chance encounter
Because of the Buddhist ceremony at the temple, most of the monks went to the main hall, and the courtyard was quiet and deserted. Walking back from the back mountain, Mu Qing stopped and looked around under the Bodhi tree and by the pond.
The water in the pool is drawn from a mountain stream, and white waves surge at the inlet built of black stones, where a fish swims happily nearby.
"This mountain bream is quite big."
Mu Qing couldn't help but sigh, estimating it to weigh seven or eight pounds.
Xiao Yu stopped with her, glanced back, and asked, "Is it an edible fish?"
"Yes, the mountain bream has few bones, lots of meat, and an extremely delicious flavor."
"I didn't know you had such a sweet tooth. Seeing a lively, jumping fish makes you think of how delicious it must taste."
"It was clearly His Highness who asked that, so I..."
Mu Qing said irritably, when she heard voices coming from not far away.
“Benefactor, this is Bodhi Monastery.”
A monk appeared at the entrance of the Moon Cave; he was the elderly monk who had been chanting sutras and praying for blessings earlier.
Upon seeing the figure in the green robe accompanying him, Mu Qing's heart skipped a beat.
The person who arrived was none other than Zhong Linlan.
Upon seeing the people in the courtyard, Zhong Linlan bowed at the entrance and said, "Your Highness, Miss Lu."
Xiao Yu was also quite surprised and asked, "Today is not a day off, why has Imperial Censor Zhong come to Xuan Yin Temple?"
Zhong Linlan walked to the corridor by the pool and stopped a few steps away to answer.
“There was a case last December where the perpetrator was apprehended and is awaiting execution in the autumn. However, his family recently came to the yamen to plead their innocence. Before the crime, the perpetrator had stayed overnight at Xuan Yin Temple, and I have come to inquire about this matter.”
Xiao Yu sized up his respectful expression. "Last year's case, and you're here this year to plead your case? You must have heard that Imperial Censor Zhong is very perceptive, saw through the fake magistrate, and investigated Imperial Censor Qin's case."
"I dare not take credit." Zhong Linlan lowered his head slightly. "As an imperial censor, when I hear someone cry out for justice, I only know to analyze the case and check the evidence to prevent innocent people from being wronged."
Xiao Yu showed his approval, "Imperial Censor Zhong has the heart of a child and the ability to investigate cases; he is truly a talented man. I sent people to investigate before, and I apologize for any offense I may have caused. Please do not take offense, Imperial Censor Zhong."
Zhong Linlan bowed and declined, "I must thank Your Highness for this matter. It was because Your Highness sent people to my hometown to investigate that I realized that the prefect might be an imposter."
Go back to his hometown to investigate? Mu Qing, who was standing quietly to the side, looked at Zhong Linlan, only to see him with his head lowered and eyes closed, as if nothing had happened.
“That’s good. But I never doubted Censor Zhong’s background. I was just curious about him, but I didn’t expect to cause such a stir.”
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the person before him lost his mother in childhood and his father in adolescence. Most of his family property was squandered by his father, and the remaining property was seized by his uncle. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth but ended up living in a poor neighborhood. Yet, he still had the perseverance to bury himself in his studies and diligently cultivate himself.
Xiao Yu secretly admired him. Seeing that he remained calm, he couldn't help but say, "Imperial Censor Zhong has finally overcome his hardships. He shouldn't be too attached to the past."
Zhong Linlan looked up and asked, "What is Your Highness referring to?"
Seeing the light in his eyes, which showed neither flattery nor fear, and a surge of indescribable emotions, Xiao Yu couldn't help but shake his head. "I admit I was being nosy, Imperial Censor Zhong need not take it to heart."
Zhong Linlan replied, "Your Highness's words make sense; are you referring to my cousin?"
He didn't mince words, so Xiao Yu spoke frankly: "I heard that your cousin is not a good match, yet you can't forget her, and even now you have no intention of getting married, which is really a pity. Of course, when it comes to matters of the heart, outsiders are all outsiders, but I have a bit of a meddlesome habit, so I can't help but say a few words."
Suspicious, they sent people to investigate the women Zhong Linlan had known in the past. They learned that only one cousin had ever sought refuge with him. At that time, she was sixteen years old, had pockmarks on her face, and was arrogant and rude, which made her unpopular. However, when others took advantage of her misfortune, she did everything she could to protect him.
After Zhong Linlan passed the imperial examination, he took good care of those he had befriended when he was poor and lowly. He also cared deeply for his cousin who had once protected him. Even after he entered the capital and became an official, he still entrusted the neighbors to look after the old house and keep an eye on whether his cousin, who had eloped with someone because she could not bear the poverty, would return. He regularly sent letters to inquire about her whereabouts.
Xiao Yu greatly admired such a kind and righteous person. Unfortunately, the person who went to investigate revealed his whereabouts, which caused some unnecessary discord.
At this moment, Mu Qing pinched her palm in her sleeve, afraid that she would make a sound.
Zhong Linlan stood not far away, looking at the prince, but out of the corner of her eye, she clearly saw him.
When she was at his house, she stayed under the guise of being his cousin, and the neighbors all knew it. The prince sent people to investigate, but how much did they find out? However, the prince treated her as always, and certainly never imagined that she was that "cousin."
Mu Qing was determined to play the fool, but when Zhong Linlan spoke, she felt uneasy.
“Your Highness is right, but one’s feelings cannot be controlled at will. I have been determined to be with her ever since I set my mind on her.”
Xiao Yu sighed, "Judging by age, your cousin is already twenty-one this year. If she marries and raises children with someone else, wouldn't you end up with nothing?"
Zhong Linlan said solemnly, "No matter what, I have no regrets."
Seeing his sincere words, Xiao Yu was moved and smiled, saying, "I wish you all your wishes come true."
Mu Qing felt her hair stand on end. She glared at Zhong Linlan from beside the young prince, only to see him glance at her as he thanked her.
His expression was calm, seemingly humble, yet his words were a blatant attempt to take advantage of the young prince's ignorance. He said it right in front of her; if the young prince were to learn the truth someday, he would surely feel fooled and hate both of them. How cunning and treacherous!
Mu Qing was indignant but could not vent it. He could only watch as Zhong Linlan followed the monk to the side room, his figure disappearing at one end of the corridor.
"Qingxue," Xiao Yu called out from the front.
Mu Qing snapped out of her daze and followed in response.
Xiao Yu turned to look at her and saw only a pair of eyes peeking out from behind the veil, with long, dark eyelashes that subtly concealed her thoughts.
He asked softly, "Are you moved to learn that Imperial Censor Zhong is deeply in love with his cousin?"
Mu Qing controlled her emotions, her tone revealing a hint of disdain: "He talks a good game, but who knows what he's really like?"
Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Imperial Censor Zhong is handsome and talented, and has the Emperor's trust. He has a bright future ahead of him, and many people have come to him to propose marriage. But for the sake of his cousin who has disappeared, he is willing to offend people and refuse them all. He is still unmarried. This is not just lip service."
"Your Highness thinks too highly of him." Mu Qing felt annoyed and rambled on, "Perhaps he doesn't want to be married because he doesn't want the constraints of a wife at home, perhaps he prefers homosexuality, or perhaps he has some hidden illness..."
"Cough, cough, cough cough!" Aunt Ning coughed dryly from behind.
Mu Qing turned around and saw Ning Gu covering her mouth and looking at her. She immediately realized that she had said the wrong thing and asked in a muffled voice, "Ning Gu, what's wrong?"
Ning Gu lowered her handkerchief and said, "It's just a slight ache in my throat, nothing serious, Miss, you don't need to worry."
Mu Qing offered a few words of concern as usual, completely forgetting what he had just said.
Xiao Yu smiled faintly and remained silent.
Inside the Buddhist hall, the curtains were drawn, and the room was filled with a clear light. Several sticks of incense were already burning in front of the Buddha statue, and the occasional sound of paper turning could be heard.
After the Third Madam finished copying another chapter of the Mandarin Dictionary, she looked up and saw Princess Duanjing, dressed in a greyish-white lay Buddhist robe, sitting at a table not far away, still copying the sutra.
They were both young ladies in the capital. The Third Madam came from a marquis's family and associated with many nobles, while the Princess of Duanjing came from a military family and associated with mostly the families of soldiers. Although they knew of each other, they rarely interacted. When they arrived in Weizhou, they met face to face because of their children's marriages, which can be considered as meeting an old friend in a foreign land.
Looking at Princess Duanjing, the Third Madam saw that her temples were slightly gray and her face, weathered by time, was serene and detached, and she felt a pang of sympathy.
This daughter of a military family, who was once a spirited and energetic woman who played football, is now, in her forties, as serene as her title suggests, sitting in this Buddhist hall and copying scriptures with a proper posture.
Her family had fallen on hard times, her husband had died young, and this once cheerful woman had spent many years alone, raising her young children to adulthood. In her loneliness, she turned to metaphysics, which is beyond reproach.
The third wife looked at the copied scriptures in front of her and sighed softly.
Princess Duanjing looked up at her, "Why did Su Niang sigh?"
"It's nothing." The Third Madam concealed her dejected expression, a smile playing on her lips. "It's just that I never imagined back then that I would be copying scriptures here with the Princess Consort."
Princess Duanjing smiled and flipped through the copied scriptures on the table. "One more is needed to make up the total. Have you finished copying it?"
The third wife had already finished copying them; the earlier copies were just for accompanying her.
She nodded and said, "Your Highness can take your time copying it. Anyway, Qingxue and the Prince haven't returned yet."
I had previously arranged with Princess Duanjing to go to Xuanyin Temple to copy scriptures after the city gates opened, hoping to take the opportunity to let my daughter get closer to Princess Duanjing. I didn't expect the young prince to come as well, which is not bad.
Xuan Yin Temple was a large temple. Mu Qing and the young prince walked around half of the temple and returned to the Buddha Hall after burning an incense stick.
Seeing Princess Duanjing standing before the bronze basin where the paper still had embers, Mu Qing held her breath and stepped forward to pay her respects.
"Your Highness, how have you been lately?"
"Everything is fine." Princess Duanjing smiled at her. "Qingxue looks as energetic as before today."
Mu Qingliang smiled and said, "Thanks to Your Majesty."
Princess Duanjing was actually quite easy to get along with every time they met, but Aunt Ning always told her to be careful and gave her a lot of pointers, which made her feel uneasy.
The Third Madam encouraged her to be bolder, saying that Princess Duanjing was a straightforward person and there was nothing to worry about as long as she didn't show any displeasure.
Mu Qing couldn't tell who was more reasonable, so she listened to both, dealing with them carefully, but without worry.
Princess Duanjing looked at her and thought she was simple-minded and had a pleasing personality. But after all, she had been kidnapped and wandered for more than ten years before returning home. What an unlucky child she must have been. It always made people wonder if she would bring disaster upon herself after marrying into the royal family.
A person's fate is determined by both destiny and luck. She fell seriously ill just before her wedding day, and her appearance has not yet recovered, which shows that her luck is still very bad.
Hearing her say that it was thanks to her, Princess Duanjing couldn't help but frown. Then she saw her son standing next to the unfortunate girl, trying to make her turn around and laugh.
Oh well, I guess I'll just have to pray for more blessings.
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