TGCFNM -Chapter 404 Amitabha

At this moment, in front of the main hall of Jinshan Temple, seven sticks of incense stood in the burner.

Six of them were as thick as arms, arranged in a neat row. In front of them, however, was one stick only as thick as a finger. Compared to the others, it somehow looked weak and pitiful.

Lu Shi stared blankly at the incense that had just been forced into place. Then he looked down at his own hands and sleeves, both smeared with damp soil.

The mud came from Wan Sanjin. In his left hand, he was clutching a clump of something that looked like medicinal herbs. His hands were caked with dirt, and there was mud all over his clothes as well.

Chu Ling wasn’t much better off. She wasn’t holding anything, but her hands were blackened with grime.

As for Su He, at least he had the sense to wipe his hands on Wan Sanjin’s sleeve, so he looked slightly cleaner.

The three who had arrived later, however, appeared far more neat and tidy.

Wan Sanjin looked at Lord Lu, who seemed somewhat dazed, and asked worriedly, “Lord Lu… have you gone stupid?”

Only then did Lu Shi snap back to his senses. His eyes flared as he shot the three of them a fierce glare, then suddenly turned toward Hong Shiyuan, his gaze practically spitting fire. His voice squeezed out between clenched teeth:

“You’re the elder here. Instead of leading them properly along the path, you took them climbing a cliff?!”

Uncle Hong had just been about to explain that it wasn’t him leading them up the cliff — it was them dragging him along.

But before he could speak, he was drowned out again by Lu Shi’s fury.

“Why don’t you turn around and look? Look at who else is on this mountain! And then take a good look at what you were just doing!”

Uncle Hong turned his head — and froze on the spot.

Because Chu Ling had been the first to offer incense, the group that had been standing in a standoff over there had finally begun to move. One by one, they strode over with extremely unpleasant expressions, their destination clearly Chu Ling and the others.

Chu Ling’s scalp went numb. She had finally confirmed that the man was indeed Prince Rui — and anyone able to walk side by side with Prince Rui had to be another prince. Not to mention the two figures behind them, who also appeared to hold rather high status.

Su He fell silent for a moment before saying, “Are we about to die?”

Wan Sanjin’s face also paled. “Looks like Lord Lu is going to die with us.”

A vein throbbed on Lu Shi’s forehead. He couldn’t help but slap his own brow and grind his back teeth.

Uncle Hong looked at his young master with lifeless eyes. To anger Lu Shi — who usually kept his emotions hidden — to this extent… his young master truly was impressive.

Ghost Scholar pressed a hand on Chu Ling’s shoulder and turned her to face the incense burner. “Quick! Say that the first stick of incense was offered for His Majesty!”

Chu Ling reacted immediately. She pressed her palms together, her expression devout:

“This first stick of incense is lit by this humble official for His Majesty. Along my journey, I have witnessed the beauty of Great Zhou’s rivers and mountains, and seen the people living in peace and happiness. All of this is thanks to His Majesty’s protection, which has given us the life we enjoy today.”

“I wish to convey the people’s gratitude toward His Majesty to the heavens through this incense… Amitabha!”

Wan Sanjin and the others suddenly caught on. They immediately pressed their palms together as well, looking equally pious.

“Amitabha!”

Just then, Prince Rui and Prince Su, who had arrived, could only press their palms together and bow in unison. Everyone behind them followed suit, bending down together in reverence.

Ghost Scholar glanced back and smiled as he reminded her, “There. Now they can’t make trouble for you.”

Chu Ling’s shoulders relaxed. Crisis perfectly averted.

Lu Shi shot her a sharp look. If not for that earlier line about giving her a hundred taels, she really would have fooled him completely.

Meanwhile, Wan Sanjin, still kneeling, whispered in a breathy voice, “My lord, you just turned in a full circle on the spot. So steady.”

Chu Ling nodded and mouthed silently: Talent.

Lu Shi forced down the lump of anger stuck in his chest, then spoke in a low voice, “Your intentions are good. I believe His Majesty will also be gratified. Step aside now and do not disturb others.”

Chu Ling and the others shrank their necks and quietly retreated to one side, bowing respectfully.

Prince Rui was so angry he almost laughed. Quick reactions indeed—going so far as to light the first incense stick on behalf of His Majesty. Their skin was truly thick, and their shame apparently disposable.

At that moment, Ghost Scholar reminded Chu Ling in a low voice, “The square-faced one beside Prince Rui is Prince Su. The long-faced one behind him with a smile is Prince He. And beside Prince He is Prince Qi—the father of Heir Xiao, Xiao Lengjue.”

Chu Ling cautiously lifted her head to look.

Prince Rui had a square face, imposing and awe-inspiring even without anger.

Prince Su’s slightly long face made him look like someone not to be trifled with.

Prince He looked every bit the idle, pleasure-seeking imperial prince.

Prince Qi appeared honest and gentle—a classic good man.

When Prince Rui saw her still daring to sneak glances, he shot her a glare. Chu Ling immediately hunched her shoulders and edged backward.

“Stop retreating. Another step and you’ll be at the cliff’s edge. Fall off and you’ll lose your life.”

Prince He had just finished offering incense and deliberately walked around Lu Shi to approach them. Staring at the group, he asked, “What was that about a hundred taels?”

Chu Ling’s eyes darted. She looked up with an awkward smile. “Your Highness, who appears so kind and amiable, you must have misheard. What I said was—if you gave even the poorest person a hundred taels, they still wouldn’t leave Great Zhou. Dayuan truly reeks beyond words!”

Prince He froze for a moment when he saw her face. After hearing her explanation, he burst out laughing.

“What nonsense are you spouting? You just made that up, didn’t you?”

Chu Ling straightened her expression. “Your Highness, I am an honest person. I do not lie.”

Prince Su also glanced over at that moment. His brows immediately furrowed, and he pulled Princess Su away. Princess Su turned back to look once, seeming somewhat surprised.

After Prince Qi finished offering incense, he bid farewell to the others and went to find the temple’s abbot.

Princess Rui looked at Chu Ling gently and beckoned. “Come here. Let me have a look at you.”

Chu Ling cast a fearful glance at Prince Rui before inching forward. Princess Rui adjusted her clothes and looked at Prince Rui. “This is the child you mentioned, isn’t it?”

“Child? He’s a little monkey,” Prince Rui said with a dark expression. “Growling ‘awoo,’ talking about a hundred taels—does he think everyone else is deaf?”

Princess Rui couldn’t help but laugh. “He looks young. It’s only natural he might act rashly, but his original intentions are good. Don’t frighten him.” As she spoke, she gently patted Chu Ling’s head, then pulled Prince Rui along. “That’s enough. Can’t you see the people behind don’t even dare offer incense? Eighth Brother, let’s go.”

Prince He responded and, as he passed Chu Ling, poked her on the forehead—earning an innocent look in return.

He chuckled and followed after Prince Rui.

Once the princes had all left, Lu Shi stepped up to Chu Ling and instructed in a low voice, “Investigate the case properly.” With that, he departed.

Gradually, others began stepping forward to offer incense. But when they saw the incense stick as thick as an arm, they couldn’t help but pause in shock, casting curious glances at Chu Ling and the others before moving on.

As more and more people arrived, the scholars they had met outside the city previously also came over one after another.

Shangguan Cheng stared at Chu Ling in amazement. “My lord, you’re incredible! The princes were all competing for the first incense, and we didn’t even dare breathe. Yet you just walked up and planted the first stick yourself!”

Chu Ling: “……”

She was now filled with nothing but regret. Deep, overwhelming regret.