Long live Emperor Wu!

It was very cold in December. After offering incense, everyone went into the wing at the back of the temple to rest.

The emperor specially ordered people to tell the concubines in the harem that this was a rare opportunity. If anyone had any doubts and wanted to ask Master Xuanzang for interpretation, he could go to the main hall in person to find Master Xuanzang and get an answer.

It is estimated that no one wants to get ahead in the Buddhist cause like Wu Rou, so no one is as active as her.

As soon as she was notified, she went immediately.

When she stepped through the door of the main hall and walked to the compartment, she met the emperor.

At that time, the emperor was supported by the chamberlain, with his back bent, hiding outside the wall of the side hall, listening in the corner.

Seeing this scene, Wu Rou was startled, and for a moment she took a step forward, not knowing whether to advance or retreat.

The side hall is for the master to sit and answer questions. It has no door and only half a wall. There is a screen separating the entrance and exit. The figures of pilgrims are exposed inside the screen, so that people outside can queue up and wait, and at the same time they can see whether there is anyone inside.

Looking from Wu Rou, she could just see the figure sitting on the futon inside. Even if it was just a blurry shadow, Wu Rou could tell that it was Prince Li Shan.

When he sits, he is always relaxed and dignified, a little bit good-natured, as peaceful and distant as the person he is, without any sense of danger or oppression.

From the corner of his eye, the emperor saw Wu Rou. He waved her hand to let her out quickly, but for some reason, his anxious eyes turned and he stopped the driving gesture and changed it to letting her pass.

Seeing that Wu Rou was stunned and motionless, he became even more anxious and mouthed a silent command: "Come here quickly! Don't make any sound."

Wu Rou understood, quickly walked over with her head lowered, and stood in front of the emperor.

Being so close, the screens and figures at the entrance and exit were invisible, and only the soft voice of Prince Li Shan could be heard.

Wu Rou heard him sigh deeply and say:

"Ah... I am definitely willing to give up. No matter how reluctant I am, there is nothing I can do about it. The emperor's family is not a god, and there are things that cannot be given away. It's just..."

He paused, then said in a gentle and melancholy tone with a hint of bitterness and choking;

"Don't you think life is boring? Master, how can you give up what you want and still gain inner peace? I don't ask for happiness, as long as I can have inner peace."

Master Xuanzang also seemed to become heavier. He was silent for a while, and then asked in a rich and gentle voice:
"I've let it go, but I can't let it go. When you really let it go, you will naturally become calmer... What is it that your Highness is worried about and can't let go of? Can you tell me something conveniently?"

The prince sighed sadly again and said:

"I can't bear their death. My mother, sister, and eldest brother all left me when I needed them most, in a...an unacceptable way. Sometimes I wonder why they died. It’s not me?”

His tone was so sad that the eyes of those listening outside the wall instantly turned red.

Master Xuanzang advised him, saying:

"Human life is a practice, and life is full of hardships. For you, the death of your relatives is a loss that is difficult to let go. But for them, it is an escape from the hardships of the world and a journey to bliss.

They are not suffering, it is His Highness who is suffering.If His Highness had gone first, wouldn't he have pushed the pain onto them?

Does Your Highness hope that they will endure such suffering on your behalf? "

The prince was obviously stunned. After a while, he suddenly chuckled and said warmly:
"The Master's words... although they sound like sophistry, I don't know why, but I do feel better."

Master Xuanzang said no more.

Wu Rou could imagine the shriveled and dark old man showing a slightly gratified and loving smile.

Prince Li Shan said again:

"But I don't want to be the emperor, huh... This always sounds hypocritical, but for me, the position of prince is not like a reward, but more like a punishment.

It is not easy to be the crown prince of a country, especially the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, the son of a wise Holy Lord.The weight of the burden on my heart is indescribable.I don’t want to do it every day, but I’m afraid of making mistakes, so I have to spend more time doing things I don’t want to do.When you open your eyes, you can see endless memorials; when you close your eyes, you can think of endless decisions.

In order to be a qualified heir, I don’t dare to raise a cat, I don’t dare to eat more of the things I like, I can’t be lazy, I can’t say the wrong thing, I can’t be shameless in front of others, I can’t..."

He paused, as if it was inconvenient to say what he was about to say.

Master Xuanzang did not rush him, but listened patiently and waited patiently.

After a while, Prince Li Shan continued to say:

"In short... in order to be a qualified prince, I have to give up enough. When I think about spending my whole life like this, I can't help but feel depressed and feel that life is no fun."

After hearing this, Master Xuanzang looked obviously surprised and asked:
"Your Highness has a good reputation. I heard that you have been dignified and quiet since you were a child, and never break the rules. Isn't that your nature?"

"Huh... I don't know. I've been like this since I was a child. If it's my nature, that's probably true. But just because I've been like this since I was a child, it doesn't mean that I'm willing to be like this.

In the past, my greatest wish was to be an idle prince.

I have never told my father, nor have I told anyone. In fact, I would rather be transferred out of the vassal, have my own separate mansion, have a few servants, and go shopping and drink tea when I have nothing to do. No matter whether I am sitting or not, or whether I am standing or not, no one thinks there is anything wrong with me. "

Hearing this, the emperor's expression was obviously wrong.

He cocked his neck and stared, obviously in disbelief, and looked at Wu Rou for confirmation.

Wu Rou gave him an equally surprised expression.

Then the two men listened more carefully.

Master Xuanzang inside also laughed after hearing this, and said lovingly in a sincere voice:
"Your Highness has tightened himself too tightly. His Highness has a noble character and has always had very high demands on himself. It is normal for him to feel a little tired after a long time.

The Buddha said, don't be attached to appearances, don't be trapped by external appearances.As long as your Highness is devoted to good deeds, has great righteousness in his heart, and has great ambitions, he will be the welfare of all people. Even if he relaxes, nothing will be changed.

If you just go shopping, drink tea, or sit around, these are all achievable, so what's the point of worrying about it? "

The prince was silent for a while and said sincerely:

"After talking to the master, everything seems to be easier, and I feel a lot more relaxed. Thank you for the guidance, master."

"Amitabha."

The two people stood up and saluted, seeing that the prince was about to come out.

The emperor quickly waved to Wu Rou, and together with the chamberlain who was supporting him, the three of them quickly ran back a few steps and stood a little further away from the wall.

As soon as the prince walked around the screen and came out, he saw them standing together and looking at him, and he was stunned.

The emperor touched his beard as if to cover up, and said with a smile:

"Have you finished chatting with Xiaojiu? But let us wait... Wu Cairen, let's go."

Wu Rou felt guilty and didn't even raise her head. She kept her hands in front of her body and walked past the prince and entered.

The prince glanced at Wu Rou and seemed to notice something. His ears turned red and he asked:

"Why is the father here?"

"Ah... I also have something to ask... I won't ask you today, and we'll talk about it another day. Xiaojiu... I see that you are unhappy recently, and I am very worried. Do you want to play a game of polo?"

Wu Rou stood in front of the screen. When she turned her head to look, she saw that the prince wanted to hold the emperor's arm, but the emperor directly put his arm on his shoulder. The father and son walked out of the hall while talking... (End of chapter)