Chapter 69: Fishing for Offerings; Boor Meets Crown Prince
"UNVEIL–"
Along with the strong, spirited call, an enormous red brocade fell to the ground. A roaring cheer exploded from the crowd of thousands.
This was a golden divine statue of the Crown Prince. A sword in one hand, a flower in the other, symbolizing 'The power to end the world but with a heart as gentle as the flower'. The face of that statue was soft and beautiful, the brows long and elegant, lips thin and clean, slightly curved, as if smiling. Affectionate but not coquettish, fierce but not heartless. It was a compassionate and handsome face.
This was the eight thousandth Temple of the Crown Prince within the Kingdom of Xian Le.
Three years after ascension, there were eight thousand temples raised in his name. Such a passionate following was unseen in history and likely would not have anymore like it in the future; the one and only.
However, this eight thousandth temple didn't have the most glamorous divine statue of the Crown Prince. Atop Mount Taicang, the summit where the Crown Prince resided in his youth during training was renamed 'The Crown Prince Summit'. It was where the first Xian Le Pavilion was built. Once the first divine statue of the Crown Prince was sculpted, it was also there where the king personally unveiled it. That divine statue of the Crown Prince was five meters high, its craftsmanship legendary. It was built of pure, solid gold, truly an invaluable 'golden body'.
Within the Xian Le Pavilion, devotees were endless, breaking through the threshold. The incense vessel before the Pavilion were stuffed with incense long and short, and the donation box was also much bigger than the average donation boxes in other temples because if it wasn't built big enough, it would be full of offerings before the day's over and those who come after wouldn't be able to donate. In the courtyard of the temple was a clear pond, also filled with coins, shimmering brightly in the water. Many of the turtles residing in the ponds didn't dare to peep their heads out anymore from all the coins that were thrown by the devotees, many bouncing off their shells. No matter how the cultivators asked the people not to do so they were fruitless. Within the massive red walls of the temple were planted full of plum trees, the branches tied with countless bright red ribbons of wishes, painting an impressive scenery of flowing red amongst a sea of blossoms.
As for the interior of the temple, Xie Lian was seated just below his divine statue, watching over the crowd. No one could see him but he could see and hear their chatter: "How come the Temple of the Crown Prince doesn't have prostration cushions?"
"Yea, even the Temple Master said we can't prostrate. The temple's already unveiled so why can't we prostrate?"
Another said, "This must be your first time at the Xian Le Pavilion. The Xian Le Pavilions are all like this. I hear after his royal highness ascended, he sent dreams to many temple donors, to the Temple Master, telling them not to have the devotees prostrate. So, none of the Temples of the Crown Prince have anywhere you can prostrate."
Although no one could see him, Xie Lian still nodded his head. However, a few others laughed, "What's the logic in that? Aren't we meant to prostrate before gods? That must've been a rumour."
Xie Lian "eh"-ed, another added, "That's right! We must kneel! Only kneeling can show our sincerity!"
Thus, one took the lead and knelt down, and soon after, a large number of others followed suit and knelt down on the ground. Hundreds and thousands of people squished inside and outside of the great hall and started kowtowing before the divine statue, their forms rising and falling, muttering and silently praying for blessings. Xie Lian quietly hid, 'Nevermind, we'll take it slowly.'
The next moment, a large wave of noise came at him from all around.
"Achieve a high rank! A high rank! This year I must achieve a high rank! If I obtain it I will return my gratitude!"
"Pray for safe passages!"
"The girl I like likes my shixiong, please make him uglier, please I beg you."
"I won't believe I still can't give birth to a fucking chubby brat!!!"
...There were all kinds of prayers, Xie Lian was getting a headache just listening, and hurriedly casted a spell, blocking out those endless voices. His ears only just quieted down when there was yelling, and a man clad in black came running out from the back of the pavilion, his hands covering his ears. He roared, "WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE PRAYERS!!!"
The devotees also didn't sense the appearance of this man and continued kowtowing. Xie Lian breathed a sigh, patted his shoulder and laughed, "Feng Xin, thanks for your hard work."
Such an exuberant Xian Le Pavilion, the number of prayers that Xie Lian could hear every day exceeded thousands. At first, he was filled with the energy brought forth by the new position, had little care whether if the matters were big or small, and worked through them personally. After a while, there were really way too many prayers, so he'd split off a block and gave them to Feng Xin and Mu Qing. What were within his duties and what could be ignored, after filtering through the prayers the two would pass over the important matters back to him.
After filtering through the prayers Mu Qing would report back without ever a complaint, but Feng Xin on the other hand, just couldn't understand why there were so many who'd blindly pray over petty business, even blessings for harmonious bedchamber matters were brought to the Xian Le Pavilion. Xie Lian is a martial god and certainly couldn't take care of such things. This kept up and offended other heavenly officials too, blaming them for taking matters they had no control over, taking devotees they had no business to take, to which Xie Lian couldn't rebut.
Feng Xin still had his hands covering his ears, even if that gesture did nothing. "Your Highness, why do you have so many female devotees?"
Xie Lian shook out his sleeves and remained seated within the clouds of incense, smiling, "What's wrong with having so many female devotees? Beauties like clouds, pleasing to the eyes."
Feng Xin dropped his face, "Not good at all. It's like those female devotees had no other prayers than wishing to look nicer, marry nicer, give birth to a nice son. Nothing of importance, just looking at them gives me a headache!"
Xie Lian grinned and was about to continue when suddenly there was a commotion among the crowds. The two looked to the outside the hall and heard someone speak with a low voice, "Prince Xiao Jing has come, let's get out of here! Prince Xiao Jing is here!"
Hearing "Prince Xiao Jing", it was like everyone heard "The Devil". All dropped their faces and dispersed like birds. A moment later, it was as if a tornado blew by, and all the devotees who were in the hall escaped. Soon after, a young man dressed in lavish brocade and a cape crossed the threshold swaggering, a glass gem lamp in his hands. Without looking at his eyes, his face resembled that of Xie Lian, but seeing the eyes, one would think him overly cocky. It was none other than Qi Rong.
Qi Rong had reached the age of seventeen-eighteen by now, his face broadened, his disposition much more mature, and finally had an air of nobility. He entered through the doors but didn't allow any of his attendants to come in. He held that lamp with both his hands and knelt down on the clean floors of the hall, his cape fluttering down. He raised the lamp to his forehead and solemnly prostrated. The two on top of the altar shared a look. Feng Xin smacked his lips and Xie Lian understood the annoyance in his eyes.
Three years ago when Xie Lian first left the royal capital to travel the world, Qi Rong was still in detention. After his return, he hadn't yet had the chance to see his little cousin before he soundly ascended that very night in his sleep. Within those three years, Xie Lian sent a number of dreams to his parents, to the Guoshi, and a few others. He sent one to Qi Rong once, admonishing him to be kind to others from then on, to keep his behaviour in check and not to cause trouble. Thus, Qi Rong had been doing his utmost to build temples everywhere, offering donations and lamps for good merits.
Although he worked hard, sincere to the bones, but he would still stir up trouble every now and then, and it would be Feng Xin who had to go clean up after him. Because of this, Xie Lian could understand Feng Xin's annoyance.
On the floor, Qi Rong finished paying his respects and started whining, "Cousin Crown Prince, this is the five hundredth lamp I've offered. I'm such a loyal little brother, when will you come see me? Even a dream is fine. Uncle and auntie both miss you dearly but you only ignore us. Truly high and mighty and cold."
He did not notice at all that Feng Xin was right there, reminding Xie Lian, "Don't pay attention to him. The Heavenly Emperor had told you that unless it's a matter of importance, heavenly officials are not allowed to show themselves privately before mortals. Families must be avoided."
"Don't worry, I know." Xie Lian said.
Qi Rong rose to his feet holding that lamp, reached for a brush and started writing on that lamp with his head lowered. Xie Lian and Feng Xin felt bad so they approached to see what he was writing. Seeing that it was something normal like 'Pray for the country's prosperity and blessed climate' etc., and not praying for some family to be beheaded before the marketplace or some such, the two breathed a sigh. Watching Qi Rong write so carefully and properly, Xie Lian was reminded of something.
When Qi Rong first returned to the palace with his mother, there was once a group of royals and nobles mounted Mount Taicang to pray for blessings. Qi Rong's mother was a returnee after having eloped with a lowly peasant and didn't dare to see anyone, but she always wanted blessings for her son, have him experience the world, and not stuffed inside like herself turning into an ignorant nobody, so she begged the queen to bring Qi Rong along.
Although it was already kept fairly low-key, but a royal scandal went around faster than an arrow, and there wasn't anyone in the royal capital who didn't know what happened to that pair of mother and son. Thus, along the way, many sons of nobles purposely left Qi Rong out, not playing with or talking to him. Xie Lian saw a swing-set and ran over to play, and all the children of the same age ran after him, taking turns to push the Crown Prince on the swings, taking it as an honourable task. When Xie Lian was swung to the highest point, he subconsciously looked down and saw Qi Rong hiding behind his mother's shadow, a head peeking out, watching him with envy.
Once they reached the Great Martial Hall, the grown ups, after having offered lights, moved to beg the Guoshi for fortunes, for deciphering their fortunes, and conversed amongst themselves, leaving the children within the hall to offer up small lamps for play.
It was Qi Rong's first time meeting the queen and did not know she had already offered a light in his and his mother's name. He saw how beautiful the lamps were and wanted to offer one up for blessings too. He was young and didn't understand much, so he asked all those around how to write words of prayer for his mother. The children from Qi Rong's branch of the family already detested him, under the influence from their elders, they all thought that mother and son had shamed the family so they intentionally tricked him.
When Xie Lian finished writing on his lamp and put down the brush, he heard malicious giggling from behind, and when he turned his head, he saw Qi Rong with his hands covered in ink, held a lamp like a precious treasure, his face full of smiles, about to offer the light. Yet on that lamp, the words "Pray My Mother and I Pass Away to the Heavens, Qi Rong' were written in ugly scribbles.
Xie Lian broke that lamp on the spot, furious and outraged.
He wasn't very old at the time, but all the noble young men and children were terrified, prostrating on the ground, afraid to speak. After containing himself, Xie Lian personally rewrote prayers on a new lamp for Qi Rong, and no one dared play any tricks after that. Later when they descended the mountain Xie Lian went to swing on the swings again. This time, Qi Rong emerged from behind the queen and pushed him. He was shorter than Xie Lian, but he pushed especially enthusiastically, still gazing at him from below, only this gaze had changed into one of worship. After that, he became Xie Lian's tail, wagging behind his 'cousin Crown Prince'.
It must be said that Qi Rong had once been somewhat normal, but somehow had become more and more off the track along the way. However in those three years, there were too many people and too many matters Xie Lian must care for, and had no time for relations of old, and certainly didn't know whether if Qi Rong had matured.
Whilst he was still reminiscing, Qi Rong had already offered his light and was getting ready to leave the hall. Unexpected, as he backed away, he bumped into another. Qi Rong staggered then whipped around, and started cussing without even seeing who it was, "WHAT THE HELL? ARE YOU BLIND OR DID YOU DIE ON THE SPOT FORGETTING TO MOVE?"
The moment he opened his mouth Xie Lian and Feng Xin both covered their faces, thinking: 'He hasn't changed at all, still the same!'
Maybe it was because he lived with his father until he was five, and couldn't help but be influenced by the rowdy market environment and his father's violent temper, but even after when the queen patiently tried to educate Qi Rong, the moment he gets agitated, by the Guoshi's words, he'd 'reveal his true form'.
The one who bumped into Qi Rong was an unkempt young man, of twenty-four or five years, carrying a simple satchel, his straw slippers so worn it was almost rimless and baseless, covered in dust. However, even though this young man was wan and sallow, his lips dried and cracking, his form slumping, his face was bright, thin but not weak, and his eyes were shining bright.
"What is this place?" He asked.
"This is the Xian Le Pavilion, the Temple of the Crown Prince!" Qi Rong replied.
That man started mumbling, "Temple of the Crown Prince? Crown Prince? So this is the palace?" He saw the divine statue inside, the gold reflecting on his face, and he asked again, "Is that gold?"
Seeing how glamorous the pavilion was, he had taken the temple as the royal palace. A guard approached to chase him away and Qi Rong said, "Of course it's gold. The Temple of the Crown Prince is a temple, not the pavilion at the imperial palace! You don't even know where you are, where did you barbarian come from?"
"Then where's the palace?" That man asked.
Qi Rong squinted his eyes, "Why do you ask?"
That man replied in a serious tone, "I need to go to the palace and see the king. I have something to tell him."
Qi Rong and the guards burst out laughing, their expressions condescending, "Where did this country bumpkin come from? You want to do what at the palace? Want to see the king? Is he someone you can see just because you want to? They probably won't even let you through the gates when you get there."
That man didn't seem to be affected by the taunt, "I'll go try. Maybe it'll work."
Qi Rong laughed, "Then go try!" Then he raised his hand and purposely pointed in the wrong direction.
"Thanks." That man said, adjusted his satchel, then turned to walk out of the hall. When he reached the stone bridge, he suddenly stopped in his step. Through the clear pond water, layers upon layers of coins could be seen sunken below.
That young man seemed to have pondered for a moment and the next second, he leapt over the bridge railing and jumped into the pond.
He was agile and skilled; once in the pond, he bent down and started fishing up bundles and bundles of coins, stuffing them into the satchel in his arms. Since they had never seen anyone who dared rob the offerings of a god, Xie Lian and Feng Xin were both stunned. Qi Rong was also taken aback and immediately erupted in anger, rushing to the bridge and slapped at the railing, yelling, "WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! SOMEONE PULL HIM OUT!!! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!!!"
A number of guards immediately jumped into the water to pull that young man out, but unexpectedly, he was also quite skilled, throwing punches and kicks, not letting anyone close. Qi Rong was jumping up and down in rage, and none of the cultivators in the yard could do anything. That young man fished up a bag full and heavy with coins, carried his satchel anew and was ready to climb ashore but accidentally stepped on moss, his feet slipped, and fell back into the waters in a large splash. The guards thus took this chance to seize him, wrangling him back ashore. Qi Rong raised his leg to stomp, yelling, "YOU DARE STEAL THIS MONEY!"
When Qi Rong raised his leg, Feng Xin was already standing on the side, catching the right moment and blocked, so it looked like Qi Rong's stomp was vicious but it actually landed lightly. Although Qi Rong couldn't see the one playing tricks, he still felt something was off, like a ghost clinging to his leg. He kicked a number of times and it was the same feeling, making him feel rather lousy.
That young man seemed to have choked on water and coughed a few times, "That money was just lying there in the pond, why can't I use it to save people?"
Qi Rong, unsatisfied by his kicks, finally stopped from irritation, "Save who? Who are you? Where'd you come from?"
He only asked so he could sentence that young man to a crime and throw him into prison, but that young man still answered honestly, "My name is Lang Ying, I'm from Yong'an. We're going through a drought, there's no water, the crops won't grow, and everyone's starving because there's no income. There's water here, and food, and money. You use gold to build statues, throw coins into water, so why can't you share some with us?"
Yong'an was a large city within the Kingdom of Xian Le. Xie Lian rose to his feet, his expression serious, "Feng Xin, there's a drought in Yong'an? How come I didn't hear of this?"
Feng Xin turned his head back, "I don't know. I didn't hear anything either. Let's ask Mu Qing later?"