Chapter 123: The Master
Nanli Temple had no visiting worshippers today, making it far quieter than usual.
Their carriage, accompanied by a dozen or so imperial guards, came to a stop outside the temple.
As Lan Wu stepped down from the carriage, Chu Mingheng pulled up her hood, covering her head completely.
Before they even entered, they saw a white-bearded elderly monk approaching with two young novices, offering a Buddhist greeting and guiding them into the temple.
Just then, the temple bell tolled. Lan Wu looked up toward the heights, where birds startled by the bell soared upward, gathering in small flocks and fluttering gracefully across the sky.
The sound of the bell truly calmed the mind.
Once inside the temple, there was no delay. Chu Mingheng led her inward, and soon they entered a courtyard.
Here, the sounds of monks chanting and worshipping gradually faded, and even the scent of sandalwood grew faint.
A man in monastic robes emerged from the hall facing the courtyard, bowing from a distance.
His appearance and attire seemed no different from the monks they had seen along the way, and his expression was even more amiable, not resembling a detached high monk but rather a worldly man.
“Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness.” Huifan closed his eyes and bowed once more in a Buddhist gesture.
The moment he spoke, there was an inexplicable sense of calm, soothing even the most restless heart.
Lan Wu glanced at him curiously, just as he raised his head and opened his eyes, meeting her gaze.
Huifan’s eyes were light in color, clear and unclouded, seeming to see right through a person when he looked at them.
His reaction upon seeing Lan Wu was slightly delayed, but he quickly guided them into the hall.
The hall was clearly an elegant chamber, with no Buddha statues enshrined, only calligraphy, paintings, and furnishings. In the center stood a low table, about an arm’s width wide, spanning the middle of the hall.
After taking their seats, Lan Wu removed her hood.
Huifan spoke first: “It has been five years since we last met, Your Majesty. I trust you have been well.”
Chu Mingheng poured tea for Lan Wu, nodded, and said, “Master, you too remain as leisurely as ever.”
Half a cup of hot tea was poured. Lan Wu reached out to warm her hands against the cup, lowering her head and refraining from interrupting, simply listening to their conversation.
“I have come today specifically to ask you, Master, whether there is anything unusual about my beloved wife’s health,” Chu Mingheng said. Noticing Lan Wu’s surprised look, he patted her back soothingly and continued gently, “She suffered a fright some days ago, experiencing nightmares and restlessness. Though she has since improved, I remain deeply concerned, unable to sleep at night. I humbly request that you examine her.”
Master Huifan smiled softly and extended a hand toward Lan Wu: “Your Highness, please allow this humble monk to check your pulse.”
From the moment Chu Mingheng uttered those two words, Lan Wu widened her eyes in disbelief, staring at him as if he had misspoken. Yet he did not correct himself, leaving her flustered. She hastily extended her wrist, pursed her lips, and gazed at Chu Mingheng with anxiety and doubt.
Although there was no Empress in the harem, could the words “beloved wife” be spoken so casually?
Moreover, wasn’t Master Huifan an enlightened monk? How could he also diagnose pulses?
“Focus, don’t look at me,” Chu Mingheng patted her back reassuringly, watching Huifan while reminding Lan Wu to direct her attention to herself.
For a moment, the hall fell silent.
Huifan’s expression remained unchanged. After checking the pulse, he withdrew his hand and looked at Lan Wu, asking, “Your Ladyship has reached this day through a twist of fate. Though the past has been a mix of joy and sorrow, from now on, you will surely enjoy peace, health, and freedom from worries.”
“Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Her Ladyship’s ailment is merely the result of excessive worry. As long as she eases her mind and avoids overthinking, her health will naturally recover.”
Lan Wu herself listened with suspicion, her heart skipping a beat. She couldn’t help but feel that Master Huifan knew about her past life.
Could his eyes truly see through all things?
Before Chu Mingheng could say anything, Master Huifan abruptly shifted the topic to him.
“As for Your Majesty, you are burdened with deep worries and overexertion, plagued by frequent dreams late at night. If this continues, it may endanger your life.”
“I urge Your Majesty to take good care of your imperial health.”
Lan Wu was startled by his words, her heart pounding violently. The teacup beside her hand was knocked over lightly. Ignoring the spilled water, she leaned past Chu Mingheng in a panic and asked, “Is what you say true, Master? You must not speak carelessly. His Majesty’s health is the strongest, it’s just… just…”
Chu Mingheng pulled her back to sit properly, gently touching the dampened sleeve of her robe as he spoke softly, “It’s alright. I will be fine.”
Will be fine?
Lan Wu suddenly recalled the mouthful of blood Chu Mingheng had coughed up earlier.
Instantly, she felt as if she had plunged into icy water, her entire body stiffening—she truly shouldn’t have told Chu Mingheng those truths back then.
“I am aware of my own health. Since you say I am burdened with worries and overexertion, I will be more mindful in the future. There was no need to say it in front of her and frighten her.” Chu Mingheng pinched Lan Wu’s hand, but his words were directed at Master Huifan across from him.
Huifan seemed to smile faintly upon hearing this, belatedly softening his tone as he said, “Your Ladyship need not worry excessively. His Majesty is a ruler ordained by heaven. Even in times of crisis, he will overcome adversity and remain untroubled.”
“It was this humble monk who spoke too hastily earlier. His Majesty’s condition has not yet reached an uncontrollable stage. As long as Your Majesty follows my advice and lets go, there will be no cause for concern.”
Chu Mingheng suddenly glanced at him, his dark, ink-like eyes meeting Huifan’s, as if detecting an underlying meaning in his words.
He lowered his head again, gently pinching Lan Wu’s cheek with a bit more force, his voice tender. “Alright, I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I? Don’t overthink it.”
“Go and have someone dry your sleeve. I need to speak with Master Huifan. Don’t go too far—I don’t want to lose sight of you. And don’t catch a chill in the wind.”
Lan Wu had wanted to ask more questions or have Chu Mingheng extend his hand for Master Huifan to check his pulse, but hearing his words, she reluctantly gave up. Looking at him, she whispered, “Then this concubine will wait for Your Majesty outside the hall.”
“Go ahead.”
Only when Lan Wu’s figure gradually faded into the distance and finally disappeared beyond the hall’s entrance did Chu Mingheng set aside his earlier tenderness. He looked at Huifan, his expression cold and stern, and asked softly, “When you speak of letting go, what is it you want me to let go of?”
Huifan seemed to sigh, his light-colored pupils appearing as if they could see through everything, understand everything.
He was not surprised that Chu Mingheng had discerned the deeper meaning in his words. After all, it had come to this point, and soon enough, this lofty, powerful emperor would likely recall everything.
“Does Your Majesty often dream, where everything seen and felt in the dream is connected to the same person?”
Chu Mingheng’s breathing grew slightly heavier as he turned his head to look outside the hall.
Outside the hall door, Lan Wu’s figure was nowhere to be seen. She must have been taken to another room. They had arrived in haste today, and no clean clothes had been prepared in the carriage. He wondered if her dampened sleeves had been properly attended to…
Not only did his dreams revolve entirely around Lan Wu, but even his mind seemed almost wholly occupied by her.
He turned his head back, gave a slight nod, and then asked, “What else do you know?”