Usually, it would only take four or six hours to get to ChangKun Temple, but now it took the procession more than half a day to get there. ZiLi, who was at the end of the procession, saw this legendary state temple from afar. It was indeed magnificent in scale, a dazzling sight 1 . In front of the main hall was an open space similar to Tiananmen Square, and in the center was a large bronze ancient Chinese caldron 2 , about four or five meters high. White smoke curled up from the large ancient Chinese cauldron, however the smoke did not disperse with the wind as it rose to the sky, instead it lingered and circled like a cumulonimbus cloud, spreading layer by layer. With the large ancient Chinese cauldron at the bottom, it looked like a swaying ancient Cloud Pine tree 3 with a huge canopy.
As ZiLi looked at the scenery in awe, he could not help but admire the people who were capable of creating such a dreamlike scene, and he could not deny that when he saw this pine tree-like cloud, an inexplicable impulse to kneel and worship had arisen in his mind.
As a matter of fact, when ZiLi came to his senses, he found that the entourage of Officials next to him had already done so, and he was the only one still standing upright like a javelin. So, he quickly knelt down and waited for a while, but there was no indication that anyone wanted to say anything. ZiLi could not help but get curious and looked up slightly in the direction of the Emperor. However, it was too far. Although he was not nearsighted, he could only see a slender figure in bright yellow standing next to the ancient Chinese cauldron, taking something from a man in a red Kasaya 4 , then stepping onto the steps that had just been placed there, and throwing something into the ancient Chinese cauldron.
After a while, the figure in yellow finally walked into the main hall, accompanied by the figure in red. Immediately after, the kneeling people stood up, so ZiLi stood up as well and looked around confused. Just when he did not know what to do next, a monk came up to them and said with his palms together in a prayer, “Please, esteemed guests, follow this young monk 5 to go to the side hall to burn incense and remove impurities.”
Please read His Majesty's Hostage Chapter 36 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
ZiLi was obliged to follow the monk along with several Officials to a side hall, where a bronze statue of an unknown deity was enshrined. Two young novice monks stood at the incense altar on the left and right, holding the incense. Seeing them enter, they immediately distributed to them the already burning incense in their hands.
The esteemed monk 6 , who had led the way, put his palms together again and said, “Please, esteemed guests, pray and offer the incense!”
Although ZiLi had been to a temple before to offer incense, he did not know if the procedure of their practice here was the same as he knew, therefore he had to stay half a beat behind them and follow their example 7 .
When the esteemed monk saw that they had all finished offering the incense, he took a golden lotus flower from the young novice monk’s hand, and while reciting words, he dipped it in fresh water and sprinkled their heads.
ZiLi secretly glanced at the golden lotus flower that seemed to be made of pure gold and complained in his heart.
“The cleansing ceremony is over. Please, esteemed guests, follow the young monk to the main hall to attend the ceremony.
When they arrived at the main hall, they found that many Officials had already gathered there. Since the group to which ZiLi belonged consisted of the lower-ranking Officials, they had to stand outside the hall.
Please read His Majesty's Hostage Chapter 36 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
He did not know what kind of ceremony was being held inside, but since ZiLi had to stand straight as a ramrod like a soldier outside, his legs had become numb. However, seeing that everyone else was motionless, he did not dare to move too much, so he just secretly shifted from one foot to the other. When ZiLi finally could not bear it anymore and wanted to sit down on the spot, he finally saw a eunuch come out to announce in a sharp voice that the ceremony was over, and everyone was dismissed. When ZiLi looked up at the sky and saw that it was already evening, he could not refrain from cursing the Emperor again for actually making them stand there for several hours!
Afterwards, someone came to lead them to the room, which according to their official status had already been allocated in advance, to rest.
ZiLi looked gloomily and in a bad mood at the small guesthouse in front of him, which was located in a remote area and alone in a courtyard. Why were the other people all staying in luxury rooms and he had to stay in this shabby guesthouse? When he pushed the door open, the inside, as expected, was really simple and crude, with only a heatable brick bed 8 and a square table.
“We really did not expect His Highness of Bei Ling to accompany us this year. The rooms had already been allocated and there was no vacant room left anymore. With much effort, we managed to empty the firewood storage shed next to the main building. Your Highness of Bei Ling, please, just bear with it for the next two days!” The young monk who had led the way saw ZiLi’s displeasure, so he explained as his senior brother 9 had instructed him to do.
Being unhappy was only a matter of a moment, and ZiLi soon realized that this place was a perfect escape opportunity. Furthermore, all conditions were perfect 10 ! Outside the temple, away from the eyes of the Emperor, and no one watching.
Please read His Majesty's Hostage Chapter 36 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
ZiLi clapped his hands excitedly, startling the young monk who was nearby.
“Very good, This Highness is very pleased with your arrangement. Go back and thank your superior for me!” he said sincerely, holding the young monk’s hand.
“Huh?” The young monk looked at His Highness of Bei Ling strangely, whose eyes were shining, and could not help but be puzzled, No one has ever been so happy to know that they will be staying in a firewood storage shed!
After sending the young monk away, ZiLi immediately began exploring the grounds.
“Heaven is really on my side!”
Outside the perimeter wall was an unguarded grove. As long as he walked through the grove, he could avoid the guards who patrolled the main road, and then quickly head to town to retrieve the items from the inn.
Please read His Majesty's Hostage Chapter 36 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
“Wait, I seem to have forgotten something!” ZiLi suddenly widened his eyes and gasped in panic, “Ah―― my money, my stuff, I did not bring them with me! What should I do? What should I do? I can’t escape without money!” Frustrated, he pulled his hair.
“Your Highness, Your Highness?” Suddenly he heard someone shouting outside the door.
“What is it?” ZiLi pulled open the door with a sullen face and saw Steward Lin standing outside the door with such a smile that he could only see his teeth and no longer his eyes, followed by the young monk who had just led the way.
“Ah, Your Highness, I have been looking for you!” Steward Lin said and turned his head to the young monk and admonished, “His Highness is so delicate and frail, how can you put His Highness in such a filthy place? Go back and ask your master 11 to transfer His Majesty to another room.”
“Steward Lin, This Highness thinks this place is very good. No need to change the room!” ZiLi quickly interrupted him. Damn Steward, who asked you to be meddlesome!
“But, Your Highness―”
Please read His Majesty's Hostage Chapter 36 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
“It’s all right, I said it is fine here, didn’t you hear me?” ZiLi said displeased.
Steward Lin, who was refuted by ZiLi in the face, in front of the young monk, could not help but secretly scold in his heart, For now, I will give you face and let you be arrogant. See how long you can be arrogant, just wait until His Majesty gets tired of you. Humph, let’s see how we will punish you in the future.
“For what reason were you looking for me?”
“Oh, His Majesty sent this servant to invite His Highness over!”