Жениться на государственном служащем династии Северная Сун

Глава 47

Holy Palace.

In the candlelight, Chiba's face showed an unprecedented anxiety.

Although he was the head of foreign affairs, he usually focused on his cultivation. While his cultivation level was not as high as that of the first-rate elders of the Holy Palace, it was still quite good. He would not lose his composure no matter what happened. However, at this moment, he had completely lost his calm and composure and was almost like an ant on a hot pan.

A close monk who served "Bokdo" entered, his face still filled with alarm: "Bokdo" has not returned yet.

Chiba's expression changed: "Leave only one person to await news. The other close monks must immediately split up and search. Remember to act secretly and do not reveal a word."

Several personal attendants obeyed and left.

The chepa held a prayer wheel, but could not utter a single word.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a very tall believer dragged in an iron rod; it was Xia Ao.

Chiba immediately asked, "What's the situation?"

Xia Ao shook his head nervously: "Could it be that Bokdo has fallen into the hands of the Rahan Cult?"

Chiba was almost in despair: "Tomorrow is the Robe-Changing Festival. What should we do if 'Bokdo' doesn't show up again?"

The "Robe Exchange Festival" involves not only the entire Holy Palace and the three major monasteries, but also the resident ministers, with both sides exchanging etiquette. Bokto's unexplained absence from the "Robe Exchange Festival" is unprecedented in the Holy Palace's history, and it is likely to cause a huge uproar and terrifying speculation.

Chiba roared, "Summon my personal attendant immediately!"

The personal attendant who remained behind came out in a panic. He was one of the two attendants in charge of Bokdo's daily life and knew his whereabouts best.

"Has Bokdo's behavior been quite unusual lately?"

The personal attendant dared not refuse to answer, and could only say, "Bokdo's behavior had always been perfectly normal before, but since this year's Snow Festival, he has been frequently worried and often goes out..."

Where did you go?

"We don't know, and we dare not inquire about Bokdo's whereabouts. At first, we thought he was seeking a secret place for spiritual practice."

When did Bokdo leave this time?

"About eight days ago, we thought he would come back quickly as usual, but he still hasn't returned..."

"Alright, you may go now. Report back immediately if you receive any news about 'Bokdo'."

The personal attendant agreed and left.

Xia Ao asked, "Now, what should we do?"

Chiba thought for a moment and said, "If Bokdo does not appear by tomorrow morning, tell the guests that Bokdo is ill and has gone into seclusion early and is unable to attend the 'Robe Changing Festival'."

"Can we handle it?"

"I don't know, but there's no other way."

The residence of the resident minister.

Qin Xiaolou got up especially early today because he was going to attend Bokdo's robe-changing ceremony. His main responsibility as the resident minister was to coordinate relations with the Holy Palace and maintain stability in this vast land to prevent it from being taken advantage of by foreign forces.

Attending Bogd's "Robe-Changing Ceremony" was one of the most important events he had to attend throughout the year. Just as he had changed into his formal attire and was about to leave with several key officials, he was suddenly informed that the Chiba had urgent business to discuss.

Qin Xiaolou was quite surprised, but after hearing Chiba's explanation, he was not only surprised but also astonished: "What did you say? Bokdo is ill and has gone into seclusion early, so he won't be attending the 'Robe Changing Ceremony'?"

Chiba nodded: "I'm really sorry, but last night, 'Bokdo' went into seclusion."

Qin Xiaolou asked in surprise, "But, Bokdo has never gone into seclusion before the Robe-Changing Festival, has he?"

"Please forgive us, distinguished guests, for being unable to attend due to serious illness."

Last year, Qin Xiaolou and Chiba had been in close contact and had been working together to raise supplies for the Northwest Army. Although Qin Xiaolou was full of doubts, he did not want to keep making things difficult for Chiba, so he could only nod reluctantly: "Alright, I understand. I will explain to the others."

"Thank you, Lord Qin. Farewell!"

"Farewell!"

Although the news that "Bokdo" had gone into seclusion ahead of the robe-changing ceremony surprised the believers, these believers who were focused on their practice quickly calmed down and went about their own studies.

Night had fallen, and the main hall of the Holy Palace was now at rest.

Beneath the surface of calm lies immense anxiety.

Chiba tried to calm his mind by sitting in meditation, but he couldn't calm his mind at all.

Suddenly, a personal attendant entered and whispered, "Bokdo is back."

Chiba immediately got up and went to the residence of "Bokto".

Chiba saw that "Bokdo" was still dignified and solemn, and there was nothing unusual about him. He was overjoyed and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Bokdo."

Tuosang nodded: "You all go and rest. I need to go into seclusion immediately."

Chiba wanted to ask something more, but dared not speak, and could only say, "Bokdo, you haven't encountered any accidents, have you?"

"No surprises, I'm fine."

Chiba bowed respectfully and withdrew, finally feeling somewhat relieved.

Eight servants stood outside the door. Tuosang walked over and said, "Except for the two of you, everyone else, go out. During my seclusion, you can cultivate on your own."

The servants withdrew, and the two personal attendants also closed the door and went to their respective cultivation rooms.

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Chapter 129: On the Eve of the Great Calamity (2)

In the stillness of the night, with the candlelight flickering, Tuosang let out a long breath, stood up, and quickly entered the secret cultivation room next to the bedroom.

The massive stone slab had fallen, completely isolating this spacious, enclosed room from the outside world.

The secret room had two parts. Tuosang went into the inner room and lit a candle.

Under the candlelight, Junyu lay on the ground with his eyes still closed, but his breathing had become much more even.

Tuosang placed a lustrous bead in her mouth, helped her up, and placed his palms against her back to practice his internal energy.

Slowly, a flush appeared on Junyu's face, and a mouthful of blood welled up in her throat. Years of battle, several serious injuries, long periods of toil, and the sorrow of impending death had gradually withered her once resilient life, making it as faded as a frost-covered flower. Fortunately, she had reacted before Xiaoshuai stumbled in the avalanche, using her inner strength to stabilize her falling body. Although she wasn't seriously injured, she was suffocated for a while, but like the last feather, it finally brought down the camel.

After a while, Junyu vomited several mouthfuls of black, stagnant blood and fully regained consciousness.

The candle had burned out, but Tuosang didn't move. He gently hugged her and whispered in her ear, "Junyu, how are you feeling now?"

In the darkness, that gentle, soothing voice made it seem like a dream, while the icy, snowy landscape of the dream was long gone. Junyu held those warm, strong hands and chuckled softly, "Much better!"

The beads in front of him emitted a very pleasing, warm light. Junyu picked them up and looked at them: "Tuosang, what is this?"

"This is a Buddhist rosary. It can absorb the coldness and residual toxins from your body. You've suffered several serious injuries over the years and haven't had proper rest, so the residual toxins and coldness in your body are very heavy. If they aren't cleared away quickly, it will cause great damage to your health..."

She looked at the peculiar bead, lifted her head in that warm embrace, and asked in a slightly startled voice, "Buddhist prayer beads? Where am I?"

"This is my secret cultivation chamber. You need to rest and recuperate for a while."

Junyu thought of her mother, who died young, perhaps because the serious injuries she suffered in her early years never fully healed.

My heart sank slowly.

Only one woman was allowed to enter Bokdo's bedchamber: his mother. Even his mother was forbidden from entering Bokdo's secret meditation chamber. But Tosang's mother had already passed away!

"Junyu, what are you worried about?"

"If you get caught, you will..."

“This is my month-long seclusion, no one will find out…” Tuosang glanced at the drug-addicted prayer beads: “Junyu, this is the last thing I can do for you. I must see you fully recover, see you leave safely, otherwise, I will never be at peace for the rest of my life…”

He held the person in his arms tightly and sighed silently in his heart: From now on, what does it matter if we live out our lives in the deep palace or in a secluded room?

"Zhu Yu was by your side while you were unconscious. It seems he saved you."

Junyu suddenly remembered the heart-wrenching scream during the avalanche; it was Zhu Yu's voice. She immediately asked, "How is Zhu Yu? Is he injured?"

"He was suffocated by the snow for a while, and there was blood stasis in his chest, as well as some external injuries, but it's nothing serious. I've given him some healing pills and sent him to the residence of the resident minister. There will naturally be someone to take care of him, so don't worry."

Jun Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Recalling Zhu Yu's shout, he felt extremely distressed, yet also quite surprised. How could Zhu Yu be here? He held an important position in the court; how could he dare to travel to such a distant place on his own?

She felt increasingly uneasy, but still asked, "By the way, did you make it to the Robe-Changing Festival?"

Tuosang paused for a moment, then said, "No."

"Then, how will you explain this to them after you get out of here?"

"Let's talk about it after we get out of the pass. Junyu, don't worry about me, I'll have a way."

Junyu also fell silent. After a while, a wave of drowsiness washed over her, her eyelids drooped, and she fell asleep again.

The alternation of day and night was indistinguishable in the sealed room.

Junyu opened her eyes again, and apart from the faint light of the Buddhist beads, the secret room was still completely dark.

She sat on a thick sheepskin rug, with some water, dried fruit, and dry food beside her. It was unclear where Tuosang had found these things.

During her seclusion, "Bokdo" ate and drank very little; all of this was prepared for her.

Her eyes had long been accustomed to the darkness. She glanced at Tuosang beside her. Tuosang was sitting in a very strange posture, his eyes slightly closed, as if he had completely entered a state of oblivion.

She followed Tuosang's example, sat down to meditate, and soon her mind was completely calmed down.

Tuosang felt a fire burning inside him. He quietly opened his eyes and looked at Junyu in front of him. Unlike Junyu, he had grown up in such a dark room since childhood. Even in this dim light, he could clearly see the subtle expressions on Junyu's face.

At this moment, Junyu was sitting quietly cross-legged, his posture and expression completely like an old monk in meditation, with a faint holy expression on his face.

He recalled that when Junyu first attended the sutra-giving conference at Tiema Temple, she could perfectly perform the meditation posture like an old monk with just one glance, and could recite the entire scripture aloud with the believers after listening to it once. This was one of the reasons why Chiba and Xia'ao admired her so much. Xia'ao, in particular, firmly believed that her past life must have had a great connection with the Holy Palace. Otherwise, how could she memorize those complicated scriptures that would take countless years to memorize after just one glance?

He knew, of course, that Junyu didn't have any significant connection with Buddhism, but rather that there were truly people in the world who could remember everything they saw and apply what they learned to other situations. He was currently practicing one of the most complex mind-stabilizing techniques in Tantric Buddhism, with a very strange posture that would be difficult to achieve without years of training. Yet Junyu was doing it exactly the same as him, looking almost like a highly accomplished old monk.

What a clever person!

For the first time, a mischievous thought suddenly popped into his head. He stretched out his right hand and waved it gently in front of Junyu's eyes. Junyu's eyes were still closed, and his hand was almost touching her long eyelashes. She was still breathing evenly with her eyes closed.

Tuosang gazed at that serene and holy expression, smiled slightly, and the raging fire in his heart slowly subsided. —If, every time he opened his eyes, she were by his side like this, what more could he ask for in this life?

Where she is, there is heaven.

The residence of the resident minister.

Zhu Yu jumped out of bed and hissed, "Junyu, where is Junyu?"

The two servants attending to him were startled and immediately stepped forward to pull him back: "Lord Zhu, you're awake?"

Zhu Yu looked around the unfamiliar room. Two burly men stood before him, but there was no sign of Jun Yu. His fear intensified, but he also regained his senses. He stopped screaming and simply asked, "Where am I?"