Chapter 44: Holy Monk 10 (Treating the Emperor and Empress)

Holy Monk 10 (Treating the Emperor and Empress)

On the other side, Feng Ming was replying to the Emperor in the Imperial Study.

He rubbed the head that used to give him frequent headaches and said to the Emperor, "Emperor brother‑in‑law, Ah Ming assures you, the master's medical skill is truly impressive; he gave me acupuncture, and I feel much better now, I can sleep through the night."

The Emperor had already learned the course of events from the carrier pigeon, but that did not stop him from being pleased for the child he had watched grow up, patting the still‑youthful boy's shoulder, "If you go to the battlefield in the future, brother‑in‑law will finally not have to worry that you'll get carried away and start killing, even cutting down your own people."

Feng Ming blushed and quickly replied, "Not at all; I constantly keep myself on guard not to kill my own people."

Moreover, when facing an enemy, he will inform his own men in advance to stay far away, to avoid involving them.

The Emperor's mouth twitched as he heard, "If you aren't alert, would you really be unable to tell friend from foe?"

On this, the Emperor was rather troubled; everyone assumed he was holding the imperial uncle in the capital, fearing the Empress's natal family's power, but heaven knows he was actually preventing this kid from going to war and going mad—truly a mad youngster.

The Emperor asked, "When you go berserk with killing, can your mind stay clear?"

"Ah, I haven't tried it yet, so I don't know," Feng Ming replied regretfully. After the master gave him acupuncture, he almost wished ten or eight assassins would appear at once to test whether he would go berserk, but none showed up!

Seeing his eyes dart wildly, the Emperor understood what this kid was up to.

"Don't test your sword on the palace guards," he said helplessly to his war‑like younger brother‑in‑law. "Most of the palace guards are scions of noble families who are just padding their resumes; if you beat them, I won't be able to explain it to their elders."

"Tsk, what a bunch of gluttonous slackers!" Feng Ming fumed. "Brother‑in‑law, look how well I've honed the guards from humble backgrounds; they can definitely turn those resume‑padding aristocrats into clumsy bears!"

The guards who accompany him to fetch the master are all from humble families, all tempered by him, and will willingly follow him onto the battlefield in the future.

"Emperor brother‑in‑law," the cute‑looking youth cooed, tugging at the Emperor's dragon robe, "when you have time, assess the guards' abilities; don't judge by lineage, let ability decide rank."

The Emperor shook his head, "At least I won't have to doubt their loyalty." For the Huangong guards, this was crucial.

The aristocratic scions may lack ability, but they are restrained by their families and dare not be disloyal.

Seeing the Emperor remain unmoved, the youth's eyes flicked rapidly: "In the future I will have a cute little nephew; are you really willing to entrust the Huangong to that bunch of gluttonous slackers?"

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His own martial skill is formidable, and the Place: Inner Palace consorts' value isn't high enough for anyone to assassinate them, so he didn't think much of it; but if he later has children and his child is assassinated…

"You're right, the guards are too lax; they need strict training." The Emperor patted the younger brother‑in‑law's shoulder, "I'll leave this to you."

Feng Ming gladly accepted, patting his chest in promise, vowing to train a guard army capable of one versus a hundred to protect the future young Crown Prince.

The brother‑in‑law and younger brother‑in‑law have already begun fantasizing about children they haven't yet conceived, and their ideas are rather beautiful.

"It seems Master Xuanji's medical art is marvelous," the Emperor mused, "I've heard that before he took vows he was merely a noble's son and never displayed his medical skills publicly."

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The Emperor knows Master Xuanji's life in great detail, precisely for that reason, so he finds it very strange.

Feng Ming disagreed; he is a person who only looks at results.

"The master must have awakened innate wisdom after taking vows; besides, even if he didn't awaken it, would you deny him being a medical prodigy?" Feng Ming habitually patted his once‑severely injured head, "Brother‑in‑law, the master is also a martial arts expert; Ah Ming may not be his match."

The Emperor nodded, "I have already heard General Wei Yuan say that the Qingyuan Marquis's family—could it be that their minds are defective?"

He found it odd; setting aside Master Xuanji's medical skill, such martial prowess cannot be cultivated overnight, and for such a powerful legitimate son, the Qingyuan Marquis just watched him take vows with his eyes wide open?

Feng Ming snorted, "What's so strange? Where there's a stepmother, there's a stepfather too."

The words were full of resentment; he and his legitimate sister—the current Empress—had both relied on their stepmother for livelihood, and he would go to war at twelve, not without reason to escape that home.

The Emperor, hearing this, patted the younger brother‑in‑law's shoulder reassuringly.

The main reason he chose the Feng clan was that, even under a cruel stepmother, they could still protect their younger brother thoroughly; he wanted a wife who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him, not a parasitic vine that tangled his existence.

Feng Ming quickly set those aside and, displeased, said, "But there are indeed many who hope you remain childless."

Thinking of the endless stream of assassins along the way, his complexion turned sour.

The Emperor's handsome face broke into a blood‑stained grin, "Perhaps ever since I became the Emperor's Empress, people think I can no longer wield a blade." He said lightly, "I have already ordered the secret guards to gather evidence; let them have a good New Year first."

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Feng Ming's eyes instantly lit up, already sharpening his blade.

The Emperor, however, looked worried; how could this kid be so oblivious to concealment? How many people would he offend? If he weren't the Emperor, he truly couldn't protect this younger brother‑in‑law.

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The Emperor and Empress summoned Master Xuanji in the Chengqian Hall to inquire about the consorts' health.

"The Empress and the various noble ladies are all in good health," Jiang He said subtly to the Emperor and Empress.

The Emperor's expression was inscrutable as he examined the monk he had invited into the palace.

A parrot perched on his shoulder, tilting its head toward the Emperor and Empress; its mischievous, spirited look made the Empress glance over.

There was no way around it; the bald head had no hair, like a slide, making it hard to stand, and the dog host worried it might have diarrhea, so the shoulder became the mutually accepted best spot.

The Emperor, just past his thirties, possessed a robust build, bronze‑colored skin, a handsome and resolute visage, and a commanding aura; he was a ruler who rose to the throne from the flashes of swords and blades.

Just his heroic appearance alone made people feel especially reassured.

It is reassuring to know that if foreign enemies invade, he can instantly take up sword and spear on the battlefield and cleave an enemy commander's head in one strike.

The parrot, under the Emperor and Empress's gaze, was unafraid; it clasped its two wings together and, in a fresh voice, chirped, "Salute the Emperor, salute the Empress, may the Emperor live ten thousand ten thousand ten ten thousand years, may the Empress live a thousand thousand thousand years."

The parrot's voice broke the somewhat stiff atmosphere.

The Emperor showed an interested expression, "Is this the divine bird? Does it sense enemies in advance? Would you like to go to the battlefield? If you earn military merit, I'll grant you a general's title."

The Empress couldn't help but sigh, "Your Majesty, don't judge things by whether one can go to the battlefield."

He considered every animal in the Imperial Menagerie for battlefield suitability; raising each one more ferocious than the last was truly insane.

The parrot also sighed, "Thank you for your graciousness, Your Majesty, but I'm paired with a monk; I can only save lives, not take them."

As a system, if it kills, it also loses points.

The Emperor, however, was unconcerned: "Monks also have fierce golden eyes; martial monks aren't just kept as pets. I don't care whether they're human or spirit—anyone who earns battle merit I'll acknowledge!"

Jiang He thought for a moment; while this Emperor lived, indeed no one dared rebel, but he died young without heirs, and the various lords began to stir. The destiny‑chosen child Feng Ming decisively arranged for the Empress to adopt a child from the royal clan.

In his later years, Feng Ming fought the lords, clashed with court officials, and battled invading Hu tribes; the Emperor was still a minor when he died of overwork.

The destiny‑chosen child lived so miserably, and there was no one left.

Jiang He said, "Your Majesty, may this humble monk take your pulse?"

The emperor found this audacious master a bit strange; could it be that monks truly treat life and death as indifferent? The monk was almost about to point at his nose and say that the inability to bear children was the emperor's fault.

However, the emperor was not angry; he merely smiled, extended his hand and let the other take his pulse.

He was not like the unsophisticated common folk who firmly believe childlessness is the woman's fault; moreover, even a strong figure like General Wei Yuan still has bodily issues, and his physique is even inferior to General Wei Yuan's.

As if he could not see the emperor and empress's tension, Jiang He said calmly, "Your Majesty, your condition differs from General Wei Yuan's. You are poisoned, likely from a toxin taken about ten years ago."

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Ten years ago was the most chaotic period; several of his brothers slaughtered each other for the throne, and he was not at all surprised that he was poisoned—perhaps his childlessness also enabled his rise to power.

"Master, besides causing childlessness, does this poison have other effects?" the empress asked anxiously.

She was a woman with a gentle, delicate appearance; years of scheming in the Place: Inner Palace had already left fine lines at the corners of her eyes despite being only in her twenties, yet this did not diminish her beauty.

The emperor grasped the empress's hand, signaling her not to be nervous.

From their interaction one could see that the emperor and empress had a good relationship; the emperor was not someone who valued only beauty.

Jiang He glanced at them and said, "There are no other effects, except it shortens lifespan."

Hearing this, the empress's mind became a tangled mess, and she tried to calm herself, "Since the master knows the poison's effects, surely he can also cure it, right?"

The emperor was not that impatient; if it were incurable, the monk's expression would certainly not be so tranquil.

For an emperor, childlessness is a grave humiliation; the monk's fate could already be foreseen—either death or exile, a permanent departure from Daqing.

As if he could see what the emperor was thinking, Jiang He's serene, tranquil eyes gazed at him.

In that instant, the emperor felt as if he were falling into ice and snow, and in a flash all the hidden thoughts in his heart vanished.

This monk was certainly no ordinary person! He might not be killable—no, he cannot be killed; the price of killing him would be so great that he could not afford it.

A vague premonition caused the emperor's attitude to quickly take on a measure of respect.

"Master, can my poison be cured?" the emperor asked gravely.

Jiang He withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Rest assured, it can be cured."

With Jiang He's words, the emperor and empress began drinking the bitter medicinal broth daily.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the medicine is ready." Ping An personally brewed the medicine prescribed by Master Xuanji, without involving anyone else, and after brewing delivered it himself.

During this period, the medicine was constantly under his watchful eye, never once overlooked.

The empress was astonished the first time she heard of Master Xuanji's background; even though Master Xuanji shaved his head bald, he was a deity‑like figure, and such appearance and virtue could not possibly go completely unheard of.

He recalled the last time he entered the palace to exorcise ghosts and ended up deadlocked with that group of Daoist priests! It was simply absurd!

The lady beside him said, "Stop thinking about it; the emperor has already spoken, no one else may disturb the master."

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The empress, already in her twenties, touched the smooth corners of her eyes; the lines that always bothered her had vanished, and lately when she looked in the mirror she felt dazed, as if seeing herself ten years ago.

The monks present wore ashamed expressions, silently resolving to copy more Buddhist sutras.

"Men may not be reliable, but a son certainly is."

"Heh heh, the future crown prince was born thanks to the Buddhist sect; when he grows up, we'll see whether he leans toward Buddhism or Daoism. If the emperor, in great joy, appoints Xuanji as the state teacher, then Daoism will certainly have to keep its distance!"

After the domestic power struggle that year, she entered the palace to continue the intrigue; the empress was well aware of the inner household's tactics.

"I will have the Five Cities Military Office send people to help clear the snow; I think the collapse of houses under heavy snow will not occur."

The monks suddenly realized, after investigation, that this parrot recited the Buddhist sutras more fluently than most monks.

If the empress becomes pregnant, the concubines in the Place: Inner Palace will inevitably become restless, and the empress will be troubled again.

"Junior brother Xuanji, this humble monk truly worries, please bring a few disciples to follow."

"Master Xuanji truly has skill," the emperor said, picking up a candied fruit and handing it to his wife, then eating one himself. "His parrot spirit predicted heavy snow in the capital, and the master even calculated that the western city's poor houses would collapse… I have sent the Five Cities Military Office to inspect, and indeed it is very dangerous."

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The parrot glanced sideways at him and snorted, "What are you saying? Clearly you're the one harming them! Did a few assassins come yesterday again?"

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To this, Jiang He could only sigh.

Jiang He could no longer stand it, so he seized the dead bird that had been deceiving the group of senior monks and warned, "Do not harm the Buddhist disciples."

Jiang He wiped his mouth; he had just been discussing culinary methods with the fire‑worshipping monks of Xiangguo Temple, such as how to make tofu taste like meat, but regretted not having eaten enough.

The noble women of the rear courtyard liked to recount his great battle against the spirit snake, and the aristocratic ladies valued his skills as an obstetrician, for after all, survival in the rear courtyard hinges on offspring.

The empress immediately understood: the father was vicious, the mother was harsh, and they were suppressed from rising, so it was no wonder no reputation had spread.

Every woman longs for a lifelong partner; Master Xuanji back then refused to marry his stepmother's distant cousin from a broken family, insisting on marrying his childhood sweetheart, resisting his stepmother's pressure, resolutely refusing to take concubines, and reportedly even refusing a shared bedroom.

Unable to decline, Jiang He had to lead ten muscular warrior monks down the mountain.

At that moment, the emperor suddenly said, "Master Xuanji even calculated that Ji'an County has iron ore, and Lian Shang County has silver ore…"

Living in the Huangong is impossible, especially with so many muscular men; he cannot leave any leverage, particularly now that the emperor and empress are preparing for pregnancy.

The parrot pretended to be sincere to the monks present, saying, "This bird has no hands, cannot copy sutras; I envy you for being able to write. If this bird had hands, it would certainly copy all the world's sutras ten or eight times!"

Therefore, after his grandparents and wife died, he retreated into the monastic path.

The monks of Xiangguo Temple likewise underwent the same experiences as Qingwu and Qingyuan.

"Fine, copy a few useful sutras for them when you have time; the world's spiritual energy is limited, reciting sutras daily won't yield much, better to practice virtue in the world."

Every winter the capital receives snow; the emperor at the time paid it no mind, but Master Xuanji's prediction that the western city's houses would collapse made a difference; if ignored, many would die.

They would certainly say, "Buddha bird, it must be a Buddha bird!"

After saying that, they squeezed out two drops of crocodile tears.

"Ji'an City is only two days' ride from the capital; I sent people to inspect, and judging from the stones on the mountain, there is indeed an iron mine." The emperor grasped the empress's hand, "I have investigated Master Xuanji's background; he is the legitimate son born to the late wife of Marquis Qingyuan, Jiang Qiming, and after his wife's death he entered the monastic path."

After finishing the Buddhist discussion at Xiangguo Temple, Jiang He had not yet packed his luggage when the emperor sent someone over.

What astonished the world was that he possessed great wisdom; yet after only two years of monastic life, he had already become a universally known holy monk.

Once she becomes pregnant, even if the Place: Inner Palace doesn't cause trouble, the forces behind those consorts will also stir; no one can resist the temptation of a prince's relative.

Having seen many men who gain promotion and wealth only to kill their wives, the Empress takes a liking to the deeply devoted man who is nearly extinct.

But now they have Xuanji; can those Daoists who only know how to make elixirs treat infertility?

The people in the inner quarters hurriedly fell silent; who would benefit most if the emperor had no heir? They dared not speak or even think—this was not something they could meddle in.

The Daqing dynasty also had no rule that the Place: Inner Palace must not interfere in politics.

He thought he was quite capable in a fight, but the monks of Xiangguo Temple insisted on fulfilling their host duties, with warrior monks taking turns standing guard, leaving him feeling embarrassed.

As expected of the number one temple under heaven, the mountain delicacies they prepare are truly delicious.

They first were unconvinced, then willingly bowed down, and finally wished they could immediately become his disciples.

Even a bird is this ambitious; as humans we cannot lose!

He ran through the matter in his mind once, and suddenly understood.

The Empress's expression remained unchanged; she had long anticipated this situation.

"Your Majesty is merciful." The Empress gazed at him gently, "I feel the Empress's allowance is still a bit extravagant; better to save three parts to buy charcoal for the poor… There are still some old winter clothes in the palace; I urge everyone to donate them."

The emperor unconsciously smiled; this was why he had brought the Empress over, to have the master help adjust her body.

The Empress couldn't help but widen her eyes; could this even be counted?

A few days ago, the capital indeed saw a heavy snowfall.

"It's his current wife's natal family that sent them." The emperor said, unfazed, considering whether to recall the Jiang family's fief; Jiang Qiming is so stupid, this emperor actually gave a fool a title—wouldn't the world doubt his intelligence?

Not to mention the years of marital devotion; just considering Feng Ming that little brat, if he weren't his nephew by blood, he might not even bother to protect him wholeheartedly.

The abbot of Xiangguo Temple, his beard and eyebrows completely white, picked out the best fighter warrior monks and warned them they must protect Master Xuanji well—this is the key to their Buddhist sect's rise.

The emperor and empress lifted the medicine, eyes unblinking, and gulped down the bitter decoction in one go.

The parrot pretentiously spread its two wings and performed a palms-together salute, speaking with conviction: "That's because this bird believes in the Buddha; before the Bodhisattva, all beings are equal."

The monks at the foot of the imperial city, when it comes to arguing, are surely the fiercest under heaven, yet they discovered they actually can't match a parrot spirit.

"Qingyuan Marquis Jiang Qiming? Master Xuanji actually comes from an aristocratic family?"

If he weren't currently attending to the emperor and empress's health, who knows how many aristocratic clans would want to invite him into their homes.

The Empress couldn't help but laugh: "The parrot probably can't foretell; I've heard animals have sharper senses and can sense natural disasters before humans."

"This medicine, though bitter, after drinking it I always feel much more spirited."

Just like the great white snake, after cultivating the path of merit and virtue, it finally grew to such a size.

Jiang He rolled his eyes, "Better to trouble the emperor; Feng Ming would surely welcome someone voluntarily coming to his door to satisfy his killing urge."

This round, they definitely won for the Buddhist sect!

After his first wife died of illness, he was grief-stricken to the extreme, all thoughts turned to ash, and he entered the monastic life.

The Empress, lost in thought, as the emperor's first wife, bound to him from humble origins, her political insight is not lacking; the emperor often likes to discuss state affairs with her.

A noble lady said, "I've heard Master Xuanji now resides in Xiangguo Temple."

Although outside it's icy and snowy, the Child-Giving Guanyin surely can see their sincerity in praying for children; better to go to Xiangguo Temple to see if we might fortuitously meet the master.

"The master doesn't know the inside story, only thinking himself unlucky, so he simply gave up on the imperial examinations, married the daughter of his childhood friend and benefactor, and became a teacher at a small academy."

The emperor really wishes Master Xuanji lived in the palace, taking his pulse daily for him and the Empress, checking their condition—how could he allow him to loaf around in Xiangguo Temple?

The Empress wondered, "Did Master Xuanji never take the imperial examinations?"

The emperor snorted, "Jiang Qiming is licentious, the Jiang family's inner quarters are in turmoil… His first wife died less than three months ago, and he already took his current wife; later it was rumored that Master Xuanji's eight characters clash with his father's, so Jiang Qiming sent him back to his hometown to be raised by his grandparents. Master Xuanji's grandparents are devoted to Buddhism, so he likely was influenced."

The emperor showed a mocking expression: "Jiang Qiming once heard a passing fortune-teller say that the eldest son's fate clashes with his—if the eldest son fares well, he fares poorly, so he kept suppressing the eldest son from taking office… After the master passed the xiucai exam, hearing that Jiang Qiming had broken his leg, he believed even more in the clash, and hastily, before the exams, had people knock the master down from a height, breaking his leg as well."

Perhaps most women like sentimental stories, but within two days, nearly the entire upper class of the capital knew that Master Xuanji had entered monastic life for love.

"The matter of donating old clothes I'll leave to Ahzhi." The emperor affectionately called the Empress by her nickname, "Having the master treat your body is my decision; if anyone in the Place: Inner Palace bothers you, push it onto me."

So young, yet his Buddhist Dharma is so profound—Xuanji must be a reincarnated Buddhist prince!

Although exorcising ghosts isn't rare, seeing a sprite is absolutely a first; this sprite is especially miraculous, able to enter the temple and unafraid of the Bodhisattva.

He could have been an elegant, noble scion of an aristocratic family, with a lovely wife and beloved son at his side, living a happy, peaceful life—but instead he was destroyed in this way; even though he has already lost all hope and entered the monastic life, he surely still cannot let go in his heart.

Even though the Empress's age and body are not the ideal choice for bearing children, he still hopes there will be an heir in the Central Palace, so that the future crown prince will come from there.

Then the emperor said: "He and his wife were deeply loving, and they had a son; they lived leisurely, but after his wife died he could not bear the blow, and only then did he enter the monastic life."

"I heard it was for the master's safety, yet he was assassinated by assassins all along the way."

The emperor granted Master Xuanji a residence; Jiang He did not decline, bringing the warrior monks to move in.

"The timing of the master's son's disappearance is rather subtle." The Empress laughed, "Why don't I send these materials to the master and ask whether he minds the world knowing his origins?"

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