Qinglong Temple

  Xiao Heshang's Dharma name is Huigen. Among the several thousand monks in Qinglong Temple, only he has this Dharma name, which shows how much his master, the current abbot of Qinglong Temple, Master Xianlian, likes him.

  Hui Gen lifted her foot and walked on the rickety wooden ladder, looking ahead to see that the door at the end of the room was tightly locked.

  He covered his mouth and nose, for three days now, it was this foul smell that came from the gap under the tightly closed door.

  "Huigen Shixiong, what kind of people live here and why doesn't Master let us get close?" asked a few young monks holding brooms behind him.

  They were ordered to stay a few feet away from the door and could only sweep the stairs in front of them.

  Hui Gen glanced at them and said casually, "You just clean up here, there are a few pots of jasmine in the yard, move them to this staircase, get rid of the smell."

  Xiaosha quickly swept the stairs and courtyard, while moving in several pots of lush green flowers. However, the indescribable smell from the door became even more intense amidst the fragrance of the flowers.

  Like the entrance of hell, the lustful fragrance makes even a saint blush.

  "How could Master allow someone like him to defile this sacred Buddhist land..."

  The little Shaoyin, despite reciting scriptures every day, with the six senses pure and the four elements empty, also lowered their heads in front of this flavor.

  After finishing sweeping, the little monks ran away quickly.

  Only Hui Gen clasped his hands together and slowly gazed at the tightly closed door for a long time.

  "Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha ferries all living beings, the sea of suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore."

  …

  Jing Wan'er was sleeping soundly when she suddenly had a convulsion in all four limbs and woke up from her dream.

  Everything was just a nightmare. Today is exactly the third day in Dali Temple.

  She quickly put on her clothes and sprang out of bed.

  The door opened, and the weather was misty bright, but it seemed that something unusual had already happened.

  "There are some things in this world that even Buddha won't forgive." She muttered to herself.

  Jing Wan'er's foot had just stepped out of the room when she remembered what Zhong Zong said: From now on, she was not allowed to take a single step out of the Dali Temple alone, otherwise it would be considered a capital offense.

  Jing Wan'er narrowed her eyes, the emperor's words were very interesting, that is to say, if she wanted to leave the Dali Temple in the future... she must be tied to Pei Tan. It seems that in the future, Jing will only become a dependent existence of Pei's.

  Just as she was thinking this, she turned her foot and walked in one direction. Even if it's only in the Grand Temple, it's more spacious than before in the miscellaneous duty room. There is no evil person Shang Gong, nor is there a toilet to be brushed.

  "Pei Siqing, this time the matter, His Majesty has no sacred decree, but sent an old slave to convey the oral edict, Temple Master, you must listen carefully."

  As soon as she arrived at the front yard, Jing Wanyu caught sight of the people in the yard and her face changed color as she hid behind a corner.

  Pei Tan knelt in the courtyard, dictating an imperial edict that was not like ordinary ones. Every word had to be remembered firmly, because eunuchs who transmitted the edict would only say it once.

  "I, your humble servant, have received your orders."

  That pale-faced eunuch smiled delicately: "This time, the escort will be personally carried out by the Grand Master of the Temple of Great Rites, but no more than ten people can follow along. Moreover, you must not draw too much attention on the road. Once you arrive at the Green Dragon Temple, you must return immediately."

  It should be that the person who escorts is of high status and is afraid of making mistakes, but it's not allowed to have too many guards escorting, what kind of logic is this?

  Pae Dalk's kneeling on the ground didn't say a word. Even if he had doubts about the oral promise, he could only follow it.

  "I have received your orders, thank you Your Majesty." Pei Tan did not dare to raise his head.

  The eunuch had not left yet, he narrowed his eyes at Pei Tan and said, "Your Majesty has another word, Lord Pei please come closer to speak."

  Pei Tan heard this and slowly got up from the ground, walking two steps to stand in front of the eunuch.

  The eunuch took out a letter from his wide sleeve, "Temple Minister Pei, this is the emperor's secret decree, instructing you to only open and read it after arriving at Qinglong Temple."

  Pei Tan couldn't help but stare at the eunuch, this matter had yet to be carried out, and everywhere was filled with mystery.

  Pei Tan received the letter and saw that the seal was affixed with vermilion from the palace, leaving no doubt about its authenticity. He put the letter into his sleeve.

  At this point, the eunuch said: "Also, the imperial carriage has been prepared for Temple Lord. It is now at the back door of the Supreme Court. Please, Temple Lord, immediately adjust your hat and prepare to leave."

  Every step has been arranged, without even a chance to catch one's breath. At this moment, the sun has just officially risen in the eastern sky, and it is still early, barely past the hour of Mao.

  Since you are a noble person, why stay at the back door and not allow many people to know.

  The eunuch walked away on his own, and Pei Tan waved off the others in the courtyard, instructing Pei's guard: "Select ten young and strong men from the constabulary to follow us."

  Pei Shuaiwei nodded and immediately left the courtyard as well.

  Pei Tan then looked towards Jing Wanyu's hiding place.

  Jing Wan'er finally came out, wearing new shoes on her feet and a refreshed look on her face. "Sir."

  "Pei Tan looked at her: 'Why did you get up so early.'"

  It's not surprising that Jing Wanyan would say this, thinking of the nightmare she had last night. She shook her head and smiled: "As a palace maid, I have to get up early for work, how can I sleep in?"

  Those palace maids were jealous that she only had to wait for the corpses every day, and could rest at other times. They falsely accused her of being lazy and idle to the new Shang Gong, who directly gave her a mountain of stinky toilets to clean. They said that the stench was all the same, and that corpses and toilets were about the same.

  Just as Pei Tan was about to go out on an errand, Jing Wanyu stepped forward a few steps: "Sir, may I accompany you?"

  Pei Tan stopped in his tracks and looked at her. The girl had a smile on the corner of her lips: "If you leave, Wan'er will be left alone in the Grand Temple, which is not good."

  The meaning of Zhong Zong is that from now on, Jing Yu'er will be tied to the Temple of Great Benevolence until death, in other words, leaving her alone, no matter what happens, Pei Tan will take responsibility.

  "Go to Qinglong Temple and back, it's only three hours, I will return to Dali Temple in three hours, you don't need to follow me."

  Jing Wan'er was somewhat at a loss, seemingly without a good reason, when Pei Shiwei returned: "The ten bailiffs have finished checking, young master, when do you plan to set off?"

  "Change into your clothes," Pai said, "and have them assemble at the rear gate immediately."

  It is clear that Zhong Zong hoped for a quick victory, which was also what Pei Tan had in mind.

  While Pei Tan changed her clothes, Jing Wanner still went to the back door. She had followed Lin Qingqing here before and was familiar with the place.

  Arrived at the back door, saw a horse carriage quietly parked, but what's key is that this horse carriage was surrounded by something, even the windows were covered, completely sealed off.

  Jing Wan'er felt a bit strange. The carriage looked ordinary, without any decorations from the palace. It was just like a horse-drawn carriage hired casually from a roadside stable, very inconspicuous.

  Jing Wan'er suddenly felt that this didn't resemble a carriage, but rather a prisoner's cart.

  Is there a prisoner inside? The thought flashed through her mind.

  At this time a gust of wind blew, and the thick carriage door curtain was lifted, from where the light was darkest, Jing Waner vaguely saw a pair of feet.

  Her heart skipped a beat.

  Just then, a flurry of footsteps came from behind, and ten bailiffs as well as Pei Tan walked out of the door.

  Pei Tan also caught sight of the carriage at a glance. Although no emotion could be seen in his eyes, the other officials did not have such composure.

  This is truly the most bizarre decree executed since becoming the Duke of Da Li Temple.

  Jing Wan'er walked up to Pei Tan at this time and smiled at him. "Sir..."

  She tiptoed and whispered something in Pei Tan's ear.

  All the officials looked at this woman, and with their own masters' behavior being so intimate, their ears were almost bitten off. Even those unrestrained courtesan women didn't dare to be so unashamed in such a public place.

  Jing Wan'er said and then looked at Pei Tan, whose expression didn't change.

  But he looked at the two horses in front of him, one for him and one for Pei's guard. "Ride with me."

  This was an agreement for Jing Wanyu to follow along. The young girl lowered her head and smiled.

  Then the bailiffs watched as the woman climbed onto Pei Tan's horseback, and Pei Tan mounted his horse afterwards. Although they were still some distance from Jing Wanyu, this was already quite...

  It seems that there is no longer much difference in the eyes of others.

  Then all the officials mounted their horses, and the procession began to move forward.

  At this time, most people were still asleep, and the few people on the street seemed to be watching the Temple of Justice escorting some prisoners, and after a few glances, they quickly lost interest.

  Only the horse carriage remained silent, as if there was no one inside.

  It is obvious that Zhong will not let the Temple of Great Rites escort an empty carriage.

  Pei Tan ordered to speed up, the Qinglong Temple is located in the southeast of Chang'an City. The royal temple naturally has a strong incense, and the current abbot of Qinglong Temple is Master Xuilian, who is said to be the third-generation disciple of the great Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang.

  When the three timing Dali Temple people arrived, it was already a scorching sun, and all the officials were dry-mouthed and tongue-tied, looking up at the majestic temple. The solemn bell sound came from the temple into everyone's ears.

  It is said that listening to the Buddha's Chan sound can wash away the grievances of past lives. Just look at how many lost common people come to Chang'an City every day seeking redemption, and you'll know how many souls in this world are suffering from unrelenting pain.

  Jing Wan'er also looked up, and this Zen sound vaguely made a certain part of her heart quiet. Unfortunately, even if the sins of the past life can be cleansed in front of the Buddha, it is of no help to the suffering of this life.

  After some thought, she suddenly smiled brightly.

  Pei Tan happened to see the expression on her face. Jing Wanyu was said by Zhongzong to be a girl of evil omen, and she herself did not know whether she was completely unaware or noticed but didn't care.

  "Dismount."

  Everyone at the Temple of Dali got off their horses, and Jing Yuanyuan also held onto Pei Tan's hand, with both feet touching solid ground.

  Pei Tan walked forward, today is the day when Qinglong Temple closes every month, and there are no civilians or believers coming to offer incense. So a few days ago in the palace, Zhong Zong would have said that after a few days, it was the closing day of the temple, and the escort would come to send people.

  Bai Dang knocked on the temple gate, and a moment later, the door was opened by a young monk with a clean face. "Who is it?"

  "Pei Tan looked at him: 'The Duke of Dalisi Temple, Pei Tan, has been ordered by the Emperor to escort... one person has arrived.'" He stepped aside, revealing a tightly closed carriage behind him.

  Xiaosha Mi saw it and her eyes flashed.

  "It turned out to be Temple Lord, my family's master had already instructed me to wait here for your arrival."