Chapter 233: Undercurrents in the Capital Region (Part 2)

Chapter 233: Undercurrents in the Capital Region (Part 2)

Inside Qingfeng Pavilion.

In the evening, Su Ráo had not yet woken up. She had skipped dinner and simply passed out drunk.

Yun Ji did not have anyone wake her up but let her sleep as she wished. Whenever she woke up, it would not be too late to have dinner then.

Yun Ling and Yun Feng had to withdraw the dinner first.

"Little friend, three meals a day, not one can be missed."

With a recitation of 'Amitabha,' Master Huishan arrived at Qingfeng Pavilion.

"It should be Yun Ji who goes to disturb Master, but instead, Master came looking for Yun Ji. I am being rude."

Smiling at the corner of his mouth, Yun Ji got up and bowed.

Yue Hua's robes fluttered, stirring a ripple in the evening breeze.

Master Huishan clasped his hands together and recited 'Amitabha' again, then sat down cross-legged opposite Yun Ji.

"Little friend is exaggerating. Between you and me, there is no need for such formalities."

After speaking, he continued:

"Old monk sees that little friend looks very well this time, without any signs of weakness. Has Mr. Zhu introduced a new treatment? Let old monk take your pulse."

"Thank you, Master."

Yun Ji extended his wrist, and Master Huishan placed three fingers on his pulse. After a moment, he nodded, stroked his beard, and wore a comforting smile.

"Little friend's pulse is steady and strong. It seems not due to Mr. Zhu's efforts but rather because of your own state of mind. With a clear and open heart, your mood improves, and naturally, so does your body."

Yun Ji also nodded:

"Master speaks truly. Now Yun Ji understands that my illness lies within a single thought—paradise or hell, just a thought away."

"A paradise or hell, just a thought away..."

Muttering.

Master Huishan was an enlightened monk, but this time, his sharp eyes showed a hint of confusion, as if troubled by something.

At this moment, hearing Yun Ji's words, the confusion in his eyes suddenly cleared.

The confusion vanished, replaced by a renewed sharpness.

"I did not expect little friend to have such insight. After years of discussing Buddhism, coming here to Zhu Xian has left me in doubt.

The path of medical cultivation values following fate, but old monk felt a sense of profit-seeking. Hearing little friend's words, my heart now feels enlightened."

Another recitation of 'Amitabha,' accompanied by a sigh of regret for chasing the medical path while forgetting his original intention.

Yun Ji, however, sensed something and spoke directly: "Master, could it be the matter of Emperor Wei that troubles you?"

From Yun Shiba's investigation into the affairs of Zhu Xian, and now with Master Huishan's words, Yun Ji immediately understood why Prince Yi had invited Master Huishan to Zhu Xian—it must be about Emperor Wei's health.

Yun Ji's straightforward question revealed his understanding before a lifelong friend, and he would not beat around the bush.

"Little friend is perceptive."

Since Yun Ji already knew, Master Huishan saw no reason to hide anything.

Master Huishan did not elaborate further; it was Yun Ji himself who deduced it. Thus, he had not broken his promise to Prince Yi.

"Old monk observes the heavens, knows the earth, cultivates Buddha, and practices medicine to help the world. For over twenty years, only with little friend have I encountered difficulties.

But now, Emperor Wei's illness is rooted in his own body, and although old monk knows the cause, finding a cure remains challenging."

Sighing, Master Huishan was indeed troubled by Emperor Wei's condition.

He came to see Yun Ji partly to meet an old friend and partly to consult Mr. Zhu.

Although Master Huishan was knowledgeable in astrology and medicine, he was not a doctor, and some ailments required the expertise of a true healer.

Mr. Zhu's medical skills were well-known to Master Huishan, and he believed Mr. Zhu might understand Emperor Wei's condition better than he did.

Since Master Huishan wanted to consult Mr. Zhu, Yun Ji instructed Yun Feng to invite him.

While Master Huishan and Mr. Zhu discussed Emperor Wei's condition, Yun Ji took the initiative to leave, to avoid breaking Master Huishan's trust.

What Master Huishan and Mr. Zhu discussed, Yun Ji did not hear, but every word was captured by another pair of ears.

Under the eaves of the pavilion, the light cast by Yue Hua illuminated a corner of bright red. The figure hidden there, after listening to their conversation, silently left and returned.

In fact, Su Ráo had already woken up when Master Huishan arrived.

She had come to find Yun Ji but heard Master Huishan and Yun Ji talking about Emperor Wei, so she hid in the shadows.

Eavesdropping.

Jumping through the window into her room, Su Ráo's expression was solemn. The shock of what Master Huishan told Mr. Zhu about Emperor Wei's condition was hard to shake off.

Her thoughts were consumed by what she had overheard, and she did not notice someone else in her room until a soft voice asked:

"What did you hear that caused such a reaction?"

Beside the table, Yun Ji was brewing tea.

Su RAO's eavesdropping he knew about, yet did not stop.

"You don't know?"

Su RAO regained her composure, her peach-blossom eyes falling upon Yun JI.

The bright crystal palace lantern illuminated, bathing him in the candlelight.

Washing the cups and pouring tea, every movement was elegant.

The young master sipped his tea, exquisitely handsome.

No matter how many times she looked, each time still amazed her.

She fell for it.

Walking over, Su RAO sat opposite Yun JI.

And to her counter-question, after handing the poured tea to Su RAO, Yun JI smiled and said:

"You and Yu MO are indeed siblings; in your eyes and hearts, does Yun JI truly seem like a divine being, knowing everything? But Yun JI really doesn't have such heavenly abilities."

Taking a sip of tea, he continued:

"Yun JI is human, not divine. The secrets within Zhu Xian, what Eighteen investigated was only that Emperor Wei has been bedridden for months. The exact illness is still not fully known."

So that's how it is...

Su RAO nodded, indicating understanding.

"Yun JI, I'm hungry, let's prepare dinner!"

Su RAO did not tell Yun JI about what she had overheard. She did not say, and Yun JI did not ask again.

Just as Yun JI had said that day, her matters were her own; if she wanted to do something, she could do it. Yun JI would no longer interfere or ask questions. If she did not speak, he would respect her wishes.

Upon Su RAO's words, dinner was prepared shortly, set up in Su RAO's room.

As for Master Hui SHAN, with Mr. ZHU there, they would take care of themselves, and Mr. ZHU would look after Master Hui SHAN, so there was no need to worry.

After their dinner, Master Hui SHAN also came to bid farewell and leave.

"Young friend, no need to see me off. Seeing me off signifies parting. Tomorrow, this old monk might come to bother you again. Just prepare a meditation room for me."

Bidding farewell to Yun JI, Master Hui SHAN did not make any formalities, directly stating that after coming tomorrow, he would stay temporarily at Qing Feng Pavilion.

He then bid farewell to Su RAO before leaving.

Master Hui SHAN and Yun JI, separated by a generation, grandfather and grandson in age, but their interaction was on an equal footing.

Su RAO watched as Master Hui SHAN left, turning to look at the person beside her.

Suddenly, she asked:

"Over these years, has Master Hui SHAN helped you a lot?"

Yun JI nodded: "Master is proficient in Buddhist teachings. Whenever Yun JI feels restless, Master's discourse on Buddhism calms my heart."

Speaking of Master Hui SHAN's help over the years, Yun JI was deeply grateful.

Without Master Hui SHAN's assistance, he might not have waited to learn that RAO RAO was still alive.

Nor would he have the opportunity to be with RAO RAO as he is now.

Master Hui SHAN had given him a second chance at life.