Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 91: Devotion to filial piety
Humans are creatures that can unite in two or three people, but when the number of people increases, they are more likely to have their own agendas.

Even among brothers, if there are more than five, they often have their own agendas, let alone a large folk religion like the White Lotus Sect with hundreds of thousands of followers.

Even Chen Qing, an outsider, had learned some things about the White Lotus Sect during this time. At this time, the White Lotus Sect had all sorts of messy branches, such as the Luo Sect and the Yellow Heaven Sect.

To be precise, it can't even be considered a branch anymore.

These sects have their own influence in various places, and even their own leaders, but they are all generally affiliated with the White Lotus Sect. Sometimes when a big event occurs, the leaders of several sects will meet together to discuss countermeasures.

That's it.

In Chen Qing's view, Mu Xianniang, a follower from Yingtian, was definitely not one of the White Lotus Sect in Zhili. He had already realized this when the White Lotus Sect stole his manuscript.

Mu Xianniang reached out and poured Chen Qing a cup of wine. Then, looking at Chen Qing, she said softly, "The followers in the Zhili area, though called followers of the Holy Sect, have basically formed their own faction."

"Many of the sects in the south have become followers of the Luo sect, while those in the north are basically still disciples of the White Lotus sect, and their actions are quite radical."

"Especially in recent years, the imperial court has been somewhat lenient towards the White Lotus Sect, which has made them even more unscrupulous in spreading their teachings."

At this point, the woman looked at Chen Qing and sighed softly: "Now, the number of followers is increasing, and it is becoming more and more difficult to control them. Those who stole Young Master Chen's manuscript and printed it on a large scale should be these members of the White Lotus Sect."

The Luo Sect was founded by its founder, Luo Hong.

Although it originated from the White Lotus Sect, it incorporated a large number of Buddhist doctrines and can be considered a branch of Buddhism.

This school advocates practicing at home in order to return to the "empty homeland," so its doctrines are not radical.

The White Lotus sect, on the other hand, is a Maitreya faith.

Maitreya is the future Buddha, so the White Lotus Sect preaches Maitreya's descent into the world every day. This is a sect that is born with rebellious attributes and is quite suitable for rebellion.

For this reason, the White Lotus Sect was always regarded as a heretical sect by the imperial court and was severely suppressed.

Chen Qing took a bite of food, looked at Mu Xianniang, and said with a smile, "Miss Mu seems to know quite a bit about the White Lotus Sect in Zhili, but I wonder if you could help me?"

Mu Xianniang looked at Chen Qing and said with a smile, "Young master, the Northern White Lotus Sect in Zhili has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. Even ordinary people who don't believe in the religion are afraid of offending the White Lotus Sect."

“If you were taken away by the imperial court and crippled by its people, and instead of hating the court, you hated the White Lotus Sect, that would be understandable.”

"Now, the young master was only taken away for questioning by the court officials, and he is still alive and kicking. Why must he provoke the White Lotus Sect?"

Mu Xianniang looked at Chen Qing and said with a smile, "In this capital city, many people die unnatural deaths every year. Many of these deaths are caused by the White Lotus Sect. Young master, aren't you afraid to oppose them?"

Chen Qing's eyes flickered, but he didn't reply.

After a long while, he looked up at the fairy Mu and asked, "Does the young lady mean to just let this matter go?"

"Of course not."

Mu Xianniang said solemnly, "Indeed, the White Lotus Sect was in the wrong. Not only did they steal the book first, but they also put the young master in danger afterward."

“In a few days, I will go and see the leader of the sect in the north and explain this matter to him.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing raised an eyebrow: "The leader of the Northern Sect? Does your White Lotus Sect have a leader in the South?"

Mu Xianniang shook her head slightly: "Our White Lotus Sect in the south reveres the Holy Son."

The so-called "holy son" naturally refers to Maitreya Buddha, who is reincarnated and descended to the mortal realm.

However, this Buddha is the future Buddha, so he has not yet descended to earth, and the position of the Holy Son is naturally temporarily vacant. There is a "Holy Mother" who may give birth to the Holy Son.

Mu Xianniang naturally wouldn't explain these things to Chen Qing. She looked at Chen Qing, slowly stood up, and said with a smile, "I guess it will be after the New Year at the earliest."

As she prepared to leave, she remembered something at the door and said, "Young master, could you please give me a copy of your manuscript of 'The Chronicle of Heroes' in advance?"

Chen Qing was taken aback, then pretended to frown.

"We've known each other for a while now, are you trying to harm me, young lady?"

"Don't worry, sir."

Mu Xianniang said with a smile, "I have obtained the manuscript. I have just had it printed in advance, but it will definitely not be printed earlier than the Gu family's bookstore. After the Gu family has sold it for two or three days, I will have it spread to other places."

“In this way, the government will not be able to cause you any trouble, young master.” She said seriously, “Also, I will not shortchange you a single penny of the royalties due to you.”

Chen Qing narrowed his eyes but did not reply.

Mu Xianniang looked at him and said with a smile, "If this matter succeeds, young master can turn hostility into friendship with the Holy Sect. In the future, when young master is active in the capital and Zhili area, the Holy Sect can help him in some way."

Chen Qing raised an eyebrow, and after a while, he stood up and said, "I can give you the manuscript, but it will be at least after the New Year. And at that time, only Miss Mu can come and get it. If anyone else comes to get it, it will be considered stealing it."

"I'm not one to turn my back on people."

Hearing Chen Qing say this, Mu Xianniang was curious about the sudden change in Chen Qing's attitude, but after thinking about it carefully, she couldn't find anything wrong, so she nodded and said "okay" to Chen Qing.

After saying this, Mu Xianniang stood up and gracefully left, leaving Chen Qing with only her tall and slender back view.

Chen Qing watched the tall woman leave, and only after Mu Xianniang had gone far away did Chen Qing turn his gaze away, muttering to himself.

"No wonder she was famous for her beauty on the Qinhuai River."

Young Master Chen was filled with emotion.

"That Taoist robe is truly alluring."

…………

"grandmother."

Inside the imperial palace, the Prince of Zhou, dressed in a purple robe, was taking a walk with a woman whose hair was slightly gray.

At first glance, the woman appeared to be in her early forties, but upon closer inspection, it became clear that she was over fifty.

In front of Chen Qing, the usually carefree chubby boy, who addressed her as "Chen Qing" repeatedly, was quite respectful at this moment, bowing his head slightly and saying, "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, but there will be many people and eyes in the palace tomorrow, so it will not be convenient for me to come to the palace. Therefore, I have come to the palace today to visit my grandmother."

"I probably won't be able to come tomorrow."

This woman was none other than Consort Jing.

Although she was called a Dowager Consort, she was actually a consort of the late Emperor, and by seniority, she was the grandmother of the current Emperor.

However, she entered the palace a little later, and was only in her fifties at the time.

The Dowager Consort Jing reached out and patted her grandson's head, smiling as she said, "I am very happy that you have such filial piety."

At this point, she sighed softly: "After the New Year, you'll be going back to Bianzhou, won't you?"

Since the founding of the Great Qi Dynasty, members of the imperial clan have generally not held official positions and have mostly been enfeoffed in other regions. Therefore, the only members of the imperial clan in the capital are the princes.

Once the princes come of age, they must leave the capital to take up their fiefdoms, inevitably leading to separation from their families.

The chubby boy followed behind his grandmother without saying a word at first. After a while, he whispered, "Grandmother, this time, I might be able to stay in the capital for a while longer and spend more time with you."

Consort Jing turned around, looked at her chubby grandson, and then shook her head slightly: "No, if you stay in the capital, His Majesty will be unhappy, and you might end up implicating your father."

Prince Jiang shook his head slightly: "Grandmother, don't worry. My brother knows about this and agrees. It won't implicate my father."

"I have already written a letter to my father."

He looked up at Consort Jing and said solemnly, "Father should agree as well."

Consort Jing didn't know what the Emperor had said, nor did she ask. She just thought that the Emperor might want her grandson to study in the capital for a few years, so she patted her grandson's head again and sighed, "You're such a playful person, why do you want to stay in the capital?"

The chubby boy remained calm.

"Grandmother, since my surname is Jiang..."

As he spoke, he looked into the distance.

"It's only right to do what you can."

(End of this chapter)