Nangong Yu had many questions for Chan Master Wuyou.
He wanted to know Wuyou's relationship with Xiao Man, who had trespassed into the forbidden area behind the mountain, and where that person was hiding now.
But he knew Wuyou might not tell him the truth, so he could only ask a question that Wuyou would answer truthfully and wouldn't be a deception.
Chan Master Wuyou, while drinking, stole glances at Nangong Yu from the corner of his eye. This brat must want to know who was in the forbidden area, but if he didn't ask the right question, he couldn't blame Wuyou!
Nangong Yu was silent for a moment, then looked at Wuyou. "Xiao Man brought you a jar of thirty-year-old Nu Er Hong wine to seek something from you, what was it?"
"She took back something I was keeping for her," Chan Master Wuyou said quickly, taking another few sips of wine and smacking his lips with satisfaction.
"What thing?"
"Don't know." Wuyou said while drinking. "After all, I couldn't open the box myself. This old monk was merely keeping it for her."
"You are close to Xiao Man," Nangong Yu stated with certainty. "As far as I know, you have no dealings with each other on a regular basis."
Wuyou shook the now empty wine bottle and looked at Nangong Yu. "You've asked one question, and this old monk has nothing more to say."
Nangong Yu gritted his teeth inwardly, that old bald donkey!
They say monks don't lie, yet this one drinks wine, eats meat, and even covers for others. Why doesn't the Buddha punish him!
"Please go slowly, benefactor. This old monk won't see you off. Remember to send someone to bring over that jar of Nu Er Hong from your residence."
Nangong Yu paused for a moment. "Don't worry, I won't forget."
Wuyou watched Nangong Yu leave before letting out a sigh of relief. He had been worried Nangong Yu would be too direct. Instead, he asked about Xiao Man. Had he already confirmed that Xiao Man was the one who intruded into the bamboo forest?
As soon as Nangong Yu emerged from Wuyou's meditation room, Si Ye stepped forward. "Master, how was it? Did the Abbot say anything?"
"He said something, and he didn't," Nangong Yu said slowly. Wuyou had said that what Xiao Man took from him was her own, and he also said something else: "You little fox, just like that girl, you're good at tricking this old monk." It was this sentence that reminded him!
Si Ye scratched his head. "Then who was the person who trespassed into the forbidden area?"
Nangong Yu glanced at Si Ye. "You lost them twice. Go receive your punishment."
Si Ye resignedly lowered his head. "This subordinate obeys."
After returning, Nangong Yu pondered the matter, feeling that something was amiss.
The silver-armored army had sealed off the entire Gan Ye Temple, searching every corner, yet they couldn't find the person. Could this person truly fly through the heavens and escape through the earth?
Nangong Yu looked at his own well-defined hands, his eyes deep. "You can't escape!"
The night passed peacefully, and no further incidents occurred.
The next morning, Gan Ye Temple was bustling with activity. The Protector General's mansion required a hundred monks to perform a ritual. Abbot Wuyou personally presided over the grand ceremony, drawing many believers to witness it.
On the high platform, Wuyou, clad in a red kasaya, had kind eyes and a benevolent smile. He chanted Buddhist scriptures, twirling his prayer beads. The monks below, similarly dressed, maintained a consistent posture. The entire square was filled with the sound of chanting.
The female members of the Protector General's mansion knelt on the prayer platform, listening to the Buddhist chants. Old Madam Xiao, a devout Buddhist, was particularly pious. Xiao Man clasped her hands together, her eyes closed in prayer.
After the ritual was completed, Abbot Wuyou approached to pay his respects and invited Old Madam to his meditation room to rest.
The Abbot ordered a young novice to brew tea and serve it. Old Madam Xiao smiled warmly. "Thank you for your hard work today, Abbot."
"This is what this old monk should do. Madam is generous and charitable; the Buddha will surely bless you." Chan Master Wuyou smiled benevolently, and Old Madam returned a kind smile. Su Dan Novel Network
"Speaking of which, my eldest granddaughter has a good connection with you, Abbot. A month ago, she came here to seek a peace charm for my son."
Wuyou's eyes flickered slightly, and he replied with a smile. "The eldest young lady is filial; this is a blessing for the Protector General's mansion."
"A blessing?"
Old Madam did not quite believe him. Xiao Man had caused the General's mansion no end of trouble. She felt Xiao Man was not a blessing to the General's mansion, but a calamity!
"She is a destined daughter, and she will surely bring blessings to the Protector General's mansion," Chan Master Wuyou said calmly.
"Destined daughter..." Old Madam's thoughts stirred. Did "destined daughter" mean Xiao Man had the destiny to be an empress?
If so, then it would indeed be a blessing for the General's mansion. "Thank you for your guidance, Abbot. This old woman understands."
Abbot Wuyou smiled without speaking. That brat, this old monk has helped you again. I hope you can let go of your past grievances and do not create unnecessary bloodshed.
After the ritual, Xiao Man intended to return to her room but encountered Nangong Yu again. Xiao Man quickly curtsied.
"Greetings, Prince Qin."
Nangong Yu's gaze fell upon Xiao Man. Xiao Man, while seemingly respectful, was in fact cold and distant. "It was my presumption last night."
Immediately, a guard stepped forward with a set of clothes. Xiao Man glanced at the clothes but did not accept them. "Thank you, Your Highness, but it was a minor matter. Prince Qin need not concern himself with it."
"Are you refusing my apology?" Nangong Yu asked from a superior position, his tone carrying a hint of coldness, as if displeased.
"This subject dares not," Xiao Man said, hesitating for a moment before reaching out and accepting the clothes. Nangong Yu's expression improved somewhat upon seeing this.
"I heard you play chess. Accompany me for a game." He then turned and walked away without further explanation. After a few steps, seeing that Xiao Man was not following, he stopped and asked, "Are you not coming?"
Xiao Man gritted her teeth. She did not want any further contact with Nangong Yu, especially after knowing it was Nangong Yu in the hot spring pool last night. She wanted to avoid him even more. Yet, Nangong Yu's noble status left her no right to refuse.
Holding the clothes, Xiao Man followed Nangong Yu step by step to the courtyard where he was staying.
A stone table beneath a pear blossom tree already had a chessboard laid out. Nangong Yu sat down first and looked at Xiao Man.
Xiao Man placed the clothes on a nearby stone bench and then sat down opposite Nangong Yu. She scooped up a handful of chess pieces from the jar. "Odd or even?"
"I'll let you go first." Nangong Yu took the black pieces. "You make the first move."