Chapter 86 Moon Appreciation

This kind of Mirage Pearl could only be described as mediocre among today's gifts.

However, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang still appeared very happy. He didn't even let the guards handle it, but personally came before Jiang Chen to receive the Mirage Pearl.

“The Little Immortal Master's gift is very much to Our liking. We heard that the Little Immortal Master encountered a True Dragon on the road. Coming to Chang'an must have been quite an eventful journey. Please, take your seat!”

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang returned to his seat, and Jiang Chen sat down as well.

“Your Majesty has a Wisdom Eye like a torch; indeed, I witnessed many sights on the road.”

Abe no Nakamaro stood up at this moment and said with a smile in perfect Tang Mandarin, “The Great Tang is vast and rich in resources, a celestial empire of the highest order. Its prosperity is unprecedented. Daoist Priest Jiang's sights and sounds on this journey must have been bustling and full of splendor.”

“Hahaha, the Japanese envoy's choice of words is inappropriate. In such a grand scene, how can you use such petty terms like 'bustling'?” an official spoke up to correct him.

Abe no Nakamaro showed no anger. Instead, he was humble and polite, bowing deeply to the official.

“Thank you for your guidance, My Lord. Japan is but a tiny country, and my knowledge is shallow. Arriving at the celestial empire for the first time, I am inevitably like a country bumpkin seeing the world. If not for My Lord's advice, I might have invited ridicule.”

Seeing Abe no Nakamaro's humble and polite manner, he truly seemed like a refined gentleman.

Even those who originally looked down on Japan and Abe no Nakamaro or held prejudices could not help but nod.

At least in terms of etiquette, this Japanese envoy was much better than those from the Tibetan Empire.

However, as Jiang Chen looked at Abe no Nakamaro's breezy smile, he felt an indescribable sense of awkwardness.

Abe no Nakamaro gave him a very strange feeling; certain aspects of him made Jiang Chen's spiritual sense extremely repulsed.

“He carries the aura of the deceased. That deceased person must have been in great pain before death to hate him so much.”

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out beside Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen turned his head and saw that a young monk had sat down beside him at some unknown point.

Moreover, he had seen this monk before; it was the same monk who had been releasing fish in the city canal during the afternoon.

“Daoist, we meet again.”

“Little monk, how did you see the aura of the deceased on him?”

In terms of cultivation, this monk was a level below him, and in terms of strength, it went without saying.

Yet this monk could so confidently state the mystery surrounding Abe no Nakamaro.

“Master says I have wisdom roots and a Pure Heart. I suppose that is the reason?”

Jiang Chen was slightly surprised. He carefully observed Jianzhen and found his expression natural, without a hint of affectation. He was not like monks of Master Chengjue's ilk.

“Then why did you come specifically to tell me?”

“I also told my Master. I felt that among the crowd here, the aura on you, Daoist, is the most comfortable. Master also told me to build a good relationship with you, so I came over.”

Jiang Chen was speechless. This monk was truly honest, yet he did seem to possess a Pure Heart. Although he didn't look younger than Jiang Chen, he appeared completely untainted by the secular world.

“Then what do you plan to do? Why not tell the Saint?”

To his surprise, the monk actually rolled his eyes.

“I'm not an idiot. Saying such things at a grand feast like this would be like poking the Saint in the eye. If I did that, the days for our Vinaya School would become even harder.”

Jiang Chen didn't expect him to be able to say such a thing.

“Once the banquet is over, I will investigate and get to the bottom of it. I must seek justice for the deceased!”

“Doesn't your Buddhist faith emphasize putting down the butcher's knife to become a Buddha on the spot? If he suddenly says he's turned over a new leaf, do you plan to let him go?”

“That is the Chan School's way of thinking. We in the Vinaya School don't follow that.”

“Then what does your Vinaya School follow?”

“Eliminating evil karma for others.”

“How is that different from the Chan School?”

“Of course it's different. We do it in one step—sending him directly to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. If he deserves the cauldron of boiling oil, he gets the oil; if he deserves a thousand cuts, he gets a thousand cuts.”

Jiang Chen suddenly became interested. He felt that this monk was quite to his taste.

“I am Jiang Chen, Daoist name Great True Lord Xuanyi. Your Excellency likely already knows this. May I ask how to address you?”

“Amitabha. This humble monk's dharma name is Jianzhen. You can just call me Jianzhen, Daoist.”

Jianzhen!

Jiang Chen didn't expect to encounter another famous figure well-known to future generations here.

However, calculating the time, Jianzhen's journey to the east seemed to be around this historical period.

“In that case, after the banquet ends, I shall go with you to verify if this Japanese person has truly treated human life like grass.”

If for nothing else, just because this Abe no Nakamaro was from the island nation, Jiang Chen felt he had to help out.

“Good! I might not be able to beat him alone. If you can lend a hand, Daoist, that would be for the best!”

The banquet proceeded in an orderly fashion. Midway through, Su Baiwei, who was behind Princess Yuzhen, walked gracefully into the pavilion.

“Imperial Brother, this Lady Su is a Master of the Chang'an Guqin. On this auspicious festival, it is only right to invite Lady Su to perform a piece for everyone,” Princess Yuzhen said.

“I have also heard a bit about this Lady Su. Her music can attract a hundred birds; it is beyond words. A thousand pieces of gold are easily obtained, but there is no second person in the world with her musical skill!”

“I didn't know Chang'an had such a beautiful woman. I really want to marry her as a concubine.”

“Are you mad? She is a friend of Princess Yuzhen. You dare to dream of anything!”

“I am truly lucky to hear this today!”

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang looked at such a beautiful woman without any change in his expression, smiling as always.

“In that case, please perform a piece for everyone, Lady Su!”

“This humble girl obeys the decree.”

Su Baiwei spoke softly and weakly, then set up the qin.

The crowd suddenly went quiet, staring at Su Baiwei without blinking. At this moment, the venue was so silent one could hear a pin drop.

Su Baiwei's delicate hands brushed over the strings and plucked gently.

Ding!

Like a secluded orchid in a valley or a lotus on a high mountain, meant only to be viewed from afar and not trifled with, it instantly made everyone feel as if they were transported there.

Next came a gradually progressing, beautiful melody, like large and small pearls rolling onto a jade plate.

At this time, dark clouds happened to shroud the bright moon, but the music could be heard.

Everyone saw the dark clouds recede, and the bright moon, like a jade plate, hung clearly in the sky. The Toad Palace and Laurel Tree upon it seemed visible in every detail.

Moonlight fell upon Su Baiwei's white gauze dress, as if she were draped in a robe of radiance, complementing the music.

The emotions within the music were complex, as if longing for home and family.

For a moment, many people could not help but burst into tears.

Until the music stopped, many were still trapped in that Concept, unable to extricate themselves.

“The music touches the heart; it is truly a masterpiece of the mortal world!”

“To hear such beautiful music in this life, even if I were to die this moment, I would have no regrets!”

“Lady Su is truly as beautiful as her music. I want to marry her as a concubine even more now.”

“She would have to take an interest in you first. Has Lady Su even looked at you? She's looking at His Majesty.”

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang nodded slightly, his expression full of admiration.

“This piece is even better than what We usually hear. By comparison, everything We heard before has become vulgar.”

Princess Yuzhen smiled and said, “Since Imperial Brother likes it, why not keep Lady Su in the palace? It would be convenient to enjoy her music often.”

Hearing this, Su Baiwei felt a bit shy. She quietly lowered her head and couldn't help but steal a glance at Emperor Xuanzong.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Xuanzong shook his head slightly. “Lady Su's heavenly skill is a unique gift. If We were to confine her to the palace, she would lose that spirituality. It is not appropriate.”

Princess Yuzhen's expression froze for a moment, and she subconsciously turned her eyes to look at Su Baiwei.

Su Baiwei no longer had the affectionate look from before. Her lowered face was now expressionless.

“Tonight the Jade Toad is bright. Why don't we all drink wine, admire the moon, and compose poems?”

As his words fell, several rows of palace dancers walked in gracefully.