August arrived quickly. Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Empress Dowager always went to Donghua Temple to pray for blessings for the imperial family and the people, and this year was no exception.

"I think you should come with me this year," the Empress Dowager, a devout Buddhist, firmly believed that no matter how many scriptures she recited for Chu Shaoling, it was not as good as Chu Shaoling going to kowtow himself. "Go offer incense, pick up some prayer beads, and calm your mind, so that Buddha can bless you."

This trip would take at least ten days. Chu Shaoling considered that Chu Shaoyang had already gone south, and even if Consort Li wanted to compete for favor, she wouldn't have time. Chu Shaoruan alone could not accomplish anything. It seemed that nothing would happen if he left the palace for a few days. Chu Shaoling smiled and nodded, "As you wish, Imperial Grandmother."

The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction, "I originally wanted to take Yang'er with me, but unfortunately he is not in the palace. Yang'er is now able to handle some official duties."

Chu Shaoling smiled and changed the subject without a trace, "So Imperial Grandmother is only taking this grandson? Anyone else?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head. None of the other princes met her expectations. Chu Shaoling chuckled, "Why not take Fourth Sister? She is idle in the palace every day and could use some fresh air."

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but sigh, "You are a sincere child. Just because the Empress took care of her and her mother back then, after the Empress passed away, you took the Empress' place to always look after them..." Near the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Empress Dowager was especially prone to sentimentality. Chu Shaoling smiled wryly. His care for Fuyi and Consort Ning was not solely because Empress Líng had taken care of them before. Of course, this was not something to be said to the Empress Dowager.

Chu Shaoling smiled, "Although we have different mothers, Fuyi is still my biological sister after all. She and her mother are pitiful. If I can take care of my grandson, I naturally have to take care of them. Speaking of which, Fuyi is already thirteen years old this year, the eldest among the unmarried princesses."

The Empress Dowager had never paid attention to Fuyi's marriage. Her mother's status was low and she was not favored, so Fuyi was also neglected. The Empress Dowager nodded, "Yes, there's nobody else to care about her."

Chu Shaoling chuckled and said slowly, "Your grandson has always had her in mind."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager laughed, "As the eldest brother, you are indeed considerate. You have her in mind? Who do you have in mind for her?"

Chu Shaoling did not answer, only smiled and said, "Imperial Grandmother doesn't know, but now I have a very capable person under me. He was originally promoted by Marquis Zijun. I saw that he was indeed a talent and also vigorously promoted him. As expected, he is a useful person. Your grandson will definitely make great use of him in the future. It's just that his family status is not high, so promoting him further would inevitably invite gossip."

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, "Who are you talking about? Someone promoted by your maternal grandfather, how do I not know?"

Chu Shaoling chuckled, "Commander Wei Zhan of the Cavalry Battalion."

The Empress Dowager had a vague impression. Chu Shaoling then explained Wei Zhan's family background in detail, saying, "Speaking of which, this Wei Zhan is an imperial relative. His ancestors were also illustrious, having military achievements and marrying princesses, but their family's fortunes have declined in recent generations."

The Empress Dowager's stance softened a bit, saying, "The grace of a gentleman lasts for five generations. In that case, this Wei Zhan is not one to rest on his ancestors' laurels, but knows how to advance himself."

Chu Shaoling nodded, "When he returns from this mission, he can be conferred the title of a Zhaoyong General. If his marriage is settled, he can even be conferred as a Piaoqi General."

This was someone Chu Shaoling wanted to make great use of, while Fuyi was a princess the Empress Dowager had never paid much attention to. The Empress Dowager naturally weighed the importance in her heart. The Empress Dowager chuckled, "Forget it. Since he is someone you want to make use of, I naturally have to regard him highly. Fortunately, Fuyi's status is not that noble, so she is a good match for him. Just don't mention this to your Imperial Father. If you bring it up and your Imperial Father disagrees, rejecting it outright, then it will be impossible. It's better to wait until I return and slowly bring it up to your Imperial Father."

To the Empress Dowager, Fuyi was dispensable. She was also not that important in the Emperor's heart. As long as it was brought up appropriately, this matter was not difficult to settle. Chu Shaoling put his mind at ease and chuckled, "Then it all depends on Imperial Grandmother."

Returning to Bitao Palace, Chu Shaoling told Wei Ji about accompanying the Empress Dowager to offer incense. Hearing that it was Donghua Temple, Wei Ji paused for a moment. Chu Shaoling chuckled, "What's wrong?"

Wei Ji shook his head and said, "Nothing. I've been there before too."

"I've also been there, accompanying my mother to offer incense, but didn't stay overnight." Chu Shaoling leaned on the noble consort's couch and pulled Wei Ji to sit beside him. "Staying there this time will take at least ten days. As long as we return before the Mid-Autumn Festival, it will be fine. There will be no meat to eat at the temple. Can you bear to go? Are you afraid of hardship?"

Wei Ji smiled in embarrassment, "How could I indulge in the desires of the mouth and stomach? Eating vegetarian for a few days is fine. The vegetarian meals at Donghua Temple are very delicious, not a hardship at all."

Chu Shaoling couldn't help but tease, "Putting on a tough front? At every meal, you specifically pick out the meat dishes to eat. I always have to give you some vegetables."

Wei Ji's face reddened a bit. He said solemnly, "I just feel distressed about wasting food if we can't finish it. Eating more meat means less waste."

Chu Shaoling couldn't hold back his laughter. He pulled the sitting-up-straight Wei Ji into his arms and hugged him, kissing him, "So it's because you're afraid of wasting things that you're so obedient. If you're afraid of waste, eat more in the future and see how skinny you are now."

Chu Shaoling gently caressed Wei Ji's body. After moving into Bitao Palace, Wei Ji had grown quite a bit taller, but he was even more distressingly thin. Chu Shaoling sometimes wondered, after eating all that food, could it be that it all turned into bones?

Wei Ji was not worried. His elder brother was like this when he was young, and now that he had grown up, he had filled out a bit. It was just that Chu Shaoling felt distressed seeing it. He said, "In a moment, I'll go instruct Wang Muhan. From now on, he will prepare four meals for you each day. You're so thin that when winter comes, you won't be able to withstand the cold. If you get sick then, it will be troublesome."

Wei Ji originally wanted to persuade Chu Shaoling not to go to such trouble for him, but hearing these words, his heart felt warm, so he agreed. Eating more was also good, so as not to really fall ill. His own suffering was secondary; he just didn't want to involve Chu Shaoling again.

Three days later, Chu Shaoling accompanied the Empress Dowager out of the palace to Donghua Temple. Chu Shaoling accompanied the Empress Dowager to offer incense and pray for blessings in the main hall. Afterwards, the Empress Dowager still wanted to chant scriptures a thousand times, so Chu Shaoling withdrew first.

Wang Muhan had been waiting outside for a long time. Seeing Chu Shaoling finally come out, he hurriedly went up to greet him and said urgently, "Prince, there is an important matter!"

Chu Shaoling followed Wang Muhan to avoid others and said in a low voice, "What's the matter?"

Wang Muhan looked around. Except for Wei Ji standing far away, no one was around to disturb them. He then whispered urgently, "News came from the south that the Fourth Prince has colluded with several local officials there since his arrival. There are many unspeakable things going on. Lord Wei's letter said there are indeed shady dealings there. The places hit by droughts and floods are all barren lands, not damaging local farmland at all. Now the officials there are scared and treat the Fourth Prince as their lifeline, willing to give him all their family wealth to save their lives. Lord Wei said in just these few days, the Fourth Prince has received no less than a hundred thousand taels of silver. Who knows how much more he'll get in a few more days."

Chu Shaoling frowned slightly, "He dares to accept so many silver notes? Isn't he afraid of being investigated when exchanging these for official silver after returning?" Chu Shaoyang shouldn't be this foolish.

Wang Muhan said bitterly, "This is the tricky part. Those officials there know what's going on. What they give the Fourth Prince is all gold and silver. How can this be investigated?"

Thinking of the news from Wei Zhan, Wang Muhan's head started to ache. The Fourth Prince has become more and more shrewd, not easy to deal with.

Wang Muhan continued, "The Fourth Prince, afraid of his tracks being discovered, instructed those officials to give him all officially minted silver. When the time comes, it will enter the capital along with the autumn taxes. No matter how many cities it passes through for inspection, there will be no problems! Who can find anything amiss during inspections? After entering the city, it will be mixed into the local products the Fourth Prince brings and transported elsewhere, never to be traced again."

After hearing this, Chu Shaoling's brows relaxed. He chuckled, "Isn't this convenient then? Tell Wei Zhan not to rush. Let Chu Shaoyang take as many bribes as he wants, the more the better."

Wang Muhan was stunned upon hearing this and said anxiously, "Your Highness, what are you doing?! This autumn, you are in charge of the southern taxes. When the time comes, if you only collect that little amount, won't the Emperor blame you!" The more Wang Muhan thought about it, the more his heart turned cold. Chu Shaoyang himself was taking heavy bribes, but what about when Chu Shaoling returns - how will he explain to the Emperor and the Ministry of Revenue?

Not wanting to make Wang Muhan anxious, Chu Shaoling laughed lightly, "Don't worry. Forget it, tell Wei Zhan first. Before entering the imperial city, find a way to burn the carriage carrying their tax records. At that time, I will personally go to welcome the Fourth Prince. Without records, all the official silver escorted back will be taxes! I will personally oversee its entry into the treasury. He won't be able to take a single tael of silver. The southern taxes this year will certainly not be lacking."

Wang Muhan was dazed for a good while before he understood. He patted his forehead and laughed, "Yes, yes, this is really... Haha!"

Putting his mind at ease, Wang Muhan hurried off to instruct the scouts.

Wei Ji stared blankly at Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling turned around and said, "What, are you scared?"

Wei Ji shook his head. He had a kind nature but also would not tolerate anyone acting against Chu Shaoling.

Seeing some incense ash on the hem of Wei Ji's clothes, Chu Shaoling brushed it off for him and chuckled, "Where did you just rub against? Did you roll in coal ash?"

Wei Ji blushed. Fortunately, no one around saw. After hesitating for a moment, he said softly, "I also went for a stroll just now and wasn't careful."

Chu Shaoling looked at Wei Ji with slightly raised phoenix eyes but didn't probe further.

The Empress Dowager only emerged from the Buddha hall at the You hour. Chu Shaoling and Fuyi accompanied the Empress Dowager to have some vegetarian food. Afterwards, Chu Shaoling accompanied the Empress Dowager to the Qingfeng Hall of Donghua Temple and chatted with her for a while before returning to his own residence, the Bodhi Hall.

After bathing, Chu Shaoling and Wei Ji leaned against each other on the couch, watching the moon outside the corridor. Chu Shaoling gently rubbed Wei Ji's belly and chuckled, "How come it's sunken in?"

Wei Ji blushed a little and said, "It's not." He touched his own belly. It wasn't sunken at all, just not as protruding as usual. Wei Ji also lacked some confidence. For the past six months, Chu Shaoling had fed him too well at the Bitao Palace. Even though Wei Ji wasn't arrogant, his appetite had become picky. Just now, looking at the table full of vegetarian food, he didn't really want to eat.

Chu Shaoling laughed lightly. He got up, took a package from the trunk, and handed it to Wei Ji, smiling, "I knew you wouldn't eat well."

Wei Ji opened the cloth package and found it actually contained a pack of dried meat! He quickly tied up the package and said softly, "How can we do this! This place is..."

"The wine and meat pass through the intestines, leaving the Buddha in the heart." Chu Shaoling rubbed Wei Ji's head. "We're not monks. What precepts do we need to keep? Eat."

Wei Ji had only eaten half full at dinner. Now smelling the aroma of the dried meat, he was really craving it. He pinched a small piece and ate it. Chu Shaoling poured him a cup of tea. As Wei Ji ate slowly, he asked, "Your Highness doesn't believe in Buddhism? Then why do you still burn incense and chant sutras?"

Chu Shaoling laughed, "That's for show. I didn't believe before, but now I do have some faith."

Wei Ji looked at Chu Shaoling in puzzlement, not understanding what he meant. He said, "I do have some faith. I used to listen to the great monk preach. He said the Buddha knows all past and present events, saves the myriad living beings, eliminates thousands of karmic obstacles, and delivers animals, humans, and the mundane world. Listening to it, there seems to be some truth to it."

Chu Shaoling lay down and took one of Wei Ji's hands, nodding, "Unfortunately, my sins are too deep. The Buddha can deliver animals, humans, and the mundane world, but he can't deliver me." He placed Wei Ji's hand on his own heart, casually yet with utmost solemnity, and said softly, "The only one who can deliver me is Wei Ji."

The ancient bell on the mountain rang, distant and tranquil. Wei Ji's heartbeat instantly quickened.

From the moment they left the palace, as soon as Wei Ji heard they were going to Donghua Temple, his expression was off. Later, he somehow got incense ash on himself when he returned. Wei Ji thought he hid it well, but not a single detail could escape Chu Shaoling's notice. Chu Shaoling couldn't stand Wei Ji concealing anything from him. Without much effort, he found out that Wei Ji had gone to offer incense at the temples in front of Donghua Temple.

The few temples in front of Donghua Temple were not exclusively for the royal family. Officials could also go to offer incense. Chu Shaoling summoned the monks there and asked them, only to find out that Wei Ji had been there many times.

The monk said that when Wei Ji first came two years ago, he listened to the monk preach a sutra passage. He then donated all the silver he had on him at the time and asked the monk to light an eternal lamp for someone.

Since then, Wei Ji would come up the mountain every once in a while. Each time he came, he would donate to that eternal lamp, praying for someone to have eternal peace and joy.