“No self phase, no person phase, no sentient beings phase, no lifespan phase……”

In the Chen family Buddhist hall, the candle flames were bright, and the candle smoke lingered on the beams.

Inside the Buddhist hall, the gilded Shakyamuni Buddha sat with his left hand forming the mudra of giving dependence and his right hand forming the wish-granting mudra. His eyebrows were compassionate and his treasure-like appearance was solemn. Chen Ji and Liang Shi sat cross-legged, whispering, their mouths dry and tongues parched, their bodies and minds both weary, and their faces ferocious.

Outside the Buddhist hall, young servants, maidservants, and nannies gathered in a pile, almost falling asleep as they stood. Xiao Man saw that Chen Ji had gone out to pay respects but was delayed in returning, so she also waited at the door, leaning against the wall, her head nodding as she dozed.

Outside the Chen residence, a night watchman passed by, striking his gong, his voice high-pitched: “Heaven is dry, things are dry, be careful with fire and candles!”

The hour of Zi.

Liang Shi’s personal first-class maidservant, Dong Zhi, heard the night watchman’s voice and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly. This time, the paying of respects had started from the hour of Mao in the morning before the sky was even bright, and continued until the hour of Zi at night, a full ten hours.

There are only twelve hours in a day, what decent family pays respects for a whole day? With such sincerity, even the Buddha ancestor should be invited down.

Inside the Buddhist hall, Liang Shi quietly used the corner of her eye to glance at the two people beside her. She knew that these two were young and strong, and she herself certainly could not endure. If Chen Ji were to endure until death here today, it would likely become a big joke.

But this matter was something she had started. Reciting one volume of Buddhist scripture was not enough, she insisted on having Chen Ji recite another volume, ultimately lifting a stone to smash her own foot.

Liang Shi thought for a moment, slowly put down the Buddhist scripture, and said in a hoarse voice: “You two recite first, I suddenly want to read the Diamond Sutra, but I don’t have it here. I’ll go elsewhere to find one.”

Chen Wen Zong nodded slightly: “Mother, please go.”

Liang Shi stood up and made a signal to Dong Zhi outside the door: “Dong Zhi, you also come and help me find it.”

Dong Zhi responded with a sound and followed Liang Shi together to the side room, the room where Buddhist books were kept.

Just as they entered the room, Dong Zhi turned back and closed the door securely. Liang Shi suddenly let out a breath and almost fell into a chair.

Dong Zhi knelt beside her, pinched her legs, and whispered: “Madam, how has this Chen Ji changed his temperament? Last year, when he returned for his birthday, he was still meekly obedient to you. Now, he actually has a bit of fierceness.”

Liang Shi frowned: “You see it too? I also feel that he’s not quite right, like he’s changed into a different person.”

Dong Zhi comforted her and said: “Madam, you just rest here. If they come, just say you still haven’t found the book. Can this Chen Ji endure until dawn?”

Liang Shi had no energy to say anything more. She slowly closed her eyes: “I’ll take a short nap, you help me keep watch.”

Inside the Buddhist hall, Chen Ji glanced at the empty cushion beside him and suddenly asked: “Elder brother, I have several doubts about the Buddhist scriptures I’ve read so far, and I haven’t found the answers within the scriptures. Could I please ask elder brother to help me solve them?”

Chen Wen Zong put down the scripture in his hand and said gently: “Speak them and let me listen.”

Chen Ji asked: “Is this world eternal?”

Chen Wen Zong was startled.

Chen Ji asked again: “Does this world have a boundary?”

Chen Wen Zong frowned and remained silent, not answering. Even though he had read widely in Buddhist scriptures in his youth, he had never seen the Buddha answer these two questions.

However, Chen Ji knew from the beginning that Chen Wen Zong would certainly not be able to answer, because these were two questions from the “fourteen unanswered” in Buddhism.

The so-called “fourteen unanswered” are the fourteen questions that later people often say the Buddha was unwilling to answer. The two words “unanswered” are a direct translation from Sanskrit, and originally meant “cannot be clearly said, cannot be described.”

Chen Ji curiously asked: “Elder brother also doesn’t know the answers to these two questions?”

Chen Wen Zong said frankly: “Elder brother is of shallow talent and shallow learning. Thinking carefully, it seems the Buddha also never answered these two questions. Wait for me to re-examine the Buddhist scriptures in the coming days to see if the Buddhist scriptures have answers.”

Chen Ji smiled and said: “Elder brother, no need to be so troublesome.”

Chen Wen Zong was doubtful: “Does third brother have a way to resolve your doubts?”

Chen Ji said: “How about we go ask Madam?”

Chen Wen Zong was startled.

Chen Ji stood up: “Madam studies Buddhism, she can certainly answer these two questions.”

Having said that, he walked to the side room and knocked on the door: “Madam, Chen Ji has doubts, please Madam answer them for me.”

Inside the side room, Liang Shi suddenly opened her eyes, only feeling that Chen Ji’s voice at this moment was like a lingering evil spirit from the five turbid evil worlds. She had clearly already hidden to this place, yet the other party could still find a reason to chase after her.

Her expression was somewhat dazed, as if she couldn’t quite bear it.

Dong Zhi looked at her worriedly: “Madam, shall I go send him away?”

Liang Shi shook her head: “No need.”

Having said that, she tidied her makeup, smoothed the wrinkles in her clothes, and holding a Diamond Sutra, walked out the door, smiling in a gentle voice: “What problem?”

Outside the Buddhist hall, footsteps approached.

Chen Li Qin frowned and looked at the young servants and maidservants outside the Buddhist hall: “What are you all gathered here for?”

Dong Zhi did a courtesy and immediately wanted to report: “Reporting to Master, the third young master is also not……”

Beside her, the dozing Xiao Man suddenly woke up and interjected: “Master, the eldest young master and third young master are accompanying Madam in reciting Buddhist scriptures.”

Dong Zhi turned back and glared at her hiddenly. Xiao Man was unwilling to show weakness and glared back.

Chen Li Qin did not notice these things. His eyes looked at the three backs under the lamp fire of the Buddhist hall, and his ears heard the low voices from the Buddhist hall, only feeling that this was actually the long-absent warmth within the residence.

Liang Shi heard Chen Li Qin’s voice, relieved as if she had let out a breath, and stood up to welcome him: “Master has returned.”

Chen Li Qin stepped into the Buddhist hall and said with a smile: “I went to inspect the river dike all day today, you all are quite leisurely.”

Liang Shi was silent for a moment and said hoarsely: “Not really leisurely……”

Chen Wen Zong explained: “Father, today third brother and I came together to pay our respects, and afterwards we accompanied mother in reciting Buddha. Third brother seems to be enlightened and is interested in the meaning of the scriptures, so we are accompanying him and answering his doubts as a convenience. Third brother is clever, the questions he raises even I and mother cannot answer.”

“Oh?” Chen Li Qin did not ask what the questions were, simply because he knew in his heart that if Chen Wen Zong could be stumped, he would probably be stumped too.

He smiled and said: “Chen Ji, it’s rare that you are interested in the meaning of the scriptures, but you must read more of my Confucian scriptures. Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism are originally interconnected, and my Confucian forest also has great learning. Right, you will go to Donglin Academy next spring.”

Chen Ji cupped his hands and bowed: “Chen adult, I don’t want to leave home for so long, so far away.”

Chen Li Qin thought for a moment: “Then go to the Imperial Academy. I am familiar with the chief, Yang Zhan, asking him to arrange a student identity for you is not difficult. But there are only about fifty imperial university doctors inside this Imperial Academy, yet they have to answer the doubts of over nine thousand students. Ultimately, it’s not as good as Donglin Academy……”

Chen Ji understood. The Imperial Academy in the capital was a big pot of rice, while Donglin Academy in Lu state was a small stove. It was clear at a glance which was better and which was worse.

However, he was already a Sea Eagle of the Directorate of Ceremonial, a fifth-rank imperial front direct guard of the inner court. Even an ordinary county magistrate had to bow when they saw him. There was truly no need to participate in the imperial examinations again.

At this time, Liang Shi said hoarsely: “Master is soon to leave office and is still inspecting the river dike, you must be tired. Your concubine will arrange for servants to boil water for you and also cook a bowl of white fungus lotus seed soup. Chen Ji, Wen Zong, you two go back first.”

Chen Ji bowed: “Yes.”

As he prepared to leave, Liang Shi suddenly called out to him: “Chen Ji.”

Chen Ji turned back: “Does Madam have any other instructions?”

Liang Shi had Dong Zhi take three volumes of the Great Prajna Sutra and handed them to him: “I know you want to strike while the iron is hot. Take these three volumes back and read them. Now that you have momentum, you absolutely cannot slack off. Tomorrow I still want to test you on the learning inside.”

Chen Ji’s expression did not change: “Thank you, Madam.”

“Go back and rest.”

On the bluestone slab road, moonlight scattered across the ground. The tree branches swayed and rubbed against each other, the black shadows like sea waves hitting the bluestone.

Chen Ji walked in front, while Xiao Man yawned, hugging the three volumes of books and following behind.

After returning to Mingquan Garden, Xiao Man curiously asked: “Young master, where shall I put these three volumes of books?”

Chen Ji, weary in both body and mind, said: “The first volume and the second volume, throw them away.”

You have asked me to see it!

“Ah?” Xiao Man was startled: “The third volume?”

Chen Ji collapsed onto the bed with a thud: “Throw the third volume further away.”

Xiao Man: “……”

She approached closer, making a gesture to help Chen Ji take off his black boots.

Chen Ji was startled by her action and sat up again: “What are you doing?”

Xiao Man said as a matter of course: “Helping young master take off his boots, ah. I’ll go boil hot water for young master to wash his feet later, a warm wash is good for sleep.”

Chen Ji shrank back his legs and said seriously: “I instructed you, there’s no need to serve me when you’re by my side. You only need to take care of yourself, that’s enough.”

Xiao Man widened her eyes: “Young master dislikes me? Didn’t I always do this before?”

Chen Ji had to explain: “In the medical hall these two years, I’ve already gotten used to taking care of myself, there’s no need for service.”

Xiao Man was silent, and Chen Ji was also silent.

A moment later, Xiao Man sighed: “It seems, young master has also suffered quite a bit these past two years.”

Having said that, she took out eight silver peanuts from her sleeve: “Young master, old rule.”

Chen Ji sat on the bed, doubtful and not understanding. What old rule? What about these eight silver peanuts?

On the window lattice, Hei Yun meowed.

Then he heard Xiao Man say: “Today, Li Qiu sister came to find me and said someone wants to buy your news for eight taels of silver every month. I then agreed as I did in the past. Here, all eight taels of silver are here. According to the old rule, I take one tael, and you take seven taels. I still want to help you find out who the employer is, but Li Qiu sister’s mouth is very strict and she’s not willing to tell me.”

Saying that, Xiao Man muttered: “Young master must not take the silver and show it off in front of people, otherwise they will know we live by cheating silver.”

Chen Ji looked at Xiao Man with a half-smile: “This employer is too stingy, only giving eight taels of silver?”

Xiao Man’s face didn’t redden and her heart didn’t beat faster, she said firmly: “It’s only eight taels, ah, much more generous than before. Before, they only gave eight hundred cash, life was very tight.”

Chen Ji also didn’t argue with her. After taking the seven taels of silver, he instructed: “You go to the west wing room to sleep. I still need to get up early tomorrow to pay my respects.”

Xiao Man suddenly stood up angrily: “Madam borrowed the matter of paying respects before and made you pour tea and serve water by her side. Now that you’ve just returned, she immediately punished you to recite scriptures in the Buddhist hall for a day, almost reciting you into a monk! Young master, how can you just not be firm, what if you don’t go pay your respects?”

Chen Ji carefully looked at her angry appearance and explained softly: “The Chen family values rules the most. If we don’t follow the rules, we cannot live in the large residence of the Chen family.”

Someone once said that immature people will bravely die for their ideals, while mature people will choose to endure humiliation and live for their ideals.

Chen Ji didn’t know if this sentence was entirely correct, but he had no choice now. Bai Long had let him approach the core of the Chen family, and he had to obey the Chen family’s rules.

However, he had his own plan.

Chen Ji instructed Xiao Man: “You go to sleep.”

Xiao Man said angrily: “Sleep what? Young master has nightmares every day, I still need to guard you. You sleep, I’ll find time to make up for sleep during the daytime.”

Chen Ji shook his head: “I don’t have nightmares anymore.”

Xiao Man was half-believing, half-doubting: “Really?”

“Really.”

“I don’t believe it, I’ll guard you for one night and see.”

The next morning, the sky was still not bright. Hei Yun huddled together and patted Chen Ji with its paws.

Chen Ji slowly got up, feeling refreshed.

The Hong Furnace of the Mountain Lord’s Gate path surged like a spring. Just sleeping for a moment was worth a whole night’s sleep for others.

He turned his head to look. Xiao Man was just sitting on a small stool guarding the charcoal basin, her head nodding, looking muddled.

Chen Ji did not wake Xiao Man, he just silently put on his clothes, passed by her side, walked out of the courtyard, and went straight to the Buddhist hall.

At this time, the chickens had not yet crowed, and even the maidservants inside Qunfang Garden had not yet started moving. The vast Chen residence was empty.

Chen Ji tidied his clothes, came to the front of the Buddhist hall, and knocked forcefully on the door.

A moment later, the door of the Buddhist hall opened. Liang Shi’s hair was messy and her eyes were sleepy.

She looked at the color of the sky, then startled and looked at Chen Ji with an unsettled soul: “What watch is it?”

Chen Ji respectfully replied: “Reporting to Madam, it is the third watch.”

Liang Shi’s fingers scratched tightly on the wooden door: “What are you doing coming here so early, aren’t you tired?”

Chen Ji thought for a moment and said sincerely: “Madam, where the heart is sincere, the spirit follows.”

Liang Shi: “?”

She opened her mouth, but for a long time, no words came out. She almost lost her composure.

After a long time, Liang Shi took a deep breath and said in a slow voice: “Chen Ji, ah, you are now at a time when you are thirsty for knowledge. You should put all your mind on your studies, and from now on, you don’t need to come and pay your respects.”

Chen Ji smiled, cupped his hands and bowed: “Thank you, Madam, for your understanding. I will take my leave.”