Chapter 28: The Pagoda in the Temple

  

Chapter 28: The Pagoda in the Temple

  

“Is it true that Ning Ning can't remember anything?” Wang shi, the wife of the Master Qiao, grasped the young girl's hand, her eyes full of concern. “What did the physician say? Have the imperial physicians been invited to take a look?”

“Yesterday, in addition to the ones from the residence, I invited three other physicians, but they all only prescribed some calming tonics,” Chang Kuo said. “Today, I’ll have someone take my token to the palace to summon a physician.”

 

Master Qiao glanced at him. “Given how Ning Ning looks now, you still want to go out and busy yourself with something?”

Chang Suining assumed it was about meeting Zhou Ding, so she spoke up, “Don't worry, I’m fine apart from my memory loss.”

Chang Kuo replied, “Actually, I’m taking Sui Ning out to visit Dayun Temple—”

Chang Suining was taken aback. “Dayun Temple?”

Wasn’t it to see Zhou Ding?

Chang Kuo gave her a “there’s plenty of time” look.

“Alright then…” Wang shi nodded thoughtfully. “It’s good to pay a visit; Ning Ning’s condition is rare. Perhaps after this shock, some evil spirits have entered her body, and she’s brought back something unclean… Going to the temple to drive away the evil could help.”

Chang Suining: “…”

She might as well just report her name directly.

“Foolishness,” Master Qiao scoffed at his wife. “But we should visit. Master Wu Jue, as the abbot, cannot leave the temple easily. He should see that Sui Ning is safe; it would ease his mind.”

—Wu Jue?  

—The abbot?  

Chang Suining blinked.

So he really did become a monk?

“Then let me accompany Ning Ning there,” the young man, Qiao Yubai, asked gently.

Thinking of the Zhou Ding matter, Chang Suining instinctively wanted to decline, but before she could speak, Chang Sui'an had already said, “Don’t you have to go to the National Academy today?”

Qiao Yubai was about to say “it’s no problem,” but Chang Kuo waved his hand. “No need to make such a fuss. Sui Ning’s situation shouldn’t be publicized; it’s just a simple outing, no need to draw attention.”

Hearing those words, “shouldn’t be publicized,” and looking at the Qiao family in front of her, along with the knowledgeable Yu Zeng, Wu Jue, who was now the abbot, and Wei Shuyi, not to mention Cui Jing, who likely recognized her identity—Chang Suining thought that it wasn’t just “not publicized,” but rather a matter of attracting public attention.

But there was no way around it; who told A Li's father to be so notable?

“That makes sense,” Master Qiao nodded and then reminded Chang Suining, “Take some time to rest, and when you feel a bit better, go see your Third Father. He will take you fishing…”

Wang shi immediately retorted, “Fishing? All he thinks about is fishing; you’re more like a fish yourself!”

Although it had been a long time since she heard this, Chang Suining was not unfamiliar with it.

Here in the Chang family—nothing could not be resolved with a little practice.

And in Master Qiao’s case—nothing could not be resolved with a fishing trip.

“What do you know, woman? Fishing is the best way to calm the mind; a peaceful mind brings clarity, and any issues in the brain will naturally resolve themselves without medicine.”

“Don’t you dare use that nonsense on Ning Ning!” Wang shi snapped angrily. “Just yesterday, I told Mian Mian that after you pass away, you shouldn’t be buried in an ancestral tomb. It would be better to toss you into the Wei River instead!”

Master Qiao was not angry, unconcernedly snorting, “That sounds great; I’d rather be with the fish than buried underground with you, my dear.”

“The fish might not want you either.” Wang shi retorted, “Who cares what you think? You’ve done so many wrongs; it’s time for you to pay your debt to the river and spare your descendants!”

Master Qiao narrowed his eyes, and seeing that the two were about to argue, Chang Suining quickly asked, “By the way, why hasn’t Mian Mian come over?”

The Qiao family had one son and one daughter. Qiao Yubai was two days younger than Chang Sui An, while Qiao Mian was a bit older than A Li—since A Li equally called everyone “father,” she must also call Qiao Mian “older sister.”

“Mian Mian can’t go out,” Qiao Yubai quickly answered, his head aching from the parents’ quarrel. “She caught a cold these past few days and is afraid of spreading illness, so she asked me to check in on you, Ning Ning.”

After all, both Mian Mian and Ning Ning were frail; if they met, one would surely catch something from the other.

Not being able to go out—what did that mean?

Chang Suining noticed the youth’s earlier statement and pondered for a moment, but didn’t rush to ask further.

“Alright, alright, let’s each get on with our own business,” Chang Kuo, who could hardly stand the bickering between the Qiao couple, began to usher everyone out. “The hour is getting late; we should set off.”

Before leaving, Wang shi handed a box of snacks to Ji’er and instructed, “...Take these pastries with you, and remember to remind Ning Ning to eat some on the way.”

Hearing the emphasis on the word “remind,” Chang Suining couldn’t help but feel that having a bad memory was rather nice; it allowed her to act whimsically without any constraints, and even her daily life was cared for by others.

On the carriage to Dayun Temple, Ji’er indeed followed through, reminding Chang Suining to eat the snacks from time to time.

Though she had eaten breakfast early that morning, she had grown somewhat hungry after the tiring practice of standing. Chang Suining picked up a jade dumpling to taste, and it was indeed delicious.

She casually asked, “When was this Dayun Temple built?”

She had never heard of such a temple in the capital before.

Ji’er replied, “It was commissioned at the time of the sage's ascension, and it has been twelve years now.”

Twelve years ago?  

Chang Suining couldn’t help but pay special attention to that timeframe—she had died that year, and the original emperor had ascended the throne that same year.

Indeed, she had been paving the way for Ming Hou all along—with her dignity, blood, flesh, and even her life, helping her ascend to the supreme position.

She had known this all along.  

She had been aware of it for fifteen years.

Chang Suining lowered her head and took another bite of the dumpling.

“Is it delicious, my lady?” Ji’er asked from the side.

“Very delicious.”

Ji’er then broke into a big smile.

The little servant had a round face, and when she smiled, she revealed two dimples, making her exceedingly cute and charming.

Chang Suining felt a little of the gloom in her heart dissipate as she lifted the carriage curtain to gaze at the spring scenery outside.

They arrived at Dayun Temple shortly after.

As expected from a temple commissioned when the new emperor ascended the throne, the architecture was grand and solemn. One could see that the carriages and palanquins parked nearby were either rich or noble, likely only accessible to the royal family and wealthy officials.

Chang Kuo, accustomed to traveling with a sword, took off his weapon and handed it to a servant before entering the temple with his two children.

Chang Suining followed behind Chang Kuo, first going to the main hall to offer incense. Chang Kuo generously provided for the incense oil.

After offering incense, Chang Kuo stepped out of the main hall and asked a monk outside, “Where is Wu Jue? Doesn’t he know I’m here?”

Wu Jue was the abbot of Dayun Temple. Even royal family members would respectfully call him “master.” If anyone else addressed him by his Dharma name, it would be considered quite impolite. But in front of Chang Kuo, it was entirely reasonable.

The monks in the temple all knew that General Chang and Master Wu were old friends.

Before Master Wu entered the Buddhist path, he had served under the late Crown Prince, with Chang Kuo as his deputy and Master Wu as his strategist.

“Amitabha.” The monk replied, “The abbot has been discussing Buddhist teachings with a benefactor since last night and has not yet come out of the quiet room. He doesn’t know you’ve come.”

“Really? What kind of Buddhist teachings are so profound that they take all night to discuss?” Chang Kuo asked, surprised. “Alright, I’ll go find him myself.”

The monk bowed in respect as he watched them leave.

“What’s this place?” As they made their way to the abbot's quiet room, they passed a tall pagoda. Chang Suining casually asked.

It was not uncommon for large temples to have pagodas, but she asked this because she sensed something unusual about it.

Thank you all for your support; yesterday, we finally broke into the top 100 with monthly votes, haha!  

With the start of a new month, I wish everyone smooth sailing and good health.

(End of Chapter) 

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