The Lu family's residence in Bianjing City is also located in the eastern part of the inner city. Although it is slightly smaller than the Chu Mansion, it is not comparable to ordinary people. From this, we can also see that the family's wealth is excellent.
Of course, the Lu family is based in Hangzhou, and this place is just a villa. Lu Wenyang is about to take the provincial examination, so he lives here temporarily.
In the evening, Lu Ruolan had returned from the Chu Mansion. Unlike the happy mood when she went there, she was obviously in a low mood at this time, and she was a little absent-minded while walking.
"I've met the master."
As soon as he walked into the courtyard, he suddenly heard a salute from the maid beside him. He woke up immediately and looked up. Isn't it his father?
"Dad...Dad, why are you here?" Lu Ruolan asked stammering, feeling guilty.
"What do you think?" Lu Zhongsheng asked with a stern face, as if he was about to explode,
"Tell me, where have you been all day?"
"There is no whole day, only half a day."
"You..." Lu Zhongsheng almost choked. Is this the point of my words? What I want to ask is where you went? Although the servant has informed him of the answer in advance, he still wants to confirm it himself.
.
"Follow me to the study."
Saying that, without waiting for Lu Ruolan to refute, he walked straight towards a certain room.
Lu Ruolan made a face quietly, but there was no fear in her expression. With her grandmother supporting her, she was not afraid of him. What's more, she only came to Bianjing for business reasons and went back in a few days.
Of course, if a good girl doesn't suffer the immediate disadvantages, she has to deal with it. After thinking about it, she suddenly turned her head and whispered a few instructions to the personal maid beside her, and then she took a step forward and headed straight for the study.
"Stand there and don't sit down without my order."
As soon as he entered the study room and was about to find a seat, he heard his father's stern scolding. Lu Ruolan rolled her eyes, flattened her mouth and sobbed softly, and her tears fell down as if she was free of money.
"Cry, you still have the nerve to cry?" Lu Zhongsheng was suddenly furious,
"You have been pampered by your grandmother since you were a child. You just go crazy and run wild outside all day long. I can't control it and I don't bother to do it. But why did you go to the Chu Mansion?"
"Brother Chu Feng is my best friend, why can't I go? Is dad's sudden blame today because I took a pot of blue snow green?"
"What, you stole my wine! That was the royal wine of the Lu family given to me by Emperor Shenzong in the past. I have been keeping it till now, and less than half of the jar is left. You...you..."
Lu Zhongsheng obviously didn't know about this, and he suddenly became angry and had the urge to take action. At this moment, a burst of rapid footsteps suddenly sounded, but it was Lu Wenyang who arrived in time.
"Father, calm down." Lu Wenyang already knew the cause and effect, and hurriedly spoke to dissuade him.
"Why don't you be angry? This girl is really crazy. She is so prodigal before she even leaves the court. How can she be so angry in the future?" Lu Zhongsheng was still angry, and it was obvious that he was really hurting.
"Tell me, how much did you steal?"
"Just...just a small pot?" It seemed like it was the first time she saw her father so angry. Lu Ruolan felt sad and whispered back.
"A small pot!"
Lu Zhongsheng's cheeks twitched, there were only a few pots left. The only thing that was fortunate was that not all of them were sent away, otherwise he would be heartbroken to death.
"Let's not mention this matter for now. You will stay in the mansion during this period. Without my order, you can't go out again, especially not to Chu Mansion."
"Why, brother Chu Feng is not an outsider, why can't he go?" Lu Ruolan was obviously not convinced. If you don't let me go, you have to give a convincing reason, otherwise why should you stop me.
"If I say you can't go, you can't go. What's the matter with you, a girl who hasn't left the court yet, and you always go to other people's homes? Do you want to get married after the news spreads?"
"I have no intention of getting married..."
Lu Ruolan murmured to herself, wondering if she felt guilty, and her voice was much lower. However, her expression was still staring at Lu Zhongsheng, without any sign of compromise.
"What are you worried about, father?" Lu Wenyang suddenly interrupted and asked.
"Why do you ask knowingly? I don't believe you didn't think of it." Lawrence Lu glanced at his son angrily and replied vaguely.
"Little sister, you should go back first. I have something to discuss with my father alone."
"Go back as soon as you come back. Anyway, I'm going to meet Brother Chu Feng."
Lu Ruolan said something back again, ignoring her father's angry look again, and walked straight out the door. However, after leaving the study, after walking a few steps, she suddenly slapped her head and said in annoyance,
"What the hell, there's still the most important thing you haven't said yet?"
However, when I think about the situation just now, I am afraid that even if I say it, my father will not agree.
After thinking for a long time, there was no good way to do it, so I had to walk towards my boudoir gloomily.
In the study, Lu Zhongsheng rubbed his temples, obviously very angry at his careless daughter. Unfortunately, he didn't dare to really do anything. If the old lady knew, he would not get any good results.
"Father seems to have many misunderstandings about Brother Chu?"
At this time, Lu Wenyang suddenly spoke and made a tentative sentence.
"I have no misunderstanding about him." Lu Zhongsheng sat down slowly, his expression became solemn,
"I saw that boy more than once when he was in Hangzhou. Although his family background is a bit poor, he is still considered a young talent. If he can continue the imperial examination, he may not be able to win the title of Toad Palace."
After a pause, his tone suddenly changed,
"It's a pity that he gave up the imperial examination and chose to become a monk and become a Taoist. How can he get too close to Lan'er?"
"Father is worried that my little sister will fall in love with Brother Chu?"
"This is just one of them." Lu Zhongsheng nodded, and then said,
"During this period, I also sent people to inquire about a lot of things. Before the current official ascended the throne, he was very kind to Mr. Chu. Not only did he personally visit him, but he also sent people to reward him many times.
However, now that the position has been secured, it is never mentioned again. This shows that there must be some rift between the two. It is true that officials believe in morality, but the path of being a favored minister is not easy.
If you lose favor, there is a possibility of eternal disaster."
"Father's concerns are indeed justified." Lu Wenyang nodded,
"However, the child has other ideas."
"Oh, tell me?"
Lu Zhongsheng valued his only son very much and was willing to listen to the other party's opinions.
Lu Wenyang paused and then said slowly:
"Since ancient times, emperors have been greedy for immortality. There may be differences in severity, but the ideas are the same. Today's officials are fond of Taoism when they are still King Duan, and they obviously have the same thoughts. Even if they are not Brother Chu, they still have the same idea.
It will be someone else. In short, they will definitely favor the Taoist priest."
"If Brother Chu is like other Taoist priests and uses deception to deceive officials, he may gain temporary glory, but he will still be exposed one day. This is exactly what my father is worried about. Once he falls out of favor, he will never recover."
"But precisely, Brother Chu is not like that. Although it is a bit exaggerated to say that he is a god, he actually possesses some magical skills. He is so powerful. How could the officials not like him? I'm afraid it's too late to get close to him."
"Did you see it with your own eyes?" Lawrence Lu suddenly asked.
"It's not just children. During the Double Ninth Festival, I and a few people had a banquet and party. I have seen it all with my own eyes. It is definitely not a trick to blind people." Lu Wenyang nodded and said,
"Besides, Brother Chu is very famous in Bianjing City. Too many people have witnessed his immortal demeanor with their own eyes. They can't all be fake, right?"
Lu Zhongsheng was speechless for a long time and didn't know how to refute. Yes, it was rumored that he had made a picture of flying immortals, which attracted countless people to watch. He also flew with a sword at the house of Li Gefei, a member of the Ministry of Rites, and fought against a demon monk.
All of this is indeed difficult to understand, and it is indeed impossible to deceive everyone.
"Then why after the official ascended the throne, he was never summoned again. Not even a mention of rewards was mentioned?"
"It's not difficult to guess." Lu Wenyang smiled and said
"I think it's probably Brother Chu's own fault. Perhaps a true immortal like him pursues freedom and ease, and doesn't care about worldly fame, fortune, sex, wealth, and wealth at all."
"That's true." Lu Zhongsheng nodded, and he couldn't help but think of Master Xuanchen of Lingyin Temple, who also had the same state of mind.
"One more thing." Lu Wenyang continued,
"Brother Chu and I are close classmates and have a close relationship. This is an opportunity that no one else can even dream of getting. My father did not take this opportunity to strengthen our relationship, but instead rejected and alienated us. Isn't it a big mistake?"
"This..." Lu Zhongsheng opened his mouth, and after a long time, he finally sighed and said,
"I've thought about this matter wrongly."
"Father, there is no need to blame yourself. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes." Lu Wenyang smiled, suddenly lowered his voice and said,
"Do you think there is a suitable relationship between Brother Chu and Little Sister?"
"Huh?" Lawrence Lu raised his eyebrows and looked at his son strangely,
"I just arrived in Bianjing City not long ago. Is it possible that the relationship between them was caused by your deliberate connivance?"
"My child didn't do anything. Everything was just going with the flow and letting nature take its course. Whether it will all happen is still unknown." Lu Wenyang shook his head gently.
"Father, do you think that if I really did something deliberately, wouldn't Brother Chu be able to detect it with his ability?"
"My son is so smart that his father cannot be as good as him."
…
As night fell, Lu Ruolan drove the maid out of the boudoir and lay on the table alone, thinking wildly.
Being severely reprimanded by her father before was just a trivial matter and had no impact on her at all. On the contrary, at this moment, her mind has been thinking about what Chu Feng said during the day.
Cultivation of immortality, what a desirable thing, especially for a little girl who likes to be unrestrained, it is an unparalleled temptation.
However, the other party's requirements are equally demanding. He cannot be a mere wallflower and must completely separate himself from Buddhism, which is somewhat difficult for others to do.
I grew up by my grandmother's side, and followed her to various temples in Hangzhou to offer incense and worship Buddha. When I was young, I might have just thought it was fun, but as I grew older, I often heard my grandmother discussing Buddhism with eminent Buddhist monks.
The meaning of the sutra is mixed with ears and eyes, so I deeply agree with its concept.
"If grandma knew that I wanted to abandon Buddhism and worship Taoism, I'm afraid she would be sad to death." Lu Ruolan rubbed her temples and said helplessly.
"However, Brother Chu Feng said that I have the qualifications to cultivate immortality and is willing to accept me as a disciple. Such an opportunity is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, how can I miss it so easily?"
My thoughts were a little disturbed, so I got up and walked towards the bed. Inadvertently, my eyes suddenly saw the corner of the pillow. I immediately realized in my heart, isn't this the "Lotus Sutra" that I often recite?
When I was a child, my grandmother led me to recite, and then I took the initiative. Now it has become a habit. Whenever I am in a bad mood and my thoughts are upset, as long as I recite the scriptures quietly, I can gradually regain my calm.
As if subconsciously, Lu Ruolan lay on the soft bed again, opened the scriptures and began to read.
"If a good man or good woman accepts and upholds the Lotus Sutra, if he reads it, recites it, explains it, or writes it, he will be able to obtain eight hundred eyes of merit... This sutra can save all sentient beings. This sutra can free all sentient beings from their sufferings."
, this sutra can greatly benefit all sentient beings and fill their wishes. Just like a cool pool can satisfy all thirsty people..."
…
As the scriptures were recited, Lu Ruolan gradually became calm, and all impetuous and delusional thoughts disappeared from her mind.
She had expected this. When she was a child, she had a strong ability to understand Buddhist scriptures, so her grandmother often praised her for having Buddha nature.
However, since the last time I got sick, there have been more obvious changes. When I recited the scriptures again, I was very different from before. I vaguely seemed to have a deeper understanding.
She even felt that those eminent monks and even Master Xuanchen had many errors and omissions in their understanding of the scriptures. However, she did not tell the matter, not even her grandmother. Otherwise, a little girl would accuse all the great sages.
If the eminent monk is not good enough, won’t he just cause trouble?
The sound of chanting scriptures did not stop. On the contrary, as she chanted, Lu Ruolan felt faintly that her whole mind became more relaxed and comfortable.
As the scripture says, it is like a cold getting fire, like a naked person getting clothes, like a businessman getting a master, like a son getting his mother, like a ferry getting a boat, like a disease getting a cure, like darkness getting a lamp, like a poverty getting a treasure, like a people getting a king.
, like a jia Ke reaching the sea, like a torch clearing away darkness.
"boom……"
At this moment, something in his mind seemed to suddenly awaken, knocking him out instantly, and the scripture also fell aside.
Lu Ruolan didn't know this. At this time, she only felt a strange yet familiar voice calling her, and her entire consciousness was enveloped by the mysterious power that appeared out of thin air, flying rapidly in a certain direction.
Passing through an unknown passage, it was mysterious and long. The walls of the passage were covered with silver brilliance, twinkling like stars in the sky. Such a strange sight naturally surprised her. However, she could not control herself and had to let the unknown power
Take her forward.
Suddenly, we finally reached the end, the passage disappeared, and all the silver light suddenly went out. It was as if we had passed through an invisible barrier, and in the next moment, we suddenly appeared in the other world.
She was finally able to stop and look at this new world without stopping. However, at this moment, she heard a woman's voice suddenly sound, which instantly attracted her whole mind.