Biography of Yang Fei

Chapter 30 Palace Chaos
Not to mention that the emperor saw that the Yulan basin was coming, so he built three altars in the palace: the Buddhist altar (specially called "Zhongyuan Altar"), the Universal Charity Altar, and the Lonely Soul Altar.Clean up the main hall and prepare various offerings.Put five rows of tables on the altar, one square table and four strip tables in each row.On the square table in the first row is a pewter bowl of rice, and the four tables on the left and right are juxtaposed with more than ten plates of fruits; There are 24 colors of cooked vegetables, and fruits are still placed on the tables on both sides; a large bowl of clean water is provided on the square table in the middle of the third row, and a few flowers are soaked in the bowl, and fruits are still placed on the tables on both sides; in the middle of the fourth row The square table is for a large bottle of lotus, and the left and right tables are still placed with fruits; the square table in the middle of the fifth row is used for incense cases, and the left and right tables are placed with items from monks.The four sides of the table are surrounded by wooden fences to prevent people who eat meat and drink from mixing in. Small doors are opened on the north and south sides for the monks and donors participating in the pot meeting to enter and exit. No one is allowed to enter.Around the altar, there are a lot of words that say, "This is a quiet altar, a place where the gods of the Three Treasures come to welcome. Everyone proclaims sincerity and respect, and those who drink alcohol and meat are not allowed to enter." .

The emperor even invited the dignitaries and wives of the court to participate, and it was very lively.The main purpose of this Obon meeting is to worship the ancestors, save the dead, send away disasters and diseases, and pray for good luck and peace.

Yang Yu came to the main hall early, but saw the concubine holding the hand of Lord Yongle and laughing, and there was a beautiful woman beside her!That woman's skin was as fine as snow, and her eyes were like a pool of clear water. When she was looking forward, she had an elegant and noble temperament, which made people admire her, feel ashamed of her appearance, and dare not blaspheme.But there is a soul-stirring attitude in that cold, arrogant and agile, and it makes people have to be haunted.Yang Yu couldn't help admiring, what a beauty!

Seeing Yang Yu coming, the concubine said, "This is Mrs. Cui, Lan Lin's mother!" Mrs. Cui bowed slightly to Yang Yu, but she was neither humble nor overbearing.Yang Yu said with a smile: "No wonder the Lord Yongle is so charming and charming, so he has a stunning mother!"

Women like others to praise their appearance, so Mrs. Cui smiled and said: "Zhaoyuan is really good at talking, my concubine is already a yellow flower of yesterday, how can it be as beautiful as Zhaoyuan!"

The Yu Lan Basin Festival was so grand that all the guards in the palace were dispatched, and Guo Zichao, as the commander, was extremely busy.Mrs. Cui exchanged a few words with everyone, but she stepped forward to chat with Guo Zichao.Although Yang Yu couldn't hear what they were saying, she could tell that Guo Zichao respected Mrs. Cui, and both of them looked sad as they spoke.

While Yang Yu was in amazement, the emperor showed up with a group of ministers, and everyone stood in an orderly manner, listening to the emperor's announcement that the Yulan Basin Festival had begun.The emperor looked at the crowd. For some reason, Yang Yu felt that the emperor smiled when he saw Mrs. Cui, and Concubine Guo Shu seemed to notice it, and gave Mrs. Cui a hard look.

The first is to circumambulate the altar, that is, to recite the Yulan basin scripture.The emperor walked around the altar with the master, saying: "Mulian enlightened the teaching, the World Honored One proclaimed it, palala rice benefits life and death, escapes suffering and goes to heaven, boundless bliss, filial deeds will flow forever. Namoxiang Yungai Bodhisattva Mahasattva." Repeated this three times. After the recitation, the abbot took over the stove and asked for information. The waiter said: "Nawu Great Compassionate Guanshiyin Bodhisattva." After saying it three times, Wei Na held the clean water cup and recited the verse of the clean altar: "The nectar from the willow head of the Bodhisattva can make one drop permeate ten times." Fang, remove all filth from the fishy altar, and bless the altar to be clean. If there are secret words taught, please recite them.” At this time, the four Yue people gathered at the four tables next to them, clapped their hands together and chanted loudly, leading the Dao flag to the stage of the main hall , stand facing each other, the small flag goes forward, the monk follows, the waiter carries the incense plate, the head of the group follows, and the deacons of the public follow in order, from the right side of the altar to the hall, from the right side of the Buddha and down, chanting mantras Sprinkle a circle, don't stop, that is, recite the Buddha's Yulan basin scripture.After reciting this three times, the chanting around the altar will stop. At this time, the monks who come to the assembly will line up according to the position of the recitation. The abbot will go to the incense table and take over the stove from the attendant. "I am the same as filial piety, practice pure land cause, repent and eliminate three obscurations, repay the kindness of two relatives, the survivors will receive blessings and longevity, the dead will be exalted, live together in peace and support the country, and save all karmic relatives." After the congratulatory speech, the monks gathered together Stand up, put your palms together, Vina raises, "Namo Master Shakyamuni Buddha" twelve bows; "Namo Manjushri Bodhisattva" three times; "Namo Maitreya Bodhisattva" three times; "Buddha" three times; "Namo Bodhisattva of the Ten Directions" three times;After kneeling and worshiping, they each returned to their own places, put away their clothes and took some tea.

At this time, Yang Yu found that Mrs. Cui was nowhere to be found, and the emperor was nowhere to be found. Yang Yu was surprised, so she quietly walked out of the hall, only to see Concubine Guo Shu also come out.Concubine Guo Shu's eyes were fixed on the side hall, but she refused to approach. When she saw Yang Yu, she couldn't help sneering: "Zhaoyuan is here too, do you also want to know who the emperor's real concubine is!?"

Yang Yu heard what she meant, and didn't believe it: "Although the emperor loves beauties, he doesn't like women!" Concubine Guo Shu laughed wildly: "Zhaoyuan, how well you understand the emperor's thoughts, even the concubine you can see I don’t know, if you don’t believe me, you can go and have a look!” After saying that, he turned and left.

Concubine Yang stood alone outside the door in a daze. She thought of the emperor's gentleness and talent. Although the emperor was not a wise king, he couldn't be so shameless!Yang Yu gritted her teeth, walked gently to the side hall, and secretly looked through the window.

Seeing that Mrs. Cui's clothes were half off, she was nestling in the emperor's arms in a coquettish manner, and the emperor's clothes were also disheveled, Yang Yu felt as if she had been struck by a thunderbolt.But the emperor looked at Madam Cui affectionately and said: "Xin'er, how are you doing recently? I heard Lan Lin say that you are not feeling well, I am really anxious!"

Mrs. Cui said softly: "The emperor has this kind of heart, and my heart is already satisfied!" Tears were shed, and the emperor was heartbroken. He kissed away the tears tenderly, and said: "I know that I have failed you and Lan Lin, and I will definitely redouble my efforts!" Compensation! Lan Lin is the eldest daughter of the emperor, but I can't give her the title of princess, I can only wrong her to be a lord, I am really sorry for her!"

Madam Cui said softly: "These are fates!"

Yang Yu bit her lips tightly, afraid that she would make a sound, but her heart was full of grief and anger, she left the side hall as if fleeing, couldn't help but burst into tears, never thought that the elegant and sentimental emperor in her eyes would be so shameless Not only did the minister's wife survive, but she actually had an illegitimate daughter!How can such a person be worthy of entrusting himself!Concubine Guo Shu was right, she didn't know the emperor at all, and she thought she could change the emperor!
Yang Yu was in a state of confusion, but saw Concubine Guo Shu come out again at some time, and seeing Yang Yu's expression, she couldn't help sighing, and said, "You know that Princess Tongchang's real name is Mei Ling, but I have never called it why? ?”

Seeing her gloomy expression, Yang Yu shook her head slightly.

Concubine Guo Shu looked at the sky with her beautiful eyes, and her thoughts seemed to drift away: "When the emperor was still a prince, Mrs. Cui, a shameless villain, actually dedicated his newly married wife to the emperor in order to flatter you! Madam Cui, have you seen her?" However, she really is a peerless beauty. When the emperor saw it, he forgot all the etiquette and laws. He was inseparable with Mrs. Cui, and intentionally kept her in the palace. The emperor had no choice but to send Mrs. Cui away! But he didn't want to have a secret marriage, and the emperor entrusted Lord Cui to take good care of him. Later, the emperor succeeded to the throne, and this Lord Cui was on the rise. It was Cui Lanlin who was canonized as the lord! In fact, she is a real golden branch and jade leaf! She is the eldest daughter of the emperor! I gave birth to Tongchang, and the emperor gave me the name Mei Ling. I knew that Cui Lanlin was the eldest daughter of the emperor in the emperor's heart. Lin, Mei Ling, and Tongchang in this palace also want to follow the name of Cui Lanlin! The emperor is very guilty of Mrs. Cui and Cui Lanlin in his heart, so he is worried about it, and it is by no means comparable to you and me! Now you understand, there is a place in the emperor's heart It is Mrs. Cui, because the emperor owes her!"

After Concubine Guo Shu finished speaking, she shed tears. At that moment, Yang Yu felt a little sympathetic to her. Concubine Guo Shu had a deep-rooted love for the emperor, but she was gradually disappointed because she still couldn't get the emperor's true love after hard work.Although the emperor has a kindness to accompany her for many years, which woman hopes that the one she loves is grateful to herself instead of loving herself!
Concubine Guo Shu was silent for a while, but smiled and said: "I have already seen through it, so I just want to consolidate my position in the harem, and Zhaoyuan may not be able to face the emperor anymore!" Yang Yu was shocked, yes, she knew the truth , can you still act like a baby in the emperor's arms as usual as if nothing happened, can you still look at the emperor with eyes of admiration as before!

Yang Yu was startled, because she actually felt disgusted, she couldn't turn a blind eye like Concubine Guo Shu, see through the world!

Yang Yu walked into the hall silently, everyone was concentrating on worshiping the Buddha, no one paid attention to Yang Yu's changes.

The great master rang the big bell three times, and the meditation hall was stilled with three boards. At this time, all the monks and donors who participated in the ceremony entered the altar with clothes and tools.The two walkers hold the leading flags, the two yue people ring the chime, the eight leaders and deacons hold the small flags, they divide into two groups at the master's place, stand on the opposite side, ring the chime four times, the master comes out, do not worship, two leading flags One is in front of the altar, the chime is drawn in front of the monk, one waiter is holding the stove, the other is holding the incense plate, following the master, leading the Daoist flag into the altar, standing still at the two corners of the altar, the abbot comes to the incense table to burn incense, Wei Na holds praises, Everyone sings in unison.This will officially end the party.

At this time, the emperor appeared in front of everyone at some unknown time, with a happy expression, and Mrs. Cui also appeared next to Yang Yu, her face was pink and very charming. Yang Yu couldn't help feeling nauseated and deeply disgusted when she thought of what she had just seen.Concubine Guo Shu sneered as usual, nothing unusual.

(End of this chapter)