Chapter 325: The Huineng You See Today Is Not the Real Huineng…

"Yes…."

Pei Suiwan heard it and almost blurted it out subconsciously, but the moment she tried to respond, she suddenly realized something; her slightly furrowed brows shot up, her pupils widened instantly: "Hm??"

She seemed suddenly startled by something, even her breath halted for a beat, making it hard to speak: "Husband, how did you know?!"

Surprise exploded from her eyes and spread across her cheeks to the roots of her ears.

Her own husband got every single word perfectly right!

But Mount Zhongnan is still some distance from Chang'an—at least twenty li away—so the news shouldn't have traveled that fast…

Moreover, as soon as she heard the verse, she rushed back immediately.

"Because your man can foresee the future!"

Chen Yan saw Pei Suiwan's bewildered expression, his smile deepening; he gently tightened his grip on her hand, his fingertips grazing her cool back of the hand with a hint of casual teasing.

Speaking, he deliberately released the woman's hand, pinched an imperfect Finger Point Calculation with his fingertips, and pretended to be mysterious as he waved it: "Just a light Finger Point Calculation, and everything becomes known…."

Pei Suiwan, amused by Chen Yan's pretended mystique, felt most of her anxiety melt away, though her cheeks flushed slightly from the earlier surprise and her current embarrassment.

She stared at the unhidden teasing in Chen Yan's eyes, finally couldn't help raising her hand and lightly tapping his arm, the force as gentle as a passing breeze.

"Bad man!" she said with a hint of scolding, the ending slightly rising as if holding a candied fruit, "You're just using me for fun!"

Speaking, she withdrew her hand, not truly angry, but her fingertips lightly twirled on his sleeve.

When she lifted her gaze, the lingering surprise remained in her eyes, now softened by his teasing.

If her own husband truly possessed the ability to Finger Point and calculate, there'd be no need for the Inspector of the Bright Mirror Office to watch the world…

"Hahaha!"

Chen Yan, looking at Pei Suiwan's cute and naive expression, couldn't help bursting into loud laughter, his two hands gently cupping the woman's face, his fingertips stroking the delicate skin at her cheek, his gaze full of mockery: "Suiwan, look at the frown you wore just now…"

"The news from the Embroidered‑clothing Envoy came back this fast…."

Pei Suiwan muttered to herself, pondering, when a thought suddenly flashed through her mind, surprise climbing back onto her brows: "Wait!"

"Husband, that verse can't be your handwriting, can it?!"

Saying that, she involuntarily raised her hand and covered her gradually widening red lips.

The guess was bold, yet it perfectly explained her husband's "foreknowledge"…

"Still, my Suiwan is clever…" Chen Yan nodded slightly, admitting it very plainly, his tone without any concealment, even adding praise: "A single guess, spot on!"

He paused, looking at Pei Suiwan's still startled eyes; the smile in his eyes turned into a deep warmth, his voice softer: "Moreover, that verse was actually crafted personally by Liu Mu Zhi…"

Speaking, he reached out and tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, his fingertip inadvertently brushing her earlobe, causing her to shiver lightly.

Grand Overseer Chen was extremely satisfied with that verse; it was catchy, simple, and easy to understand, very suitable for dissemination…

"I see!"

Pei Suiwan heard that, and the fog in her mind instantly cleared.

But on second thought, new doubts arose; she furrowed her brows and said softly: "But that's not right!"

"I have never heard my husband mention having any connection with Master Huineng…"

"Then why would he risk execution to do such a thing for my husband?"

Pei Suiwan's gaze fell on the dancing coals in the furnace, then quickly withdrew, returning to her husband, the incomprehension in her eyes nearly spilling over.

The meaning of the verse, and the consequences it would bring, the stakes involved—this master could not possibly be unaware…

Even if it were a brother, one would have to weigh it carefully; after all, a single misstep could bring death!

Why would Master Huineng go to such lengths?

"I and Huineng—let alone any friendship—…"

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, gave a casual smile, and teased: "We haven't even seen each other's faces!"

Friendship?

At least you'd have to know each other!

They truly have never exchanged a single word; at most they might have heard each other's names…

"This…."

Pei Suiwan was stunned; the complex emotions in her eyes rippled like a stone dropped into a lake, then she suddenly realized something and exclaimed shocked: "Could it possibly be…?!"

"Exactly."

Chen Yan nodded slightly, lifted his hand to gently stroke Pei Suiwan's furrowed brow, and laughed: "Just as you thought, Suiwan!"

"The Huineng you see today isn't the real Huineng…" he said evenly, his fingertip pausing briefly on her browbone, "It's an impersonation by one of my men."

Would such a lofty master‑monk, who knows how to protect himself, wade into these murky waters?

The answer is obvious!

In this era, temple land grabs are severe, monks reap abundant wealth, and it's not something silver can purchase… (the reason Emperor Wu of Zhou's Yuwen Yong eradicated Buddhism)

So, Chen (himself) wants to achieve his goal, he naturally has to resort to some special means!

"So that means today's opening‑ritual sermon was also designed by my husband…."

Pei Suiwan exhaled a long breath of stale air, the breath still tinged with lingering shock, turning into a wisp of smoke in the warm ember glow.

The thoughts that had been scattered by shock gradually reconvened; she linked the joints of her fore‑ and hind‑ limbs, and an answer formed in her heart: "The purpose is to use Master Huineng's reputation to attract enough pilgrims to Tan Hua Temple, so the verse can spread!"

The shock in Pei Suiwan's eyes had faded considerably, replaced by a clear understanding.

The so‑called opening‑ritual sermon was merely a dumpling Chen Yan specially prepared for this jar of vinegar…

After all, Liu Mu Zhi can compose verses and the sermon content; it only needs Master Huineng to memorize them.

"Indeed!"

Chen Yan snapped his fingers, producing a crisp crack, as if punctuating Pei Suiwan's words.

He looked at the serene clarity in the woman's eyes, a genuine smile spreading at his lips, with unabashed admiration: "Truly the number one talented lady of our Chang'an!"

"Your guess was spot‑on!"

Speaking, he reached out and rubbed the top of her hair, his tone full of pride.

Marrying a virtuous wife, a single point is clear; there is no need to waste words explaining it yourself.

"Husband, you are truly poor....."

Pei Suiwan heard this, a faint pink rose on her cheeks, and scolded.

Immediately, as if she had thought of something, a bright light flashed in her eyes: "I understand!"

Chen Yan let out a light laugh, his fingertip sliding to gently lift her chin, and asked with interest, "My talented lady, what have you guessed this time?"

"Among the pilgrims listening to the sutras nearby, there are also many people you have arranged, husband!"

Pei Suiwan grasped Chen Yan's fingertip; the earlier shyness had completely vanished, only clear contemplation remained in her eyes. She spoke slowly, her voice much calmer: "Because it is necessary to focus on the gatha and guide the true pilgrims!"

People like her and Shuying, who can instantly grasp the meaning of a gatha upon hearing it, are extremely rare.....

The overwhelming majority of pilgrims have hardly read any books; they either find the gatha impenetrable or only understand it partially.

Therefore, at this moment, a caretaker is needed!

To prevent misinterpretation.....

After all, a gatha is a double‑edged sword; without meticulous control, it can become an ominous prophecy that shakes Great Zhou's rule, a stone lifted to strike one's own foot.

My own husband could never make such a low‑level mistake!

"Exactly!"

Chen Yan, seeing the woman's analysis be so thorough, his smile deepened further; he reached out, took her hand, gave a gentle tug, and led her to the desk.

"Not only within Tan Hua Temple....." he said gently, pressing her shoulder so she sat on the embroidered stool beside the desk, himself sitting close, his arm naturally resting on the table edge, "Within Chang'an City, I have also arranged many ways to stir the waters!"

He paused briefly, then continued: "Ensuring that within the shortest time, the gatha conveyed by the Buddha in a dream spreads throughout all of Chang'an!"

If Chen sets this scheme, it must be pursued on many fronts.....

Let the gatha become a Blade that pierces Zhao Lao Pi Fu!

Pei Suiwan lifted her eyes to look at Chen Yan, a barely perceptible gravity in her gaze, her voice pressed low yet unusually clear: "Husband, you use such methods against Zhao Lao Zhuguo; could it be that the final hour is approaching?"

"Hmm."

Chen Yan nodded slightly, gave a calm smile, and said: "Warm Water Boils the Frog for so long, it is now time...."

"We must employ thunderous tactics, a single fatal strike!"

Warm Water Boils the Frog is a gradual dismemberment, a dull blade cutting flesh, making it ever weaker.....

And when the decisive moment arrives, either do nothing, but having started, it must be done to the end!

"After the thunder, the clear sky appears!"

Pei Suiwan recited the words Yu Jie had given, thoughtful, her brows slightly furrowed, she said softly: "But husband, I have one point I do not understand....."

Chen Yan: "Hmm?"

"Now the militia and the imperial guard of Chang'an are in the hands of the Grand Tomb Governor and the Grand Marshal, and the Bright Mirror Office is also under your control....."

Pei Suiwan's gaze hardened, after choosing her words, she asked: "Why not seize the two Grand Pillars of State with a lightning‑fast strike, reducing the risk to the minimum?"

——

PS: Why did Emperor Wu of Zhou want to eradicate Buddhism?

During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Buddhist forces expanded excessively; temples held vast lands and populations, and monks enjoyed tax‑exempt and labor‑exempt privileges.

This led to a reduction in the land and labor the state could control, resulting in insufficient fiscal revenue and troops.

Yuwen Yong, to unify the north and confront Northern Qi, urgently needed to replenish the treasury and expand the army; eradicating Buddhism could confiscate temple assets for the state, forcing monks to return to lay life as farmers or soldiers, directly serving the nation's economy and military.

Thus, it was a call for soldiers among the monastic ranks, seizing land beneath the pagoda temples!