Chapter 158: Secrets in the Buddha Hall

Early the next morning, Jia Cong took Qingwen and set off for Anding Temple to transcribe scriptures.

Previously, he had been busy with the Prince Ning's affairs and had exhausted much effort on the Zou Huaiyi case.

The progress of the scripture transcription had been delayed significantly. Now that the foundation, dragon bones, and crossbeams of the main hall of Daci'en Temple were all prepared, it was estimated that it would be completed in less than two months.

Jia Cong needed to finish transcribing the twelve volumes of scriptures designated by the Emperor and submitted by the Ministry of Rites, so the remaining time was somewhat tight.

He decided to stay on Mount Qixia for a few more days to speed up the transcription progress and finish the imperial scriptures before the main hall was completed.

Before leaving, he instructed Jin Cai to pick up the mounted calligraphy and paintings today and send them to the Xue family mansion as a return gift.

Upon arriving at the Daci'en Temple construction site, he chatted with Qin Ye for a few moments. Seeing the look of urgency on Qin Ye's face, he asked and learned the reason.

Because of the major Zou Huaiyi case, various ministries in Shenjing frequently sent officials to Jin Ling on official business, and with the frequent exchange of reports, some of the secrets of the Jin Ling officialdom were exposed.

These reports, in addition to reporting the progress of the major Water Supervision Office case, also mentioned the daily administrative abuses and shortcomings of the various ministries in the auxiliary capital.

"You little hussy, playing this trick again. Don't think you can fool me. I know all about your little ghost-deceiving tricks. You indulge Miss Qin in provoking the Cong Sanye and causing trouble. Let's see how you'll handle it."

Seeing that her Cong Sanye loved to chat with that Miss Qin, Qingwen felt a bit jealous. Although she would let it go afterward, she naturally wouldn't be forgiving when arguing with Ruizhu.

Li Dekang, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, naturally dared not fall behind. Moreover, the construction of the Daci'en Temple in Jin Ling had always been a concern of the Emperor, so he carefully selected Ministry of Works personnel to go to Jin Ling. Calculating the time, they would arrive at the construction site to inspect today or tomorrow.

By the time he finished lunch, Jia Cong returned to Ci'an Hall to transcribe scriptures. Qingwen sat alone on the stone steps outside the hall, feeling quite bored.

That clumsy girl Wu'er thought the Cong Sanye was still the same as he was a few years ago, and even thought he didn't like red, forgetting that the Cong Sanye would touch her hands whenever he had the chance.

Ruizhu remained stubborn: "You also know that at seven, boys and girls shouldn't sit together. I know about your big families; maids warming the beds and sleeping with their masters is common enough. You still have the face to talk about sitting together or not."

Ruizhu smiled and pulled Qingwen to the side to talk. Qingwen followed for a few steps, but when she looked back, she saw Qin Keqing enter Ci'an Hall.

She jumped up from the stone steps to chase Ruizhu, and the two little maids laughed and played.

Although the construction progress was normal at the moment, the fact that superiors from the ministry were inspecting under the Emperor's will still made Qin Ye somewhat nervous.

Qingwen pouted and said: "What do you know? The books say that at seven, boys and girls shouldn't sit together, and men and women shouldn't touch when handing things over. Our Cong Sanye is almost twice seven; he's no longer a child. You're just trying to fool ghosts here."

She saw Ruizhu and her young lady walking towards them.

Ruizhu's face turned red: "You're just sharp-tongued and talk nonsense. What are you saying? How old is your Cong Sanye? It's just two people chatting because they were bored. What's there to make a fuss about?"

……

Although Qingwen was straightforward and didn't have much depth, she was very clever. After so many days, how could she not see what was going on?

Qingwen's face turned red: "I'll let you talk nonsense. See if I don't tear your mouth."

Throughout the morning, during the gaps in his scripture transcription, Jia Cong saw Qin Ye running back and forth at the construction site several times when he went to the third floor of the official residence to get some air.

The Water Supervision Office affair had already made Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao wary, so he naturally had the intention of taking precautions.

Therefore, in the last half-month, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had various ministries in Shenjing send personnel to Jin Ling to inspect government affairs, reform corrupt politics, investigate incompetence, and eliminate redundancy.

That Miss Qin clearly fancied the Cong Sanye for his handsome looks, and the Cong Sanye also liked to be intimate with her. Who made this Miss Qin look so beautiful? Men just like such women.

This Ci'an Hall and the temporary official residence were both located in the rear courtyard of Anding Temple. Ever since this place became a place for transcribing scriptures and comforting the soul for Empress Dowager Xianxiao, this rear courtyard had been closed off by Abbot Xuming of the temple.

Except for the little monk Zhining who added incense, other monks and pilgrims were not allowed to enter. Qin Ye and Jia Cong also entered and exited through the west corner gate daily, and there were soldiers guarding that place.

So this rear courtyard was empty during the day, and Qingwen and Ruizhu had no scruples about laughing and playing. Before long, the two maids didn't know where they had wandered off to.

Jia Cong finished transcribing a section of scripture and saw Keqing still kneeling on the prayer mat, hands clasped, as if praying.

A ray of warm sunlight shone through the lattice window on the roof of the Buddha hall, shining directly on Keqing, who was kneeling in front of the Buddha.

Harmonious with light and dust, her beauty was peerless and shining. Her graceful and alluring figure, the curves of her body, and her delicate appearance had an indescribable beauty.

Jia Cong was stunned. Keqing noticed his strangeness, her pretty face turned red, and she said: "Young Master Cong, why aren't you transcribing scriptures? What are you staring at?"

Caught by her, Jia Cong felt a bit awkward. He put down his pen and sat on the prayer mat beside her, feeling the fragrance like orchids around him, and couldn't help but feel his heart flutter.

He couldn't help but want to lean closer to her and smiled: "Keqing, you often kneel and pray in front of the Buddha. What wishes have you made?"

Qin Keqing looked back at him. Seeing his smiling face and handsome features like a painting, a softness arose in her heart. The blush on her face could not fade, and she dared not look more, so she turned her head away.

"I dare not make wishes to the Buddha, only beg for the Buddha's mercy. I have lost my original heart, my words and deeds have lost their propriety, and I have committed sins that are hard to extricate myself from. I only beg the Buddha to grant me peace of mind and keep me away from worry and fear from now on."

Jia Cong heard the sorrow hidden in her words and felt a tremor in his heart. Naturally, he understood the meaning behind her words.

The two had been together often these days, and he wasn't a fool. How could he not see that Qin Keqing was interested in him? And for him, facing such a beautiful woman, it would be too hypocritical to say he wasn't moved.

It's just that liking and possessing are often two different things. Even if the barriers between men and women in later generations were like nothing, there were still many cases where feelings reached a point where propriety was hard to exceed.

Not to mention that the etiquette was strict now. Although eating and sex are human nature, he wasn't stubborn enough to think only with his lower body.

The two usually just chatted to pass the time, their feelings were shallow, and they didn't cross the line. Most of them were from big families and had some reason. They were young, and their desires were not yet burning.

If it weren't for the fact that this rear courtyard was usually empty, and they were a lone man and woman, I'm afraid they wouldn't even have the chance to say those few words.

Jia Cong heard Keqing's words, and his heart was filled with tender feelings, when suddenly he heard voices outside the hall.

"A few days ago, I received a decree from the Ministry, saying that colleagues from the Ministry of Works were coming to inspect the construction of the Great Temple, but I didn't expect His Highness Prince Ning to come as well."

"After finishing the affairs in Jin Ling, I will return to the capital in a few days to report to my father. Before leaving, I naturally have to come and see the progress. My father is very concerned about the construction of Daci'en Temple, so it will be good to report back."

"I heard from my personal guards that the Attendant Gentleman is transcribing scriptures in this Ci'an Hall. His calligraphy is exquisite and has become the style of a master. Why don't we go in and observe?"

Jia Cong recognized the voices of Qin Ye and Prince Ning, and his face changed. Qin Ye was usually at the construction site at this time, so why did he suddenly come with Prince Ning?

And listening to the footsteps, there were quite a few people coming together. They should be officials from the Ministry of Works sent to inspect the progress of the Great Temple construction.

Although he and Qin Keqing had nothing illicit, the Buddha hall was empty and quiet, and a lone man and woman were together privately. If these people bumped into them, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to clear his name even with a thousand mouths.

Moreover, Qin Ye was Keqing's father, and Keqing was waiting to be married. Prince Ning and Ministry of Works officials were also with them. With everyone talking, Keqing would be ruined.

Such peach-blossom scandals spread terrifyingly fast from ancient times to the present. Who would care about right or wrong? If it spread back to Shenjing, he wouldn't dare to imagine the scene.

Qin Keqing recognized her father's voice, and her face turned pale. Wasn't Ruizhu with Qingwen at the door? Where had they gone? She hadn't heard a sound.

In desperation, Jia Cong grabbed Keqing's hand and led her quickly to hide behind the tall statue of Guanyin in the hall.

He had been transcribing scriptures in Ci'an Hall for over a month and knew that there was a small incense room two feet square behind the Guanyin statue, where incense and candles used in the Buddha hall were stored.

The little monk Zhining in the temple would take incense and candles from the incense room every morning to replace the incense on the altar in front of the Buddha.

Now, in the entire Buddha hall, that was the only place to hide people. He would hide from this first, to avoid being bumped into. If he and Keqing were bumped into, they wouldn't be able to wash themselves clean even if they jumped into the Yellow River.

The new chapter is banned and under review. It is estimated that it will be updated later.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 159 =====