Xuan Jing followed Du Guo Ye into the palace, and the imperial buildings along the way were even more exquisite and magnificent, adorned with carved beams and painted eaves, and glistened with gold and jade, fully embodying the royal style.
Even as a monk, he couldn't help but be startled at this moment.
However, the purpose of his journey was not to admire the scenery, but to search for his origins.
Du Guo Ye walked ahead, turning his head and looking at him with a half-smile, "The venerable monk seems to have a keen interest in the imperial architecture?"
For some reason, though they had never met before, he found himself strangely disliking this monk.
He couldn't quite put his finger on the reason, but for some reason, he found himself intensely disliking this man.
He felt an almost overwhelming urge to do something cruel.
This feeling even bewildered him himself.
In the end, he could only attribute it to the fact that their natural temperament was incompatible.
Xuan Jing's intuition was acute, and he could sense that the prince in front of him disliked him.
He found it strange in his heart and wondered if he had ever offended the prince. But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't recall anything.
Due to the realization that the prince didn't like him, he spoke very cautiously, "I am a monk for the first time in the palace, and my knowledge is limited. I hope that Your Highness will forgive me."
“Oh, don't mention it. The venerable monk is too modest. Although this imperial palace is vast, it has its unique charm. If the venerable monk is willing, I can take him for a walk around the palace.”
Du Guo Ye spoke with great politeness, but there was a hint of amusement in the deep eyes of his.
Xuan Jing came this time to search for his origins, not wanting to cause any trouble, so he declined gracefully.
“Your Highness's kindness has been accepted by the monk. However, I have important matters to attend to, and it would not be convenient for me to stay longer. I hope Your Highness will understand.”
Upon hearing this, Du Guo Ye did not insist, just smiling, "In that case, I won't disturb the venerable monk any further. The emperor has been waiting in the Imperial Study for quite some time. The venerable monk, please follow me."
As he spoke, he turned to lead the way, and Xuan Jing followed closely behind.
The two of them went through layer after layer of palace gates and finally arrived at the Imperial Study. Du Guo Ye pushed open the door and made a gesture of invitation with his hand, "The venerable monk, please enter."
Xuan Jing stepped into the Imperial Study and saw a middle-aged man standing with his hands behind his back, facing away from them, his back to the window.
That was Emperor Xuanwu of the Great Yu Dynasty, Du Guo Chen.
Hearing the footsteps, Emperor Xuanwu turned around, revealing a dignified and handsome face.
If one looked closely, they would notice a similarity in the eyebrows and eyes between Xuanwu, Xuan Jing, and Du Guo Ye.
"The monk Xuan Jing, I have the honor of meeting Your Majesty."
Xuan Jing clasped his hands in prayer.
Emperor Xuanwu inspected Xuan Jing from head to toe, and a trace of admiration flashed in his eyes. "You truly have extraordinary talent, worthy of being a high priest of Wan Fo Si. I have heard that your Buddhist teachings are profound, so I have specially summoned you to the palace, hoping that you can solve my doubts."
Xuan Jing bowed his head and said, "The emperor speaks too highly of me. I only have a basic understanding of Buddhist teachings and dare not claim to be high and deep. If the emperor has any questions, I am willing to try my best to provide answers."
Emperor Xuanwu nodded. "I would like to ask you, in the world, everything has cause and effect. What are the causes and effects of my own?"
Xuan Jing's heart stirred, this question seemed simple on the surface but was actually profound.
After a moment of reflection, he spoke, "As an emperor of a nation and the ruler of its people, Your Majesty's cause and effect is the well-being of all living beings in the world. Every word and action of Your Majesty affects the prosperity and stability of the country as well as the safety and welfare of its citizens."
Emperor Xuanwu, hearing this, a trace of bright light flashed in his eyes. "Then, how should I do to benefit the well-being of all living beings in the world?"
Xuan Jing said, "The emperor only needs to uphold a just heart, put the people first, work diligently and love the people, in order to secure blessings for all living beings in the world."
Emperor Xuanwu listened to his words and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
After a long while, he finally raised his head and looked at Xuan Jing deeply. "Your words, Your Majesty will keep in mind. I originally summoned you to the palace to solve a puzzle for myself. But I did not expect that you have actually solved the heartache that has plagued me for years. I will bestow a great reward upon you."
Xuan Jing hurriedly said, "Your Majesty speaks too highly of me. As a monk, I only did what I should do. It is beyond my ability to accept such a reward."
"Haha, Monk, your indifference to fame and wealth and your disregard for worldly things are truly something that deserves the respect of the court."
Emperor Xuanwu chuckled and did not force him, adding, "But if the monk has any other requests, feel free to mention them."
Xuan Jing, hearing this, thinking of his own origins, a trace of hesitation flashed in his eyes. He slightly bowed and said, "The monk indeed has something to request from Your Majesty?"
"Oh? What is it that the monk needs help with from the emperor? Speak freely."
Emperor Xuanwu's eyes flashed with curiosity and couldn't help but continue asking.
Du Guo Ye was on the sidelines, his deep eyes glanced at Xuan Jing, and he was also curious about what the monk wanted.
Perhaps it has to do with the other person's sudden appearance in the capital.
Facing the emperor's pursuit, Xuan Jing paused for a moment and said, "I have heard that twenty years ago, a concubine named Min had a maid named Yunyan by her side. The monk wants to find her. I wonder if the emperor knows where she is?"
He did not reveal the fact that he was the child who was taken out of the palace by Yunyan, the personal maid to Concubine Min.
Emperor Xuanwu heard him mention Concubine Min, and his originally neutral expression became extremely serious, even as he gathered his smile.
His gaze was locked on Xuan Jing, inspecting him from head to toe, as if he wanted to see something on his face.
Xuan Jing was not afraid, his expression calm as still water, allowing Emperor Xuanwu to inspect him at will.
Du Guo Ye was quietly listening on the side. Concubine Min was the most beloved woman of the emperor in his life. Unfortunately, she died in childbirth, and even the newborn prince was nowhere to be found.
My father was in deep mourning for a long time, even thinking of taking the monk's vows and devoting himself to the Buddha from then on.
Fortunately, he was convinced to stay by his grandmother. Although my father did not become a monk, he was still deeply grieved for a long time and only gradually recovered after a long period.
This matter was a taboo throughout the entire court and palace. Practically no one dared to mention "Concubine Min" in front of the emperor.
"What do you want to find Yunyan for?"
Emperor Xuanwu sized up Xuan Jing, his tone laced with a hint of caution. Concubine Min and the missing prince had always been a sore point in his heart.
At this time, hearing the other person mention Concubine Min and Yunyan, the empress's personal maid, he naturally couldn't remain calm.
Xuan Jing maintained the peace of a monk, clasping his hands together, and said, "The monk has once been bestowed with a favor by Yunyan. This time I came to the capital, it is to find her and repay the favor from that year."
Emperor Xuanwu's eyes flickered with a hint of confusion, but quickly returned to calm. He said indifferently, "Yunyan has long left the palace, and I do not know where she is now."
Du Guo Ye observed from the side. Although he had no reason to dislike this monk, he also became interested in his purpose.
He clearly remembered that when he was a child, he had accidentally heard maids gossiping about Concubine Min and the missing prince in private. It seemed to be related to Yunyan.
Now, with Xuan Jing suddenly mentioning Yunyan, he couldn't help but connect the two incidents together.
He even suspected that Xuan Jing was the prince who was taken away by Yunyan.
"Oh? The monk has received a favor from Yunyan?"
Du Guo Ye interjected with a sardonic smile, "I wonder what kind of favor it was that made the monk so nostalgic and persistent?"
Xuan Jing turned to look at Du Guo Ye, his eyes deep and calm, as if he could see through the hearts of others. "In this world, whether it is a big or small favor, it should be remembered in our hearts. Yunyan of Master took a favor on me that saved my life when I was young. Therefore, it is natural for the monk to come and find her."
Du Guo Ye's lips curled slightly, his eyes carrying a hint of mischief. He moved closer to Xuan Jing and whispered, "If I can help you find Yunyan, how will the high monk repay me?"
Xuan Jing faintly smiled, clasping his hands together and saying, "Amitabha. If Your Highness can help the monk find Yunyan, the monk will offer Buddhist merits to You and pray for your lifelong prosperity and good fortune."
Du Guo Ye laughed lightly, what he wanted was not these intangible Buddhist blessings, but he wanted to take this opportunity to see what the monk's real purpose was.
Whether he was truly as he had guessed, the son of Concubine Min.
"Alright, then I will help you look for this Yunyan."
Du Guo Ye smirked and turned to seek permission from Emperor Xuanwu, "Father, the son-in-law is willing to help this high monk find Yunyan in order to fulfill his debt of gratitude."
Emperor Xuanwu watched the two in front of him, though he was filled with doubts, he also wanted to take this opportunity to see what secret was hidden behind this.
He nodded, "Since you, the son, are willing to help, go ahead."
Du Guo Ye, with the emperor's permission, turned to Xuan Jing and said, "The high monk please stay in the palace for a few days and wait for my message."
Xuan Jing smiled slightly, expressed his thanks, and then followed the palace attendants as he walked away.
Later, he was arranged to stay in a quiet courtyard in the palace.
The Eastern Palace at night was enveloped in a mysterious tranquility, with the palace walls casting long shadows under the moonlight.
In the study, the candlelight flickered, and Du Guo Ye stood by the window, deep in thought, lost in his contemplation.
"Prince, as per your orders, we have sent someone to look for Yunyan."
Yun Yan appeared silently behind Du Guo Ye and respectfully whispered in a low voice.
Du Guo Ye nodded slightly without turning back, "How is the investigation of Xuan Ji's background going with the secret guards?"
"The investigation has already produced some results, Your Highness."
Yun Yan spoke with trepidation, watching the prince in front of him carefully. "According to our spy reports, Xuan Jing is indeed a high monk from Wanfo Temple, but he has a very close relationship with the Miss Yu. They even have a pair of dragon and phoenix twins, born six months ago. Your Highness originally met the widow in Lianhua County."
"What did you say?"
Du Guo Ye turned around abruptly, his expression was extremely shocked.
