Chapter 206: The Old Rules

“No self appearance, no person appearance, no sentient beings appearance, no life appearance……”

Candles flickered brightly in the Chen family’s Buddhist hall, their smoke rising and winding around the beams.

Inside the hall, a gold-plated Shakyamuni Buddha sat with his left hand forming the mudra of giving and his right hand forming the mudra of wish. His eyebrows were compassionate, and his treasure appearance solemn. Chen Ji and Liang Shi sat cross-legged, whispering, their mouths dry and tongues parched. They were both physically and mentally weary, their faces grim.

Outside the Buddhist hall, young servants, maidservants, and nannies gathered in a heap, almost falling asleep on their feet. Xiao Man saw Chen Ji go out to pay respects but not return, so she was also waiting outside the door, leaning against the wall and nodding off bit by bit.

Outside the Chen residence, a night watchman passed by, beating a gong, his voice high-pitched: “Heaven dry, things dry, be careful with fire and candles!”

It was Zi hour.

Liang Shi’s personal first-class maid, ‘Winter Solstice,’ heard the night watchman’s voice and her mouth twitched slightly. This time, paying respects had started from Mao hour, before the sky was even bright, and continued until Zi hour at night – a full ten hours.

A day only had twelve hours; what kind of good person would pay respects for an entire day? With such sincerity, even the Buddha should be invited down.

Inside the Buddhist hall, Liang Shi quietly cast a sidelong glance at the two figures beside her. She knew these two were young and strong, and she herself certainly couldn’t outlast them. If she were to be outlasted to death by Chen Ji here today, it would surely be a big joke.

But this matter was precisely one she had started. Reciting one volume of Buddhist scripture wasn’t enough; she insisted on having Chen Ji recite another volume, ultimately lifting a rock to smash her own foot.

Liang Shi thought for a moment, then slowly put down the Buddhist scripture. Her voice hoarse, she said: “You two recite first. I suddenly want to read the Diamond Sutra. There isn’t one here, so I’ll go find one elsewhere.”

Chen Wen Zong nodded slightly: “Mother, please go.”

Liang Shi stood up and gave Winter Solstice outside the door a knowing look: “Winter Solstice, you also come over to help me find it.”

Winter Solstice gave an ‘ah’ sound and followed Liang Shi together to a side room where Buddhist books were kept.

As soon as they entered the room, Winter Solstice turned back and closed the door securely. Liang Shi suddenly exhaled and almost collapsed onto a chair.

Winter Solstice knelt by her side, massaging her legs and whispering: “Madam, why has this Chen Ji changed his temperament? Last year, when he returned for his birthday, he was still meek and obeyed you in every way. Now he has a bit of a ruthless energy.”

Liang Shi frowned: “You see it too? I also feel he’s not quite right, like he’s changed into a different person.”

Winter Solstice comforted her: “Madam, just rest here. When they come, say you still haven’t found the book. Can this Chen Ji really outlast until dawn?”

Liang Shi was too tired to say more. She slowly closed her eyes: “I’ll take a short nap. You help me keep watch.”

In the Buddhist hall, Chen Ji glanced at the empty meditation mat beside him, then suddenly asked: “Elder brother, as I read to here, I suddenly have a few doubts. I couldn’t find the answers in the Buddhist scriptures. May I please ask elder brother to help answer?”

Chen Wen Zong put down the scripture in his hand and gently said: “Speak, and let me hear.”

Chen Ji asked: “Is this world eternal?”

Chen Wen Zong was startled.

Chen Ji asked again: “Does this world have boundaries?”

Chen Wen Zong frowned, remaining silent and not answering. Even though he had perused Buddhist scriptures in his youth, he had never seen the Buddha answer these two questions.

However, Chen Ji knew from the beginning that Chen Wen Zong certainly couldn’t answer, because these were two of the ‘fourteen unanswered’ questions in Buddhism.

The so-called ‘fourteen unanswered’ were the fourteen questions later generations often said the Buddha was unwilling to answer. The two words ‘unanswered’ came directly from a Sanskrit translation, originally meaning ‘cannot be clearly stated, cannot be described.’

Chen Ji curiously asked: “Elder brother also doesn’t know the answers to these two questions?”

Chen Wen Zong frankly said: “This elder brother’s knowledge is shallow. Thinking carefully, it seems the Buddha also never answered these two questions. I will look through the Buddhist scriptures again these days to see if they have answers.”

Chen Ji smiled and said: “Elder brother, there’s no need for such trouble.”

Chen Wen Zong was doubtful: “Does Third Brother have a way to resolve these doubts?”

Chen Ji said: “How about we go ask Madam?”

Chen Wen Zong was startled.

Chen Ji stood up: “Madam researches Buddhism; she can certainly answer these two questions.”

Having said that, he walked to the side room and knocked on the door: “Madam, Chen Ji has doubts. Please Madam, answer me.”

In the side room, Liang Shi suddenly opened her eyes, feeling Chen Ji’s voice at this moment was like an evil ghost in the five turbid evil worlds, a lingering spirit. She had clearly hidden herself here, yet the other side could actually find a reason to chase her over.

Her expression was somewhat dazed, seeming unable to bear it any longer.

Winter Solstice looked at her worriedly: “Madam, shall I go send him away?”

Liang Shi shook her head: “No need.”

Having said that, she tidied her appearance, smoothed out the wrinkles in her clothes, and walked out the door holding a Diamond Sutra, a gentle laugh in her voice: “What’s the problem?”

Outside the Buddhist hall, footsteps approached.

Chen Li Qin frowned, looking at the young servants and maidservants outside the Buddhist hall: “What are you all gathered here doing?”

Winter Solstice curtsied and immediately wanted to report: “Reporting to Master, Third Young Master he too not……”

Beside her, the dozing Xiao Man suddenly woke up and snatched the words: “Master, Eldest Young Master and Third Young Master are accompanying Madam to recite Buddhist scriptures.”

Winter Solstice turned back and covertly glared at her. Xiao Man glared back, unwilling to show weakness.

Chen Li Qin didn’t notice these things. His eyes were on the three figures under the lamp light in the Buddhist hall, and his ears heard the low whispers from within. He felt that this was the long-absent warmth in the residence.

Liang Shi heard Chen Li Qin’s voice and was relieved as if letting out a breath. She stood up to welcome him: “Master has returned.”

Chen Li Qin stepped into the Buddhist hall and smiled: “I spent the whole day inspecting the river embankment today. You all seem to have good leisure.”

Liang Shi was silent for a moment, then hoarsely said: “It’s not really what you’d call leisure……”

Chen Wen Zong explained: “Father, today Third Brother and I came together to pay respects. Afterward, we accompanied Mother in reciting Buddha. Third Brother seems enlightened and interested in the meaning of the scriptures, so we stayed by his side to accompany him and conveniently answer his doubts. Third Brother is clever; the questions he asks are ones even Mother and I cannot answer.”

“Oh?” Chen Li Qin didn’t ask what the questions were; he just knew in his heart that if they could stump Chen Wen Zong, they could probably stump him too.

He smiled and said: “Chen Ji, it’s rare that you are interested in the meaning of the scriptures, but you must read more of my Confucian scriptures. Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism are originally interconnected, and there is great learning in my Confucian forest as well. Right, you will go to Donglin Academy next spring.”

Chen Ji cupped his hands and bowed: “Chen Adult, I don’t want to leave home for that long, that far.”

Chen Li Qin thought for a moment: “Then go to the Imperial Academy. I am acquainted with the Chancellor, Yang Zhan. Asking him to arrange a student identity for you is not difficult. But the Imperial Academy only has about fifty professors to answer the doubts of over nine thousand students, ultimately not as good as Donglin Academy……”

Chen Ji understood. The capital’s Imperial Academy was like a big pot of rice, while Lu state’s Donglin Academy was like a small stove. Which was better and which was worse was clear at a glance.

However, he was already a Sea Eagle in the Directorate of Ceremonial, a fifth-rank imperial guard in the inner court. Even an ordinary county magistrate would have to bow to him; there was really no need to participate in the imperial examinations again.

At this moment, Liang Shi hoarsely said: “Master is about to leave office and still went to inspect the river embankment; you must be tired. I’ll arrange for servants to boil water for you and cook a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup. Chen Ji, Wen Zong, you two go back first.”

Chen Ji bowed: “Yes.”

As he was about to leave, Liang Shi suddenly called out to him: “Chen Ji.”

Chen Ji turned back: “Does Madam have any other instructions?”

Liang Shi sent Winter Solstice to fetch three volumes of the Great Prajna Sutra and handed them to him: “I know you want to strike while the iron is hot. Take these three volumes back to read. Now that you have the momentum, you absolutely cannot slack off. Tomorrow, I still want to test you on the learning within them.”

Chen Ji accepted them without changing his expression: “Many thanks, Madam.”

“Go back and rest.”

On the bluestone road, moonlight scattered all over the ground. Tree branches swayed, their black shadows like sea waves lapping at the blue bricks.

Chen Ji walked in front, with Xiao Man yawning and hugging three volumes of books following behind.

When they returned to Mingquan Garden, Xiao Man curiously asked: “Young Master, where should I put these three volumes of books?”

Chen Ji, physically and mentally exhausted, said: “First volume, second volume, throw them away.”

Please, let me go see!

“Ah?” Xiao Man was startled: “Third volume?”

Chen Ji flopped onto the bed with a boom: “Third volume, throw it further away.”

Xiao Man: “……”

She approached, pretending to help Chen Ji take off his boots.

Chen Ji was startled by her action and sat up again: “What are you doing?”

Xiao Man said matter-of-factly: “Helping Young Master take off his boots, of course. Later, I’ll go boil hot water for Young Master to wash his feet. Washing them warm will help you sleep well.”

Chen Ji drew back both legs and said seriously: “I told you, you don’t need to serve me when you’re by my side. You only need to take care of yourself, that’s fine.”

Xiao Man widened her eyes: “Does Young Master dislike me? Didn’t I always do this before?”

Chen Ji had to explain: “I’ve been in the medical hall for the past two years and I’m already used to handling things myself. No need to be served.”

Xiao Man was silent, and Chen Ji was also silent.

After a moment, Xiao Man sighed: “It seems Young Master also suffered a lot in these two years.”

Having said that, she took out eight silver peanuts from her sleeve: “Young Master, old rule.”

Chen Ji sat on the bed, puzzled. What old rule? What about these eight silver peanuts?

On the window lattice, Black Cloud meowed.

Then he heard Xiao Man say: “Beginning of Autumn sister came to find me today and said someone wanted to buy your news for eight taels of silver every month. I agreed as before. Here, all eight taels of silver are here. According to the old rule, I take one tael, and you take seven taels. I also wanted to help you find out who the employer is, but Beginning of Autumn sister is very tight-lipped and wouldn’t tell me.”

Saying this, Xiao Man muttered: “Young Master must not show off this silver in front of others, otherwise they will know we cheat people out of money.”

Chen Ji looked at Xiao Man with a half-smile: “This employer is too stingy, only giving eight taels of silver?”

Xiao Man’s face didn’t blush and her heart didn’t pound as she affirmed: “Just eight taels, ah, much more generous than before. Before, they only gave eight hundred cash, and we lived very tightly.”

Chen Ji didn’t press her further. After taking the seven taels of silver, he instructed: “You go sleep in the west wing room. I still need to get up early tomorrow to pay respects.”

Xiao Man suddenly stood up angrily: “Before, Madam used the excuse of paying respects to make you pour tea and serve water by her side. Now you’ve just returned, and she punishes you by having you recite scriptures in the Buddhist hall for a day, almost turning you into a monk! Young Master, why can’t you be more firm and just not go pay respects?”

Chen Ji carefully looked at her angry appearance and softly explained: “The Chen family values rules the most. If we don’t follow the rules, we can’t live in the big residence of the Chen family.”

Someone once said that immature people will bravely die for their ideals, while mature people will choose to endure humiliation and live on for their ideals.

Chen Ji didn’t know if this sentence was completely correct, but he had no choice now. White Dragon told him to approach the core of the Chen family, and he had to follow the Chen family’s rules.

However, he had his own plan.

Chen Ji instructed Xiao Man: “Go to sleep.”

Xiao Man angrily said: “Sleep? What about sleep? Young Master has nightmares every day. I still need to guard you. You sleep, and I’ll find time to catch up on sleep during the day.”

Chen Ji shook his head: “I don’t have nightmares anymore.”

Xiao Man was half-believing and half-doubting: “Really?”

“Really.”

“I don’t believe it. I’ll guard you for one night and see.”

The next morning, the sky was still not bright. Black Cloud curled up its paws and patted Chen Ji.

Chen Ji slowly got up, feeling refreshed.

The Hong Furnace of the Mountain Lord Gate Path surged like spring, and sleeping for only a moment was equivalent to others sleeping for a whole night.

He turned his head to look and saw Xiao Man sitting on a small stool guarding the charcoal basin, her head nodding bit by bit, muddled.

Chen Ji didn’t wake Xiao Man. He just quietly put on his clothes, passed by her side, went out of the courtyard, and headed straight for the Buddhist hall.

At this time, the rooster hadn’t crowed yet, and even the maidservants in Qunfang Garden hadn’t come out to move. The vast Chen residence was empty.

Chen Ji tidied his clothes, came to the front of the Buddhist hall, and knocked on the door with force.

After a moment, the Buddhist hall door opened. Liang Shi’s hair was disheveled and her eyes were sleepy.

She looked at the color of the sky, then looked at Chen Ji in surprise: “What time is it?”

Chen Ji respectfully answered: “Reporting to Madam, it’s the third watch.”

Liang Shi gripped the wooden door tightly with her fingers: “Why are you here so early? Aren’t you tired?”

Chen Ji thought for a moment and sincerely said: “Madam, a sincere heart is spirited.”

Liang Shi: “?”

She opened her mouth, but didn’t speak for a long time, almost losing her composure.

After a long time, Liang Shi took a deep breath and slowly said: “Chen Ji, ah, now is exactly the time for you to thirst for knowledge. You should put all your mind on your studies. From now on, there’s no need to come and pay respects.”

Chen Ji smiled, cupped his hands, and bowed: “Many thanks, Madam, for your consideration. I will take my leave.”