Emperor Phoenix

Chapter 72

This was done on purpose by Qin Changge. He deliberately abandoned ordinary red sandalwood, so as not to cover up the unique color of purple jade, and used high-quality suet white jade to bring out the superb color of grape purple.

Wenchang smiled and drew his hand, Qin Changge lightly opened the lid of the box, and a deep purple light suddenly appeared, and he was amazed again. Avalokitesvara is common, but the carving of Avalokitesvara is extremely gorgeous and delicate, with ripples on the sleeves and exquisite nails. Appeared, with a smile on the corners of his lips, mysterious and compassionate, bowed his head slightly, looked at all living beings, his eyes turned like living people, with a unique look, all those who watched the Guanyin were in a trance, feeling that the eyes were warm and compassionate, Like a hot spring brushing over one's body, it is incomparably comfortable.

The shape of Avalokitesvara is also peculiar, neither is it sitting on a lotus platform, nor is it Avalokitesvara in the shape of an ordinary aunt. Fairy looks elegant.

Undoubtedly, the Empress Dowager's gaze was completely attracted by this Guanyin statue, which is a masterpiece both in terms of material and carving. She watched it carefully for a while, with a happy expression on her face, but she seemed to suddenly remember something, and cast a hesitant glance at Wenchang.

Tong Shun already smiled and leaned over and said: "Congratulations, Queen Mother, last time you said that there is a lack of a statue of Guanyin in the small Buddha Hall of the East Side Hall, but there is one today. Only lay Buddhists who are devoted to my Buddha can deeply understand the mind of the Empress Dowager."

When he said this, the Empress Dowager thought of Wenchang's current status, and her expression softened. Wenchang laughed and said: "The Empress Dowager's birthday, how dare Wenchang present it with ordinary and common things? This Guanyin statue is nothing else, but it is the ancestor of Zhongchuan carving art. Master Li Nanke carved it himself, and it was consecrated by Master Shi Yi, the abbot of Shengde Huguo Temple."

As soon as this remark came out, there was a commotion, and even the queen mother said "ah", and Tong Shun exclaimed: "How is it possible—ah, please forgive the old slave for being rude—Master Li has not sculpted himself for many years. It is said that his apprentice It’s hard to find such a carver, so this one is fine, but Master Shi Yi is said to have entered the realm of immortals, has been in seclusion for many years and has never seen outsiders, and the royal call has never responded to the imperial edict, how could he consecrate this statue?”

"It's a coincidence, Xu Shixin's woman is destined to be with my Buddha," Wen Chang smiled calmly, his eyes were shining, and he really had a bit of indifference and lofty air, "I heard that Master Shizheng of the Huguo Temple gave a lecture on the Dharma a few days ago. I also went there in modest clothes, and halfway through hearing, a novice came to invite me, only saying that a destined person wanted to meet, but I didn’t think it was Master Shiyi. Since then, I have been favored by the master, and I have had the honor to meet with him several times, and I have benefited a lot. Only after the Empress Dowager invites this Guanyin Buddha statue can she be consecrated by the master."

Speaking of this, everyone is terrified and moved. Master Shi Yi is now a hundred years old. He was a famous monk 50 years ago. It is said that he had visions since he was born. As the ancestor of a generation of Zen, he lived in seclusion after the age of 80. Many people want a side but can't get it. I don't think Wenchang, a layman who leads a lot of practice, has such an opportunity.

The top purple jade, the exquisite carving of Nanke, and the consecration of Shi Yi are all rare, which means that even if this statue travels all over the world, there will be no second one. Resist such temptations.

The queen mother was already very happy, and said repeatedly: "Okay, okay, it's rare that you are so caring." Dang even ordered Tong Shun to hold it carefully, and enshrined it in the small Buddhist hall of the East Side Hall.

His eyes turned around Wen Chang, intending to say something appreciative, but he suddenly stopped on Qin Changge, looked at him for a while and said, "Your child, Aijia, looks familiar. Are you a palace man brought by Jin'ou Palace?"

Wenchang's sleeves trembled, Qin Changge stepped forward in time, brushed past her sleeves to cover her, and slowly saluted the queen mother, saying softly: "Slave... This slave was originally from Cuiwei Palace, because she studied Buddhism since she was a child. , was selected by En to accompany the princess to practice, and the servant Mingshuang, to present to the queen mother, and the queen mother will live a long life."

She purposely lowered her voice, panicked slightly, and controlled the manner and proportions that a little court lady should have in front of a big occasion, but even though she bowed her head deeply, she still felt the pair of dark and burning eyes above her, firmly locked in her eyes. on her back.

"Oh... Aijia remembered, I saw you come to pay your respects with Concubine Rou, and I don't want to see you after more than a year, and your demeanor is getting better and better. It's rare that at this age, you can be lonely and devout Buddhism, good, good "The Empress Dowager Jiang smiled sweetly, took the teacup handed by Tong Shun, took a sip, lifted her eyelids slightly, and said casually: "Wenchang, you have to thank Concubine Rou, it's rare that she is so caring, knowing that you want to practice , I specially sent my palace servant to you."

Before Wenchang could reply, Xiao Jue, who was seated next to him, said: "The empress has misunderstood. I met this court lady in Concubine Rou's palace. I learned that she is proficient in Buddhism, so I specially ordered her to serve the princess."

"Oh?" The empress dowager Jiang's well-maintained plump face turned slightly, her eyes were full of kindness and smiles, as if she was indeed her most beloved son in front of her, "Then the emperor has intentions, and it turns out that the Ai family has misread it again."

Xiao Jue said solemnly: "The princess abandons the royal splendor and escapes into a lonely place to pray for the heavenly family and the country's destiny. I should take good care of her both in public and in private. It's nothing to choose a palace lady. I'm only afraid of myself. Not doing enough for her has made her feel wronged."

The smile froze slightly, and then spread again in a flash. The Empress Dowager Jiang said gently: "Why, there are only a few people left in the direct line of the Xiao family. Wenchang is my beloved daughter. If anyone wants to bully her, don't Say it's you, I won't agree first."

Xiao Jue leaned back, and said, "The empress is merciful." Wen Chang also stepped forward to thank her. The Empress Dowager Jiang gave a gentle smile, and ordered Qin Changge to step back. , The conversation just now was so cold...

Empress Dowager Jiang's mother-child discord is known to the entire imperial court. The Jiang family, which was extremely prosperous back then, has declined. The eternal life of mother and child cannot be untied, and for many years, mother and child have been facing each other. Although their hearts are as cold as ice, they smile on the face, and there is a sharp and cold blade in the smile. The unique skills of the emperor's family are amazing. Stay away and don't dare to touch lightly.

Listening to the mother-son conversation, Qin Changge suddenly thought of Mingshuang. Seeing the Queen Mother's attitude towards him, he was obviously familiar with or noticed Mingshuang. It must be the woman's native place that made her uneasy. It is impossible not to know that Mingshuang was selected to go to Wenchang, she pretended not to know, and tried to test her, but why?

Reminiscent of what Qinglian said at the moment of rebirth, Qin Changge's eyes flashed -- that's why.

Mingshuang should have been killed by the Queen Mother.

The woman from Yunzhou is the Achilles' heel of Empress Dowager Jiang. Although Mingshuang's path to advancement has been cut off, she still refuses to give up. So she designed Concubine Rou to violate Xiao Jue's taboo. Empress Dowager Jiang naturally understood Concubine Rou's temperament, and she would definitely vent her anger on her maid who combed her hair after being treated coldly by Xiao Jue, so Mingshuang died innocently.

Empress Dowager Jiang naturally wouldn't know that Mingshuang's body had changed, but the little palace maid's survival made her vigilant, and she spoke probing words in order to know Xiao Jue's thoughts.

And Xiao Jue's attitude must have made her uneasy.

Wen Chang retreated, and then the other concubines and noble ladies presented gifts. Unfortunately, the two most important gifts came first. Everyone felt that their gifts were shabby in comparison. Everyone pretended to like it, and everyone comforted her a few words, impartial, and everyone was happy. Qin Changge looked at it coldly, and sneered in his heart. After many years, she is still the same old person with long sleeves and good at dancing. It's really hard for her to act It's been a long time.

Then there was a banquet, just a list of eight treasures of water, land and delicacies, and all kinds of delicate palace dishes. On the Empress Dowager's table, there was an extra plate of Fuhai Shoushan, and another case was set up, one hundred steamed snow-white birthday peaches were ordered red and green. , The pink and gorgeous enshrined in front of the queen mother.

Even though the banquet had already started, everyone did not move their chopsticks in a tacit understanding, and looked at their heads intentionally or unintentionally, because according to the rules, after the banquet started, the queen and noble concubine, or the two highest-ranking palace relatives should persuade the concubines and wives to drink.

But now that the empress is abolished, the virtuous concubine is sick, and only concubine Shu is present among the four concubines, it is quite interesting to know who the other one should be.

You know, the concubine who was hand-picked to hold the pot and persuade her to drink is likely to be promoted to the fourth concubine. Even if she cannot be promoted, at least it shows the favor of the Sacred Heart. The ups and downs have a lot to do with the evaluation of the forces of each family in the minds of the officials. These wives are the wives cards played by their lords. The lords have their eyes on the court, and their attention is on the harem. Xiao Jue is still childless. The back position is vacant, so whoever is favored, who will give birth to a prince in the future, has a lot to do with it, how can you not stare at it with burning eyes?

Amid the meaningful gazes of everyone, Concubine Yao and Concubine Rou straightened their backs, looking at their noses, noses, noses, and hearts seemingly unintentionally, trying not to lose their composure, but their gazes could not stop looking at Xiao Jue's face like a spider's thread. They were sticky and tangled, but Xiao Jue didn't look at them at all, frowned after hearing the eunuch's request for instructions, and let out a oh.

This sound made the two concubines tense up and put down their chopsticks unknowingly.

In the silence, I saw Xiao Jue looking in Wenchang's direction, and said, "You... oh, please go to each table, sister."

There was a buzzing sound in the crowd, but they immediately restrained themselves, and all their eyes turned to Wen Chang who stood up with a smile and bowed to his orders, so they all ignored Xiao Jue's expression.

Behind Wen Chang, Qin Changge quietly let go of his clenched fingers.

Xiao Jue's eyes just now were looking at her.

Even the first word of that sentence was actually said to her.

Surprised, she had already started to think about how she should respond if this guy really said something wrong, but fortunately Xiao Jue woke up in time and changed his mouth.

(End of this chapter)