My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Chapter 37: Brothers Reunited, Princess Gaoyang Meets Bianji Again

Just as the messenger left, a man walked in with his hands behind his back, beaming.

"Brother, where are you going to play? I want to go too!"

Li Chengqian glanced at it and realized it was his younger sister, Princess Gaoyang.

Princess Gaoyang developed early and was tall with a curvaceous figure. By this time, she had grown into a graceful young woman.

"Oh, Qingque is coming back. Tell me to go to Daxingshan Temple to welcome him three days from now."

"Where do you think you're going?" Princess Gaoyang asked excitedly.

"Daxingshan Temple."

This reminded Princess Gaoyang of something. A few days ago, she went to Daxingshan Temple to burn incense and unexpectedly met a handsome young novice monk named Bianji. Since returning from that trip, she often couldn't sleep at night and would think of that young novice monk.

"Since Qingque is coming back, I'll go pick him up too."

Li Chengqian frowned: "No! I have other matters to attend to there, and it's very dangerous, so you can't go."

Princess Gaoyang pouted and asked, "What danger is there for you brothers to meet?"

I think you just don't want to take me out to play. I'm stuck in this palace every day, it's like being in prison, I'm so bored.

"Once I get there, I'll behave and do whatever you say, okay?"

Seeing her playful expression, Li Chengqian's face darkened: "If I say no, then absolutely no! Otherwise, I'll really get angry."

"Fine, fine, I won't go then. What's the big deal?"

Princess Gaoyang left in a huff after saying that.

Li Chengqian shook his head and sighed, because he knew that this younger sister was different from the other sisters. She was bold, feisty, domineering, and a bit unreasonable.

Three days later, on the morning.

The weather was sunny and the breeze was gentle.

Li Chengqian and Su Gui rode two fast horses to Daxingshan Temple.

Halfway there, Li Chengqian suddenly heard someone call out from behind: "Brother, wait for me."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian wondered who it could be on this grand road.

He turned around and saw a fast horse chasing after him, with a young woman sitting on its back. Who else could it be but Princess Gaoyang?

Li Chengqian's head was buzzing. He reined in his horse and asked, "Gao Yang, what brings you here?"

"Royal brother, I got up early this morning and waited for you here. I guessed you would take this route, and I was right! Hehe...!" Princess Gaoyang said, a smug smile spreading across her face.

"I already made it very clear to you a couple of days ago that I'm not here to play around today. I have business to attend to, and it's very dangerous. You should go back now!"

"No, I want to go play too." Gao Yang refused to leave no matter what.

Su Gui, after reading this, spurred her horse to Li Chengqian's side and whispered, "Your Highness, even if Li Tai does something to harm us, I don't think he would lay a hand on his own sister. Since Princess Gaoyang has already arrived, let her come with us."

Li Chengqian thought to himself that Princess Gaoyang was like a mushroom head, a sticky plaster that couldn't be shaken off once it was attached.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly: "Alright, since you insist on going, then you can come with us. But let me make this clear: once we get there, you are not allowed to wander off or say anything out of line. You must follow my orders in all actions, understand?"

"Alright, alright, brother, whatever you say, is that enough? Honestly, I'm not a child anymore. Why are you being so fierce!"

So the three of them rode side by side.

Princess Gaoyang was like a bird just released from its cage; everything she saw was new and exciting, and she was in a great mood!

At this time, spring returns to the earth, all things revive, trees grow in abundance on the mountains and fields, and wildflowers bloom everywhere, full of the vitality of spring.

However, Li Chengqian had no interest in appreciating any of this.

Princess Gaoyang ignored all that. She saw a particularly beautiful red wildflower in front of her, jumped off her horse, picked the flower, and put it in her hair with a bright smile.

Li Chengqian looked at her and thought to himself that when people are young, they always hope to grow up, but after growing up, there are so many troubles. It seems that it is better not to grow up. Looking at Princess Gaoyang, she is carefree and happy!

About ten miles from Daxingshan Temple, Li Chengqian saw dozens of people lined up and waiting by the roadside. At the very front of the line was Li Tai, with Gu Yin, Jiang Yaqing, Xie Yan, and others standing behind him.

Li Chengqian, Su Gui, and Princess Gaoyang dismounted.

When Li Tai saw Li Chengqian and the others arrive, he swayed his large body and trotted up to Li Chengqian, bowing deeply and saying, "Brother, how have you been? I greet you."

Li Chengqian looked down at Li Tai, and on the surface, there was nothing unusual about him.

Li Chengqian helped him up with both hands and patted his shoulder: "I am fine. What's wrong? You seem to have gained weight again."

Li Tai laughed heartily: "You don't know, Yangzhou has many rivers and lakes, teeming with fish and shrimp. When I got there, I feasted to my heart's content; it was impossible not to gain weight!"

The two brothers looked at each other and smiled, appearing very affectionate.

Princess Gaoyang also came over, deliberately with a stern face: "Qingque, didn't you bring me any good food, drinks, or toys when you came back from Yangzhou?"

Qingque hadn't expected Princess Gaoyang to come today. She smiled and said, "Gaoyang, I'm very happy that you came to greet me. However, you didn't tell me beforehand. If you had, I would have been prepared. How about this, I'll have someone send you a cartload of good things from Yangzhou later? What do you think?"

Gao Yang curled his lip: "How can you be so stingy now that you're a prince?"

One truckload isn't enough! We need at least two!

I still have so many palace maids and eunuchs to serve; I can't possibly keep them all for myself.

Li Tai laughed: "Oh? Okay, then it's your way, two cars it is!"

Princess Gaoyang then smiled and said, "That's more like it. Otherwise, I'll call you Qingque when I see you in the future."

Upon hearing this, Li Tai thought to himself, "When have you ever called me 'brother'? Haven't you always called me 'little brother'?"

At this moment, Li Tai also noticed that behind Li Chengqian stood a tall, handsome, and dashing young man.

He couldn't help but ask, "And who is this?"

Su Gui clasped his hands in greeting: "King Yue, I am Su Gui."

Li Tai's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself that this man was Su Wan's younger brother, Su Gui. He had heard that Su Gui was a skilled martial artist, and that even the commander of the Imperial Guards, Chang He, could not defeat him.

Li Tai chuckled, "So it's Young Master Su! Truly, heroes emerge from among the young!"

"You flatter me, Your Majesty. You are the truly young and promising one!"

Everyone came over to greet Li Chengqian. Afterwards, Li Chengqian and Li Tai walked hand in hand to Daxingshan Temple.

Daxingshan Temple is located in Jingshanfang, east of Chang'an City. The terrain is flat, facing south, and it is large in scale and magnificent in appearance.

It is said that this temple was built during the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin.

Later, Emperor Wen of Sui expanded Chang'an into Daxing City and named the temple "Daxingshan Temple".

At this time, Buddhism was flourishing, and Daxingshan Temple was one of the three major translation centers.

In the third year of the Zhenguan era, Li Shimin appointed Bo Po to oversee the translation center here.

Bopo was a high-ranking monk from the Western Regions with many disciples.

The entire temple is shaped like the Chinese character "回" (hui), with a central axis running through the middle. Along the central axis are the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha Hall, the Guanyin Hall, and the East and West Meditation Halls, among others.

Today, the temple was bustling with activity. In the main hall, a highly virtuous monk was giving a sermon, and thousands of Buddhist disciples were listening to his chanting.

Li Chengqian and Li Tai also arrived inside the hall.

Su Gui was just about to call for His Highness the Crown Prince.

Li Chengqian gestured to him with his eyes, signaling him not to make a loud noise.

Li Chengqian looked up and saw a monk in the hall, with a shaved head and wearing a kasaya, explaining the Mahayana-samgraha.

The eminent monk was tall and appeared to be around thirty years old. He had a straight nose and square mouth, kind eyes and a large, round face, fair skin, and bright, piercing eyes. When he spoke, his voice was loud and clear: "The ultimate Tao is vast and boundless, encompassing all thoughts, and is characterized by great compassion and equality..."

That monk was none other than the renowned Xuanzang.

Standing behind him were his two disciples, Yuan Ce and Bian Ji.

Bianji was tall and slender, with delicate features, handsome appearance, and an elegant demeanor.

Princess Gaoyang stood below the stage and saw him from afar, her heart fluttering.

It turned out that Bianji was the young novice she had met when she went to burn incense last time. She never expected to see him here again today.

That was the person who haunted her dreams and kept her up at night; how could she not be moved?

Princess Gaoyang waved excitedly to Bianji: "Hey, Bianji, I'm here."

Bianji saw her on the stage and seemed to have some impression of her.

When Li Chengqian saw this, he thought it was outrageous. How could a young woman be so ostentatious in such a solemn and respectful occasion?

Li Chengqian glared at Princess Gaoyang, who shrank back in fright and stuck out her tongue at him.

Someone brought a futon for each of Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Princess Gaoyang, and the three of them sat down.

Li Tai waved his hand, and his subordinates retreated to wait outside the hall.

Su Gui remained by Li Chengqian's side throughout, standing behind him.

Li Chengqian closed his eyes and listened quietly.

As he listened, he felt his emotions gradually calm down.

He thought back and realized that since he had traveled to the Tang Dynasty, it had been one crisis after another!

Where can you find someone who can lie in bed at home, turn on their phone, watch videos of pretty girls or play games, living a carefree and happy life?

He never expected that after transmigrating to the Tang Dynasty, he would find himself surrounded by intrigue, deceit, and traps everywhere, making it impossible to guard against them. In particular, there was Qingque, who was his younger brother.

On the other hand, he is also his greatest enemy. He can't bear to harm him, but he keeps pressing him and has already driven him to a dead end.

Alas! Is imperial power really that alluring? Is the position of crown prince really that important?

Why do so many people risk their lives and forget their families to get this position?

Li Chengqian remembered that not long after he transmigrated, he proposed to his father that he should give up the position of crown prince. Unexpectedly, he angered his father by saying such a thing. His father took out a whip to lash him. Fortunately, he ran away quickly, otherwise, he would have suffered physical pain.

Now, I'm truly in a dilemma.

Listening to Xuanzang chanting sutras here today gave Li Chengqian a feeling of clarity and enlightenment, as if the clouds had parted and the sun had shone through.

He felt that what Buddhism said was not all falsehood; it could purify people's minds, cultivate their sentiments, and encourage them to do good. For example, the Mahayana-samgraha, originally written by Asanga, is divided into ten parts called the "Ten Aspects of Victory." It believes that the "Three Realms" are created by the "One Mind" and divides "consciousness" into three categories: "result consciousness," "attachment consciousness," and "dust consciousness." Among them, "result consciousness" is also called "alaya consciousness."

The main purpose is to explain the existence and function of Alaya-vijnana.

Xuanzang's account was well-structured, logical, and insightful.

Li Tai was completely confused and couldn't understand what was being said.

Li Chengqian listened with rapt attention, feeling as if he were bathed in a gentle breeze and drinking fine wine.

Princess Gaoyang didn't listen to anything; at that moment, she only had eyes for Bianji.

She noticed that the young novice monk had become even more handsome after not seeing him for several days.

There was a toilet on the left side of the main hall. During the intermission, Li Chengqian needed to urinate, so he went to the toilet.

Su Gui stood guard outside the toilet.

Unexpectedly, Xuanzang also came. After the two finished relieving themselves and washed their hands, Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Excuse me, are you Master Xuanzang? Your explanation of the scriptures is excellent."

"Amitabha Buddha, may I ask who you are, benefactor?" Xuanzang returned the greeting with a bow.

"Li Chengqian".

Xuanzang was taken aback, because his relationship with Li Shimin was also extraordinary.

"Could it be that you are the current crown prince?"

"Exactly."

"Nice to meet you! I didn't expect the Crown Prince to have grown so tall."

"I was fortunate to listen to the Master's lecture on the Mahayana Compendium today, and I benefited greatly from it."

"This humble monk only wishes to save all living beings, so that everyone in the world can reduce their desires, distractions, and suffering, and attain peace, joy, and happiness."

"Master, your learning is profound. It is a great fortune for the Tang Dynasty to have such a virtuous monk as you!"

"Your Highness is too kind. Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent and talented, a true blessing to our Great Tang Dynasty."

"I am still young, inexperienced, and have not completed my studies. I hope to have more opportunities to listen to the teachings of masters in the future."

The two hit it off immediately and chatted amiably. Xuanzang asked, "Why did the Crown Prince come to Daxingshan Temple today?"

"To be honest, I have come here today at the invitation of the King of Yue."

"The King of Yue? Could it be Li Tai?"

"Indeed. What, do you know him too, Master?"

Xuanzang shook his head: "No, it's just that I heard Abbot Bopo mention him last night. Also, last night, a lot of armored soldiers came here. They said it was because there were so many people coming to listen to the sutras today, so they were called in to maintain order."

This humble monk feels it's unnecessary, because all the monks who have come to listen to the sutras are my disciples.

"A lot of armored soldiers have come?" Although Li Chengqian had been somewhat prepared, he was still a little surprised at this moment.

"Yes, they all looked menacing, as if facing a formidable enemy! I wonder who they're after?"

Li Chengqian gave a bitter smile: "If I'm not mistaken, they are probably going to make a move against me."

"What? Aren't you the Crown Prince? How dare they treat you like this? Are they planning a rebellion?" Xuanzang was extremely shocked.