Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C071

In the meditation room, Abbot Huicheng of Baofu Temple was speaking with Dharma Master Lechen.

"Grand-Uncle, you say you just returned from your travels, and now you've stirred up this kind of trouble. You spoke only halfway, and with the suspicious nature of these powerful nobles, they will surely want to know the rest. How could they possibly let you go? We of the Buddhist faith never antagonize the court, precisely because the imperial court of every dynasty has deeply suppressed both Buddhism and Taoism. Baofu Temple has stood here for hundreds of years, and its detachment from worldly affairs is due to its primary principle of not getting involved in secular matters. Yet you, of all people, have actively sought this out."

"Alright, alright, haven't I already planned to go traveling again?"

Lechen said impatiently, "Don't think this old monk doesn't understand your words. Let me tell you, Huicheng, you've learned everything from your master. You haven't made a name for yourself in Buddhist studies, but you've learned a bellyful of bad tricks."

Huicheng smiled wryly in his heart, saying, "Grand-Uncle, this disciple is busy with worldly affairs all day, how could I have the time and mind to study Buddhist teachings? This abbot of mine, it's better not to even mention it!"

Lechen knew very well that although they were supposed to be outside of the world, they were still in the mortal realm. Monks couldn't fill their bellies by studying Buddhist teachings alone. A temple with so many people, they needed to eat, drink, repair the temple, and sculpt Buddha statues, all of which required silver. If they were truly detached from worldly affairs, Baofu Temple wouldn't have that plum grove behind the mountain, nor would they receive nobles in their temple.

Back then, he understood all of this, which was why he avoided the position of abbot like a tiger or wolf, stealing so many years of leisure, but it had caused his martial brother's lineage much suffering.

Therefore, he was willing to speak a few truths.

"Do you think this old monk willingly sought trouble? It's just that all people suffer, and if I don't enter hell, who will? That woman's fate is strange and peculiar, yet she is intertwined with Prince Wei. As for Prince Wei, this child is born with the Ziwei* star in his destiny, yet the Seven Killings star has entered his palace of fate. If the Seven Killings is controlled, it can transform killing into power, but if it is not controlled, then there will be widespread suffering."

TN: associated with monarch/emperor fate in astrology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziwei_doushu#:~:text=Zi%20Wei%20%E7%B4%AB%E5%BE%AE%20(The,capacity%20of%20healing%20and%20rescuing.

After sighing and saying these words, Lechen changed his tone, "So, good grand-disciple, your martial grand-uncle is going to travel, travel for ten or eight years before returning. I refuse to believe that Prince Wei will still be looking for me then."

Having said that, Lechen immediately left the meditation room, calling for his grand-disciple to pack his luggage. In this state, he looked nothing like a virtuous monk, but rather like a swindler.

Huicheng could do nothing about him, and could only shake his head as he went to the front to deal with secular matters.

***

On the other side, Chen Jin naturally hadn't composed a poem either.

He had only said he would compose a poem as a joke. If he were to actually recite poetry in front of a young lady to attract her attention, even if Chen Jin could shamelessly avoid hanging himself from the southeast branch, Li Xin would not spare him.

The two pretended to stroll through the plum grove. Over there, after Mei Chang and Mei E finished their playful tussle, they also noticed the sound of someone approaching. They were immediately ashamed, fearing that others would discover their unseemly behavior just now. If Mei Chang hadn't been so assertive, Mei E would have wanted to hide back in the pavilion on the spot.

"Calm down. It's normal for girls to laugh and play when they see beautiful scenery. Just pretend you're enjoying the scenery at home. Besides, it might not even be those two."

Mei E whispered, "How could it not be? Anyone who comes here at this time must be them. And look at those two, one is slightly younger, and the other is more composed and seems a bit older, which matches what was said."

"You do observe carefully."

The two stood under a plum tree, seemingly looking at the flowers on the branches, but actually whispering to each other.

"I didn't observe carefully at all," Mei E said, her face flushing.

In her haste, she had only glanced at them, seeing a tall man wearing a blue shirt and a dark blue cloak, and another wearing a blue robe with a gray cloak over it. One had a paler face, and the other had a darker face. The one with the darker face looked very composed from afar. She hadn't had time to look at anything else.

Mei E whispered what she had seen to her elder sister. Mei Chang glanced to the side and said, "Alright, stop talking. They're here."

"They're here?"

Mei E immediately became so nervous that she didn't know where to put her hands and feet. She lowered her head deeply, clutching her cloak tightly.

Sure enough, after a short while, they heard the sound of footsteps crunching on the snow.

Chen Jin cleared his throat and stepped forward, bowing and saluting, "Greetings, two young ladies. Forgive our intrusion. Chen and my friend are visiting Baofu Temple for the first time. We wonder how far it is from here to the temple on the mountain?"

Mei Chang was surprised by the two men's actions, but she had always been bold. Seeing this man approach and speak to her, she was not intimidated.

She smiled faintly, her beautiful eyes gazing at him, "My sister and I are also here for the first time, and we don't know how far it is from here to the temple on the mountain either."

Chen Jin had not expected her to have such an attitude. Especially since this woman's appearance was beautiful from afar, and even more charming and captivating up close, making one's head spin. Even he, who prided himself on his unparalleled wisdom, couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

Seeing the man's pale face faintly turning red, Mei Chang's smile became even more radiant, and she said in a clear voice, "Although I don't know the way, I do know where to go up the mountain. If you follow this direction, you will see the path leading up."

"Thank you, Miss."

Chen Jin retreated a few steps somewhat awkwardly, turning to leave. However, the person beside him was not in such a hurry, glancing back once more before following.

After the two had left, Mei Chang smiled and teased, "Did you see him clearly this time?"

Mei E, her small face flushed, said, "Second Sister, don't always tease me. Didn't you speak to him as well?"

Mei Chang twirled the flower in her hand, her eyes sparkling as she said, "He seems manageable. Earl Yongcheng's family is such a mess, yet he doesn't stay at home, which means he's not someone who can't control his own head. And he's quite handsome, isn't he?"

Mei E hadn't expected Mei Chang to have thought so much already, and whispered, "It seems, Second Sister, that you are willing?"

"And are you not willing?"

Mei E didn't speak, but her flushed face said it all.

***

Since they had to wait for Mei Chang and Mei E, they naturally needed to find a place to rest first.

Prince Wei and Wushuang then returned to the side room from before.

This side room was usually used for pilgrims to rest, and the furnishings were extremely simple. It was divided into two rooms, an outer room with tables and chairs, and an inner room with a bed. The bedding on the bed was thin, but in such a place, no one would use the bed.

Because of what had just happened, both of them were preoccupied, and for a moment, there was nothing to say, the atmosphere gradually becoming stagnant.

Prince Wei said, "If you are anxious about your two half-sisters, this Prince will have someone take you to find them?"

Wushuang hesitated slightly, glanced at Prince Wei, and seeing that he showed no displeasure, she nodded.

As soon as she left, a man in black appeared in the side room; it was An Yi.

An Yi relayed everything he had just overheard to Prince Wei, who frowned after listening.

The words of that Master Lechen were too simplistic. Prince Wei was by nature suspicious, and couldn't help but wonder if someone was directing him from behind. However, the two sentences he spoke seemed related, but the connection was missing a link, making the words sound vague and confusing.

Three lifetimes a Buddha, two lifetimes a mortal, the fate of millions rests on one person. Ziwei sits in destiny, Seven Killings enters the palace of fate. If there is restraint, then the killing will be transformed into power. If there is no restraint, then the people will suffer.

Could it be saying that he had killed many people because of her?

But one or two people, even dozens or hundreds, would never lead to the suffering of the people. There were too many inexplicable points. And "three lifetimes a Buddha, two lifetimes a mortal," was that saying she was living a second life?

Although Prince Wei could not yet see through the mysteries, his character was sharp and perceptive, and he inevitably thought of some of the suspicious points about Wushuang.

The first time they met, her sudden boldness, but after learning more, he knew that she was not actually a bold person. And she seemed to know him very well, knew about his headaches, knew how to soothe the 'him' who was in a frenzy, and she could even distinguish between him and 'him'.

There were many inexplicable suspicious points about her, but because they were harmless, Prince Wei had not taken them to heart. But today, after hearing the old monk's words, and the panic she had shown after hearing those words,

Could it be that she had truly lived two lives, and because she had married him in her previous life, she knew him so well?

"This matter is not to be told to anyone, including 'him'."

"Did that old monk really go traveling? Send two people to follow him, just follow from a distance, and don't attract his attention."

An Yi said, "Yes."

***

Wushuang, after leaving the side room, truly breathed a sigh of relief, but was instantly troubled by the old monk's words. She did not know that Prince Wei had sent out An Yi, and that the old monk's words had a continuation.

She was just wondering where to take a stroll when she saw people dressed as Prince Wei's guards coming from afar. Looking behind them, weren't they Mei Chang and Mei E?

Mei Chang and Mei E also saw Wushuang and quickly walked up to her.

"Was it all smooth?"

Seeing one bashful and the other silent, Wushuang led them aside, away from the guards and maids, to speak.

Mei E was quite embarrassed, but it was mainly Mei Chang who spoke.

Seeing that the two had each taken a liking to someone, Wushuang was pleasantly surprised; she had not expected it to go so smoothly.

Since the matter was settled, it was naturally time to return. However, it was already close to noon, and going down the mountain now would likely mean missing lunch. Having heard that the vegetarian food at Baofu Temple was quite good, and since Prince Wei had already made arrangements when Wushuang came out, the group stayed at Baofu Temple for a vegetarian meal before descending the mountain back to the capital.

Upon returning to the Prince Wei's mansion, Wushuang had just changed into her casual clothes and sat down for a sip of tea when a letter arrived from the front.

It was a letter from the men's side of the matchmaking meeting today.

The two men were likely truly interested, for after returning down the mountain, they sought out a go-between. This go-between was none other than Zhou Dang, the shizi of Marquis Huaiyin.

Zhou Dang was urged to rush to Prince Wei's mansion to discuss this matter. Wushuang matched the names given by the other side, and it was truly a coincidence; this was truly a marriage ordained by heaven.

Wushuang had the news sent back to Marquis Changyang's mansion. The rest was no longer her concern; someone would naturally come to discuss the remaining matters. She was quite tired from going up and down the mountain today, so she rested, and we shall not speak of it further.

On the other side, after Zhou Dang left, Prince Wei sat alone in his study, pondering for a long time, before finally going to the Song family.

After hearing what Prince Wei said, Song You hesitated and asked, "Your Highness intends to use that method?"

"With her personality, it would be extremely difficult to get her to reveal the reason for this matter. This Prince cannot bear to force her, so it is better to change to another method."

Song You was proficient in Zhuyou, and Zhuyou techniques delved into many unorthodox and esoteric practices. Previously, Song You had led Prince Wei into a dream, which was one of the techniques he was proficient in. This technique, used in a different way, could make a person unconsciously reveal the secrets in their heart, and upon waking, they would have no memory of it, only feeling as if they had had a dream.

Prince Wei considered many things.

If this matter was false, then the monk Lechen must have someone behind him. He preferred to seize the initiative rather than be unknowingly caught in a scheme. Furthermore, he also considered Wushuang's personality. If he were to probe, with her sensitive nature, it would only push her further away from him, and nothing else. Prince Wei could not bear to force her, so it was better to change to a simpler method.

Song You thought for a moment and said, "This requires prior preparation; it is likely too late for today."

"Then tomorrow."

"Very well."

***

The next day, Prince Wei told Wushuang that he would take her to find someone to take her pulse for peace.

As for why he did not seek out a court physician, Prince Wei was always methodical in his actions, so Wushuang did not think much of it.

However, what Wushuang did not expect was that the person she would meet would be Song You.

Perhaps Wushuang's expression was too surprised, for even though she tried her best to hide it, it was still a flaw in the eyes of shrewd people like Prince Wei and Song You.

At this point, Song You also believed Prince Wei's vague and ethereal conjecture.

Although he cultivated both Taoist arts and Zhuyou, dabbling in so many unorthodox practices, Song You had only seen the theory of people living two lives in Buddhist and Taoist texts; he had never seen a real person in reality.

Not daring to think further, Song You led the two to the room he had carefully arranged.

Wushuang saw countless yellow talismans pasted on the walls of the room, and numerous oil lamps on the tables, high cabinets, and low stools. Even though it was broad daylight, these oil lamps were all lit. She knew that Song You had many eccentricities, and since the doors and windows were closed, lighting lamps was not strange, but there were a few too many lamps lit, and with so many yellow talismans on the walls, she felt somewhat uncomfortable.

She could not help but lean closer to Prince Wei, who put his arm around her shoulder, and they sat down together on a chair.

"Princess Consort, please extend your hand, and Your Highness, please tie this silk thread to the Princess Consort's wrist."

Song You handed a thread to Prince Wei, while he held the other end of the thread, sitting back behind the table.

Could this be the legendary pulse diagnosis through a silken thread?

Wushuang had not expected Song You to be so proficient in this. She lowered her gaze to watch Prince Wei tie the silken thread to her wrist. His fingers were long and slender, his knuckles like jade, and a thumb ring adorned his thumb, making the whole sight pleasing to the eye.

She then looked at the silken thread.

Whether it was due to the excessive candlelight in the room, or that the silken thread was not ordinary, Wushuang only felt that the thread was crystal clear, and upon closer inspection, seemed to shimmer with seven-colored light, with strange and brilliant colors overflowing from it.

She unconsciously stared at it, feeling the halo even more peculiar, the flowing light dazzling, and gradually her thoughts drifted away, returning to chaos.