"No form of self, no form of others, no form of sentient beings, no form of a life span..."
The Chen Family's Buddhist hall was brilliantly illuminated by candlelight, the smoke rising from the candles lingering around the roof beams.
Inside the Buddhist hall, the gilded statue of Shakyamuni formed the Varada mudra with its left hand and the Abhaya mudra with its right. Its expression was compassionate, its precious appearance solemn and dignified. Sitting cross-legged, Chen Ji and Madam Liang murmured in low voices. Their mouths were dry, tongues parched, bodies and minds completely exhausted, and their facial expressions distorted and ferocious.
Outside the Buddhist hall, a group of manservants, maids, and old nannies had gathered, almost falling asleep while standing. Seeing that Chen Ji had not returned from his morning respects for a long time, Xiaoman was also waiting outside the doors, currently leaning against the wall, her head nodding repeatedly as she dozed off.
Outside the Chen Estate, the night watchman passed by striking his gong, his voice ringing high and clear: "The weather is dry and objects are combustible; be careful with fire and candles!"
The Zi hour.
Hearing the sound of the night watchman, Madam Liang's personal first-class maid, 'Dongzhi', had the corners of her mouth twitch slightly. This session of paying respects had started early in the morning at the Mao hour before the sky was even bright, continuing all the way until the Zi hour at night—a full ten shichen!
There were only twelve shichen in a day! What kind of proper person spent an entire day paying respects?! With such utmost sincerity, even the Buddha himself should have been invited down by now!
Inside the Buddhist hall, Madam Liang secretly used her peripheral vision to glance at the two people beside her. She knew in her heart that these two were young, strong, and deeply vigorous; she definitely wouldn't be able to outlast them. If she was tormented to death by Chen Ji staying awake here today, she feared it would become a massive, heaven-shaking joke.
Yet ironically, she was the one who started this matter. Not satisfied with him finishing one volume of Buddhist sutras, she insisted on making Chen Ji read another volume. In the end, she had lifted a rock only to drop it on her own foot.
Pondering for a moment, Madam Liang slowly set down the Buddhist sutra. Her voice hoarse, she said, "You two continue reciting first. I suddenly want to read the Diamond Prajna Paramita Sutra, but it's not here. I'll go look for it elsewhere."
Chen Wenzong nodded slightly. "Mother, please go ahead."
Standing up, Madam Liang shot a meaningful glance at Dongzhi outside the doors. "Dongzhi, come over and help me look for it as well."
Giving an "Ai" sound in response, Dongzhi accompanied Madam Liang into the side room where the Buddhist books were kept.
The moment they entered the room, Dongzhi turned back to close the doors securely. Madam Liang instantly released the breath she had been holding in, almost collapsing into a chair.
Kneeling beside her, Dongzhi massaged her legs and Whispered Privately, "Madam, why has this Chen Ji changed his personality? When he returned for New Year's Day last year, he was still cowardly and useless, obeying your every word. Yet now, there's a ruthless intensity about him."
Frowning, Madam Liang said, "You noticed it too? I also feel that there's something not quite right about him; it's as if he changed into a completely different person."
Dongzhi consoled her, "Madam, just rest here. When they come, just say we haven't found the book yet. Could this Chen Ji really stay awake until dawn?"
Lacking the energy to say much more, Madam Liang slowly closed her eyes. "I'll take a short nap. Help keep an eye out for me."
In the Buddhist hall, Chen Ji glanced at the completely empty futon beside him. He asked abruptly, "Older Brother, reading up to here, I suddenly have a few doubts, yet I couldn't find the answers within the Buddhist sutras. Could I ask Older Brother to help provide an explanation?"
Setting down the Scripture volume in his hands, Chen Wenzong said warmly, "Speak and let me hear them."
Chen Ji asked, "Is this world eternal?"
Chen Wenzong froze.
Chen Ji asked again, "Does this world have boundaries?"
Frowning, Chen Wenzong remained silent and didn't answer. Even though he had extensively read Buddhist sutras in his youth, he had never seen the Buddha answer these two questions.
However, Chen Ji knew from the very beginning that Chen Wenzong would inevitably be unable to answer, because these were two of the "Fourteen Unanswered Questions" in Buddhism.
The so-called "Fourteen Unanswered Questions" were what later generations often referred to as fourteen questions that even the Buddha was unwilling to answer. And the word "Unanswered", translated directly from Sanskrit, originally meant "unable to be clearly stated, unable to be described."
Chen Ji asked curiously, "Does Older Brother also not know the answers to these two questions?"
Chen Wenzong said frankly, "Older Brother's talent is sparse and learning shallow. Thinking carefully, it seems the Buddha never answered these two questions either. Over these next few days, wait for me to flip through the Buddhist sutras again to see if there are any explanations within."
Smiling, Chen Ji said, "Older Brother, there's no need to go through so much trouble."
Chen Wenzong was puzzled. "Third Brother has a way to resolve these doubts?"
Chen Ji said, "Why don't we go ask Madam?"
Chen Wenzong was startled.
Standing up, Chen Ji said, "Madam studies and delves deeply into Buddhist teachings; she will definitely be able to answer these two questions."
After saying that, he walked over to the side room and knocked on the doors. "Madam, Chen Ji has doubts. I request Madam to provide an explanation for me."
Inside the side room, Madam Liang's eyes snapped open sharply. She only felt that Chen Ji's voice at this moment was like an evil ghost in the Five Turbidities Evil World—a lingering, unshakeable spirit. She had clearly already hidden here, yet the other party actually managed to find an excuse to chase after her!
Her expression was somewhat dazed and absent-minded; it seemed she truly couldn't endure it much longer.
Looking at her with worry, Dongzhi said, "Madam, shall I go send him away?"
Madam Liang shook her head. "No need."
After saying that, she tidied up her makeup and appearance, smoothed out the wrinkles on her clothes, and walked out the doors holding a copy of the Diamond Prajna Paramita Sutra. Smiling warmly, she asked, "What are the questions?"
...
...
Outside the Buddhist hall, footsteps approached.
Frowning, Chen Liqin looked at the manservants and maids gathered outside the Buddhist hall. "What are you all gathered here for?"
Dropping into a Ten Thousand Blessings Greeting, Dongzhi immediately wanted to lodge a complaint: "Reporting to Master: Third Young Master, he is too un..."
Dozing to the side, Xiaoman awakened with a start and snatched the conversation away: "Master! Eldest Young Master and Third Young Master are accompanying Madam to read Buddhist sutras inside!"
Turning her head, Dongzhi shot her a covert glare. Unwilling to show weakness, Xiaoman glared right back.
Chen Liqin didnt notice any of this. His eyes looked at the three silhouettes under the lamplight in the Buddhist hall, his ears listening to the low murmurs from within. He only felt that this was a long-lost warmth within the mansion.
Hearing Chen Liqin's voice, Madam Liang sighed with relief as if freed. Standing up to welcome him, she said, "Master has returned."
Stepping over the threshold into the Buddhist hall, Chen Liqin smiled and said, "I went to inspect the river embankments for a whole day today. You all certainly have good, refined interests."
Remaining silent for a moment, Madam Liang said hoarsely, "It's not exactly any refined interests either..."
Chen Wenzong explained, "Father, today Third Brother and I came to pay our morning respects together, and subsequently accompanied Mother to read Buddhist texts. It's as if Third Brother has suddenly been enlightened; he developed an interest in the meanings of the Scriptures. Thus, we kept him company by his side, conveniently answering questions and resolving his doubts. Third Brother is intelligent; the questions he raised, even Mother and I were unable to answer."
"Oh?" Chen Liqin didn't ask what the questions were. This was because he knew in his heart that whatever could stump Chen Wenzong would likely stump him as well.
He smiled and said, "Chen Ji, it's rare that you've developed an interest in the meanings of Scriptures. However, you should read more of our Confucian classics. The core meanings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism are interconnected to begin with, and our Confucian scholarly circles also possess grand learning. Right, when spring arrives next year, go to the Donglin Academy."
Clasping his hands in a greeting, Chen Ji said, "Lord Chen, I don't want to leave home for so long, nor go so far."
Pondering for a moment, Chen Liqin said, "Then go to the Imperial Academy. I am well-acquainted with the Chancellor, 'Yang Zhan'. Asking him to arrange an Imperial Academy Student identity for you won't be difficult. It's just that there are only a little over fifty erudite scholars in this Imperial Academy, yet they have to answer questions and resolve doubts for over nine thousand Imperial Academy Students. In the end, it is still inferior to the Donglin Academy..."
Chen Ji understood. The Imperial Academy in the Capital City was a massive communal pot, while the Donglin Academy in Lu Province was a small private stove. Which was superior and which was inferior was Clear at a Glance.
However, he was already a Gyrfalcon of the Secret Spy Division, an inner court rank 5b imperial bodyguard serving directly under the Emperor. Even an ordinary County Magistrate had to salute him upon meeting; there was truly no need to go participate in the Imperial Examination.
At this time, Madam Liang said hoarsely, "Master is about to leave his post yet still went to inspect the river embankments; you must surely be exhausted. This concubine will immediately arrange for the servants to boil water for you and cook a bowl of silver ear mushroom and lotus seed soup. Chen Ji, Wenzong, you two can go back for now."
Bowing in salute, Chen Ji said, "Yes."
Just as he was about to leave, Madam Liang suddenly called out to him: "Chen Ji."
Turning back, Chen Ji asked, "What other instructions does Madam have?"
Madam Liang instructed Dongzhi to fetch three volumes of the Great Prajna Sutra and handed them into his hands. "I know you want to strike while the iron is hot; take these three volumes back to read. Since you are currently riding this wave of enthusiasm, you absolutely must not slack off. Tomorrow, I will still test you on the knowledge within."
Without showing any outward reaction, Chen Ji said, "Many thanks to Madam."
"Go back and rest."
...
...
On the bluestone paved path, moonlight blanketed the ground. As the tree branches rustled and swayed, the black shadows resembled ocean waves crashing against the grey bricks.
Chen Ji walked in front, while Xiaoman—yawning and hugging the three volumes of books—followed behind.
Once they returned to the Mingquan Courtyard, Xiaoman asked curiously, "Young Master, where should I place these three volumes of books?"
Physically and mentally exhausted, Chen Ji said, "Throw away the first volume and the second volume."
"Ah?" Startled, Xiaoman asked, "What about the third volume?"
With a loud 'thud', Chen Ji fell onto the bed flat on his back. "Throw the third volume even further away."
Xiaoman: "..."
She leaned in, making a gesture to help Chen Ji take off his Black Official Boots.
Startled by her actions, Chen Ji sat back up. "What are you doing?"
Xiaoman said as if it were perfectly natural and right: "Taking off Young Master's boots, ah! I'll go boil some hot water to wash Young Master's feet later. Once you're washed clean and warm, you'll sleep well."
Pulling his legs back, Chen Ji said earnestly, "I instructed you: by my side, you do not need to serve me. You only need to take good care of yourself."
Xiaoman's eyes widened. "Is Young Master disgusted by me? Isn't this what I always did in the past?"
Chen Ji could only explain, "During these two years in the medical clinic, I've already gotten used to taking care of myself. I don't need to be served anymore."
Xiaoman fell silent, and Chen Ji also remained silent.
A moment later, Xiaoman sighed with emotion, "From the looks of it, Young Master has also suffered quite a lot of hardships over these two years."
After saying that, she pulled out eight Peanut Silver Nuggets from her sleeve. "Young Master, the old rules."
Sitting on the bed, Chen Ji was perplexed and confused. What old rules? And what was the deal with these eight Peanut Silver Nuggets?
Resting on the window lattice, Wu Yun 'meowed'.
Yet he heard Xiaoman say, "Today, Sister Liqiu came looking for me, saying someone wanted to use eight taels of silver a month to buy information about you. Thus, just like in the past, I agreed to it. Look, all eight taels of silver are here. According to the old rules, I take one tael, and you take seven taels. I was still trying to help you probe out who the employer was, but Sister Liqiu's mouth was very tight; she was unwilling to tell me."
While speaking, Xiaoman muttered, "Young Master must not go flaunting his wealth in front of others with this silver. Otherwise, they'll know we've been relying on swindling silver to get by."
Looking at Xiaoman with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, Chen Ji said, "This employer is far too stingy. They only gave eight taels of silver?"
Without her face blushing or her heart skipping a beat, Xiaoman said with absolute certainty, "Just eight taels, ah! It's already much more generous than before; in the past, they only gave eight hundred copper coins! Our days were spent so tight and hard."
Not intending to bicker or nitpick with her, Chen Ji took the seven taels of silver and instructed, "Go sleep in the western side room. I still have to wake up early tomorrow to go pay respects."
Standing up abruptly in anger, Xiaoman said, "In the past, Madam would use the excuse of morning respects to order you around by her side, fetching tea and pouring water. Now that you've only just returned, she punished you to chant scriptures in the Buddhist hall for a whole day! You're almost chanting yourself into a monk! Young Master, why can't you just act a bit tougher? What could they do if you just didn't go pay respects?"
Carefully observing her angry appearance, Chen Ji explained softly, "The Chen Family values rules the most. If we do not abide by the rules, we won't be able to survive within the Chen Family's grand mansion."
Someone had once said: an immature person will die heroically for their ideals, while a mature person will choose to live on, bearing humiliation and a heavy burden for the sake of their ideals.
Chen Ji didn't know whether this saying was ultimately right or wrong, but right now, he had no choice. Bai Long told him to approach the core of the Chen Family, so he had to abide by the Chen Family's rules.
However, he naturally had his own plans.
Chen Ji instructed Xiaoman, "Go sleep."
Puffing her cheeks in anger, Xiaoman said, "What sleep? Young Master has nightmares every day, I still have to keep watch over you! You go to sleep; I'll find time during the day to catch up on sleep."
Chen Ji shook his head. "I no longer have nightmares."
Half-believing and half-doubting, Xiaoman asked, "Really?"
"Really."
"I don't believe it. Let me keep watch over you for one night and see."
...
...
The next morning, before the sky was bright, Wu Yun tucked her paws in and patted Chen Ji.
Rising slowly, Chen Ji was radiating health and vigor.
The Great Furnace of his Mountain Lord Pathway surged like a fountain; just sleeping for a short moment was equivalent to the rest an ordinary person got from a full night's sleep.
Turning his head to look, Xiaoman was sitting on a small wooden stool guarding the charcoal basin, her head nodding repeatedly, dazed and befuddled.
Without waking Xiaoman, Chen Ji silently put on his clothes, passed by her, exited the courtyard, and headed straight for the Buddhist hall.
At this time, the roosters hadn't crowed, and even the maids in the Qunfang Courtyard hadn't come out to move around yet. The massive Chen Estate was empty and desolate.
Tidying his clothes, Chen Ji arrived in front of the Buddhist hall and knocked forcefully on the doors.
A moment later, the doors to the Buddhist hall opened. Madam Liang's hair was disheveled, her eyes blurry with sleep.
She looked at the color of the sky, then looked at Chen Ji in fear and shock. "What watch of the night is it?"
Bowing respectfully, Chen Ji answered, "Reporting to Madam, the third watch."
Madam Liang's fingers gripped the wooden door tightly. "What are you doing coming here so early?! Aren't you sleepy?!"
Pondering for a moment, Chen Ji said earnestly, "Madam, Sincerity Leads to Spiritual Fulfillment."
Madam Liang: "?"
She opened her mouth, but couldn't speak a single word for a long time, nearly losing her composure.
After a long time, Madam Liang took a deep breath and said slowly, "Chen Ji, ah... You are currently at the stage where you thirst for knowledge as if parched. You should place all your thoughts and efforts into your academic studies. You don't need to come pay respects from now on."
Smiling, Chen Ji clasped his hands and bowed. "Many thanks for Madam's consideration. I take my leave."
(End of this chapter)