The Red Mansion

Chapter 217 When falsehood is taken for truth, truth itself becomes falsehood.

After a brief rest at the West Garden Palace of Tianning Temple, the retired Emperor Jingning moved to the palace and then summoned Jiang Nian and Lin Ruhai. The reason for summoning them first was that one was his favored grandson from the common people who was in charge of the reception of the emperor in Yangzhou, and the other was his trusted minister.

The eunuch led Jiang Nian and Lin Ruhai to the inner palace, where they saw ancient cypress trees standing tall and copper bells on the eaves tinkling in the wind.

Upon entering the inner palace, they saw Emperor Jingning sitting upright on a sandalwood couch, having changed into a dark blue casual robe.

Jiang Nian and Lin Ruhai hurriedly performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony, saying, "We respectfully wish the Emperor Emeritus good health."

Emperor Jingning raised his hand to dismiss him, but instead of asking about Jiang Nian's recent efforts to reorganize the salt administration in Lianghuai, he first asked Lin Ruhai, "I have carefully read your previous memorial, in which you said that you were seriously ill and your vitality was greatly damaged, and you earnestly requested to be relieved of your post. How come you are now so well?"

Lin Ruhai glanced at Jiang Nian, bowed, and replied, "Your Majesty, this matter is largely thanks to Lord Jiang. If it weren't for Lord Jiang's timely invitation of the renowned physician Su Tianshi from Suzhou, who meticulously treated me, I fear I would have already... passed away." His voice trembled slightly as he recalled the perilous situation he had faced when he was seriously ill.

Emperor Jingning raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Suzhou actually has such a miraculous doctor?"

Lin Ruhai then introduced Su Tianshi, and Emperor Jingning became more and more curious as he listened, even asking in detail how Su Tianshi diagnosed pulses and prescribed medicine, and how he miraculously brought the dead back to life.

Jiang Nian, observing the situation, replied, "I originally intended to recommend Su Tianshi to the Imperial Medical Academy so that he could help the Emperor Emeritus recuperate. However, he claims to be a country doctor and is not capable of great things. He prefers to practice medicine in Suzhou. Furthermore, I think that the Emperor Emeritus is surrounded by numerous imperial physicians, and it would be inappropriate to invite a folk doctor to recuperate for the Emperor Emeritus. Therefore, I did not dare to insist on keeping him."

Emperor Jingning pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, send a fast horse to Suzhou and invite this person to treat me."

Jiang Nian knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance. I fear that if Su Tianshi's treatment is ineffective or even harmful to Your Majesty's health, I will be guilty even if I die ten thousand times."

"It's alright," Emperor Jingning waved his hand and said, "I won't blame you for this."

Then Emperor Jingning inquired about Jiang Nian's recent efforts to reorganize the salt administration in Lianghuai...

……

……

Emperor Jingning arrived at the Tianning Temple pier at 1:45 PM. An hour later, at 1:45 PM, although the rain had not cleared, the misty rain had stopped. Sunlight shone through the clouds, making the stone path inside the palace glow with a bluish light.

Emperor Jingning was in high spirits and, despite the fatigue of his journey, decided to visit the ancient Tianning Temple immediately.

Dai Quan hurriedly ordered his men to prepare the imperial carriage, but Emperor Jingning waved his hand to stop him: "I want to walk."

Prince Zhongshun, Yuan Xi, Yuan Li and other imperial relatives, Jiang Nian, Lin Ruhai and other officials, as well as Jicheng, the abbot of Tianning Temple, all followed closely behind.

As the group passed through the mountain gate, a group of monks stood on both sides, holding incense, flowers, and ritual implements, chanting "Namo Amitabha Buddha." The chanting blended with the rising smoke from the incense burners, creating a scene reminiscent of a fairyland.

Upon arriving at the Mahavira Hall, one sees the magnificent hall with the four golden characters "Mahavira Hall" on the plaque. The couplet on both sides of the hall's entrance reads: "All dharmas are empty, revealing the Buddha-nature; a spotless mind proves the Zen mind."

Emperor Jingning paused to examine it closely and nodded slightly.

Abbot Jicheng bowed and said, "Please invite the Emperor Emeritus to come inside and pay homage to the Buddha."

Upon entering the hall, one is greeted by the solemn golden statues of the Three Buddhas. In the center, Shakyamuni Buddha stands with lowered brows and downcast eyes, flanked by Bhaisajyaguru Buddha and Amitabha Buddha, each possessing a wondrous countenance. The Eighteen Arhats stand to the left and right, some with glaring eyes, others with benevolent expressions, all lifelike. On the altar are offered fresh seasonal flowers and fruits, and the flickering red shadows of the ever-burning lamps cast a warm glow.

The young novice monk offered three sticks of ambergris incense, which Emperor Jingning accepted and lit under the ever-burning lamp. A tiny red dot appeared at the tip of the incense, and wisps of smoke gradually rose and swirled upwards within the hall.

Emperor Jingning held the incense sticks aloft with both hands, stood solemnly before the Buddha, but did not kneel; instead, he clasped his hands in silent prayer. The hall was quiet, with only the soft crackling of the incense sticks audible.

"May my great nation be prosperous and its people at peace; may my holy body in Jingning be healthy and safe..."

The prayer was spoken softly, and Jiang Nian, standing in the crowd, could not hear it clearly. She could only see Emperor Jingning's white hair appearing and disappearing in the incense smoke before the Buddha, and his face and figure showing signs of aging.

After the prayer, Emperor Jingning placed incense in the censer, and three wisps of smoke intertwined and rose towards the top of the palace.

Emperor Jingning turned to Abbot Jicheng and asked, "Was this golden Buddha statue newly sculpted when I came here eighteen years ago?"

Ji Cheng clasped his hands together and replied, "Your Majesty, it was commissioned eighteen years ago during Your Majesty's southern tour. Recently, Imperial Envoy Jiang ordered people to re-gild it, and now it shines even brighter than before."

Emperor Jingning glanced at Jiang Nian, nodded slightly, and then said to Jicheng, "I know that the divination sticks at Tianning Temple are the most accurate. I drew a stick here eighteen years ago during my southern tour, and it came true. Now that we are here, we must draw another one."

Ji Cheng still clasped his hands together: "Amitabha, the Emperor Emeritus is wise. The divination slips from our temple's Guanyin Pavilion have always been highly regarded by believers."

After saying this, he led Emperor Jingning to the Guanyin Pavilion, where a white jade Guanyin statue sat solemnly on a lotus pedestal. The sandalwood divination sticks on the table were shiny and smooth, indicating that they had been touched by people for many years.

On the previous Lantern Festival, Jiang Nian, along with Lin Daiyu, Shen Chuan'en, and Yu Zhaoying, came here to draw lots. At that time, the person interpreting the lots was an old monk with white hair and beard.

However, the old monk is not here at the moment, and the abbot Jicheng will personally interpret the divination slips this time.

After Emperor Jingning washed his hands and burned incense, he accepted the divination tube offered by Jicheng. The tube glowed with a purple light, and its body was carved with lotus patterns.

Emperor Jingning closed his eyes and prayed silently for a moment, then flicked his wrist, and a bamboo stick fell to the ground with a "thud".

Ji Cheng picked up the bamboo stick, took out the fortune slip, and after examining it closely, suddenly beamed with joy: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! This is the ninety-ninth fortune slip, an extremely auspicious one!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingning took the fortune slip and saw that it read: "A bluebird in the clouds brings good news, the elixir of immortality is perfected and longevity is as high as the heavens. Do not say that the twilight years are near, for at the Peach Banquet, there will be kindred spirits."

Ji Cheng interpreted the divination slip as follows: "This divination slip indicates longevity and good health. The 'Bluebird in the Clouds' is an envoy of the Queen Mother of the West; the 'Nine-Turn Elixir' is a Taoist elixir of immortality; the 'Peach Banquet' is a grand feast in the heavens, and eating the peaches can prolong life. This divination slip clearly indicates that the Emperor Emeritus will enjoy a long and prosperous life, even surpassing the Southern Mountain."

Emperor Jingning was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Standing behind Emperor Jingning, Yuan Li quickly seized the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty is blessed with boundless fortune and will surely enjoy a long and prosperous life!"

Emperor Jingning turned and looked at Yuan Li with affection, then examined the bamboo slips and slips of paper carefully before accepting them.

Jiang Nian stood respectfully to the side, remaining silent.

He knew perfectly well that the divination was a hoax. Abbot Jicheng had tampered with the bamboo sticks and the slips of paper because he feared that Emperor Jingning would draw an unlucky one.

It can be said that the fake was mistaken for the real!

After Emperor Jingning obtained a very auspicious fortune stick that suited his taste, his interest grew even stronger. Suddenly, he smiled at his eldest grandson, Yuan Xi, and said, "Xi'er, come and get one too."

Yuan Xi, who was over thirty years old this year, had a natural air of heroism in his eyes. Upon hearing this, he hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your grandson obeys."

Yuan Li, who had already been secretly designated as the heir apparent, stood to the side, sighing inwardly, "Alas, in the end, my grandfather still prefers Yuan Xi!" He showed no sign of it on his face, only watching with a smile. Yuan Xi washed his hands, burned incense, took the divination stick container, and gently shook it; a bamboo stick fell to the ground with a clatter.

Ji Cheng picked up the bamboo stick, took out the fortune slip, and beamed with joy: "Congratulations, this is the eighty-eighth fortune slip, an extremely auspicious one!"

Emperor Jingning and Yuan Xi saw the fortune slip and read: "May you enjoy longevity like the pine and crane, and may your house be filled with gold and jade, bringing you peace and health. If you ask where your life is peaceful and secure, look to the Southern Mountains and the Northern Dipper, where the sun and moon shine eternally."

Ji Cheng interpreted the divination as follows: "'Pine and Crane' symbolize longevity and resilience; 'Long life and good fortune' refers to health, longevity, and lasting blessings; 'Abundant wealth and prosperity' refers to wealth and a prosperous family; 'Peace and health' refers to safety and health; 'The Southern Mountain and the Northern Dipper are as enduring as the sun and moon' symbolizes longevity like the Southern Mountain and nobility like the enduring Northern Dipper."

Emperor Jingning patted Yuan Xi on the shoulder and laughed, "Good! To live a long and peaceful life, and to enjoy lasting honor, is already a rare blessing!"

In fact, Emperor Jingning originally intended for his most beloved grandson, Yuan Xi, to inherit the throne, but then felt it was inappropriate to do so, fearing it would cause great chaos. His greatest hope for Yuan Xi now was that this eldest grandson would live a long and peaceful life, enjoying lasting honor, and would not be persecuted after his death.

Yuan Xi lowered his head modestly.

Jiang Nian suddenly found it amusing, thinking to herself, "Yuan Xi's fortune slip would also be suitable for Emperor Jingning. Abbot Jicheng is quite adept at faking the draw to please Emperor Jingning."

Emperor Jingning then looked at Yuan Li and said with a smile, "Li'er, why don't you ask for one too?"

"Your grandson obeys the decree! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Yuan Li stepped forward with a respectful expression, but when he took the bamboo divination stick, he felt a little uneasy. He shook the stick too hard, and one of the bamboo sticks clattered to the ground with a somewhat jarring sound.

Ji Cheng picked up the bamboo stick, took a look at the fortune slip, and his expression changed drastically. He was shocked and suspicious: "This fortune stick container was clearly carefully selected. How could such an ominous fortune stick have been mixed in?"

Seeing that Ji Cheng's expression was unusual, Yuan Li thought to himself, "Could it be an ominous sign?"

Emperor Jingning also noticed Jicheng's loss of composure and frowned, asking, "What do you think of this divination slip?"

Ji Cheng quickly racked his brains. If he were to have Yuan Li draw lots again at the last minute, it would only make things worse. The only solution now was to cleverly interpret this inauspicious lot as a lucky one.

With this in mind, Ji Cheng handed the signed document to Emperor Jingning: "Please have the Emperor Emeritus review it."

Emperor Jingning took the fortune slip and read it. It read: "At midnight, the shadows of crows are scattered among the withered locust trees; the autumn wind and swords startle my dreams. I advise you not to stand by the dangerous wall, for blood stains your brocade robes and the sun will not shine."

After reading it, Emperor Jingning frowned.

Yuan Li glanced at the fortune slip and felt that the twenty-eight characters on it were like knives, shocking and disturbing.

"What do you think of this divination slip?" Emperor Jingning asked again, his voice now deep and somber.

"Amitabha!" Ji Cheng feigned composure. "Your Majesty, this divination slip, though seemingly ominous, actually holds hidden meaning. 'Withered locust tree at midnight' refers to cultivation at midnight; 'swords and halberds in the autumn wind' symbolizes cutting off afflictions; and this 'blood-stained brocade robe'..." He raised his voice, "The Daoist tradition speaks of 'red blood transforming into white milk,' and this 'blood-stained brocade robe' perfectly embodies this saying, signifying that this imperial grandson will undergo a complete transformation and achieve great things!"

Emperor Jingning was skeptical: "What is the meaning of the words 'dangerous wall'?"

Ji Cheng remained calm and composed: "The Diamond Sutra says, 'All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows.' This 'dangerous wall' is a warning to this grandson of the emperor not to be attached to appearances."

Emperor Jingning's expression softened slightly, but he still pressed on, "In your opinion, this divination slip is actually auspicious?"

“Absolutely true!” Ji Cheng said, pressing his palms together.

Emperor Jingning, though still doubtful, smiled slightly and said, "I see!"

At this moment, Emperor Jingning inadvertently noticed Jiang Nian standing among the crowd, and a thought suddenly occurred to him: "Should I also ask Yuan Yi to draw a fortune stick?" But then he thought, "Never mind! After all, Yuan Yi has not yet been recognized as a member of the imperial family and is not yet a grandson of the emperor!"

Emperor Jingning was unaware that nearly two months prior, on the Lantern Festival, Jiang Nian had drawn a fortune stick at Tianning Temple. That stick astonished even the white-bearded old monk guarding it, who said he couldn't decipher it.

The divination slip reads: "The light of the Heavenly Pivot shines upon the Jade Capital, and the Five Clouds City is hidden in the clouds. Neither immortal nor Buddha, its meaning is clear as the flow of fortune continues."

After Emperor Jingning turned and walked away, Ji Cheng lagged behind, secretly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, thinking to himself, "How strange! How did such an ominous lot get mixed in? And how did I happen to be drawn from it?"

Passing by the release pond, Emperor Jingning suddenly saw a golden carp leap out of the water, leaving a golden streak before "plop" falling back into the water.

Emperor Jingning stopped to observe and sighed, "These fish are quite at ease." Then, turning to Jicheng, he asked, "How many years have these fish been in this pond?"

Ji Cheng replied, "The oldest is nearly sixty years old. Legend has it that those who can see the golden dragonfish will surely be blessed."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingning felt some of the gloom that had been cast by Yuan Li drawing an unlucky lot.

That evening, Emperor Jingning dined at Tianning Temple. Prince Zhongshun, Yuan Xi, Yuan Li, and other imperial relatives, along with officials such as Jiang Nian and Lin Ruhai, and the abbot Jicheng, attended to him.

The abbot's room was elegantly furnished, with an eight-immortal table in the center covered with a tablecloth. Although it was a vegetarian meal, there were many seasonal dishes, including exquisite vegetarian dishes such as "Buddha's Hand Golden Rolls," "Luohan Vegetarian Dish," and "Jade Plate."

Emperor Jingning sat at the head of the table, his heart still heavy. The ominous divination slip Yuan Li had drawn earlier had left a shadow on his heart, though the sight of the golden carp had somewhat dispelled it, some shadow remained. After all, Yuan Li was not only his beloved grandson, but also the next emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty, who had already been secretly designated as the crown prince.

The abbot, Jicheng, observing the situation, personally served a cup of tea and said with a smile, "This tea is a treasure of this old monk, picked from three ancient tea trees behind the temple. Strangely enough, these tea trees flourished especially this year when His Majesty made his southern tour."

Emperor Jingning took the teacup, saw that the tea soup was clear and the aroma was refreshing, took a sip, and his brows relaxed slightly: "Indeed, good tea."

Jicheng continued, “Your Majesty may not know, but most of the vegetables used in today’s vegetarian feast are from the temple’s vegetable garden. This year, the fruits and vegetables in the garden have grown exceptionally well. I originally thought it was due to the blessing of Buddha, but now I realize it was a sign that Your Majesty’s arrival is imminent.”

Seeing this, Jiang Nian thought to herself that Abbot Jicheng was quite adept at flattery.

Emperor Jingning smiled and said, "You certainly know how to talk."

At this moment, the young novice monk presented a plate of "vegetarian roast goose," and Jicheng personally served the dish: "Although this dish looks like meat, it is actually made by wrapping shiitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots in tofu skin. My late master once said that this dish is most in line with the way of health preservation, and is especially beneficial for prolonging life."

Upon hearing the words "prolong life and increase health," Emperor Jingning was overjoyed and ate several bites.

Taking the opportunity, Yuan Li said, "Your Majesty has always been in good health, and your grandson is looking forward to celebrating your 100th birthday."

Emperor Jingning laughed heartily: "What a clever Li'er!"

The atmosphere at the vegetarian banquet gradually warmed up.

They did not disperse until six quarters past 5 PM.

(End of this chapter)