603 The Same People and Things (1/2)
Chapter 603: The Same People and Things
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
The autumn breeze made the yellowish fallen leaves swirl in the courtyard. Li Qingshan averted his eyes from the rolling leaves and looked at the palace walls at a distance. As he squinted, he took out a white handkerchief to cover his mouth and made several slight coughs. Then he folded the handkerchief carefully and put it into his sleeve.
As the Nation Master of the Tang Empire, he was highly privileged but known for his banter. With the increase of wrinkles, however, he was obviously older and more silent.
Thinking about the old people who died this year, a trace of worry emerged in his eyes. Although such matters as birth, death, illness and old age were all natural matters, he could not help sighing for the death of so many old friends in such a short time. As the abbey dean of the South School of Haotian Taoism, he worriedly pondered whether this represented Heaven's will.
His Majesty seemed still healthy, but actually became increasingly weaker in recent years. Xu Shi aged more quickly in those years. If this generation was not dead but kept aging, how could he not feel worried about the future of the Tang Empire?
If the Headmaster could live forever, the Tang Empire would have no problems. Even if there were some, it would be nothing but ripples in the pond. But the Headmaster would pass away one day.
A yellow oiled-paper umbrella rested quietly on the jet-black wooden floor.
He Mingchi knelt behind Li Qingshan, not seeing the worries on his teacher's face. He whispered, ”The God-stunning Array is linked to the security of the Tang Empire and the array eye has always been kept by us from the Southern Gate Temple. Master Yan Se passed it to Ning Que, who has been missing for a long time. So in principle, it should be returned to us or His Majesty to avoid arousing suspicion. It seems improper to leave it at the Academy now.”
Li Qingshan shook his head and said, ”Since Senior Brother gave it to Ning Que, it is fine to allow the Academy to keep it temporarily. You must remember that although we belong to the Haotian Taoism, we should know the true meaning of the Academy to the Tang Empire.”
He Mingchi agreed.
Li Qingshan turned around. Looking at the chess board in front of him, he reached over to take away the black chess piece at the center of the chess board. He said, ”Compared with the Lanke Temple, my skill in chess is quite ordinary, even extremely terrible. However, when it comes to seeing Heaven's Way on the chess board, I am confident to compete with the monks in the Lanke Temple. One night years ago, I saw a carriage blocking the street but did not understand it. Now I realize something since I know that it was from that night when Ning Que began his journey of Tao enlightenment. It will be fine if he is dead. Otherwise, he will be a real trouble for our country.”
He Mingchi understood him. If Ning Que and the Daughter of Yama died, the world would keep going forward peacefully. If they were alive, what attitude would the Academy take? What should the Tang Empire do? Would it become the enemy of the entire world?
Li Qingshan looked at the chessboard and kept silent for a long time.
The fallen leaves in the courtyard were still rolling on the ground, making continuous rustles.
”If I am still alive when His Majesty dies, I will stand by the Princess and support Prince Li Yuanyuan's succession. If I die, I hope you can lead the Southern Gate Temple to do this.”
Li Qingshan suddenly said.
He Mingchi was shocked and suddenly looked up at his teacher.
Nobody dared to openly talk about the succession of the throne in the previous years. However, with the coughs at the imperial study becoming deeper and more painful, such discussion finally emerged in Chang'an today.
However, this had a completely different meaning when the words came from Li Qingshan, comparing with discussions among ordinary people. Because it meant that in his opinion, His Majesty's time was running out even if he could still stay alive now.
What increased He Mingchi's shock was the choice of his teacher. The Tang Empire's imperial court and even the villagers knew the close relationship between the Queen and the Nation Master. But why would he choose to support Li Yu and her brother?
He Mingchi immediately recalled the letter sent back to Chang'an City from Qinghe County by Ning Que last summer. At that time, Li Qingshan asked him to send the letter directly to the Princess, which made him more confused.
”Teacher... why?” He asked Li Qingshan blankly.
Looking at the black chess piece he moved to one corner of the chessboard, Li Qingshan fell into silence for a long while. When the rustle in the courtyard gradually disappeared in the autumn wind, he said in a low voice, ”Because the Queen is the Saintess of Diabolism.”
The Queen of the Tang Empire was the Saintess of Diabolism? He Mingchi was so shocked by the news that he sank to the futon, looking at Li Qingshan in disbelief.
With a sad laugh, Li Qingshan said, ”I promised His Majesty years ago that I would keep the secret till death. But this is unfair to our people who know nothing about it.”
He looked at his most loyal disciple and said, ”Don't doubt the truth of it. His Majesty's old illness which cannot even be cured by the Headmaster was the Queen's conspiracy then.”
He Mingchi shivered with shock and dared not to reply.
”This was of course the thing in the past before they fell in love with each other. So I always felt pity for the high price they had to pay before they could understand each other.”
Li Qingshan said slowly, ”I believe that the Queen would not betray His Majesty, nor would the Academy. That is why she can be the Queen. But what if His Majesty dies? Li Yu and her brother are not kids of her own. Her own son is still young. Can we allow the Saintess of Diabolism to rule the Tang Empire?”