Master Yuanjue of Huangjue Temple personally led a group of monks down from the mountain. They passed through Zhuque Avenue in grand procession and swarmed into the Earl of Changning’s residence—all to demonstrate an attitude: that the monks of Huangjue Temple knew and observed propriety.
In fact, even now there were still Imperial Academy students who were indignant, staging sit-ins on Zhengyang Avenue, denouncing Huangjue Temple for confusing the masses with heretical words and accusing the bald donkeys of interfering in politics and harming people.
The Emperor said nothing, but the annual Buddhist assembly would no longer be held at Huangjue Temple. Instead, it was moved to Qingxu Temple for Daoist rituals and ceremonies—something that had almost never happened in previous years. Although Emperor Jianzhang favored Daoism more, he had never dared neglect the Buddhist side. This time the matter had become too big, and he had no choice but to take a stance.
Since even Emperor Jianzhang had taken a stance, Huangjue Temple, as an imperial temple, naturally had to follow suit and make their position clear.
Before Master Yuanjue descended the mountain, he still felt somewhat unwilling and resentful. Just thinking about how Huangjue Temple had helplessly watched Master Yuanhui suddenly die overnight in the Imperial Guard Prison filled his heart with pain as if pierced by needles.
After so many years of cultivation, in just a short month or so, his martial brother—his martial brother whom he had admired ten thousand times over—had first had his reputation destroyed, then lost his life. All this was thanks to a little girl named Song Chuyi. He truly felt indignant.
Yet Master Yuankong was unprecedentedly resolute, asking him whether he wanted to drag Sannan down with them as well. Only then did he lower his head—his martial brother was already dead; he couldn’t let the only disciple-nephew his martial brother cared about in life also be dragged down.
Sannan had ordered people to capture Ma Changjiang and Ma Wangkun, planning to avenge Master Yuanhui. Although they had released the men, there was no guarantee the Song family wouldn’t hold a grudge. He remembered Master Yuankong’s heavy tone telling him: “You must think carefully. Right now our Huangjue Temple is at the cusp of the storm. If Song Chengru refuses to let us go, what will become of us? Even if we fight to the death, it would only result in mutual destruction, and the outcome still wouldn’t necessarily be decided. But the fruits of our many years of cultivation would be destroyed in an instant. Your martial brother was still thinking of his aspirations even at death—surely you don’t want to destroy his years of hard work over a moment of anger?”
Only then did he come obediently, putting on a benevolent appearance and respectfully performing a Buddhist salute to Old Madam Song: “The Abbot said that a few days ago, Martial Brother Yuanhui spoke carelessly. His learning was insufficient, and he wrongly predicted Sixth Miss Song’s fate, causing embarrassment. He specially sent me to apologize to your esteemed household.”
Old Madam Song wanted to embarrass Huangjue Temple, yet she also knew that Huangjue Temple had deep backing and couldn’t be easily offended. Therefore, her face bore a faint smile: “Spoke carelessly? That’s not quite the way to put it. One can only say that Master Yuanhui’s ambitions were too grand…”
Master Yuanjue lowered his head, his smooth bald head quite conspicuous in the room. His voice dropped even lower: “My martial brother only knew how to read fates but didn’t understand what words should be said and what words shouldn’t be said… Although his ordination certificate was registered under our Huangjue Temple, he had after all wandered in Fujian for many years and his temperament had changed…”
Old Madam Song smiled and interrupted him: “Three feet above one’s head are the gods. You masters are all disciples before the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, and your single word can determine a person’s future. Precisely because of this, you should be even more careful with your words and actions. They say those who leave home have compassionate hearts, yet Master Yuanhui showed not a shred of compassion toward our family. However, Master Yuanjue, you’re right about one thing—it’s better to resolve grievances than to create them. We understand this principle as well. We’ll accept the items. Since you masters have made this trip, the household has prepared vegetarian food. Please, masters, move over to partake.”
These were all just polite words. Old Madam Song truly didn’t want to hear them. If not for the fact that they couldn’t completely fall out with Huangjue Temple, she wouldn’t have wanted to say even these few sentences to Master Yuanjue.
When she saw Song Chuyi, her spirits flagged somewhat. Holding her hand and shaking it, she didn’t mention Huangjue Temple’s apology but instead asked: “How are you getting along with Yinyin?”
Old Madam Song had always been concerned about her relationship with Yin Yunduan. Although she knew Yin Yunduan was someone who wouldn’t do foolish things, she still worried that Song Chuyi might suffer grievances.
Song Chuyi’s heart softened. She rested her head on Old Madam Song’s knee, her voice clear and bright: “Very well. Grandmother, please rest assured. I will live my life properly.”
Usually, she kept her voice subdued to appear more composed, but once she relaxed now, her girlish manner was fully revealed, making listeners’ hearts melt.
Old Madam Song used her hand to smooth Song Chuyi’s hair, gently patting her back: “If that’s the case, then good. The New Year is approaching. Help your First Aunt manage household affairs. Your maternal grandmother doesn’t raise girls as roughly as I do. That cousin of yours who’s only half a month older than you—I don’t know how excellent she is. Not only are her accomplishments in poetry, literature, music, and strategy profound, she also grasps household management completely, excelling at everything. Such a young lady will be extraordinary in the future. When you go there, don’t let yourself be outshone.”
Cui Hualuan was a paragon that noble ladies throughout the realm strove to emulate. Her status was precious, her maternal clan was also imperial, yet she didn’t have a trace of the spoiled air of Ninth Princess and others. It was said that during the great drought in Jinzhong years ago, she had personally led clan members to dig wells and draw water.
The reason Old Madam Song was having Song Chuyi go to Jinzhong was also because she understood Old Madam Cui’s plan—if the Song and Cui families were definitely going to unite and bind themselves to the Eastern Palace Crown Prince, then Cui Hualuan would be more suitable.
As for Song Chuyi, whether from the private hope in her heart that she would have an easier life in the future, or considering what was appropriate or not, Old Madam Song didn’t want her to step into such murky waters.
Song Chuyi couldn’t help but laugh. What was there to compare between her and Cui Hualuan? Cui Hualuan was her aunt’s daughter, her cousin. It would be too late for her to grow close to her.
But she also knew this was Old Madam Song’s bias—the principle of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”—so she went along with it: “Yes. When the time comes, please have First Aunt teach Mingzi and me as well, so that when we manage households in the future, we won’t be like blind fools, and we won’t fear being outshone by others.”
After chatting for a while, Old Madam Song grew tired. Song Chuyi served her as she took an afternoon nap, then left Ningde Courtyard and went to the front study to find Song Jue.
Song Jue had also accompanied Song Yi to welcome the bride and had taken two days off. Having nothing to do on this second day, he was hiding in the study. When he saw Song Chuyi, he tossed aside his book: “What? Are you done dealing with those bald donkeys?”
These days he was becoming increasingly impolite toward the people of Huangjue Temple. Song Chuyi sat across from him and poured herself a cup of tea: “I didn’t need to deal with them. Grandmother met with them, and First Uncle is accompanying them outside. I knew you were here avoiding the bustle, so I simply came to find you.”
Song Jue had drunk a bit too much wine yesterday, and last night he had seen off guests too late and caught some wind, causing him to cough incessantly. He forcefully suppressed his coughing and smiled at her: “Don’t worry. I’m keeping an eye on things over there. Nothing will go wrong.”