Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Rong Tang paused, his expression involuntarily cooling.

Shuang Fu looked puzzled, "Young master?"

"It's nothing." Rong Tang put down the ink brush and went to his bedroom.

"What is this? The self-correction of fate?" Rong Tang asked.

Compared to the last life, where he sought help from Princess Duan Yi to rescue the male lead from the cold palace, this life's Sheng Chengli only came out on the 29th of February, which was indeed a bit late.

But compared to the first life... Rong Tang remembered that it had been past March then.

This time, it even happened a few days earlier.

Thinking of this, Rong Tang felt an urge to laugh, "Without taking on tasks, what kind of opportunity did fate give its male lead?"

The system needed energy to check the status of others, but for the male lead, it was just a matter of changing perspectives.

The main brain seemed to still hold a sliver of hope for the host, not completely severing the system's connection with the protagonist.

[He fell seriously ill and was near death. Yue Rong desperately pleaded with the Imperial Medical Bureau, which caught the Emperor’s attention, and he was released.]

Hearing this, Rong Tang frowned slightly.

Firstly, because of the illness; he had not experienced this in his past two lifetimes and was unsure whether it was an opportunity directly given by fate or a change brought about by the butterfly effect.

Secondly, because of Yue Rong. Yue Rong was the personal maid of the Fifth Prince’s mother and followed her all the way from Jiangnan to the capital. Sheng Chengli called her Yue Momo. In the current cold palace, she was the only one serving the male lead.

However, in Rong Tang's memory, Yue Momo was not a loyal servant. She had always wished for the Fifth Prince's early demise so she could choose a new master, and it was unlikely for her to take such a drastic step as pleading with the Imperial Medical Bureau for the male lead.

[Host…?] The system, noticing him deep in thought, instinctively voiced out.

"It's nothing." Rong Tang snapped back to reality, "Just an old habit."

[Are you worried about the male lead?]

Rong Tang paused, then laughed, "Worry about my enemy's well-being?"

The system fell silent, ready to enter hibernation again.

The smile on Rong Tang’s face faded.

He wasn't mistaken; the system's hibernation periods had been getting longer. Rong Tang had a guess about this but feared its truth.

Unconsciously squeezing his fingers, he asked, "System?"

[Host, I am here.]

"What would happen if I took on a task?"

The system seemed to hesitate for a moment before reverting to its emotionless mechanical tone: [Don't think about it, host. Although your ultimate task is to protect the male lead from being killed by Su Huaijing, the main brain will still issue you a series of mandatory tasks to complete during the process.]

[Do you still want to help the male lead against the antagonist this life?] the system asked him.

Rong Tang fell into silence.

This was precisely why he resolutely refused to take on tasks.

The main reason for the story's collapse in this world was Su Huaijing's ascension to the throne and his subsequent destruction of the nation, but the root cause lay with Sheng Chengli.

The designated protagonist was not fulfilling his role, disrupting the order, which was why the system was created, and Rong Tang was brought in to undertake tasks.

He had to not only protect the male lead from being killed by Su Huaijing but also rescue the male lead from the cold palace, fight for the male lead against the imperial heirs, help the male lead win the hearts of the people and the Emperor's favor, and eliminate his enemies to clear his path...

It was exhausting, really, truly exhausting.

Rong Tang, in his past life, had a period where he even feared to sleep. He couldn't recall how many officials, although well-intentioned for the people, fell by his hand due to differing stances. Under the absolute power of the monarchy and the invisible threat of the system, even his conscience was a luxury.

All he could do was try his best to allow them to retire and preserve their lives.

As for the rest, Rong Tang couldn’t, and Sheng Chengli wouldn’t allow him to.

……

Eventually, the system entered hibernation. Rong Tang sat at his desk, lost in thought for a while, then went to the study to copy half a volume of Buddhist scriptures before finally succumbing to physical exhaustion and returning to his bedroom to sleep.

The next day, the 30th day of the second month, a grand procession of carriages left the Ningxuan Prince's Mansion at dawn, heading out of the city.

Rong Tang, still not well-rested and drowsy, was grateful for the warmth inside the carriage. Wang Xiuyu, thinking of the long journey ahead, had added several layers of soft cushions to his seat. Warmed by the heat of the red charcoal, Rong Tang soon fell asleep again.

Wang Xiuyu, concerned about Rong Tang's health, would stop for a rest every two quarters of an hour. Moving slowly, they only reached the Buddhist temple near sunset.

Tuolan Temple, located in the western hills outside the city, was one of the most ancient Buddhist temples in the Great Yu dynasty. Though not a national temple, it had a high reputation, and its monks were considered living Bodhisattvas, offering relief to those in suffering.

Now, at the beginning of the month, a time for offering incense, countless carriages adorned with fragrant pouches and golden bells had journeyed from the capital. Rong Tang, not wanting to offend any noblewomen, kept his carriage door closed and opened only a small window to let out the charcoal smoke.

Tuolan Temple’s side chambers were divided into several areas. The Ningxuan Prince's Mansion brought many people, occupying two courtyards.

One courtyard was for Wang Xiuyu, Rong Tang, and his two half-sisters; the other for his second aunt, her three daughters, and a three-year-old boy.

Rong Tang, not keen on mingling, had a long sleep during the day, but sleeping in a moving carriage wasn't very comfortable. Upon arriving at the temple, he took another nap until the third quarter of the Xu hour.

By then, the temple was silent. Rong Tang lay awake for a while, then got dressed and walked out with a lantern.

The chanting hall hosted monks studying at night. Familiar with the temple, Rong Tang quietly made his way around and found a secluded corner. He picked a meditation cushion and joined the monks nearby in chanting scriptures.

During this time, the system appeared once, seemingly wanting to say something, but seeing Rong Tang in such a state, it remained silent. However, instead of hibernating again, the system jumped around on the map and then shrank itself beside Rong Tang's leg, quietly listening as he chanted sutras.

After several hours, almost all the monks in the chanting hall had left, and Rong Tang, feeling the numbness in his legs, stood up and walked back to his room.

The capital had warmed up considerably. No longer like when he first woke up, standing in the cold wind for a second or two and coughing as if he was about to faint, but the deeper night still carried a chill. As Rong Tang walked by a room with its light on, he noticed it was simply furnished with just an image of Buddha, an incense burner, two offering candles, and a meditation cushion.

The door was open, and a young man in a grey monk's robe was facing away from Rong Tang, chanting softly and gracefully.

At first, Rong Tang thought he was a monk from Tuolan Temple, but then realized the man had long hair, trailing almost to the ground, and had not taken monastic vows.

Rong Tang raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

In the Great Yu dynasty, where Buddhism was prevalent, the first day of the month was a day for ladies to visit temples to pray. Ordinary men usually avoided this day, except for young boys or those with poor health like Rong Tang, who might be brought by their mothers for blessings.

It seemed this man was likely in a similar situation, but Rong Tang wondered why he was chanting alone in a side chamber instead of the chanting hall.

Nonetheless, it was indeed very peaceful there.

Rong Tang lingered his gaze for a moment before returning to his room to sleep, even pondering over Su Huaijing's plans before dozing off.

He had an inexplicable trust in Su Huaijing; having been outwitted and outmaneuvered by him in his previous life, Rong Tang knew of his capabilities.

The matter with Shen Feiyi wasn’t difficult, but the key was handling public opinion. If used well, Shen Feiyi could become a powerful tool for Su Huaijing in the future.

If this were the latter part of his previous life, the big antagonist could have made it widely known in the capital in three days. But this time, it was too early; Su Huaijing had only been in the capital for three months, and with the many changes over nine years, without revealing his identity, it was somewhat tricky.

Being outside the city, Rong Tang was curious about what Su Huaijing could achieve but was not worried.

Drifting into sleep with these thoughts, he woke up the next morning just as dawn was breaking, called by Shuang Fu, to offer incense with the princess and personally request a peace amulet for Su Huaijing.

The Ningxuan Prince's Mansion donated a significant amount of charity money, likely because of the upcoming celebration. The princess stayed unusually long this time, and everyone stayed at Tuolan Temple for a full five days.

Rong Tang spent his days copying Buddhist scriptures in his room and his nights chanting sutras in the chanting hall.

This routine continued for three days. On the fourth night, as he was walking to the chanting hall with a lantern, he passed by the room with the open door. The man inside was standing at the door looking up at the moon. Seeing Rong Tang, he clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist invocation, then asked warmly, "Where are you headed, benefactor?"

Rong Tang returned the gesture, "To the chanting hall."

The man in the monk's robe smiled, "Your devotion is sincere, and you need not be bound by location. If you don’t mind the simplicity here, why not join me in chanting sutras?"

Rong Tang was slightly surprised by his self-reference, looking into the room to see the usual meditation cushion shifted to the left, with a newer cushion placed on the right.

This place was closer than the chanting hall and much quieter. After a brief consideration, Rong Tang thanked him and accepted the invitation.

The night passed without conversation, each absorbed in their chanting for an hour. Rong Tang quietly stood up, left from the side without disturbing the other, and didn't exchange any farewells. The other man didn’t look up either.

On the last day, the man was already chanting when Rong Tang arrived. The empty cushion beside him, his long hair cascading down his back in the moonlight, made him look less like a monk and more like a deity misplaced in the mortal world.

Without ceremony, Rong Tang bowed slightly at the door and then went in to kneel before the Buddha's portrait and began chanting.

He planned to leave after an hour as usual, but just as he was getting up, the man called out, "Please wait, benefactor."

Rong Tang stopped and looked at him. The man, with his eyes closed, finished his last scripture before standing up.

Oddly, looking at his face, Rong Tang felt a strange sense of familiarity.

He had not met this man in his previous life, and his appearance didn't resemble anyone Rong Tang knew. If anything, he resembled a Buddha from a painting.

It wasn't about physical resemblance but rather the aura the man exuded—very peaceful and gentle, not the weariness of worldly experience, but an indescribable serenity.

Having died three times, Rong Tang thought he had seen it all, but even he did not possess such serenity.

Yet this young man appeared to be only around thirty years old.

After finishing his chanting, the man stood up, clasped his hands in front of Rong Tang, chanted a Buddhist invocation, and then asked, "Benefactor, you chant sutras every night. What is it that you seek?"

Rong Tang was slightly surprised. Monks are typically detached from worldly matters, yet this man, though not fully ordained, was genuinely devoted to Buddhism. It was unexpected that he would proactively inquire about Rong Tang's thoughts.

Rong Tang couldn't help but wonder, had he reached the point where his inner thoughts were openly visible on his face?

He replied somewhat helplessly, yet honestly, "I'm seeking peace of mind."

The monk then asked, "In your life, have you ever done something against your conscience?"

Rong Tang laughed, "In this world, for power, for fame, for life or death, who can claim they've never done anything against their conscience?"

The monk looked at him intently, then shook his head, "Benefactor, you are not that kind of person."

"Master, you think too highly of me," Rong Tang responded.

"Those who truly seek something, their desires are written on their faces, and their chanting is just hoping for Buddha's favor," the monk said. "But benefactor, your eyes show no such desires as you chant night after night."

At this moment, Rong Tang genuinely wanted a mirror to see what desireless eyes looked like.

"This poor monk feels a connection with you," the monk smiled, then surprisingly unhooked the Buddha painting from the wall, rolled it up, and offered it to Rong Tang with both hands. "I hope you will accept it."

Rong Tang instinctively stepped back, his brows slightly furrowed, and glanced at the wall where a shadow had been left by the absence of the painting, untouched by sunlight for years.

He said, "This item is precious; I cannot accept it."

But the monk insisted, "Benefactor, you are a good person. This item is destined for you; it chose you."

Rong Tang, frowning and hesitant, finally bowed and accepted the gift, asking, "May I know your Dharma name?"

"Hui Mian," the monk replied.

Rong Tang was taken aback, his eyes widening in recognition. Realizing his reaction might seem impolite, he stepped back and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Master, for your generous gift."

Rong Tang had heard of Hui Mian in his previous lives and had learned the way to Tuolan Temple to assist the male lead in finding him.

In the original story, Master Hui Mian was known for his boundless compassion and wisdom, a true living Buddha. Emperor Renshou repeatedly decreed to invite him to the palace for rituals, yet never succeeded in persuading this esteemed monk to leave his temple.

In Rong Tang's imagination, he had pictured a serene, elderly monk around seventy or eighty years old. He was utterly surprised to find that Hui Mian was actually a young man in his early thirties with long hair reaching his waist.

Rong Tang couldn't help but smile wryly, telling the system, "Even if I visited Tuolan Temple ten more times, I might not have been able to invite him."

The system, apparently also surprised, hesitated for two seconds before replying: [Stereotypes can be misleading.]

Rong Tang chuckled, his gaze towards Hui Mian now filled with more respect.

He wanted to ask why Hui Mian had given him the Buddha statue, but he anticipated a vague answer about fate. Deciding it was more trouble than it was worth to inquire further, he chose not to ask and headed back to his room.

After Rong Tang left, Hui Mian folded up a cushion and knelt down in front of the blank wall space, resuming his chanting. The silver moonlight spilled over him, turning his flowing black hair instantly white as snow covering a barren field.

-

On the morning of the fifth day of the third month, after offering incense as usual, Rong Tang returned to the Ningxuan Prince's Mansion in the evening, the carriage making frequent stops along the way.

Holding the peace amulet, Rong Tang thought of visiting Su Huaijing the next morning, but upon alighting from the carriage, he unexpectedly encountered Ningxuan Prince Rong Mingyu.

The Prince Consort of the princess was a scholar of the highest rank, and Ningxuan Prince largely inherited his appearance—dignified and handsome, without any aggressive air from a distance.

The prince was dressed in court attire, with a carriage parked at the gate, likely summoned by Emperor Renshou for a royal audience.

Wang Xiuyu, with others, stood aside to greet Ningxuan Prince, who approached and briefly held her hand for a few seconds, "You've worked hard, my princess."

A tender smile appeared on Wang Xiuyu's face, making Rong Tang feel a pang of sympathy. He let his gaze fall on a large stone lion beside them, fidgeting with the peace amulet for Su Huaijing in his sleeve.

Surprisingly, Rong Mingyu turned his attention to Rong Tang, his voice gentle and caring like a loving father, "With the erratic weather in the capital lately, Tang, stay in the mansion after you return and help your mother with the wedding preparations."

Rong Tang paused, shifting his gaze from the lion's bell-like eyes to Rong Mingyu, a question mark forming in his expression.

Are you asking me to stay away from the antagonist for eighteen whole days?

Aren't you afraid he might suddenly turn evil and destroy your kingdom!?