The Jing Imperial Court didn't have a king with a different surname, and the state dukes were the most respected. Currently, there were a total of twenty-seven dukes in the imperial court. Naturally, their ancestors had made great contributions to the imperial court. However, as time passed, the contributions of the past would gradually fade. Some dukes no longer had any real power in their hands and were gradually marginalized. In a few years, they would probably become mere decorations.
As the study companion of the Emperor when he was young, State Duke He didn't have to worry about this even though he didn't keep a low profile like State Duke Lu did. Though State Duke He didn't keep a low profile like State Duke Lu, he at least didn't have to worry about this. He was still favored by the Emperor, and the most obvious proof was that he was the one sitting in the drizzle at the Net Perception Temple.
The Net Perception Temple was a side courtyard of the Royal Palace, and also the private temple of the Jing Imperial Court. He wasn't here to pray for blessings on behalf of the Emperor, but to entertain an important guest on behalf of the Emperor.
He wasn't worried about his power and status, but he was worried that he wouldn't be able to get up tomorrow if he sat on the damp and cold floor for too long. He hadn't sat on a futon for many years. If he hadn't had the experience of sitting on it when he was studying in Yimaozhai, he thought he would have fallen down at any moment.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but complain about this important guest. Then he thought of the rumored "Heart Reading" magic of this guest, feeling a bit nervous. He recited a few Buddhist mantras in silence, and put on a smile on his face. He looked at the deep end of the meditation room covered by layers of curtains and white smoke, expressing his gratitude again.
"Zen Master is willing to come here with the Lotus Carriage to help Your Majesty with the questions regarding the Buddhist methods, and he is willing to host the Plum Meeting in person. This is indeed an honor for the Imperial Court."
A gentle breeze blew over, taking away the remaining fragrance in the meditation room.
It was unclear how Zen Master would react after hearing these words. The highly achieved monks of the Guocheng Temple and the Duke Of He were exchanging pleasantries with each other, talking nonsense that had to be finished.
Looking at the deep end of the meditation room, the Duke Of He asked after a moment of hesitation, "I heard that someone from the Aoyama Sect went there last night. Is that really the second manor house of the Immortal Jingyang?"
The opening of the cave abode in Rogue Mountain couldn't be hidden from the Imperial court. However, just like many large cultivation sects, the Imperial court also thought it was fake and didn't send anyone to investigate. But this morning, some obscure news had spread. The Guocheng Temple had no intention of hiding it.
"That was just a joke the two Spiritual Masters made back then."
Zen Master's voice was clear and ordinary, but it was enough to make those who heard it feel deep veneration.
Who else in this world had the right to tell the story of the two Enlightened Masters of Aoyama Sect in such a calm tone?
The Duke Of He pretended to be surprised and asked, "What about the person under the cloud?"
Zen Master said, "It should be the descendant of an old friend, so I came to take a look."
The Duke Of He thought that among all the nine peaks of Aoyama, the descendant of his old friend should be a disciple on the Shenmo Peak, so it must have something to do with the Immortal Jingyang. Since the Zen Master had confirmed that the cave abode was not the manor house of the Immortal Jingyang, he didn't think too much about it, saying casually, "I don't think there are any outstanding disciples of Aoyama participating in this year's Plum Meeting, so it's a pity. I wonder when the personal disciple of the Sect Master of Aoyama will come out."
Compared to Lo Huainan, Bai Zao, Tong Yan, and Tong Lu of Zhongzhou School, who were well-known young geniuses, the disciples of the third generation of Aoyama without Guo Nanshan, Gu Han, and Jian Ruyun looked a bit shabby. Though it was said that Zhao Layue would come, she was still young and had a special identity.
An old monk of the Guocheng Temple asked mildly, "Isn't there another Jing Jiu?"
The Duke Of He didn't notice that the old monk glanced at the deep end of the meditation room before saying this, saying with a smile, "I heard that this disciple performed well in the Sword Trial of Aoyama, but he can't compare to the likes of Lo Huainan and Bai Zao. More importantly, he will participate in the chess tournament to challenge Tong Yan. It's really interesting."
It was quiet in the meditation room. Nobody laughed with him; it was a boring scene.
The Duke Of He laughed twice awkwardly, and then thought of another important matter. He said after some hesitation, "The Royal Concubine is outside the temple and wants to receive your blessing."
This meant that she wanted to see him.
A few old monks of the Guocheng Temple and the Head Master of the Net-Perception Temple looked at the deep end of the meditation room.
The white smoke was lingering in the air, but Zen Master couldn't be seen.
After a moment of silence, the voice of Zen Master broke out again.
"It was out of mercy and fate that I let her live back then. She is already blessed today; why should I covet more? Let's meet again if fate permits. "
The Duke Of He understood what he meant, and didn't dare say anything more.
…
…
There was a forest of locust trees outside the Net-Perception Temple, with a few carriages parked in the forest. They looked plain and low-key, but the number of guards around them indicated that the people in the carriages were of high status.
The light wind and the drizzle fell down. Though it was late spring, it still felt chilly.
A eunuch walked out of the carriage and motioned for the guards to return to the carriage to take shelter from the rain.
This was the Net-Perception Temple, and there were dozens of highly achieved monks of the Guocheng Temple in the temple, so there was no need to be so careful.
"The Royal Concubine is so kind that she even cares about such trifles."
A maidservant in the carriage said in an obsequious manner.
A beautiful woman sat by the window. She had a beautiful face, and her eyes exuded a sense of charm, but she also gave off a feeling of naivety, an irresistible allure for men.
She was the most favored Royal Concubine Hu in the palace.
"I came from a poor family, so I know how it feels to be drenched in the rain in the wilderness. If Zhu Gui hadn't been kind enough to save my life from that free-traveling practitioner, I would have been dead a long time ago."
Royal Concubine Hu showed a hint of sadness on her face. Thinking of what the Duke Of He had asked her attendant to tell him, she said through gritted teeth, "I don't care if he doesn't want to see me. I don't believe there will be less …"
She was about to say some harsh words, but she was afraid that the people in the temple would hear her. Besides, she respected and respected Zen Master, so she changed her words to something else.
"I don't believe that no one can help me vent my anger!"
The maidservant rolled her eyes and said, "Should we ask the Zhongzhou School to help us?"
Few people knew that Royal Concubine Hu was close to the Zhongzhou School.
Last year, when the Western Sea Sword School held the Four-Seas Banquet, the Zhongzhou School made an exception and sent a disciple named Xiang Wanshu to the banquet. It was because of her influence.
Hearing this, Royal Concubine Hu didn't feel pleased, but her expression turned cold, saying sternly, "If you say such things again in the future, you'd better get out of the palace."
The maidservant knelt down and begged for mercy for no apparent reason.
Royal Concubine Hu was a smart person. She knew that she could try to ask the Zen Master to help her, but she couldn't ask the Zhongzhou School to help her, because the Guocheng Temple had a close relationship with the Aoyama Sect, and the Zhongzhou School and the Aoyama Sect had been at loggerheads for many years. They didn't like each other, not to mention that they were like fire and water.
The orthodox Cultivation sects were the foundation of the human imperial court. If she tried to pick a fight with them because of her, or even caused some trouble, even the Empress would be deposed and banished to the Cold Palace, to say nothing of a royal concubine who had been favored by the Emperor for a few years.
A palace servant girl said softly, "Master Shi said a few days ago that the Pure Heaven Bureau has been keeping an eye on the Aoyama Sect."
Royal Concubine Hu said angrily, "The Pure Heaven Bureau wouldn't dare do anything to the Aoyama Sect. She is the personal disciple of the Immortal Jingyang. I just want her to apologize, but I can't do that! I heard that Jing Jiu wants to challenge Tong Yan shamelessly. I'd like to see how he will deal with it! "
… …
… …
Zhaoge City was enshrouded in the drizzle.
The people lining up outside the city gate to enter the city had already put on their conical hats.
Jing Jiu was no longer eye-catching.
The city guard took the slightly wet Travel Permit from Jing Jiu and asked, "Where are you from? What are you doing in Zhaoge City?
"Going home," replied Jing Jiu.
… …
… …
According to the investigation of Shanghai Peak, Jing Jiu, a disciple of the Aoyama Sect, lived in Zhaoge City.
In fact, his home was indeed in Zhaoge City.
He returned to Zhaoge City after twenty years, but he felt less sentimental than last time.
Last time in Zhaoge City, he was greeted by the winter snow, and this time he was greeted by the spring rain.
He had learned a saying in the small village: the spring rain was as precious as oil.
For the people living in Zhaoge City, the spring rain was like oil, making the green stone slabs slippery and extremely annoying.
Of course, the spring rain would also attract many poems from the poets.
Jing Jiu wasn't interested in zither, chess, calligraphy and painting, so he didn't know how to write poems. But he liked the spring rain.
He liked the spring rain falling on the boat with the black awning, on the eaves, and on the conical hat.
It was like when he moved into the room and slept with the window open on a snowy day.
In a sense, he lived a poetic life, though he didn't realize it.
Walking in the streets and alleys of Zhaoge City with the conical hat on, Jing Jiu didn't pay attention to the ubiquitous energy of the formations, gazing at other places through the drizzle.
For instance, the soup bowls of the beggars under the eaves rippled by the drizzle.
For instance, a young woman on the boat with the black awning fanned the fire of a small clay stove while preparing the dishes for the boat.
For instance, a girl who forgot to bring an umbrella ran past at the entrance of the alley, her hair full of pearl-like raindrops.
There was a quiet small courtyard in the deep end of the alley, and one could see the eaves of Taichang Temple not far away.
Shangde Peak had investigated thoroughly and found that Jing Jiu's ancestor had served a Divine Emperor of the previous generation. As such, it was a matter of course that his home was here.
The wooden gate of the courtyard was old, and the moss on both ends of the stone steps was wet by the rainwater. Everything looked so peaceful.
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