Chapter 435

Actually, just now, on the way to Lingxiao Palace, Murong Feiyan and Hu Xiaotian had already passed through Yun Temple; Hu Xiaotian made the judgment from that familiar sandalwood scent, and on the way back he still kept their eyes blindfolded. Murong Feiyan proposed the request to go to Yun Temple to offer incense, and after the guards escorting them reported it, permission was granted.

Yun Temple is not large; it has only three rooms, and the courtyard is very narrow, with only a single osmanthus tree planted in the yard. Now that osmanthus tree has completely withered, leaving only bare branches, like an old man stripped of his clothes, shivering in the cold wind.

On the main hall stands a Buddha statue; the side halls house the spirit tablets of numerous concubines. In the few years before Long Xuan'en abdicated, he became obsessed with cultivating longevity arts, distancing himself from the palace concubines. For five years, no new concubine entered the harem, and during those five years many concubines died of depression, including Long Xi Yue's mother, Consort Li. After Long Yelin successfully usurped the throne, in this coup many concubines were killed, and many others were expelled from the palace. Thus, when the former emperor was placed under house arrest at Lingxiao Palace on Mount Piaomiao, not a single concubine accompanied him. Originally two palace maids had followed him, but later, for some unknown reason, they angered this Retired Emperor, who strangled them to death inside Lingxiao Palace. Since then, only the loyal Senior Eunuch Wang Qian has remained to attend him.

After being forced to abdicate and become Retired Emperor, Long Xuan'en made two requests: one was to bring his own dragon throne over here; the other was to build a small temple on the summit of Mount Piaomiao, where he could daily chant sutras and recite Buddha, thereby delivering the souls of those who had once been around him.

Long Yelin agreed to his father's request. The dragon throne had been sat on by Long Xuan'en for decades and was already worn out. As a new ruler, he ought to have a new appearance, so he replaced it with a larger, more comfortable throne. However, before sending the old chair up the mountain, Ji Feihua had the craftsmen dismantle it into pieces, ostensibly for easier transport, but actually fearing the former emperor might have hidden some treasure within; after a thorough inspection, it was confirmed that the dragon throne concealed nothing mysterious. Only then was it allowed to be taken up the mountain.

As for this small temple, it can be considered the only new building on Mount Piaomiao. Initially there was only the Buddha statue in the main hall, but later the bored former emperor began carving spirit tablets himself— for deceased concubines, deceased princes and princes' sons. After half a year, he had filled the side rooms of the main hall with them. The common point of these tablets is that everyone died at the hands of the former emperor.

The Retired Emperor Long Xuan'en personally carved these spirit tablets for those people: one, to pass the lonely time on the mountaintop; two, in a sense, also as an act of atonement.

Hu Xiaotian helped Murong Feiyan search among the rows of spirit tablets and finally found the one belonging to Consort Li. Murong Feiyan knelt before her mother's tablet, recalling her mother's appearance and smile, and then thinking of what she had just endured at her father's side, she burst into tears.

Hu Xiaotian did not mean to disturb her mourning for her deceased mother; he quietly withdrew and went to another side chamber, examining the spirit tablets one by one. If these concubines really died at Long Xuan'en's hands, then his hands are indeed stained with blood. Besides the tablets, the chamber walls hung many portraits; the former emperor excelled at painting and calligraphy, a double mastery. Hu Xiaotian's gaze was soon drawn to the series of beautiful women paintings on the wall. Upon seeing one, he could not help but startle: the portrait depicts a barefoot beauty standing on the water's surface, graceful and elegant, like a Lingbo fairy, her smile charming, her glance radiant. What astonished Hu Xiaotian was not her beauty, but that the lady looked strikingly familiar— her features and eyebrows resembled those of the little princess Qiqi.

Hu Xiaotian could certainly tell that the painting was not of Qiqi; the woman in the picture was clearly more mature than Qiqi, with a full figure and lustrous complexion, whereas Qiqi was still undeveloped and naive. He raised a lantern to get a better look in the light, and saw the woman's name written above: Jiazi.

Hu Xiaotian had never heard this name before; staring at the portrait, he felt it looked more and more like Qiqi. He searched the spirit tablets indoors and finally found one for Ling Jiazi, which recorded her birth and death dates. Coincidentally, her memorial day is the first day of the lunar new year—that is, tomorrow. Ling Jiazi lived only twenty-one years, dying thirteen years ago; if she were alive today she would be thirty-four. Considering Qiqi's age, could this woman be Qiqi's mother?

Hu Xiaotian firmly committed the woman's birth and death dates to memory. Among these portraits, only Ling Jiazi's painting shows the most care; a painter's painstaking work necessarily pours deep feeling into it. Although Hu Xiaotian does not know what relationship the former emperor had with Ling Jiazi, he can see from the painting alone that Long Xuan'en's affection for the depicted Ling Jiazi was profound and intense, enough to focus on the artwork—the effort and heart poured into this painting are clearly different from those of the other portraits.

Returning to Murong Feiyan's side, seeing her beautiful eyes red and swollen from crying, Hu Xiaotian comforted her: 'Your Highness, the departed are gone; I believe Consort Li, if she has a spirit in heaven, would not wish to see you so grief-stricken. Only by living happily and joyfully can you console her spirit.'

Murong Feiyan hummed in acknowledgment, took the handkerchief Hu Xiaotian handed her, wiped the tears from her face, her nostrils twitching slightly, and said: 'I should also be going.'

Hu Xiaotian accompanied Murong Feiyan out of Yun Temple; the two guards stationed outside still blindfolded their eyes before lifting them onto the hanging basket.

Once they reached the foot of the mountain, they still needed to go to the bathhouse to bathe and change clothes. This was to prevent them from bringing anything down from the mountain; this time the inspection of Hu Xiaotian was obviously not as strict as before, and Mu Rongzhan did not personally accompany him.

At this moment Hu Xiaotian realized that the effect of this yin-raising, yang-shrinking technique seemed unusually long-lasting; even now there was no sign of his manhood showing. While changing clothes, he couldn't help but furtively touch himself— although there was some trace, it remained only a retracted turtle, making him feel uneasy. Although he had practiced this skill for a long time, this was actually the first time he had to put it to use; moreover, the technique is called Yin-Raising, Yang-Shrinking, and Quan De'an had taught him only how to retract, not how to extend again. Thinking of this, Hu Xiaotian began to feel a little afraid.

Having changed his clothes and come outside, Hu Xiaotian saw Mu Rongzhan standing quietly at the pier, so he walked over slowly. Mu Rongzhan's actions today were clearly directed at him; various signs indicate that this person even suspects his eunuch identity.

Mu Rongzhan's pale, grim face still showed no smile; he spoke softly: 'How do you feel, Lord Hu?'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'A hot bath is really comfortable.'

Mu Rongzhan nodded and said: 'If you like it, Lord Hu, you can come here often to bathe.'

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, thinking you consider me so bored, yet he put on a harmless smile: 'Thank you for your kindness, Commander Murong, but this place is too oppressive; it makes one feel uncomfortable from the bottom of the heart.'

Mu Rongzhan replied: 'This place is no different from other parts of the palace; I suppose it's your own mood, Lord Hu.'

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: 'Commander Murong, you are absolutely right; the most important thing in being a person is to be open and upright.'

Mu Rongzhan's gray eyes gazed indifferently at Hu Xiaotian: 'I suddenly forgot—I still haven't had the chance to congratulate you on your promotion, Lord Hu.'

Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'What promotion? I still have some self-awareness; in the palace, no matter how glorious, we are ultimately servants, and everything we have comes from the Emperor, wouldn't you agree?'

Mu Rongzhan heard the implication in his words, and a faint cold smile curled his lips: 'Lord Hu, you are young, yet it is rare for you to see things so clearly.'

Hu Xiaotian dared not accept the praise; the palace is full of intrigue, with too many people he cannot see through. Mu Rongzhan is a person whose friend or foe is hard to discern, and even now he cannot tell which side this person belongs to. Judging solely from tonight's difficulties he has caused me, it is only natural that Murong Feiyan does not acknowledge this father of hers; he shows not a shred of human feeling. Even if you do not regard me as your future son-in-law, at least you should be a friend who shares hardship with your daughter; emotionally and rationally you ought not to make things difficult for me. Since you are unkind to me, do not blame me for being unjust toward you in the future.

Returning to Zilan Palace, the palace maids and eunuchs had already prepared the New Year's feast. Murong Feiyan was clearly affected in mood by tonight's outing, appearing depressed and listless; she ate only a few bites before rising and leaving the table alone.

Hu Xiaotian closely followed Murong Feiyan as she left, seeing her standing alone in the courtyard gazing toward the direction of Qifu Palace, where faint sounds of music and drums could be heard. Tonight is New Year's Eve; the Emperor is entertaining officials at Qifu Palace, and one can imagine that at this very moment there, cups are clinking, music and dance fill the air—a scene of great liveliness.

Murong Feiyan pulled her cloak tighter, yet she felt increasingly lonely. In the distance, the sky flickered intermittently, and the sound of firecrackers drifted over. On New Year's Eve, perhaps every family is busy gathering. The more this season of family reunion arrives, the more her heart feels desolate and isolated. After the new year, it will not be long before she sets out on her journey, marrying into Da Yong; by this time next year, she ought to be in a foreign land, and she wonders whether anyone will still think of her, miss her. Murong Feiyan let out a soft sigh; in fact, even if she remained in Dakang, she would have no relatives left— her mother is dead, her father the emperor is insane, and from him she has never felt any paternal love; her full-blooded brother is now trapped in Xizhou. Only she remains, alone and helpless.

Behind her, Hu Xiaotian's voice sounded: 'On New Year's Eve, the whole nation celebrates, yet the Princess stands alone, solitary and lone; I do not know what worries weigh on your heart— would you be willing to share them with me?'

Murong Feiyan turned to look at him; at last a hint of a smile appeared on her lips. Hu Xiaotian's presence made her feel warm and reassured, but she had never thought this person could change her fate. Although Hu Xiaotian had repeatedly said he would save her from fire and water, she had once harbored a brief hope, yet her reason quickly told her that escaping destiny's arrangement and running toward a free life is fundamentally impossible; why should she implicate another person to take risks for her?

There is one matter I should clarify: these two days are a free preview; Zhangyu is not withholding updates. Please look carefully— the updates are the same as before, with no reduction. Moreover, Zhangyu is not stingy; besides, this work is a buyout, so even if it were completely free, Zhangyu's income would remain unchanged.

Finally, I ask everyone for a little more understanding and a few more monthly tickets. Thank you! (To be continued~^~)