The palace hall was renovated at the end of the southern courtyard. The environment here was quiet and the air was fresh. It was a rare piece of land in the palace. When the late emperor was alive, he had wanted to build a courtyard here, but was afraid that it would ruin the fengshui of the palace. Now that this land was being used again, it was renovated into a temple hall. It could be seen how high the status of the owner of the temple hall was in the palace.
GuGu Yang brought Jiang Ruan to the temple hall and said a few words to the young monk in the temple hall before Jiang Ruan went in first. There was a golden Buddha statue in the temple hall. It was the first time since ancient times that a temple hall had been built in the palace. An old monk wearing a red robe meditated quietly, holding a string of relics in his hand. His eyes were closed as he meditated. Green smoke rose in spirals from the temple hall, giving it a somewhat otherworldly appearance.
The young monk walked to the old monk and said a few words. The old monk opened his eyes and was slightly stunned when he saw the person in front of him. His benevolent expression carried a trace of panic.
After the young monk heard his master say a few words, he walked over to Jiang Ruan and said, "Benefactor, master invites you to the inner room to preach."
Jiang Ruan put her palms together and bowed to the young monk. Aunt Yang smiled at her when she saw this. Jiang Ruan followed the young monk into the inner room.
There was a small green wooden table in the inner room. On the table was a square bamboo pot and a few books of scriptures.
The old monk walked into the inner room and sat down at one side of the wooden table. Jiang Ruan followed and sat down at the table. The sound of monks chanting came from outside. The temple hall had been renovated in an antique style and had a Buddhist charm.
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, "It has been years since we last met. Congratulations to the great master for fulfilling his wish."
Hui Jue's breathing stagnated as he looked up at the person in front of him. The young girl's red clothes fluttered like fire. Compared to three years ago, she had an indescribable elegance. However, her eyes were cold and her gentle smile seemed to contain a bit of mockery.
He put his palms together and bowed his head humbly, "Amitabha."
"Great master, are you worshipping Buddha or me?" Jiang Ruan took the bamboo pot on the table and shook it gently. The wooden sticks collided in the pot and made a flustered sound. Each stroke was like a heavy knock on Hui Jue's heart.
For a long time, the Nation Master, who had been as emotionless as a holy monk, was once again covered in sweat after three years. He looked at Jiang Ruan and said slowly, "Benefactor is the person chosen by Buddha. This old monk will obey Buddha's will."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, "The Great Master is indeed an eminent monk."
Hui Jue did not speak. Three years ago, someone had sent him a letter. The person who had delivered the letter had said that it was from Jiang Ruan. The letter had clearly written down in detail all the big and small things that would happen in these three years. Hui Jue was a meticulous person, at first he did not believe it, but as the days passed, he was shocked to discover that the things inside were actually happening one by one. Hui Jue believed everything written on the letter. He hid among the people and the reputation of the eminent monk finally reached the palace. He was invited to the palace by the Emperor. Relying on that thin piece of paper and Hui Jue's glib tongue, over the course of three years, the people of the Great Jin Dynasty all knew that a holy monk named Hui Jue had appeared. Everything he predicted came true. Step by step, he finally sat in the position of State Preceptor.
Hui Jue raised his head to look at Jiang Ruan. Three years ago, Jiang Ruan had told him that she would bestow him with unlimited glory and status, and that she would make him a superior person. Now that he thought about it, it had strangely come true. Jiang Ruan was an existence that he was somewhat afraid of. How could there be someone in this world who could predict? But Jiang Ruan was such a mysterious person. Hui Jue knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Jiang Ruan would not help him for free, and one day, he would repay her. Now that Jiang Ruan had returned, it was time to ask him for this reward.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, "Great Master, now that you are the Nation Master, I presume that the young master's condition has also improved."
Hui Jue was startled. His son was his lifeline. Now that he and his son were master and disciple, the Emperor trusted him so much that it was convenient for him to invite imperial physicians from the palace. There were also many precious medicinal herbs in the palace. Now, his son's condition was gradually improving, and his body was not as weak as before. His hand holding the prayer beads trembled slightly as he asked, "Benefactor, what is it that you ask for?"
"Great Master, I do not believe in Buddhism, there is no need to talk to me about Buddhist scriptures." Jiang Ruan's voice was very light, but Hui Jue felt that the weight of her words was very heavy. She was pressing him like this because she wanted him to directly express his attitude. Clenching his teeth, Hui Jue said, "This humble one is willing to be of service to Junzhu."
Jiang Ruan's hand loosened, and the lot pot fell on the table. Jiang Ruan reached out and pulled out all the wooden lots in the pot. She carefully picked one and placed it in front of Hui Jue, "What lot is this?"
Hui Jue was stunned. He looked at it and said, "The worst lot, Junzhu is asking for …?"
"This lot is not for me," Jiang Ruan said faintly, "Asking for a residence is also a matter of state."
Since the residence was a matter of state, naturally, it was the Emperor's residence. Wouldn't that be the matter of the imperial harem? Hui Jue raised his head in confusion, only to hear a gentle voice, "This Junzhu sees black gas lingering in the east of the palace, I'm afraid that something has collided with His Majesty. I would like to trouble Great Master to perform a ritual to find the flood dragon. "
The flood dragon was not a real dragon, it was only short of leaping into the dragon's gate, which meant usurping power. Hui Jue's eyebrows jumped. Was she trying to slander someone for having the intention to rebel? What did this have to do with the imperial harem?
"The east of the palace is the Hall of Dreams." Jiang Ruan said, "As for the flood dragon, it is naturally a beautiful flood dragon."
When Jiang Ruan's voice fell, Hui Jue was stunned on the spot. The so-called imperial harem interfering in politics was a great taboo. The meaning behind Jiang Ruan's words was to give that person in the imperial harem the reputation of disrupting the imperial court's discipline. That person was even more incredible. Currently, the palace's most favored concubine, Imperial Consort Chen, resided in the Hall of Dreams. Even the Empress had to have some misgivings. Although Hui Jue pretended to be pure and had few desires in the palace, he was not ignorant of current politics. In the end, he still heard some rumors that the Emperor did not like the current Crown Prince and intended to appoint a new Crown Prince. Consort Chen's Eighth Prince, Xuan Li, and Consort De's Fifth Prince, Xuan Hua, were the most popular. Now, Eighth Prince Xuan Li's chances of winning seemed to be higher.
If he offended Imperial Consort Chen, wouldn't it be possible to offend the future Crown Prince's birth mother? This would inevitably bring him a lot of trouble. Great Master Hui Jue frowned tightly and did not speak.
"In recent years, Great Master, have you been unable to do as you wish?" Jiang Ruan said indifferently, "You have seen too much of Heaven's secrets and have no way of knowing what will happen in the future. If you are forced, Great Master can step aside and hand over your position to other talented juniors. Under the heavens, Buddha has millions of disciples. Great Master may not be the only one who can listen to Buddha's decree." Jiang Ruan looked at him calmly, "It's just a pity that Little Master …. After leaving the palace, I don't know if he will still be as healthy. "
Jiang Ruan's words poked at Hui Jue's heart. Indeed, for the past three years, the Emperor had trusted him greatly and would try to ask for his opinion on many things. On the letter that Jiang Ruan had given him, she had written down the consequences and the best solution, as if she had personally experienced it. The matter was handled very thoughtfully and appropriately, and the Emperor was even more satisfied with him. His position as the State Preceptor had been very stable.
However, three years had passed, and the important matter on the letter had only been written up to now. After that, there was nothing else. Hui Jue himself was nothing more than a swindler. How would he know what it meant to pry into the heavens' eye? During this period of time, when the Emperor came to ask him again, he could not say anything. It was just that Hui Jue had been in Jianghu for many years and his skill in deception was outstanding. In addition, what he had said in the past three years was true, and he had used excuses to deceive the Emperor. However, in the long run, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. Even if it did not arouse suspicion, he would no longer be of use, and the Emperor would not value him as much as before.
If he left the palace and his youngest son cut off the precious medicinal herbs in the palace, he did not know what the situation would be like in the future. Moreover, as the State Preceptor, he had more or less offended some people in the palace. Unknowingly, he had become an eyesore to some people. Now, the Emperor's trust was his life-saving talisman. Once he lost the Emperor's trust, something unexpected might happen.
The threats in Jiang Ruan's words were all directed at Hui Jue's weak spot. At the beginning, Jiang Ruan was able to promote him to the position of State Preceptor. Naturally, she could also let others sit in this position. With her means and prophecy, this was a very simple matter.
Hui Jue slowly lowered his head and said with difficulty, "I beg Junzhu … to be magnanimous."
"I know what Great Master is worried about," Jiang Ruan suddenly leaned close to him and said in a very low voice, "The position of the world will definitely not belong to His Eighth Highness."
Hui Jue abruptly raised his head and stared at Jiang Ruan. He stood rooted to the ground in disbelief. He asked, "This … is it also a prophecy?"
"Yes." Jiang Ruan said indifferently.
In fact, in her previous life, it was indeed Xuan Li who seized the entire Great Jin dynasty. But in another life, she would never let this happen. Didn't Imperial Consort Chen want to maintain a harmless posture in the palace? She had shown to the Emperor that she had no interest in the fight for the throne, but now, she was not afraid of tearing off this beauty's skin in advance. What would happen when the mother and son, who were used to putting on an act, were used to bringing disaster to the country?
No matter how much the Emperor doted on a woman, he would never waver his own kingdom for her. Otherwise, in her previous life, the Emperor would not have begun to suspect Xuan Li and allowed him to act in advance.
When Great Master Hui Jue looked at Jiang Ruan again, his eyes were no longer wandering. He seemed to have made an important decision and asked softly, "What does Junzhu want to do?"
"Great Master's methods are brilliant. Naturally, you will act according to Buddha's will. In three days, there will be a religious ceremony in the Imperial Observatory. At that time, Buddha will issue a decree. In this palace, there is a beautiful Jiao, and Great Master, you must ensure that there is only one true dragon in this world."
Her voice was low and contained a strange bewitchment. Hui Jue's body trembled and he respectfully replied, "Yes."
…
After leaving the small Buddhist hall, Jiang Ruan planned to return to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, but she did not expect to meet an uninvited guest on the way. This person was dressed in a green robe and had a jade belt. When he saw her from afar, he stopped in his tracks and walked towards her in large strides.
Tian Zhu vigilantly stood in front of Jiang Ruan, but that person knew the rules. He stopped a few steps away from Jiang Ruan and did not come forward.
Jiang Ruan looked at him with a smile and said, "Grand Tutor Liu."
Liu Min stared at Jiang Ruan. He did not know what he wanted to do. After seeing Jiang Ruan a few days ago, he had not been able to speak properly because of Xiao Shao. Afterwards, he kept thinking about this matter. The person who he thought was his bosom friend turned out to be a woman. He stared at the painting hanging in his study for several days. There were many things he wanted to ask her. Just now, when he saw Jiang Ruan, he unconsciously walked over. He did not know what he wanted to do and could not say a word.
Lu Zhu blinked. This Grand Tutor Liu was really a scholar. He had the silliness of a scholar.
Liu Min paused before saying, "Junzhu." As if he felt that this sentence was too simple, he thought of something and asked, "You … are you alright?"
Jiang Li's matter had now become a joke in the entire Great Jin dynasty. Even if it was Jiang Li's doing, it would more or less affect the Jiang sisters. Although Liu Min knew that the relationship in the Jiang fu was complicated, he did not think too much about it. He was only worried about whether Jiang Ruan's reputation would be affected because of this. Moreover, she was a daughter of the Jiang family. More or less, she would lose face.
Jiang Ruan returned the greeting, "Many thanks for Grand Tutor's concern. I have been very comfortable."
Liu Min stared blankly and carefully looked at Jiang Ruan. He saw that she was indeed beautiful. Her eyes and brows were gentle and smiling. She was still as radiant as before and did not look the slightest bit haggard. His heart was somewhat complicated. How could such a thing happen? She was still as comfortable as before. Seeing that she was alright, he was relieved.
Liu Min did not know why he had such a strange thought. He only felt that because of this woman's letter, he had regarded Jiang Ruan as a close friend in his heart. Friends should support each other. It was normal for him to be so concerned. However, he still had one more thing to ask. After hesitating for a moment, he opened his mouth, "Junzhu and Xiao Wangye … what is their relationship?"
Tian Zhu frowned slightly and thought that this Grand Tutor was so annoying. Later, she must tell her master. Jiang Ruan smiled, "Grand Tutor Liu is being too nosy."
"You …" Liu Min's face turned red. Jiang Ruan's blunt words made him, who had always been proud and arrogant, somewhat vexed. For a moment, he was at a loss for words. Seeing Jiang Ruan's smiling face, he could not say anything to criticize her. He could only fling his sleeves and angrily say, "He is not a good person."
This time, even Lu Zhu frowned. Xiao Shao was the perfect son-in-law in her heart. What nonsense was this person talking about?
Jiang Ruan knew what Liu Min meant. As long as they were officials in the same court, no matter which faction they belonged to, Xiao Shao had never participated. No matter which faction it was, they all firmly believed that Xiao Shao was a 'rebel and traitor'. When the old Jinying Wang rebelled, it was the Emperor's vast and mighty grace that allowed Xiao Shao, a remnant of a rebel, to live to this day. Who knew that his power would become so great that he would not even put the Emperor in his eyes. Even in the capital, he could be extremely arrogant. Liu Min was an upright official and his thinking was also very old-fashioned. Naturally, he believed that Xiao Shao was undoubtedly a rebel and a traitor. She knew that he did not have any other meaning, but these words were indeed unpleasant to hear. Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, but her voice had already become slightly cold, "So what?"
Anger appeared on Liu Min's fair face, "He will implicate you!" In Liu Min's eyes, although Jiang Ruan was mysterious, she was a transparent person. At that time, when they had exchanged letters, it could be seen that Jiang Ruan was different from those short-sighted people. How could such a pure and upright person get mixed up with a rebel and a traitor?!
"What does it have to do with you?" After saying this, Jiang Ruan's smile also disappeared. She looked at Liu Min indifferently. Although she did not say anything, for no reason, one could feel her anger.
Liu Min was sluggish.
"So what?" and "What does it have to do with you?" These two words, straightforwardly expressed Jiang Ruan's attitude. She was actually determined to stand on Xiao Shao's side. Liu Min suddenly felt a burst of irritation in his heart, and his gaze towards Jiang Ruan was filled with disappointment. Jiang Ruan looked at him and said, "Grand Tutor is in charge of the Crown Prince's homework. When did you start to manage other trivial matters? This Junzhu has her own way of handling matters, so there is no need for Grand Tutor to worry. If Grand Tutor has the heart, you can go and manage other matters. There are so many dirty matters in the palace, and Grand Tutor cannot tolerate sand in his eyes. You will have to work hard. "
The faintly discernible sarcasm in her words finally made Liu Min unable to stay any longer. He felt that his good intentions had been wasted, and he did not have time to figure out where the disappointment and irritation in his heart came from. He only said one sentence, "Obstinate." Then he flicked his sleeves and left.
Jiang Ruan quietly stood in the same place, watching Liu Min's receding figure. Lu Zhu looked at Jiang Ruan with some unease and said, "Miss … treating Grand Tutor Liu like this, isn't it not too good?"
Lu Zhu knew that Jiang Ruan had helped Liu Min win first place. Although she did not know how Jiang Ruan had done it, the few personal maids understood in their hearts that Jiang Ruan had done so in order to raise Liu Min to a high position, so that he could be of assistance in the future. However, after hearing Jiang Ruan's words just now, they did not know what this proud and arrogant Grand Tutor would think. If their relationship continued to be deadlocked, would he lose this assistance and instead become a big obstacle?
"There's no harm. Grand Tutor Liu is a good person, "Jiang Ruan said indifferently. Good people were always easily softhearted. If something really happened, considering their friendship back then, Liu Min would not just stand by and watch. It was just that … she lowered her eyes. What had happened just now? She wasn't supposed to care about these pointless arguments. However, when it came to Xiao Shao, she could not help but become angry. She frowned slightly, feeling somewhat uneasy in her heart. Recently, this person had appeared more and more on a daily basis, as if his shadow could be seen everywhere. Such a domineering way of squeezing into the heavy darkness of life seemed to bring a trace of false sunlight to purgatory, causing people to have wild and fanciful thoughts that they should not have.
Her great enmity had not been avenged, and one more worry was one more weakness. Moreover, at present, she really did not have the mood to think about other things. Xiao Shao was not a person of the pond. Currently, his brilliance was restrained within, but one day, once he had the opportunity, he would definitely soar to the sky and make the world lose its colour. With her rotten heart, how could she dare to have such thoughts?
The few of them did not notice that behind a vermilion pillar not far away, there was a silhouette dressed in luxurious clothing standing in the distance. Just now, Xuan Li had heard the entire conversation between the few people, but now, a trace of interest surfaced in his eyes.
Xiao Shao, Liu Min, this Hong 'an Junzhu was more complicated than he had imagined. Not to mention her relationship with Xiao Shao, he had previously felt that there was something wrong with these two people, but what was the matter with Liu Min? Could it be that the proud and aloof upstart of the court also had some involvement with this Hong 'an Junzhu?
Xuan Li smiled slightly. Things had become interesting. Jiang Ruan was his prey, how could he allow her to be hunted by others? However, the time had not yet come, so he could first investigate the details. As for the means … a trace of coldness flashed across Xuan Li's eyes. Today was different from the past, he had thousands of ways to make Jiang Ruan his.
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