Buddhism originated in India, yet monks in the Central Plains did not adopt the Indian practice of begging for alms.
Most people in Great Zhou devoutly believed in Buddhism. Since the previous dynasty, the imperial court had vigorously supported Buddhist monasteries, granting funds for temple construction, providing for monks, and bestowing land and privileges—all of which were common practices.
Over the years, temples in Great Zhou had accumulated considerable wealth.
Nearly every major temple had a group of tenant farmers tilling its land. Besides leasing land, courtyards, ritual instruments, and Buddhist scriptures, temples also lent money to outsiders and collected interest.
This led to a situation where Buddha competed with the common people and the court for profit, which explained the folk saying, "Of the world's wealth, Buddha claims seven parts."
Dongsheng had been trained from the start as a personal attendant to his master. Such individuals were clever and eloquent.
As he spoke, the inexplicable nervousness he felt standing before Xiao Jingxi gradually faded, and his words flowed more smoothly: "...This humble servant believes that before the imperial court's official decree to reduce the military is issued, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion should take the lead in reorganizing the army, allowing some soldiers to 'lay down their arms and return to farming.' After all, with so many temples in Yanbei, there should be no worry about supporting these capable soldiers."
Xiao Jingxi looked at him with a hint of amusement. "Aren't you afraid Buddha will punish you?"
Hearing this, Dongsheng replied solemnly, "We are all followers of Buddha. The venerable one would not favor one over another!"
Xiao Jingxi couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Dongsheng looked at him, his gaze tinged with renewed nervousness. "Second Young Master Xiao, do you think it's feasible?"
Xiao Jingxi lowered his eyes slightly, his slender, pale fingers tapping lightly on the chessboard before him. Dongsheng's heart raced with uncertainty.
Suddenly, Xiao Jingxi smiled faintly. "Though somewhat fanciful... with careful planning, it might not be entirely impossible."
Dongsheng's eyes lit up.
"Did you come up with this yourself?" Xiao Jingxi asked casually.
Dongsheng glanced at Xiao Jingxi and lowered his head. "This humble servant thought of it."
He couldn't possibly implicate the young mistress.
Xiao Jingxi tilted his head slightly, his playful gaze sweeping over Dongsheng. His gentle smile was like the warm winter sun, yet it carried an elusive quality. He spoke slowly, "In that case, it seems you won't be able to return to serve your master anymore."
Dongsheng's face paled at these words. He looked at Xiao Jingxi and asked uncertainly, "What does Second Young Master Xiao mean?"
Xiao Jingxi smiled gently and replied calmly, "Since you had the courage to come and offer me your advice, from now on, you shall be by my side. Isn't that the principle of 'a loyal servant does not serve two masters'?"
Dongsheng fell silent for a moment, then decisively knelt on one knee before Xiao Jingxi, bowing respectfully. "This humble servant, Dongsheng, pays his respects to his master."
He had originally prepared himself for death. This outcome was already the best he could hope for—at least his master would not be implicated, and his own life was spared. Still, when he thought of Li Tianyou, the master he had served for so many years, his heart felt a pang of sorrow.
Xiao Jingxi was slightly surprised by his decisiveness but soon smiled gently. "Go and bid farewell to your master. Tomorrow, come and find my attendant, Tong He."
Dongsheng obediently acknowledged the order and respectfully withdrew.
Outside the window, thunder and rain intertwined, filling the air with the fresh scent of earth and grass.Dongsheng strode into the rain without hesitation. The raindrops struck his face and head, yet he seemed oblivious. His not particularly robust figure was resolute and determined, quickly vanishing from sight.
"Someone come," Xiao Jingxi said calmly.
His voice was not loud, easily drowned out by the rain outside. Yet, within moments, the attendant Tong He pushed the door open and entered. "Young Master, what are your orders?"
Xiao Jingxi picked up the letter Dongsheng had earlier placed on the kang table and, without even glancing at it, handed it to Tong He, who hurriedly bowed to receive it.
"Give this to Tongde and have him handle it," Xiao Jingxi's casual voice echoed in the room.
"Yes," Tong He responded. Seeing that Xiao Jingxi had no further orders, he withdrew once more.
Xiao Jingxi turned his head and gazed quietly out the window, his dark, jade-like eyes holding emotions no one else could decipher.
After leaving Xiao Jingxi's villa, Dongsheng did not return immediately. Instead, he first went to White Dragon Temple.
Ren Yaoqi had just finished her evening meal and was sitting silently with Ren Yaohua in the western wing room, drinking tea.
When she heard the matron sent by First Madam to guard the gate say that the uncle had sent someone to find the Fifth Young Miss, Ren Yaoqi immediately thought that Dongsheng might have news.
She set down her teacup and instructed the matron who had come to announce the visitor, "Take him to the southern room in the front. I will be there shortly."
Ren Yaohua looked at Ren Yaoqi and asked, "What did you ask him to do for you? Don't you have anyone around you?"
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "It's nothing major. I just wanted him to find some small trinkets for me. It's more convenient for him outside, and the people at home might not be able to buy what I want. I'll be back soon."
Ren Yaohua then left her to it.
Ren Yaoqi, accompanied by two maids, walked along the corridor to the southern room. Several matrons on duty were sitting there, and upon seeing Ren Yaoqi enter, they quickly rose to bow and withdrew.
Dongsheng was completely drenched, but he paid it no mind. When he stepped forward to bow, Ren Yaoqi nearly got splashed by the water from his sleeves.
After sending Pingguo and Sangshen to guard the door, Ren Yaoqi motioned for Dongsheng to follow her into the inner room to speak.
Being away from home and with few people around, there were fewer cumbersome formalities.
"Have you met with Xiao Jingxi?" Ren Yaoqi asked directly, looking at his disheveled state.
Dongsheng nodded silently. "I repeated what you told me, and he has agreed to help us cover up this matter."
Ren Yaoqi's heart, which had been hanging high, finally settled, and she couldn't help but show a hint of joy on her face. "Does he think it's feasible?"
When Ren Yaoqi had shared her thoughts with Dongsheng, she wasn't sure if the plan would work. She was merely taking a gamble.
Dongsheng nodded. "Second Young Master Xiao said that with careful planning, it's not impossible."
As Ren Yaoqi's worries eased, she also noticed something off about Dongsheng's expression. She asked keenly, "Is there something else that didn't go smoothly?"
Dongsheng shook his head, his expression downcast. "Nothing went wrong, but... I can no longer serve by the master's side. Second Young Master Xiao wants me to follow him from now on."
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback and asked curiously, "You're going to be an attendant for Xiao Jingxi?"Dongsheng nodded again. "That seems to be what he meant. He asked me who came up with that strategy. I answered as we had agreed, saying it was my own idea. Then he said I could no longer serve by my master's side in the future."
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and sighed softly. "That's still better than losing your life. As for Uncle's side..."
Dongsheng pursed his lips. "This matter was brought on by myself. Now that it's resolved, I don't want to trouble my master. Fifth Miss, could you please not mention this to the masters? Let them think I'm dead. I was just a servant by the young master's side, only skilled in serving others, and my martial arts are poor. Without me, there won't be any change for my master."
Ren Yaoqi fell silent upon hearing this.
In her previous life, Dongsheng had left without a word. In this life, he had gone to Xiao Jingxi's side. She wondered what circumstances he had faced in her past life.
She knew that most of the people from her maternal grandfather's household had not signed indentured servant contracts, so they were free to come and go as they pleased. Yet, they would not easily betray their loyalty.
"Will you go back to bid them farewell?" Ren Yaoqi asked.
Dongsheng nodded. "I still need to kowtow to my master. Since I can no longer serve by his side, I must... I must at least say something." As he spoke, this grown man suddenly choked up.
He felt somewhat embarrassed and covered his face with his wet sleeve, taking a while to recover.
Ren Yaoqi didn't know what to say. Logically, serving by the side of the Second Young Master of the Prince of Yanbei was certainly better than following Li Tianyou. However, Dongsheng and his group were different. Many of them had lived their entire lives for the sake of Xianwang Residence.
What Ren Yaoqi couldn't understand was why Xiao Jingxi insisted on taking Dongsheng to his side. He couldn't possibly be unaware of these people's loyalty to Xianwang Residence.
Dongsheng rubbed his face with both hands. "Take care, Cousin. I must take my leave."
Ren Yaoqi nodded. Originally, she had wanted to ask him to inform her if Xiao Jingxi made any progress regarding the matter of the hidden troops in the temple. But considering that Dongsheng would now be Xiao Jingxi's man, and knowing that masters most despised disloyalty from their subordinates, she held back.
If Xiao Jingxi truly adopted her suggestion, she would eventually notice the movements.
After all, that method was merely a diversion and couldn't truly deceive everyone.
Dongsheng withdrew.
Ren Yaoqi also stepped out of the southern room and happened to meet Qiu Yun and Yun Wenfang passing under the eaves.
As Dongsheng emerged, he briefly crossed paths with them, hurriedly bowed, and then rushed back into the rain, disappearing into the distance.
Qiu Yun watched Dongsheng's retreating figure, stroking his chin with a smile. "Where did that servant come from?"
Ren Yaoqi replied, "My uncle had a message for me to relay to my mother, so he sent someone from his side. Cousin and Young Master Wen, where are you headed?"
Qiu Yun glanced at Yun Wenfang and answered with a smile, "I heard that the Second Young Master of the Xiao Family is recuperating nearby. Zishu is taking me to pay him a visit. Oh, Third Cousin is also coming. We're waiting for him here."
Just as he spoke, they indeed saw Ren Yijun approaching from the corridor of the eastern wing, followed by a servant chasing after him with a thick cloak, trying to persuade him as he ran.
For someone like Xiao Jingxi, most people wished to make his acquaintance, and even Ren Yijun was no exception."However, he rarely meets outsiders, so don't get your hopes up too high. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him many times myself," Yun Wenfang said lazily.
Thank you to Yanweifu6806, Xiangling Feixuan, angeljiang_s, Mimi.An, totol510, Shuiyu Linglong, angeljiang_s, dear readers for your pink votes~
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(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian () to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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