Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1623 Arrested (Bonus Chapter for 250 Million Donation Points)

“He is often visited by female benefactors.”

The old monk paused here, seemingly feeling that it was inappropriate, and added: "Nephew Huichen has a good eloquence, and some officials' wives and daughters like to listen to his sermons."

Manager Tao nodded and asked no more questions, then turned to the problem of insect infestation on the beams and pillars of the Sutra Repository.

Privately, he arranged for people to keep a close watch on Master Huichen.

The head of the monastic college led a very regular life.

He would give morning lessons and admonish his disciples, and in the afternoon he would often retreat to his meditation room for quiet contemplation.

In the evening, I sometimes take a walk alone in the back mountain.

The person keeping watch reported that Huichen did indeed have contact with some female relatives who came to the temple to offer incense. However, this was mostly done openly, with disciples present, and his words and actions did not appear to be inappropriate.

Manager Tao was not in a hurry.

If there's something fishy going on, it will eventually come to light.

The person keeping an eye on Master Huichen knew exactly what he was doing.

This head of the disciplinary hall, during the day, appeared as a strict teacher, and when he reprimanded disciples who broke the precepts, his voice was as loud as a bell.

But old habits die hard.

After the initial period of calm, Master Huichen, seeing that the people sent by the palace were merely performing routine duties, could no longer restrain himself and returned to his old ways.

As dusk approached, people would often quietly visit Master Huichen's meditation room.

Most of the people who came were well-dressed, but deliberately kept a low profile.

There were old women carrying food boxes and middle-aged men dressed as housekeepers.

There were also one or two slender women wearing veils.

Led by their disciples, they hurriedly entered through a side door, stayed for no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and then left.

Manager Tao managed to get close to the back window of the meditation room and vaguely heard Master Huichen's smiling voice coming from inside: "...Don't worry, benefactor, this matter is on this humble monk's shoulders!"

"Buddha will surely protect you..."

That evening, another portly old man emerged from Master Huichen's meditation room, a look of relief on his face.

No sooner had he left than Steward Tao arrived at the Disciplinary Hall with four men disguised as attendants, who were actually skilled fighters from the palace.

Master Huichen was sitting in the meditation room, with a copy of the Diamond Sutra spread out in front of him, while holding a fine jade pendant in his hand and examining it under the lamp.

Hearing footsteps, he quickly tucked the jade pendant into his sleeve, and when he looked up, he had adopted a solemn expression.

Upon seeing that the visitor was Steward Tao, Master Huichen stood up and put his hands together in prayer: "Steward Tao, what brings you here so late at night?"

Manager Tao returned the greeting, his expression calm: "I apologize for disturbing Master Huichen's meditation."

"The palace is auditing the temple's assets, and there are several accounts that need to be reconciled with the Vinaya Academy. This is a matter of great importance, so I have to bother you overnight."

Master Huichen frowned slightly: "Regarding the accounts, this humble monk will have my disciple deliver them after tomorrow's morning prayers. There's no need for that..."

"In an emergency, we must make decisions based on our circumstances."

Manager Tao interrupted him: "Please, Master Huichen, move to the guest courtyard for a chat."

"I have already ordered the relevant account books to be moved there."

A hint of wariness flashed in Master Huichen's eyes.

However, the people behind Manager Tao were positioned to subtly block the way through the doors and windows.

Master Huichen was a little nervous, knowing he couldn't refuse, so he said, "In that case, please allow this humble monk to change my clothes."

"No need to bother."

Manager Tao smiled slightly: "It's just checking the accounts, it'll be done soon."

"Master please!"

Master Huichen had no choice but to follow them out of the meditation room.

There were still disciples patrolling the courtyard at night. When they saw their master being "invited" away by people from the palace, they looked surprised and suspicious, but dared not ask any questions.

The group did not go to the guest quarters, but went straight out of the monastic monastery and headed towards an old dining hall on the back mountain that was originally used to store miscellaneous items.

This place had long been secretly cleared and controlled by Manager Tao's men, and was guarded both inside and out, making it difficult for even birds to fly in.

Upon entering the dining hall, the door closed behind me.

There was a wooden table and two chairs in the very center.

Master Huichen's expression changed: "Steward Tao, what is the meaning of this?"

"Master, please calm down."

Manager Tao sat down at the table and gestured for him to sit as well: "I invited Master Huichen here because I have important matters to discuss with you."

Master Huichen stood still, his voice deepening: "If you want to ask for guidance, then ask. Why come to this remote place?"

“This humble monk is the head of the Vinaya Institute of Fatu Temple. Without a legitimate reason, even someone from the palace has no right to detain me!”

Manager Tao raised an eyebrow: "Detain? Master, you're exaggerating. It's just that it's quiet here, making it convenient to talk."

As he spoke, he took out a booklet from his bosom, opened it, and said, "At three-quarters past dusk today, what did Manager Liu of the Furui Silk Shop in the East City send to the Master's meditation room?"

Master Huichen's pupils contracted, but he remained calm: "Manager Liu is a devout pilgrim who brought some homemade pastries as a token of his devotion. What's wrong with that?"

"dessert?"

Steward Tao nodded, then took out a small cloth bag from his sleeve. Inside were several large silver notes and a jade thumb ring: "Could the 'snacks' that Granny Li from the Zhao family in the south of the city brought in a food box the other afternoon be this kind?"

When Master Huichen saw the thumb ring, which was the offering that the Zhao family had given him the day before to ward off disaster, his face immediately turned pale.

Manager Tao gave Master Huichen no chance to catch his breath, explaining clearly what he had found, one case at a time.

Some things were so long ago that even Master Huichen himself had almost forgotten them. Now, as they were all revealed, he felt a cold sweat run down his back…

“…Master Huichen”.

Manager Tao closed the booklet and looked at him with a half-smile: "Fatu Temple is a temple supported by the royal family, and the head of the Vinaya Hall should set an example!"

"You have been secretly accepting money and valuables from worshippers, using the guise of praying for blessings to amass wealth. If this were to become public, what would become of the reputation of Buddhism?!"

Master Huichen's legs were a little weak, and he could only stand up by holding onto the edge of the table. However, he refused to admit it and said, "Manager Tao, don't make false accusations!"

"These...these are all offerings made voluntarily by worshippers; this humble monk has never asked for them!"

"Giving alms and accumulating merit is a common practice in Buddhism. How come it has become a means of accumulating wealth in your mouth?"

Manager Tao chuckled, "That Manager Liu's son killed someone, the Zhao family encroached on neighboring fields, and..."

"These pilgrims, embroiled in lawsuits, all come to the master for 'offerings.' After the offerings, their cases are either leniently judged or settled out of court. Is there really such a coincidence? Are you also colluding with the government?"

“Master Huichen, you’ve taken more than just money; I’m afraid you’ve also been involved in some illicit affairs that you shouldn’t have.”

"The palace has been investigating some old matters recently, which happen to be related to Fatu Temple. What do you think His Majesty would think if he knew that there was a high-ranking monk in the temple he supports every year who specializes in 'avoiding disasters' for people?"

Master Huichen looked up, fear in his eyes: "You... what nonsense are you talking about!"

"What palace secrets? This humble monk knows nothing of them!"

Although he wasn't sure what Steward Tao specifically referred to, Master Huichen had, over the years, accepted bribes to do favors for people in the palace.

Now that Manager Tao has brought it up, how could he not feel guilty?