The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Testifying for the Prince of Lanling

Tiantai Temple was not far from Qiyun Peak, but the road was rugged and overgrown with weeds, so it was not easy to walk all the way there.

After about a stick of incense, everyone arrived at Tiantai Temple one after another. The temple, though not yet fully completed, already appeared solemn and dignified.

The temple was not too large, but banana trees were planted all around. Sunlight fell in golden specks, making the temple appear even more serene and peaceful amidst its solemnity, like a hidden paradise.

But amidst this serenity and peace, Hui Wei’s body lay on the ground in an extremely strange posture, an arrow piercing his chest, one hand loosely clenched, and the other holding a golden staff.

The venomous snake that had attacked Gao Changgong had sprung from this golden staff.

A guard of the imperial guards by Chen Xu’s side curiously wanted to pick up the golden staff, but Xiao Jinyu suddenly shouted,

“Don’t touch it!”

At the same time, another silver snake shot out from the golden staff like an arrow. The guard was stunned with fear. Fortunately, another arrow flew in, hitting the silver snake’s vital point, allowing him to escape the danger.

Everyone who saw this scene was horrified.

“What’s going on? How could there be venomous snakes hidden in this staff?”

Xiao Jinyu said, “Everyone has seen that there are venomous snakes hidden in Hui Wei’s staff. Just an hour ago, when the Prince and I came here, Hui Wei tried to poison the Prince with this venomous snake. Not only that, there are ambushes all around this temple. If you don’t believe me, you can go and have a look!”

As soon as they heard about the ambush, many scholars became afraid. Chen Xu quickly beckoned a few guards to investigate.

“Master Hui Wei is highly respected and a virtuous monk of our Southern Dynasty. Why would he want to kill the Prince of Lanling?” a scholar asked in confusion.

Xiao Jinyu smiled mockingly.

“That’s a good question. Why would Hui Wei want to kill the Prince of Lanling? He is a virtuous monk, highly regarded by His Majesty of our Southern Dynasty!”

“He is a Buddhist disciple, yet he is willing to risk his life to carry out this assassination!”

“He would rather die than have someone else come forward and testify that it was the Prince of Lanling and I who killed him!”

“What is his purpose in doing this? Can’t you figure it out?”

These questions, each louder than the last, were like thunder, deafening and shocking.

Many people were already horrified!

If the Northern Qi envoy died in the Chen Dynasty, it would be no small matter!

This was someone deliberately trying to provoke a war between the two countries!

“Furthermore, Hui Wei, as an assassin, infiltrated the Buddhist community of our Southern Dynasty. Not only did he not receive the karmic retribution that Buddhism speaks of, but he also enjoyed prosperity and became a respected monk. He took the emperor’s salary but acted to harm the emperor. How can such a person be considered compassionate in the Buddhist faith?”

This question, though addressed to everyone, was clearly directed at Chen Xu, the emperor of the nation.

“Prince of Lanling, is what he said true?”

Chen Xu turned his gaze to Gao Changgong.

Gao Changgong nodded and, under everyone’s gaze, extended a hand.

In the sunlight, his hand appeared as smooth and slender as white jade, but near his little finger, there were two clear bite marks, obviously from a venomous snake.

“If it weren’t for Young Master Xie’s rescue, I would have already died here!”

He looked at Chen Xu and replied.

Everyone’s expressions changed again.

Chen Xu was also greatly shocked and his face changed. He looked at the Prince of Lanling and said, “I apologize. I was unaware of this matter. I have caused you great alarm, Prince of Lanling!”

The Prince of Lanling smiled faintly.

“I also know that this matter has nothing to do with Your Majesty. This was originally a personal grudge of mine!”

As Chen Xu and everyone else looked on in confusion, he slowly explained,

“Hui Wei was an assassin from our Northern Qi, originally named Jing Wei. Ten years ago, he participated in the assassination of my father. At that time, dozens of assassins were executed on the spot, but he alone escaped and hid in a Buddhist temple in the Southern regions.

I only learned of this matter a few days ago, and it is very likely that Hui Wei also realized that I was investigating him. Therefore, he set up this trap today, luring me here, intending to strike first and kill me.

Therefore, today’s incident was indeed an assassination attempt motivated by personal grudges and has nothing to do with the Southern court!”

This last sentence was a promise to the emperor of the Southern Dynasty that he would not escalate this matter to a national issue!

The scholars couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief!

But at this moment, Gao Changgong added,

“However, whether someone wants to provoke a war between the two countries, I cannot say for sure. Because, besides Hui Wei, there were others who set up an ambush here!”

Others! There were other assassins?

At this time, the guards sent by Chen Xu returned and reported,

“Your Majesty, there were indeed ambushes set up in the backyard of the temple, on the left and right sides. There are signs of fighting, and four assassins are dead!”

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“Those four assassins were killed by my guards!” Gao Changgong added.

Chen Xu’s expression changed for a moment, and he asked, “Were any captured alive?”

At this time, Fenghuang brought forward the assassin dressed as a scholar and threw him in front of Chen Xu.

“It’s him! The assassin who escaped, he still wants to bite back!”

The assassin’s face instantly turned livid, his eyes darting around, not knowing where to look. He suddenly glanced at Chen Xu and, unexpectedly, lunged at him ferociously. However, before he could get close, a long spear pierced through his chest!

“How dare you attempt to assassinate His Majesty!”

The Imperial Guards beside Chen Xu shouted angrily, and with a swift movement, the spear was pulled out of the assassin’s chest.

The assassin spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground, dead!

Chen Xu’s expression remained calm, but anger flickered in his eyes.

“Your Majesty, there’s one more thing!”

At this time, another Imperial Guard ran out from the temple, abruptly knelt before Chen Xu, presented a silk scroll, and said, “This was found inside the temple. In addition, there were also some women’s clothing…”

As he spoke, the young Imperial Guard blushed, seemingly embarrassed to continue!

The Palace Attendant took the silk scroll and handed it to Chen Xu.

Chen Xu opened it and saw that it was actually an annotation of 《Laozi Xiang Er Zhu》, specifically about the dual cultivation of men and women, accompanied by some indecent illustrations.

Even with his excellent self-control and ability to conceal his emotions, he couldn’t help but fly into a rage, tearing the 《Laozi Xiang Er Zhu》 into pieces!

“Issue my decree to Yu Kun, the Minister of Justice, to thoroughly investigate today’s events!”

He abruptly commanded.

“Yes!” A Palace Attendant acknowledged the order and left!

Chen Xu looked at Gao Changgong again.

“Regarding today’s matter, I will certainly give Prince of Lanling an explanation!” he said.

With the monarch displaying such sincere humility, Gao Changgong naturally wouldn’t be impolite and returned the courtesy, saying:

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Chen Xu then looked at everyone else.

“Today’s Pure Conversation Gathering ends here. You may all disperse!”

After speaking, he glanced at Xiao Jinyu, seemingly making a firm decision, and said resolutely, “As the Son of Heaven, my word is my bond. What I said today, I will definitely fulfill!”

These words echoed through the mountains like an oath. Someone couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “What does Your Majesty mean by that?”

“What else could it mean? The elimination of Buddhism, of course!”

Li Mi chuckled and curiously picked up the pieces of the silk scroll that Chen Xu had torn apart, piecing them together. After seeing the content clearly, he also sighed:

“My goodness! This Hui Wei is not only a murderous evil monk, but also a lecherous one!”

His words immediately caught the attention of the other scholars, and they all curiously gathered around to look. In an instant, the entire temple buzzed with noise as they discussed the matter animatedly once again.

Amidst this cacophony, Xiao Jinyu was thinking about leaving quickly when she heard Prince of Lanling call out:

“Young Master Xie Zhen!”

She looked up at him in astonishment.

“Come back to the embassy with me!”

Prince of Lanling said with a smile, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

Hearing this, Xiao Xian turned his gaze towards them.

Chen Shuling’s suspicions grew, and he looked at Gao Changgong and the male-dressed “Xie Zhen” with a deep gaze.

Xie Zhen, however, remained calm and composed, replying:

“Yes! Alright!”

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