novelhk Chapter 45 Baohua Temple
Chapter 45 Baohua Temple
Inside the Zichen Palace.
Lu Zhiheng was discussing with Pei Yuanling a solution to the flood.
"I believe that the flood is related to the terrain of Tianan City. Tianan City is located in the north of our country. The north is mostly plains, but Tianan City is located in a rugged and uneven area. In addition, the continuous heavy rain has prevented the water from draining, so it was naturally flooded."
Lu Zhiheng, dressed in an elegant brocade robe, his brows revealing composure and wisdom, stood shoulder to shoulder with Pei Yuanling. He pointed to a small town at the northernmost point of the map: "The best solution to this problem is to divert water from higher ground to lower ground, a South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Your Majesty, please look here; this area is extremely low-lying and particularly suitable—"
But before he could finish speaking, he noticed Pei Yuanling's distraction. A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
"Your Majesty?" Lu Zhiheng greeted respectfully.
Pei Yuanling snapped out of his reverie and looked up at Lu Zhiheng: "You continue, I'm listening."
"Is something on your mind, Your Majesty?"
Lu Zhiheng paused slightly before speaking: "If Your Majesty trusts me, you may speak with me. Perhaps I can share Your Majesty's burdens and relieve your worries."
Lu Zhiheng's eyes were clear and bright, filled with the eagerness of a subject to relieve his monarch's worries.
Pei Yuanling stared at him silently for a long while before slowly speaking, "Has Minister Lu heard the rumors circulating in the palace recently?"
"Is Your Majesty referring to the matter of Consort Qiao?"
Lu Zhiheng recalled the beautiful figure he had just seen in the Imperial Garden; the woman's charming and cunning face seemed to be right before his eyes.
Pei Yuanling nodded: "Yes."
Lu Zhiheng said, "I have indeed heard of such a thing, but the matter of being possessed by a ghost is rather absurd. I beg Your Majesty not to listen to the slander of petty people."
"Does Minister Lu not believe in ghosts and gods, or is he intentionally speaking up for Consort Qiao?" Pei Yuanling narrowed his dark eyes.
In the past, Lu Zhiheng had always been calm and composed in front of him, as if nothing could stir up the slightest ripples in his heart.
If he weren't an emperor, Lu Zhiheng might not have been willing to bow down to him.
However, on these two occasions, when Lu Zhiheng mentioned the Chu family, his words showed a strong sense of protection, which was completely different from his previous resolute attitude.
"Your Majesty, I do not believe in ghosts and gods, but I do believe in cause and effect."
Lu Zhiheng lowered his eyes, still maintaining his mature and composed demeanor, seemingly unaware of Pei Yuanling's probing, and said calmly, "Your Majesty and the Consort's fate has run its course. You should not continue to dwell on the past, but should look forward."
"You all tell me to look ahead, it's easy to say."
Pei Yuanling's expression darkened slightly, and he sneered, "Lu Zhiheng, you've loved someone before, do you know what it feels like to love someone?"
Lu Zhiheng's eyelids twitched, and he found it all laughable.
Throughout history, the imperial family has been known for its ruthlessness, yet this emperor before him was actually discussing love and affection with him.
"Forgive my dullness, but I have no one I admire, nor do I care whether I have someone I admire or not."
Lu Zhiheng raised his sleeve and said, "A true man should live in this world to establish a moral compass for heaven and earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations. How can one be bound by petty love between men and women?"
Pei Yuanling had guessed that Lu Zhiheng would give such an answer. After all, this person was young and handsome, but had never had a woman by his side, so he must have no interest in matters of men and women.
He's really become obsessed with reading.
Pei Yuanling was about to drop the subject when he suddenly seemed to remember something and looked at the man in front of him: "I've heard that Minister Lu has some connection with the eminent monks of Baohua Temple?"
"Your Majesty flatters me. I have only had the privilege of playing chess with Master Jingyuan, and we have no real connection."
“Minister Lu, there’s no need to be modest. After all, it’s widely rumored that Prime Minister Lu has a Buddhist heart. If he didn’t pity the suffering of the people, he probably wouldn’t have entered the world and taken up an official career.” Pei Yuanling said with a smile, but his tone was unmistakably probing.
At this point in the conversation, Lu Zhiheng, as Pei Yuanling's trusted advisor, naturally knew his temperament and immediately said modestly, "That is all because the people live in peace under the emperor's rule and Your Majesty's great reputation has been praised too much. I really don't deserve it. It is all thanks to Your Majesty."
Pei Yuanling seemed extremely satisfied with Lu Zhiheng's attitude, and his guard lessened slightly: "Minister Lu, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?"
"If Your Majesty is truly worried about the rumors in the palace, perhaps you could invite Master Jingyuan to come? In this way, regardless of the outcome, the rumors in the palace can be quelled, and Consort Qiao's innocence can also be proven."
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Yuanling nodded: "Minister Lu is indeed very much to my liking. In that case, I will trouble you to do it."
"Your subject obeys the decree." Lu Zhiheng accepted the order and left.
Inside the Zichen Palace, Pei Yuanling gazed at the man's departing, elegant figure, his smile gradually fading.
Lu Zhiheng possessed a brilliant mind and seemed flawless, but as an emperor, he preferred Lu Zhiheng to have some weaknesses, so that he could more easily control and manipulate him.
***
Inside the Phoenix Palace.
The chief eunuch Lin Qing, with a light step and a happy face, reported to Empress Wang: "Your Majesty, I heard that Chief Minister Lu had just left the palace, so I went straight to Baohua Temple."
"Prime Minister Lu must have gone there to see Master Jingyuan. I'm afraid His Majesty has given him orders to come and subdue that wandering ghost."
Upon hearing the words "wandering ghosts," Empress Wang gave him a sharp look: "How dare you!"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me! This servant knows his mistake!" Lin Qing immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness.
Empress Wang raised her eyebrows slightly, her expression softening. After gesturing for him to stand up, she continued, "If it is truly as you say, with Master Jingyuan coming to lend a hand, then it is indeed a joyous occasion."
After all, Master Jingyuan is a highly accomplished monk. Whether Qiao Qingyin is human or ghost, she will likely find it difficult to escape this situation!
Not to mention the other monsters and demons in the harem, they certainly wouldn't let Qiao Qingyin off the hook. At that point, without her even having to lift a finger, Qiao Qingyin would be unable to pose any further threat.
Thinking of this, a sinister smile suddenly appeared on Empress Wang's dignified and noble face.
The next morning, the sunlight gently streamed into Diecui Pavilion.
Chu Qingyin slowly opened her eyes, not yet fully out of her dream, when a soft, warm feeling quietly nestled against her chest.
Looking down, she saw that the snow-white, agile little snowball had silently leaped onto her bed, its bright black eyes blinking as it gazed at her: "Meow~"
The news that Little Snowball had scratched Lu Mingzhu yesterday had already spread throughout the palace, but neither Pei Yuanling nor Empress Wang had reprimanded Consort Qiao, who was raising Little Snowball.
This only intensified the jealousy and resentment that the concubines in the palace harbored towards Chu Qingyin.
But at the same time, I am very envious of Chu Qingyin for having such an opportunity. Not only did she gain the emperor's favor by having a face that is seven parts similar to the imperial concubine, but now she has also been rewarded by the emperor and allowed to keep the imperial concubine's beloved pet. This is already the greatest honor.
Two conflicting emotions kept me up almost all night.
In contrast, Chu Qingyin, who fell asleep in Pei Yuanling's arms, had a good night's sleep. At this moment, she was leaning lazily against the bed, teasing the little snowball in her arms. Her beautiful face was flushed from just waking up, adding to her charm.
Xianglan carried in clean water and saw this picture of a beautiful woman sleeping languidly in spring.
Although she had long noticed the changes in the girl, looking at the bright and noble woman in front of her, and the bright red mole on her forehead that was not concealed in any way, if it weren't for the trace of sorrow that would occasionally appear between her mistress's brows, Xianglan would probably have genuinely thought it was good that the girl had become like this.
But now, compared to making the girl a noblewoman, she would much rather she remain the carefree and joyful woman she once was, who didn't enter the palace but found a good husband to grow old with—
"Xianglan, what are you daydreaming about? Did you feed Little Snowball the dried fish I asked you to prepare yesterday?"
Chu Qingyin's words interrupted Xianglan's thoughts.
Little Snowball was just as precious as she was. In the past, she would give it a bowl of dried fish every day, making it plump and very elegant.
Now the little guy is much more agile when it jumps around. If it doesn't want to, no one can catch it. But Chu Qingyin still thinks it would be better if the little snowball was a bit chubby.
After all, she's back. From now on, her little snowball won't have to worry about being lonely and helpless or being bullied anymore.
Xianglan snapped out of her daze and saw Chu Qingyin clinging to the little snowball, becoming increasingly affectionate. She couldn't help but ask, "Master, didn't you used to hate cats the most?"