Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 442 - 386 Unknown Life, How to Know Death?!_2
Thinking of this, she took a deep breath and glanced around again.
When she looked ahead once more, she found that there was an empty seat next to Yu Wenquan where no one was sitting.
Strange, today all the officials are arranged according to rank. Next to Yu Wenquan should also be a high-ranking official from the court, so why is there an empty seat?
She wondered aloud, "That empty seat is—"
Yu Wenye also glanced up, softly saying, "It might be Ji Hong’s seat."
"Ji Hong?"
The name piqued Shang Ruyi’s memory. She whispered, "Lord Ji Nayan?"
Yu Wenye looked at her, "You know him?"
"How would I have such a chance? It’s just that when I was a child, my father mentioned him, saying this Lord Ji is a rare loyal minister who serves the country with devotion."
Moreover, at Jiangdu Palace, the Lord Ji Nayan beheaded by Chu Yang was his son.
Yu Wenye sighed and said, "This Lord Ji was a minister of Emperor Wen, mature and prudent, and was once praised by Emperor Wen as ’a loyal minister throughout the ages.’"
"Then why hasn’t he served in the court all these years?"
"When the late Emperor ascended the throne, this Lord Ji proposed twelve good policies for governing the country, but they were all rejected; he also repeatedly advised against the construction of the Eastern Capital and the Canal, which displeased the late Emperor; after the Eastern Capital was completed and the court moved east, Lord Ji knelt before the palace gates, crying and trying to stop the late Emperor from leaving the Western Capital but was instead dragged away by the Emperor’s orders and confined to his home."
"......"
"These years, he has stayed in the Western Capital, away from the court."
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but sigh.
Recalling the beheading of Lord Ji Nayan at Jiangdu Palace by Chu Yang, it was also because he spoke truthfully to advise, asking Chu Yang to leave Jiangdu and march north again to retake the Eastern Capital, which angered the Emperor and led to his death.
Father and son, both devoted to their country with loyalty, yet met with equally tragic endings.
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but let out a gentle sigh.
However, just after her sigh, an extended and clear chime echoed from the main hall ahead, drawing everyone’s attention. Looking up, they saw Master Xinzeng slowly walking to the low table and sitting down, saluting the people below, saying, "Amitabha Buddha, this session, I will preach and expound the sutras for you all."
The people below all put their hands together, chanting Amitabha Buddha.
Thus, Master Xinzeng began to recite the scriptures.
Shang Ruyi could tell that he was reciting the Ullambana Sutra, a scripture for salvation, naturally for Chu Yang’s sake. Although some people below were not familiar with Buddhist Law, they still listened intently, but there were a few people in the corner whose eyes flickered, constantly glancing back at the stone door behind them.
After a stick of incense time passed, Master Xinzeng finished reciting and stood down.
Next to come forward was Master Du Hai, the abbot of Duofu Temple in Taiyuan Mansion, who recited the Ksitigarbha Sutra. By now, the sun had risen, and the scorching sun made everyone sweat profusely, yet no one dared to complain; and this Master Du Hai was old, his enunciation unclear, making it increasingly difficult for everyone to listen, with Shang Ruyi even noticing some people starting to doze off.
She couldn’t help but smile wryly.
However, inside, she felt a bit puzzled.
Today’s event—leaving aside the Inner Altar Dharma Assembly, the Outer Altar Dharma Assembly was held for Chu Yang, and the person directly related to his death was herself. Even Yu Wenquan said that the world would want answers from her.
Why until now, has no one mentioned it, nor asked a word?
Could it be that they all got it wrong?
With each new Emperor, the courtiers change. Now that the new Emperor has ascended, is Chu Yang’s death truly ignored?
Shang Ruyi felt something amiss, yet couldn’t put it into words, and could only sit quietly in place, listening to the continuous Buddhist scriptures, trying to calm herself.
Yu Wenye beside her glanced at her.
In fact, even without looking, he knew that no matter how calmly Shang Ruyi sat there, her heart couldn’t be calm. However, at this time, he didn’t attempt to comfort her, only looked up at the tightly closed Great Hero Hall ahead.
At this moment, Master Du Hai also finished reciting the Ksitigarbha Sutra.
When he stood and left, the next to step forward was Master Xijian, a venerable monk of Dayan Temple and the senior brother of Master Xinzeng. Although he was an octogenarian, his voice was like a great bell. As he began to chant, each word and sentence seemed to echo beside everyone’s ears—
Thus have I heard, at one time the Buddha was in Jiushina Jie Country, between the twin trees of Sala, at that time, the World-Honored One was entering Nirvana...
...
The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, if any of the fourfold disciples are approaching the end of life or not yet at the end, wishing to be born in the Eastern Fragrant Forest, the Buddha’s name is...
The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, if there are good men or good women on their dying day, wishing to be born in the Southeastern Golden Forest, the Buddha’s name is...
The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, if there are good men or good women on their dying day, wishing to be born in the Southern Le Lin, the Buddha’s name is...
As everyone quietly listened to the scriptures, suddenly, a louder, more indignant voice resounded from behind, instantly drowning out Master Xijian’s voice—
"If you don’t know life, how can you know death?!"
This sentence, like a boulder, was thrown into a serene lake.
The lake’s surface immediately churned with waves.
Upon hearing this, everyone revealed expressions of shock and tension, as Shang Ruyi’s heart sank.
Just like everyone else, she immediately turned her head.
Only to see an elderly man in official robes with white hair, even his steps were somewhat faltering, supporting himself with a cane, stepping in from outside the stone door. His eyes were red, as if carrying infinite resentment, though frail with age, every look and every step carried thunderous weight.
Upon seeing him, the crowd let out a low gasp.
"Lord Ji?!"
Shang Ruyi’s eyes widened suddenly, for the person approaching was none other than Ji Hong, whom they had just been discussing!
As Ji Hong walked forward, he spoke in a deep voice, "Talking about impending death! Impending death! You haven’t even figured out what happened before the late Emperor passed away, how can you conduct a salvation ceremony here?!"
His words, like a lightning bolt, echoed throughout Dayan Temple.
Everyone was awakened by his words, and after the initial shock, they gradually came to. The sharp gazes of the surrounding crowd turned towards one person.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and slowly stood up.
She knew that what was bound to come, finally came.
