He did not wish for her to be in any danger.
“Imperial Brother?”
A Jiu led a few eunuchs in and helped the blue-clothed attendant out. Murong Xingzhu had always regarded Lan Yi as a sister.
Seeing this now, her heart was filled with anger. She shoved her Imperial Brother away forcefully and said hatefully, “Imperial Brother, I hate you.”
With that, she rushed out of the great hall without looking back. However, as she reached the entrance of the great hall, she stopped and turned back. The light of the night-blooming pearls shone, revealing the tearful glint in her eyes. Murong Liuzun’s heart stirred, and he gazed at her fixedly.
“Imperial Brother, I acknowledge that woman,” she said before turning to leave again.
Murong Liuzun’s narrow eyebrows arched, a ghost-like surprise flickering through his expression. Xingzhu actually liked Mu Qingyao. Apart from her Imperial Brother, she had never easily gotten close to anyone else.
Even Liu Zhao had spent a long time with her before she allowed him close. To think that after only one outing, she had acknowledged Mu Qingyao. It seemed that woman’s charm was extraordinary.
She, perhaps, was truly the phoenix of legend.
“Someone, escort the Princess back to Chang Le Palace,” Ling Han’s voice rang out. Immediately, several palace maids acknowledged the order and pursued her.
Murong Liuzun’s unfathomable gaze fixed on the night-blooming pearls on the bronze pillars of the great hall. After a long while, he called out to the outside, “Li Ge?”
Hua Lige flashed in and respectfully cupped his fists. “Your Majesty?”
“What about the group who assassinated the third Miss Mu last time?”
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, a dark flicker crossed Hua Lige’s rugged face, and he sighed helplessly:
“Reporting to Your Majesty, although your subordinate sent people to track them, when your subordinate arrived, they had vanished into thin air.”
“Vanished into thin air,” Murong Liuzun savored the words.
How could they vanish into thin air? It could only mean one thing: that person was hidden even deeper and more obscurely, making it impossible to guard against.
Very well, it seemed he needed to be even more cautious. Someone had disappeared from under his nose, which could only mean that the opponent in the shadows was extremely formidable.
“Good, you may withdraw. Pay close attention to the Princess’s movements recently and do not allow her to leave the palace privately.” Murong Liuzun commanded coldly.
He did not worry about the coming storm, for he had already begun his arrangements. However, he had not included Xingzhu in his plans, so she could not afford any accidents.
“Yes, your subordinate receives the order,” Hua Lige acknowledged and departed…
The next day, the weather was clear and the sun was bright.
Mei Xin suggested visiting a temple to burn incense and ward off bad luck, as they had been encountering unpleasant events lately.
Bored from staying in the mansion, doing nothing but eating and sleeping, which had initially felt like enjoyment but gradually turned into weariness, Mu Qingyao agreed to Mei Xin’s idea and went to Yue Jue Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings.
Xiang Hua Mountain wound and stretched, with green hills and clear waters, covered in lush greenery.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, wisps of smoke rose, and a winding mountain path climbed upwards…
At the foot of the mountain, carriages and horses were everywhere. Along the secluded path, pilgrims flowed endlessly. People ascending and descending the mountain passed each other frequently, indicating the great popularity of Yue Jue Temple.
Qing Yao alighted from the carriage and immediately felt refreshed. She raised her eyes to gaze afar, and in the verdant mountain forest, birds occasionally flitted past. Truly, the fragrance of the serene green mountains wafted naturally. xxs壹贰
The scorching sunlight descended from above, and Qing Yao furrowed her brow. Mo Chou immediately raised a floral oilcloth umbrella and respectfully asked, “Miss, shall we go up the mountain?”
“Alright.”
The mistress and her two maids trod on the gravel path, heading towards the mountainside.
Yue Jue Temple was built on the mountainside of Xiang Hua Mountain. The temple was magnificent and grand, with a solemn atmosphere. The entire temple was hidden within the lush mountain forest, with only glimpses revealing a hint of mystery.
There were many pilgrims in the temple. On the large square in front of the gate, many vendors were selling incense, candles, and various trinkets, attracting a large crowd.
Qing Yao’s expression was calm. She paid no heed to others and led her two maids into the temple. With a quiet and collected demeanor, she lit candles and burned incense, quietly gazing at the Buddha on the high altar, her pupils deep, as if conversing with the Buddha.
She said, “My heart is troubled, can Buddha guide me?”
The Buddha replied, “If your heart is troubled, who will guide Buddha?”
It turned out that even Buddha had his troubles. He did not concern himself with worldly matters; each person’s affairs were their own to manage.
Qing Yao had an epiphany. A person’s destiny depended on themselves, not on Buddha…
Mei Xin followed behind her and donated fifty taels of oil money. Qing Yao rose, did not even draw a fortune stick, and led her two maids towards the back.
Yue Jue Temple was vast. The front housed the main hall for worshipping Buddha images. Behind it was a central courtyard with a haphazard arrangement of flowers and plants. Several buildings were neatly laid out, and occasionally, young monks in grey robes were seen sweeping the secluded paths, their eyes fixed on their noses, their noses on their hearts, never glancing around casually.
Qing Yao paid no mind to these ascetics. Walking further back, she saw a unique rear hall, two stories high. The lower floor was where the monks performed their morning chants, with many meditation cushions neatly arranged. A large bronze bell hung beside the hall.
The second floor, however, was a library. From the half-opened window, it was evident that the library contained many good books.
Qing Yao and Mo Chou made a circuit and prepared to leave but inadvertently wandered into the back mountain of Yue Jue Temple.
Nestled among the surrounding peaks was a clear, emerald lake. The lake water was clear and transparent. On the shore, lush green willows swayed, their soft branches rippling in the wind, creating circles of ripples.
In the center of the lake, white lotuses bloomed, pure and elegant, like white-robed fairies stepping onto the waves.
On the shore, Mo Chou and Mei Xin, the two young maids, could not help but exclaim in admiration.
“It’s so beautiful,”
A faint lotus fragrance hung in the air. Qing Yao pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes filled with a lingering radiance.
Suddenly, a melodious flute melody arose, carrying hints of joy and a touch of sorrow. It was like the frustration of unfulfilled ambition, then suddenly transforming, like sweet dew flowing in a mountain stream, bringing a cool, icy refreshment to the hot afternoon.
The three women listened intently, their steps involuntarily drawn towards the source of the flute music.
Passing through a secluded path, beneath a willow tree not far from the emerald lake, a tall and slender figure was leaning. He was dressed in a lake-blue long robe, his hair tied with a jade crown. Sunlight filtered through the willow branches, casting onto his slightly gaunt face.
His face was fair and delicate, but with a touch of unhealthy weakness. At this moment, he had his eyes slightly closed, enveloped in a serene radiance, completely immersed in the melodious flute music, playing the flute with utter absorption.
The flute melody surged and ebbed, twisting and turning.
Finally, it stopped abruptly. The man’s eyes suddenly snapped open. Sunlight, like a torch, blazed into his dark pupils, igniting a sun-like smile that was pleasing to the eye.
Mei Xin exclaimed, “Prince Bei Jin?”
She and her young lady had glimpsed him from afar before. This man was Prince Bei Jin, known for his gentlemanly demeanor.