The little storybook had all been read today, and he had never imagined that a storybook could possess such immense power.
However, at the same time, he understood that with Li Shishi and Wu Lian'er singing its praises, the number of people who would know about this storybook would only increase by tomorrow morning.
Yet, simultaneously, more and more people would develop an even worse impression of the monks after reading or hearing about this storybook.
The affairs stirred up by Lin Ling Su had already posed a grave threat to the survival of Buddhism.
They had painstakingly waited for this opportunity to turn things around. If they could not find a way to suppress this unfavorable tide of public opinion as quickly as possible, this situation would likely evolve into a storm.
Along with the monk's accidental homicide case, it would uproot the very foundations of Buddhism in Bianliang City!
"Master, we've arrived! Shall I go in and ask him to come out and talk?"
Looking at the brightly lit Imperial Fragrance Pavilion, packed so tightly that not a drop of water could get through, the young monk driving the carriage cautiously inquired.
"No rush, we'll wait!"
After taking a deep breath, Monk Dao Jian finally regained his composure.
If they were to barge in right now, it would only make the situation even more unmanageable.
What Monk Dao Jian intended to do was to have an in-depth discussion with the author after the grand gathering ended tonight.
As long as they could reach a private settlement and manage to rectify all the previous impacts in the later chapters of the story, it might not necessarily be a bad opportunity for them.
"Yes!"
It wasn't until midnight, when Wu Lian'er returned to Peach Blossom Cave by carriage, that the crowd gathered outside the Imperial Fragrance Pavilion slowly dispersed.
Although with Li Shishi's patronage, the Imperial Fragrance Pavilion was undoubtedly among the top ten most profitable businesses in all of Bianliang City.
However, the earnings from that night made all the servants in the Imperial Fragrance Pavilion ecstatic.
According to the usual practice, for such a grand occasion, their monthly wages for the month would definitely see a significant increase.
"It's late today, Han Mo shall not disturb you further. Farewell!"
Seeing that the time was about right, Han Mo also smiled and stood up, cupping his hands towards Li Shishi.
"Others who come to my boudoir can't wait to never leave, but you, the great talent Han, have only sat here for a short while, and you already feel like you're sitting on pins and needles?"
However, to Han Mo's surprise, Li Shishi, who was sitting by the table cleaning her guqin, suddenly spoke.
"Uh..."
"What? Can't this place accommodate the great talent Han?"
As Li Shishi spoke, she rolled her eyes at Han Mo, her enchanting demeanor instantly stunning Han Mo.
"No, no, it's just that I have other matters tonight. Farewell, farewell!"
Hesitating for less than a moment, Han Mo rationally chose to refuse.
What a joke!
This was the Emperor's forbidden treasure!
He did not want to ruin everything he had painstakingly gained at this moment with his own hands.
"What a dummy..."
Watching Han Mo flee her room as if he were escaping, Li Shishi couldn't help but chuckle.
"My lord, shall we return to the manor now?"
Seeing that Han Mo had finally come out, Xu Feng Nian quickly stepped forward and asked.
"It's getting late, let's hurry back. If we delay any longer, the household will likely be in chaos again!"
Having been through a whole day of commotion, Han Mo was indeed feeling a bit tired. The cool night breeze made him shiver involuntarily.
"The storybook you painstakingly wrote has now fallen into the hands of those profiteers. If only we had printed it at the estate outside the city. Even a single copy is worth three hundred coins!"
As Xu Feng Nian helped Han Mo into the carriage, he couldn't help but grumble in a low voice.
"How much did you say?"
Hearing his grumbling, Han Mo couldn't help but be taken aback.
"These, the cheapest ones are printed for 300 coins, the better printed ones are already over 500 coins. And those bound into volumes, the ones with slightly better quality, are now selling for two strings of cash!"
"Is it really that exaggerated? In this day and age, are people still willing to spend so much money on this kind of thing?"
Even Han Mo himself hadn't expected that there would already be an entire pirated industry line operating in Bianliang City at this time.
"Many people are buying them. Look over there, those bookshops by the river are working overtime right now. The constables from Kaifeng Prefecture should arrest all of them!"
Seeing so much copper money falling into the pockets of these profiteers, even Xu Feng Nian found it unbearable.
"Alright, there's no need to dwell on such matters. We are aiming for the big picture. Let them earn this little bit of money to support their families!"
Stretching his arms at length, Han Mo was too lazy to bother with such things anymore. He directly got into the carriage, ready to return to the manor and sleep.
"Amitabha!"
Just as Xu Feng Nian was about to drive away, an old monk suddenly blocked their path.
"I say, old monk, even if you don't want your life, don't come out and harm people!"
This sudden appearance of the old monk truly startled Xu Feng Nian. If not for his quick reflexes, he might have sent the old fellow flying.
"Alright, don't be disrespectful to the master. Since the master has come, please get into the carriage and talk!"
Before the old monk could speak, Han Mo said with a smile from inside the carriage.
"Since the benefactor invites me, this old monk shall not decline!"
Hearing Han Mo's words, the old monk didn't stand on ceremony. He stooped and directly got into Han Mo's carriage.
However, upon seeing Han Mo's exceedingly young face, the old monk clearly looked surprised.
"Master, you blocked my way late at night. You're not just looking for a ride, are you?"
Judging by the kasaya the old monk was wearing, Han Mo knew that his identity was certainly not ordinary.
"I originally thought that the person who wrote this should be a disheartened scholar in his forties, but I didn't expect Your Excellency to be so young!"
The old monk spoke while pulling out a small booklet from his sleeve and handing it to Han Mo.
"This is quite normal, but Master, you're not just going to tell me this, are you? If you're here to tell me that this was written very well and that you like it very much, then there's no need to say it. People in Bianliang City also like it very much!"
"You are using this small booklet to destroy the opportunity for Buddhism to turn things around, which they have painstakingly gained. Do you feel very proud of yourself, benefactor?"