"Kind of you, Master. I came today mainly to soak up the Buddha's light and, incidentally, to see the Water and Land Dharma Assembly. I apologize for any inconveniences caused and hope Master will forgive me."
Nangong Mo has regained the dignified appearance of a prince, calm and solemn, with an imposing demeanor. Although his words are modest, his manner is also gentle. Yet, for some reason, he unintentionally gives off a sense of distance.
"It is a blessing for the Temple of Bì that Your Highness, the Prince, has come to visit. There is no such thing as 'disturbance.'"
Master Huicong nodded slightly in respect, turning to the King of Jin: "Several months ago, when the Prince was married, I was unable to attend. I hope the king will forgive me."
The King of Jin smiled faintly, "Master, as a recluse from the world, it is naturally inconvenient for you to attend secular weddings. I understand in my heart, and you need not feel uneasy."
His voice was clear and soothing, much more approachable compared to the Prince, and that simple smile of his made people feel closer.
Master Huicong smiled with his mouth and looked at Nangong Yan, "The prince's wedding is a joyous occasion. I, the old monk, offer my congratulations to the prince."
Nangong Yan faintly smiled, his demeanor gentle and refined. He was about to speak when...
Master Huicong was staring at him intently, his eyebrows knitted together.
Nangong Yan couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly, but it quickly relaxed. He then asked in a low voice, "Master, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with me?"
Master Huicong, a learned monk who has attained enlightenment, stared at him with such intensity that it made Nangong Yan feel uneasy.
"Prince Yan, this place is not suitable for speaking. Please follow me to the Darma Hall."
Master Huicong spoke, and then led Nangong Yan in the direction of the Darma Hall.
Seeing Nangong Yan follow suit.
The King of Jin and the Queen of Jin couldn't help but show concern on their faces.
"Master Huicong stared at Nangong Yan in such a way earlier. Is there something wrong with Nangong Yan?"
The Queen of Jin turned her head and looked at the King of Jin beside her, her expression worried as she spoke.
The King of Jin looked at his beloved wife, furrowing his brows and shaking his head, "I don't know either. We'll ask Nangong Yan when we get back."
Seeing that her worry on her face had not faded, he gently comforted her, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Even if there is something, Master Huicong will help resolve it."
Otherwise, there would be no reason to take Nangong Yan aside and pretend to be unaware.
The Queen of Jin looked at the King of Jin but said nothing.
Nangong Mo gazed thoughtfully in the direction that Master Huicong had left, before turning his gaze back and making a low greeting with the King of Jin. After a moment, he returned to his residence.
The King of Jin and the Queen of Jin did not stand at the door, quickly turning inside.
In the Darma Hall, within a serene meditation room, this was where Master Huicong usually practiced Zen and meditated.
Nangong Yan sat on the lotus-shaped mat, his demeanor rare serious, wearing a moon-white jade-colored robe. Even though his face was stern, he looked gentle.
Master Huicong sat opposite him, and the two were separated by a pot of clear tea. Their expressions were also serious.
"Master, do you have something to say to Nangong Yan?"
Nangong Yan raised his head and looked at Master Huicong, the severity in his expression dissipating, replacing it with a gentle demeanor. He spoke in a low voice.
He picked up the tea pot in front of him and poured a cup of clear tea for the other, then lightly pushed it forward.
Master Huicong glanced at the cup of tea pushed in front of him, but did not drink it. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Nangong Yan, his expression serious as he said, "The old monk observed your facial features and found that you seem to have a disaster involving blood in the near future, but it is not serious and there is no risk to your life."
"Nevertheless, it will lead to a series of chain reactions that will bring about major changes throughout the King of Jin's mansion, so you must be careful."
Nangong Yan's expression changed slightly, his eyes fixated on him. "Do you know who is targeting me and why?"
Such a situation could cause major changes throughout the King of Jin's mansion, which probably involves the palace. However, it is unclear what exactly is involved.
Master Huicong was silent for several seconds, and his face seemed to be indecisive. After a moment, he said: "The old monk can only tell the prince that the person is from the palace and is involved in some matters. For other things, please forgive me for not being able to say more."
"Palace?" Nangong Yan furrowed his brow tightly.
Although he was born in the Wangfu, he had no direct conflicts with the palace. Who would target him without a reason?
And it will affect the entire mansion.
Suddenly, the face of Nangong Mo flashed through his mind.
He remembered their recent conversation and the person's covetousness towards Yaoer.
His lips thinned into a line, and his fingers suddenly clenched, turning white at the knuckles.
"Master, is that person from the Eastern Palace?"
Nangong Yan stared at Master Huicong intently, his expression serious as he asked.
The Eastern Palace is also within the scope of the palace.
Could it be that Nangong Mo, in order to obtain Yaoer, would take action against him and the entire King of Jin's mansion?
Master Huicong was taken aback for a moment. He had only said that the person came from the palace, but Nangong Yan thought of the Eastern Palace.
"I mean the harem. Other things need you to think about by yourself."
He took a sip of the clear tea, lowered his eyelids, and did not speak further.
Nangong Yan furrowed his brow, his face showing signs of contemplation. He tightly grasped his fingers.
The harem refers to the concubines of the Emperor, i.e., the concubines of the king's brother.
Why would the concubines of the Emperor have any reason to harm him? He's not a prince, has no claim to the throne, and there is no conflict of interest. Why would they attack him without a reason?
Perhaps because the Emperor treated him so well, the concubines resented him and couldn't help but take action against him.
But if that's the case, how could it affect the entire mansion? Or cause such a major change?
He looked up at Master Huicong, seeing that he seemed unwilling to say more, and so he did not continue to press for answers.
Instead, he stood up and bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Master Yan is extremely grateful."
Master Huicong raised his eyelids, looked at him, and smiled faintly.
Pondering for a moment, he cautioned again, "Prince Yan, please forgive me for speaking out of turn. If you wish to live a happy and fulfilling life, you must treat your princess consort well and maintain your marriage carefully. Otherwise, you will live a lonely life and regret it all your life."
Nangong Yan slightly stunned, then smiled, "I will certainly treat my princess consort well, thank you, Master."
Expression is modest and polite.
As night fell, the bells of the Wan'an Temple began to ring.
Yu Yao woke up, opened her eyes, and saw that the sky was already dark. She straightened her collar, then got out of bed.
She walked to the table and poured herself a glass of water to drink, taking a few sips to quench her thirst, then walked to the window, pulled back the curtain, and saw a soft beam of moonlight streaming in from outside. The sky outside was filled with stars.
Si Qin pushed open the door and saw that her master had already woken up, so she smiled and said, "Lady, it's cool at night. You might catch a cold like this. Let me put your robe on for you."
Yu Yao turned to look at the person who had entered, a faint smile curved at the corner of her mouth, "Okay!"
So she allowed the other to wait on her.
Si Qin draped the robe over her gently, looked at the lady for a moment, then hesitated and said, "Lady, Master Nangong went to the Darma Hall with Master Huicong today. He didn't stay long and came back quickly."
Yu Yao nodded, but did not mind it, and did not ask what Nangong Yan had done at the Darma Hall.
Si Qin sighed and looked at the lady helplessly. She couldn't help but feel that the lady didn't care about Master Nangong at all, whereas originally, she seemed quite interested in him.
Si Qin didn't know that Yu Yao had let go of her concerns. She was thinking that since she was pregnant, completing the task of giving birth to a child would be her first priority, and it didn't matter whether she pursued Nangong Yan or not.
Yu Yao had no intention of living out her entire life in this world.
Of course, she wasn't going to leave as soon as the child was born. She would raise the child, and it would be so pitiful without a mother.
Seeing that the lady didn't ask, Si Qin spoke up on her own, "Master Nangong came back looking very troubled. Even when the Queen asked, he wouldn't say anything."
Yu Yao's expression slightly changed, and she looked at Si Qin, "Can you tell me what's wrong?"
Si Qin shook her head, "I don't know. Just as the lady was falling asleep, Master Huicong came by, said a few words, then stared at Master Nangong for a while. After that, he took him to the Darma Hall."
"I see."
She didn't pursue the matter, probably because Master Huicong had said something to Nangong Yan.
