Chapter 58: The Young Nun (II)

Standing on a high vantage point, Li Fuquan casually brushed aside a branch and suddenly glimpsed a landscape awash with layered hues—a cascade of jade and gold blending through the forest. At the foot of the mountain, a crystal-clear stream meandered, and a line of stone steps wound their way down to the water's edge. Mist curled delicately in the air, creating a scene fit for an immortal’s retreat.

Just then, a young nun carrying water appeared, treading lightly up the steps. Her head was bowed, concealing her features, but the elegance of her slender form revealed her beauty.

“What a pity,” Li Fuquan glanced down between his own legs, shook his head, and mocked himself in secret. Though he had lost his manhood, his heart remained that of a man.

As he turned to leave, the little nun, bent over to fetch water, suddenly raised her head. Li Fuquan cast a cursory glance her way, but what he saw stunned him so much his legs gave out and he collapsed onto the frosted ground, the chill biting through him. Staggering to his feet and pushing aside the leaves for another look, he saw the nun returning with two buckets of water. Rubbing his eyes, he stared again, then slapped his thigh and muttered, “I must be seeing ghosts!”

His eyes flickered with sudden inspiration, and he broke into a grin before turning to run.

The little nun glanced briefly in his direction, a faint, captivating smile on her lips, though Li Fuquan, fleeing in haste, failed to notice her beauty.

She walked back slowly, but before long, four young eunuchs blocked her path. She set down her buckets and pressed her palms together in greeting, intoning, “Greetings, benefactors.” Her serene composure, observed from a distance by Li Fuquan, filled him with delight. He whispered to himself, “Indeed, not the same one. Good, she’s the one. She looks exactly like the late Empress reborn.”

He signaled the young eunuchs, who, without another word, knocked the nun unconscious and carried her away.

For someone of Li Fuquan’s rank, abducting a little nun was hardly a challenge. Ever since Ji Ye had embraced Buddhism five years ago, the Ministry of Works had built a palace in the Buddhist style behind the Great Buddha Temple for the emperor’s use during his devotions.

At this hour, morning prayers had ended, the monks had gone to eat, and Ji Ye had returned to his palace.

Li Fuquan, knowing Ji Ye’s every habit, glanced at the sky and guessed he was now having breakfast. He quickly instructed the eunuchs to place the young nun in Ji Ye’s bed.

It was customary for Ji Ye to nap briefly after his morning meal.

With everything arranged, Li Fuquan felt a measure of relief. He tidied himself up, composed his demeanor, and stood by Ji Ye’s side, serving him with a nearly obsequious attentiveness.

Ji Ye’s moods had grown ever more inscrutable under the Buddha’s influence; his expression calm as water, he neither acknowledged nor rebuked Li Fuquan’s excessive flattery.

After breakfast, having washed his hands, Ji Ye walked toward his bedchamber, saying, “Well, what have you done this time?”

Li Fuquan chuckled nervously and hurried to reply, “Your Majesty, you’ll see for yourself. I promise, this time you will be thoroughly satisfied.”

“Your audacity knows no bounds. Do you really think I can’t do without you?”

Li Fuquan knew well he had gone too far, but how could he bear to see his master’s legacy pass to another’s bloodline? He broke into tears. “Your Majesty, I know you’ve let go of such desires, but… but surely you must leave an heir. No matter how good another’s child, he is not your own.”

“It is only your loyalty that makes me tolerate you again and again.” They entered the hall together. Li Fuquan quickly led Ji Ye to the bedside, tears streaming down his face. “Your Majesty, just take a look before you decide my fate.”

The air was thick with incense, the bookshelves were lined with yellowed sutras, and upon his brow he still wore a ruby ornament. Yet he was dressed in the white Buddhist robes she had always loathed, his hair unbound, his body frail and thin. His eyes, once clear as glass, now shimmered with a distant, lifeless pale.

When she opened her eyes, he looked directly at her as well. In that shared gaze, triumph sparkled unmistakably in her eyes, while in his, it was as if oceans surged, threatening to overflow, yet restrained by sheer force of will.

That, perhaps, was the most intense emotion Daidai had ever seen in him.

She was overjoyed, certain now that her suspicions were correct.

Recalling her plan, she quickly sat up, bowed her head, pressed her palms together, and murmured softly, “Amitabha.”

Li Fuquan slipped out ahead of time, leaving the two alone.

His voice trembled slightly as he sat quietly by the bed, gazing at her. “What should I call you?”

“I am Xuanse, a humble nun. May I ask, what is your purpose in bringing me here?”

He lowered his head, a faint smile playing on his lips, and after a moment, he looked up and drew her into his arms. “I’ve taken a fancy to your beauty, little nun, and wish to bring you into my harem. What do you think?”

The suddenness of it left Daidai speechless for a moment as she nestled in his arms. Quickly, she subdued her fluttering heart and pushed him away in feigned indignation. “I am a nun. How dare you defile a disciple of the Buddha, you scoundrel?”

Holding her tight, he continued, half to himself, “How about I give you the name Daidai? From now on, that’s what I’ll call you.”

Could it really be this easy to win him over?

Daidai’s face was full of doubt.

“The Buddha said, ‘If I do not descend into hell, who will?’ Perhaps I should take you away from here, lest villains covet your beauty and bring misfortune upon your nunnery.”

“Oh? Hmm, the benefactor speaks with reason. Then allow me to accompany you into the mortal world.” Fearing suspicion, she added, “I am a nun of high cultivation and have already comprehended what you spoke of—‘If I do not descend into hell, who will?’ Therefore, I do not fear following you into the world of dust and desire. Do you understand my meaning?” In other words, she was not following him out of infatuation, nor for his status and power.

“I understand.” He nuzzled her face, holding her tighter.

“Oh, I can hardly breathe.” She rested her chin on his shoulder, inhaling the warmth of his presence, feigning complaint even as she basked in his affection.

That clumsy lie could only fool herself.

“I am tired. Will you sleep with me for a while?”

Daidai’s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. She wanted nothing more than to tell him how long it had been since she’d slept well.

The two embraced warmly under one blanket, sharing one pillow. Yet it was he who fell asleep first, eyes closing in exhaustion.

Held too tightly, Daidai tried to shift away, but he woke with a start, kissed her shaven head, and patted her back, weary. “Be good. Let me sleep well.”

The serenity was so perfect, it was as if the pain of that fateful night had never happened.

He did not ask whether Daidai harbored resentment, and Daidai, too, returned to his side, masquerading as another, a little nun named Xuanse.

Everything began anew, as if the wheel of fate had turned once more.

Her slender fingers traced gently along his emaciated back, heart aching yet filled with joy.

My king, is it because of me that you have become like this?

My king, when I learned I was bearing your child, I knew then that you truly loved me.

You are the Dharma King, guardian of the faith. That night in Xianque Tower, your passion swayed even the birds and beasts of the mountain into the throes of desire.

That is why I have returned, to meet you again as a mortal, with mortal feelings.

I thought, only as two ordinary people could you love me as you once loved Consort Shu.

I no longer wish to play the seductive demon, the temptation upon your path of ascetic cultivation.

Author’s note: Chapter 9