Huangjue Temple was shrouded under the blazing sun. Several aged banyan trees stretched out their thick branches and leaves, blocking out large expanses of shade. Dappled sunlight filtered through the gaps between branches and leaves, sprinkling on the ground, coating everything with a layer of pale golden color.
Under the guidance of the guest monk, Qian Ying entered the temple. He first strolled around the great hall, paused for a moment to look at the still flourishing incense offerings, then turned toward the abbot’s meditation chamber in the rear courtyard.
Master Yuankong was still as vigorous and spirited as ever. From his face, one could not see even half a trace of the impact of the Three Hardships’ failure this time. Qian Ying placed his palms together and performed a Buddhist salute, respectfully sitting down on the cushion opposite Master Yuankong.
A young novice brought up tea. With one sniff, Qian Ying smiled: “I didn’t expect that Master would also enjoy drinking this kind of flower tea.”
Master Yuankong smiled slightly, lifted the tea lid, and looked at the blooming white chrysanthemum floating on top, saying meaningfully: “Summer has arrived. Chrysanthemum clears heat and detoxifies, and also reduces internal heat.”
The news from Jinzhong had long since come back. Almost all the forces that the Three Hardships had brought—the power that his master’s branch had given him—had been completely wiped out. The Three Hardships himself had also fallen from a cliff, and his remains had been collected by the Imperial Guard. Yuankong couldn’t say what he felt in his heart. In the short span of half a year, his junior brother and his direct disciple had died one after another, yet he could do nothing.
What made him most angry and humiliated was that despite paying such a great price—even if there was no merit, there should at least be recognition for the hardship—Prince Dongping and Fan Liangdi’s side had never shown any reaction, and hadn’t even said an extra word of condolence. Such cold and callous indifference—even if Prince Dongping successfully ascended to power in the future, Huangjue Temple would probably face the fate of being disposed of once they had outlived their usefulness. He was already thinking about whether to turn and pledge allegiance to Prince Gong instead. Years of careful cultivation could not be destroyed in one fell swoop. Previously, Master Yuanhui had favored Zhou Weiqi simply because he had soft ears and listened to others’ words, and was still young and easy to control. But now it seemed that although Zhou Weiqi did have soft ears, people with soft ears could be controlled by more than one person—he would just as readily listen to others’ words.
Qian Ying was much more respectful and courteous than Zhou Weiqi. Upon hearing the implication in Master Yuankong’s words, he immediately set down his tea cup and looked earnestly at Master Yuankong: “Does Master feel that His Highness and Her Ladyship have been callous?” Seeing Master Yuankong neither confirm nor deny, still with a face full of compassion, he sighed deeply: “I don’t blame Master for thinking this way. If I were Master, I would also resent it. I’ve heard His Highness mention that Little Master Three Hardships brought all the manpower he could use, adding up to no less than forty-some people. These people were all Master Yuanhui’s painstaking efforts. To be destroyed overnight—how could one not feel it a pity?”
He paused, then lowered his head: “His Highness also feels very distressed in his heart, but his circumstances at that time were truly difficult. Master should also know that when Her Ladyship and His Highness did this, they naturally had to conceal it from His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness became suspicious, and rumors flew below—they had no choice. Moreover, Liangdi’s own second brother also died in Jinzhong…”
And was killed by the Three Hardships’ own hand. Yuankong slowly chanted a Buddhist prayer.
Seeing him seemingly moved, Qian Ying’s tone became even more gentle: “Later, His Highness was specifically appointed by the Emperor to supervise Elder Chen’s spring examination fraud case. His Highness is young and inexperienced. Once he got busy, naturally he remained busy until now…”
As for what the actual truth was, everyone tacitly understood in their hearts. But if they still wanted further cooperation, the situation on the surface had to be smoothed over somehow.
Once the surface situation was smoothed over, the subsequent words became easier to say. Seeing Master Yuankong begin to set up the chess board, Qian Ying said: “Doesn’t Master think about future matters?”
He seemed to discuss heart-to-heart with Master Yuankong: “No matter how much the Prince and Her Ladyship are suspected by the Grand Heir, it’s ultimately a family matter that won’t get out. For the sake of Eastern Palace stability, His Highness the Crown Prince also won’t allow it to get out. But Huangjue Temple is different. Back then, Miss Song Six alone dared to make Huangjue Temple stumble greatly before the Emperor. Now His Highness and Miss Song Six nearly died at the hands of Little Master Three Hardships. Given their temperament, if you say they’ll let it go lightly, it’s probably impossible. Even if Master doesn’t think for Little Master Three Hardships, he should at least consider the others in the temple…” And also consider the power cultivated over so many years.
Yuankong’s hand movements paused slightly. He raised his eyes to glance at Qian Ying, smiled yet didn’t smile, and said: “Then according to benefactor’s meaning, we should press forward with full force, commit fully without turning back, and simply eliminate the root and all?”
“Why not?” Qian Ying sat upright on his cushion, hands resting on his knees, and said sincerely: “Even if Master feels that His Highness and Her Ladyship are not worth scheming with, the Grand Heir has ultimately already been offended by you to the point of no return. This time you help His Highness, you’re also helping yourselves. What’s more, even if you want to seek another path, you still need a stepping stone, don’t you?”
To seek another path, one also had to present sufficient sincerity to others. Otherwise, why would others trust you? Just like when Master Yuanhui had pledged allegiance to Prince Dongping before—he still had to accomplish some things for him first.
Master Yuankong didn’t speak. He played both sides himself, playing chess with great enjoyment, as if engrossed in it.
Qian Ying glanced at it, smiled slightly, and continued speaking, completely unconcerned whether Master Yuankong had attention to spare to listen: “If it were me, having placed a bet, I would have to wait until the final reveal before being satisfied. Wouldn’t you say so?”
Qian Ying didn’t get Master Yuankong’s answer, but he wasn’t discouraged either. He sat until the sun set in the west before taking his leave from Huangjue Temple. The reason he didn’t have Zhou Weiqi come to Huangjue Temple personally wasn’t because Zhou Weiqi’s status was unsuitable for coming, but because Zhou Weiqi fundamentally could no longer persuade Yuankong—when people pledge allegiance to you, although they need to produce results, you also have to have something worth their allegiance. No one would entrust their life and fortune to you for no reason whatsoever and work for you for free. So many days of silence and indifference were already enough to make Yuankong and the others abandon Zhou Weiqi. Therefore, it could only be him who came as a persuader, enticing them with profit, luring Huangjue Temple to take this bait.
Huangjue Temple’s incense offerings remained flourishing. People descending the mountain in twos and threes formed groups. Qian Ying mixed into the crowd and walked for a stretch. Suddenly feeling something, he turned back to look and happened to see Yuanjue at the mountain gate bowing to him with hands pressed together in salute. He smiled and returned the gesture with full sincerity.
This ancient temple with hundreds of years of heritage possessed many powers that even the imperial family found difficult to match. Now, they had finally truly begun to decide where to place their bet. He wasn’t worried that Huangjue Temple would refuse. Since they wanted to accomplish great things, naturally they would have the awareness required for accomplishing great things. There were no permanent enemies, only interests that couldn’t be reconciled.