Chapter 92: The Buddhist Temple (4)

He patted Qi Ying’s shoulder, revealing a faint bitter smile, and said, “That is the best outcome—Father trusts you deeply to entrust you with the Spring Examination. You should do your best.”

These words carried a hint of sourness.

If asked what troubled the Third Prince most now, it would undoubtedly be his father’s intentions—whether he truly intended to make him the crown prince. He had originally believed that Emperor Liang favored him, but now, handing over the Spring Examination to Qi Ying, who hailed from a noble family, this move was hard to interpret as anything else—had Father changed his mind? Did he intend to elevate his fourth brother? Was he laying groundwork with the Spring Examination?

Xiao Zihuan couldn’t fathom it, nor dare he dwell on it.

Qi Ying naturally caught this underlying meaning and chuckled inwardly.

He understood the Third Prince’s current anxiety and dejection. However, in his view, Xiao Zihuan was overthinking.

Their emperor was a man of profound thoughts. Though constrained by noble families throughout his life, he never relinquished control over state affairs—a feat not achievable by mediocre or foolish individuals.

Most believed that the position of chief examiner for the Spring Examination was offered to him through Mo Yufeng’s flattery and scheming. In Qi Ying’s eyes, however, the matter wasn’t so simple. Mo Yufeng, merely a Hanlin Academy official, could he alone alter such a significant event as the Spring Examination? There must have been the emperor’s directive behind it.

It wasn’t Mo Yufeng who persuaded the emperor; rather, the emperor used him to place the Spring Examination in Qi Ying’s hands.

The Spring Examination concerned the nation’s foundation. Entrusting such a significant task to him surely had ulterior motives. As Qi Ying surmised, this move likely pressured him: the emperor was compelling the Qi family to choose a side regarding the succession.

The Qi family’s stance on the succession had always been unclear, unlike the Han and Fu families, whose positions were obvious. The Han family was the fourth prince’s maternal clan, and Fu Rong had become Xiao Ziteng’s principal consort, firmly aligning them with the fourth prince with no room for change.

Only the Qi family, the most prominent and deeply rooted, hadn’t yet revealed its stance on the succession. This decision was made by Qi Zhang. Qi Ying understood his father’s reasoning—the Qi family had reached its zenith. Even without merit from supporting the throne, they remained the irreplaceable first family in Jiangnan. They needn’t risk taking sides and could simply observe from the sidelines.

This was the Qi family’s confidence and arrogance.

But Qi Ying had long felt that his father’s attitude was unwise. The Qi family occupied such a position; even if they wished to remain aloof, they might ultimately find it difficult to extricate themselves. Take this Spring Examination, for instance—wasn’t the emperor using it to pressure the Qi family into choosing? If he dismissed commoners, he’d be seen as siding with the fourth prince; if he suppressed scholar-gentry—even just impartially—he’d appear to defect to the third prince.

Even if the Qi family wished to avoid involvement in the succession struggle, they couldn’t remain unscathed.

Unfortunately, his father hadn’t yet grasped this.

Qi Ying’s mind was clear as a mirror, having absorbed everything, but speculating about the emperor’s heart was a taboo in court politics. He certainly couldn’t explain this to the Third Prince. For now, he could only let him wallow in anxiety and fear, unable to say more.

For a moment, both harbored their own thoughts—one lost in confusion, the other observing coldly.

Meanwhile, inside the Buddha Hall, Shen Xiling and Shui Pei were praying devoutly before the Buddha.

Speaking of it, Shen Xiling’s devotion to Buddhism stemmed from her father.

Her father loved reading Buddhist scriptures and often shared some esoteric sentences with her. She didn’t understand them at the time, but her father didn’t mind. Instead, he told her small stories from the sutras, explaining karma, cause and effect, good and evil, and the pure nature of the mind.

Inside the Buddha Hall stood one hundred eight golden Arhats, with Amitabha Buddha majestically seated in the main position, benevolently gazing upon all beings, seemingly capable of relieving all suffering.

Shen Xiling knelt piously before the Buddha, making three wishes.

Her first wish was for her parents’ peaceful afterlife, free from worries, achieving ultimate fulfillment.

Her second wish was for Qi Ying’s health, smooth endeavors, and prosperous family.

Her third wish was selfish—she prayed...

...to always be with Qi Ying.

She even hoped… that he could become her lover.

She knew this was a greedy wish, but she couldn’t suppress such yearning. Especially recalling their recent crab feast in Wang Garden, which gave her some hope—perhaps… perhaps he wasn’t entirely indifferent…

She wanted to always nestle beside him like that day, enjoying his care and companionship. Even if he didn’t love her, she hoped to stay by his side forever.

Even when she grew up and came of age, she hoped he wouldn’t send her away.

Shui Pei watched nearby, seeing her young mistress kneeling before the Buddha, her pretty face subtly blushing. Naturally, she could guess whom she was thinking of. In this sacred place, she wanted to laugh but dared not, until outside the Great Buddha Hall she teased, covering her mouth and giggling, “What did Miss wish for? Her face is so red.”

Shen Xiling blushed even more, her beauty accentuated by her bashful expression, captivating even Shui Pei, who found herself momentarily mesmerized. She heard her mistress softly saying, “I can’t tell anyone; otherwise, it won’t come true.”

Hearing this, Shui Pei burst into laughter again, saying, “Telling us might not work, but telling Master is different—Miss’s matters, even if the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas don’t intervene, Master surely will.”

Though teasing, these words held truth.

Over the years, he had grown increasingly indulgent towards her, almost always accommodating her wishes—except for things like eating and riding…

He doted on her, but Shen Xiling wondered if he would fulfill her deepest desires…

Her face reddened even more.

Shen Xiling knew her face was flushed, fearing further teasing from Shui Pei, quickly interjected, “Let’s hurry back; Master must be waiting…”

Shui Pei knew her mistress was embarrassed and understood the principle of not pressing a retreating foe. Smiling, she responded, and together they descended the stone steps of the Great Buddha Hall.

Upon reaching the bottom, they noticed Qi Ying was no longer where he had been; only Bai Song stood there, holding his sword.

Finding this strange, Shen Xiling approached Bai Song and asked, “Brother Bai, where is Master?”

Bai Song nodded towards her and tilted his chin towards the stupa. Shen Xiling turned her head and saw Qi Ying walking with a man dressed in deep purple brocade. She didn’t recognize him.

While she spotted Qi Ying and Xiao Zihuan, the two naturally noticed her as well.

Not only had Shen Xiling never met the Third Prince, but the Third Prince had also only heard of her. Now, at the foot of the stupa, he finally saw this rumored kept mistress of Qi Ying.

Truly… an unparalleled beauty.

In his life, the Third Prince had seen countless beauties, yet none rivaled her. Even from afar, her graceful figure was evident. Her enchanting eyes, gazing this way, were misty, and a mole adorned her brow, more radiant than the mountain’s red maples.

Absolutely stunning.

He was somewhat mesmerized, lost in thought, when suddenly he heard Qi Ying’s voice: “Your Highness.”

Xiao Zihuan snapped out of his reverie, turning to look at him. Though Qi Ying’s expression hadn’t changed, his demeanor had grown heavier, signaling that his earlier gaze at his kept mistress had offended him.

Such a man, usually concealing his emotions, now so visibly displeased, surprised Xiao Zihuan and intrigued him.

Such beauty indeed explained why even someone like Qi Ying couldn’t resist, secretly keeping her hidden for so many years and now bringing her out. Yet, his sixth sister’s infatuation with Qi Ying was well-known. With her temperament, how could she tolerate it?

Xiao Zihuan certainly didn’t want to see Qi Ying become his fourth brother’s brother-in-law. Once married to Xiao Ziyu, the Qi family’s stance would solidify, leaving no room for maneuvering—if their marriage fell through, then...

A thought flickered in Xiao Zihuan’s mind. On one hand, he hoped the little beauty would soon bewitch Qi Ying, ruining his engagement with Xiao Ziyu. On the other, he planned to personally speak with his sixth sister soon.

As he plotted, he heard Qi Ying bid farewell. Concealing his thoughts, he smiled, “It was I who disturbed your rare day off. Please don’t hold it against me, Jingchen.”

They exchanged polite remarks, then parted ways. Qi Ying watched Xiao Zihuan disappear behind the stupa, presumably exiting through the temple’s rear gate. Only after he vanished from sight did Qi Ying turn to walk towards Shen Xiling.

From the stupa to the Great Buddha Hall was merely tens of zhang, but Qi Ying’s mind was flooded with thoughts.

He suddenly realized his mistake.

He shouldn’t have brought Shen Xiling out. His current position and situation weren’t suitable for entanglement with any woman, especially her, Shen Xiang’s daughter.

Yet, that day in Wang Garden, he had lost control. They hadn’t seen each other for half a month, and his longing had stirred his emotions. Moreover, slightly tipsy, her delicate form resting on his lap had prompted him to impulsively suggest this outing.

Meeting Xiao Zihuan brought him back to reality, realizing how inappropriate it was.

More troubling was his growing awareness of his own folly.

Earlier, he sensed Xiao Zihuan looking at her—not as an adult viewing a child, but as a man eyeing a woman. He detected Xiao Zihuan’s interest and desire, which so easily provoked his anger.

What was that feeling? Being coveted? Being offended?

She was merely an orphan entrusted to him by Shen Xiang, destined to grow up and leave him. Hadn’t he already decided this long ago? So why was he angry?

What did he expect from her? Or, what did he want with her…

As he approached, Shen Xiling immediately sensed a shift in his mood.

She understood him increasingly well. As a child, she could vaguely sense his emotions; now, she could read them more accurately. At this moment, she knew his mood was poor, perhaps worse—his aura was heavy.

Earlier, Bai Song had informed her that the purple-clad man was Prince Duan. Shen Xiling had some understanding of the current political landscape, knowing his stance opposed Qi Ying’s. Seeing Qi Ying’s serious expression, she guessed he had encountered some unpleasantness in political matters.

Worried, she asked, “Master… has something happened?”

Qi Ying glanced at her faintly, seeing the young girl’s furrowed brows filled with concern and caution, momentarily weighing down his heart further.

After a brief silence, he reassured her with a faint smile, replying, “Nothing—have you finished praying?”

He shifted topics quickly, and Shen Xiling discerned he didn’t wish to elaborate, so she refrained from asking further, simply nodding. Hearing his response, though his expression was calm, his enthusiasm remained low as he said, “Then let’s return.”

Hearing this, Shen Xiling was momentarily stunned.

They rarely went out together, and it was still early afternoon. She had assumed they could visit other places, at least share a vegetarian meal at the Zen courtyard. Unexpectedly, he suggested returning so soon.

She was surprised and a little disappointed.

She actually wanted to spend more time with him.

However, Shen Xiling was always considerate. Sensing he bore some burdens, and knowing these matters were important, she couldn’t delay him for her selfish desires. After a slight pause, she obediently replied, “Alright, let’s go back.”

Author’s Note: To put it simply, writing scenes like this makes me acutely feel the loneliness of Qi Ying’s character. His clarity is exhausting.