frightfiction Chapter 1648 Burning Buddhist Scriptures
Chapter 1648 Burning Buddhist Scriptures
"If there is anything suspicious, report it to me immediately!"
At this point, the emperor paused, his tone becoming increasingly sinister: "This matter must be carried out in secret. I do not wish to hear any rumors that should not be heard."
Li Changde assured him, "This servant understands! I will act with utmost caution and dare not divulge even the slightest secret!"
……
The news that Master Xingchen of Fatu Temple had been invited to the palace for questioning spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital in just one day.
This eminent monk was extremely popular among the common people. They usually only knew his name but rarely saw him. Now that he had been taken away by the palace guards, it naturally attracted a lot of discussion.
Most people said, "What could the holy monk have done wrong? He couldn't possibly be related to the rebel king. It must be some noble person in the palace who invited him to give a sermon."
Wang Po, the old woman selling incense and candles in the West Market, said confidently as she wrapped yellow paper for people, "My nephew from my maternal family has a stall outside Fatu Temple. He said that when Master Xingchen passed away, his face was very calm, and he even instructed his disciples to continue chanting scriptures as usual. How could this look like something had happened?"
"Yes, the palace will probably just conduct the usual questioning. Master Xingchen will return to Fatu Temple soon."
"No matter who does evil in the world, the Holy Monk will not tolerate it!"
"Who says it isn't?"
"..."
Fatou Temple.
Although there were far fewer pilgrims than usual, those who remained were mostly devout believers.
The abbot kept reassuring them, saying that things would be fine once the matter was investigated.
Whether they were high-ranking officials or ordinary people, everyone felt that Master Xingchen would definitely be alright.
……
Chuxiu Palace.
Consort Kang's face was full of worry.
Caiju brought in a bowl of bird's nest porridge. Seeing that Consort Kang still looked restless, she couldn't help but advise, "Your Highness, you didn't eat much for breakfast. This porridge is just right. Please have some."
Consort Kang seemed not to hear her and asked worriedly, "Is there any new news outside?"
Caiju knew what she was asking and sighed inwardly: "I just went to the Imperial Kitchen to get ingredients and overheard some of the head eunuchs talking about how the Imperial Guards are guarding the Fatu Temple. There are fewer worshippers, but the temple bells are still ringing as usual."
Consort Kang anxiously pressed, "What about Master Xingchen?!"
"This……"
Caiju paused for a moment and said in a low voice, "The people in Yangxin Hall are all tight-lipped, how could it be easy to find out? However... I heard a little eunuch mention that His Majesty has not yet summoned Master Xingchen, but only told him to wait."
Consort Kang's face paled even more.
Seeing her like this, Caiju said worriedly, "Your Highness, if I may say something I shouldn't... let's just leave this matter alone..."
Consort Kang raised her eyes to look at her.
Caiju gritted her teeth and decided to be blunt: "Everyone outside says that Fatu Temple has been implicated in the rebellious king's affair this time. But we know in our hearts that when we went to the Cold Palace to see Lady Chu last time, she was very likely involved with Master Xingchen..."
"Not long after Lady Chu died, His Majesty summoned Master Xingchen to the palace for questioning. The key to this is..."
Caiju didn't say anything more, but her meaning was crystal clear.
Consort Kang was certainly aware of this.
Chu Shuxian discovered the Buddhist scriptures that Master Xingchen had personally copied.
Later, Chu Shuxian died...
Die quietly.
The people in the cold palace only said that she was seriously ill and incurable, and hastily prepared her body for burial.
Consort Kang had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Then, news suddenly spread that Master Xingchen had been "invited" into the palace by His Majesty.
Considering all these events, it's hard for Consort Kang not to overthink things...
"Miss."
Caiju advised, "I know you are grateful for Master Xingchen's kindness, but now is not the time to talk about gratitude!"
"You still have the Buddhist scriptures personally copied by Master Xingchen. What if... what if His Majesty finds out about them..."
Even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about the Fifth Prince!
"The Fifth Prince is still so young and in poor health; he can't withstand the slightest hardship. If someone sees those scriptures and insists they're tokens or proof, we won't be able to explain ourselves!"
Consort Kang closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Caiju's words make sense.
She dared not imagine the consequences if the scriptures were discovered...
She's already stumbled on this once, and no matter how reluctant she is, she can't make the same mistake again.
"Caiju."
Consort Kang opened her eyes and finally made up her mind: "Go and fetch the brazier."
Caiju finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes!"
A short while later, she brought in a brazier and gently placed it on the ground. Then she turned and rummaged around in the hidden compartment for a moment before taking out the Buddhist scriptures.
Consort Kang picked up the top book, gently smoothed the curled corners, and looked at it for a long time.
She then suppressed her reluctance, gave a bitter smile, and threw the scriptures into the brazier.
Watching it twist and blur in the high temperature, and finally turn into black ash, Consort Kang turned her face away.
Caiju used a wooden stick to turn the leaves in the brazier, making sure that each page was burned thoroughly without leaving any residue.
The firelight reflected on Consort Kang's face as she watched the scriptures vanish before her eyes, feeling an emptiness in her heart, as if a piece of her soul had been ripped out...
After a long while, Caiju said, "Your Majesty, it's all burned clean."
Consort Kang nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then instructed, "Go and find out how Master Xingchen is doing now."
Caiju hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty, at this critical juncture..."
Consort Kang insisted, "Now everyone inside and outside the palace is talking about Master Xingchen. If you ask a few questions, it won't arouse suspicion."
Caiju thought about it and realized it made sense. Otherwise, the Empress wouldn't be at ease and might do something even more irrational: "What does Your Majesty want to know?"
"whatever."
Consort Kang turned around and said, "The main thing is to find out His Majesty's attitude towards this matter. Is there anyone in the previous dynasty who spoke up for Master Xingchen? ... Keep track of everything that is relevant."
"The servant understands."
Caiju curtsied and said, "Your Highness, please have some porridge first. I'll go right away."
Consort Kang nodded.
The bird's nest porridge had gone cold. She scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth, but couldn't taste anything.
Master Xingchen... how is he now?
Will His Majesty believe that he is connected with the rebel king?
Or will it be because of his prestige in the Great Zhou Dynasty that he will be given a high slam but then gently put down?
Consort Kang was unaware.
About an hour later, Caiju returned.
She had a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, indicating that she had traveled to quite a few places.
"...Your Majesty, I have heard that several officials from the previous dynasty jointly submitted a memorial stating that those who live outside the court should not be involved in politics, and request Your Majesty to investigate the truth and release Master Xingchen back to Fatu Temple."
"The adults all believe that Master Xingchen is a highly accomplished monk, and His Majesty is wise and would not wrong the holy monk."
“People in the palace are still talking about it. More and more people are gathering outside the temple, and many believers are kneeling outside the temple gate chanting sutras to pray for Master Xingchen.”
Consort Kang asked with concern, "Has His Majesty ordered them to be dispersed?"