Sixth Year of Zhengyong, the ninth day of the seventh month.

Guangle Palace, Zheng Yi and several consorts were waiting outside.

Today is the day Consort Yue, Miao Yuesheng, is giving birth, which has alarmed more than half of the Imperial Palace.

The reason is simple, Miao Yuesheng’s father, Miaoo Xiu, is currently the most powerful general in the Great Yu Military, second only to Xu Mujun.

He commands over a hundred thousand armored soldiers and holds the positions of General of Yunzhou and Yongzhou, as well as the Northwest Commander against bandits, capable of mobilizing forces from three states.

He is currently commanding the army to besiege the rebels in Yongzhou, and it’s said they have been confined in the Yong Mountain area, soon to be defeated!

“Wah~ Wah~!”

Soon, the sound of a baby crying came from outside Guangle Palace, and the faces of those around visibly relaxed.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Rejoice, Your Majesty!”

“Consort Yue has safely given birth, a major event for the Royal Family!”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty…”

Zheng Yi also let out a sigh of relief, the reason being that Miao Yuesheng, this woman… was too small in certain aspects.

Although Miao Yuesheng is already a consort, in Zheng Yi’s eyes, she still appears as petite as a 14 or 15-year-old high school student.

He felt a bit reluctant even to share a room with her, let alone her giving birth. It was truly a hardship for her.

A nanny quickly walked out, and many eyes were fixed on her.

Especially those of the Empress, Noble Consort Yang, Noble Consort Xu, Consort De, and others.

Your Majesty has been on the throne for six years now yet has no prince.

If this were to be exploited by those with ill intentions, it could be detrimental to the empire.

The nanny knelt and respectfully said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty, rejoice, Your Majesty, Consort Yue has given birth to a little princess.”

“Ah.”

Zheng Yi nodded slightly, and the surrounding consorts also visibly sighed with relief.

Especially the Empress, Princess Consort Wan, and other consorts.

A daughter is good, a daughter is good indeed.

There is still hope, we still have hope.

Zheng Yi said, “Since Consort Yue has given birth, you may all withdraw and rest early.”

“Yes~!”

The women bowed, then left one by one.

Zheng Yi, holding the daughter just born to Consort Yue, walked into the bedchamber.

No wonder she is the daughter of Consort Yue, she, like her, has a small face, but her eyes are bright and black, her little nose flat, very cute.

Zheng Yi approached Miao Yuesheng, sincerely saying, “Yue’er, you have worked hard.”

Miao Yuesheng, her face pale and flushed, said, “I have not given the Royal Family a prince, I ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

“What nonsense are you saying?”

Zheng Yi handed the child to the nanny and lovingly touched her small face, “Whether prince or princess, I adore them all.”

“Your Majesty~”

Miao Yuesheng, touched, her eyes reddened, “Your Majesty, please step back, lest you catch the smell.”

Zheng Yi turned to the midwife beside, “What is the matter?”

The midwife, trembling, answered, “In response to Your Majesty, Consort Yue’s small body caused some tearing during childbirth, there was quite a bit of blood loss.”

“However, the Imperial Hospital’s Imperial Physician has prescribed a tonic, and my brother will take good care of Consort Yue.”

“Ah.”

Zheng Yi nodded, “You have all done well in caring for Consort Yue, you will be rewarded.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

He then turned to Consort Yue, “You are my consort, my daughter, how could I disdain you?”

“Your Majesty~”

Consort Yue, moved, said, “Your Majesty, please name our daughter.”

“Ah.”

Zheng Yi nodded, “Your name contains the character for ‘moon,’ the moon being the yin of the heavens, the eye of the sky.”

“The spring river flows level with the sea, the bright moon rises from the sea with the tide.

It glimmers along with the waves for miles, where doesn’t the spring river have a bright moon?”

“Hence our daughter shall be named Zheng Yuhan.”

“Han, the first light of the sky, the moonlight before dawn.”

“Zheng Yuhan, titled… Princess Guanghan!”

“Zheng Yuhan, Yuhan… Princess Guanghan…”

Miao Yuesheng’s eyes grew brighter, respectfully, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Just then, Liu Cheng’en hurriedly came in, “Your Majesty, Master Fayuan from Tianlong Temple requests an audience.”

“Fayuan?”

Zheng Yi’s expression shifted slightly, after all this waiting, he finally couldn’t help himself?

Since Fayuan arrived in the Capital City, two months have passed.

During this time, he had Fayuan wait at Yanta Temple, allowing him to spread Buddhism.

As long as he doesn’t return to Tianlong Temple or cause trouble indiscriminately, it’s fine.

Unexpectedly, in just these two months, he couldn’t hold back?

“Let him wait for me at Baiyu City.”

“Yes.”

Zheng Yi turned to Miao Yuesheng, “My beloved, rest first, I have some matters to attend to.”

“Ah, Your Majesty, please go quickly~”

Zheng Yi exited Guangle Palace, exhaling deeply, then instructed those nearby, “Send more Imperial Physicians to attend to Consort Yue’s health.”

“Yes!”

Baiyu City.

“This humble monk, Fayuan, greets Your Majesty!”

Zheng Yi looked at the kind and benevolent old monk before him, calmly saying, “Master Fayuan, please be courteous. How have you been these past few days?”

“In response to Your Majesty, this humble monk is doing well.”

Fayuan said, “The Capital City is a place of outstanding talents, Your Majesty’s majestic presence, truly remarkable, the world is certain.”

Zheng Yi asked again, “What brings the master here today?”

“To offer congratulations.”

Fayuan said, “Today, this humble monk calculated that the Celestial Dragon Maiden, an incarnation under our Buddha, descends to the world, hence I come to congratulate.”

As he spoke, he retrieved a book with a yellow cover from his robe, Liu Cheng’en quickly stepped forward.

“This is the ‘Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma’ bestowed by our Buddha. The Celestial Dragon Maiden is the daughter of our Buddha, has achieved the path through the Sutra, now returned to its rightful owner, a great virtue indeed.”

Hmph!

Zheng Yi smiled coldly within.

What calculated discovery.

The old monk had preached at Yanta Temple for two months, having already amassed a large number of followers.

Even within the palace, many have faith, it’s as easy as pie for him to know Consort Yue birthed a daughter.

Yet Zheng Yi still said, “I thank the master on behalf of Princess Guanghan.”

“Your Majesty.”

Elder Fayuan continued, “Now, there are signs of chaos nationwide. Our Buddha, in His compassion, wishes to save the people and protect all living creatures. I also wish to offer myself in service to this world.”

“Princess Guanghan is our Buddha’s Celestial Dragon Maiden, Your Majesty is also connected with our Buddha. Why not use Buddhist Dharma to guide people towards goodness, save the world, and ascend to Paradise together?”

Zheng Yi asked, “Oh? What does Master Fayuan intend to do?”

“Transcribe Buddhist texts, build many temples, and recite sutras in the morning, noon, and evening. People’s hearts will naturally incline towards goodness.”

“Has Master Fayuan ever felt hunger?”

“I cultivate Mahayana Buddhism, which includes fasting, so I have naturally felt hunger.”

“Master is caught up in appearances.”

Zheng Yi said, “My Great Yu has been continuously afflicted by natural disasters and human calamities, although this year has been slightly better.”

“But in the Six Northern States, there are countless refugees with empty stomachs, millions dying of starvation.”

“May I ask Master Fayuan, how will you save this group of people?”

“What they want is not Dharma, but food.”

“I ask Master, with an empty stomach, how should one recite sutras?”

Elder Fayuan replied calmly, “As long as there is Buddha in the heart, external things are irrelevant. What’s the harm in abandoning this foul mortal shell?”

“You are truly… eloquent.”

Zheng Yi laughed helplessly. Buddhism is skilled in debate; few can win an argument against them based on mere words alone.

Fayuan’s complexion remained unchanged as he spoke to himself, “I heard that Your Majesty used to seek immortality?”

“And if that’s true?”

“Why doesn’t Your Majesty take refuge in our Buddha?”

“Oh? Take refuge in our Buddha? Does our Buddha offer a method for immortality?”

“Yes.”

Fayuan confidently stated, “Our Buddha resides above the Three Thousand Glazed Worlds, with mastery over past and future, naturally possessing a method for immortality.”

“Can Master Fayuan achieve immortality?”

“This humble monk is dull-witted and has not yet become Buddha, but I have developed a Buddha heart.”

Fayuan continued, “Your Majesty also has a Buddha heart and affinity with our Buddha. Your Majesty’s Sixth Princess is our Buddha’s Celestial Dragon Maiden, the Eldest Princess is our Buddha’s Dancing Heavenly Maiden of the Glazed Realm, the Second Princess is our Buddha’s Princess Baoyu of the Jade Realm, the Third Princess is our Buddha…”

Zheng Yi was left speechless, pondering if Fayuan considered himself some sort of swindler.

“Why not claim that you’re also a Buddha incarnation?”

“Does Your Majesty not believe?”

Fayuan smiled warmly, then retrieved a roll of golden scroll from his bosom.

“Please look, Your Majesty. This item is our Buddha’s precious treasure, called the Thousand Illusions Glazed Painting, capable of connecting with the Netherworld and reflecting past and future.”

“Your Majesty’s past, entirely within this painting!”

“Oh?”

This captured Zheng Yi’s interest, leading him to instinctively gaze at the scroll in Fayuan’s hand.

Fayuan smiled faintly, casually tossing the scroll into the air.

“Rustling~”

In an instant, the painting unfurled like a bolt of cloth, floating in the air.

On the originally blank scroll emerged figures moving and intertwining.

Meanwhile, Fayuan’s voice echoed again.

“Not only is Your Majesty connected to our Buddha, but even the Innate Powerhouse hidden behind Your Majesty’s Dragon Throne, protecting Your Majesty, is also connected to our Buddha!”

Along with Fayuan’s words, Zheng Yi felt slightly disoriented.

Behind Zheng Yi, Chen Liancang’s gaze became bewildered, captivated by the scroll.

Zheng Yi witnessed his past life as a villainous bandit.

He engaged in burning, killing, looting, and all manner of evil.

One day, while descending the mountain to loot, he slaughtered the members of a merchant caravan but found a two or three-year-old child hidden within the compartment of a carriage.

For reasons unknown, he felt compassion and spared the child.

Time flew by; years passed.

He gained great fame in the martial arts world through fearless valor and insights gained during battles.

Known as the foremost of the Four Great Villains of the Green Forest, he was even recruited by the Imperial Court, becoming their lackey.

Gold, silver, treasures, beauties, and power were at his fingertips.

He even renounced crime, married, had children, and accumulated substantial wealth.

One day while executing a task, he was ambushed and killed by a young man.

The youth was handsome and bore an imposing aura.

Using only three moves, he defeated Zheng Yi.

The youth spared his life but severed all his tendons and abolished his inner strength, leaving him crippled.

“Fifteen years ago, you killed my entire family but let the two-year-old me live.”

“Thus, I will kill your entire family, sparing only your life!”

The youth dragged him back home, where he watched as the youth single-handedly stormed in and slaughtered his entire family, leaving Zheng Yi wailing in agony.

In a pouring rain, a gray-robed monk approached quietly, saying, “When will these cycles of vengeance end…”

In a haze, he saw his second life.

In the second life, he was a butcher, living next door to a monk.

He rose early to summon the monk for chanting.

The monk rose early to summon him for pig slaughter.

For over thirty years, every day was spent this way.

Suddenly, one day, darkness covered the sky and black clouds enveloped the city, with countless demons descending, transforming the human world into the Demon Court.

Countless humans were turned into food for the Demon Race, and he was no exception.

A Great Demon glared at him, saying, “Daily you slaughtered my kin, for over thirty years at least ten thousand of my kind died by your hand, this enmity is irreconcilable!”

The Great Demon transformed into his true form, a black-skinned, tusked wild boar.

With an angry roar, he opened his tusked mouth, ready to devour him.

At that moment, his body suddenly radiated golden light, transforming into Buddha, and with a reverse gesture, he subdued the Pig Demon.

In a haze, another voice reached his ears.

“Our Buddha, in His compassion, for thirty years you called upon Me for chanting, establishing boundless merit, now you can become Buddha instantly!”

The third life…

He was a squanderer, whose great-grandfather left substantial wealth…

In Baiyu City, Zheng Yi was trapped within an endless illusion, while Elder Fayuan slowly approached, eyes indifferent.

“Emperor of Great Yu, enter the Great Glazed Illusion Realm and become our Great Glazed Thousand Illusion Buddha’s Son.”

“From now on, Great Yu will be our Buddha’s domain, spreading our Buddha’s Dharma, saving the world!”

At this moment, he showed no sign of kindness or benevolence but was instead filled with coldness.

In his eyes, the people weren’t even disciples but… swine!

“Squeal, squeal, squeal…”

Just then, a sharp screech resonated abruptly.

“Hmm?!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep