After the death of Taizu and the burial of all the concubines, the harem of the Ming Dynasty suddenly became deserted.
The emperor is in Qianqing Palace, the empress dowager is in Yuehua Palace, the queen mother is in Kunning Palace, and the empress is in Jiaotai Palace. Except for these four palaces, all other residences are empty. Since Taizu was still in mourning, the Queen Mother could not persuade the Emperor to take another concubine, but Zhu Yunwen was happy to be in peace.
It was nearing the end of the year, the trees were withering, the flowers were withering, and the originally empty palace looked even more desolate. Ma Shuyi welcomed the thin morning light and arrived at Kunning Palace early in the morning. At noon, the eldest princess of Ningguo also came over. The two of them sat around the Queen Mother's couch, both feeling a little worried.
The Queen Mother was very nervous: "I have been having this dream for several days. As soon as I closed my eyes, I saw the late emperor (referring to Zhu Biao), looking at me in tears. Yesterday Shuyi accompanied me to the Sheji Temple, and everyone worshiped in the Fengxian Hall. , I still had the same dream last night. The late emperor just shed tears and said nothing. What happened? "
The eldest princess of Ningguo was probably frightened when she saw that the Queen Mother had deep wrinkles on her forehead and a slumped face. She had aged several years in a few days. She advised: "Don't worry, Queen Mother! The late Emperor and the Queen Mother have always been very affectionate. Brother, come and see you." It’s not surprising either.”
The Queen Mother was even more frightened when she heard this. She had heard that loving couples are easy to connect with each other. Could it be that he came to take me? This fear is hard to express.
Ma Shuyi advised: "Mother, please rest first. I will go back to burn incense and pray in the Fengxian Hall."
At this time, the eunuch Ge Ren hurried in and said, "Tell the Queen Mother that Her Majesty is not in the palace. I just asked the prince to come over." It turned out that the Queen Mother was so frightened that she sent someone to call Zhu Yunwen, but unexpectedly he was not in the palace.
Wang Zhi saluted respectfully: "The Queen Mother! Your Majesty has gone out and will probably not come back for a while. What are your orders from the Queen Mother?"
The Queen Mother asked: "Where has your Majesty gone?"
Wang Zhi hesitated before speaking, and the eldest princess of Ningguo shouted: "Bold! How dare you not answer the Queen Mother's question?"
Zhu Ruhua always remembered Wang Zhi's neglect of him when Taizu was still alive, and knew that Wang Zhi was no longer as good as before: although the emperor still trusted him, he still had a group of confidants such as Zhang Yuanheng from the East Palace; and even Zhu Yunwen was far inferior to him. Taizu was strong, especially in front of the Queen Mother. At this time, seeing the Queen Mother showing displeasure, she took the opportunity to have an attack.
Wang Zhi said quickly: "You dare not! Your Majesty is going to Tianxi Temple."
Wang Zhi knew his situation very well. Taizu had left and his backer was gone. If the Queen Mother really wants to embarrass herself, the eunuch Bingbi, even if the Queen Mother and the Emperor want to save each other, they may not be able to do so.
The Queen Mother snorted: "Go to Tianxi Temple again!"
The eldest princess of Ningguo asked Wang Zhi: "Your Majesty often goes to Tianxi Temple?"
Wang Zhi lowered his head and said softly: "I go every day, usually in the evening."
The Queen Mother was extremely angry: "Go every day! This traitor!" She coughed repeatedly as she spoke.
Ma Shuyi hurriedly came forward, patting her back and advising: "Don't worry, Queen Mother, Your Majesty will be back soon." Then she asked Wang Zhi: "The Queen Mother has been having nightmares these days, and she has never had such a nightmare in the East Palace before. This kind of thing has never happened in the palace. Something?"
Wang Zhi thought for a while and replied respectfully: "Taizu was very powerful for a period of time. He saw his deceased relatives in his dreams every night. Later, he was so serious that he dared not sleep."
The Queen Mother's mind turned to this topic. She looked at Wang Zhi and asked, "What happened next?"
Wang Zhi replied: "Later, I invited the Imperial Master Huiyuan to come. The Imperial Master said that this was a relative who had lived in the realm of evil spirits for many kalpas and asked for help. He had to recite and recite the Ksitigarbha Sutra forty-nine times a day. Later, Taizang Zu just recited it continuously for five days as the master said and it will be fine."
Ma Shuyi asked carefully: "Taizu recited it forty-nine times a day?" She was willing to help the Queen Mother recite it together.
Wang Zhi answered honestly: "The Imperial Master said that it is okay for close relatives to recite it. Taizu later recited it seven times himself, and Li Cairen recited the rest." At this point, his voice was already a little soft: "The National Master said that people who take refuge can more easily rely on Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to save these beings in the ghost realm by reciting and reciting it. People who do not abstain from eating meat have turbid air, and I am afraid it will not be good."
The Queen Mother snorted, but she was afraid of being disrespectful to the Bodhisattva, so she tried her best to hold it back.
The eldest princess of Ningguo asked, "Can Li Cairen recite our Ksitigarbha Sutra? Didn't she recite the Korean sutra?"
Wang Zhi whispered: "Korea does not have its own written language. The scriptures are recorded in Chinese characters, and they are said to be the same. And even if there are differences, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva once incarnated as a prince of Koryeo named Jin Qiaojue, and later became enlightened in Jiuhua Mountain. . So I’m afraid they recited the Ksitigarbha Sutra correctly.”
Princess Ning Guo was not convinced: "I don't believe it. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is from Korea?"
Wang Zhi respectfully replied: "Master Huiyuan said that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has had many incarnations. In the past countless kalpas, he has transformed into a Brahmin girl, a bright-eyed filial daughter, a king for 60,000 kalpas, etc. During the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, This Korean prince was just one of the incarnations of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. He died at the age of ninety-nine, and Jiuhua Mountain became the dojo where Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was supposed to be transformed."
Wang Zhi paused at this point: "Taizu and Li Cairen talked a lot about this. The younger one overheard some of it, but he didn't really understand it."
The eldest princess of Ningguo saw that he was evasive and was about to speak. The little eunuch at the door announced: "The Holy Lord has arrived!" She quickly knelt down with Ma Shuyi to welcome the Holy Lord.
Zhu Yunwen walked in slowly, saluted the Queen Mother, and asked: "The Queen Mother is looking for a child?"
The Queen Mother snorted: "You still remember the Queen Mother!" Zhu Yunwen saw that the Queen Mother looked worried and the eldest princess of Ning Guo had an uneven face. The king lowered his head and said nothing, so he looked at Ma Shuyi inquiringly.
Ma Shuyi said softly: "My mother has been feeling unwell for the past few days and has nightmares every night. I just asked the prince and he said that Taizu also had this experience."
Zhu Yunwen smiled and said: "Yes, the same happened to the imperial grandfather last time. Later, Li Cairen helped recite the Ksitigarbha Sutra. If the queen mother is not feeling well, just let her recite it."
Zhu Yunwen had been thinking about improving the relationship between the Queen Mother and Lianhua. At this time, he thought it was an opportunity and hurriedly proposed. The Queen Mother was silent and wanted to refuse, but she was really afraid and hesitated for a moment.
The eldest princess of Ningguo sneered slightly and said: "My father's nightmare was over, but it ended up costing him his life, right?" These words were very cruel, and she actually blamed Lotus for Zhu Yuanzhang's death.
Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but get angry and said solemnly: "The emperor's grandfather fell ill in his hometown in Zhongdu during the Qingming Festival. The emperor's aunt was present and experienced it personally. The emperor's grandfather had been ill for many days and became increasingly serious. Li Cairen worked tirelessly to serve in front of the imperial couch every day. Does the royal aunt know this?"
When the eldest princess of Ning Kingdom saw that the emperor was angry, she did not dare to say anything more and lowered her head in disbelief.
Zhu Yunwen continued: "My Ming Dynasty Palace is clean and tidy. I would be grateful if the royal aunt came to accompany my mother; but I do not welcome people who spread rumors and stir up trouble!" He said this in a harsh tone.
It was the first time in her life that Princess Ning was spoken to so harshly, and she almost cried. Seeing the emperor's stern expression, she held back her tears and said softly: "Yes."
Seeing that the eldest princess of Ningguo was embarrassed, the Queen Mother felt very sorry and shouted: "Why are you talking like that?"
Zhu Yunwen turned around and advised gently: "My mother has a nightmare, and it will be better if she chants the sutra. If you don't want Li Cairen to come, it would be better for your mother to recite it herself." With that said, he waved to Wang Zhi to bring him the local Buddhist scriptures.
The Queen Mother saw that this scripture was not thin. How long would it take to read it forty-nine times? He hesitated and said: "They said she wanted to be a direct relative, but the Ai family has already demoted her to a commoner."
Zhu Yunwen smiled slightly: "Mother, the child said last time that Li Cairen will always be the child's wife and the mother's daughter-in-law." He glanced at the queen and said, "Same as Shuyi." Ma Shuyi was stunned and did not say anything. The eldest princess of Ning Kingdom curled her lips and said nothing.
Zhu Yunwen continued: "It's getting late. It's still too late to pick him up now; otherwise it will be tomorrow."
The Queen Mother thought for a while and said: "Okay, Xuan Li Yining comes in."
Zhu Yunwen was stunned when he heard this title, then smiled and turned to tell Wang Zhi: "Go to Tianxi Temple and pick up Empress Li to recite sutras for the Queen Mother."
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It was already dark, Lian Hua walked towards Kunning Palace, and saw that the scenery in the harem was still the same, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
More than half a year ago, Chang and Zhu Yunwen took a stroll here. Later, the emperor's grandfather fell ill, and he was even more busy here every day. Now, that kind old grandfather has been separated forever. "He refused to honor his good wishes, but there is no hope for a good message." From now on, life and death are uncertain, but where can I find him again
Lianhua and Wang Zhi entered the palace, which was quiet.
Ge Ren went in to report, and came out after a while: "Come in, the Queen Mother is resting. The Queen ordered her to go to the Queen Mother's bed to chant sutras." The eunuchs in the palace were hesitant about how to call Lotus, so they had to be as vague as possible.
Lianhua entered the palace and saw the Queen Mother lying with her eyes closed. The Queen was sitting in front of the couch, and she quickly stepped forward to salute. Ma Shuyi waved her hand to signal to be silent, pointed to a small stool next to her, and handed Lianhua a Tibetan scripture. Lianhua shook his head to show that he didn't need a scripture or a small stool. He knelt down in front of the couch, fully clothed and upright, held a rosary in his left hand, closed his eyes slightly, and recited the scriptures.
The sound of the lotus chanting sutras is almost inaudible, but it faintly reaches the ears but is indescribably warm and beautiful, like the sandalwood burning in front of the couch, floating and sinking into the air. The fragrance seems to be intangible, but it is deep and thick, filling the heart. People are peaceful and quiet. Ma Shuyi listened on the side, and gradually the spiritual platform became bright and clear.
I don’t know how long it took, but Ma Shuyi said softly: “Is the queen awake?”
Lianhua opened her eyes. The Queen Mother had already sat up. Ma Shuyi supported her and took a sip of water.
Lian Hua hurriedly stepped forward to salute. The Queen Mother had not yet woken up and was in a daze. After a while, she said: "Get up. How many times have you recited it?"
Lotus replied respectfully: "Eighty-one times."
The Queen Mother looked into the sky, as if thinking or recalling: "I had a good sleep this time, and I saw a monk holding a cane in his hand."
Lotus still asked respectfully: "Do you hold a pearl in your left hand and a tin staff in your right hand? That is the Samana incarnation of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva."
The Queen Mother thought for a while: "It's true, it's like a cloud under my feet and I can't see clearly."
Lotus smiled and said softly: "Congratulations to the Queen Mother, that is the lotus seat of the Bodhisattva. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva must have heard the Queen Mother's wish and came to save her and bless her."
The Queen Mother sighed: "Amitabha". He looked at the lotus and asked, "Why is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva called Ksitigarbha?"
Lotus said respectfully: "'Be patient and immovable, like the earth; meditate deeply, like a secret treasure', so it is called Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva once made a great compassionate vow, 'I will not become a Buddha until the hell is empty, and I will save all sentient beings. Realize Bodhi', so it is also called 'Great Wish Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva'. The Queen Mother dreamed of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and all physical and mental illness and pain and the worries of life and death can be removed."
The Queen Mother nodded and asked: "The Ai family heard people call Guanyin Bodhisattva, but instead called Guanyin the Great Compassion?"
Lotus said: "Yes, great mercy and great compassion, so it is called great compassion. Manjushri Bodhisattva is great wisdom, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is great practice." Seeing that the Queen Mother listened attentively, he continued: "Other Bodhisattvas appear in the world in the form of lay people, like Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva He is a great master in white clothes, Manjusri Bodhisattva has the appearance of a child, and only Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has the appearance of a monk. That’s why Yi Ning dared to guess that the monk the Queen Mother dreamed of was Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.”
The Queen Mother had been disgusted with Lianhua since before she arrived in the Central Plains, and she had always looked at him with disgust. Now when she heard Lianhua talk about Buddhism, she was not as disgusted as before. Seeing that the sky was already a little dim, it was really rare for me to have a peaceful sleep. He pondered for a while and said: "You will live here these days. If Eunuch Ge calls you, you can come over." Then he ordered Ge Ren to take Lotus down to rest.
Ge Ren asked hesitantly: "Where can we rest?"
In addition to the queen mother's bedroom, Kunning Palace is also the room for the maids and eunuchs. Judging from the emperor's appearance just now, he clearly dotes on Li Cairen. Ge Ren also felt that it was inappropriate for someone who was the emperor to mix with the maids.
Ma Shuyi stood up and said, "Mother, why don't you take her with me and come together tomorrow morning."
The Queen Mother couldn't help but get angry again after hearing Ge Ren's question. Seeing what Ma Shuyi said, she said slowly: "That's fine. You have all stayed up all night today. Come back after noon tomorrow."
Lotus followed Ma Shuyi and walked towards Jiaotai Palace through the hoarfrost all over the ground in the early morning. Somehow, I remembered that this season last year, there was such a heavy frost in Daningwei.
Ma Shuyi arranged the lotus flowers in a separate small room in the northwest corner of Jiaotai Palace, which was the room where Wen Kui sometimes took a nap. Ma Shuyi specially asked Shi Qin to change all the bedding and get new toiletries. Lotus looked on and said gratefully: "Thank you Queen." Since entering the East Palace, apart from saying hello, the two of them had not had much contact. Lianhua recalled carefully that this was the first time that the two of them were so close.
Ma Shuyi smiled: "Sister, don't be too polite. You are going to have a hard time these days." After a pause, he asked again: "How are you doing at Tianxi Temple? If you need anything, let Zhien come to me."
Hearing that she still called her sister, Lianhua couldn't help but have tears in her eyes and said with a smile: "Everything is fine. Thank you, Empress, for your concern."
Ma Shuyi sighed: "I know you are suffering there, but the palace rules are strict, and it is the time when Taizu is mourning, so take your time."
Lianhua lowered her head and said softly: "Thank you, Madam. I made a mistake, and I deserved it."
Ma Shuyi took Lianhua's hand and said warmly: "Your Majesty made it very clear, sister, you have been wronged. When Taizu was seriously ill, you served Taizu on behalf of me and on behalf of the East Palace. It is I who should thank you."
Seeing that Ma Shuyi was so sincere, Lianhua didn't know what to say. She looked at the queen with tears in her eyes that were about to fall.
Ma Shuyi continued: "Your Majesty is really happy that you have been here for almost a year. He has always been relatively lonely and ignored other things except official matters. After having you, he was very busy with this and that. The previous one made people happy. What's the matter with looking for lotus root?"
Lian Hua held back tears and said softly: "I have never seen lotus roots from the south. I saw a plate of lotus roots in the dishes that day and asked about it. His Majesty later showed me a whole lotus root." It's a bit funny to think about Zhu Yunwen, the majestic emperor of tomorrow, holding up a lotus root.
Ma Shuyi smiled: "Yeah, how could he care about this before! Find more things for him to do in the future, we can't let him just focus on business."
Lianhua smiled with tears in her eyes and said, "Yes, I respect your Majesty's instructions."
The two were talking when suddenly the young eunuch A Guixuan said: "Your Majesty has arrived!" Zhu Yunwen, dressed in bright yellow court clothes, walked in slowly.
The two of them hurriedly saluted. Zhu Yunwen held her up with a smile and asked with a smile: "What are you two doing? I heard you didn't sleep all night?"
Ma Shuyi said: "I just came back from my mother. My mother slept well last night."
Zhu Yun nodded and said, "It'll be good if you can sleep well. How many days will you have to recite?"
Lotus replied: "Five or seven days." His eyes were lowered, not looking at the emperor. Yes, here he is the emperor.
Ma Shuyi asked: "Your Majesty, are you preparing to go to court?"
Zhu Yunwen said: "Yes. I just went to pay my respects to my mother and came to see you."
Zhu Yunwen had never been to the Queen's Jiaotai Palace. Of course, Ma Shuyi knew that he was here for the lotus. She felt sad but calmly said softly: "I am tired, so I'm going to rest first. Your Majesty, please help yourself." He said, bowed and left.
Zhu Yunwen turned his head and looked at Lianhua. Lianhua blushed and lowered her head, not knowing what to do. This was the first time the two met in the palace after Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne.
Zhu Yun smiled warmly and hugged her: "Why are you so afraid of me?"
Lian Hua remained silent, but her eye circles were a little red.
Zhu Yunwen kissed her gently on the face: "Lianhua, in front of you, I will always be your husband and your Yunlang, not some emperor or emperor."
Lianhua was startled and raised her head to look at him.
Zhu Yunwen continued: "Sooner or later, you have to go back to the palace. I think I will take you back when Taizu has been in decline for three years. My grandfather didn't say how long he should recite sutras at that time. It can't last a lifetime." He looked at the lotus again. He smiled and said, "If you don't come back, Sangman, they will force me to take another concubine, which is a bit bad."
Lotus couldn't help but be moved and stared at the emperor.
His own image was printed in his eyes. Yes, at this moment, there is only my own figure. She reached out and gently touched his eyes, his cheeks, his temples, and his lips. . Zhu Yunwen suddenly opened his mouth and took Lianhua's finger in his mouth. There was a smile in his eyes, but he couldn't hide his deep affection.
Lotus blushed: "What are you doing? Don't do this." My fingers felt his soft tongue, and I couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
Zhu Yunwen was forced by palace regulations and could not enter the wooden door. What's more, the Shenggan Pagoda is a Buddhist holy place. There are eighteen arhats in the main hall, the Buddha's top bone relics in the underground palace, and the relics of past abbots on the tower. Even if you go in, you can't do anything. The two of them had been restrained for a long time, and now as Zhu Yunwen's gentle sucking began, their passion gradually surged.
Zhu Yunwen relaxed and leaned over to cover Lianhua's lips. Both of them were scorching hot and trembling all over. Zhu Yunwen changed his previous gentleness and couldn't help but kiss fiercely.
Lotus resisted a little: "I'm chanting sutras, I can't commit adultery..."
Zhu Yunwen spoke righteously: "I am your husband, why have you been promiscuous? The way of husband and wife is the righteous way of heaven and earth!" Seeing Lotus's hesitation, he asked again: ""The Sutra of Sutras Said by the Buddha" says that a wife should do thirteen things to respect her husband. , what about thirteen, what about six or seven?"
Lotus lowered her head and whispered softly: "Serve with support in the past, and act with love in the back."
Zhu Yunwen kissed her gently and murmured: "Isn't that right? The Buddha also asked you to act with love towards your husband."
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In the Fengtian Palace, hundreds of officials waited and waited.
The emperor has never been late since he was the grandson of the emperor. What happened today? You say you're sick
It took a long time for the emperor to arrive, but his steps were sloppy and his expression was dazed. Why did he look like a coward
Yin Changlong, the imperial censor of Zuodu, wrote a remonstrance the next day, lamenting the emperor's behavior yesterday. The admonition said: "Emperor Gao rises from the rooster's crow, goes to court in the morning, and comes to see all the officials before the sun rises. Therefore, he can achieve Xianxi for his common people, and the world is safe. Your Majesty, heir to safeguard the great cause, should pursue the ancestors' martial arts, work conscientiously, and be diligent and diligent. Today, it is in Yan'an. It has been a few moments in the day, but it has not yet come to the court. The ministers are staying in the guard, tired of serving, absent from their duties, and slacking off. It has spread to the world and passed down to the four descendants. It is not a blessing for the country. "The words were very serious, just short of criticizing the "foolish king".
Zhu Yunwen was in the Provincial Hall and couldn't help but smile bitterly when he saw this memorial. While replying, "Changlong's words are straightforward, and the Ministry of Rites declares them to the world, so that I can know my faults." While recalling the lingering charm of that morning, my mind wandered again.
Lotus, when will you come back to me