Chapter Thirty-Four: Gathering One's Mind

  Zhao Che smiled and circled around several monks, they didn't know what this kid wanted to do, but now they also understood that the little guy had a very high status in the mansion, today it was up to him whether he could get a good deal or not. Zhao Che pulled on the robe of the head monk and touched the Buddha statue he was holding, saying: "You guys, you're wearing new clothes, and the Buddha statue you're holding must be worth several hundred yuan, but you don't produce anything, you don't farm, where did all this come from? You didn't steal it, did you?"

  "How can monks violate the precept of stealing? These are all offerings from devotees!" The monk said immediately.

  "Spare me the eloquence, it's all just empty words to deceive people. Who would give you things for no reason? You're just turning daylight robbery into nighttime thievery! Look at those beggars! They work hard all year round, yet they can't even afford clothes or food, and have to resort to begging to survive. And you lot are worse than them - the emperor has already granted temple lands to support you, but you're still not satisfied, coming up with ways to extort money. Your shamelessness is truly remarkable! You're given white rice and it's still not enough for you, do you want money to keep a mistress on the side?"

  "Amitabha Buddha! The donor is disrespectful to the Buddha and to monks, he will surely face retribution!" The monk's pale face turned red with anger as he said this.

  "Heh heh, you shaved your heads and call yourselves monks? I'd like to reason with you in front of the Buddha. Monks are supposed to renounce greed, anger, and hatred. The Buddha himself wore tattered robes and walked the world with a bowl and staff, experiencing the suffering of the people and saving all beings. And yet you dare to invoke the Buddha's name to intimidate others? I'm afraid even the gods would be driven to death by your unfilial conduct!"

  Everyone burst out laughing upon hearing the monk's words, and they all criticized a few monks, saying that they were not as sensible as children. The situation was clear: the donor had provided porridge, rice, and money, and was definitely not stingy; it's just that he was not used to the monks' ways, so even if he didn't give anything, it would have been acceptable.

  The monks were left speechless by Zhao's sophistry, and besides, in people's hearts, children are the weak, and protecting the weak is human nature, which can easily win sympathy. Several aunts and mothers-in-law began to scold the monks for their vicious curses, while those who had been beaten at night felt grateful and shouted even louder. He took advantage of the situation, and public opinion gave Zhao a good review. Now, under his exposure, the monk has become a negative example in people's eyes, and he can't help but cover his face with his robe and flee in defeat!

  The sky had already darkened, and the cold moonlight filled the entire courtyard. The north wind was blowing with a sharp whistling sound, and the wind chimes under the eaves were swaying in the wind. It was now the coldest time of the year, and even cats and dogs had retreated to their nests, curled up and not daring to show their heads.

  Xiaoyuan, Guihua stood at the edge of the second gate, stomping her feet and blowing air into her hands, staring out at the door. At this time, Er Ye had not returned yet, it was already the fifth day, he took two attendants and several guards out every day, no one knew what they were doing.

  Just as Gui Hua and the others were getting anxious, a horseshoe sound came from the darkness, followed by two lanterns lighting up, and a group of people walked over.

  "Second Master, be careful, I'll help you down!" Meng Tao jumped off his horse first and grabbed the reins of Zhao Che's horse.

  "Thank you, Master Meng!" Zhao Chu smiled and said, but his face was frozen stiff, and his smile turned into a bitter smile. With Meng Tao's support, he barely got off the horse. "Ah yo", as soon as his feet touched the ground, his body swayed twice and he couldn't help but let out a painful cry.

  "Second Master, what's wrong with you?" Guihua hastily stepped forward and supported Wang Ye, asking.

  "Second Master rode a horse for half a day, his feet must be numb from the cold!" Meng Tao explained.

  "Osmanthus sister, it's all right, Master Meng is right, I'll just take a few steps!" Zhao Chu said, tiptoeing away.

  "Let the little one carry you in?" At this time, Xiang Xi heard the noise and ran out, saying to Wang Ye's appearance.

  "No need!" Zhao Yan waved his hand and said, "Ping Xi, tell the kitchen to prepare some hot dishes and warm up some wine for everyone. You've all been running around with me all day and must be exhausted. Let's have a couple of drinks to refresh ourselves and warm up!"

  "Second Master, don't worry about it anymore. They've already brought over the women and children from their household, so the wine and dishes must be ready, and the kang is warm too. They're just waiting for them to return, right?" Meng Tao said with a smile to the several guards behind him, his eyes intentionally or unintentionally glancing at Gui Hua who was supporting Zhao Che.

  "Haha, we must thank Second Master for his concern! He's brought our wives and children here, let us spend a happy reunion year!" one of the guards said with a smile.

  "My fault, my fault! I forgot about this. Everyone hurry back and apologize to your wives on my behalf. We won't go out tomorrow, so you can all rest easy with your wives and children. I'll visit your homes another day!" Zhao Chu said with a bow.

  "Second Master has spoken, it's our good fortune to serve a master like Second Master who can ride ahead and take care of us. They should be grateful in their hearts and come to pay their respects to Second Master, how could they dare to blame him?" The guards hastily replied.

  "Alright, let's hurry back, otherwise the ladies will really scold me for being inhumane!" Zhao Ke smiled and said, "Ping Xi will pack two packages of pastries for each of you to take back, so they won't have to kneel as punishment when they get back!"

  "Thank you, Second Master! Let's take the horses back first and have an early rest!" The guards bowed and sent Zhao Che into the courtyard. Their thanks were all sincere, as they had been running for several days with these martial arts practitioners who felt exhausted to the point of collapse. Not to mention that the prince was still a child, he must be even more tired, but he didn't forget everyone. A child could think of these things, and it moved everyone.

  Zhao Zhanmu sent the guards away and slowly walked into the house, limping with one leg. He had flown planes, tanks, and submarines in his previous life, but he had never ridden a horse before. Now he knew that riding a horse was impressive, but it was also very painful. As a beginner, he had no experience and only managed to learn how to control the horse after two days, but his buttocks and inner thighs were rubbed raw by the saddle, and every move made him feel like his heart was being pierced with pain.

  "Second Master, have a cup of hot tea to warm your stomach first, then eat something!" Zhao Yi walked into the house with a tired look, slumped on the soft couch, and reached for the snacks on the table. He picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. Gui Hua hurried over to take away his cloak.

  "I'm starving, let's fill our stomachs first!" Zhao Zhan said as he allowed Gui Hua to help him take off his boots and used the towel she brought over to wipe his hands and face. He then grabbed a piece of pastry and stuffed it into his mouth, speaking indistinctly as he did so.

  "Second Master, you should warm up by the fire first. Your face is all pale from the cold. The kitchen has ginger soup simmering, it'll be ready soon!" Huaihua said with concern as she brought over the brazier and placed it at his feet.

  "It's really freezing outside, I'm chilled to the bone!" Zhao Yan muttered to himself as he warmed his hands and feet by the brazier, drinking a cup of hot tea. It took a while for his body to warm up, and some color returned to his face.

  After arranging Zhao and Guihua, the two of them were busy again in the kitchen urging for food. When they carried the food box back to the room, they found that Wang Ye was already leaning on the soft couch asleep, still pinching half a piece of unfinished pastry in his hand.

  "Second Master, Second Master!" Huai Hua called out softly twice, but Wang Ye didn't respond.

  "Don't call him, Second Master is exhausted, let him sleep first!" Guihua said softly as she covered him with a thin quilt and took the pastry out of Zhao's hand. Only then did she notice that Wang Ye's hands were already rubbed raw by the reins, revealing tender red flesh. "Huaihua, go to Royal Physician Wang's place and get some wound medicine, Wang Ye's hands are rubbed raw!"

  Two people warmed up the dishes by the fire pit and quietly retreated, just arriving at the middle hall when Jian Xi walked in with a tired look on his face. "Jian Xi, you're really something," said Gui Hua with some blame. "You've been following Er Ye all day, I don't know what you're advising him to do, but he's exhausted. I have no idea what you've all been up to these past few days!"

  "Alas, Second Master insisted on going out, what can I do? These days, Second Master has walked through every inch of our estate, entering every household. Today, we followed the Baishui River for a whole day, and I still don't understand what he wants to do?" Xian Xi had just finished dealing with the matters entrusted by Second Master, and he was also exhausted.

  "Has Jian Xi arrived? Are all the things I wanted prepared?" asked Zhao Yan from inside the room.

  "Everything is ready, I'll bring it over for you!" Xiwang hastily instructed the little servant Huangmen who was following behind to carry a pile of things in.

  "Send it to the study, I'll go take a bath first, and then we can have dinner together, there's still something to do tonight!" Zhao Ye walked out and rubbed his eyes, saying, "Sister Guihua, go find me a set of silk underwear and put it in the dressing room!"

  "Isn't Second Master not fond of wearing silk clothes? Why did he take the initiative to get one today?" asked Wang Ye, who walked into the bathroom with a duck-step gait.

  "Second Master's thighs must have also been rubbed raw, the cotton cloth is painful to walk on!" Xian Xi shook his head and smiled wryly, these past few days of riding horses had made his buttocks sore as well.

  The bathroom was filled with steam, and the small yellow door in the furnace kept sending hot water through the pipes. Zhao Ye lay in the bathtub, letting the warm water soak his entire body, slowly dissipating the chill from his muscles, a thin layer of sweat hanging on his face, his tense muscles relaxing.

  He patted his chest, pinched his arm, and a wry smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. This man sometimes really is a lowlife. Every day he lies in bed, being served good food and drink by others, yet he's as weak as a grass. Now he practices boxing and martial arts every day, and works hard with his servants to cultivate the land and grow vegetables, exhausting himself like a donkey. His body not only hasn't deteriorated, but has become more robust instead. Truly, it's a case of "the king's body is laborious and strong".