Chapter 91 Qingshan

Inside Pudu Temple.

Because another murder happened nearby, there were few visitors to Pudu Temple. When Ming Huashang came in, she was immediately warmly received by the nun. Pudu Temple specially assigned a young and handsome nun to follow Ming Huashang, serving her and answering her questions.

Ming Huashang naturally would not refuse the young and handsome monk. She first went to the Main Hall to burn incense to the Buddha. She didn't know if Ming Huashang was short-sighted, but she always felt that the Buddha with gorgeous clothes and a crown on his head was different from what she usually saw.

Ming Huashang asked: "Young Master, who is this venerable?"

The young nun put her hands together and introduced him, "This is Vairocana Buddha, which means "bright and shining" in Sanskrit, so the people in the Central Plains also call him the Great Sun Tathagata."

Ming Huashang said "Oh" slowly, and asked humbly, "What about these people?"

Vairocana Buddha was sitting cross-legged on a thousand-petaled precious lotus platform, his hands in the Buddha seal, his body covered with flames, his face androgynous, more like the bodhisattva in Ming Huachang's impression. There were four Buddhas on both sides of Vairocana Buddha. The novice monk would stop and pay respect to each Buddha, and then said devoutly: "This is the Treasure Appearance Buddha of the Joyful World in the South, this is Amitabha Buddha of the Western Paradise, this is Amitabha Buddha of the Eastern Fragrance Accumulation World, and this is the Subtle Sound Buddha of the Northern Lotus World."

The little nun introduced the incarnations and mantras of the Five Buddhas one by one. Ming Huachang did not believe in Buddhism, so she seemed to understand these Buddhist words, but she still listened carefully and showed full respect.

After coming out of the main hall, Ming Huashang asked to walk around the area, and the little nun agreed to accompany Ming Huashang to stroll around the Pudu Temple. Ming Huashang looked at the halls one by one and asked, "Little Master, why are there so few people today?"

The little nun said with a sad face, "Donor, you don't know, a dead body was found on the official road not far away. People in the city said that they met with misfortune because they came to Pudu Temple. Many pilgrims are unwilling to come. Four years ago, it was already affected. Now, there are even fewer customers."

Ming Huachang pretended not to know and responded softly, then asked innocently, "What happened four years ago?"

"The daughter of an official came to Pudu Temple to burn incense, but somehow she ran to the forest behind the temple and met with an accident there. Her father insisted that our temple was unlucky, and several of my fellow apprentices were even arrested and questioned as suspects, but they were finally released when nothing could be learned." The little nun complained, "This time it's even more outrageous. A female donor left the temple after burning incense and was killed on the official road back to the city, and they can actually blame us."

Ming Huashang asked tentatively: "When did the female donor leave? Could it be that she left too late and encountered bandits?"

"On the tenth day, there was a ritual in the temple, with people coming and going. It was very busy. We were busy setting up the altar and chanting sutras. How could we notice when a female pilgrim left? Moreover, the ritual ended at the hour of You. We sent all the pilgrims away, closed the door and cleaned up the altar. All the brothers and sisters can testify to this. We packed up the scriptures at the hour of Xu. Everyone was very tired. After eating the fasting meal, they went back to their rooms to rest. The temple door was closed the whole time. It was not dark at the hour of You, so we definitely had time to return to the city. How could we know why the pilgrim stayed outside the city and died?"

The young nun didn't say it explicitly, but her words implied that the victim was a prostitute. Maybe she was not careful enough to hang out with others and missed the opportunity to return to the city, so she was killed. It had nothing to do with Pudu Temple. Ming Huashang heard it, but she didn't express her opinion. She pretended to be concerned and asked, "After the temple closed, would someone secretly open the door and go out?"

"Impossible." The little nun said with certainty, "All the keys are in the hands of the abbot. After the room is locked every day, everyone must stay in the room to do their homework and are not allowed to go out without permission. The abbot is highly respected and has disciples practicing with him. He will not do anything to show favoritism."

Ming Huashang was lost in thought. Pudu Temple was driven away at the hour of You, which meant that Chu Jun had left at the latest at the hour of You. From the hour of You to the hour of Xu, everyone in Pudu Temple stayed together and could testify against each other. After the hour of Xu, the gate was locked and only the abbot had access to the key. Ming Huashang had just met the abbot of Pudu Temple. He looked to be in his seventies or eighties, thin and slender. It was unlikely that he had the strength to kill a woman and chop off her legs.

Could the murderer not be from the Pudu Temple? Then why did he commit crimes around the Pudu Temple?

Ming Huashang couldn't figure it out, so she continued to ask the little nun questions. She asked in surprise, "If that's the case, then why do people outside say it's Pudu Temple?"

"Who would know?" The young nun said with a bitter face, "Our temple has no name or title. It was built thanks to the donations of donors. There were not many people who came to worship here. I don't know who has offended us and we have to suffer this kind of misfortune. After that incident four years ago, the abbot had no choice but to change the name of the temple. It's been so long and the rumors have been spread again. Someone must be behind this."

Ming Huashang also felt that the topic of the serial killer suddenly became popular in Chang'an, but from what the little monk said, it seemed that someone was maliciously stealing their incense. Ming Huashang did not understand Buddhism, and did not understand the circles between the Buddhist temples in Chang'an, so he pretended to be filled with righteous indignation and fanned the flames, saying, "Yes, it is unreasonable to blame you without any evidence."

She complained along with the little nun's words, observing her expression all the while. Finally, she casually asked, "Little Master, if you want to solve the rumors, you have to know where the crux lies. The case a few days ago had nothing to do with Pudu Temple, but what about the one four years ago? Could it be that you missed something four years ago and were misunderstood by outsiders?"

The little nun frowned and said, "The victim four years ago was the daughter of the chief priest of the Imperial Academy. We were busy supporting her, so how could we neglect her? But she had a strange personality. Every time she came to the temple, she didn't like to go to the main hall to listen to the sutras. She always took her maid to worship Buddha alone in the private room and never asked us to disturb her. That day, after she came to the Buddhist temple, she went to her usual private room as usual, then closed the door and dismissed the servants. We took it for granted and went to receive other pilgrims. We forgot about her when we were busy. Later, the Huang family suddenly broke in, and we realized that she was still in the temple. The abbot hurriedly led people to the private room and found that the doors and windows inside were intact, but she was gone."

Ming Huashang asked, "Were the lights on in the house at that time?"

The little sister shook her head: "No, the room was dark, so we thought she was gone."

The doors and windows were intact but no one was seen, so she must have walked out on her own. Ming Huashang asked, "It's impossible for such a big person to disappear out of thin air. Did no one see her leave the house?"

"This is exactly what we can't explain." The little monk said, "No fellow disciples noticed her, and we really don't know when she left. Because of this, the brothers were suspected of lying and were interrogated by the government."

Ming Huashang noticed that the nun said that Huang Caiwei had a private room in the temple, and maybe she could find some clues by going there. Ming Huashang casually asked, "Do you provide private rooms for guests in your temple?"

The little nun was not surprised by this and led her to the east road: "It's here. There are often pilgrims coming to the outskirts of the city to practice meditation. They don't want to be disturbed, so the abbot cleans up the rooms for the guests to worship Buddha alone. But the rooms are limited, so you have to tell the abbot in advance before you come. As long as there is a spare room, the abbot will clean it up and provide it to the guests for free."

Ming Huashang nodded as if he was being taught. In his heart, he knew that the monk said it was free, but he would definitely give priority to pilgrims with great merits. To put it bluntly, he still had to donate money to Pudu Temple. Ming Huashang walked in the corridor and said softly, "Young master, why are the roads in your temple built in circles, just like the courtyard?"

"You have good eyesight, benefactor. This is the result of donations from guests. My master originally practiced in Linggan Temple. After he attained enlightenment, he moved here to start his own business. Later, he accepted several of us as his fellow disciples."

At that time, Buddhism was popular, and many nobles in the court donated their houses to Buddhist temples. Even princesses and princes often did so. I think Pudu Temple was like this. It was originally a residence, but was later donated to the Buddha and renovated into the Pudu Temple today.

Ming Huashang said, "Pudu Temple actually came about in this way. The kind person who donated the house is truly a great benefactor. May I ask which family he is from?"

"The Zheng family." The little sister mentioned it specifically, "It's the Zheng family of Xingyang."

Ming Huachang understood immediately. It turned out to be the Zheng family of Xingyang, one of the Five Surnames and Seven Famous Clan. No wonder. At this time, she looked around the house and saw high eaves and heavy door thresholds. It was quite ancient. No wonder so many people were willing to come here to practice.

Ming Huashang walked through the garden and exclaimed: "This garden is so beautiful."

"After all, it is the old residence of Zheng family in Xingyang. The atmosphere of the noble family is here, so it must be good." The little nun seemed to be honored. Once she started talking, she couldn't stop. "Look, my lady, this is the courtyard dedicated to educating girls. There are locks at every step and strict access control. It is worthy of being a noble family with strict etiquette. The residence of Zheng family in Xingyang is rare. Many ladies like to come here to worship Buddha and get a taste of their atmosphere."

Although the aristocratic families no longer have real power, it does not prevent them from looking down on the royal family, especially the princesses of the Li family who are not faithful to their husbands and show off their status. The women of the Five Surnames and Seven Famous Clan are proud of not showing their teeth when they smile and not showing their feet when they walk. This solemn and lofty courtyard is indeed very similar to the place where they raise their daughters.

Ming Huashang asked, "Is Miss Huang's chamber also here?"

"Exactly."

Ming Huashang was just thinking of what excuse she could use to naturally ask which courtyard Huang Caiwei had lived in, but when she turned a corner, she saw a courtyard door that was closed with a yellow seal on it.

...Okay, now Ming Huashang knows where it is.

Knowing the location, the next thing was much easier. Ming Huashang politely thanked the little nun and said that she wanted to walk around the garden by herself. The little nun clasped her hands, chanted a Buddhist name, and turned away. After seeing the little nun walk away, Ming Huashang immediately walked back to the seal and looked at the word "seal" on it thoughtfully.

Zhaocai saw Ming Huashang didn't move for a long time, and asked curiously, "Madam, what are you looking at?"

Ming Huashang stared at the seal in front of her and said to Zhaocai mysteriously, "Do you want to know what's inside?"

Zhaocai got goosebumps when he heard this and shook his head quickly: "My lady, please don't do anything rash. This is where the dead once lived. The government has sealed it off. You can't go in!"

Ming Huashang snorted and said, "It's just a piece of paper. We can just stick it back. If you don't tell me and I don't tell anyone, who would know that we were there?"

"Really?"

Ming Huashang was stunned when she heard the voice behind her. Zhaocai was even more frightened and turned around hurriedly: "Second Master? Why are you here, my wife..."

Ming Huazhang came at some point. He stood behind them with his hands behind his back, wearing a scarlet official uniform that looked like river flowers reflecting on the water or red leaves in the frosty sky. He was a cold and sharp beauty. He glanced at Ming Huachang, who was timid and didn't dare to look at him, and asked without knowing whether he was happy or angry, "What's wrong with her?"

Zhaocai looked at Ming Huazhang's expression and dared not say anything more. People in official uniforms are different. Erlangjun used to be like three inches of snow on the eaves, cold and beautiful but not stained by dust. Now he is like the moon in the ninth heaven, majestic without anger and awe-inspiring.

Ming Huashang quietly gestured to Zhaocai, who looked at Ming Huashang helplessly and walked away silently. After Zhaocai and the others walked away, Ming Huashang approached with a playful smile and said sweetly, "Brother!"

Ming Huazhang was unmoved and asked casually, "What did you just say you wanted to do?"

Ming Huashang didn't dare to say that she wanted to remove the seal of Jingzhao Prefecture. She smiled, her eyes moved quickly, and she tried to think of a tricky excuse: "I... I want to say that this courtyard is well sealed. You are worthy of being my second brother. You even thought of such a place! I was planning to walk around and see if there is anything I missed."

Ming Huazhang still had no emotion in his eyes, he just looked at her without saying a word or smiling. Ming Huachang felt guilty, she laughed dryly twice and changed the subject stiffly: "Second brother, why are you here? Where is the Jingzhao Yin?"

"After asking about the progress of the investigation, the Jingzhao Yin returned to the government office to handle official business. I remember someone promised me to be cautious and not act rashly, so I came in to take a look."

Ming Huashang's eyes quickly scanned Ming Huazhang, and she carefully hugged his arm, saying eagerly: "Second brother, it is really not easy to investigate the case and deal with the pressure from your superiors. Second brother, I found some clues in the yard. Will you accompany me to take a look?"