T/N: I’ve noticed this novel is actually written based on
historical facts e.g. actual names of official positions, palace names etc so I've been reading chapters in parts and doing more research >.
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Zhao Jin Yu felt there was something off during the night,
as if there was the sound of a stone knocking on wood, just now she started
thinking she was just mishearing things, who knew that sound would not stop at
all, annoying her awake and aware, she grudgingly opened her eyes yawning, there
was already nothing of value in the house, ever since her daddy had an accident
the property that could be sold off were all p.a.w.ned by mother, even though some
old things remained in the house, however they were ancient, the lacquer on the
furniture were almost bare, the wood used were also very common, and was even
more out of the question of being precious, therefore even if a thief entered,
once they see there was nothing of value they would leave uninterested, let
alone she had closed the door lock securely before sleeping, a common thief
could not come in!
If it wasn’t a thief could it be a mouse? With this one
thought she couldn’t sleep, there was only a little bit of rice in the rice jar
in the house, it wouldn’t be good if the mouse ate it up.
Just as Zhao Jin Yu stepped out from her quilt cover she
felt the piercing cold attack her, early yesterday morning it had started
snowing, right up to the present it had snowed intermittently without stopping,
it made the originally shabby house seem even more cold, she couldn’t help
shudder, placing her hands against her mouth she blew out a warm breath, again
reaching out to wrap a cotton clothing around her before getting up to leave.
Zhao Jin Yu had just walked to the outer room before hearing
a thudding sound from her dressing table, she looked carefully whilst there was
moonlight, oh my! Surprisingly it was white Yuhua stone bouncing in the half
open jewellery box, that stone appeared to be alive, continuously bouncing,
very evilly.
Zhao Jin Yu at first was somewhat frantic, thinking this
must be haunted? Maybe it’s some sort of witchcraft? Immediately she thought
better of it, again feeling there was nothing scary, didn’t she pa.s.s through
time from the future to here, from that little point, in this world there are
always things you can never understand, however just because you don’t
understand it doesn’t mean it’s scary, it was just like her, in some aspect
wasn’t she also a strange thing? With such a thought she was extremely
relieved, watching that moving l.u.s.trous stone she didn’t feel much fear, she
directly extended her hand holding the stone in her hand…, this Yunhua stone
was only a little bigger than a quail egg, it was ice-cold in her hand, just
now it was still jumping around with such vigour, now it was truly no different
from a common stone, Zhao Jin Yu’s heart immediately felt at ease, thinking to
herself, look, it really is just like this, increasingly thinking this was a
trivial matter, thinking she ought to hurry back to bed, conveniently throwing
the stone out, then turning around she wrapped herself in the quilt and went
back to bed, her movement was neat and tidy not at all sloppy.
Many years later Zhao Jin Yu thought of that night, thinking
her heart was so big that the entire world could be placed in it, which other
lady when coming across such a matter would not either weep endlessly or
screeching in fear again and again? Only she would pay no attention and throw
that stone out, afterwards turn around like it was nothing and going back to sleep,
and have that sort of dispute with that person.
Certainly, the Zhao Jin Yu at that time did not know these
things, she only felt a matter which disturbed her sleep was finally resolved,
it was scarily cold outside, she really was somewhat impatient to get back into
her quilt and sleep.
Lying in her warm quilt, Zhoa Jin Yu contently released a
breath, very quickly she closed her eyes.
Emperor Wuling had a dizzy spell, waiting until it settled
did he then discover he had been thrown outside, it was snowing very heavily
outside, he immediately bore through the layers of snow to the bottom.
Yes that’s right, this bouncing Yuhua stone was the Hanzhen
dynasty’s most respected His Majesty the emperor, emperor Wuling, he also
didn’t know what was going on, after he entered a dream-state he became a Yuhua
stone.
Now, cold, hungry, suffering from pent-up frustrations of
becoming a stone mysteriously, it was only natural, also the insult of being
tossed aside casually made the emperor burn in anger, if he was still in his
body at this moment, he would definitely make known to Zhao Jin Yu the price of
despising him, after all emperor Wuling was not a tolerant master, only
unfortunately, however angry he was, flying into a rage in whatever way, after
gasping in anger and jumping around tens of times he then finally became
accepting, even if he could jump, that wouldn’t obliterate the fact that he was
a stone ,= =.
The snow was very thick, the emperor was repeatedly buried
in the snow in the middle of the night and was unable to come out from under
it. = =。
***
Rui Fu felt the emperor was a little strange today, because
he woke up an hour later than usual.
Rui Fu was soon to be forty years old this year, he has been
serving the emperor since he was fifteen, watching the very small child change
into the eminent and unapproachable monarch of today, therefore he was the most
familiar with the emperor’s habits, he could still remember the emperor when he
was barely five years old, he woke up merely fifteen minutes late and he was
punished to kneel in the busy corridor by the empress, being pointed out by
people, that was also during a snowy winter, the ground covered in thick snow,
breathing out the air was chilly, the emperor stubbornly and indifferently was
distinct in that snow filled sky.
Since then he never again saw the emperor wake late.
In any case Rui Fu felt something had happened, but the
emperor didn’t say anything and he didn’t dare ask, making the servants come in
to freshen up and change the emperor’s clothes, afterwards while remaining calm
and collected he sized up the emperor’s complexion, apart from his dark
complexion he also had slight bags under his eyes, this was clearly a symptom
of not sleeping well…
Waiting until he finished freshening up, the emperor sat on
the kang
beneath the window, under the slight sunlight pa.s.sing through, his handsome
and iron face emitted a gloomy and frightening aura, making the palace eunuchs
and maids serving upon him tremble with fear, he jitterily pushed away the somewhat
irritating teacup, saying to Rui Fu who had been sizing him up continuously
solemnly and cautiously, “Pa.s.s on our decree, today’s morning court will be
excused, immediately summon great master Hui Zhen into the palace.”
Morning court is excused?
Rui Fu couldn’t help be shocked in his mind, the emperor
since he ascended the throne apart from that year when he was too ill to go
outside, he has never delayed a single morning court over these years, the
emperor giving such a decree now, certainly something bad has happened, he
thought these in a moment, even if Rui Fu had multiple train of thoughts, but
his face nevertheless did not show it, at once he replied, “This slave will go
issue the decree.”
“Wait, also summon the left and right Embroidered Uniform
Guards
here!”
Rui Fu lowered his head even more, respectfully saying,
“This slave will obey the Emperor’s decree.” In his mind however he was
thinking, something big must have happened! The Embroidered Uniform Guards were
the emperor’s trusted servants, especially the left and right Embroidered
Uniform Guards command as the emperor’s left and right arms, if he remembered
those two people, one was in Hangzhou investigating and handling a case of
corrupt high officials, another had been sent to ferret out the traitor in the
Xibeida battalion, calling them back so abruptly at this time, clearly there
was something even more important to do here!
Waiting until Rui Fu had withdrawn, the emperor fingers
clenched into a fist, his gaze as sharp as a knife, with the beautiful sound of
a precious stone yet also cold and cheerless with an apparent evilness which
caused fear in people, he said, “Don’t let us hold you here, how about, we have
a thousand methods to make you live but better off dead!”
Great master Hui Zhen was the head of the Fahua Buddhist
temple, he had just turned twenty-two this year, but he had grown up in the
temple, that year he turned twelve he suddenly had a moment of enlightenment,
at that time the head monk great master Xu Yun and Hui Zhen discussed the
Buddhism way, afterwards he suddenly decided to hand the position of head monk
over, saying Hui Zhen was the reincarnation of luohan, it
was also strange, the then only twelve years old Hui Zhen surprising also did
not decline, just like this the youngest head monk since the beginning of
history was born in Fahua temple.
Many people thought of Hui Zhen as a joke, in the end they
never thought after ten years, Hui Zhen’s reputation was more resounding day by
day, so much so it exceeded the capital’s number one Buddhist temple Huguo
temple, he also became the emperor’s honoured guest, often called upon to
discuss Buddhism.
Rui Fu personally went, who knew just as he reached the
Fahua temple’s gate he would see a young monk waiting at the door, seeing Rui
Fu he said, “Amitabha Buddha, benefactor, our head monk has already been
waiting for a long time.”
Rui Fui’s heart was shocked, he always felt great master Hui
Zhen was not normal, his heart was also filled with extreme admiration, now
seeing Hui Zhen this prophet foreseeing he would come made him feel even more
incomparably venerated, his manner was even more respectful somewhat than
usual, kindly he said to the young monk, “Thank you young master.”
The young monk took Rui Fu to the head monk’s house, before
he entered he saw a young monk wearing a red kasaya
come out to welcome him, he had delicate features, greatly magnificent manners,
especially his eyes, extremely beautiful, clear as a babbling creek river, making
a person looking at them feel their heart somewhat lighted, “Benefactor, you’ve
come.”
Rui Fu did not dare to think too much, he hurriedly greeted
him.
Hui Zhen however directly and efficiently said, “There’s no
time to lose, let us hurry on our way.”
After all Fahua temple was on the outskirt, even if riding
on the fastest carriage by the time great master Hui Zhen arrived at the palace
it would already be noon.
“Your Majesty, great master Hui Zhen has arrived.”
The emperor was resting against the pillow behind him, his
slender and beautiful fingers were braced on the table on the kang, all kinds of books were placed in
a mess around him, his eyes were profound, there was a kind of natural dignity
and power, since he was the most respected emperor, he nevertheless could not
conceal his as picturesque as a mountain range handsome appearance.
Great master Hui Zhen followed behind Rui Fu, lightly
sweeping his gaze, it fell on the books tossed by the emperor’s side, many of
them were about ghosts and evil beings, such as Zhong Kui’s Conquering Demons, Cla.s.sics
of Mountain and Sea, Tale of King Mu Son of Heaven, Records of Diverse Matters,
Xuanguailu, Yimenglu, Chaohai Xinwen Yijianxuzhi, unaware his eyes showed a
clear understanding, as expected it was like this.
The emperor however looked like he did not hear Rui Fu’s
words, unhurriedly he turned a piece of paper, his expression remaining
unmoved.
Rui Fu awkwardly shot a glance at the great master Hui Zhen,
and did not dare to announce once more
Time pa.s.sed little by little, it was completely peaceful in
the room, only every now and then the sound of the emperor turning the page
could be heard, the palace maids who served the emperor also felt a really
strange atmosphere, even the atmosphere didn’t dare to make a noise, afraid of
angering the emperor, rigidly standing straight.
Rui Fu really felt he was old, if before, he wouldn’t feel
tired if he stood like this for several hours, now however he felt someone
unable to support himself up, early in the morning he had gone to Fahua temple
as fast as possible, again without rest he had returned, he hadn’t had lunch
either, he truly somewhat couldn’t bear it…, he slightly glanced at the great
master Hui Zhen, seeing he still looked as calm as usual, not a single trace of
indifference was seen on his face, his mind admired him even more, thinking as
expected of a great master, always standing out from the ma.s.ses.
The emperor looked somewhere unknown for a while, all of a
sudden grabbing hold of a book he threw it on the floor, the atmosphere in the
room changed, there was a dense chilliness, making everyone s.h.i.+ver coldly. “All
of you get lost!”
Rui Fu heart thumped once, his face not daring to show any
objection, glancing at the great master Hui Zhen with sympathy, he left at
once.
Waiting until there were only two of them in the room, the
emperor walked to face the great master Hui Zhen, strict meanings flas.h.i.+ng
through his face, lifting his leg he kicked the great master Hui Zhen in the
stomach, waiting until he stumbled onto the ground, he again stood on the back
of the great master Hui Zhen’s hand, ruthlessly crus.h.i.+ng it.
“Did you already long ago knew we would have such a
calamity?” The voice through the gaps of his teeth was gloomy as if it was the
cold wind from h.e.l.l.
Hui Zhen face was deathly white, cold sweat on his forehead,
thinking the bones in his hand might be broken, he really couldn’t stand pain,
yet merely with the same neither servile nor overbearing manner as before, he
said, “Your Majesty, this poor monk had said before if Your Majesty continues
to carry out ma.s.sacres, there will be a calamity, clearly this time…ah!” Along
with the feeling the pain of losing feelings in his hand, great master Hui Zhen
finally screamed aloud.
“We only ask you, can it be defused?” The emperor’s eyes
were profound, like a bottomless abyss, tightly pursing his lips, his deeply
cold voice held an invisible pressure on people.
Hui Zhen painfully creased his face, only feeling he was
only half conscious, but still persisted in saying, “There’s no cure, unless
Your Majesty…”
Another painful shout flowing from the depth of one’s soul
echoed in the room, scaring the Rui Fu who was guarding outside that his heart
almost jumped out of his heart.