Daming Palace, in front of Xuanwu Gate.

A team of Qianniu guards stood at the gate, stopping Qin Mubai, Princess Gaoyang and the others.

"Your Royal Highness the Princess, General Qin, please forgive the last general for being rude." The leader Qianniubei was expressionless, and said in a businesslike tone, "The last general came by order and made a special trip to wait for Princess Hou and the general here. ”

"It seems that Li Tao has already sent someone to report to His Majesty the Emperor that he knows." After Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang glanced at each other, they stepped forward and said, "Say, what is Your Majesty's will?" ”

"Your Majesty ordered Princess Gaoyang and Qin Mubai to help the coffin go to Dajiao to watch the car." Qianniu Wei replied with a straight face.

"Got it." Qin Mubai nodded, returned to Princess Gaoyang's side, and looked at her with concern, "Did you hear that, Dajiaoguan." ”

"Hmm......" Princess Gao Yang's reaction was surprisingly calm, and she nodded slightly, "Then let's go!" ”

"I'll see Your Majesty and Concubine De later......"

"Mu Bai, don't worry." Princess Gaoyang interrupted him and took a deep breath, "Let's go!" ”

"Okay." Qin Mubai nodded, and couldn't help but think of Concubine Yinde's appearance in his heart.

The matter has come to this point, Princess Gaoyang's heart knot has been untied, Li Shimin, there is no need to worry about him at all. The only thing that is a little reassuring is the Yin De Concubine in the Big Horn View who may have already broken her liver and intestines.

What would this poor woman do when she saw the body of her only son?

……

Qianniuwei led the way, Qin Mubai and others guarded Li You's coffin left and right, walked into the imperial city, and went to the big horn of the harem of Daming Palace.

Today's palace is extremely deserted, and there are almost no people encountered along the way. Perhaps the emperor had already sent someone to make arrangements. Therefore, all the way through, it is all this deserted appearance.

Princess Gao Yang has been silent, her expression is a little solemn, but her eyes have always revealed a faint look of determination, as if she has made some major decisions, and it seems that she is constantly cheering herself up.

The big horn watched. There were several hundred cavalry guards standing at the door, all of whom Qin Mubai had known.

When they arrived here, all the thousands of Niu Wei retreated, and a team of 100 horsemen came out of the view, first greeted Princess Gaoyang and Qin Mubai, and then began to move to carry the coffin into the view.

Qin Mubai privately summoned a familiar hundred horsemen and asked, "Your Majesty can be watched." ”

"Yes." Baiqi replied in a low voice, then glanced around vigilantly, and said in a low voice, "General be careful." His Majesty was displeased today, and his old man's roar came from the room from time to time. ”

"Scolding Concubine Yinde?"

"Then the end will not be known...... In short, the general should be careful. ”

"Got it. Get busy! ”

At this moment, several monks came out of the Taoist temple. All the way, he walked out of the Taoist temple with his hands folded and without squinting, and he didn't say hello to anyone.

"Strange, where did the monks come from in the Taoist temple? And the drivers of these big-headed monks don't seem to be small, they don't seem to take Gao Yang and General Ben in their eyes, and they don't come to talk when they meet. Qin Mubai muttered softly to himself.

Princess Gaoyang was standing beside Qin Mubai, quietly watching the coffins of the hundred horses, and then said softly: "It's the monks of the royal temple Famen Temple. These monks regard themselves as outsiders and high-ranking monks, and they still do not kneel when they see His Majesty the Emperor, and they have always been deeply favored. ”

"Famen Temple?" Qin Mubai groaned curiously and said, "But is that the famous 'Asoka Temple'?" ”

"Yes." Princess Gaoyang nodded and said, "Famen Temple is located a hundred miles west of Chang'an, formerly known as Asoka Temple, and there are more than 5,000 monks in the temple. A few years ago, my grandfather, Emperor Wude, renamed it 'Famen Temple'. I once heard my father talk about this temple, which seems to be hundreds of years old and was built at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. There is a floating pagoda in the temple, which enshrines the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha. Hundreds of years ago, there was a man named Ashoka, who unified Tianzhu and divided the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha into 84,000 parts, and sent them to various Buddhist holy places to build pagodas for worship. It is said that the word 'tower' was created at that time. Before, I had never had such a word in the Central Plains. ”

"Gao Yang, I didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable." Qin Mubai also intended to distract Princess Gaoyang and let her not be too nervous, so he smiled and said, "Famen Temple, I have also heard of the name for a long time, but I have never seen it. Another day, let's go and have a look. ”

"Okay......" Princess Gao Yang nodded with a smile, but there was a sense of paleness and weakness in her smile.

At this time, the corpse had been unloaded from the carriage and horses, and more than ten hundred horsemen lifted the coffin and slowly entered the Taoist temple. In order to facilitate the entry of the corpse, the gates of the Taoist temple were demolished. It seems that the emperor is indeed ready.

A hundred horsemen stepped forward and hugged their fists and bowed: "Your Royal Highness Princess, General Qin, Your Majesty is invited." ”

"Well, lead the way." Qin Mubai took Princess Gaoyang's hand and patted it lightly in her palm, smiling.

Princess Gaoyang also smiled, and the two of them stepped forward and followed the hundred horsemen towards the Taoist temple.

The Taoist aunts in the temple were gone, and they passed through several corridors all the way, and only the emperor's close guards and hundred cavalry soldiers were defending. After a short time, Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang went to an independent small courtyard and stood in front of a door.

The hundred horsemen led the two here, and then withdrew from Xu Yuan with their fists. The corpse was quickly carried as well.

Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang were about to ask to see each other, and the door was opened from the inside. Li Shimin stood in front of the two, glanced at the two expressionlessly, and said calmly: "Come in—carry the corpse in!" ”

"Yes."

Everyone agreed, and Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang entered the room with their front and back feet. All the hundreds of horsemen carried the coffin in with a snort, and they all retreated silently.

Within 100 steps of the entire courtyard, there are no idle people.

This room is the meditation room where Concubine Yin De rests on weekdays. At this time, she was still kneeling on the futon, bowing her head and chin to the bronze statue of Lao Tzu and the green cow.

Li Shimin personally reflexively covered the door, cut his hands behind his back, and walked to the coffin.

He wrung his eyebrows, gritted his teeth, and his cheeks bulged slightly. staring at the coffin but not speaking, the meaning in his eyes was very complicated.

The room was silent, and the crackling of candles could be clearly heard.

After a while, Li Shimin cleared his throat and said, "Your son is back." ”

Concubine Yin De, who was kneeling on the futon, trembled slightly, did not say a word, stood up silently, and turned around.

Suddenly, Qin Mubai's heart twitched...... Concubine Yin De, I haven't seen her for just one year, she seems to be ten years old?!

Princess Gaoyang was obviously even more surprised and distressed, looking at Concubine Yin De dumbfounded, her eyes turned red, and her voice trembled and called: "Mother concubine ......"

"Good ......" Concubine Yin De smiled lightly, stepped forward and gently stroked Princess Gaoyang's bun, and then, reached out and stroked the coffin, caressing the newly lacquered coffin like caressing Princess Gaoyang, and muttered: "Son, you're back......"

None of them spoke.

Right now, it seems that everything is so inappropriate.

Li Shimin has always maintained that look, silent, solemn, his eyes are sharp and complex, and he doesn't know what he is thinking in his heart.

"Open the coffin, let me see him." Concubine Yin De didn't cry either, her expression and eyes were unusually calm, and she said lightly.

Qin Mubai turned his head to look at Li Shimin and asked for his opinion.

"You don't have to look at me." Li Shimin said lightly.

Qin Mubai nodded, thinking to himself: If it weren't for the king's reserve, Li Shimin would have gone to lift the lid of the coffin by himself. Ay...... After all, blood is thicker than water, so why doesn't he want to take a final look at his unworthy son?

So Qin Mubai stepped forward, untied the rope wrapped in the coffin, and slid the coffin over.

The body has long been embalmed, and there is not the slightest smell in the coffin. And he pretended to be good, at this moment, Li You seemed to be asleep, with a smile on his face, but his face was like a blank paper.

Li Shimin, Concubine Yin De, and Princess Gaoyang all looked at Li You's body quietly, and fell silent at the same time.

There was no expected crying and emotional out-of-control, and right now, these three people were so tacitly quiet, surprisingly quiet.

Princess Gao Yang has been holding Concubine Yin De, afraid that her mother will faint or something. At this time, Concubine Yin De gently brushed off Princess Gaoyang's hand, put her hand into the coffin, and stroked Li You's face.

"You'er, You'er......" She whispered softly, just like Li You was calling him to wake up when he slept in the morning when he was young.

Li Shimin took a deep breath and sighed heavily, his hands were cut behind his back, and his brows tightened.

"Mother, just cry out......" Princess Gao Yang looked at her mother like this, she was already worried, and her voice trembled a little and murmured, "It will feel better to cry." ”

"Mother doesn't cry. Why does my mother cry? Concubine Yin De smiled instead, caressing Li You's face kindly, and a few clear crow's feet appeared at the corners of her eyes.

For a while, Princess Gaoyang didn't know what to say, but burst into tears.

At this time, Li Shimin said as if talking to himself: "I, I am going to plate his body with gold chrome and place it in the holy tomb of Ashoka Tower. ”

"Oh?" Qin Mubai couldn't help but be a little surprised.

"What, what do you think is wrong?" Li Shimin asked rhetorically.

"Nope. Wechen was just a little puzzled. Qin Mubai said truthfully.

At this time, Concubine Yin De chuckled lightly and said, "The Li family regards Laozi as the ancestor and respects Taoism. His Majesty's son, however, is to be buried in the Ashoka Pagoda of Famen Temple. It's no wonder that General Qin is puzzled. ”

The implication is that there is a great sense of revenge for Li You. According to royal customs, after the death of the prince and princess, they should be buried in the mausoleum of the first emperor, even if they are concubines. At present, Empress Changsun has been buried in Zhaoling, that is, the tomb of Li Shimin a hundred years later. According to common sense, Li You should be buried in Zhaoling. Even if he did not have the right to be buried in the mausoleum during his lifetime, he should be buried in the suburbs with the rites of the king. Now, he is not allowed to "settle in the ground", no wonder Concubine Yin De is so angry.

Li Shimin's reaction was very calm, he said: "I knew you would be displeased. I did this with good intentions. Taoism advocates cultivation and attainment of the Tao during life, while Buddhism emphasizes reincarnation and karma in the past life. I hope that under the transformation of Buddhism, he can purify his heart and demons and be a peaceful and kind person in the next life. What's wrong with that? ”

Qin Mubai nodded and did not speak. He guessed in his heart that this time Li You's incident touched Li Shimin a lot. After ascending the throne from his own Xuanwu change, I am afraid that he has left a shadow in his heart. He hated, and might say, feared his son, to do such things like him. Day and night, such a thing still happened after all. Right now, he wants to put Li You's body in Famen Temple and not be buried, to put it nicely, it is to let him bathe in Buddhism and live in bliss, but the deeper meaning, is there some meaning of "hanging corpse vigilance"?

He hoped that his other sons would take Li You as a warning.

"What a ruthless father." Concubine Yin De shook her head, still with a smile on her face, but it was bitter to the extreme.

Princess Gaoyang didn't know if she thought of this layer, but she just burst into tears, didn't cry, and didn't speak.

"Hey...... Say whatever you want! Li Shimin sighed heavily, shook his head, and said, "The matter has come to this point, and everything is irreparable." I only hope that Li You will not repeat the mistakes of the past in the next life! ”

"Huh! He is dead, and you will not forgive him. Concubine Yin De shook her head again and again, staring at Li You's face, her eyes showed bottomless despair and sadness, and murmured, "You'er, thank you for your good father!" If there is an afterlife, you don't have to be born in the emperor's family, it is the greatest blessing! ”

Li Shimin glanced at Concubine Yin De with some resentment, turned his head to Qin Mubai and said, "Mubai, close the coffin!" ”

"Yes." Qin Mubai answered with his hand and was about to step forward, when Concubine Yin De suddenly said, "Slow! ”

"What are you going to do?" Li Shimin's voice was a little deep, revealing majesty.

"Nothing."

Concubine Yin De took out a pair of scissors that had been prepared long ago, and scared Princess Gaoyang and Li Shimin into screaming: "Stop!" ”

Concubine Yin De smiled faintly, and easily cut off a bunch of her white hair and sprinkled it into the coffin.

"You'er, remember the taste of your mother. In the next life, I will be my child. ”

"You! ......" Li Shimin stared at Concubine Yin De with some anger, not knowing what to say.

"What, is this also offending Your Majesty's dragon power?" Concubine Yin De casually threw the scissors and smashed them on the ground with an abrupt clanging sound.

Then she turned away, walked unusually calmly to the bronze statue, and sat down on her knees as she had done before.

"Mother...... Princess Gao Yang seemed to feel a little wrong, hurriedly walked to Concubine Yin De, squatted down, and asked in a low voice, "Do you really want to ...... Are you a monk? ”

"What's the difference between having a home and not having a home? What are the similarities and differences between being a monk and not being a monk? Concubine Yin De said lightly, "Cut off the troubles and cut off the fate of this life." Since Your Majesty said that Buddhism can cultivate karma in the next life, then I will also become a nun. I want to use the rest of my life to hope that I can renew the relationship between mother and son with You'er in the next life. Gao Yang, you are so self-conscious, don't think I read it anymore. ”

"Mother, don't you...... I don't want you to become a monk! Mother, do you know, when a nun wants to shave off her hair, it's ugly! Princess Gaoyang eagerly whispered, "Father, come and persuade your mother!" She is a dignified concubine, if she really became a nun when she left home, wouldn't it be a royal disgrace to spread it? ”

"Let her go!" Li Shimin has a little bit of a taste of letting the jar be broken.

Qin Mubai was silent on the side and covered the coffin. But there are mixed feelings in my heart.

Li Shimin and Concubine Yin De are really a pair of bitter enemies. The son died, and it was clear that both of them were very sad, but they seemed to refuse to let each other go. It seems that they all blame the sins of their son's life on each other.

"Mu Bai, the funeral of King Qi is in charge of you." Li Shimin said suddenly, "I have already given an order to Master Huiye, the abbot of Famen Temple, and I will also assign officials from the household department, Taichang Temple, and Taimiao to assist you." If there is anything you don't understand, just consult with them. ”

"Yes, Wechen obeys." Qin Mubai agreed.

Li Shimin nodded, his expression still solemn. He looked sideways at Princess Gao Yang, with an expression that seemed to be resting, and finally couldn't help but call: "Gao Yang." ”

Princess Gaoyang answered, wiped her tears, walked up to Li Shimin and saluted: "The emperor is here." ”

Li Shimin stretched out his hand, stroked her head with pity, and said, "Later, come to Penglai Hall to see my father." ”

"Yes......"

"I'll go first." Li Shimin turned around and prepared to walk out, but his steps were paused, he glanced back at Li You's coffin, his eyebrows moved slightly a few times, and finally strode away.

Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang watched the emperor go away, and at this moment, they all invariably felt that this man of the Ninety-Five Honor, no matter how silent his expression was, it was difficult to hide the indescribable sadness in his heart.

On the other hand, Concubine Yin De, she should have cried bitterly, and it would not be strange that she even passed out. On the contrary, she didn't even shed a tear.

That sentence - "Mother doesn't cry." Why does my mother cry? But the words are like needles, which can pierce people's hearts.

Perhaps she also felt that Li You's death and studying was not a relief. Or perhaps, there is no greater mourning than the death of her heart, and her tears have long since dried up.

……

Soon after, several officials from Zongzheng Temple, Hubu and Taimiao came to ask Qin Mubai if he could first move the coffin of King Qi to Taimiao with sacrifices to the ancestors, and first carry out some simple royal funeral ceremonies.

Qin Mubai was about to ask Concubine Yin De, she turned her back to Qin Mubai, but she spoke first: "Mubai, let them take it away!" It's just a skin, and there's nothing to be nostalgic for. You'er's soul will accompany me. ”

"Yes......" Qin Mubai felt astringent in his heart, and he didn't know what to say. So he beckoned those people in, carefully carried Li You's coffin out, loaded it on a carriage and transported it to the Taimiao.

"Let's go, all of you!" Concubine Yin De said.

"Mother...... Just let me accompany you, okay? Princess Gao Yang pleaded worriedly.

"Not good." Concubine Yin De shook her head lightly, but said very firmly, "Just let me be alone with your brother for a while!" You go to see your father, Mubai, do you have a lot of things to do? Go ahead, don't worry about me. ”

Seeing that she said so resolutely, Princess Gaoyang and Qin Mubai couldn't insist on it, so they had to say goodbye and leave.

"Mu Bai, I'm so worried about my mother. Do you think she's going to ...... Commit suicide? After going out, Princess Gao Yang said worriedly.

"No, it won't." Qin Mubai replied without thinking.

"Really? Why are you so sure? Princess Gao Yang was a little surprised.

"I don't know." Qin Mubai frowned, raised his eyes to look at the tall and splendid palace, sighed lightly, and said, "It's just...... Feel. ”

"I feel ......," Princess Gao Yang muttered and repeated, shaking her head blankly, "I'm still not at ease." Why don't we tell those Dao aunts to pay more attention to her, and send some sergeants to protect her strictly? ”

"Okay!"

Later, the two left Dajiaoguan, Princess Gaoyang went to Penglai Hall to see Li Shimin, and Qin Mubai went to Taimiao.

Some great monks are doing some water and land dojos, and the Sanskrit sound is full of incense. Li You's body was carried out, and he was bathed and dressed for some processing in preparation for the chrome gold body. Qin Mubai specially admonished, and stuffed Concubine Yinde's white hair into Li You's mouth together with a huge night pearl and sealed it.

If there is really an afterlife, with the guidance of the night beads, and the white hair as a letter, presumably Li You should be able to find her mother in this life, and then continue this unfinished mother-son relationship.

At this moment, Qin Mubai hoped that Li You could also travel to another world like himself. Like himself, he can meet a mother who looks the same as Concubine Yinde. Or better yet, he travels years ago and becomes himself.

There, there was his beloved mother, sister.

He could...... Do it all over again!