Chapter 1097: End (2)

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Under her delicate and fierce gaze, Yin Huaixi was defeated and said reluctantly, “Alright, alright, alright. I’ll send them to the North another day and let them experience it for themselves. Back then, their grandfather and I guarded the North. I’ll also let them look at how the North had been completely changed by their mother. It’s said that it’s better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books. If they stay in the palace all day and sit in this place, it’s like looking at the sky from a well. In the future, their horizons will be smaller.”

Only then did Yu Youyao stop. “Mr. Xian Yun and Mr. Hu Shan are both in Xiangping. It’s a good thing to let them listen to the teachings of the great Confucian scholars and also establish their learning and ambition.”

She did not want the children to be imprisoned in the Imperial City from the moment they were born. She also hoped that they could walk around, take a look, broaden their horizons, and feel freedom.

Seeing that she was no longer angry, Yin Huaixi pressed her against the bed and coaxed, “Good Yao’er, shouldn’t you dote on me more?”

Hearing his frivolous words, Yu Youyao glared at him angrily. “You’re jealous of your sons, right? Aren’t you ashamed?”

Yin Huaixi stroked her long hair that was like ink. His heart was filled with endless love and gentleness. He looked resentful. “My wife is always so concerned about the two boys and has neglected me. I’m so sad…”

Yu Youyao felt a little guilty. He was so annoying. “Speak properly.”

Yin Huaixi kissed her hair. “The Buddhist Festival is in a few days. I’ll accompany you to the Precious Peace Temple to add incense oil for my mother-in-law and relax.”

Yu Youyao nodded. On the day her mother passed away early and her grandmother was bedridden, the Precious Peace Temple was one of the few opportunities for her to walk out of the Yu Residence.

On the eighth of April, during the Buddhist Festival, Yin Huaixi arranged for a team of secret guards to accompany Yu Youyao to the Precious Peace Temple incognito without alerting anyone.

The two of them first went to the room to settle down. Then, Yu Youyao, accompanied by Yin Huaixi, went up to the Lantern Pavilion and personally added incense oil for her mother as she recited the Sutra of the Past Life.

The dim light in the Lantern Pavilion stretched the figures of the two people leaving together. When they reached the door, Yu Youyao couldn’t help but stop and turn around. On the lotus lamp seat under the Bodhisattva, the longevity lamp that belonged to her mother was swaying and jumping gently, as if it was bidding her farewell.

Along the quiet path, Yu Youyao saw the old branches by the lake. They grew crookedly, and red, pink, and white apricot flowers bloomed on the branches.

Yu Youyao couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you still remember that back then, when I was here, a strand of my hair was cut off by your subordinate? At that time, I was afraid and a little angry. Later, you helped me pick a flower. I liked it very much, so I decided to call it even with you and wasn’t angry with you anymore!”

Every time this matter was mentioned, Yin Huaixi felt a little guilty. He flew up and picked an apricot flower from the tree, slowly placing it into her black hair.

The burning apricot flower made her face look like jade.

Yin Huaixi took a step forward and held her shoulders. He lowered his head and kissed her hair.

The two of them looked at each other and smiled. They walked along the quiet path and passed by the meditation room. Yu Youyao heard the sound of chanting coming from the meditation room. It was the Sutra of the Medicine Buddha that Grandmaster Hui Neng had recited back then.

“May I attain enlightenment from the Buddha in my next life. May my own light be blazing, illuminating boundlessly and immeasurably. Since I am here, I am no different from all living beings.”

“May I receive Bodhi’s help in my next life. May my body be like glass, clean inside and out, without any impurities. May the light be vast, and the prestige be blazing. My body is good, and I live in peace…”

Yu Youyao suddenly stopped.

Yin Huaixi looked down at her. “What’s wrong?”

Thinking of the past, Yu Youyao said, “Back then, when I accompanied my Grandmother to the Precious Peace Temple, I also saw Grandmaster Hui Neng in this small meditation courtyard. At that time, he took a look at me and recited the twelve great wishes of the Medicine Buddha.”

Yin Huaixi was deep in thought. “You probably don’t know this, but Grandmaster Hui Neng hasn’t opened his eyes for many years.”

Yu Youyao seemed to have understood and left the meditation courtyard with Yin Huaixi. Behind her, she seemed to be able to hear that benevolent voice reciting over and over again—

“May my own light be blazing, illuminating boundlessly and immeasurably…”

“May the light be vast, and the prestige be blazing…”

In the end, they stood under the Bodhisattva of Wishes. The green cover of the Bodhisattva of Wishes was like a cloud, like a green umbrella that held up the sky. The red wishing silk on it fluttered in the wind.

The events of yesterday happened again.

“Cousin, Cousin, did you see the wishing Bodhi outside the meditation room? I went there to make a wish just now. I’m very strong. The wishing silk was thrown high up, so it will definitely hang for a long time. The longer and higher the wishing silk is hung on the tree, the more effective it will be.”

“When I was throwing the wishing silk just now, a strange wind blew from somewhere, scaring me. Fortunately, it was a good wind. I borrowed the force to send the wishing silk to a high branch. The auntie who sold it said that this was a good sign and auspicious.”

“Cousin, why don’t you ask me what wish I made?”

“Cousin, ask quickly, ask quickly.”

“I can’t tell my Cousin. It won’t work if I tell you!”

Yin Huaixi suddenly laughed. The red silk covering the tree swayed in the wind. It was as if he could see a little girl in a plain dress standing under the tree on her tiptoes.

A Bodhi tree did not attract dust. It represented Prajna, and was extremely pure.

Yin Huaixi turned to look at her. “My wife, you don’t know this, but back then, I might have made a wish under this Bodhi tree.”

Yu Youyao couldn’t help but ask, “What wish?”

Yin Huaixi kissed her forehead and said in a low voice, “In this life, I’m willing to use my flesh and blood to shelter you from the wind and rain. I’m willing to protect your clothes from dust and your temples from frost. I’m willing to protect you for a lifetime and give you a lifetime of peace.”

The records of the Great Zhao’s history said, “In this life, Emperor Zhaoyong promised not to be disloyal, not to have any thoughts, and to not have any children born after his wife’s death. He would be in love with Empress Zhaoyi for the rest of his life…”