Chapter 107 People and Things in the Capital 2
“Dang~”

A clear and melodious sound of bronze chimes came from the main hall of Daxiangguo Temple.

The fourth prince, dressed in casual clothes, was kneeling in front of the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and praying silently.

Following the rhythm of the fourth prince’s worship, the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple struck the bronze chime from time to time.

Suddenly, a eunuch’s voice came from outside the door: “Your Highness, someone from the palace is here, saying that the prince sent someone to look for you.”

The fourth prince opened his eyes.

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple put down the chimes and pestle, stood up from the cushion, walked a few steps to the Fourth Prince and helped him up.

The fourth prince clasped his hands together and saluted to the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple.

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple said softly, “Yesterday on the first day of the lunar year, the emperor recited the Diamond Sutra and the Universal Gate of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, but he still couldn’t get rid of all his troubles and obsessions.”

The fourth prince nodded.

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple said: “This place has become a place of trouble. Your Highness should try to come less often in the future.”

The fourth prince was silent for a moment. “I think it’s better to keep it as it is. The emperor is very clear about my relationship with the wizards. There’s no need to make things worse.”

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple pondered for a moment and replied, “Okay.”

The fourth prince looked outside the door and lowered his voice, “There is one more thing. A few days ago, someone from the Infantry Commander’s Office changed into civilian clothes and followed me into the mountain gate. He might have discovered something. We should be more cautious recently, or just let them shave their heads. As for the certificate of ordination, the Monk Registration Office is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, so it’s not a difficult matter.”

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple asked: “Your Highness, are you planning to let them eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures?”

The fourth prince was stunned for a moment. Yes, it was more obvious after shaving his head. He could only stay in the temple and eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures. But these masters were trained by him with great difficulty in the past few years, and they must not be in trouble.

He thought for a moment and said, “Shave! Let them shave their heads! From now on, they will stay in the temple, eat vegetarian food, chant Buddhist scriptures, and concentrate on practicing martial arts. As for those businesses, the money they have accumulated is almost enough, and they can do legitimate business. They will not make money from this kind of money in the future.”

Upon hearing this, the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple clasped his hands together and said, “Amitabha!”

The fourth prince sighed inwardly. If he had not had the support of his maternal family, he would not have been willing to do such a deal.

He made up his mind to deal with those who knew about this matter as soon as possible.

Thinking of this, the Fourth Prince cursed Li Hu in his heart again. If Li Hu hadn’t interfered, he would have completed the accumulation of capital last year.

At this time, the eunuch’s voice came from outside the door again: “Your Highness.”

“Wait.”

The fourth prince said to the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple: “The emperor’s birthday will come in two months, and the emperor asked us to prepare birthday gifts. My situation does not allow me to send any expensive birthday gifts, but it would be too shabby and disgraceful.”

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple said with a smile: “Sincerity is the key to success.”

The fourth prince understood: “Master, what do you mean, I should copy a copy of the “Book of Filial Piety” by hand?”

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple said: “The emperor hopes that the emperor will practice Buddhism and cut off his troubles and obsessions.”

The fourth prince’s eyes lit up: “Diamond Sutra?”

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple said: “At the same time, spread the word that Your Highness must recite the word ‘filial piety’ ten thousand times. It is worth a thousand or ten thousand times more than rare treasures. The emperor will be happy, the emperor emeritus will also be pleased, and all the civil and military officials in the court will remember Your Highness’s filial piety!”

The fourth prince’s eyes lit up when he heard this: “Okay! I’ll follow the master’s instructions.” He then clasped his hands together and bowed to the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple.

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple also returned the greeting with his hands clasped together.

The fourth prince: “I won’t disturb the mage’s meditation.” He turned and walked to the palace door and opened it.

The young eunuchs and guards at the stone steps hurried forward to greet them.

The guard said hurriedly, “Your Highness, the old concubine in the palace is not feeling well, and the prince asked you to go over and pay your respects. Go back and change your clothes.”

The fourth prince was startled and hurried out.

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple looked at the back of the fourth prince gradually disappearing outside the palace gate and murmured, “‘People fight for a breath, Buddhas fight for a stick of incense’. It’s time for the Dashun Dynasty to have an emperor who believes in Buddhism.”

At this time, a gust of wind blew in, and the gauze curtain in the hall suddenly flew from the direction of the hall door towards the Buddha statue, covering the eyes of Sakyamuni Buddha.

A burst of laughter came from the warm room.

Lin Daiyu was sitting at the desk under the south window, writing something with a pen.

The door curtain was lifted and Nanny Wang came in and said softly, “Miss, the Duke Zhongjing’s mansion has sent someone to deliver congratulations.” As she spoke, she gently placed the gift list on the desk.

After Lin Daiyu finished writing, she looked up, glanced at the gift list, and said, “Reward them with top-quality envelopes.” Nanny Wang: “Yes,” she answered and was about to leave.

“Mammy, wait a moment.”

Lin Daiyu picked up the letter again, blew on it, folded it carefully, put it into the cowhide envelope and sealed it, then handed it to Nanny Wang: “Give it to Third Uncle, and have the personal soldiers deliver it to Second Brother.”

“Yes.”

Nanny Wang took the letter, thought for a moment, and asked, “Does the young lady have anything to bring?”

Lin Daiyu thought for a moment and said, “No need.” Suddenly she caught sight of a few pink peony petals on a poetry collection beside her.

The peonies that Li Hu transplanted in the back garden are in bloom. She picked them early in the morning.

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips, stood up and walked into the bedroom, brought out a bundle, placed it on the desk, and untied the bundle, revealing a white silk short-collared gown.

“I heard that northern Shaanxi is very hot in May.”

Lin Daiyu placed the peony petals in her folded gown, then placed the letter on the gown. She then tied the bundle and handed it to Nanny Wang.

Nanny Wang smiled and walked out holding the bundle.

Lin Daiyu picked up the gift list, looked at it, and then put it on the pile of gift lists on the desk.

The deputy general, who was ranked second grade, was below the general, and was equivalent to the deputy general. He usually assisted the general in making strategic and tactical decisions, and led and managed the daily activities of the army. In the absence of the general, the deputy general could even serve as a temporary commander to ensure the normal operation of the army without waiting for the court’s appointment.

Soon after the imperial edict was issued from the Qianqing Palace, people both known and unknown, related and unrelated, all sent congratulatory gifts.

Li Hu explained that if he didn’t accept it, it would be a waste, and he would not refuse anyone who came to him.

Although he was not promoted this time, after taking over the Hetao area, he could at least be promoted to the second-class marquis (temporary title), and in one or two years he could inherit the title.

Maybe he can really earn himself a princess of a county, as for the princess of a royal family
Lin Daiyu smiled and shook her head, not daring to think about it.

“Miss Shi is here.” The maid’s voice came from outside the window.

Lin Daiyu hurried out and saw Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun were all there, sitting on the kang and talking.

“Sister Lin~”

Shi Xiangyun’s laughter was heard, and then a red figure rushed in.

Everyone laughed and said, “We have heard the voice before we see the form.”

“My dear sister, I miss you so much.”

Shi Xiangyun took Lin Daiyu’s hand and pointed at Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun, “You guys were having so much fun at Sister Lin’s place that you forgot about me. Humph~”

Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun came over:

“Okay, okay, don’t be angry.”

“We haven’t started a poetry club yet, we’re waiting for you!”

“Sister Yun, Sister Yun, Sister Lin’s Suzhou dishes are delicious.”

“Ah~~Xichun, you are deliberately trying to piss me off!”

Looking at the people playing around, Lin Daiyu smiled with her hand covering her mouth. Since Li Hu left, Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun often came to accompany her. Grandmother Jia also came once, but she always went back before dusk.

Now that the news that Li Hu is not in the capital has spread, the sisters can stay here.

At this time, Zijuan came in with the maids and servants from Baolinghou Mansion.

The maids and servants all bowed to Lin Daiyu: “Greetings to Miss Lin!”

Lin Daiyu smiled slightly: “Don’t be so polite.”

Zijuan handed the gift list to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu took it, looked at it, and then said with a smile: “Thank you for your hard work. Zijuan, please go downstairs and have dinner. You will be rewarded.”

The maids and servants said happily, “Thank you, Miss Lin.” and followed Zijuan out.

(End of this chapter)