Empress Dowager Empress Dowager

Chapter 113 Going to the Black Market
On April [-]th, the black market opened up. Huo Mingzhu had mentioned this matter to Su Huan, but she was not as careful as she said.

Naturally, Huo Mingzhu couldn't forget what the owner of Suji Silk and Satin Shop said that the black market was located in Qingquan Temple on the outskirts of the city, and it opened on the [-]th of every Lunar New Year.

It is much harder for a lady in the boudoir to leave the mansion and go outside than a girl, especially in the general's mansion. Huo Mingzhu knows that Lin Ruyi must have sent someone to watch her. If she wants to go out, she has to think about it. Better excuse.

Huo Mingzhu did have a very good way of blinding her eyes.

In the early morning of the second day, when Huo Mingzhu had packed up everything and was about to go out, Yu Tong came to her and saw that she was dressed more solemnly than usual. She was a little surprised and asked, "This... Mingzhu, are you Do you want to go out? Today is the fifteenth day, don't you want to go to the temple to offer incense?"

Huo Mingzhu nodded: "Exactly."

Yu Tong smiled and said, "I also want to go to the temple to worship the Bodhisattva, why don't I go with you?"

Huo Mingzhu didn't show any displeasure, but just smiled and said, "Could it be that Cousin still has concerns about Mr. Xu in her heart and is undecided?"

"Mingzhu, you made fun of me again, why did you think so much?" Yu Tong raised her eyebrows and said angrily.

Before Huo Mingzhu could say anything more, Sulu had already opened the mouth for her, saying: "Miss Yu, in a few days it will be the anniversary of our young lady's mother's death, young lady wants to go to the temple to fast for three days, if Miss Yu wants to go with her... ..."

Su Ling stopped and didn't continue talking.

Yu Tong showed surprise on her face, and seeing Huo Mingzhu's face showing rare sadness, she hurriedly said: "Oh, that's it! I was the one who was too abrupt, Mingzhu, the eldest cousin sister-in-law has been gone for so many years, you have to take care of yourself Body, don't be too sad."

Huo Mingzhu forced a smile and nodded: "Thank you, cousin. I have already told my mother that I will not be in the house for these three days and I cannot be your companion. If you want to go to the temple to burn incense and worship Buddha, then go. There are family members around Go ahead, it's okay."

Yu Tong nodded: "Well, I know. You go now, don't miss the hour."

Huo Mingzhu still did not forget to tell her: "Cousin, if that Mr. Xu looks for you again, you have to seize the opportunity. Once someone breaks into your heart, you must close the door of your heart tightly, and don't let him get lost." Otherwise, it may be too late to regret in the future."

She is not here, but she still does not forget to continue to calculate in her heart, Su Hui's expression has also followed Huo Mingzhu's unusual calmness, and there is no abnormality at all.

"Miss, the carriage is ready." At this time, a servant came in from outside and reported from a distance.

"Well, Cousin, I really have to go. I'll only be away for three days. Don't worry about it." Huo Mingzhu smiled and shook Yu Tong's hand.

Yu Tong sent her out of the gate of the General's Mansion, until Huo Mingzhu got into the carriage, she was still standing in front of the steps, waiting for her carriage to leave.

In the swaying carriage, Huo Mingzhu was sitting upright, but Su Huan lifted the curtain of the window, seeing Yu Tong's figure getting farther and farther away, she couldn't bear to say to Huo Mingzhu: "Miss Yu and Ms. Very good, sometimes I feel very unbearable."

Huo Mingzhu didn't turn her head back, let alone whether Yu Tong was still standing there, she just smiled: "Why can't I bear it? Your lady didn't do anything to her, she just told her to be careful in everything, why did she become a woman?" My sin? She is good, where is not safer than the monastery we went to?"

When Su Yu heard this, she suddenly had a bitter face: "Miss, don't tell me, I'm afraid. Since we know that the monastery is dangerous, why do we still have to join in the fun? We even brought your dowry..."

Huo Mingzhu is indeed hard-hearted, but she is not so vicious that she drags any innocent people into the water. Yu Tong should have understood the moment she stayed in the general's mansion, if she didn't have other thoughts, how could anyone plot against her?
Lin Ruyi's calculations have ruined her life, and her Huo Mingzhu's calculations may have done her a big favor.

"If you're scared, go back now, you haven't gone far." Huo Mingzhu said so impersonally, so angry that she pouted her lips and snorted, and secretly made a face at Huo Mingzhu.

"Miss is always so secretive and doesn't tell me what to do next, I don't have a clue in my heart." Su Yu whispered to the side.

Huo Mingzhu smiled, turned to look at her helplessly, pointed to the outside, and said: "I'll tell you when I get there, are you going to make a noise so that everyone in the world knows?"

After driving for about an hour, the carriage arrived at the Qingquan Temple in the suburbs. This place is not as protected by the imperial court as the Huguo Temple, so the incense is so prosperous.Qingquan Temple had a very high status in the previous dynasty, and it was said that there was a national teacher, but when it came to the court of the Baili family, it didn't care much about Qingquan Temple, and it lost its original prosperity.

However, because it is an ancient temple, the incense has never been cut off, so there are many people coming and going on the [-]th today.

Legend has it that the black market opens in the middle of the night, and it is expected that no matter how daring they are, they dare not start buying and selling in broad daylight. They must wait until the night is quiet before they can start.

Huo Mingzhu got out of the carriage, and went to the temple with Sulu, just like two ordinary girls who came to burn incense and worship Buddha, and had already greeted the abbot of the temple before, and borrowed the west wing of the temple to rest for three days day.On the one hand, she was chanting scriptures and praying for her mother, and on the other hand, she was doing her own thing well.

The little novice led Huo Mingzhu, Sulu and several servants into the West Chamber. This place is located in the suburbs, not as prosperous as the city, but it is also very close.

After putting down their luggage, the two packed themselves and went to the Daxiong Hall to burn incense and worship Buddha.

Today, it seems that someone is doing something, and the sound of chanting sutras and knocking wooden fish in the temple is constant, as if they are saving the souls of the dead.Huo Mingzhu knelt in front of the Buddha, clasped her hands together and worshiped. At this moment, she was indeed very pious.After her mother died, she didn't know if she died in peace, but if her mother had a spirit in heaven, she must be unwilling to be treated like this, right?
The golden Buddha statue is merciful, with a kind and kind face, but no matter how you look at it, the color is a little peeled off. It seems that after hundreds of years, even the Buddha has heard enough prayers from people, and he is a little powerless.

Of course, for thousands of years, the Buddha's voice has been silent, but it is difficult to eliminate the demons in people's hearts.

After Huo Mingzhu finished worshiping the Tathagata Buddha statue, she also worshiped the many Bodhisattvas in the hall one by one.

At first, Su Hui could follow her devoutly, but then she couldn't help it anymore, and asked incessantly: "Miss, where do you think the entrance is? I looked around, and it doesn't look like there is a secret room. Could it be that place is on the roof?"

Su Ling's question happened to be Huo Mingzhu's question too. She looked around just now, and she was also looking for any strange places to enter in this huge Buddhist hall... Although Qingquan Temple occupies a large area, it is really impossible The entrance to the black market can be seen at the first glance. If you can't find the entrance to the black market, don't mention the future.

Huo Mingzhu instinctively glanced at the Tathagata Buddha. Under his seat, there was a monk who was chanting sutras. The older the monk, the better he could chant sutras.

For some reason, Huo Mingzhu felt that this monk should know something, didn't it mean that the black market was run by monks?
"Sulu, come with me..." Huo Mingzhu whispered to Sulu, and walked towards the old monk who was chanting sutras.

(End of this chapter)