The commotion caused by Princess Si Yi Mansion was significant. Qin Liu Xi thought about Song Zilian’s grueso death and the plans of Prince Xinyang Mansion. Not only did he not conceal it, but he also sent ssages separately to Lin Xiang and Marquis Cheng’en.
Xuanming, the devotee of Prince Xinyang Mansion, used spells of evil magic to harm the Empress. Although Xuanming fled, how to affix this cri to Xinyang Mansion is sothing they would certainly devise, and Song Zilian’s tragic death could equally be taken advantage of.
The Lin Zuo families, being related by marriage, had nearly let their own child fall into the clutches of the venomous Princess Si Yi. Now, having gained leverage naturally, they attack fiercely, causing the Song family to file a lawsuit with the imperial court, accusing Princess Si Yi of harming a pregnant concubine and entangling Empress Mu in the affair. Princess Si Yi was soon imprisoned in the grand prison of the Ministry of Justice.
The so-called ’strike when one is weak,’ Lin Xiang wanted to remove the malignancy of Prince Xinyang, so naturally, he would seize the mont while the prince hasn’t realized it yet, promptly present the evidence they found about Prince Xinyang’s intention to rebel, and then conduct thorough investigations.
Words like ’rebellion’ are the boundary no Emperor can trespass; even though the current Saint considers himself an Immortal, he cannot tolerate anyone seeking to overthrow him, threatening his throne. Besides, when the ’State Preceptor’ ntioned a star falling, implying misfortune unto the emperor, he imdiately believed it, appointing an imperial envoy, and comnced investigations!
Princess Si Yi and the Heir of Prince Xinyang thus were detained as suspects in the prison. It was originally thought the interrogation would et so obstructions and challenges. Still, Princess Si Yi, having been dragged into the ghost array summoned by Qin Liu Xi’s Sanqing Bell, had gone half-mad, her psychological defenses long shattered, spilling everything she knew like spilling beans, including the matter of the Five Elents Noble Son.
In the world exists such evil magic, sinister and vicious; Prince Xinyang Mansion genuinely aspired to reach the heavens. The Ministry of Justice did not dare conceal but reported this, and it turned well. Even before the imperial envoy fully reached Prince Xinyang’s domain, the Saint issued an order to confiscate Prince Xinyang Mansion.
In the Saint’s mind, tangible evidence of Prince Xinyang’s rebellion was immaterial; what mattered was having a pretext to confiscate him. After all, an external prince; the fewer, the better, thus the recovered fief returned to his sphere, a plentiful gain.
So now that Prince Xinyang intends to rebel, if this isn’t the ti to confiscate, convict, and let King Tianliang collapse, then when?
This is imperial power!
This is the Monarch; just like the forr Qin family, or countless Zhang and Li families, which incurred the Saint’s wrath, wishing to confiscate you, one needs no concrete cris, rely his imperial decree!
Suddenly, the winds shifted; Princess Si Yi fell from her high, arrogant station to beco a prisoner, many applauding enthusiastically, especially Lin Qingtang and his wife, who wished to skin her personally.
"She got off lightly!" Lin Qingtang snorted coldly.
Just because of this venomous woman’s jealousy, their treasured daughter suffered a great ordeal almost losing her life, forced to recuperate in the temple.
Qin Liu Xi withdrew his pulse-reading hand, gently patting Little Huihan’s head, saying: "The wicked will be subdued by the wicked; the perpetrator already died, and the primary culprit won’t live long either, so you needn’t act, lest you dirty your hands."
"Hmm."
Qin Liu Xi continued: "The child is out of danger and can return to the city."
Lin Qingtang rejoiced, saying: "After the Dragon Raises its Head in February, we shall return. Thanks to you this ti."
"The child has so asure of fortune." Qin Liu Xi chuckled, squeezing the child’s hand, exchanging pleasantries, then proceeded to seek Hui Quan at Yufu Temple.
Hui Quan was guiding a young monk in striking a wooden fish; the young monk’s head was smooth and shining, already bearing two scars, handso in both eyebrows and eyes, blinking his bright black eyes upon seeing Qin Liu Xi.
"Don’t be distracted." Hui Quan nodded at him, then folded his hands toward Qin Liu Xi with a smile, saying: "Having not t for several years; the donor’s cultivation has increased trendously and should be called Master."
Qin Liu Xi smiled modestly: "I cannot accept such an honorific from the master." Observing he wore the kasaya reserved for presiding, remarked: "Has the master assud the role of the temple host?"
"Elder Jingci resigned last year; had the Master co earlier, you might have attended my inauguration ceremony. The Master cos this ti, is there a matter to discuss?"
As Qin Liu Xi was about to reply, a young monk approached, joined his hands in a salutation, and voiced a chant: "The host, Elder Jingci requests an audience with the Master."
At this, Hui Quan was surprised: "Did the elder exit seclusion?"
Since Elder Jingci resigned, he had since isolated himself, contemplating Buddhism, rarely seen by other believers and even Hui Quan, but unexpectedly with Qin Liu Xi’s arrival, he beckoned.
Qin Liu Xi had not anticipated this opportunity and promptly followed the young monk.
Unexpectedly, the young monk led her not to the Buddha Hall or Zen Room but went to Ksitigarbha Hall, then through secret passages within it, twisting and turning several tis, arriving before a white Buddhist Tower.
This Buddhist Tower bore so resemblance to what Qin Liu Xi saw at Penglai, but it was more magnificent and lavish, its base square, with eight-tiered stairs, its body an inverted bowl, a slender neck, and its apex a wheel of thirteen layers.
Around the Buddhist Tower, encircled with gold scripture reels, hung with multicolored scripture banners, appearing solemnly sacred.
Beneath the Buddhist Tower sat an elder monk with long brows, large ears, and a kind face, an expression that was solemn yet compassionate, quietly gazing at Qin Liu Xi, his eyes filled with both comfort and acceptance.
"Junior Buqiu greets Elder Jingci." Qin Liu Xi bowed her head, respectfully performing a Taoist ceremony, her usual arrogance condensed entirely, replaced with ekness.
The monk before her radiated golden light, like a silent, grand mountain, embodying ancient wisdom and infinite compassion; he had achieved rit completion, genuinely a virtuous monk, worthy of being called Venerable, she wouldn’t dare impudence.
Elder Jingci’s Dharma Eyes swept over her, his smile deepening at his lips, saying: "You’ve grown up."
Qin Liu Xi was taken aback, approaching him, knelt opposite, curiously asking: "Has the elder seen in childhood?"
"At your birth, I once placed my hand upon your brow to bless you."
Qin Liu Xi blinked, paused briefly, then remarked: "That was her."
Who ’her’ refers to wasn’t explicitly ntioned, yet she understood this high monk would comprehend.
However, Elder Jingci shook his head, smilingly saying: "She is you, and you are her, rely the Divine Soul returning to its body."
Qin Liu Xi was stunned, pondering what this ant; wasn’t she an Otherworldly Soul possessing the body?
"Amitabha Buddha, the Great Thousand World holds three thousand minor worlds; rely your portion of Divine Soul went to another minor world, achieving perfection, naturally returning." Elder Jingci chuckled: "Fortunately, Chi Yuan educated you well over the years."
Qin Liu Xi tentatively asked: "Regarding my origins, does the elder know?"
Elder Jingci grasped the Buddha beads before him, worn with patina from frequent handling, aligned them, pressed them to her spiritual platform, saying: "Whatever your origin, you are you, formally nad Qin Liu Xi, Amitabha Buddha."
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