Rong Tang paused, his expression unconsciously turning cold.
Shuangfu was stunned: "Master?"
"It's okay." Rong Tang put down the Hui Mo in his hand and went into the bedroom.
"What is this? The self-correction of the way of heaven?" Rong Tang asked.
Compared to his previous life when he went to Princess Duan Yi's mansion to rescue the male protagonist from the cold palace, Sheng Chengli did not come out until February 29th in this life, which was really a bit late.
But compared to the first life... Rong Tang remembered that it was already March.
This time it was even a few days early.
When he thought of this, he wanted to laugh for no reason: "Seeing that I don't accept the mission, what chance will the Heavenly Dao give to its hero?"
It takes energy for the system to query the status of others, but for the male protagonist, it is just a matter of changing perspective.
The main brain probably still holds out a glimmer of hope for the host, and has not completely severed the connection between the system and the protagonist.
[She was seriously ill and dying. Yue Rong desperately begged the Imperial Hospital and alerted the Emperor, who then released her.]
Hearing this, Rong Tang frowned slightly.
One reason was because of this illness, which he had never experienced in his previous two lives. He didn’t know whether it was an opportunity given directly by heaven or a change brought about by the butterfly effect.
The second reason was for Yue Rong. Yue Rong was the personal maid of the fifth prince's mother and concubine. She followed him all the way from Jiangnan to the capital. Sheng Chengli called her Yue Ma. Now in the cold palace, she was the only one serving the male protagonist.
But in Rong Tang's memory, this Nanny Yue was not a loyal servant. She had always hoped that the Fifth Prince would die soon so that she could choose a new master. It was absolutely impossible for her to do something like risking her life to go to the Imperial Hospital for the male protagonist.
[Host…?] Seeing that he was lost in thought, the system instinctively asked.
"It's okay." Rong Tang came back to his senses, "It's an old habit."
[Are you worried about the male lead? ]
"?" Rong Tang was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "I'm worried about the life or death of my enemy?"
[…] The system is silent and is going to sleep again.
Rong Tang's smile faded again.
He was not wrong. The system had been dormant for longer and longer periods of time. Rong Tang had a vague guess in his mind, but he was afraid that this guess would come true.
He pinched his fingers unconsciously and asked, "System?"
[Host, I am here.]
"What will happen if I accept the mission?"
The system seemed to be stuck for a moment, and then it returned to an emotionless mechanical voice: [Don't think about it, host. Although your ultimate mission is to protect the hero from being killed by Su Huaijing, the main brain will still issue you a series of tasks to be completed during the process. ]
[Do you still want to help the hero fight the villain in this life? ] The system asked him.
Rong Tang fell silent.
This is exactly why he refused to accept the mission.
The main reason for the collapse of this world's plot line was that Su Huaijing took the initiative to destroy the country after he ascended the throne, but the fundamental reason still lies with Sheng Chengli.
The protagonist chosen by Heaven is not in his position, and the order cannot be corrected. This is the reason why the system was born and Rong Tang was pulled in to do the mission.
Not only does he have to protect the hero from being killed by Su Huaijing, he also has to rescue the hero from the cold palace, fight for the hero to be the heir to the throne, help the hero win the hearts of the people and the emperor, and eliminate dissidents to pave the way for him...
I’m so tired. Really, really tired.
There was a time in Rong Tang's previous life when he was afraid to sleep. He couldn't remember how many officials who were clearly concerned about the people fell into his hands just because of their different positions. Under the absolute imperial power and the invisible system threat, he didn't even have the luxury of conscience.
All he could do was try his best to allow them to return home and save their lives.
As for the rest, Rong Tang couldn't do it, and Sheng Chengli wouldn't allow him to do it.
The system went into hibernation after all. Rong Tang sat at the table and thought for a while, then went to the study to copy half of a Buddhist scripture. Afterwards, he could no longer bear his physical weakness and went back to his bedroom to sleep.
The next day was February 30th. At dawn, a large line of horse-drawn carriages drove out of the city from Ningxuan Prince's Palace.
Rong Tang didn't get enough rest and was still drowsy. Fortunately, the carriage was warm. Wang Xiuyu thought that the journey would take a long time, so she added a few layers of cushions on the seat in his carriage. Rong Tang fell asleep again after being warmed by the hot red charcoal.
Wang Xiuyu was worried about Rong Tang's health, so she rested for a quarter of an hour every two quarters of an hour, walking and stopping from time to time, until the sun was about to set, and then the group entered the Buddhist temple.
Tuolan Temple is located in the west mountain outside the city. It is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Dayu. Although it is not a national temple, its reputation is quite high. In the hearts of the people, the monks of Tuolan Temple are living Bodhisattvas who save people from suffering.
It was the first day of the month for burning incense, and the carriages coming from the capital were decorated with countless scent bags and golden bells. Rong Tang was afraid of offending some noble lady, so he kept the door closed all the way and only slightly opened the window upwards to let the charcoal smoke in the carriage out.
The side rooms of Tuolan Temple were also divided into several areas. There were many people coming to Ningxuan Palace this time, and they occupied two courtyards.
One courtyard was home to Wang Xiuyu, Rongtang, and his two half-sisters; the other courtyard was home to his second aunt, her three daughters, and a boy who had just turned three years old.
Rong Tang did not want to communicate more. Although he had slept for a long time during the day, it was not very comfortable to sleep in a moving carriage. As soon as he entered the temple, he fell asleep again and did not wake up until three quarters after the evening.
At this time, there was no sound in the temple. Rong Tang lay there with his eyes open for a while, changed his clothes, and walked out with the lantern.
There were monks studying at night in the Sutra Chanting Pavilion. Rong Tang had been here before and knew the way. He walked quietly around the crowd and found a small corner. He picked up a cushion and started chanting sutras with the monks around him.
During this time, the system appeared once, as if it wanted to say something, but seeing him like this, it silently held it back. However, this time it did not hibernate again, but jumped in the map, shrank itself beside Rong Tang's legs, and listened to him chanting silently.
After half a night, almost all the monks in the scripture chanting pavilion had gone back. Rong Tang pounded his numb legs, stood up, and walked towards the wing room.
The capital city has become much warmer now. He no longer feels like he is about to faint after standing in the cold wind for just a second or two and coughing. But the dew is heavier and the night wind is still cold. As Rong Tang walked, he passed by a lighted room. The furnishings in the room were simple, with only a portrait of Buddha, an incense burner, two tribute candles, and a cushion.
The door was open, and a young man in a gray monk's robe was chanting sutras with his back to Rong Tang. His voice was soft and his manner was calm.
Rong Tang's first reaction was that he was a monk from Tuolan Temple, but when he looked again he found that he had not yet shaved his head and his long hair hung down behind him, almost dragging on the ground.
Rong Tang raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised.
The people of Dayu believe in Buddhism, and the first day of every month is the day for ladies to go to the temple to worship Buddha. Ordinary men usually avoid this day. Only those who are young or in poor health like Rong Tang will be taken out by the mistress of the house to pray together.
I think this person was probably the same, but I don't know why he didn't go to the scripture chanting pavilion to chant the Buddha's name at night, but found a separate room.
But I have to say, it's really quiet here.
Rong Tang looked at him twice more, then retracted his gaze and went back to his room to continue sleeping. This time, he even had the mood to think about Su Huaijing's plan before going to bed.
He had an inexplicable trust in Su Huaijing. He had fallen into his hands several times in his previous life, and had also managed to cheat him a few times by luck. Rong Tang knew clearly how capable this man was.
If he was a villain in the middle or late period of his previous life, he would be known to everyone in the capital in three days. But in this life, it was too early. Su Huaijing had only been in the capital for three months. A lot had changed in the past nine years, and he could not reveal his identity. This matter was actually a bit difficult to handle.
Rong Tang was outside the city, a little curious about what he could accomplish, but not worried.
As he was thinking, he fell asleep. It was not until dawn the next morning that he was woken up by Shuangfu. He went to burn incense with the princess and personally asked for a peace amulet for Su Huaijing.
The Ningxuan Palace donated a lot of merit money, probably because there was going to be a wedding in the palace this month. The princess stayed extra long this time, and everyone stayed in Tuolan Temple for five full days.
Rong Tang copied Buddhist scriptures in his room during the day and went to the scripture pavilion to chant scriptures at night.
This went on for three days. On the fourth night, he was walking towards the Sutra Chanting Pavilion with a lantern in his hand. He passed by the open door of the wing room. The man inside was standing in front of the door looking up at the moon. When he saw him coming, he put his hands together and chanted a Buddhist name, then asked in a gentle voice, "Where are you going, benefactor?"
Rong Tang also returned the greeting: "Scripture Recitation Pavilion."
The monk-robed man smiled and said, "Since the donor is sincere, there is no need to be particular about the location. If you don't mind this simple place, why don't you chant sutras with me?"
Rong Tang was slightly surprised at his self-proclaimed title. He looked inside the door and saw that the cushion on which the man usually knelt had moved a little to the left, and a slightly newer cushion had been placed on the right.
This place is closer than the Scripture Chanting Pavilion and has far fewer people. Rong Tang thought about it for a moment, then thanked him and agreed.
There was no conversation that night. They recited for an hour without disturbing each other. Rong Tang quietly stood up and walked out from the side without saying hello to the other party, and the other party did not raise his eyes either.
When I came back on the last day, the man had already started chanting sutras. There was an empty cushion next to him. His long hair cascaded down behind him. Under the light of the crescent moon, he did not look like a monk. Instead, he looked like a god who had strayed into the mortal world.
Rong Tang was not polite. He just bowed slightly at the door and performed a half-salute, then walked in, knelt in front of the Buddha's portrait and began to chant scriptures.
He was about to leave in an hour as usual, but just as he got up, the man called him, "Donor, please stay."
Rong Tang stopped and looked at him. The other person had his eyes closed and only stood up after reciting the last volume of the scriptures.
Inexplicably, Rong Tang felt a strange sense of familiarity when he looked at his face.
But he had never seen him in his previous life, and he didn't look like anyone Rong Tang knew. If you think about it, he looked more like the Buddha in the portrait.
But they don't look similar, it's more of a feeling that they give people, very peaceful and gentle, but not having experienced the vicissitudes of life, but a kind of indescribable indifference.
Rong Tang had died three times and was used to life and death. He thought he was not as indifferent as Rong Tang.
And this young man is only about thirty years old.
After the other party finished reciting the sutra, he stood up, put his hands together and chanted a Buddhist name for Rong Tang, then asked, "Donor, why do you recite the sutra every night?"
Rong Tang was a little surprised. Monks are the most pure and don't care about worldly things. Although the man in monk's robe in front of him has not been ordained, he is a real Buddhist disciple and he would actually take the initiative to ask him what he thinks.
Rong Tang couldn't help but be curious, has he reached the point where all his thoughts are written on his face and announced to the world
He was somewhat helpless, but still answered truthfully: "Seeking peace of mind."
The monk then asked, "Have you ever done anything wrong in your life?"
Rong Tang smiled and said, "In life, we fight for power, fame, life, and death. Who dares to say that they have never done anything wrong?"
The monk looked at him steadily and shook his head: "The donor is not that kind of person."
"Master, you think too highly of me." Rong Tang said.
"People who truly want something have their thoughts written on their faces. They recite sutras and chant Buddha's name only in the hope that Buddha will satisfy their desires." The monk said, "But the donor recites sutras every night, and there is no desire in his eyes."
At this time, Rong Tang really wanted to find a mirror to look at his face. He wanted to see what eyes without desire looked like.
"I have a connection with you, the donor." The monk smiled, leaned forward, took down the Buddha statue on the wall, rolled it up, held it in both hands and handed it to Rong Tang, "I hope you will accept it."
Rong Tang subconsciously took half a step back, frowned slightly, and glanced sideways at the brick and stone wall, where there was a sudden shadow left by years of no sunlight.
He said, "This thing is valuable, I can't accept it."
The other party said: "The donor is a kind person. This thing is destined to be with you. It chose you."
Rong Tang frowned and remained in a stalemate for a long time. Finally, he bowed and accepted it. He asked, "May I ask the master's Dharma name?"
"Huimian."
Rong Tang was startled, his eyes widened a little, and he looked at Huimian, but then he realized that he was being rude, so he stepped back, bent over, and bowed to Huimian: "Thank you, Master, for the gift of the treasure."
Rong Tang had heard of Huimian's name in his previous two lives, and he got to know the way to Tuolan Temple in order to help the male protagonist find him.
In the original novel, Master Huimian has the world in his heart and is infinitely compassionate. He is a true living Buddha. Emperor Renshou has issued decrees many times to invite him to the palace to perform rituals, but he has not been able to do so once.
In Rong Tang's imagination, this should be a simple old man in his seventies and eighties, but he never expected that he was actually a young man just over thirty with waist-length hair.
Rong Tang smiled bitterly in his heart and said to the system: "Even if I come to Tuolan Temple ten more times, I may not be able to invite him back."
The system was obviously a little surprised, and paused for two seconds before saying: [Stereotypes are not good. ]
Rong Tang laughed, and when he looked at Hui Mian there was a bit more respect in his eyes.
He actually wanted to ask why the Buddha statue was given to him, but he would most likely get an answer of "it's fate". Asking again and again would just be troublesome and awkward, so he simply gave up asking and turned back to the side room.
After everyone left, Huimian put away a cushion, knelt down in front of the blank wall again, and slowly recited the scriptures. Under the silver moon, the three thousand strands of black hair behind him turned white in an instant, like white snow covering the wilderness.
-
On the second day, the fifth day of March, they burned incense as usual before heading back. The carriage stopped and started along the way and returned to Ningxuan Palace at dusk.
Rong Tang held the amulet in his hand, thinking that it was getting late, so he decided to go find Su Huaijing tomorrow morning. However, as soon as he got off the car, he ran into Ning Xuan Wang Rong Mingyu.
The eldest princess' husband was a top scholar, and Prince Ning Xuan inherited more of his looks, with a dignified temperament and a handsome face. From a distance, he does not look aggressive.
The other party was wearing court robes and there was a carriage parked at the door. It must be Emperor Renshou who summoned him to the palace to discuss matters.
Wang Xiuyu led everyone to stand on one side and greet King Ning Xuan. The other party walked over a few steps, took the princess's hand for two or three seconds and then let it go: "Princess, you have worked hard."
A slightly girlish smile appeared on Wang Xiuyu's face. Rong Tang felt a little distressed when he saw it, so he simply lowered his hands and looked at the big stone lion on the side. He pinched the amulet that he had asked for for Su Huaijing in his sleeves.
Unexpectedly, Rong Mingyu cast his eyes over and said in a deep voice, with a caring look like a loving father: "The weather in the capital has been changing from hot to cold recently. Tang'er, now that you are back, don't leave the house again. Stay at home with your mother to prepare for the wedding."
Rong Tang paused, and his gaze shifted from the bronze bell-like eyes of the stone lion at the entrance of the palace to Rong Mingyu's eyes, and he slowly asked a question: "?"
You want me to not see the villain for eighteen days
Aren't you afraid that he will suddenly turn evil and destroy your country?!
(End of this chapter)