History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 69 Going to the Imperial Uncle's Temple
There is no doubt that the person who commissioned the pearl necklace for Du Tong was the one plotting against Master Duan!

The scheming mastermind first personally presented Du Tongding with a string of pearls outside the state academy in the north of the city. Then, he instructed his accomplices to come to Hexi Lane in the east of the city and, while Duan Dalang was buying fodder for his cattle, sell him spoiled fodder or, when Duan Dalang was off guard, secretly put spoiled fodder into his basket.

At this time, Hu Niu Ba, a dancer in the Changyi Pavilion, had already obtained the pearl necklace. This dancer had been waiting anxiously at the end of February and indeed saw the Duan father and son walking on the street. So, as Du Tongding had told her, she hurriedly left the Changyi Pavilion, half-unbuttoned her clothes, and showed the pearl necklace to Duan Dalangjun.

From then on, the string of pearls belonged to her.

Duan Dalangjun was drawn to Hu Niuba's sudden appearance and focused his attention on him.

The man who had been following the father and son took this opportunity to trip Master Duan.

This scene was witnessed by Pan Xiaolang, who was standing on the riverbank.

The person who tripped up Master Duan was likely the one who tampered with the fodder. Because the more people involved in a scheme, the easier it is for it to be leaked.

How could an elderly person who was already frail and sickly withstand such a violent fall? Even if he hadn't hit his head, he probably wouldn't be able to teach at the military academy for a long time.

Hu Niuba wasn't stupid. Seeing that Master Duan had suddenly fallen, fearing someone might die, she hurriedly ran back to the pavilion. This is the end of Du Tongding's account of what happened.

After finishing his father's funeral, Duan Dalangjun must have felt increasingly uneasy. Lacking evidence, he stood anxiously outside the open-fronted pavilion, waiting for Hu Niuba to come out, but he didn't know how to ask him. This was the scene that Wei Yao witnessed.

After Wei Yao summarized the whole story she had orchestrated, Wei Zhen became worried again: "We still don't have any evidence to prove that Du Ling did it."

Wei Jing: "Can we report this to the authorities? Tell them everything we know. If we can't interrogate others, can't we at least interrogate Hu Niu Ba?"

Wei Mao: "Interrogating her is useless. Even if she dies, along with Du Tongding's dog life, it won't count as avenging Master."

“The key to the whole scheme lies in the fact that the planners were well aware of Du Tongding’s bad habits,” Wei Yao said thoughtfully. “As for the situation of Master Duan’s family, it’s not difficult to find out if one is willing to do so.”

Wei Yao immediately shook her head: "This is another clever aspect of the schemer's strategy: choosing Du Tongding! People like Du Tongding probably know where he frequents and which musicians and dancers he's close to. There's no need to bother investigating; there's no trace to follow up afterward."

Wei Jing was furious: "Otherwise, Du Ling would be the master, and we would be his disciples. He's calculated everything!"

Yes, when Wei Yao left Pingcheng in her previous life, Du Ling was still teaching at the Wei Academy. Everyone praised him for his extensive knowledge and diligence.

The words are divided into two parts.

Du Ling didn't go home last night. He finally finished reading all of Master Duan's notes. After a quick wash, he went to the school early.

He almost tripped over as he stepped out the door. Du Ling looked down at his feet and saw no bumps or potholes. He laughed and muttered to himself, "I really didn't intend to kill you. It wasn't worth it. You just couldn't handle the fall. Sigh, I tripped over it once, so we're even now."

At the gate of the Yishe Temple in the Book of Songs, Du Ling saw his disciple Wei Puti and asked gently, "Did you do the homework I assigned you yesterday?"

"I've finished and was just about to hand it in to the teacher." Wei Puti took out the answer sheet and handed it over with both hands. His grades were consistently among the top three in the dormitory, but it was no use; no matter how hard he studied, he couldn't get into the top three in the monthly joint exam. After doing the questions that the teacher had specially prepared for him, he realized that there were many areas where his knowledge was lacking.

Now, besides appreciating Master Du's scholarship, Wei Puti also feels ashamed for having previously criticized Master Du.

All fifteen students had arrived, so Du Ling didn't wait until half past dawn. He tapped the ruler lightly, his gaze finally landing on Wei Yao.

"Before we talk about poetry today, let's talk about discipline. Wei Yao, from now on, you must inform me before you go to Cui Academy, including the date you will return."

"I know that Master Kong Ru has accepted you as a disciple, and the academy has also made promises to you, but don't forget that you are still a student of the Wei clan! Especially after achieving first place in the quarterly exam, more fellow students will follow your example in the future. I hope you will set an example for your fellow students."

When Du Ling called her name, Wei Yao stood up. After he finished speaking, she bowed and replied, "This disciple will remember." "Sit down. Now we will talk about poetry. Today's new poem is called 'Abundance.' Since Wei Yao is back, you will compose the poem."

"Yes. 'Feng' is a poem that satirizes chaos..."

Wei Mao, Wei Zhen, Wei Puti, and Qu Rong all chimed in: "The way of marriage is flawed; the yang (male) initiates, but the yin (female) is not in harmony..."

After reciting it once, Qu Rong was momentarily lost in thought. It would be a lie to say that he wasn't envious and jealous of Wei Yao's studies at Cui Academy, but now that she had returned, he hoped she would come back later, because when Wei Yao wasn't in the dormitory, besides his fellow students Zhen and Bodhi, he also had the opportunity to compose poetry.

April is summer.

The primary schools in Heijo adjusted their first day off in April, giving students a day off on the day of the Xingxiang Festival and the following day. Students who participated in poetry and military dance activities were given an extra day off in advance to conduct final practice.

Wei Yao, Wei Mao, and Wei Jing all had to ask for leave in advance, so the heavy responsibility of taking notes fell on Wei Zhen's shoulders alone.

So, as soon as get out of class ended on Saturdays and Sundays, Wei Zhen smiled and watched her friends leave first, then pouted. As she dawdled out of the school, she was surprised to see Bu Yanzhen standing at the gate of the courtyard.

"Bu Yanzhen, what brings you here?" she greeted cheerfully as she went over.

"The academy sent us here to watch our senior brothers perform the 'Five Weapons' dance and broaden our horizons. You... just got home."

Wei Zhen teased him, "If you can't lie, then don't. Bu Yanzhen, were you waiting for me here on purpose?"

"Hoo..." The boy took a deep breath, his cheeks and ears still burning with embarrassment. "Yes, my fellow disciples have already gone to your academy's archery range."

“Come on, you can’t fall behind, I’ll go with you.”

"Okay. Wei, Wei Zhen, your book box is heavy, I'll help you carry it."

As for Wei Yao, she still didn't walk along Zhuji Street today, but instead wandered through the narrow streets. The day after tomorrow is the procession festival, and the market is already teeming with people, with carriages and canopies fluttering in the wind.

Cui Xueguan informed her that the location for singing hymns on the eighth day of the month would be at the intersection of Sangqu Street and Lixue Street outside Huangjiu Temple. Tomorrow morning, all the hymn-singing students would go to a side courtyard of Huangjiu Temple for their final practice.

The Imperial Uncle Temple is not far from Chiyang Lane. Wei Yao will rest early tonight, then get up early and walk briskly to the meeting point.

The Great Wei Dynasty revered Buddhism and Taoism from top to bottom, but Wei Yao never heard her parents recite scriptures at home. This resulted in her not believing in the theory of "immortality of the gods" even after her rebirth.

Following Cui Xueguan's instructions, she arrived at the small gate in the south wall of the Imperial Uncle Temple. The first courtyard to the right after entering was the entrance. Two small monks were checking identities at the gate. Wei Yao first showed her travel permit, then Cui Xueguan's letter, and then heard Xi Jiao talking to someone else behind her.

What's going on? Are the imperial princes practicing the "Five Weapons" dance at the Imperial Uncle Temple?
Fortunately, the young monk had already completed the examination. Wei Yao, clutching the letter, stepped across the threshold, but then heard three words from Xi Jiao behind her: "Du Tongding..."

Wei Yao twisted herself in place and stepped out of the courtyard gate.

Zhou Tai was traveling with Xi Jiao.

She bowed to the two men and said, "Master Xi, Young Master Zhou, you two gentlemen have also arrived."

Xi Jiao snorted: "Let's go? Why aren't you in a hurry to leave?!"

He knew that people with many tricks up their sleeves also have many ears!
(End of this chapter)