After conversing with Empress Dowager Yide for a while, Jiang Ruan rose to take her leave. Yang Gugu escorted Jiang Ruan to the palace gates and, seeing no one around, lowered her voice to say, "Her Majesty has been in poor spirits these past few days."
"Is she still worried about the Crown Prince?" Jiang Ruan glanced at the palace gates and said, "Yang Gugu, please comfort Her Majesty. The truth about the Crown Prince will come to light eventually. As for His Highness, he is under the protection of the imperial dragon's aura."
Yang Gugu shook her head, seeming to struggle with her thoughts before finally gritting her teeth as if making a momentous decision. She whispered, "Your Highness may not know, but Her Majesty has been acting very strangely these days. After learning of the Crown Prince's misfortune, she took out the court robes and sword she wore during the Eight Princes' rebellion. Last night, she spent hours studying a map of the Eastern Barbarian Country. This servant suspects this matter is related to them. If Your Highness would be so kind, please inform Prince Xiao of this. He might be able to help."
Jiang Ruan stared at her. "This involves Xiao Shao?"
Yang Gugu grew nervous. "This servant has attended Her Majesty for many years. She is decisive and firm, and some decisions she does not share with this servant. But these past few days, Her Majesty has been acting very oddly. This servant has devoted her life to serving Her Majesty, so I beg Your Highness for help. In return, this servant will repay Your Highness in any way possible."
As a senior attendant to the Empress Dowager, Yang Gugu held considerable status in the palace. Even before a princess like Jiang Ruan, she would not normally plead so desperately. Though her words were vague, it was clear the matter was grave. Perhaps Xiao Shao could indeed help—or perhaps Yang Gugu knew something about his background?
Jiang Ruan helped her up and said, "As a princess, I cannot ignore Her Majesty's plight. Rest assured, I will inform Xiao Shao. But Yang Gugu, if Her Majesty shows any further signs of distress, please notify me at once."
Yang Gugu looked at Jiang Ruan gratefully. "This servant thanks Your Highness."
Frowning, Jiang Ruan shook her head and left.
After parting with Yang Gugu, Jiang Ruan headed to the imperial prayer hall. With the Crown Prince severely injured—whether as part of a ruse or not—it was only proper to offer incense and prayers for his recovery. As she approached the hall, she spotted a familiar figure leaving. Pausing, she hid to the side until Jiang Dan had gone before entering.
State Preceptor Huijue sat in the central prayer hall, holding a string of prayer beads, eyes closed in silent meditation. His movements were solemn, his aura serene. Had one not known his true nature, he might have passed for a venerable monk, radiant with virtue and compassion for all beings.
Jiang Ruan stopped before him and smiled faintly. "Master, it has been a while."
Huijue's eyes snapped open. It had indeed been long since he last saw Jiang Ruan. Now firmly entrenched as state preceptor, with his son's condition stabilized by expensive medicines, the power he had once never dreamed of was firmly in his grasp. At times, it still felt like a dream to him.
In Jiang Ruan's presence, Huijue never put on the airs of a state preceptor. He bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness."Jiang Ruan, now the esteemed Princess of Brocade Glory, held a status even more prestigious than her former title of Junzhu. Master Huijue saw clearly how remarkable she was—from a beleaguered legitimate daughter struggling in the Minister's residence to her current illustrious position. Moreover, her uncanny ability to foresee events was enough to inspire awe in him.
"I came merely to pray for the Crown Prince's well-being and to chat with the master about Buddhist teachings. There's no need for tension," Jiang Ruan said as she seated herself at a small table, taking the initiative to pour herself a cup of tea. Smiling at Huijue, who had followed her lead and sat down, she remarked, "There seem to be many visitors coming to pray lately. I noticed Consort Jiang just passed by."
Knowing Jiang Dan and Jiang Ruan were sisters from the same Minister's residence—though unaware of their grievances—Huijue understood Jiang Ruan was probing for information about Jiang Dan. After a moment's thought, he replied, "Consort Jiang has indeed been visiting frequently, almost daily of late. The Fifth Prince has also been coming often. Occasionally, they meet and discuss scriptures together in the meditation room, both being devout followers of Buddhism."
Though Huijue did not spell it out, the implication was clear. Perhaps finding the situation utterly absurd, a flicker of discomfort crossed his eyes.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. The imperial family was no stranger to scandals—affairs between consorts and princes had existed since ancient times. But Jiang Dan and Ye Hua were audacious indeed, carrying out their trysts right in the meditation room. It was truly unimaginable. After all, the meditation room was a sacred Buddhist space; ordinary worshippers would never venture there. As a monk, Huijue would never entertain such sordid thoughts. Unfortunately for them, Huijue was no pure-hearted master—he was a swindler who had clawed his way up from the streets. No one's deceit could escape his notice.
"Such behavior in a sacred Buddhist place is truly disgraceful," Jiang Ruan murmured softly. When she looked up again, her smile was radiant. "Master, I have another favor to ask of you."
...
Magistrate Wang of the Dali Temple worked through the night to investigate the case. The Emperor's wrath could bring death to millions, and with the Crown Prince's life at stake, failure to apprehend the culprit would cost heads. Yet perseverance paid off—someone eventually revealed that while examining the evidence, Magistrate Wang had discovered something unusual about the arrow that wounded the Crown Prince.
The arrow was forged from the finest black iron, its tip lined with densely packed barbs, making it far deadlier than ordinary arrows. Such arrows were exclusively used by the guards of the Brocade Hero King Manor in the capital. The revelation sent shockwaves through the palace. It was said the Emperor rushed to the Dali Temple to oversee the trial personally. This time, Jinying Wang and his consort might not escape unscathed.The rumors circulating in the palace not only involved Jinying Wang and his wife but also included the recently prominent Thirteenth Prince, Ye Pei. It was said that the reason Jinying Wang and his wife plotted against the Crown Prince was because they had conspired with the Thirteenth Prince, aiming to seize the opportunity to elevate him to the throne. Although the logic held some truth, given the current tense political climate in the court, such audacious actions were uncharacteristic. While Jinying Wang had always been a fearless figure, the Princess of Great Peace had never been so reckless before. This made the situation all the more perplexing. Regardless of what people thought, the evidence on the arrow was irrefutable. Anyone connected to this matter, including Jinying Wang and his wife, would not escape unscathed. As for the Thirteenth Prince, once suspicion fell upon him, he would likely lose the Emperor's favor forever.
In the Cining Palace, Empress Dowager Yide tightened her grip on her prayer beads, slowly furrowing her brow. "An arrow from Brocade Hero King Manor?"
"Indeed," Yang Gugu replied cautiously as she massaged the Empress Dowager's legs. "I heard His Majesty was furious and left for the Dali Temple with his entourage an hour ago. He hasn't returned yet. The palace is abuzz with gossip."
"The palace is teeming with more demons and monsters these days," Empress Dowager Yide sneered, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Since they want to stir up trouble, let them. This old woman will see what kind of ending they bring upon themselves."
"Your Majesty means..." Yang Gugu hesitated. "To let this matter be?"
"What are you worried about?" The Empress Dowager lifted her eyelids to glance at her. "Do you think Brocade Hero King Manor is easy to provoke? They might not even see where to strike before being swallowed whole."
Before Liu Min lay an open book, but his words were disjointed and distracted. Finally, even Ye Pei couldn't ignore it any longer. Leaning back lazily, he said, "Grand Tutor Liu, you've misquoted the law again."
Liu Min snapped out of his daze, embarrassed. "This humble official deserves punishment. Please reprimand me, Your Highness."
"You are, after all, my teacher. A teacher for a day is a father for life. How could I commit such an unfilial act?" Ye Pei waved it off, taking a sip from his teacup. Noticing Liu Min's distracted expression, he chuckled. "Still worried about the Princess of Brocade Glory?"
He used "Princess of Brocade Glory" instead of "Brocade Hero King Manor," and Liu Min instantly felt the shame of his secret being exposed. Yet, despite this, he couldn't help but worry. The charge of plotting against the Crown Prince was grave. Even as a rising star in the court, he couldn't recklessly plead for leniency before the Emperor, lest he worsen the situation. His gaze drifted to Ye Pei, who had remained composed since hearing the news, behaving no differently than usual. Despite being implicated, the young prince was unnervingly calm. Liu Min couldn't fathom this youth, but he understood that Ye Pei was no ordinary person—given time, he would surely rise to greatness.
"Your Highness, aren't you concerned about being implicated in this matter?" he asked."The pure remain pure, the tainted remain tainted." Ye Pei curled his lips into a smile. "The Grand Tutor often said not to let external matters disturb one's true heart. How is it you don't understand this principle? Wasn't it you who taught me?" He toyed with the white jade paperweight in his hand and continued, "Moreover, this prince has always believed that the gods watch from above three feet over our heads. Good begets good, evil begets evil—retribution always comes in this world. Whoever does what deeds, heaven sees clearly. One day, the truth will come to light."
His words carried an eerie tone, sending chills down the listener's spine, as if hinting at something more. Liu Min felt that Ye Pei seemed to be alluding to something, yet she couldn't quite grasp what it was.
...
In the Buddhist hall, wisps of incense smoke curled upward. Huijue, clad in a simple red and yellow kasaya, maintained an air of humility despite his high status. His plain attire only deepened the reverence people felt for him, as if he were truly an otherworldly sage untouched by worldly dust. He instructed his disciples to clean the Buddha statues while he personally swept each meditation room. Though he was the state preceptor, he performed these menial tasks without the slightest hint of discomfort, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The disciples and palace maids and eunuchs who witnessed this all remarked in awe: truly a transcendent being, unbound by material status.
Earning fear from a crowd is easy, but earning genuine reverence is far harder. The title of state preceptor is but an empty honor, one that may vanish with the Emperor's changing whims. Only by embedding the image of the Buddha deep in people's hearts—this is the Great Vehicle, and also the height of cunning. Once people think of the Buddha, they first recall this enlightened monk. This is the grandest deception of all—trust.
Huijue slowly passed through each meditation room. The rooms were serene and deep, their curtains filtering out the clamorous sunlight outside, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Chess pieces and wooden fish were arranged on the board, while sandalwood incense burned gently in the shrine, soothing the mind. Each small meditation room was neat and clean, an ideal place for guests to discuss Buddhist teachings and scriptures. Even if one spent the entire afternoon there, no one would disturb them.
Huijue entered the last meditation room and, after a long pause, moved a pot of flowers from the windowsill to a corner. The flowers were as pure as orchids, exuding an air of noble elegance. He then glanced at the sandalwood incense burning in the shrine and lightly flicked his sleeve, as if adding something to it. After a moment, he withdrew his sleeve, fingered his prayer beads, and slowly exited, his expression unchanged, as if he had merely tidied the room.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw a man standing in the hall, dressed in luxurious robes, proud and self-assured. The man offered only a perfunctory greeting upon seeing him. It was Ye Hua.
Ye Hua had never believed in gods or spirits and often criticized how Huijue had ascended to the position of state preceptor through petty tricks. However, since the Emperor was steadfast in his faith in Huijue, Ye Hua couldn't openly oppose him. Still, he held Huijue in contempt, and his attitude was far from respectful.
"Amitabha. The benefactor has come again to pay respects to the Buddha," Huijue said calmly."Fifth Highness, what a coincidence." A clear female voice chimed in at just the right moment—it was Jiang Dan. Spotting Ye Hua, she feigned immense delight and said, "I came to offer incense and prayers for the Crown Prince, never expecting to encounter Your Highness again. Meeting you here so often must be what Buddhists call fate."
Huijue kept his head bowed in silence. Jiang Dan wore a flowing pale pink gown that accentuated her slender figure, while the plunging neckline revealed a generous expanse of snow-white skin, enough to make anyone's gaze linger. With a coquettish smile, she pressed her palms together in a bow toward Huijue and said, "Since we're here, I'd like to finish that unfinished chess game with Fifth Highness. Master, forgive us for troubling you again by borrowing your meditation room."
"The Buddha welcomes all equally beneath his gaze. The Dharma is the true mind; all forms are but illusion," Huijue intoned cryptically. Ye Hua's expression betrayed impatience, so the young monk beside Huijue led the pair to the innermost meditation chamber.
Once inside, they shut the door behind them. The room was far removed from the main prayer hall. In truth, these chambers stood empty most days. While everyone paid lip service to prayers and incense, few in the palace had the leisure for doctrinal debates—they were too preoccupied with scheming. Nor would Huijue volunteer who visited his chambers. This was perhaps the only place in the palace where one could act with impunity.
"Why summon me?" Ye Hua pinched Jiang Dan's cheek, the smooth skin proving irresistible. His grip tightened until a rosy flush bloomed on her fair complexion. She swatted his hand away with mock annoyance. "Stop that. Didn't I ask you here to discuss our next steps?"
"What's there to discuss?" Ye Hua's pulse quickened at her dewy freshness. Memories of their nocturnal escapades surfaced—this woman's innocent facade belied her expertise, enough to daze even a seasoned connoisseur like himself. No wonder the Emperor doted on such a natural seductress.
Noticing his expression, Jiang Dan preened inwardly. She fluttered luminous eyes at him deliberately. "Naturally, about toppling the Brocade Hero King Manor. The palace already buzzes with confirmation—those arrows bore their insignia. We'll heap every accusation on the Xiao family. Your Highness must contribute this time. It's our chance to eliminate both the Thirteenth Prince and that manor in one stroke."
Her words stirred ambition. Ye Hua threw back his head in laughter. "This plan has long taken root in my mind. Why fret? Though as the ancients said, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.' You've nursed this hatred for your sister to the marrow, itching to borrow my blade against her."
Unfazed by the jab, Jiang Dan knew Ye Hua's brashness didn't equate to stupidity. Their relationship wasn't mere manipulation—he willingly played along for mutual gain. Smiling winsomely, she countered, "Would Your Highness cast me aside just for being venomous?"She smiled softly, her eyes seductive as silk. Today, she had taken extra care with her appearance, enough to make one's heart flutter. Ye Hua's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, though he couldn't understand why the incense today felt particularly intoxicating.
Jiang Dan was also restless. The pretext of discussing future plans with Ye Hua was merely an excuse—the real reason was their secret rendezvous. Desire, like water breaking through ice, had become uncontrollable. Jiang Dan was infatuated with the storm-like intensity Ye Hua brought her and had grown addicted to the thrill of secrecy. When human desires grow too heavy, reason falters. Jiang Dan had already lost all reason; even under normal circumstances, she would never have dared to act so boldly. But after repeated encounters, she had grown utterly confident in the safety of the meditation room within the temple. Moreover, with the Emperor away from the palace visiting the Dali Temple and Jiang Ruan likely meeting a grim fate, she felt emboldened—so much so that she had taken the initiative to arrange this meeting with Ye Hua for the first time.
Now, the once-spacious meditation room suddenly felt cramped, the air thick with a scorching tension. Jiang Dan recognized the predatory wildness in Ye Hua's gaze. Slowly, she moved closer, her slender waist swaying like a willow in the wind, every step exuding grace.
She lifted her arms languidly and looped them around Ye Hua's neck.
……
Yet outside the temple hall, the Emperor and his entourage appeared as if descending from the heavens, standing in the main hall. Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan stood together, while Ye Li lingered not far away. Wang Lian'er followed cautiously behind, clearly intimidated by the Emperor's current expression.
Huijue set down his wooden fish and stepped forward, greeting them with a bow. "Amitabha. Your Majesty has come—is it for worship?"
The Emperor waved a hand, his expression softening slightly upon seeing Huijue. "Today, I am not here to worship. I am looking for the Fifth Prince. I heard he is here—why is he not present?"
"The Fifth Prince happened to encounter the Noble Consort while paying respects to the Buddha. They are currently discussing scriptures in the meditation room," Huijue replied with neither humility nor arrogance, causing the Emperor to pause.
A prince and the Emperor's consort discussing scriptures—no one present was a fool, and the Emperor, having experienced such matters before, immediately suspected the worst. Yet he found it hard to believe, given the sanctity of the temple grounds. Perhaps he was overthinking it. Moreover, Huijue was known for his purity and detachment, and the Emperor didn’t wish to reveal his suspicions in front of him.
After only a brief hesitation, the Emperor said, "Take me to see them."
Huijue bowed in acknowledgment, and the group made their way toward the meditation rooms. Ye Li lingered at the back, falling into step beside Jiang Ruan. He smiled at her and said, "The Princess Consort is quite resourceful. Are we about to witness a good show?"
"The same could be said of you," Jiang Ruan returned his smile. "Wasn’t this play arranged by Your Highness? Why ask me?"
Xiao Shao subtly shifted to shield Jiang Ruan from Ye Li's gaze. Unfazed, Ye Li merely smiled and quickened his pace to catch up with the Emperor.
As they reached the last meditation room, the young monk leading the way knocked on the door and announced, "Honored guests, His Majesty has arrived."
There was no response from inside, as if no one had heard the knock. The young monk grew flustered, his voice childishly earnest as he said, "Master, this is definitely the right room."There was indeed no response from behind the door, only faint, intermittent gasps that seemed to be suppressed in extreme agony. Some of those present began to understand. Wang Lian'er's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively glanced at the Emperor's expression. Sure enough, the Emperor's face was livid, the veins on his forehead almost bulging out. Someone had to open that door. Seizing the opportunity to gloat, Wang Lian'er softened her voice and said, "Perhaps they were too engrossed in discussing Buddhist teachings. Why don't we go in and take a look?" With that, she reached out and pushed the door open.
A startled "Ah!" escaped her lips as Wang Lian'er covered her face and stumbled backward, nearly tripping over her own skirt. Jiang Ruan steadied her, and after hurriedly thanking her, Wang Lian'er shakily pointed into the meditation room. "This... this is simply outrageous!" she stammered.
Everyone turned their gaze toward the meditation room, and what they saw confirmed their worst suspicions—no, it was even more scandalous than they had imagined. The chessboard on the small table had been overturned, its pieces scattered across the floor. Clothes lay strewn about in disarray. Two people were entangled on the table, presenting themselves in a most shameless manner before the crowd. Lost in their passion, they seemed oblivious to the approaching footsteps. Only when the cold air rushed in and the pungent scent in the room began to dissipate did the figures above finally snap back to reality. Turning their heads abruptly, their faces drained of color the moment they saw the onlookers.
The Emperor looked at him coldly. At this moment, the woman who had once seemed gentle and charming—so refreshingly natural compared to the deliberate flattery of the other favored concubines—now appeared utterly detestable and shameless. In the Emperor's harem, it wasn’t unheard of for a favored concubine to secretly engage with a prince, but never to such an outrageous extent—to commit such disgraceful acts in the Meditation room, with no sense of shame whatsoever!
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Jiang Dan suddenly snapped back to reality. The coldness in the Emperor's eyes terrified her, and worse, she caught a glimpse of the cruelty unique to those in absolute power. She knew that even in common households, an unfaithful wife would be punished by drowning in a pig cage. How much more so for the ruler of a nation? Jiang Dan's body trembled uncontrollably, her heart nearly leaping out of her throat.
The lingering satisfaction from their indulgence in Gluttony had yet to fade when Jiang Dan abruptly left, much to Ye Hua's displeasure. But as the cold wind outside hit him, his feverish body finally cooled slightly. The moment he heard Jiang Dan's words, his heart turned to ice. Disbelieving, he turned around and indeed saw the group before him wearing expressions of sheer astonishment, as if watching a farce starring the two of them.
Shame, shock, fear, and fury surged through him all at once. Ye Hua, who had always relied on De Fei's influence to get his way, stood frozen in place, utterly at a loss. He meekly uttered, "Father..." before falling completely silent.
(End of Chapter)
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