Who Here Would Dare Disrespect the Marquis?

"Hm?" Zhang Ju had already turned to get back into the carriage, but the question stopped him. "That's right."

Chen He stepped forward and cupped his hands. "We've come to find the Marquis of Linru County and deliver a message to him."

The monk grew even more cautious. "What is your relationship to the marquis? What business do you have with him? Is it urgent?"

At that, Zhang Ju and Chen He knew they might have a way in.

Chen He gave Zhang Ju a look.

Zhang Ju hurriedly said, "I'm the marquis's cousin. His mother sent me to deliver a message to him."

The monk's manner immediately turned respectful. Bowing, he said, "If you've come for the marquis, that's another matter. Please wait here while I report this. I'll speak with you again once I've asked." With that, he hurried away.

Zhang Ju and Chen He stared at each other, utterly bewildered.

"The Prince's Residence..." Zhang Ju asked uncertainly, "does it have some history with Guishan Temple?"

He knew how influential this temple was. He had visited it with Jiang Yi and the others before, and even the haughty young master of the Jiang family had shown respect at every turn. He had also heard that high officials at court treated the temple's Presiding Monk with the utmost deference.

Yet the mere mention of his cousin had produced this reaction. The contrast was so stark that he could not help wondering why.

Chen He thought back, then shook his head. "Not much of a connection. The old madam enjoys worshipping Buddha, but she's rarely come to Guishan Temple. His Highness has never set foot here."

"Then it must be because of the marquis." Uncertainty showed on Zhang Ju's face. "But he had no connection to this temple before, did he?"

"He didn't," Chen He said, then added, "At least, not before."

As a steward of the Prince's Residence, he knew perfectly well that the marquis's every word and deed had been subject to its control. Only recently had things taken an unexpected turn. He had accompanied Zhang Ju partly to deliver the old madam's instructions and partly to find Chen Hai and ask him a few questions. His brother had been acting rather strangely of late.

This should have been a routine errand. But the monk's reaction had left Chen He with an uneasy feeling he could not explain.

Word reached the Hilltop. After a moment's thought, the old monk said, "Today is no time for complications. But the marquis is no ordinary man. His cultivation is advancing rapidly, and before long, he may regain all he achieved in his previous life. He has also shown consideration for the temple's circumstances. I cannot refuse him every courtesy. His family has come all the way to our gates. Turning them away would be too unkind."

After a pause, he gave his orders. "Have the Karma Master receive them personally, to show our respect for the marquis. His position will also give him the authority to manage these visitors, even if they're from the Prince's Residence. He can keep track of them, prevent them from wandering about, and take them straight to the marquis's courtyard."

The monk received his orders and hurried off without delay.

Zhang Ju and Chen He were still waiting, their thoughts churning over the monk's reaction. Neither knew whether they would be allowed inside.

Ordinarily, it would have been a simple question. But after that reaction, being admitted or turned away would mean something quite different.

When the monk returned, they were about to step forward and ask him. Before they could, the temple gates swung wide open.

The Karma Master led several monks out to greet them. "As members of the marquis's household, you are honored guests of our temple. I am its Karma Master. The Presiding Monk has pressing matters to attend to, or he would have welcomed you himself. Please forgive us."

"There's no need for that!" Flattered and startled, Zhang Ju and Chen He hastily returned the courtesy. They knew enough about temple offices to recognize that the Karma Master held considerable standing. One of them had an official post but little reputation; the other was simply a servant, and their attendants mattered even less. To have someone of his standing come to the gates in person was both surprising and gratifying.

And it was not just the Karma Master. The other monks were respectful too. As the two followed them into the temple, they could not help dwelling on it.

The first monk had said plainly that the temple was closed to visitors and outsiders could not come and go at will. Yet the gates had opened for them. The only thing that had changed was their mention of the Marquis of Linru County.

"Are you sure the marquis has no connection to this temple?" Zhang Ju glanced at the monks around them, then found a chance to ask quietly.

"I don't believe he does," Chen He said, though he was no longer certain. "He certainly didn't before."

Zhang Ju drew a deep breath. "If that's true, are you saying he won over the entire temple in just a few days? That's extraordinary. This is a renowned temple. Its Three Treatises are famous among scholars, and distinguished men often come here to debate. Yet even they don't earn the respect of everyone in the temple to the point that their relatives and servants receive such treatment!"

Chen He frowned. "You're exaggerating a little, Master Zhang." Then something occurred to him. "The Marquis's Residence has withdrawn quite a lot of money these past few days. Perhaps the marquis made a generous donation and won their favor."

The thought irritated him. Whenever the Marquis's Residence spent a substantial sum in the past, his brother had reported it afterward. This time, Chen He had heard it from an informant instead. It was as though Chen Hai had forgotten the Prince's Residence altogether.

"Temples seek donations as a matter of course," Zhang Ju said, shaking his head. "The wealthy may spend fortunes here, but that doesn't bring the Presiding Monk out to greet them, much less earn such treatment for their family and servants." When Chen He seemed about to reply, Zhang Ju continued, "No monk would invoke the Presiding Monk's name lightly. If they mentioned him, he must have given his approval. No matter how much an ordinary visitor donated, the Karma Master would be the one to receive them. Why would it concern the venerable Presiding Monk?"

Chen He froze.

"And a great temple has its own scriptural tradition," Zhang Ju went on. "A rich man can bring all the money he likes without winning over its eminent monks. Unless he possesses exceptional learning and can convince them in debate..."

As he spoke, a patrol of Warrior Monks approached. Every one of them was powerfully built. They frowned at the sight of Zhang Ju's party and came over, their presence immediately oppressive.

Their leader stopped before the Karma Master and asked why the visitors were there.

The Karma Master explained that they belonged to the Marquis of Linru County's household and that the Presiding Monk had approved their entry.

At the marquis's name, the Warrior Monks immediately turned respectful. They asked nothing further, bowed together, then turned and left.

Zhang Ju and Chen He exchanged another glance, their bewilderment deepening.

Chen He's thoughts raced. The old madam had ordered him to bring the marquis home. He had expected to deliver the order and leave with him. But in just a few days, the young marquis seemed to have gained immense standing within the temple. As a servant, Chen He could hardly issue a forceful command before all these monks. Yet if he merely passed on the message...

The thought gave him a headache.

They continued on to the Mid-Mountain Courtyard. Both had heard of the place. The Marquis of Linru County was a member of the imperial clan, after all, so it was hardly surprising that he had been given a Secluded Courtyard for his stay.

But when the monks opened the courtyard gate and Chen He saw the guards standing on either side, his heart inexplicably began to pound. An invisible pressure seemed to hang in the air.

Chen Hai came out slowly. Chen He was about to call to him, but the Karma Master stepped forward respectfully and explained their visit to Chen Hai, who was attending the door.

Chen Hai nodded, turned to the door, and knocked with great care. He respectfully explained the situation and bowed as he asked for instructions. Throughout it all, he did not spare his elder brother a single glance, leaving Chen He more bewildered than ever.

"If they've come from home, of course I'll see them."

At that, Chen Hai opened the door.

The room was clean, though there was something odd about it: a piglet lay fast asleep in a corner, with a Green-Shelled Turtle resting on its back.

It should have been a strange sight. But when everyone saw the Marquis of Linru County seated at the table, all other thoughts fell away.

Chen Cuo's face was as fair as White Jade, a faint smile on his lips. Dressed in black, he sat at the table, poured a cup of tea, and looked at his visitors.

A peaceful, tranquil atmosphere spread through the room, easing much of their worry, unease, and restless thought.

Zhang Ju and Chen He visibly relaxed.

The Karma Master, however, went still. Horror flashed across his face. He could not remain there another moment and hurried off to report to the Presiding Monk. What he had just felt was no illusion. It was clearly the prelude to the birth of a mind and the hopes of all directions!