Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1608 Master Xingchen's Handwriting (Bonus Chapter for 245 Million Reward Points)

Occasionally, a patrol squad of guards would pass by, their eyes fixed straight ahead, their discipline so strict that it was impossible to find a way to attack them.

Grey Falcon wanted to casually approach a kind-looking eunuch or palace maid.

But these people all seemed to have been strictly instructed. When they saw unfamiliar faces approaching, they would either immediately lower their heads and quicken their pace to avoid them, or they would stop and stand with their heads bowed, looking as if they were listening to orders but would never speak on their own initiative.

Time passes little by little...

Grey Falcon's heart sank.

The Great Zhou Imperial Palace was orderly and well-organized. Not only was it impossible to uncover secrets, but even casual conversations that might contain a clue could not be heard.

He lingered for a while longer, but seeing that there was no opportunity to take advantage of the situation, and that staying any longer might attract attention, he had no choice but to pretend to have sobered up, straighten his robes, and step back into the palace.

As he passed through the palace gate, Grey Falcon keenly noticed that the two guards standing by the gate seemed to linger on him for a moment longer.

Grey Falcon felt a chill run down its spine, becoming even more certain that the level of security here far exceeded its expectations.

Back at the table, taking the opportunity to pour wine for Luan Di Yi Tu, he said in the Xiongnu language, "Your Highness, this place is as solid as a fortress, not a drop of water can be leaked."

Luan Di Yi Tu paused in his cup-holding hand, then calmly drank the wine, his gaze still fixed on the singing and dancing in the hall.

But Grey Falcon noticed that his fingers, gripping the wine glass, tightened slightly for a moment.

It seems that trying to find a flaw in the banquet ceremony is futile.

Nangong Xuanyu's palace was even more airtight than he had expected.

Luan Di Yi Tu signaled to the Xiongnu delegation that they did not need to take any further action.

The banquet continued, with singing, dancing, and clinking of glasses.

Princess Wenshu and Bai Mufeng occasionally whispered to each other, their eyes meeting with tender affection. Amidst the congratulations filling the hall, their happiness shone even brighter.

Luan Di Yi Tu smiled, but his heart was ice-cold.

The roads that are visible seem to be blocked.

Could it be that this trip to the Great Zhou Dynasty will truly leave us without any news of the mysterious weapon?

He didn't believe it.

Even the strongest city walls have cracks.

It just takes time and patience.

Luan Di Yi Tu's gaze inadvertently swept over the dazzling Imperial Noble Consort beside the throne.

This woman seems to have gained Nangong Xuanyu's deep trust and is often by his side.

Could she... know something?

However, this thought only flashed through his mind before being suppressed by Luan Di Yi Tu.

To provoke the Imperial Noble Consort? This is far more dangerous than directly investigating the Great Zhou Imperial Palace; it's tantamount to completely breaking ties with Nangong Xuanyu.

Now is definitely not a good time.

……

Chuxiu Palace.

Consort Kang leaned against the warm couch, holding a steaming cup of red date and longan tea in her hands, but her eyes were somewhat unfocused.

Ever since Lady Chu was deposed and banished to the Cold Palace, the Empress's heart has never truly been at peace.

It's not that I feel sorry for the Chu family.

However, the woman had come from her palace and had even conceived a royal heir. With Lady Chu suddenly losing power, even she, as the principal consort, lost face.

Adding to the previous incident of Lady Chu concealing her pregnancy, and the unfortunate event of slipping and falling at the New Year's Eve palace banquet, which led to a miscarriage, all these things made Consort Kang feel a tightness in her chest.

"Miss."

Caiju tiptoed in and reported, "The Snowflake Pavilion has been cleaned and tidied up three times, inside and out."

"As you instructed, all the windows have been opened to let in some fresh air, and the mugwort has been used for fumigation. All the old items, including the bed curtains, bedding, and pillows, have been cleared out and disposed of."

Although Li Changde considered Chu Shi a criminal who needed to be thoroughly interrogated, Xuehua Pavilion was, after all, Consort Kang's territory, and Chu Shi's affairs could not be made public, so he had no reason to conduct a large-scale search of the place.

Therefore, Consort Kang felt uneasy and ordered a thorough cleaning.

Upon hearing Caiju's words, Consort Kang hummed in response, her expression softening slightly.

The place where the Chu family once lived has lost another child; it's an ominous sign.

She felt better after cleaning it up thoroughly.

Consort Kang took a sip of tea and asked, "Is there anything special left behind?"

She was referring to Chu's personal belongings, which should have been disposed of or sealed in principle, but it was hard to guarantee that nothing had been overlooked.

Caiju replied, "Your Majesty, Madam Chu's previous rank was not high, and her expenses were ordinary; she did not possess many valuable items."

"Jewelry, hairpins, and clothing for all four seasons have been registered, cataloged, and sealed. However..."

She paused, a hint of hesitation on her face, and said, "While tidying the bookshelf, we found several handwritten Buddhist scriptures. We don't know what to do with them, so we've come to ask Your Highness for instructions."

After all, most people nowadays believe in Buddhism, and acting rashly might be disrespectful to Buddha.

"Buddhist scriptures?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Kang raised her slender eyebrows slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Chu was charming and seemed to prefer playing with cosmetics and trendy items; she was never seen devoutly worshipping Buddha.

Buddhist scriptures were hidden in the Chu family's residence?

Consort Kang suddenly remembered that a long time ago, Bahargul had tried to blackmail her with Buddhist scriptures containing secrets, which made her even more wary of such things.

Consort Kang put down her teacup and said, "What kind of Buddhist scripture? Bring it here so I can take a look."

"Yes."

Caiju acknowledged the order and withdrew. A short while later, she returned carrying a tray. On it were three neatly stacked, thread-bound booklets with blue cloth covers.

Consort Kang reached out and took the top book.

The booklet wasn't thick. She slowly turned the title page, inside which was a neatly copied copy of the Heart Sutra.

The handwriting is elegant and refined, and the turns of the brushstrokes carry a harmonious and profound charm, clearly indicating that the person who copied the sutra has a high level of calligraphic skill.

This handwriting...

Consort Kang's gaze lingered on the ink characters.

At first glance, it was pleasing to the eye, but upon closer inspection... a vague sense of familiarity suddenly arose.

She stared intently, her finger tracing the last stroke of the character "深" (deep) in the phrase "观自在菩萨，行深般若波罗蜜多时" (Guanzizai Bodhisattva, when practicing the profound Prajna Paramita).

That unique finishing curve...

In a flash, Consort Kang suddenly realized something!

Many years ago, outside the scripture pavilion of Fatu Temple.

She knelt down devoutly and begged Master Xingchen, the most learned and renowned Buddhist master in the temple, to transcribe a prayer text for her parents.

At that time, Master Xingchen was not yet famous throughout the world, but he was already a recognized outstanding monk of Fatu Temple.

He agreed.

A few days later, Consort Kang received a copy of the Diamond Sutra in regular script.

His handwriting was elegant and refined, smooth and insightful, leaving a deep impression on her.

Consort Kang once secretly sighed, "He truly deserves to be called an enlightened monk; even his words reveal his Buddhist nature."

Later, Master Xingchen's reputation grew, and he became a revered monk of the royal temple. His calligraphy became extremely rare and valuable, and she never received another piece of his work.

Consort Kang always remembered the handwriting on that scroll of the Diamond Sutra.

And at this moment, the words on this scroll of the Heart Sutra in my hand are so similar to the handwriting of Master Xingchen in my memory!

No, it's not just similar...

The charm between the strokes, the strength at the turns, some unique writing habits... this is clearly the handwriting of Master Xingchen!