Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 299 - 188: Secrets of Heaven_1

Chapter 299: Chapter 188: Secrets of Heaven_1

Liang Zechong and his entourage arrived at the foot of Xiding Mountain, where Sir Wu and others got off the carriage to see them off respectfully, while Liang Zechong and his grandson continued their journey to Daci Temple by carriage along the winding mountain road of Xiding Mountain.

Along the way, Liang Jinzhao looked out of the carriage window at the sheer cliffs and said, "The year before last, when Grandson accompanied Grandpa Pan past here, Grandpa Pan cried bitterly. He said had he left just a few moments earlier, he would have avoided the sudden torrential rain. Or had Princess Zhenyue ridden with him in the same carriage, she wouldn’t have been swept off the cliff by the flash flood and buried by the collapsing mountainside. Great-grandmother said he was faking, seeking fame and fishing for compliments, but Grandson thinks he was truly heartbroken. There is nothing more painful and upsetting than witnessing a loved one’s calamity."

Liang Zechong sighed, "Pan Zi’an was not a bad person, just too proud and arrogant, and felt unrecognized for his talents, as if the whole world was being unfair to him, and everyone owed him something. Because of his temper, he intentionally neglected his wife and children, and offended the Royal Family. In fact, as smart as he was, he should have known that if the Emperor had wanted to appoint him as a prince consort, it was clear he did not wish to make use of his talents. No matter how stubborn he was, he could not overcome fate and did not know how to act according to the circumstances, which is why he spent his life uncomfortably."

"How could that be? People say it was the Empress Dowager who, behind the Emperor’s back, issued the marriage edict, and by the time the Emperor found out, it was too late. He was extremely angry about it. Not wanting to speak ill of the Empress Dowager, he found an excuse to cripple the eunuch who had delivered the edict, saying whoever made him run so fast," said Liang Jinzhao.

Liang Zechong laughed out loud for a few moments, then said in a low voice, "You are not young anymore; don’t just follow what others say. Always think for yourself... That day, your grandfather happened to be present, so let me give you the inside story. The Emperor actually consented to the Empress Dowager’s arranged marriage. He was angry because the Empress Dowager changed the bride at the last moment, betrothing his own sister, Elder Princess Ziyang, to Pan Zi’an. In truth, no matter which princess it was, Pan Zi’an had to marry into the royal family. He should feel lucky that Princess Ziyang had a secret affection for him and asked the Empress Dowager to change the bride at the last minute. If it were the original bride chosen by the Emperor, the one who would have died early would not have been Prince Consort Luo. Although Elder Princess Ziyang was the Emperor’s own sister, she was kind and virtuous, just not in very good health. If Pan Zi’an had been more considerate, she might not have passed away so soon, and with the Royal Family pleased, his own days would have been much easier."

Liang Jinzhao said, "Grandpa Pan is the role model for the many upright officials and scholars across the land, and he’s also extraordinarily talented. How could the Emperor not want to employ him? The Emperor has more than once lamented that due to his momentary oversight, the Imperial Court missed out on a pillar of the state."

Liang Zechong shook his head and said, "These scions of aristocratic families fancy themselves as having unparalleled talent, more knowledge than can be loaded on five carts, yet they are not as good as I, a mere military man, at taking and letting go. Power is good, but the Emperor has to be willing to give it. The current Emperor has grand ambitions, is wise and decisive, and not like the former Emperor who relied on those Five Aristocratic Families. Since ascending to the throne, he has appointed people only on their merits, supporting Prime Minister Zhang to implement a series of reform measures. Although they were opposed by those families without exception, most have still been carried out. His Majesty the Emperor has been quietly suppressing these so-called century-old aristocratic families, feeling that every princely struggle for succession, even every change of dynasty, could not do without their stirring up trouble. After thirty years of purging, while Assistant Pan still remains in the Imperial Court, seemingly relying on those few families, in fact, other than the aging Assistant Pan, not a single young adult from those families can enter the center of power. Over the years, the Emperor has been vigorously supporting scholars from poor backgrounds, implementing the imperial examination system, and broadly recruiting the talented from all over the country. Next year, on the Empress Dowager’s seventieth birthday, there will even be a special imperial examination."

Overcome with emotion, he continued, "Now that the country is powerful and the people live in peace and happiness, all this is thanks to the wisdom of the present benevolent emperor."

Liang Jinzhao, brimming with ambition, said, "If my illness can be completely cured, I will join the military and serve the Imperial Court."

Liang Zechong said, "I came to Ji’an this time to climb Xiding Mountain to pay a visit to Master Beikong, to inquire about your condition, and also... I hope Master Beikong can grant me an audience this time."

In the past, Master Beikong and his disciples almost made annual trips to the imperial capital to visit Baoguo Temple, but whenever Liang Zechong went to pay a visit, Master Beikong would use the excuse of discussing Zen with Abbot Hongzhi of Baoguo Temple to refuse to meet him. Not to mention not seeing him, Master Beikong would not even see the Emperor.

The carriage arrived at Daci Temple, where Abbot Hong Yuan, accompanied by a few monks, was waiting at the temple gate.

In a delicate courtyard behind the temple, Little Monk Hongji was asking Master Beikong, "Master, Senior Liang’s grandfather is coming to the temple, will you still not meet him this time?"

The Old Monk said, "This time, I will meet him. For the sake of your Senior Liang, I must see him as well."