Free Web NovelChapter 1116: Chapter 804: Excessive Buddhist Zeal Is Also a Heart Demon
Shang Ruyi immediately recalled that after the Buddhist assembly at Dayan Temple concluded, as they were leaving, Master Xinzeng indeed stopped Yu Wenqian at the mountain gate and gifted him a Buddhist chant. She recited softly, "Few become Buddhas, many recite their names; as years pass, one becomes a demon. You now wish to become a Buddha yourself, few are those without recitation."
Yu Wenye nodded his head.
But immediately, as if he snapped back to reality, he frowned slightly, glared at Shang Ruyi, and said coldly, "Your memory is really impressive."
Shang Ruyi also furrowed her brows slightly, not knowing why he was acting so strangely at this moment, but she still honestly said, "I’ve always remembered this chant, I found it strange at that time—not only is the chant strange, but Master Xinzeng is even stranger. A person like him can also compose chants."
Yu Wenye sneered, "Not strange."
"..."
"You find it strange because this monk is old and unattractive, being slick and skilled in adapting, lacks the purity that those in the Buddhist sect should have. So initially, you saw him as someone who pursued power and sucked up to authority."
"..."
"I don’t understand Buddhist doctrines, but I know the principle of blending with the dust of the world. If he really were a sycophant, he couldn’t have maintained his position as Dayan Temple’s abbot, a leader in Buddhism, for decades."
"..."
"So, perhaps you should imagine him as an extremely handsome, young, elegant monk dressed in white."
Shang Ruyi’s face blushed again, this time she fiercely glared at him, yet Yu Wenye curved his lips slightly, "Then, regarding the chant he mentioned, would you find it worthy of consideration, worth pondering?"
"..."
Despite having been annoyed with him, Shang Ruyi still contemplated seriously.
Just upon thinking, her ears became somewhat red.
Indeed, that’s the case...
Seeing her appearing somewhat embarrassed, Yu Wenye glared at her again, then slowly recited, "Few become Buddhas, many recite their names; as years pass, one becomes a demon... Despite the old monk being slick, he has a keen eye for people. Just from a single assembly, he could see through a person and understand many things."
"..."
"Yet, he wasn’t thorough enough."
Shang Ruyi raised her head to look at him, Yu Wenye’s words clearly implied that compared to a clever and perceptive outsider, he was the one who truly saw things more profoundly. So she gently asked, "And you?"
"..."
"If you were to compose this chant, how would you write it?"
"Me?"
Yu Wenye paused for a moment, "I would write—Few become Buddhas, many recite their names; Heart Demon reciting brings no result."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi furrowed her brows.
Heart Demon?
At this moment, she suddenly remembered that when Master Xinzeng finished reciting the chant, at the mountain gate, the half-monk Jiang Yu who was about to leave also heard it. Besides laughing, he muttered something. He spoke so lightly that Shang Ruyi didn’t hear it, but fortunately Nie Chong, the "Sharp-Hearing Ear," did.
Jiang Yu said—The excessive heart of Buddha, is also a Heart Demon!
It matched perfectly with Yu Wenye’s words at this moment!
Shang Ruyi felt her heartbeat growing heavier, even causing her breath to become rather heavy and hurried. She looked gravely at Yu Wenye, "Are you suggesting—"
Just then, Chang Wan hurried inside from outside, greeted them, and said, "Prince Qin, Princess, the carriage is ready. Moreover, Lord Pei and Mr. Shen are waiting outside the palace gate, seemingly ready to join His Highness to offer condolences at the Duke Mansion."
Both immediately exchanged looks, their expressions becoming serious and solemn.
The death of Duke Shenwu not only shook the court but might also provoke a strong reaction from the Crown Prince’s side, hence not only were they troubled by this matter, but Shen Wuzheng and Pei Xingyuan were surely agitated as well, thus finding them now was to discuss countermeasures.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi stopped worrying about Heart Demon or not, and immediately said, "Let us quickly be off, it’s already late. But you haven’t had dinner yet."
Yu Wenye already stood up, waving his hand, "We’ll eat when we get back, I’m not hungry."
"..."
"I’ve been discussing for so long just waiting for them, we’d better clarify some things before arriving at the Duke Mansion to avoid mishandling."
Shang Ruyi nodded, supported the edge of the table to stand up. Though only these few days had passed, her body weighed heavier, her belly seemed ready to fall from her any moment. Yu Wenye watched her, finding her walking more difficult than before, and said softly, "After this storm passes, it will be better."
Shang Ruyi looked at him helplessly, "Where there are people gathered like the sea, how can there be no waves?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye hesitated slightly. After pondering it carefully, he revealed a bit of a bitter smile.
When did he not know that in life, there cannot be a day without tumult, what’s more, as someone deeply embedded in the power center, he had prepared to face all storms from a young age.
However, even clear-headed and calm as he was, there would be moments of weakness, hoping for a brief cessation of the storms in his life, allowing Shang Ruyi some peace. Yet he didn’t find his weakness unwarranted, or rather, every man hopes for such a softness to allow himself vulnerability—a wife he loves who loves him in return, and a child they eagerly await to be born. Who wouldn’t want such a tender spot?
He sighed inwardly, "Alright, let’s go."
Shang Ruyi nodded, and the two again tidied their attire before heading out together.
Right as they reached the door of Qianqiu Palace, a cool night breeze blew in, relieving Shang Ruyi’s chest, heavy from the recent intense emotions. She then suddenly turned to Yu Wenye, "Actually, men are the same."
"Hmm?"
Yu Wenye was baffled, not understanding why she suddenly said this, while Shang Ruyi earnestly told him, "Not only do women attribute imaginary benefits to handsome men, but don’t men do the same?"
"..."
"I’ve heard from childhood those legends, many men encountering fox demon changed women who add charm to their lives, isn’t this also a figment of men’s fantasies?"
"..."
Yu Wenye looked at her, momentarily speechless, then after a silence, chuckled lightly, "You really won’t take it lying down."
