Master Jinghui was a genius monk, young in age but with profound spiritual cultivation.
Rumor has it that three years ago, he had already reached the realm of immortality and disappeared from the martial world, with few able to find his whereabouts.
"Huijing's appearance at this time must be due to a divine mandate."
Emperor Jingyuan was very excited.
"Open the altar and invite him and Lady Furry to pray for the well-being of all people."
When the imperial edict was delivered, Song Shuling was at the general's mansion.
Looking at Gu Yurong, whose face was streaked with tears, she sighed.
"Which man doesn't have multiple wives and concubines? Ziyu has treated you well all these years, and this is the first time he's asked to take a concubine. Why are you making such a scene?"
Gu Yurong twisted the handkerchief in her hand, her eyes swollen, her face cold and sullen.
She felt heartbroken because Song Ziyu used to dote on her the only one.
A few days ago, she went to the veterinary clinic and saw the courtesan Aru leaning against Song Ziyu's chest, exchanging affectionate glances and appearing very intimate.
She was so angry that she trembled all over and pulled out her hairpin to slash Aru's face.
Song Ziyu was furious, accusing her of being jealous and even threatening to take Aru as a concubine.
"It would be fine if it were anyone else, but it just so happens to be the courtesan."
She sent someone to disfigure her, but the two had already become enemies, and everyone in the mansion knew it.
"The general taking her as a concubine, isn't that a blatant slap in my face?"
Gu Yurong became increasingly frustrated as she thought about it.
If Aru enters the house, she will definitely see her as a thorn in his side.
"Second sister, please help me persuade the general."
Song Shuling disagreed: "Why are you afraid of a courtesan with no connections and a lowly life whose fate is not in her own hands?"
"In my opinion, you should focus your attention on your belly and give birth to a legitimate son as soon as possible. That's better than anything else."
Gu Yurong's face was pale.
She wanted to give birth to a legitimate son more than anyone else.
It's a pity she'll never have that body again...
It's truly hateful. We finally managed to defeat Jiang Wan, the original wife, and now another concubine has entered the household.
She felt extremely agitated.
Just then, a servant came to report that Emperor Jingyuan had invited Lady Furui to the palace.
Gu Yurong quickly reminded her, "Second Sister, about the imperial merchants..."
"I will find an opportunity to mention it to His Majesty," Song Shuling replied, and hurriedly left.
Gu Yurong tossed and turned, still finding Aru's matter strange.
How did she come up with the idea of getting close to Song Ziyu through warhorses? And who told her about the veterinary clinic?
Someone will surely give you guidance.
Could it be...?
Gu Yurong had a bad feeling.
"Madam!" The maid pushed open the door and rushed forward. "This morning, a servant went to the city gate to collect soup and happened to see the veil of the benevolent lady being lifted by a corner, and it...it looked very much like Madam Jiang!"
"What?" Gu Yurong's hand trembled, and the blue and white porcelain cup shattered on the ground.
Her expression gradually turned ferocious.
The monks at Hanshan Temple actually took the money but didn't do anything, and released Jiang Wan!
Recently, everyone has been praising Shi Tang's good deed. With such a great merit, it's possible that the Emperor will pardon her and allow her to return home...
No, she went to great lengths to drive Jiang Wan away; she absolutely cannot let her come back!
Fortunately, no one knows yet that person is Jiang Wan, so there's still a chance to make a move.
Gu Yurong's eyes darkened, and she said in a low voice, "You, summon the guards of the manor, go..."
At this moment, at the altar of the imperial palace.
Master Jinghui and Song Shuling offered incense and prayed for blessings together, which was observed by Emperor Jingyuan and the Empress.
Master Jinghui was dressed in a kasaya, with a refined and elegant appearance. The pupils in her black eyes were surprisingly golden, which was quite rare.
He gently turned the prayer beads in his hand, chanting scriptures softly, his demeanor natural and composed.
Song Shuling, however, did not understand these things and simply went along with it perfunctorily, putting on an act.
Unexpectedly, when the incense was halfway burned, a sudden gust of evil wind blew in.
The flames circled once and then flew straight at Song Shuling.
"ah!"
Song Shuling screamed, and in the blink of an eye, most of her hair was singed.
Palace servants rushed forward to help, and the fire was finally extinguished.
Emperor Jingyuan was quite frightened, and his face darkened.
Such an event occurring during a sacrificial ceremony is an ominous sign.
"Why is this happening?" he asked.
Master Jinghui glanced at Song Shuling and slowly said, "Heaven has issued a warning that a demon has appeared in the world. His Majesty's nightmares and the plague among the people are all caused by this demon."
Song Shuling was stunned for a moment before realizing that the person was talking about her.
Her eyes widened: "You have no proof whatsoever, what makes you think you can slander me?"
Jinghui remained silent, but lit another incense stick and placed it in front of Emperor Jingyuan: "Please observe this yourself, Your Majesty."
Through the rising white smoke, Emperor Jingyuan's expression flickered as he saw the fiery red nightmare that had been chasing him every night—it was a nine-tailed fox demon, and... it had Song Shuling's face!
He was greatly alarmed. He glanced at Song Shuling, who was covered in cold sweat, and suspicion began to creep into his heart.
"How can we crack this?"
Jinghui said calmly, "The fire fox generates heat, which corresponds to the source of summer heat and epidemic diseases. To eradicate it, we need something extremely cold - the water of the moon."
He twirled the prayer beads a few times, then spoke cryptically.
"May Heaven bless the Great Yong. As early as forty-nine days ago, the Moon Goddess Chang'e sent the Jade Rabbit messenger to help Your Majesty's people overcome this calamity."
Emperor Jingyuan was somewhat confused.
Mentioning the Jade Rabbit, the Empress suddenly remembered... Jiang Wan's rabbit.
A little over a month ago, during the spring hunting season, Jiang Wan also got a rabbit.
And isn't her doing good deeds at the city gate now a way of saving the people?
Everything seemed to make sense.
After considering her words for a moment, the Empress spoke: "Your Majesty, I have heard that there is a lady in the common people who carries a white rabbit and does good deeds by giving out hot water."
Considering that Jiang Wan had been expelled by Emperor Jingyuan, the Empress did not immediately reveal her identity.
“I once passed by and Granny Gui asked me for a bowl of soup.”
Upon hearing this, Granny Gui seemed to remember something and knelt on the ground.
“A few days ago, the two nannies who lived with me both developed high fevers, but I was perfectly healthy. I was puzzled before, but now that Your Majesty has said this, perhaps the soup that day had a miraculous effect.”
She spoke with such conviction that even Emperor Jingyuan had to believe her and ordered an investigation.
The results showed that very few people who drank the ginger soup contracted the plague, and the soup also helped alleviate the symptoms of those who were already infected.
Seeing is believing, and Emperor Jingyuan was also filled with excitement.
"Could it be that the Jade Rabbit messenger has truly come to save the world?"
"Send someone immediately to invite the envoy to the palace. I want to see her true colors!"
At this moment, Jiang Wan was encountering trouble at the city gate.
She was dispensing hot water as usual when a group of people suddenly rushed out of the city, claiming that her cooling soup was poisoned and had killed people.
They came aggressively, smashing the stall with sticks. The onlookers, who were indignant on behalf of Jiang Wan, were also beaten.
This is utterly lawless.
"You say I've harmed people, but do you have any physical evidence or witnesses?" Jiang Wan frowned slightly.
"Of course! My brother was killed by your soup!"
"That's what the leader said arrogantly."
"Want a witness? Go find him yourself when you get to the underworld!"
His eyes flashed with malice, and he pulled out a dagger from his pocket, slashing it toward Jiang Wan's face.
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