On the first day of March, Huguo Temple was filled with pilgrims early in the morning, and there was an endless stream of pilgrims.
This was the first time Ji Xiaoshu came back. When he went up the mountain, he walked by himself, but he always disappeared as he walked. He had a great time, and Lao Mu had to go to the nearby woods to catch him.
Mr. Qin, who was traveling with me, was not walking very fast. He liked seeing the children lively and cute. There was just one problem. The voice and demeanor of the "Zheng'er" I saw today were different from before. If I looked closely, I found that he was a bit taller than yesterday.
Rather like the child named Xiaoshu.
But Mr. Qin didn't know that Xiaoshu's surname was Ji. He was just confused as to why two such good children couldn't play together. It seemed that they had to share an identity in front of outsiders.
Seeing Ji Xiaoshu being caught out of the woods by Lao Mu again, Mr. Qin said cheerfully, "Come to my house to climb a tree tomorrow."
"Okay!" Ji Xiaoshu nodded immediately.
Lao Mu knew that Mr. Qin had found out that this child was not Zheng'er, but a little tree that loved to climb trees, but it didn't matter. Mr. Qin was a good man, and knew that Xiao Shu was deliberately pretending, so he would not point it out or tell others.
When they arrived at Huguo Temple, Lao Mu first took Ji Xiaoshu to visit the front hall.
In the towering hall, there are several Bodhisattva statues that are so huge for Ji Xiaoshu that one needs to raise one's head very high to see the full view. They are magnificent, solemn and solemn.
Devout pilgrims were lining up to kowtow at the Bodhisattva's seat and pray for blessings. Ji Xiaoshu looked at the people kneeling on the futon and kowtowed, pulled Lao Mu's sleeves and asked, "Mr. Mu, can the Bodhisattva really respond to all requests?"
The nearby pilgrims who heard this frowned, as if they thought it was disrespectful for Ji Xiaoshu to say such words in the Buddhist temple.
But Lao Mu didn't think it mattered. He answered Ji Xiaoshu's question, "It depends on human effort."
Mr. Qin chuckled and said, "Let's go out and burn incense." He also knelt there and kowtowed to beg Bodhisattva to bless his daughter and grandson. He might do similar things in the future, but there is no need for today. He is very satisfied with his current life.
, there is nothing else to ask for, and there are too many people and the Bodhisattva is very busy.
The incense burner is like a big cauldron outside the temple. Pilgrims can take incense from the table nearby, and the monks will help light it and then insert it into the incense burner.
Ji Xiaoshu was interested in this, but as soon as he got close, he was choked by the smell of smoke.
So, Lao Mu took Ji Xiaoshu away and watched Mr. Qin burn three sticks of incense before going elsewhere.
"Qin Taigong, are there gods in this world?" Ji Xiaoshu asked.
Mr. Qin smiled and said, "Maybe there is, but we can't see it."
Ji Xiaoshu's face was serious, "I think master and mistress are like gods descending to earth, and so is sister Nuannuan."
Lao Mu laughed, "Maybe they just forgot about being gods."
"Are there ghosts in the world?" Ji Xiaoshu asked again.
Mr. Qin shook his head, "No."
Lao Mu said, "Ghosts are all in people's hearts."
Ji Xiaoshu nodded, "I know that, only bad people have evil intentions in their hearts, right?"
"So smart." Mr. Qin smiled and rubbed Ji Xiaoshu's head.
The two elders and one child went to the back mountain to see the scenery. Ji Xiaoshu happily climbed up and down the forest in the back mountain. When he encountered a bigger tree, Lao Mu climbed with him.
Mr. Qin sat on a rock admiring the sea of clouds, listening to the laughter of Lao Mu and Zheng'er, thinking that when his great-grandson was older, he could take him out to play.
The sun penetrates the stratus clouds, the breeze blows slowly, and the sea of clouds gradually fades and finally disappears. The sky becomes brighter and the field of vision becomes wider and clearer.
Mr. Qin thought about Min Rui and his wife who wanted to murder him again, and couldn't help but sigh. At his age, he had seen too many scum, but when the "ghosts" in the hearts of people he knew came out, he still couldn't help but sigh. Sigh. After all, he had watched Min Rui grow up. This time Min Rui returned safely. Mr. Qin was very happy for him and the Min family, and even asked Su Liang to treat him.
But at the end of the day, Mr. Qin knows people but does not know the heart. Mr. Qin doesn’t know what will happen to Mr. and Mrs. Min Rui when the matter is exposed. They probably will not survive. Because their biggest problem is not that they want to kill Mr. Qin, but that they are suspected of colluding with the "enemy". In other words, it may be a matter of careful work.
Mr. Qin only hopes that the rest of the Min family will not be implicated, especially Mr. Min. He has worried about his son for so many years and finally hopes for his return. When he learns the truth, he doesn't know if he can bear it...
"Qin Taigong!" Ji Xiaoshu sneaked up behind Mr. Qin and suddenly reached out to hug him.
Mr. Qin was startled. He patted his heart and sighed with relief. Ji Xiaoshu was already standing in front of him, "Is Mr. Qin thinking about something? I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."
Mr. Qin smiled and hugged Ji Xiaoshu, "It's okay."
After playing in the back mountain for a long time, they were not in a hurry to go back. They planned to go to Huguo Temple's vegetarian restaurant later before leaving. Ji Xiaoshu hadn't eaten it yet and wanted him to try it.
Other pilgrims kept coming to the back mountain, coming and going.
Ji Xiaoshu was playing tug-of-war with Mr. Qin when he saw Lao Mu coming over with some newly selected leaves, "I heard someone said that the Emperor and the Queen Mother are here."
"Your Majesty?" Ji Xiaoshu raised his head when he heard the voice, and then lowered his head quickly. He thought that the man in his family was also the Emperor's father. As for the uncle of the Emperor of Qian Kingdom, he had already met him.
The leaves of Ji Xiaoshu broke first, and Mr. Qin said cheerfully, "Come again and again."
…
The front hall of the Huguo Temple was cleared because the Queen Mother and the Emperor were going to offer incense, and the Imperial Guards were guarding outside, so no one could get close.
Duanmu Chen supported Empress Dowager Xiao and glanced at the pilgrims on the three floors outside, and found a problem: he listened to Gu Ling and came for Min Rou, but he didn't know which one was Min Rou...
Empress Dowager Xiao burned incense and prayed to the Bodhisattva to bless the prosperity of the Qian Kingdom and bless Xing Yuyan and Situ Yao to give birth to Duanmu Chen's son safely.
Mrs. Min and Min Rou had just entered the gate of Huguo Temple at this time. They set off after Gu Ling gave Min Rui acupuncture, because Min Rou's aunt said she wanted to accompany them after learning about it, and she waited again. a while.
Min Rou stood outside the crowd, standing on tiptoes. Unfortunately, she could only see part of the Bodhisattva statue in the main hall, and could not see Empress Dowager Xiao and Duanmu Chen.
Min Rou asked the eldest wife of the Min family, "Auntie, when the Queen Mother and the Emperor come out later, do we still have to kneel down and kowtow?"
Mrs. Min's wife shook her head, "No need."
"That's good." Min Rou said.
Mrs. Min silently tugged Min Rou again to remind her not to talk nonsense.
After the Empress Dowager Xiao finished offering incense, she wanted to go with Duanmu Chen to taste the vegetarian food at Huguo Temple.
After leaving the front hall, Duanmu Chen stood on the steps and immediately saw the eldest lady of the Min family standing outside the crowd. Then his eyes turned and fell on the girl in white holding Mrs. Min's arm.
Duanmu Chen has seen many aristocratic ladies in the capital, and this new face must be Min Rou, the granddaughter of Old Minister Min who just returned home recently.
She's good-looking and has sharp eyes... This was Duanmu Chen's first impression of Min Rou.
Min Rou also noticed that Duanmu Chen was looking at her. She was a little curious about the emperor, so she did not avoid Duanmu Chen's gaze and looked back openly.
At this time, most people lowered their heads and did not dare to look around, including the eldest wife of the Min family and Mrs. Min, so they did not notice Duanmu Chen and Min Rou looking at each other.
Empress Dowager Xiao saw it, but didn't care, and was quickly supported by Duanmu Chen to the dining hall.
After the imperial troops withdrew and the front hall returned to normal order, the three Min family members entered. Mrs. Min knelt in front of the Bodhisattva, kowtowed, and lit incense, saying that she was asking the Bodhisattva to bless Min Rui and get well soon.
It was almost noon, and the eldest lady of the Min family said with some regret, "The vegetarian food at Huguo Temple is very good. I originally wanted to take you to try it, but the Queen Mother and the Emperor are here today, so we can't go to the vegetarian hall. So we have to change it." Come again tomorrow."
"Can the Queen Mother and the Emperor go after they finish eating?" Min Rou said coquettishly, "Auntie, can we leave in a hurry?"
Mrs. Min's wife smiled and said, "If my younger siblings and Rou'er are not hungry, it's okay to wait. Let's take a walk around the temple. The scenery in the back mountain is very good."
The three of them took a few maids and women with them while walking and looking at the scenery towards the back mountain. They met Mr. Qin and Mr. Muji Xiaoshu halfway.
Mr. Qin greeted them with a normal expression, and there was nothing strange about his gaze on Mrs. Min.
Mrs. Min's performance was even more flawless.
The eldest lady of the Min family asked Mr. Qin if he was going back. Mr. Qin laughed and said he was going to the Zhaitang.
"Where are the Emperor and the Queen Mother?" Min Rou said.
Ji Xiaoshu said with a smile, "Then I'll go have a vegetarian meal with the emperor's uncle!"
Min Rou had met "Zheng'er" in the Lin family, but the person she saw that day was Ji Xiaoshu pretending to be Zheng'er, so she didn't notice anything was wrong. And she knew that Gu Ling and Su Liang had a transcendent status in the Qian Kingdom. As Gu Ling's The relationship between apprentice, "Zheng'er" and Duanmu Chen is also unusual, and they are privileged.
At this moment, a nun beside the Queen Mother appeared nearby with two palace maids.
Everyone thought that Duanmu Chen had learned that "Zheng'er" was here and sent someone to invite him. Unexpectedly, the nanny walked directly to the Min family and said, "The Queen Mother invites the two ladies of the Min family and Miss Min to go to the dining hall to talk."
The eldest lady of the Min family was shocked. Although her twin daughters were well married, and many noble ladies in the capital envied her, she had little contact with the nobles in the palace, so she felt that something was not right.
Mrs. Min also felt strange. Min Rou was a little confused, but didn't think much about it.
So, they all went to the dining hall.
"Uncle Emperor!" Ji Xiaoshu called Duanmu Chen at the door.
Duanmu Chen came out with a smile, rubbed Ji Xiaoshu's head, and held his little hand, but his eyes fell on Min Rou, making no secret of the man's interest in women.
Mrs. Min's wife was stunned for a moment before she realized what was going on.
Mr. Qin and Lao Mu both went in. The eldest lady of the Min family brought Mrs. Min and Min Rou to Queen Mother Xiao. Before she could kneel down, she was asked to excuse herself.
Empress Dowager Xiao then called Min Rou over and asked her a few questions, such as what she did on weekdays, what books she read, whether she was used to returning to the capital, etc. She also praised her for her aura that was different from that of the noble ladies in the capital, and rewarded her with a gold bracelet.
When the cool gold bracelet was put on her hand, Min Rou finally realized what was going on, but she didn't dare to show anything because of the hint in Mrs. Min's eyes.
The vegetarian meal was still delicious, but only Ji Xiaoshu and Lao Mu enjoyed it.
Mr. Qin has been murmuring in his heart. The emperor seems to have fallen in love with Min Rui's daughter. Is he sincere or has another purpose? After thinking about it, he is inclined to think it is the latter. Gu Ling and Su Liang have already said that Min Rui and his wife have problems. , I must have also told the emperor.
"Is the vegetarian food not to Rou'er's taste?" Queen Mother Xiao smiled gently.
Min Rou quickly replied, "It's delicious, but I'm not hungry today."
The interactions between Duanmu Chen and Ji Xiaoshu were many and very natural. As the prince of the Yan Kingdom, Ji Xiaoshu had no respect for Duanmu Chen and only treated him as an uncle who traveled with his father.
Finally, Duanmu Chen put down his chopsticks, and the meal was considered finished.
Empress Dowager Xiao and Duanmu Chen left first. Before Duanmu Chen left, he asked Ji Xiaoshu if he wanted to go to the palace to play with him. Ji Xiaoshu said calmly, "Let's go tomorrow. I have to go home to write today, otherwise the master will beat me." I!"
Only Mr. Qin and his entourage and three people from the Min family were left in the dining hall. Then something happened that made Mr. Qin almost lose his composure...
Mrs. Min suddenly frowned and said to Mr. Qin, "Did the Emperor take a fancy to my Rou'er... Mr. Qin has a great reputation, can you help me? My Rou'er doesn't know the rules. If she enters the palace, I'm afraid she will get into trouble." The emperor will be displeased."
As soon as these words came out, Mr. Qin was stunned, and Mrs. Min's face changed. Even Min Rou hurriedly pulled Mrs. Min to stop talking. This has nothing to do with whether Min Rou wants to enter the palace or not. Such words cannot be said here at all. You shouldn't say it to Mr. Qin.
Mr. Qin has never encountered such a speechless thing in his life. He thinks that Mrs. Min really loves her daughter, but asking him for help? Where is her face? This person planned to conspire with Min Rui to kill him! Anyway, he is not dead yet, and he is still alive. It can be used, right?
Before Mr. Qin could say anything, the eldest wife of the Min family pulled Mrs. Min over, "Brothers and sisters, it's getting late, we should go back."
Mrs. Min also realized that she shouldn't have said such words just now, so she let the eldest wife of the Min family pull her away. Min Rou also said goodbye to Mr. Qin and Ji Xiaoshu, and she seemed to be the calmest one.
Ji Xiaoshu sighed, "Does anyone who becomes an emperor have to marry many women?"
Lao Mu pinched his face and said, "You don't need to learn from others. This kind of thing is up to you."
Ji Xiaoshu whispered, "I don't want to be an emperor, I want to be a god like Master!"
Lao Mu laughed loudly, and Mr. Qin also laughed. He smiled and his heart moved. Why did Ji Xiaoshu say that he didn't want to be the emperor? What is his identity?
…
After leaving the Huguo Temple and getting into the carriage, the eldest lady of the Min family rarely looked serious, "Brothers and sisters, there are many noble people in this capital and there are many rules. You can't talk nonsense like that. Not to mention that the palace hasn't issued an edict yet, even if it is. It's also a grace. It's okay to speak casually to family members behind closed doors, but you have to be more careful in front of outsiders. Fortunately, Mr. Qin is not an outsider."
Mrs. Min did not refute, just sat silently, not knowing what she was thinking.
Min Rou is much more depressed than when she came here, "I originally thought the capital was pretty good, but now I think it's still the sea... where we used to live was better."
Mrs. Min's wife held Min Rou's hand and sighed deeply, "It's not certain yet, don't think too much."
But when they returned to Shangshu Mansion and entered the palace, someone came from the palace. The imperial edict of marriage had arrived. Min Rou would enter the palace three days later. The title was decided, Concubine Rou, and she was also rewarded with many gold, silver and jewels.
At this time, Gu Ling had secretly gone to Huguo Temple and returned to Min Shangshu's Mansion. He replaced Cen Man and continued to monitor Min Rui and his wife.
Mrs. Min couldn't hide her anger, "What kind of emperor, who does he think he is? He just wants to marry my daughter, it's impossible!"
Min Rui said coldly, "It's not marriage. Rou'er is just one of the many concubines who entered the palace. I really don't understand why you went to Huguo Temple? If you hadn't taken Rou'er out, how could such a thing have happened?"
Mrs. Min became even more angry, "Isn't it because of you? I learned early in the morning that the old immortal next door was going to Huguo Temple, so I went there specifically to look for an opportunity."
"You can go, what are you doing with Rou'er?" Min Rui was also angry.
"I'm talking about going to pray for you. What's wrong with me taking Rou'er? It's not like she hasn't been out since she came to the capital!" After Mrs. Min finished speaking, there was a sound of broken porcelain, "Everything happened because of you. It's not that you threatened me and forced me to help you kill Qin, there would never have been such a thing! I am just a daughter, I only hope that she can marry the man she likes, and we will be together for the rest of our lives, but you have ruined everything !”
"You blame me? Isn't Rou'er my only daughter? Don't I want her to marry the person of her dreams?" Min Rui was so excited that he coughed angrily.
Gu Ling: ...It is understandable that this couple has never been able to be with the person they like in their lives, and they are both paranoid about relationships, so they pinned their failed love on their only child, not wanting to have a child. Following their old path. It is true to say that they love Min Rou, but their expectations for Min Rou's future are also to make up for and satisfy their own regrets.
After a moment of silence, Gu Ling heard Mrs. Min speak again, with a mocking tone, "That father of yours, no matter how much he loves Rou'er, he has no ability to change the imperial edict for Rou'er. We shouldn't be here at all this time!"
Min Rui immediately retorted, "We've already come, if you want to leave, go! My father is incompetent? That's right! Who is as capable as your father? Isn't he in the capital? Go find him and see what he can do! "
Mrs. Min snorted coldly, "My father loves Rou'er the most, so of course he will find a way to solve it. I don't care about the one named Qin. The most important thing at the moment is Rou'er's matter, and we can't add any more complications. I will go find my father tonight. "
Gu Ling: ...Very good, the "fishing" plan has been completed. He went home to prepare some grenades and "fried fish" tonight.