The news that the Emperor had invested Wei Prince's Manor had spread widely, causing a stir throughout the capital.
The people's discussions spread like scattered willow catkins in spring, quickly filling the streets and alleys of the capital. Every teahouse, every marketplace became a hub of heated debate.
"Have you heard? Wei Wang, the sixth son who returned from the Buddhist temple, has two children!"
An elderly scholar in simple robes holds a teacup, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Wow, what a big news this is. Wasn't he raised at the Wàn Fó Temple, devoted to Buddhism? How did he suddenly have descendants?"
An adjacent young scholar shakes his head and nods, evidently showing great curiosity about this matter.
"Hey, who knows? Maybe the Buddha also couldn't stand it and let him continue the incense."
A flower-seller interrupted with a playful smile on her face.
These discussions quickly spread to every corner of the capital.
This not only startled the court officials, but also deeply touched the peaceful Buddhist land of Wàn Fó Temple.
After Xuán Jì returned to the royal family, it was renamed as the Protecting Nation Monastery.
The abbot, Xuè Kōng Master, was meditating in a temple room and reciting sutras when he suddenly heard the urgent tolling of the bells outside. This made him feel uneasy and he knew that something important was happening.
"Abbot, bad news. A message from the capital says that Prince Wei's Xuè Jì has offspring, and has been appointed by the emperor as the heir and a princess!"
A young monk rushed into the room, breaking the tranquility.
Xuè Kōng Master opened his eyes, and a faint fluctuation could be seen in his eyes, but he quickly returned to serenity. He said lightly, "Take me to see my mentor."
In the Master's chamber, several elders had already gathered together, and the atmosphere was tense.
Xuè Kōng Master stepped into the room and directly asked, "Is this true?"
"It is absolutely true. The imperial edict has been issued, and the people of the capital are discussing it everywhere."
An elder handed over a copy of the imperial edict.
Xuè Kōng Master took it, read it carefully, and his eyebrows knit together.
A moment later, he put down the paper and said in a low voice, "Xuè Jì was raised by me, and his character is tenacious and his wisdom is extraordinary. How could he do such a thing? However, the Buddhist precepts are strict, and if there is indeed such a thing, it must be investigated."
"The abbot's words are absolutely correct, but Xuan Ji is now in a high position. How shall we handle this?" another elder worried.
Xuè Kōng Master pondered for a moment and decided to go down the mountain himself to investigate the matter.
He knew that this matter was not only about Wei Ji's personal honor and disgrace, but also about the reputation of the Buddhist sect and future succession.
Outside the Wei Prince's Manor, Xuè Kōng Master was dressed in Buddhist robes and held a Zen staff, walking with steadfast steps.
The guards of the prince's mansion, upon seeing this, dared not delay and quickly notified the authorities.
Not long ago, Xuán Jì hurriedly came out to welcome his teacher, bowing respectfully and saying, "Disciple Xuán Jì, I bow before you."
Xuè Kōng Master looked at this disciple, who was once the most promising, with a mixed feeling in his heart.
He said nothing, merely staring at him, as if trying to pierce through Xuán Jì's heart.
"Master, my disciple has committed a sin, please punish me."
Xuán Jì couldn't deceive his master and had already guessed his intention. He kneelled on the ground with his knees, bowed his head to the ground, and trembled as he spoke.
Xuè Kōng's gaze was complex, and a look of sorrow passed over his eyes. He said gravely, "Xuán Jì, rise. Master has some questions to ask you."
Xuán Jì followed the teacher's orders and stood up, but he dared not look directly at his teacher's eyes. He whispered, "My disciple is here."
"Two children, what exactly happened?"
Xuè Kōng's voice was not loud, but each word was clear, carrying an undeniable authority.
Xuán Jì kneeled again and said in a low voice, "Master, my disciple has committed a sin that is punishable by Buddhist discipline. These two children are indeed my biological children. But my intention is not to renounce the Buddhist faith. I just want to raise them myself in the Wei Prince's mansion."
Xuè Kōng, upon hearing this, frowned even more and closed his eyes, sighing deeply: "Xuán Jì, you have been in my Buddhist temple since you were young and have practiced for many years. You should have no worries in your heart. Why did you commit such a serious mistake?"
Xuán Jì bowed his head, and his voice was trembling with sobs: "My disciple knows that my sins are deep and heavy, and I dare not ask for Master's forgiveness. But I have love in my heart and I cannot bear to see the children abandoned outside with no one to rely on. I am willing to endure any punishment, only asking Master to allow me to continue raising them."
Xuè Kōng opened his eyes and a faint trace of mercy could be seen in his gaze, but he quickly regained determination: "Since you have committed a sin, you must face the punishment. Follow me back to Wàn Fó Temple, and spend some time in seclusion to atone for your previous sins."
Xuán Jì, upon hearing this, was filled with fear in his heart and immediately pleaded for mercy: "Master, if the disciple leaves, who will take care of the two children? The disciple is willing to seclude himself in the Wei Prince's mansion to practice Zen and recite sutras every day to atone for his past mistakes."
Xuè Kōng pondered for a moment before yielding: "Very well, considering it's your first offense and there is room for understanding. You will stay in the Wei Prince's mansion, but you must strictly observe the Buddhist precepts and not set foot in the secular world again. Moreover, the Buddhist precepts must not be discarded; you will undergo thirty whipping strokes to serve as a warning."
Xuán Jì's heart was filled with a mixture of five flavors, but mostly gratitude and respect for his teacher.
He bowed again, his voice firm: "The disciple will follow the command. He will strictly observe the precepts and live up to the master's expectations."
With those words, he made no hesitation and slowly rose, taking off the luxurious robe from his body, revealing a strong and muscular back that shimmered with a radiant luster in the sunlight.
He kneeled again on the ground, with his back facing everyone, his face firm, and his back straight.
The servants of the prince's mansion, upon seeing this, felt uneasy and some were whispering softly and sniffling, while others were biting their lips tightly to prevent any noise from disturbing the solemnity.
The abbot, Xuè Kōng, took the disciplinary rod from the hands of the monks. The rod was made of a special material that would not harm the bones and muscles but could still inflict severe pain, serving as a form of punishment.
He held the disciplinary rod and stood beside Xuán Jì, his face grave, with a full of sadness and love in his eyes, "Xuán Jì, do you know that you have made a mistake?"
Xuán Jì's face was calm as he said, "The disciple knows his mistake. He is willing to accept the punishment to atone for the transgression of the Buddhist precepts."
Xuè Kōng lightly sighed and slowly raised the disciplinary rod, saying in a low voice, "Xuán Jì, every stroke is a reminder of your breach of the precepts and a encouragement for your future practice."
"Slap."
With the first strike, a crisp sound echoed through the air.
Xuán Jì tightly clenched his teeth, but the painful hum could still be heard.
His back trembled slightly, but there was no sign of waver.
One strike after another, each one felt like a heavy hammer striking at the hearts of everyone present. In a flash, his back was bloodied and raw, a sight that evoked great compassion.
At this moment, a urgent footsteps echoed in the courtyard, breaking the tranquility.
Emperor Xuanwei, upon hearing the news, hurriedly arrived at the Wei Prince's Mansion, only to witness this scene.
His face turned ashen with anger, and he shouted, "Stop! My son, how dare you humiliate him in such a way!"
Xuè Kōng and Xuán Jì both opened their eyes. The former bowed slightly in salute, while the latter struggled to rise but couldn't due to the pain.
Xuè Kōng faced Emperor Xuanwu, respectful yet firm, "Your Majesty, Xuán Jì has broken a serious Buddhist precept. As his teacher, I have the right to punish him. I hope Your Majesty understands my heart in upholding the purity of the Buddhist doctrine."
Emperor Xuanwu glared at Xuè Kōng and then looked at Xuán Jì, with a heart-wrenching expression, "Xuán Jì, why do you persist in such blindness? You are already the King of Wei, why must you endure such pain?"
Xuán Jì looked at his father, shook his head slightly, gritted his teeth and determinedly said, "Father, even though my son is the King of Wei, the belief in Buddhist teachings in my heart has not changed. My son is willing to accept the punishment to clarify his intention. Moreover, he wishes to raise An An and You You here, watching them grow up healthy."
Emperor Xuanwu's anger lessened slightly as he looked at his son's bloodied back, feeling immense pain, "You... why do you endure this suffering?"
Xuán Jì, however, smiled faintly, his voice slightly weaker: "Father, my son has his own calculations in mind. Please rest assured that my son will not disappoint your expectations and will not bring dishonor to the Buddhist temple."
Xuè Kōng saw the situation and nodded silently, continuing with the remaining strokes of the rod.
Each strike resonated, clear yet muffled.
"Slap."
"Slap."
"Slap."
