Chapter 369: The Children Come to Persuade

Chapter 369: The Children Come to Persuade

The next day, Cheng Binghao, Cheng Bingan, Cheng Suying, and Cheng Lanying all came to Guangji Temple—except for Cheng Bingzhi, who had just been severely beaten and was lying at home.

Cheng Binghao and Cheng Bingan, having received Lu Lingyun's notice, hurried back from Tianfu Academy.

All four children stood before Cheng Yunshuo.

"Dad?"

Seeing Cheng Yunshuo with his head shaved, Cheng Bingan and Cheng Binghao were shocked and confused, tentatively calling out "Dad."

Cheng Yunshuo regarded his four children with a calm gaze, "Young benefactors, Amitabha."

Cheng Bingan: "......"

Cheng Binghao: "......"

Cheng Suying: "......"

Cheng Lanying: "......"

"Dad, why do you want to become a monk? Grandma, Mom, and everyone in the house need you," Cheng Binghao was the first to speak, his small brow furrowed, both puzzled and unable to hide his anger, "How can you abandon the whole family and run off to Buddha! Did Buddha give birth to you or raise you? Is Buddha your child whom you need to take care of?"

Listening to his son's questioning, Cheng Yunshuo's gaze remained calm, "Buddha is compassionate and loves all beings. I am guided by him to find the true meaning and the great path."

"Your true meaning and great path is abandoning the whole family when they need you the most! Dad, you are causing everyone to fall into trouble and distress because of you!"

"Amitabha," Cheng Yunshuo closed his eyes for a moment, "The mortal world is complicated; all troubles are self-inflicted suffering."

Cheng Binghao: "......"

"Dad," Cheng Bingan spoke up at this time, "I believe you must have your own reasons. You are the father, and we are the children. We shouldn't comment on your affairs, but could you delay becoming a monk for a while? Grandma fell ill because of you yesterday, and Grandpa's body has not yet returned to the capital. At this time, we can't manage without you."

Cheng Bingan advised in a roundabout way.

After listening to Cheng Bingan's words, Cheng Yunshuo's gaze remained calm, "An'er, as the oldest, from now on, you'll help your mother and support this family."

Cheng Bingan: "......"

"Dad, I am only seven years old. If you must, wait ten years until I'm seventeen, then you can become a monk."

Cheng Yunshuo looked up at the sky, "Ten years, a hundred years—it's all but a moment, all emptiness. Time is eternal to me; why cling to the years?"

"Dad, if you don't cling to the years, then become a monk ten years later," Cheng Bingan said.

Cheng Yunshuo shook his head, "My mind is set on Buddhism; I won't change my resolve or linger for worldly matters."

"Dad......"

"Enough, big brother; he won't be persuaded," Cheng Binghao said angrily, looking at Cheng Yunshuo who was as firm as an old monk, "Let's go; no one can change his mind!"

Cheng Suying then spoke up, "Dad, are you sure about this?"

Cheng Yunshuo looked at his daughter in front of him, and he rarely showed a smile, "Young benefactor, this is my path, and it brings me peace."

Hearing this, Cheng Suying swallowed her words. She gazed at the man before her for a long moment, "Fine, do as you wish."

Cheng Yunshuo's smile widened and grew warmer at this moment. He nodded to her, extending his hand in blessing, "I’ll chant sutras for you, wishing you peace and good fortune."

Cheng Suying: "..."

"Let's go, let's go." Cheng Binghao was speechless, furious with his father. He grabbed his elder brother Cheng Bing'an and sister Cheng Suying, and they left immediately.

He was done with this irresponsible father.

He could do whatever he wanted.

From now on, he would take charge of protecting the Marquis's Mansion. As a boy, he would never let anyone bully his mother, brothers, or sisters.

After Cheng Binghao forcibly took the two away, only Cheng Lanying remained standing in place.

Cheng Lanying had remained silent the entire time, biting her lower lip, her eyes filled with mixed emotions as she gazed at her once beloved father.

Her feelings for Cheng Yunshuo were the most complex and intense among all the children.

After standing there for a long time, she finally asked, "Father, do you like Suying or me more?"

Honestly, she didn’t care if Cheng Yunshuo became a monk, nor did she care about the impact his decision would have on the entire Marquis's Mansion.

She only cared about who Cheng Yunshuo truly loved.

Cheng Yunshuo gazed at his daughter standing before him. Li Bihan looked very much like Xing Dairong, but this daughter of hers did not resemble her mother much.

She was more like him.

Cheng Yunshuo looked at her, his gaze calm, "Greed, anger, delusion, love, hate, and desire—all are meaningless. Young one, remember this: follow your heart, be true to yourself, and find happiness."

Cheng Lanying: "..."

What did her father mean by this...

Being happy is enough.

Does it mean that as long as she liked him and was once happy, that's all that mattered?

Cheng Lanying covered her face and walked away, defeated.

The next day, all four kids tried to talk Cheng Yunshuo out of becoming a monk, but none succeeded.

That night, Lu Lingyun sat in the temple’s side room, surrounded by her nannies and maids.

Nanny Wan sent all four kids back to the Marquis's Mansion. Since they couldn’t convince him, she sent them back to look after Lady Qin.

Shuang Hong gazed at Lu Lingyun, worried, "Young Mistress, neither the young master nor the young lady could talk the Crown Prince out of it. What are we supposed to do now?"

Everyone in the Marquis's Mansion who could try to persuade him had already done so, but Cheng Yunshuo was completely unyielding. What should they do?

Lu Lingyun rubbed the bridge of her nose. After a moment, she looked up, "Cheng Qi’s troops are arriving in the capital tomorrow, right?"

"Yes!" Shuang Hong nodded.

As Cheng Qi's triumphant return drew closer, the messages from the scout stations were delivered extremely quickly. They were now only a few dozen miles away.

Lu Lingyun raised her eyes, her gaze darkening, "Send someone to tell Second Master Cheng to bring the old Marquis’s remains to Guangji Temple tomorrow!"

If the living cannot persuade him, let the dead try.

Anyone who could persuade him had to come.

She wouldn’t give up until the very end.

The next day.

The victorious army returned in grand fashion.

Before entering the city gate, the old Marquis’s body was first sent to Guangji Temple.

"Crown Prince, the old Marquis has arrived," Qingfeng pleaded urgently outside the room, "Just come out and see him! I’m begging you!"

Cheng Yunshuo simply shut his door and refused to see anyone today.

Upon hearing that the old Marquis’s body had been brought to Guangji Temple, he locked himself in his room and started chanting sutras.