The furnishings in the reception hall were very simple. This was a place to receive pilgrims and also where the Master meditated and practiced Zen.
As the group walked in, they saw a woman in a dark gray monk's robe kneeling before a Buddha statue, holding prayer beads and softly chanting scriptures.
Because her back was to them, Xiao Xitian couldn't see her face clearly.
The old woman coughed lightly and stepped forward to remind her, "Master Jingxuan, His Highness has arrived!~"
The woman called Master Jingxuan did not react. After chanting scriptures for half an incense stick's length, she slowly stood up and turned around.
It was a surprise to see her.
Xiao Xitian blinked her large eyes, her head filled with question marks.
This Master Jingxuan looked so young, and her skin was exceptionally well-maintained. Her beautiful eyes were as clear as water, and she exuded an aura of charm and allure.
Could such a woman be a master?
The young monk was even more bewildered. He leaned closer to Xiao Xitian and whispered, "Sister Xitian, this master looks so enchanting..."
One would believe she was the top courtesan in a brothel.
Xiao Xitian suppressed her curiosity and glanced at Xiao Jinheng.
Why did this brat have no reaction at all?
"Heng'er has arrived..." Master Jingxuan performed a monastic bow, her smile still charming.
Xiao Jinheng smiled faintly and said, "Your Highness seems to have known I was coming, even preparing a fruit platter!~"
Xiao Xitian: "???"
Xiao Jiekong: "???"
Your Highness?
Was Master Jingxuan a royal consort from the palace?
Then why would she become a nun?
"Heng'er's return to the capital has long been no secret. You were very close to me since you were young, so it's only natural for you to visit me..." Master Jingxuan smiled faintly.
Xiao Jinheng scanned his surroundings and said, "Consort Hui is still so frugal and simple. Your father doted on you so much, how could you bear to leave him?"
"Those are old matters, best left unmentioned..."
Master Jingxuan changed the subject and reached out to take Xiao Jinheng's hand. However, he frowned and said, "Your Highness need not be so polite. Although you have become a nun and no longer concern yourself with worldly affairs in the palace, I feel you are still quite attached to things of this world?"
Kong Xingzhu stood by, his eyes sweeping between Jingxuan and the Crown Prince. The past events seemed to replay before his eyes as if they were yesterday, evoking a sense of melancholy.
Consort Hui had been very favored in the palace. Because of her unparalleled beauty, she had once overshadowed Empress Xiao.
Emperor Cheng doted on her immensely, almost to the heavens.
Having been in the harem for many years, Consort Hui had given Emperor Cheng a young prince, the fourth in line. He was currently residing in his own fiefdom and rarely entered the palace.
Only during large banquets in the palace was the Fourth Prince forced to return to pay his respects to his father and Empress Xiao.
Consort Hui's father was the renowned Marquis of Jingnan, who commanded a strong army and possessed abundant wealth. He was well-known throughout the southern coastal region.
Just as everyone thought Consort Hui would one day replace Empress Xiao, this woman suddenly requested to shave her head and become a nun.
Emperor Cheng was heartbroken and utterly helpless upon hearing this news.
Because Consort Hui enjoyed Buddhism, Emperor Cheng had built Buddhist halls for her in and outside the palace, sending people daily to burn incense and pray for good fortune.
Yet, even so, Consort Hui insisted on becoming a nun and wished to leave the palace to practice Buddhism outside.
According to palace regulations, once concubines became the Emperor's women, they were not allowed to leave the palace casually, let alone make the absurd request to shave their heads and become nuns.
But Emperor Cheng was simply infatuated with Consort Hui. Under her repeated threats of suicide by hanging and poisoning, Emperor Cheng finally compromised and sent people to build this Fahua Nunnery outside the city for Consort Hui to reside in.
The old woman was her personal嬷嬷 (māmā - wet nurse/nanny), and when Consort Hui became a nun, Madam Xing also came along.
Xiao Jinheng was indifferent to Consort Hui because she had not informed him of her decision back then.
Although he was Empress Xiao's son, Consort Hui had indeed liked him a lot when he was young. She was willing to play with him and cook delicious food for him.
After many years apart, seeing Consort Hui again, Xiao Jinheng felt a mix of emotions, a pang of heartache.
"What are you saying, Heng'er?" Consort Hui smiled charmingly. Regardless of whether Xiao Jinheng was willing, she directly pulled him over. "If I could not sever my ties with the mortal world, I would not have become a nun in the first place..."
After speaking, she touched Xiao Jinheng's face. "You've grown so much in the blink of an eye. Have you been well in the countryside all these years? I heard that Consort Xian attempted a coup, and it was you who devised the plan to bring her to justice!~"
Xiao Xitian: "???"
Well, you kept saying you had severed your ties with the mortal world and didn't concern yourself with outside affairs, yet you knew everything that happened in the palace.
Looking at Consort Hui's gaze and manner of speaking, Xiao Xitian was filled with suspicion.
Everything this woman did and said in front of Xiao Jinheng seemed like an act, all appearing rather unreal.
Xiao Jinheng pushed Consort Hui's hand away and took a step back, his eyes gradually becoming frosty.
His feelings for Consort Hui had long since vanished with the wind. He had come to Fahua Nunnery today to take the village children out for a stroll and to inquire about the Jiangnan canal transport case.
"You're still so stubborn!" Consort Hui smiled helplessly. "I was too hasty back then and didn't tell you about such a big decision as becoming a nun. I, I apologize to you, alright?"
After speaking, Consort Hui performed a formal bow.
Xiao Jinheng looked at her expressionlessly and said, "Your Highness doesn't need to apologize to me. I was too young and foolish back then. Whoever was good to me, I would habitually rely on. But now that I've grown up, I'm different. Please don't treat me like a child anymore!~"
Xiao Jinheng's tone was cold and distant.
Consort Hui: "..."
As expected, he had grown up and spoke with barbs, as if she had done something heinous.
Madam Xing, holding a rag, wiped the table while observing Xiao Jinheng's expression. A hint of complexity and panic flashed in her eyes.
She felt that the Crown Prince's sudden visit was not just to chat with her mistress.
Consort Hui sighed. Seeing that Xiao Jinheng was unwilling to discuss the past, she turned her gaze to Xiao Xitian and exclaimed, "Oh, you must be the Princess of Dongping, enfeoffed by the Emperor?"
Xiao Xitian: "..."