Two hours later.
Seeing the monks filing out, Zhao Pei rubbed her still numb legs and feet, staggered to her feet from the corner, and looked around for the emperor's figure.
Finally, he saw it in the backyard of the Great Hall and ran over quickly: "Your Majesty!"
The emperor heard her call, turned around, and after a little surprise, he said calmly: "My Buddhist name is Niankong."
She let out an "ah" and stammered, "Master Niankong. Zhao Pei wants to see you about something." In fact, one has to admit that the emperor really looks like a monk, with a Taoist and immortal demeanor.
"What's the matter? Girl, you haven't left yet? Where is Yunshang?" the emperor asked with a smile.
Zhao Pei replied, "The Crown Princess is... at the door now. The Emperor... Master Niankong, they are all blocking the door and want to see you."
The emperor frowned slightly, "It's really annoying. I've already explained why there's any more trouble. Ask Yunshang to keep them out. Don't let them come in. I still have a lot of things to do. I don't have the time to deal with them."
Zhao Pei nodded awkwardly and continued, "Actually... Zhao Pei also worships Buddhism and wants to stay here. If Master Niankong has any instructions, please tell Zhao Pei."
The emperor's eyes shone brightly, and he looked at her with a smile: "I didn't expect a little girl like you to be such a person. It's good this way, you stay here with me. Worshiping Buddha with me can also be regarded as washing away the sins of the past and present lives."
Zhao Pei complained in her heart, what sins have I committed that can be washed away? If you want to wash it, then wash it, why do you have to blame me too? If it weren’t for… .
With a smile on his face, he nodded and said, "As long as Master Niankong agrees, Zhao Pei will do his best... to wash away his sins."
The afternoon sun was just right, perfect for reading a book in the small courtyard of her Pearl and Jade Pavilion, or just lying in the sun. But now... Zhao Pei knelt beside the emperor and sighed silently.
"Bodhisattvas should subdue their minds in this way. I will cause all sentient beings, whether born from eggs, born from the womb, born from moisture, or born from transformation; whether with form or without form; whether with thought or without thought, or neither with thought nor without thought, to enter into the Nirvana of no remainder and to extinguish them all. In this way, I will extinguish countless, immeasurable, and boundless sentient beings, but in fact, no sentient being will be extinguished. Why is that? Subhuti! If a bodhisattva has the appearance of self, the appearance of others, the appearance of sentient beings, and the appearance of a lifespan, he is not a bodhisattva." He held the rosary in his hand, slightly closed his eyes, and recited word by word, "This is the third chapter of the orthodox Mahayana. Xu Zhaopei, do you understand?"
Zhao Pei suddenly heard him asking her a question, and quickly replied in a low voice: "Zhao Pei is dull and can't understand it at the moment."
The emperor smiled and said, "It's okay. You are born with wisdom. You can't force yourself to memorize it." Zhao Pei smiled and agreed, but then the emperor said, "In this case, you should sincerely ask the Buddha for advice. You can copy the Diamond Sutra here, and I believe you will gain some insights."
Zhao Pei's expression froze for a moment, then returned to normal after a while. She smiled and stood up. But her feet felt numb and she fell to the side. She knew she was in trouble. She was in trouble at the hands of this old monk, not the emperor.
It rained lightly at night, and the hazy night brought a little dampness that seeped into the window. The man in white at the table stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and a person vaguely emerged in his mind.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the courtyard and slowly walked towards him. He stood there without moving until someone at the door announced, "Sir, the princess is here."
As soon as he finished speaking, the beaded curtain was drawn aside. The beautiful woman walked in with a smile, untied her yellow sandalwood-colored cloak, and placed it on the hanger.
She turned around and looked at the silent man in front of the window, and asked with a smile: "What's wrong?"
"Is Yu'er asleep?" He didn't answer, but just asked.
"Yeah, I just went to bed. Yu'er was exhausted today." Yao smiled softly, and suddenly thought of something, "Deshi, do you know about that incident?"
Xiao Tong sighed and returned to the table. "You met him today? I was worried. If my father was just like before, it would be fine. But now it's getting worse. It seems I have to go there tomorrow to see how to persuade him to come back."
Yao sat down gracefully: "Deshi, do you know? I met someone today."
Seeing that Xiao Tong did not follow her question, she said, "I met...Xu Zhaopei." Her voice was very soft, but each word she spoke sounded meaningful.
Xiao Tong paused with his pen, looked up at her, and after a while lowered his head to continue what he was doing: "Really?"
"She is such a beautiful woman. Sixth brother, you have good taste." Yao smiled and stretched out her hand to grind it for him. Her white hands were elegant and soothing.
Xiao Tong said calmly: "Sixth brother, are you only attracted by her appearance?"
Yao was stunned and a little embarrassed: "That's true." She was speechless for a moment.
"Has she returned home yet?" Xiao Tong suddenly asked.
Yao was stunned for a moment before she realized who the "she" he was talking about was. "Sister Zhao Pei hasn't come back yet. I heard she's staying at Tongtai Temple tonight."
"What's going on?" Xiao Tong was shocked. Could it be that... her father had left her behind
"Zhao Pei said she wanted to stay and persuade the emperor." Yao smiled slightly, "This kind of heart is really rare."
After hearing this, Xiao Tong frowned and thought: This girl, it seems like something is bound to happen. (To be continued)