northernbook Chapter 750 Prince Su
Chapter 750 Prince Su
"When the late emperor was in power, he was obsessed with Taoism for a period of time, so he built the Sanqing Temple in the imperial city. However, just one year after it was built, the Taoist priest who had suggested that the late emperor build a Taoist temple in the west of the city was sentenced to death because he angered the emperor. Since then, the late emperor has never set foot in the Sanqing Temple again."
"Later, the previous emperor passed away and the emperor ascended the throne. The emperor no longer cared about Taoism. Although the Sanqing Temple was still preserved, it was just like when the previous emperor was alive. Only the people in the imperial city went there to burn incense, and he never ordered repairs. It was not until Prince Su proposed to go to the Sanqing Temple for spiritual practice that the Sanqing Temple was renovated again."
On the steps leading to Sanqing Temple, Shen Yanxi and Jiang Suining walked side by side, and Shen Yanxi whispered to her about the origin of Sanqing Temple.
Jiang Suining is having a day off today, and she wants to go to Sanqing Temple with him, so Shen Yanxi brings her here.
And following them came Zhong Yixiu.
She was very nervous staying in the girls' academy. In order to avoid having any wild thoughts and to get the news in time, after learning that Pei Zhaozhi and others were coming to Sanqing Temple, she asked to go with them.
In addition to the four of them, Feng Li was originally going to come here, but just before he was about to leave, he learned that the family of the missing woman had gone to the Dali Temple, so he rushed over to deal with it.
"What is the temperament of this Prince Su like?" Jiang Suining asked.
She had heard some things about Prince Su before, but they were mostly rumors and might not be credible.
Tianyin Pavilion did have news about Prince Su, but after all, when Tianyin Pavilion was established, Prince Su had already gone to Sanqing Temple to practice meditation, and no one spent money to inquire about the news about Prince Su, so even Tianyin Pavilion did not have much information.
Shen Yanxi thought for a moment, "Regarding this Prince Su, I have only heard some things from the old officials in the court. They said that he was a poet and a wine lover in his early years. Because he was the youngest brother of the late emperor, he was very favored. He usually didn't like to participate in government affairs, but he was good at having fun. He and the late emperor had a deep brotherly relationship and had a very good relationship. Before his death, the late emperor left an oral instruction, asking the emperor to respect Prince Su for the rest of his life and treat him well."
Jiang Suining looked around and found it quiet and peaceful. Although he hadn't yet reached the Sanqing Temple, he thought it would be a peaceful place.
"Since you are a person who likes poetry, wine and romance, why did you come to Sanqing Temple to practice asceticism, and why did you stay here for ten years?"
"Maybe it's because of the age difference, and the temperament has changed." Pei Zhaozhi said.
"Some court officials also speculated in this way. As for the real reason, perhaps only Prince Su himself knows." Shen Yanxi looked at the gate that was already visible in front of him and did not continue the topic. "We are here."
When the location of Sanqing Temple was originally chosen, it was personally measured by the Taoist priest who was sentenced to death, and the highest point in the west of the city was chosen.
The mountain gate is solemn, with copper nails neatly inlaid on the vermilion door. The raised gargoyles at both ends of the roof look like a auspicious bird spreading its wings to fly.
Standing at the mountain gate and looking inside, the courtyard paved with bluestone slabs is spacious and well-arranged.
In the middle of the courtyard stands a huge incense burner, with smoke rising from it and the scent of incense and candles filling the air, adding to the silence.
The Taoist boy who was sweeping the gate saw the people coming forward and said, "This Sanqing Temple is the place where the current Prince Su practices meditation. We do not accept pilgrims. Please go back."
Pei Zhaozhi said: "We are not pilgrims, but have come here specially to visit Prince Su. I am the Minister of Justice Pei Zhaozhi, and this is Prime Minister Shen."
Upon hearing this, the Taoist boy hurriedly bowed and asked Shen Yanxi and the others to wait for a moment while he went to the hall to report the news first.
Not long after, the Taoist boy came back and invited Shen Yanxi and the others in.
After passing through the courtyard in front, they soon arrived at the main hall of Sanqing Temple, the Sanqing Hall.
The palace is majestic, and the golden glazed tiles sparkle in the sunlight.
In the center of the hall are statues of Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun, Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun and Taiqing Daode Tianzun.
In front of the statue, an old man with gray hair and wearing a Taoist robe was facing the statue, looking very pious.
"Your Highness, the two adults have arrived." The Taoist boy said respectfully.
Xiao Su turned around and looked at Shen Yanxi and the others.
"Greetings, Prince Su." Several people bowed and saluted.
Jiang Suining secretly looked at Xiao Su.
He is only a few years older than Emperor Xiao, but judging from his appearance, he truly looks like an elder.
His hair and beard were gray, and he was slightly thin. Wearing a Taoist robe, he looked like an immortal.
However, his eyes were sharp, and when they fell on people, they were scrutinizing and considering, with a hint of oppression.
"I have been cultivating in this Taoist temple for a long time and have not paid attention to the affairs of the world. I have never seen you two. I think you entered the government after I began my cultivation."
"Your Highness is right. I entered the government late, so I really didn't have the chance to meet you before."
"At such a young age, one is the Minister of Justice, and the other is the Prime Minister. It is true that every generation has talented people." Xiao Su laughed, and his scrutinizing look was neutralized, but a hint of the romantic smile of his youth was revealed.
"Your Majesty, you are overpraising me."
"You now hold important positions in the court. If you had nothing to do, you would not come to Sanqing Temple to look for me. Tell me, I am curious about the purpose of your visit."
In the tea room in the side hall, Shen Yanxi and Pei Zhaozhi discussed the purpose of their trip.
When he heard about the missing woman, Xiao Su's face darkened.
"More than a dozen women have disappeared in succession, and the emperor is so bold."
"Your Highness, I know that I am disturbing you by coming here today, but the missing woman has not been found yet. The murderer is very tight-lipped and nothing can be asked. The only clue is the scent of incense and candles on his body. However, we have already searched all the temples and incense and candle shops, and only Your Highness's Sanqing Temple is left." Pei Zhaozhi looked at Xiao Su, "So I rashly disturbed you, please forgive me."
"Since you are here to investigate the case, I will not blame you. However, the smell of incense and candles alone may not prove anything. Perhaps the murderer has been to places where incense and candles are offered, and has been contaminated by it."
Pei Zhaozhi shook his head. "The scent on that person lingered for a long time. It doesn't seem like he got it by accident. He must have been in a place with incense and candles for a long time."
"Then this is indeed a clue, but there is no one else in my Sanqing Temple except the Taoist boy. Apart from you guys, no other strangers have visited during this period. You can rest assured about this."
Pei Zhaozhi and Shen Yanxi looked at each other, but neither of them spoke immediately.
Xiao Su looked at them and asked, "Why? Could it be that you came here today to search the Sanqing Temple?"