Chapter 102: Rich
When Banruo learned of this, he paled in fright and hurried to find the Buddhist temple master: “Where are the Buddhist statues sent by Princess Wenzhao? Find them all and send them back as they were!”
The temple master replied, “The puja is in a few days. The Buddha statues that Princess Wenzhao sent are beautifully carved and have already been taken to decorate the puja hall. The princess is generous and also gave the common people a few gold statues to worship. The people are very grateful to the princess.”
Buanruo stomped a foot and deeply sighed, anxiously continuing: “What about the scriptures Princess Wenzhao sent? You also received all of them? Hurry up and return them!”
“The sutras sent by the princess are so elegant and meaningful that the monks in the temple have not been able to eat or sleep in order to study the true meaning of them. The Zen Master1 has not led meditation for several days.”
Banruo’s face was full of despair: “You, you all, how many other things have you received from the princess?”
The temple master thought for a moment and replied, “The day before yesterday, the princess ordered a cart of silk fabric to be sent to the monks to cut vestments for the puja… Yesterday, the princess’s guards sent alms…”
In short, the money was received, the Buddhist statues were used, the scriptures were read, and the vestments were sewn.
What, return it?
The temple master pressed his hands together and shook his head coyly.
Impossible.
Banruo was dizzy and staggered several times, wanting to cry.
This was just great. The king not only used the water anise from the princess’ dowry, but the Buddhist temple also received the Buddhist statues, scriptures, and satin the princess sent… even the people of the Royal Court received things from the princess’s dowry!
Banruo returned to the royal palace burning with anxiety. Stepping into the inner hall, he walked in with heavy footsteps.
“King, Princess Wenzhao’s heart is not pure! Her dowry is almost depleted! I suspect that she did it on purpose; she wants to rely on you for the rest of her life!”
Tumoroga, dressed in a snow-white kasaya, was sitting in front of the window reading a sutra. Hearing his words, he raised his head, frowning lightly.
“Invite Princess Wenzhao over.”
Yaoying thought that Tumoroga wanted to discuss with her about going to Gaochang. She entered the inner hall but saw many people standing in front of the hall. Ashina Bisha and the Chief Steward of the royal palace were also present. The few of them stood with their hands by their side, with somewhat ashamed expressions on their faces.
The atmosphere in the palace was gloomy, with Banruo, Yuanjue, and other personal soldiers standing in front of the door.
On top of the couch, Tumoroga was reading a scroll of scripture, moving elegantly and leisurely.
But the rest of the people in the hall were sweating profusely.
The hall was excruciatingly silent, and a pin drop could be heard.
When Bisha saw Yaoying enter, he exhaled quietly. Scratching his head, he cupped his fist at her, and said, “Princess, it was my negligence. I have been inconsiderate in looking after of you.”
The Chief Steward of the royal palace also bowed toward Yaoying.
Yaoying’s eyes were blank as she returned the greeting.
Bisha turned to look at Tumoroga on top of the jeweled couch and said, “King, the treasures and books that the princess brought from the Central Plains are still here. The belongings that were given out cannot be returned. I will take the princess to the treasury and invite the princess to feel free to choose from the treasures in the treasury, so the princess will not be wronged.”
Tumoroga did not say a word and waved his hand.
Bisha and the others bowed respectfully to him. Winking at Yaoying, he led her to withdraw together.
“Princess, this way please.”
Bisha led Yaoying to the royal palace’s treasury.
“How many things the princess have given out and what they are worth, do not hesitate to tell me. No need to find it difficult. The water anise and medicinal herbs must be worth a lot of money, right? There are also the precious scriptures and fine silks. In the Western Regions, a piece of Central Plains silk is worth a hundred gold. The princess’s dowry should completely belong to the princess and should not be occupied by the Royal Court. The king has just chastised me and the Chief Steward of the royal palace.”
Yaoying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Please pass on to the Venerable that the Chief Steward of the royal palace did not neglect me. Those scriptures and satin were given out voluntarily by me and have nothing to do with the Chief Steward.”
Bisha smiled: “The king knows that the Buddhist statues, scriptures, satin, and cloths were given out voluntarily by the princess. No one forced the princess.”
Yaoying stared blankly, “Then why did the Venerable still chastise the Chief Steward?”
A smile spread across Bisha’s face, “The princess, alone in a foreign country, had deep considerations and gave away your dowry so that you could live more comfortably in the Royal Court.”
Yaoying nodded and then shook her head, “Without the help of the Royal Court, how could I retrieve those treasures? I gave out the scriptures and the Buddhist statues both to receive good karma and also because I was grateful to Buddha’s son. At no point did I find things difficult.”
Bisha raised his long eyebrows slightly, “Is Princess truly willing?”
Yaoying smiled lightly, “To be able to keep my life, my heart is already very grateful.”
There were indeed people in the Royal Court who coveted the carts after carts of treasures the Central Army brought back from the Northern Rong. Giving away her dowry in a high profile, besides due to being grateful to Tumoroga, she also had her own considerations. There was no difficulty at all.
It was more beneficial for her to give it away.
Bisha’s eyes showed appreciation: the princess was really smart.
When the carts full of treasures and jewels were driven into the palace, who knew how many pairs of eyes were watching the treasury every day. Wealth moved people’s hearts; sooner or later, someone would have the idea of taking the dowry. The princess took the initiative to give it away, and also sent it all to the king’s Buddhist temple. Who would dare to lay hands on the Buddhist temple?
In this way, she not only saved herself but also won a good reputation. Therefore, the greedy ministers in the court could not find the opportunity to plot against her, a multi-beneficial plan.
Bisha applauded: “Princess’s decisiveness, I admire! But the king has said that the princess is a guest of the Royal Court, and the princess should not have to make such a decision. Moreover, the king used the princess’s medicinal materials. You should receive your due compensation.”
He signaled the chief steward to open the royal palace’s treasury.
“Whatever the princess fancies, do not hesitate to take!”
Yaoying followed him and stepped into the treasury. A golden light glittered before her eyes, reflecting off the treasures.
Even though she was used to seeing the riches and rarities of the world, she could not help but be dumbfounded.
The monk was so rich!