wife is. How can she win over the Marquis in such a way..."
The maid in the room quickly told her to stop talking.
"Madam, please stop talking. It's not right to discuss these things. It would be terrible if others heard it!
The accompanying maid quickly changed the subject, "I just heard that Madam Bo fainted again today. Why don't you go back to your parents' home to see Madam Bo first?"
When Miss Yang heard that her mother had fainted again, she was so shocked that she immediately ordered the car to turn around and head towards the Rongchang Earl's Mansion.
*
Hongluo Temple.
The news that the Lu family of the Yongding Marquis Mansion was going to hold a water and land ceremony for Jiang Jieyuan spread quickly.
Concubine Jiang was stunned when she asked, "It's really too much to ask the two abbots to co-host it."
But this was done with the money from the Lu family, so how could she stop it?
The concubine did not say anything, but the matter reached the ears of Jiang Fengchuan who was preparing for the exam in the guest house.
The young man had just finished writing an article for a while when he stood up and looked through the notes his brother had prepared for the imperial examination last year.
A thick volume of essays and handwritten notes. If he could come to the capital to take the exam, he would definitely pass it with his provincial first place in writing. Maybe he could even take the first place in the provincial examination, and if he could be the number one in the palace examination, he would be one of the top three!
But he couldn't even get out of Qingzhou.
Jiang Fengchuan had just flipped through two pages of the notebook when he heard about this.
"A water and land conference jointly organized by the two abbots?"
The young monk said, "Jie Yuan must have gone to the Pure Land with peace of mind this time."
The young monk didn't know what was going on, but after hearing Uncle Hui's words, he looked at Sixth Master uneasily.
Guo heard Sixth Master say in a low voice.
"Can sending the dead away help the living forget them?"
He said, "Is Lord Lu so anxious?"
Could it be that there is some unknown secret behind this marriage granted by imperial decree?
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