Chapter 317: Reunion with Lu Yao

Chapter 317: Reunion with Lu Yao

Monks embody compassion, vowing to liberate all sentient beings.

Master Xuanxi is an eminent monk who has attained enlightenment—how could he possibly hold personal grudges?

A delusion. It must be his delusion.

Director Yan of the Imperial Observatory silently averted his gaze.

"Patron Lu said that a match made of gold and jade is incomparable to the lives of the people in two counties."

"This old monk poses a question: Which is more important—the rise and fall of a single family, or the people of Daqian living in peace and prosperity, untouched by war’s devastation?"

"How would Patron Lu choose?"

Master Xuanxi's gaze suddenly turned sharp, like a warm breeze snapping into winter’s bite, sending chills down one's spine.

Lu Mingchao answered without hesitation, "Naturally, the people's peace and prosperity are more important."

Yet it was abundantly clear.

The emperor was no diligent ruler who cared for his people.

He handed out rewards and punishments on a whim, his personal desires overwhelming.

Did he really believe she was blind to it? The Son of Heaven had summoned her and Gu Huai to the palace overnight for the sake of the so-called "chance at rebirth" mentioned by Lu Minghui—not for the lives of the people in Wanxing and Beiba counties.

Master Xuanxi said, "This monk hopes you’ll remember those words, Patron Lu."

Lu Mingchao grew impatient.

And this was their ‘eminent monk’?

His words reeked of arrogance, as if his speech carried the irrefutable will of the gods.

Lu Mingchao curled her lips into a sweetly mocking smile. "Is Master Xuanxi truly a monk?"

"You sound more like a tyrant wielding life-and-death power—or the King of Hell himself."

"Does Master Xuanxi not realize how much rage and fixation he harbors?"

"You practice Buddhism and chase enlightenment."

"Master Xuanxi, you don’t speak for the gods, nor can you speak for the common people under the sky."

"Neither can I."

"Master Xuanxi is wise and revered—surely you won’t take offense at my impertinent words."

Master Xuanxi gazed at Lu Mingchao and slowly replied, "Your own biases blinding you, not this monk’s fault."

"Right, right, right." Lu Mingchao lowered her head, rolling her eyes despite herself. "It’s my fault."

"These days, even monks who claim to be above worldly cares insist on squabbling over morals with mortals."

"I’m ignorant, selfish, unworthy of discussing scriptures with an esteemed monk."

"Master Xuanxi *is* divinity."

"Revered monk, are we done here?"

Seeing Master Xuanxi’s lips part slightly as if to speak,

Lu Mingchao took a step back, on guard. "I’ve already apologized. Is Master Xuanxi still sore about it and wants to hock a loogie at me?"

"No way, not happening."

Director Yan of the Imperial Observatory: Checked out – leave me alone.

"Benefactor Lu!" Master Xuanxi turned his prayer beads, said ominously.

Cool as a cucumber, Lu Mingchao replied, "Master Xuanxi, I don’t believe in the Buddha of Chengchan Temple, nor in your teachings. I believe that right and wrong, justice and morality, lie within people's hearts."

"Master Xuanxi should also refrain from making veiled comments."

"With this time, why not pitch in at the riverbank?"

"I’m too thick-headed, with no affinity for Buddhism. There’s no need for the master’s concern."

No matter how benevolent his appearance or renowned his reputation, it could not conceal the truth that Master Xuanxi was, at his core, a monk in devil's clothing.

If not a monk in devil's clothing, how could he, based on mere fragments of divined fate, egg on the current emperor to kill his nephew and seize the throne? How could he use the back hills of Chengchan Temple as a natural cover to forge weapons and train soldiers for the emperor, then stand by while hundreds of thousands perished in the drought?

She longed to ask Master Xuanxi: Had he truly glimpsed divine will, or had he engineered the so-called "divine will" himself?

Such a man was a devil cloaked in monk’s robes.

No point talking to a brick wall.

...

In the days that followed, Lu Mingchao was swamped with work—preparing water and provisions while discussing with the county magistrate of Wanxing County the temporary relocation of residents from low-lying areas.

The magistrate of Wanxing was no fool.

In these few days, he had gathered enough information about the events in the capital.

Prophecies, true or false, mattered little.

What mattered was that the prophecy had reached the emperor’s ears, and delegation after delegation had been dispatched.

This meant the emperor took it seriously.

A small-time official like him needed only to toe the line with the capital’s nobility.

Moreover, Mr. Lu of Chaofu Trading not only carried the emperor’s verbal decree but also held tokens from Yongming Grand Princess and His Highness Prince Duan.

He couldn't afford to piss off any of them.

If the impending disaster could be averted, it would be the crowning achievement of his career, ensuring a promotion of two or three ranks.

If it turned out to be just some wild goose chase, the capital’s nobility would bear the brunt, leaving him unscathed.

"I'll have my men go door-to-door," said the magistrate.

"I appreciate your help," Lu Mingchao gave a slight bow.

On her sixth day in Wanxing, Lu Mingchao met Lu Yao.

Lu Yao, cool and detached, looking like a banished immortal, had his eyes reddened at the corners the moment he saw Lu Mingchao.

"Second Brother," Lu Mingchao felt her eyes prickle with tears.

Lu Yao looked Lu Mingchao over carefully and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Chaochao."

Lu Mingchao led Lu Yao to the posthouse as they walked, saying, "Second Brother, didn't you go to Baopu Academy? I originally planned to visit our parents and the children in Changhe County after handling affairs in Wanxing and Beiba."

"I never thought you'd come to Wanxing."

"That must have been a tough journey for you."

Lu Yao sighed softly and smiled. "Not exhausting—just my bad luck."

"The wealthy gentry and households in Wanxing and Beiba who could leave have all fled. Yet you chose to come to Wanxing from the capital at such a time."

"Mom and Dad are worried. Xie Yan is worried too."

At this point, Lu Yao paused and lowered his voice. "Our parents aren't getting any younger. Xie Yan has secretly gone north, and his letters say the northern barbarians are restless—he can’t leave. Eldest Brother was sent by you to Lingnan."

"Counting them up, I was the only suitable one left."

"Chaochao, no one wants to leave you here alone in Wanxing."

Lu Mingchao’s eyes grew warm, her heart melting.

Just as Lu Yao had said, in Wanxing and Beiba, anyone who could afford to had left, leaving behind only those with nothing to lose or the elderly, weak, and sick who couldn’t endure long journeys.

Time and again, natural disasters had proven that people are powerless against overwhelming calamity.

Yet, Lu Yao had come all this way to Wanxing to stand by her side and weather this together.

To say she wasn’t moved would be a lie.

"Second Brother, the autumn imperial exams are less than a hundred days away. Did you come to Wanxing without even bringing your book chest?" Lu Mingchao asked, trying to sound casual.

Lu Yao replied calmly, "My teacher said that acing the exams won't be a problem."

"Since I aspire to serve in office, I ought to see how the common people suffer."

Lu Mingchao teased, "Second Brother, humility, humility."

"Second Brother, I'm the one who drove Lu Minghui mad."

"Excellent," Lu Yao said without the slightest hesitation.

"Patron Lu."

In the distance, Master Xuanxi’s voice called out.

Lu Mingchao frowned. Without turning her head, she tugged at Lu Yao’s sleeve and quickened her pace.

She didn’t want to exchange a single word with that bald monk.

These past few days, Master Xuanxi had spared no effort in praising the emperor's benevolence and spreading Buddhist teachings among the people of Wanxing, earning himself the reputation of a living Buddha.

"I could kill him."