CHAPTER 380: CHAPTER 377 UNUSUAL

The golden paper for Jianguo Temple was made in Chen Family Village.

Before Xie Liangchen entered the capital, he had already paved the way for Chen Family Village’s wax paper through Jianguo Temple. It seems Xie Liangchen had such cunning plans.

Miss Xu looked at Xie Liangchen, feeling as though her entire body had turned rigid.

Xie Liangchen apologized to Empress Xu: "It wasn’t Master Hui’an who asked me to keep it a secret; it was because Chen Family Village wanted to sell wax paper. If it was known, people might misunderstand that we were borrowing Jianguo Temple’s reputation."

Indeed, tying the business of Jianguo Temple to Chen Family Village would invite criticism.

Xie Liangchen continued, "Also, it was never intended to be hidden forever. I thought to tell the truth after the wax paper started selling. By then, everyone would see how Chen Family Village’s wax paper truly was, reducing disputes and not tainting the purity of the Buddhist grounds."

Master Hui’an said, "If one wishes for a pure land, then purify one’s heart. As the heart becomes pure, so does the Buddha’s land. Mr. Xie, do not let this burden your mind."

With Master Hui’an’s words, some of the doubts Miss Xu had were also stifled, unable to be spoken, for to speak would be to cause trouble.

The anger surging in her chest could not be calmed instantly, and Miss Xu’s eyes seemed to be aflame. Did Xie Liangchen truly have no selfish motives? Why would the poor Chen Family Village give such golden paper to Jianguo Temple for no reason? Obviously, it was for future profit.

Miss Xu looked at her mother, Mrs. Meng, who lowered her eyes with a face full of compassion, clearly unable to argue in front of Master Hui’an.

Miss Xu felt regret, knowing that had she foreseen Master Hui’an would testify for Xie Liangchen, she wouldn’t have deliberately reminded the Empress to meet the master.

This was akin to the poetry gathering she organized, intending to humiliate Xie Liangchen, only to be used by Xie Liangchen instead.

Miss Xu’s palms were burning hot, yet she could only sit by and force a smile.

Finally, Empress Xu spoke, "Master Hui’an is magnanimous. Even if the wax paper sells in the capital and the origin of the golden paper is later mentioned, there will still be doubts."

Empress Xu looked at Xie Liangchen: "You need not be concerned with so much."

Xie Liangchen bowed again to Empress Xu.

Master Hui’an was invited to sit, and only then did Xie Liangchen, Mrs. Meng, and Miss Xu sit down again.

Empress Xu asked, "Why did Princess Jia’an decide to give golden paper?"

Xie Liangchen answered, "Master Hui’an was kind to Zhenzhou. When the northern war ended, the master led monks to aid the people. In our Zhenzhou’s Tianfeng Temple, there are scriptures left by Master Hui’an. I carefully read those scriptures and realized the scripture paper used was special. So I thought of making even better scripture paper to offer to Jianguo Temple in time, although it cannot repay Jianguo Temple’s kindness, it shows our intentions."

Master Hui’an chanted a Buddhist phrase again: "The benefactor came to the temple requesting scripture paper. With the incense money donated, we’ve prepared some grains, medicines, and clothes, and soon we will set off for the eight states."

Mrs. Meng understood. Chen Family Village made paper for Jianguo Temple, Jianguo Temple had people pay for the paper, and the silver coin received was used to buy relief goods, which would then be sent to the eight states...

All the money both inside and out was spent on the eight states. Xie Liangchen calculated well, losing nothing no matter how you looked at it, and additionally gained merit.

Mrs. Meng looked at Empress Xu, but even with the truth clear as it was, the Empress could not easily question Xie Liangchen.

Miss Xu felt even worse; the more deeply she thought, the more indignant she became, being muddledly used by Xie Liangchen. Knowing all this was false, yet unable to expose Xie Liangchen’s true face, she had to sit beside and smile.

Empress Xu’s face also showed compassion: "Now is the coldest time in the north. For the monks to labor so diligently, it is indeed a great virtue."

After discussing this matter, everyone listened to Master Hui’an’s sermon.

Once Master Hui’an left, Empress Xu looked at Xie Liangchen: "When will Chen Family Village’s pink wax paper be sold in the capital?"

"Soon," Xie Liangchen said, "the caravan will arrive in the capital in two or three days. Besides pink wax paper, there will also be flower paper, which will be presented in the palace for the Empress to review."

"Good," Empress Xu smiled, "I await your stationery."

Empress Xu returned to Zhengyang Palace with everyone and suddenly remembered something: "I heard you like medicine. I have some medical books in my collection. Let the palace attendants bring you to review them. Take whichever you like; it’s a reward from me."

Xie Liangchen thanked Empress Xu, and a palace attendant stepped forward to guide him.

Once Xie Liangchen left Zhengyang Palace, Mrs. Meng immediately looked at Empress Xu, who was sipping tea: "Empress, this Xie Liangchen..."

"Indeed," Empress Xu interrupted before Mrs. Meng could speak, "not ordinary."

Both the matters of Yang Wu and Jianguo Temple were handled excellently, not allowing even the slightest flaw to be found.

Empress Xu continued, "If you all were as capable as her, I wouldn’t have to worry about the Xu Family."

Miss Xu tightly pressed her lips together.

Empress Xu glanced at Miss Xu: "You and Princess Jia’an are of similar ages. You should frequently seek her advice in the future."

The hairs on Miss Xu’s neck stood up. The Empress hadn’t said it outright, but she must have realized Miss Xu wanted to use Jianguo Temple to suppress Xie Liangchen, yet ended up with the opposite result.

Miss Xu’s eyes reddened as she hurriedly stood to apologize: "Empress... this niece did not... this niece merely." Her heart was anxious, yet she did not know what to say.

Empress Xu didn’t pay attention to Miss Xu, instead turning to instruct Mrs. Meng: "Since Princess Jia’an has spoken, Yang Wu cannot be lightly forgiven. Yuan Yu committed a major mistake for Yang Wu, and it cannot end without consequence. You must consider that Yuan Yu will lose his position."

Mrs. Meng looked panicked: "Empress, Yuan Yu is so young, he cannot simply lose his future."

"What do you want from me?" Empress Xu said, "Do you want to pull me and the Xu Family into punishment together?"

Mrs. Meng shivered, kneeling before Empress Xu.

Empress Xu did not let Mrs. Meng and Miss Xu rise but slowly caressed the jade ornament in her hand, the image of Xie Liangchen’s slender neck and elegant face surfacing before her eyes.

If Yang Wu were here, he would certainly sense something too, that Xie Liangchen’s brows and eyes vaguely resembled someone, no, it should be said that person resembled Xie Liangchen.

That was Beauty Huang, whom Yang Wu helped her get rid of.

The Emperor had never seen Xie Liangchen, so would not naturally seek someone resembling Xie Liangchen in the palace. The Emperor had seen Princess Guangyang and Xie Liangchen’s birth mother.

Empress Xu thought that after today, she might be able to confirm one thing.

Whether Beauty Huang’s entry into the palace was a coincidence or the Emperor intentionally chose her.

...

Xie Liangchen was led into the courtyard containing Empress Xu’s book collection.

A palace attendant whispered, "The Commandery Princess may look first. If you need anything, this servant is here to serve."

Xie Liangchen nodded, walking toward the distant bookshelf.

Footsteps echoed in the book pavilion, and Princess Jia’an’s slender figure was reflected in someone’s eyes through the lattice window.