OFFERING CONCUBINES
EPISODE 16 OF SUNYEN TEMPLE
Xiao Yi spurred his horse through the Zi teng forest that was only dimly lit, following the horse of Jian's bodyguard in front of him.
His coat fluttered against the wind.
When the temple grounds were not so spacious they were greeted kindly by some female monks in brownish yellow clothes.
Xiao Yi and Jian Jie were ushered into the monastery after climbing the steps of dozens of stone steps.
Upon reaching the temple building, in front of the main door hall was an altar table and a statue of the god greeted them.
Inside the main room of the highest floor of the prayer hall and the main table is placed a statue of the goddess Kwan Im which is almost one meter high. On a long table were books of scripture and a brass vessel.
In front of him there is still a table where the offering is equipped with several dishes containing cakes and fruits.
On his right left side were two large vases and a pair of lit lamps. Its light gently swerved following the night wind. The prayer room felt so warm and quiet.
On the wall there is a curtain dangling behind the altar that all domination red, including ornaments and lanterns hanging on the ceiling.
Xiao Yi first entered the temple, which he had only heard from people's stories. This temple is one of the most shared temples by speakers in Youwu, because it is said that there is a girl who was once a lover of king Yan Yue became a monk here.
A nun who seems to be the oldest and gives greetings. He was the chief monk who led the Sunyen temple. Xiao Yi clenched his hands in greeting and bowed respectfully. Jian Jie seemed to be very familiar with the place, respectfully conveying the intent of their arrival as well as introducing Xiao Yi and handing over a few pockets of burrows as offerings.
"Welcome to Sunyen's temple, Lady Yi..."
The monk greeted me kindly.
"We pray that the Madam and Her Majesty will be given health and good luck." The old monk conveyed hope.
Just this time there was a concubine from King Yan Yue who was visiting the Sunyen temple. This is something special for the monks in this temple. There are several times, this temple has been visited by Yanzhi nobles in certain big days including the Queen Mother.
This temple has been visited by His Highness Yan Yue, once to pray, but only once. Thereafter, His Holiness never again came except for one or two of His Majesty's personal guards, who came periodically on a full moon to deliver offerings to the temple of Sunyen.
Jian invited Xiao Yi to a water-filled vessel in the corner of the room and washed his hands there, after which Xiao Yi received incense from a nun.
The young female monk's face was very calm, her age might be in her late twenties, much older than Xiao Yi who was still not even twenty years old.
Her smile radiated warmly to Xiao Yi, for some reason Xiao Yi felt that this monk still looked so beautiful even though his head was without a single hair at all.
Xiao Yi without saying much, burned the incense in his hand and then did Pa kui three times before sticking the incense in his hand into a vessel above the altar. In the accompaniment of do'a-do'a recited by the nuns in the prayer room.
Not long after, the ritual was over and the two of them begged all the monks.
Jian asked the old monk a few things related to the needs of the Sunyen temple which he could help and promised Consort Yi would send all the needs of the Sunyen temple.
"Thank you for the help of Ms. Yi, may good karma and good fortune be received by the mistress and all the good wishes of the mistress may be fulfilled." Said the old monk gratefully
The young nun who gave Xiao Yi incense delivered them down the stairs.
"Mrs is His Majesty's concubine?" ask her by bowing her face deeply as soon as they reach the yard where their horses are tethered.
Xiao Yi nodded confirming with a smile while remaining in a respectful position towards the young female monk.
"Is Your Majesty in good health?" again, his voice was slower.
"Yes, Your Majesty is in good health" Xiao Yi replied, astonished by this nun question.
"We pray for His Majesty's health, the mistress's health and the well-being of the Yanzhi people." The monk smiled and slightly bowed while taking a few steps back giving room for Xiao Yi to climb his horse.
His Majesty was sitting on a rock when Xiao Yi and Jian arrived. The other three bodyguards seemed to be on guard around His Majesty. While His Eminence Yan Yue, sat waiting with a calm face.
"Pardon us for making His Majesty wait too long" Jian jumped off the horse and saluted.
"Is everything going well?" ask His Majesty while standing up.
"Everything is going well, Your Majesty." Jian answered quickly.
"We'd better get back to the palace" His Majesty stared for a moment at Xiao Yi's glowing face over the moonlight, which suddenly poked half behind the clouds.
It seems to be getting late, the weather is getting friendly.
The girl sat dashingly on her horse, her chin held high defiantly at night. There is no fear or complaint with the cold that he may be feeling. This girl reminded him of someone in his old years, who he had already so far left behind.
By midnight the little roar had already descended the hill of Zhieshan and arrived at the north gate of the palace. The gatekeepers were on standby to open the gates, after passing through some of the palace buildings they returned to the back of the empty building where they had begun their departure.
There had been waiting for Eunuch Chen and the two black-clothed bodyguards they had left earlier.
"Honour to His Majesty." Eunuch Chen bowed in greeting as soon as they had already descended from their respective horses.
His Majesty's face was so bright in the dimness of the night light, there was a sense of satisfaction implied from his smile.
"Open the door to Chue Lian's palace!" his orders.
Eunuch Chen was momentarily stunned, he seemed to be in disbelief with what he heard.
"Yes, your highness??" Eunuch Chen asked His Majesty to repeat his order.
"Open the door of Chue Lian's palace, tonight Yi and I will stay at Chue Lian's Palace."
His Majesty replied casually.
The sentence became a different meaning in the ears of Xiao Yi and Eunuch Chen.
Xiao Yi felt like he was in a sambar geledek, in his mind it turned out that His Majesty still wanted him even though he had done all of His Majesty's wishes.
He had thought His Majesty would release him back to Xingwu's House after their return but as it turned out, they had to spend the night in a place together.
While eunuch Chen was dumbstruck, this was the first time His Majesty would visit the Palace which had been forbidden for others to step on him other than His Majesty himself.
Since the past ten years His Majesty has only opened the Palace for himself and some of his trusted servants who routinely cleaned the place.
No woman, including the concubine and even the queen mother herself, has ever been allowed to visit the palace.
The palace belonged only to His Highness Yan Yue and all his memories were with his long-serving lover, Miss Jiu Fei.
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