Chiwuxing

Chapter [-] - Expressing concern, the imperial concubine welcomes the meat relics in person, and expresses her kindness, Zen master bequeathed the blood Bodhi

"Your Majesty, the slave has made an inquiry."

The purple-robed eunuch crawled on the ground, and could only catch a glimpse of the skirt of the woman in front of him.

Avalokitesvara sits with gentle eyebrows and eyes, and Concubine Ni closed her eyes and knelt on the futon below, fingertips kept moving beads, and only said: "Speak."

"At the beginning of this year, Zen Master Zhiyue Haiyin of Jinguang Temple passed away, and his heir, Zen Master Yuming respected his will and cremated his dharma body. The bone relics, hair relics, and meat relics were all rare treasures. Especially the meat relics were for monks in the temple. It is so clear and shiny that I haven’t seen it for many years, and it is now tributed in the scripture cave in the back mountain of Jinguang Temple.” Jiang Hua said.

"Zen Master Haiyin passed away?" Concubine Ni paused her hands, frowned, and said after a long pause, "Your Majesty has been seriously ill this year, I didn't know such a big thing... It's really a sin, a sin..."

Jiang Hua bowed and said: "Your Majesty is worried about Your Majesty, working hard on trivial matters, it is reasonable to be careless for a while, Your Majesty does not need to blame herself."

Concubine Ni squinted her eyes, seeming to be nostalgic, and said: "Many years ago, Zen Master Haiyin came to the palace to teach Buddhism, and he enlightened me a lot... Since then, every four years when the Zen master opened the altar to give lectures, my palace I have to go to hear the teaching... Now I don't know that the old man has gone."

"Your Majesty," Jiang Hua hesitated, "then this matter of asking..."

"Your Majesty's condition is the most urgent." Concubine Ni opened her eyes, looked directly at the face of the Bodhisattva above, and said, "The treasure of the relic... let me go there personally."

"There is quite a distance from the imperial capital to the Jinguang Temple in the border town," Jiang Hua said, "If the empress wants to go there in person, I'm afraid she will have to send an army to escort her along the way. Now that the border is in turmoil, the empress is involved in the overall situation, so nothing can go wrong... "

"I have my elder brother to help me with the affairs of the court, and I can't participate in the rest of the affairs. Now that there is a way to pray for His Majesty's health, I will naturally try my best to do it." Ni Guifei turned sideways and looked back. Jiang Hua said, "For so many years, Director Jiang has done many important things in the palace for me, so this small matter is naturally not a problem."

"Your Majesty is very polite," Jiang Hua said, "It's just that the servant thinks that it is enough for the Empress to show her face by sending a trustworthy girl to the Jinguang Temple. Why does the Empress have to go there in person?"

Concubine Ni sighed softly: "If it's someone else, it's fine. It's just that Zen Master Haiyin has taught me for many years, and going there in person is a matter of etiquette and respect. Zen Master Haiyin is well-known outside the world. If you send someone to ask for his relics at will, it will inevitably be cold. The hearts of all Buddhist disciples..."

Jiang Hua hesitated and said: "It's just that the heavy army in the capital guards the core of the imperial city, so don't move lightly. The red-armored soldiers in the suburbs of Beijing have just set foot on the road, and I'm afraid they won't be able to move for a while..."

"How many people do I need to follow my palace?" Concubine Ni Gui was displeased, and said, "Is it necessary for the entire army to protect me alone? The official roads of the Yan Kingdom are nothing more than bandit leaders, and how can there be others?" How much danger? A hundred people are enough."

"This matter... I'm afraid that this slave has no real power now..." Jiang Hua bowed a little more, and said, "Your Majesty will discuss with Prime Minister Ni? Or the slave will send a message to Prime Minister Ni on behalf of your Majesty, and then discuss it ..."

"Director Jiang was not so procrastinating in the past," Ni Guifei said, "The following matters involve government affairs, and I dare not intervene too much. My brother has a heavy workload, and this matter is not entirely a foreign matter. Think about it Let’s go, Director Jiang should take the lead from the Central Committee.”

After finishing speaking, Concubine Ni picked up her skirt and got up, and the Sanskrit voice at the side stepped forward to support her.

The woman turned back and sat on the couch beside the bed, looked down at the people below, and said, "Jiang Hua, since His Majesty ascended the throne for so many years, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has not been responsible for any matter in the inner court. It is true that I was by His Majesty's side a few years earlier than I am, but with His Majesty's trust alone, do you think you can gain real power in the internal affairs? The money you have earned in these years can be regarded as rumors, but if If you really want to pursue it, I'm afraid you can't handle it even if you have a brain."

"Your Majesty's trust is a blessing for a slave," Jiang Hua's voice became colder, he glanced up at Concubine Ni, and said, "It's just that what your Majesty says now will inevitably make this servant chill."

"How much Director Jiang helped me in the past, I will remember it in my heart, and I dare not forget it," Ni Guifei said, "But now that His Majesty is seriously ill, I have to repent from time to time, and many of my original thoughts have been scattered... I heard that Director Jiang and his elder brother are now reunited, and I am really happy in my heart. There is no need to be entangled in the former court and the harem now... I just hope that His Majesty will recover from the illness earlier and survive this cold winter, and everything will be fine ..."

"Naturally, the slave has always been willing to share the worries of the empress and Ni..." Jiang Hua bowed and gritted his teeth.

Concubine Ni thought about it: "I don't think there is any need to use the key guards on the side of the imperial capital. The Chijia should not have marched yet, so it's better to send a young general with good skills to lead a few hundred soldiers."

"It seems that the empress has already made up her mind?" Jiang Hua raised his eyebrows.

"My palace is incompetent for specific matters," Concubine Ni said helplessly, pursing her lips, "You have been familiar with internal and external affairs for many years, so you can rest assured that this matter is left to you... After entering the palace, there will be very little trouble Elder brother's help, one is to avoid some outside gossip and gossip, so as not to ruin the reputation of elder brother, and secondly, it is also because of Jiang Hua that you have done things properly. When the courtiers impeached you a few years ago, I tried my best to persuade His Majesty... Finally To be punished lightly, I naturally dare not take credit for it, but I also think that I did my best to save it..."

The woman's voice is soft and gentle, which is the unique charm and calmness after fermentation.

"The servant knows," Jiang Hua said, "It's just that it involves military affairs, so it's inevitable that we'll need the help of Prime Minister Ni."

"Your Majesty's illness comes first," Concubine Ni said with a low eyebrow, "I'm sorry to trouble you."

"Your servant takes orders." Jiang Hua raised his head slightly and replied, "If there is nothing wrong, this servant will leave first."

Concubine Ni nodded: "The manager walks slowly."

Jiang Hua bowed and retreated.

As soon as he walked out of the palace gate, the originally stretched skin slumped down, and old wrinkles piled up, covering several deep spots on it.

Zhang Rui came up and put a cloak on him: "Grandpa."

Jiang Hua walked forward quickly with a cold face, and said: "Prepare the sedan chair and go out of the palace."

"Yes." Seeing that his complexion was not good, Zhang Rui didn't ask any further questions.

Jiang Hua's depression was still in his heart, and he was always not going well. The traffic on the palace road gradually thinned out. When he walked to the corridor near the palace wall, he couldn't help but turned to one side and said: "... Zhang Rui, since the incident started a few years ago , our family has been going downhill like this."

"Grandpa, don't talk like this. When the Ministry of Internal Affairs was in power more than ten years ago, as many people came to curry favor with the front, there were also so many people who chewed their tongues and plotted things behind them. Grandpa, you taught me back then. Together, the poor and the lowly are scattered'..." Zhang Rui felt something was wrong while he said, and suddenly realized that he had said the wrong thing, while looking up at Jiang Hua's face slightly, he said tremblingly, "Grandpa Quan should be here and now, and then After a while, many turmoil will pass..."

Jiang Hua remained expressionless, and said: "Your Majesty is seriously ill, and our family relies solely on that old fox Ni Congwen... Huh, this is not waiting for him to use the target. If he has some mercy, he will do our family well in the future. Where to go, if he is ruthless, he can still turn his face and deny people, isn't it rare that he has seen such a thing?"

Zhang Rui persuaded in a low voice: "Isn't the imperial concubine also actively looking for a good cure, all kinds of methods have been used, and His Majesty's side always works..."

"It doesn't matter if you don't mention it," Jiang Hua said irritably, "Let's not talk about the usefulness of the nagging method. She has to go out of the palace at this time, and she has to worry about how much she has to worry about. She really doesn't mind the trouble."

"Going out of the palace?" Zhang Rui was surprised, "Why do you want to go out of the palace? Didn't you just send someone to Jinguang Temple to buy a magic weapon? Why do you have to go out of the palace yourself?"

Jiang Hua snorted coldly: "This old woman, before she left, she still didn't forget to ask our house to set up a shelf for her to collect the stalls... She really is a brother and sister in the same mold, and she is used to these hypocritical tricks!"

Zhang Rui heard that there was nothing he could do, he just said: "...Then where is Grandpa going when he leaves the palace?"

"Go to the Prime Minister's Mansion," Jiang Hua said, "Our family can't stand against Feng Ru, and we are too lazy to come forward to make fun of ourselves. The Privy Council...Ni Congwen has to go. This is our own business, but we want our family to come out and bear a bad name." ... If it is said that this old woman is someone who sincerely worships the Buddha, our family will not believe it."

"After all, it's from the Ni family, just say a few words with grandpa." Zhang Rui persuaded.

"Director." The guard at the east gate of the palace saluted him and moved out of the middle avenue.

The old eunuch's cloudy yellow eyes looked straight ahead, and he stepped out of the palace gate, the silver thread of the purple robe sparkling in the wind.

Thin air was introduced into the woman's nasal cavity, and Concubine Ni's body froze, and she called out to the side: "Sanskrit."

"Miss."

"Light some more sandalwood," Ni Guifei ordered, "Just close the doors and windows, it's getting cold, when will I take advantage of my absence?"

"Yes."

Sanskrit retreated and asked the girls below to close the window. When she turned her head, she saw the Buddhist beads in the imperial concubine's hands, and said, "Why are you worried? Zen Master Haiyin is over a hundred years old, and it is not a tragedy at all. .”

Concubine Ni half covered her eyes and didn't answer.

Sanskrit bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty hasn't eaten in the afternoon, can you ask the slaves to order the dining room to make some snacks?"

"No need," Concubine Ni frowned, and said, "Go and tell the second young lady, I can't make the decision on who will be chosen. If Tang Lan must be identified, I have to inform my elder brother."

"Yes, servant girl, let me go on." Sanskrit took the order.

"Slap." The red sandalwood rosary was placed on the small table, Concubine Ni rested her arms on the table, resting her forehead lightly, her head bowed with a look of worry.

Before a moment passed, the steps of the palace maid outside the door curtain slowly sounded again, and the Sanskrit voice said softly: "Your Majesty, the second young lady is here."

Concubine Ni raised her eyebrows, picked up the Buddhist beads with her right hand, cleared her throat, and said: "...Let her in."

The person's body is wrapped in a bamboo green waist-length skirt, her long temples are curled up, and her makeup is light. From a closer look, she has a slightly similar temperament to that of Concubine Ni.

"I've met my aunt." Ni Chengxin lightly blessed her body and saluted.

Concubine Ni smiled: "Xin'er come and sit down."

Ni Chengxin lifted her skirt and sat on the seat opposite the imperial concubine, and said immediately, "I just heard from Aunt Fanyin that the matter has been completed on Aunt's side?"

"You girl," Ni Guifei said with a light smile, "it's not a child's play to transfer troops, you can't always rely on your father and aunt and I will be self-willed in business..."

Ni Chengxin leaned forward, with a cute smile, and said with a smile: "Yes, yes, Xin'er understands...My aunt loves me the most, and it seems that I have already assigned orders? Xin'er thought, taking advantage of their marching I haven't settled down in the village for two days, but I brought the spiritual objects in time, and also solved some worries for my aunt."

"Auntie is going to visit in person this time," Concubine Ni said, looking away from her niece. There was a red-glazed incense burner in the wooden pavilion, and thin smoke curled up.

"Go personally? Why?" Ni Chengxin couldn't help asking.

"Just in time, what I took was the remnant of the eminent monk who enlightened me many years ago," Concubine Ni said, turning the rosary lightly, "maybe this is also a passing of fate... Zen Master Haiyin passed away, this fact belongs to my palace. Unexpected."

Ni Chengxin's expression on the side changed, and he said, "Auntie doesn't think the journey is tiring?"

"Why?" Ni Guifei raised her eyes and glanced at her, with a smile that was not a smile, and said, "Aunt is thinking of you, why don't you want to see your husband again if you have a chance?"

"My aunt made fun of me," Ni Chengxin said with a smile, "It's about His Majesty's dragon body, and Xin'er doesn't dare to be so selfish and make her own decisions on important matters..."

Concubine Ni glanced at her with a smile, turned her head and paused for a moment, and then said: "If you want to name Tang Lan to do this, you should go back and tell your father that Jiang Hua's road is not accessible here, and he will do other things now." It doesn't have that much power, and that's all that my aunt can help with... It's been so many years, if your father didn't treat you sincerely, why would he follow your heart and let you decide the matter of marriage, it should be earlier So I made a kiss for you."

"He can't hold back my temper," Ni Chengxin frowned, and said to himself, "He has his ambition, and I don't want to force him to come back..."

Concubine Ni Gui didn't answer her words, she stared at the decoration of one side of the palace wall in a daze, her eyes slightly closed.

Ni Chengxin noticed that she was absent-minded today, so she said: "Auntie is tired these days, let's rest for a few more hours in the afternoon, Xin'er will not bother Auntie anymore."

"En." Responding lightly, Concubine Ni seemed to have really fallen into a dream, and stopped talking.

Ni Chengxin raised his eyes to fix the woman's complexion, got up and walked out of the hall quietly.

"Second miss." Sanskrit who was waiting at the entrance of the hall saluted her.

Ni Chengxin nodded, and said with a sudden step: "Aunt Fanyin, I see that my aunt has been mentally exhausted for several days. You should pay more attention to reminding my aunt to rest."

"Second Miss, don't worry, these are the duties of a slave."

"I heard from my aunt that my aunt will go there in person to welcome the Buddhist relics," Ni Chengxin said. "Although there are soldiers from the army escorting me, I don't know them well, so I'm afraid there may be something wrong. Auntie, please remember." Pick a few eunuchs and guards with good skills in the palace to follow my aunt, just in case of accidents."

Sanskrit also thought about it and agreed, and said with a smile: "Second Young Miss's consequences of getting married are really different, she is so thoughtful in everything she does."

Ni Chengxin smiled at her: "Auntie praised her, Xin'er used to run around the house with the skills of a three-legged cat, and knew the danger outside, so she didn't dare to take it lightly."

The Sanskrit voice was pleased, and before he could finish his words, another figure in apricot-yellow clothing walked up the Qingyan Road at the entrance of the hall, and when he got closer, he stopped abruptly.

"His Royal Highness is a thousand years old." Fanyin saluted.

Zong Zhengyi stood a few steps away in a daze, Wen Jun's face seemed to have been weathered for several years, his eyes were slightly black and blue, and he didn't blink at this moment, as if he was about to grab something.

Ni Chengxin was also taken aback when he saw him, and Fanyin lowered his eyes and coughed lightly when he saw this.Zong Zhengyi came back to his senses, stepped forward, turned his head and said in a hoarse voice, "You don't have to be polite, aunt."

Ni Chengxin took the initiative to speak politely: "Your Highness has been in charge of state affairs for a long time, and you should also pay attention to rest."

Zong Zhengyi fixed his eyes on the bridal bun she was pulling up, and heard the woman's words were well-mannered, yet distant, and said shyly: "Thank you for your concern, I will pay attention to it."

Ni Chengxin didn't want to say any more, so he glanced at Fanyin and said, "Cousin, take care, Xin'er will leave first."

Zong Zhengyi froze, and heard a Sanskrit voice saying: "Your Highness, Your Majesty will be taking a lunch break in a few moments. If Your Highness has something important to do, why don't you go in now and say a few words before your Majesty has nothing to do?"

"...Okay." Zongzheng Yi hurriedly responded, and strode into the hall as if fleeing.

The two-day period is only a blink of an eye for the person in the cage, but it is also Jianzi from the outside who has traveled thousands of miles through the air.

"Call-"

The cold weather of winter is gloomy and gloomy, crows and green cloaks are hunting, and a human figure holds the rein and stops in front of the Gaofu gate.

Tang Lan blew the morning dewy cold wind, his face was pale at this time, but his movements were without hesitation, he unsaddled his horse and walked up the steps to the door in a few steps.

When the guard of Xiangfu saw the person coming, he saluted and said, "General Tang Shen, you are back."

Tang Lan nodded towards him, remembering how many times he went through the wall to sneak into the mansion, but now he can finally enter through the central gate.

With a silent sneer, he hurried into the door.

Although the layout of Xiangfu courtyard is complicated, if you are familiar with it, it is only a matter of a few steps.He went straight to the study behind the main house, bumped into the butler in the courtyard, and someone trotted over there to report.

The butler greeted him with a raised step and a smile: "It's time for Tang Shen to come, the master and the eldest son just came back from court..."

Tang Lan didn't stop walking, and only nodded slightly when he heard the words.

When he was a few steps outside the door, he slowed down again, calmed his expression while exhaling, and then stepped through the door.

"came back?"

There were two people sitting one at a time in the study, and the person sitting behind the desk was the one he was looking for, and he spoke at this moment, with a thick beard covering his face, and a neat purple official uniform, just at the moment of pride.

"Benefactor." Tang Lan lowered his eyebrows respectfully, and saluted him with his hands behind his back.

Another young man in the room looked towards him with a faint smile on his lips.Tang Lan caught his gaze in the blink of an eye and added, "My lord."

Ni Chengzhi was amused, and said: "Since we have this relationship now, our identities are different, and my sister-in-law doesn't have to be born here. It's pretty good to call me big brother with Xin'er..."

The cold air on Tang Lan's body has not faded, and he was condensed at this time. During the pause, his eyes turned back to Ni Congwen, and he said in a low voice: "Forgive Tang Lan for being dull, I don't know why I sent my subordinates to take care of this escort."

"I've been thinking about this matter for a long time," Ni Congwen said, "At first, Jiang Hua also handed over the letter. I originally planned to send a young lieutenant general in the army. It is said that such trivial matters don't need to bother... Later, Xin'er Tell me you want to come."

"It's really a coincidence, and now the major and minor matters in the imperial court have to be sent to me to argue..." Ni Congwen paused, and couldn't help but glance at the obedient young man opposite, and then said, "I At first I thought she was messing around again, but after thinking about it, this time the Human alliance made a perfect plan to attack the city, and your absence at the beginning may not be a bad thing, so I sent an order to go over."

"Do you get me?

"Presumably the situation of the battle is already in the eyes of the benefactor." Tang Lan continued.

"Don't you want to be a general?" Ni Congwen asked suddenly.

"But according to the benefactor's order." Tang Lan said.

Ni Congwen smiled with satisfaction: "You listen to me, I have my own way to make you an official and a noble, and command the ten thousand soldiers of the Yan Kingdom."

Tang Lan cupped his hands: "The benefactor is generous, Tang Lan has nothing to repay, and he is willing to put himself in danger, and he will die."

"Just remember," Ni Congwen said with a smile, "Isn't the imperial concubine leaving at noon today? You can go and see Xin'er before entering the palace, she misses you very much."

Tang Lan pursed her lips, and said: "The officers and men are resting in the suburbs, and the empress ordered you to enter the palace and start your journey earlier."

"Well," Ni Congwen said, "then you go quickly, this journey is much easier than marching and fighting, not to mention whether the imperial concubine's matter will have no effect in the end, you are loyal to the country, this can also be credited... When you come back After that, I will go to see the situation in Yizhou when I see you, sooner or later, when you go back, the power is in your hands."

"Tang Lan understands."

"Go."

"Yes, Tang Lan is leaving."

Looking at the back of the young man, Ni Chengzhi couldn't help shaking his head and sighing with a smile: "It turns out that my younger sister likes such a gentleman."

Ni Congwen also sighed: "I have been fighting with a whip since I was a child, and I have no shape... I can't do it with her..."

Ni Chengzhi said: "Father should also be relieved. At any rate, the younger sister's desire to admire King Yu did not come to fruition. If it is true, the younger sister will have to stay alone now. Those who practice martial arts will inevitably have a lot of life and death."

"Tang Lan's life, death and wealth are in my hands," Ni Congwen said, "Since he is obedient, there will be no benefits for him."

"Little sister will be blessed in the future." Ni Chengzhi nodded and said.

Mu Lan quietly stared at the embroidered window sill, hesitated for a long time, made up her mind to go forward, and said softly: "Miss, I just saw red-armored soldiers marching in a group at the end of the street...Young master should have already protected your mother and set off. It’s time to go on a trip, Miss may be able to catch up now when she goes out of the mansion..."

Hearing this, Ni Chengxin's eyes turned from the red plums outside the embroidered window to the sandalwood table in front of her. A broken piano was lying on it, and three of the seven strings were broken. ——

Mu Lan trembled in shock, not daring to make a sound from behind.

"He must still be angry with me," the woman frowned, "blame me."

"Miss's painstaking efforts must be for my uncle's sake," Mu Lan continued, "Besides, my uncle is now rich and powerful, and it cannot be separated from the young lady's credit. My uncle was just confused for a while, and he will always understand."

Ni Chengxin shook his head, unwilling to say more.

The fallen leaves in the courtyard are bleak, flying to the feet of the crowd under the eaves of the street.

The majesty of the Tian family, even if it is a biting cold wind, can't resist the infinite peeping and exploration of it in the hearts of the people.

Gyeonggi soldiers lined up to clear the road on both sides of the street, followed by red-armored soldiers walking slowly on horseback, surrounding the burnt-brown sixteen-carried sedan chair, and a young general in crow-green military uniform and light armor rode his horse independently in front of the sedan chair. Naturally, he recognized that it was the Zhu'er who had been talked about in the Goulan script in Beijing recently, and the East Bed of Xiangfu who jumped up to the Dragon Gate.

The common people huddled in the alley and stared at each other, not knowing why such a big battle was happening, they only wondered when they would have such an opportunity to watch the nobleman's journey.

Groups of guards of honor marched forward in a mighty manner, traveling westward and northward from the outskirts of Beijing, with few stops on the way.

As the sky was getting dark, Tang Lan quickly returned to the queue, and asked beside the sedan chair, "Ma'am, there is a woodland valley stream ahead, can I rest here for the night."

A bare hand lifted the curtain, revealing the tired face of a woman.Concubine Ni Gui forced a smile and said: "You have worked hard all the way, so let's take a rest first."

"It's all what the last general should do," Tang Lan said. "According to the schedule, you should be able to go to the Jinguang Temple by this time tomorrow, and you will be wronged."

Concubine Ni put on a tired smile, and said: "You should go over and rest for a while, you were preparing for the battle, and now I am asking you to do this kind of work, and I will bother you."

Tang Lan said: "The general will be responsible for internal affairs, so please be polite."

A group of people and horses were stationed on the open ground in the forest. The soldiers got off their horses and lit a fire. They surrounded the fire to keep warm while eating the dry food they carried with them.

The sedan chair is wider than the sedan chairs used in daily life, and more people can be accommodated inside.

Concubine Ni held a rosary and prayed with her eyes closed.Fanyin was worried about his rest, but knew that he should not be disturbed at this time, so he sat beside him silently.

At night, the forest is even more silent.

Tang Lan didn't dare to stay away from the imperial concubine and sit in the sedan chair, so he just waited outside the sedan chair with the wine bag in his hand, and occasionally took a sip, his mind cleared up a lot.

"Deputy General Tang," Sanskrit suddenly raised the curtain on the sedan chair, and said, "Your Majesty calls you back."

Tang Lan got up immediately and replied, "Yes."

"You go around here."

When he waited quietly in front of the sedan chair, the curtain was lifted, revealing the face of the noble concubine inside, and he heard her say: "...It stands to reason that if you are married to Xin'er, you should also call Aunt Ben Gongsheng."

"There is a difference between the monarch and his ministers, and the final general dare not."

Concubine Ni looked at him carefully in the sedan chair, and said: "I don't know much about military affairs, I only heard that you were chosen by Xin'er personally, and my brother also agreed to this matter. But according to the usual rules, Xin'er is from my relative's family, and this marriage is a big event, so I have to nod with His Majesty. Your Majesty is sick, but I have to see how it goes first, and you have already married each other, if I intervene again, it will be a matter of love It’s not appropriate for reason.”

"Now that you have the opportunity to come out with me, why don't you tell me, you are a poor military general, what skills did you use to get to the gate of Ni Mansion?"

The imperial concubine's eyes were cold, Tang Lan was only colder than her, but she hid her complexion deeply: "The general is dull, but he really doesn't understand what the empress means. I think the empress should be more clear than the general about how the prime minister makes decisions. Why come to question the last general?"

"What do you mean, is it that the lady of the Xiangfu has indicated that she wants to be with you?"

"No," Tang Lan lowered her eyes and said, "Miss Ni is beautiful and beautiful. It's my great fortune to have her. I dare not say anything else. Just talking about the reasons, I think I have nothing good, and I really can't climb high. The Prime Minister is able to make such a decision, presumably because he respects Miss's wishes."

Concubine Ni seemed impatient, and then questioned him about his family background and where his relatives belonged. Tang Lan's answers were all watertight and logical, so she could not find the slightest doubt about his mistakes.So he was sent to guard beside the car.

Sanskrit quietly sat beside the imperial concubine, and said in a low voice, "What are you worrying about, Your Majesty?"

Concubine Ni Gui sighed softly, and said in a low voice: "...It's just that I can't figure it out for a while."

Fanyin persuaded: "After all, it is the second lady who chooses the person herself. It is enough for the lady to be satisfied. Why bother to worry about yourself. Then again, His Highness the Crown Prince has completely given up his mind, so he can concentrate on government affairs with peace of mind. It’s a good thing to have the best of both worlds.”

"...Bengong is concerned. In the past, she said that she admired King Yu, but she didn't care about Yi'er's stupidity. Now she chooses a warrior to marry at will. Could it be that the crown prince and the head of the Tian family are not as good as this country?" The unknown people here? The minds of these children are really unpredictable." Ni Guifei said.

Sanskrit laughed and said: "It's not right no matter what... I think the empress is worrying about His Majesty too much, and now I have to think about everything. This is a good thing, as long as the second lady knows it in her own mind, why bother?" Let's pursue these things again... This slave girl sees that General Tang Shen is very orderly, not an ordinary person, and with the Lord Xiang's suggestion, he will also make achievements in the court in the future."

"When you say that, you have reminded me," said Ni Guifei, "The elder brother in the family letter said little about it, it seems that he may have ordered it..."

Fanyin said: "But two days ago, I saw that the second young lady was very happy with her words. According to her previous temperament, she will definitely not let the prime minister manipulate this matter."

"Forget it," Concubine Ni said in a disturbed state of mind, "It's safe to settle the matter at hand for the time being. If His Majesty doesn't heal for a day, this matter will only get worse. Go down later and urge me to leave early tomorrow morning to fight for it." Arrive at Jinguang Temple as soon as possible."

"Yes."

Jinguang Temple is not as grand as its name suggests. It is simple and old, embedded in the low mountainside, and there are gods and Buddhas in the dangerous place.

At this moment, everything in the mountain is completely silent, and the little lights are teleported, hiding in the mountain.

The red-armored guards guard the front and back, and the eunuchs on both sides of the palace walk with lights on.

Walking to the gate of the temple, only one monk came slowly, stopped in front of Concubine Ni, and murmured: "Amitabha... the nobleman's visit is of great kindness."

Concubine Ni looked at this monk, he was dressed in simple black clothes, gentle and thin, although he couldn't tell his face clearly at night, he seemed to be in the prime of life, with a rather tall stature.

Concubine Ni said: "You Lao Zen Master greets you at night, and the believer is bothering you."

The monk said: "The poor monk's Dharma name is Yuming, and he inherited the Dharma from Chan Master Zhiyue Haiyin. The Zen master had expected to cut off what the nobleman is asking for now, so he ordered the poor monk to meet him at a fixed point and attract what the nobleman is asking for."

Concubine Ni was slightly surprised, she lowered her eyebrows and said softly: "It is the sin of a believer that the Chan Master passed away and never came to visit in person. This time, he came rashly and asked for something. It is really a believer who has a lot of greed and vulgar desires. Humiliated the gate of the temple."

"Amitabha." Monk Yuming clasped his hands together and muttered aloud without answering.

Fanyin looked at the empty space outside the gate of the temple, frowned and said with a smile: "Dare to ask why the Zen master came alone? It is late at night and the dew is heavy, why is there no disciple to accompany him?"

Monk Yuming lowered his eyebrows and said: "All the monks in the temple have the task of sanitation at Yinshi, and all their thoughts and rests follow the routine. This is the rule set by Zen Master Haiyin before his death."

Sanskrit blinked, Concubine Ni glanced at her, then smiled and said, "When I came here, it was daytime, so I don't know such rules, Zen master can't be blamed."

Monk Yuming raised his head slightly, his indifferent eyes reflected the bright lights, he said: "The temple is small and narrow, I'm afraid it won't be able to accommodate all of you to rest together tonight."

"It's okay," Tang Lan, who was following Concubine Ni Gui, said, "We brothers can take a rest in the open space of the temple, and we will never damage the treasures in the temple."

"Your Excellency, please follow me to the back mountain to get what you miss." Monk Yuming slightly bent over, but did not bend much.

Concubine Ni was taken aback, and Sanskrit saw the opportunity and said: "It's getting late at this time, the Zen master is probably going to rest, why don't you bother the Zen master tomorrow?"

"...Amitabha," Monk Yuming stood quietly in the same place, and said, "Heavy things should not be taken lightly; hypocrisy should be suppressed in sincerity. Since the nobleman came here with sincerity, he knows why he came, and there is no trouble if he is late."

"The Chan Master is right," Concubine Ni Gui, who hadn't slept for two days, cheered up and said, "May I ask the Zen Master to lead the way."

"There is still one thing to say." Monk Yuming lowered his eyes, blocking his gaze from all around. "The relics of Chan Master Haiyin are all sealed in the Buddhist scripture cave in the back mountain. They were originally forbidden in this temple. According to the instructions of Chan Master, please be noble. One person can come with me."

"How is this possible? I can't see the mountain road clearly at night, so what should I do if something goes wrong on the road?" Sanskrit stood up.

Concubine Ni frowned and hesitated, and Tang Lan said behind her: "Zen Master, the others are waiting here, how about I carry a lantern and follow your mother into the scripture cave?"

"That's fine too," Monk Yuming glanced at the speaker, folded his hands together, and said, "Your Majesty, I will do as I please."

"Jiang Zhong, stay put and stand by." Tang Lan glanced at the soldiers lined up behind him, then took the palace lantern from Fanyin, and stood on the right side of Concubine Ni Gui.

Concubine Ni took a deep breath, leaned over to Monk Yuming and said, "Please trouble Zen Master."

Monk Yuming lowered his eyebrows, opened and closed his lips, and seemed to read a few words, then turned and walked towards the side of the temple.

Concubine Ni raised her heels, Tang Lan held the lamp in one hand, and held the sword around her waist in the other, and took a half step forward.

The palace lanterns only reflected a small area of ​​the previous Monday, the moon was hidden and the stars were dim. Concubine Ni could only feel the rolling stones under her feet. The mountain road was rugged. She looked up at the figure leading the way in front of her. He smiled and said: "I have never been to the back mountain before. I don't know that the Zen master's journey is blocked here. In the future, I will send some incense money to save the Zen master from working hard."

The cold wind rustled in winter, adding a deep chill to the quiet surroundings.

The person in front didn't answer, Concubine Ni's smile faded, she raised her sleeve to cover her mouth and nose.

"Wow--"

There was a low, hoarse crow's neighing, and a few leaves fell down.

The woman's body jumped, and while Tang Lan stretched out her hand to hold her sleeve, she said, "Mother, slow down."

Monk Yuming, who was leading the way, heard the movement and turned to look at her.

"...Okay." Concubine Ni turned around from the shock just now, and smiled apologetically at the person in front of her, and said, "I didn't see the road clearly, and accidentally tripped."

"The dangerous road is mediocre, nobleman be careful," Monk Yuming said indifferently, "The light and darkness of the lights cannot be followed on the road, it is in Jing Zhuan's heart."

Being exposed to the cold wind for a long time, Concubine Ni could not help but shrink back and did not answer.

Tang Lan then asked: "May I ask Chan Master what are the mountains behind the temple? I have never found out its name before."

"Its nature is pure, and its nameless will end," monk Yuming replied, "all these mountains are called nameless, and even the local farmers are rarely known."

Monk Yuming turned around calmly, and then moved forward.

The road made by the earth and rocks is only the width of two or three people, and it would take a long time for the soldiers to go up together.Concubine Ni followed closely, not daring to look at the deep valleys and cliffs on both sides.

"arrive."

Monk Yuming stopped, turned sideways, and said, "Your Honor, please enter with this poor monk."

The scripture cave is sunken deep in the rock, like a huge eyeball that has been dug out between two eyelids. The blue-white rock layer is glowing with phosphorescence, and several lotus-shaped candle lights flicker faintly, leading directly to the deeper depths.In front of the cave, several stubborn stones are piled up randomly, like a ladder into the cave.

Concubine Ni Gui stepped up to follow, and Tang Lan followed closely behind.

Seeing Monk Yuming stop him again: "This nobleman stay here."

Tang Lan frowned, and said, "Why didn't you let me in?"

"The forbidden place of the Buddhist gate doesn't like noise." Monk Yuming said lightly.

Tang Lan looked at the woman. Concubine Ni Gui also looked hesitant and froze in place.And this monk obviously didn't intend to say any more, his body blocked the entrance of the cave like a pine tree.

Concubine Ni gritted her teeth secretly, and said: "The Chan Master is right, General Tang Shen, just wait outside the cave, don't surprise Zen Master Haiyin's meditation."

After finishing speaking, Concubine Ni took a few steps forward alone, and then Monk Yuming turned around and entered the cave.Tang Lan squinted at the movements of the two, and clenched the saber in his hand.

The cave is narrow and deep, with a strange smell of dampness and fermentation.

Concubine Ni Gui followed closely, seeing that the lotus lanterns on both sides became more and more sparse, but the light in front of her was getting bigger and bigger, but the light was warm, somewhat stronger than the glowing candlelight in the lotus lanterns.

"What is shining?" she asked involuntarily.

Before hearing the answer, the monk in front stopped and took two steps to the right, and the light source appeared in front of him.

On top of the stone rock in the cave, there is a small Buddha statue, a sitting Buddha with a wide face carved out of bluestone, with his right hand drooping, palm facing outward, solemn face, and solemn appearance.Under this stone Buddha seat, there is a pottery top plate, and several round red objects are placed on it, with a hazy red light scattered around it, reflecting directly on the body of the Buddha sitting on it, as if the real Buddha is alive.

Concubine Ni Gui stared at the altar without moving, not even for a while.