After bidding farewell to Li Zhi, Mingkong turned around and returned to the temple, and the master of Jingxin Temple invited her to the abbot's room for a while.

Jing Xin asked: "Just now the saint and you met in love, relatively weeping, that scene is very moving, I think you two have an unforgettable love story in the palace!" Why don't you talk about it? ”

Mingkong replied: "Since the evening study has been shaved and cultivated, cutting off the threads of troubles and worries, it has no chance with the world, let everything in the past drift away with the wind!" ”

Jing Xin smiled and said: "Poor Ni was also once a beauty of Gaozu, and I don't know how many years before you knew about the things in the palace?" Look at the depth of your affection and the depth of your emotion, you are definitely not a person who is separated from the dirt, he will definitely return to the palace one day! ”

Mingkong said: "I lost my temper just now, please forgive me!" Since stepping into the temple gate, the evening study has extinguished the fire in my heart, lit the lamp before the Buddha, and concentrated on worshipping the Buddha and chanting, listening to the scriptures and holding mantras, and meditating on Zen, regardless of the prosperity of the red dust! ”

Jing Xin said: "You can concentrate on the Buddha, of course the poor nun agrees very much, but since the saint dares to come to the temple to meet you in the face of the world's disapproval, I am afraid that you can't bear what will happen next!" ”

Mingkong replied: "No matter what happens in the future, we are all destined people, and the care and help of the temple master, the teacher, and the senior sisters will never be forgotten!" ”

Mingkong walked out of the abbot's room and returned to Nishe, Mingzhi, Zhengmiao, and Zhengya all came over to pester her and ask similar questions, and Mingkong gave similar answers one by one.

Because leaking forbidden Chinese is a royal taboo, many high-ranking officials in history lost their officials because they accidentally leaked one or two sentences, so they can't say a word about the things in the harem.

In the Ganlu Hall of Taiji Palace, Queen Wang reported to Li Zhi about going to Lingbao Temple to make incense and going to Taizong Temple to worship the Holy Palace, especially mentioning Xu Chongrong.

Since Taizong's death, Xu Chongrong has been very sad, and after moving to Chongsheng Palace, he didn't think about eating and drinking, and he didn't heal when he was sick.

Queen Wang brought the medicine and medicine of the Shangshi Bureau to see her doctor, and she also excused herself, saying: "The concubine is favored by the first emperor, and she has nothing to repay, she is willing to die early, and her soul will serve the Zhaoling Garden after death, this is the concubine's wish!" ”

When Li Zhi heard about it, he remembered the scene of serving Aya decoction with Xu Chongrong in Cuiwei Palace last year, and couldn't help but burst into tears, and said, "I will send the imperial doctor to treat her tomorrow, and tell her that I have decided to hire her as the master of Li Zhong, the king of Chen!" ”

The next day, the imperial physician came back from the Chongsheng Palace and reported: "Xu Chongrong has not eaten for a few days, and his illness has been delayed for too long, his body is extremely weak, and he is already terminally ill!" Li Zhi sighed with emotion.

A few days later, the news of Xu Chongrong's death came, Li Zhi was sad for a long time, and sent Hongluqing to Chongsheng Palace to mourn and care for the funeral. After discussing with Zhongshu and Menxia, Xu Chongrong was posthumously presented as Concubine Xu Xian and buried in the Zhaoling stone room as a commendation.

After the funeral, Li Zhi promoted Xu Xiaode, the father of Concubine Xu Xian, to the assassin of Yizhou, and promoted him to four levels in a row. felt that it was not enough, so he promoted his sister Xu Cairen to Jieyu, and his younger brother Xu Qitan was hired as a bachelor of Chongxian Pavilion.

Queen Wang had heard about Li Zhi and Mingkong's meeting before, and now she saw Li Zhi treating Concubine Xu Xian's family so kindly, and suddenly a flash of inspiration came to her, and an unexpected idea popped up: take Mingkong into the palace and fight against Concubine Xiao Shu!

Concubine Xiao Shu gave birth to two daughters and a son, and her son Yongwang Li Sujie is 2 years old and is thriving, while Queen Wang has been childless for eight years in the palace, and she is very worried that her future position will not be guaranteed, and she urgently needs a helper.

Since Li Zhi has a special affection for the concubines of the first emperor, he might as well take Mingkong as a helper, and maybe he can get a wonderful effect.

Queen Wang summoned Chun Tao and Xia He, the palace maids of the Shang Yuan Bureau, to inquire in detail about the scene of the Ganye Temple that day, Chun Tao and Xia He simulated the touching scene of Li Zhi and Mingkong meeting on the spot, Chun Tao sighed and said: "Everyone looks so handsome when they dance the Hu Xuan Dance!" Xia He also said: "Yes, why are you so handsome?" ”

The queen smiled and said, "Just your skin! Enough, this palace already understands, retreat! ”

After Chun Tao and Xia He retreated, Queen Wang was sure that Li Zhi's feelings for Mingkong were deeper than Concubine Xu Xian, as long as she was brought into the palace, Concubine Xiao Shu, your end has come, hahaha......

Zhu'er, the personal maid, reminded: "Niangniang only cares about dealing with Concubine Xiao Shu, what if this nun is even more powerful than Concubine Xiao?" Isn't it a wolf into the house? ”

Queen Wang replied: This question has also been thought about by the palace, and the palace accepted her into the palace based on the following five considerations:

(1) Since His Majesty dared to meet her at Ganye Temple, it was only a matter of time before she was taken back to the palace, and it was not difficult to find reasons, such as: setting up a Buddhist hall and letting her return to the palace to recite scriptures for Empress Wende. In this case, it is better to push the boat down the river in this palace and send His Majesty a favor, maybe you can get favor.

(2) Take advantage of His Majesty's past feelings for her to jointly fight against Concubine Xiao Shu and secure the odds.

(3) Ah Wu has not given birth in Taizong's harem for 12 years, and he has the same illness and sympathy with the palace.

(4) The Wu family has a small surname, the disciple is not high, has no foundation in the outer court, is difficult to speak alone, and is easy to control.

(5) Ah Wu is older than the palace, and in a few years, he will definitely be spoiled and relaxed, and when the time comes, the palace will reap the benefits of the fisherman, which can be said to have a hundred benefits and no disadvantages!

Pearls high-fived and exclaimed, "Good, good!" Oh, the mother is well thought out and well-planned, the slave is far behind, this plan will definitely be a complete success! ”

The next day, Queen Wang ordered Su Changzhi to go to Ganye Temple to announce the order, so that Mingkong grew his hair and returned to the palace after three years of filial piety.

Su Changzhi came to Ganye Temple accompanied by Gong Yeping, the envoy of the Inner Garden, and the temple master Jingxin, Vena Jingxian, Shangza Shanhui and Mingkong were already waiting in the guest hall. Su Changshou waved his horsetail to whisk the dust and announced the queen's order, and all the nuns knelt down with their palms together, shouting in unison to obey the order.

After the two of them left, Jing Xin said to Mingkong, "Start growing your hair from today, and you don't need to participate in the group practice in the future." Mingkong said: "Learn to do more chores that night." ”

Jing Xin smiled and said: "Amitabha, you are no longer a member of the Buddhist sect, rest in peace!" If you can get grace after returning to the palace, don't forget our fate. ”

After a few days, Mingkong's hair grew an inch, he was not shaved, and he wore a scarlet hat to cover it all day long.

The naughty Mingzhi was very curious, and suddenly took off Mingkong's hat, and said in surprise: "Oh, my God, my hair is so long, why don't you shave it?" Come, senior sister will help you shave off your troubles. After saying that, he looked for a razor everywhere.

Mingkong chased after him and grabbed the hat, saying, "Senior sister, don't make trouble, return the hat to junior sister." Mingzhi smiled and said: "If you don't pay it back, you won't pay it back!" Real gold is not afraid of fire, beauties are not afraid of bald heads, junior sister, what are you afraid of? ”

The two were frolicking in Nishe, and Zhengmiao and Zhengya also came to watch, grabbed Mingkong from both sides and said, "In the past, my junior sister always took the lead in shaving her hair, but what's wrong with me now?" Oh, do you want to hide from us going down the mountain? Hee-hee. ”

Mingzhi found the razor and came over to shave Mingkong's hair, Mingkong struggled and shouted: "Don't, don't!" Shave off the worries and worries, and I'll make a big deal! ”

Mingzhi said: "Shut up, say you're okay and you'll be fine!" ”

While he was making trouble, Master Jingxian came over to relieve the siege and said, "Amitabha, know how to stop, stop quickly!" From now on, Mingkong will no longer have to shave his hair, nor will he have to meditate! ”

Seeing that Mingzhi was puzzled, Mrs. Jingxian told Su Chang about the queen's order.

Mingzhi, Zhengmiao, Zhengya and other friends were stunned, and said together: "Go out of the temple and return to the palace?" Didn't you say that the mountain palace was closed and opened, and the body was not ordered to come out if it was not dead? How could this kind of story that is only in a fairy tale happen to the younger sister? It's incredible! ”

Besides, Queen Wang, after listening to Su Changshi's return, she was very satisfied, and the matter of taking Mingkong back to the palace was decided.

On the night of the full moon, the queen invited Li Zhi to visit the Hall of Blessings and said that there was something good to tell her. Li Zhi originally wanted to sleep at Concubine Xiao Shu in the Daji Palace, but he couldn't resist the repeated requests of the queen Wang, so he went to the Baifu Hall to have a look.

Fruit pastries and golden cups and jade cups were placed on the dining table, and the emperor and queen sat on the crescent stool while eating and chatting.

Li Zhi asked: "What's the good thing for the lady to summon me here?" The queen replied: "The concubine has recently devoted herself to studying the "Female Rules", and she knows a little about the good deeds of the virtuous concubines in ancient times, and wants to learn to imitate them to assist Your Majesty!" ”

Li Zhi said happily: "Wow, I don't know which virtuous concubine the lady wants to emulate?" Queen Wang said: "Deng Sui, the Empress of the Eastern Han Dynasty and Xi, was worried that the heirs of the Han and Emperor were not wide, and she took the initiative to take beauty pageants and send them to the palace several times, and got the favor of the emperor, which is a manifestation of female virtue!" ”

Li Zhi took a sip of autumn sake from the jade cup, and said with a smile: "Don't be jealous and resentful, A-Niang also has the character of Queen Hexi!" In the year of Huaizhen, he once recommended Zheng Renji's daughter to enter the palace, which requires a mind as broad as the East China Sea! Does the lady also want to take a concubine for me? ”

Queen Wang also smiled and said: "The concubine has this intention, I heard that His Majesty went to Ganye Temple to make incense, and wept opposite to a nun, that scene is very moving!" That nun was originally a martial artist in the harem, and the concubine wanted to take her into the palace to serve His Majesty, how about it? ”

Li Zhi was surprised and delighted, grabbed Queen Wang's jade hand and sighed: "When did the lady become so enlightened, virtuous and understanding?" Don't be three days, you should be impressed! However, this matter cannot be rushed, and it is not too late to wait for the expiration of the three-year period of mourning. ”

Queen Wang said: "The concubine has ordered Ah Wu to grow her hair, and she will be accepted into the palace when the mourning period is over!" ”

Li Zhi was overjoyed and said, "Great! Queen Wang snuggled in Li Zhi's arms and said gently: "Your Majesty, how about staying in the Baifu Hall and sleeping tonight?" Li Zhi stroked her hair and nodded.

In the early morning of the next day, Lieutenant Chen and Zhang Neishou hurriedly went to the Baifu Hall to call: "Everyone, it's time to get up, the time for the morning pilgrimage has arrived!" ”

Li Zhiyi turned over and got up, looked at the queen who was still asleep, covered her with a quilt, and then put on the black yarn winged crown and red and yellow embroidered dragon robe handed over by the imperial chief Sun Jin and went to the early court.

The queen didn't get up until the hour of sleep, and under the waiter of the secretary and the secretary, she put on a hairpin dress, painted her eyebrows, smeared powder, and inserted twelve tins into her hair bun.

Zhu'er brought the multi-son fertility medicine prepared by the imperial doctor, and said, "Niangniang, drink the medicine while it is hot." After the queen drank the medicine, she said: "If the slave is not mistaken, Your Majesty has not been fortunate to Niangniang for more than three years, and Niangniang's performance last night was really great!" ”

Queen Wang's eyes were red, and she said, "It's all to blame for Ah Xiao's cheap maid, don't mention it!" Hey, I also blame myself for not being pregnant for so many years, praying to God, this time I must bless my concubine to conceive a dragon! After speaking, he got up and went to the Buddha statue in the east chamber of the Baifu Hall to burn incense and pray, praying for an early pregnancy of a noble son.

In order to express his gratitude to Empress Wang, Li Zhi made personnel adjustments, first transferring Liu Zheng as a Zhongshu waiter, and later awarding Liu Zheng and Yuwenjie and the three products under the same Zhongshu Sect.

For the disobedient Zhongshu Ling Chu Suiliang, Li Zhi was also unrelenting, and immediately went to Dali Temple for review after receiving the impeachment copy of the supervising imperial Shi Wei Siqian.

Dali Shaoqing Zhang Ruishu defended Chu Suiliang and was refuted by Wei Siqian. Li Zhi deposed Chu Suiliang as the history of the Tongzhou Assassin, and Zhang Rui as the history of the Xunzhou Assassin.

In May of the second year of Yonghui, Li Zhi decided to give the Beijing officials above the fifth grade a portable fish charm, which was convenient for entering and exiting the imperial city and worshipping.

Ganye Temple, after nearly a year of recuperation, Mingkong has long hair and shoulder-length, and usually thinks about the countermeasures after the queen takes her into the palace, but has no clue.

Mingzhi, Zhengmiao, and Zhengya saw that Mingkong was about to return to the palace, and staged the fairy tale of Cinderella becoming a queen, all with an expression of envy, jealousy and hatred.

Mingkong didn't care, but talked to them about the Buddha's principles, and persuaded them to practice with pure hearts, realize enlightenment, cultivate positive results, get rid of the suffering of the six realms of reincarnation in the world of desire, and climb the other side of the light together!

Time flashed to autumn, Li Zhi's three-year mourning period expired, and Queen Wang sent Su Changshou to take the fish charm and Ah Hong and Ah Zi to ride the purple curtain car together to meet the Ming Sky in Ganye Temple.

As soon as Mingkong saw Ah Hong and Ah Zi, he immediately rushed forward excitedly, hugged each other and cried.

Su Changshou announced the queen's decree to Master Jingxin and the others, ordering Mingkong to return to the palace after dressing up. Ah Hong and Ah Zi dressed up for the bright sky, changed into a talented Tian hairpin dress, and inserted Wu Tian in their hair buns.

After dressing up, Ah Hong and Ah Zi said excitedly: "Do you remember the scene when you just put on this uniform more than ten years ago?" As if it reappeared yesterday, the lady's demeanor is still the same, and it is more charming and moving! ”

Mingkong's face flushed, and he set off to follow Su Changshi out of Ganye Temple, walked down the Nantianmen, turned around and waved goodbye to the senior lady and the senior sisters, and then took the purple curtain car from the Xuanwu Gate into the Taiji Palace.