The next morning, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei personally led the guards from the Liu Mansion to search the city for Fang Jun's whereabouts.
After a thorough search, someone finally found the owner of the flatbread stall. The owner, after looking at the description, confirmed with certainty, "It was him. He bought a large bag of flatbreads from my stall when it was dark last night and then headed towards the South Gate."
Upon hearing that he had gone to the South Gate, Liu Rumei was overjoyed. She rushed to the South Gate again and questioned the guards one by one. In the memories of the guards on duty last night, it was finally confirmed that Fang Jun had hurriedly left the city shortly before the city gates closed.
The South Gate!
Liu Rumei's mind raced, recalling the buildings along the road leading out from the South Gate.
Beyond the South Gate, following the official road, there were a few small villages on the side, then a forest, and further ahead was the place where Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun was ambushed and shot. Thinking further, Liu Rumei suddenly dared not to. Further ahead was Xiangguo Temple, where her father had once shaved his head and become a monk. Could he have gone to Xiangguo Temple?
At this thought, Liu Rumei returned home, got her horse, and called for Chen Xiaobei to hurry out. Upon hearing Liu Rumei's explanation, Chen Xiaobei was also startled.
The two rode their horses in front, with Liu Tie, Liu Ce, and others following behind. The group hurried towards Xiangguo Temple.
They covered the sixty li distance in less than an hour. Two young monks guarding the entrance smiled and greeted them with Buddhist salutations upon seeing them.
"Amitabha, may I ask if the donors are here to offer incense?"
Liu Rumei was very polite. She bowed slightly, "Master, my name is Liu Rumei, the daughter of Liu Xiangnan. I wish to see your abbot, Master Wanneng."
The young monk agreed, turned, and ran inside. After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, footsteps were heard from within, and before anyone appeared, a Buddhist salutation echoed out.
"Amitabha, I did not expect Miss Liu's esteemed presence. Please forgive our lack of proper welcome."
As he spoke, an old monk with a white and gray beard appeared before them, wearing a golden kasaya. It was evident that he was an elder monk of status and position.
Liu Rumei stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Abbot Wanneng."
"Amitabha, it is inconvenient for female donors to enter the monastery. Please understand."
Liu Rumei shook her head, "Master, I will not enter. May I ask if anyone came to stay last night?"
"Oh, Miss Liu, no one stayed last night. Whom are you looking for?"
Liu Rumei bowed again and said, "I am looking for the grandson of the old Grand Tutor Fang Zheng, his name is Fang Jun, with a pockmarked face..."
As she spoke, Liu Rumei took out the portrait she had drawn last night, slowly unfurled it, and handed it to the old abbot.
Master Wanneng took the portrait and glanced at it. His body trembled involuntarily. From his trembling, Liu Rumei keenly sensed something.
"Abbot, you have seen him, haven't you?"
Master Wanneng nodded gently, "There is no longer a Fang Jun. The Xiangguo Temple has gained a Master Kongyun."
Hearing this, Liu Rumei's heart sank.
"How is this possible? How could Fang Jun become a monk!"
Wanneng looked at Liu Rumei, then at Chen Xiaobei.
"Oh, if I'm not mistaken, this is驸马 Chen, isn't it?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded lightly. This old monk still had some discernment.
"驸马 Chen, Kongyun has left a message asking you to take good care of Feng Xiaoyue!"
"He has decided to accompany the ancient lamp and green Buddha, and no longer concern himself with worldly affairs. Therefore, he will not meet with you. I ask you to please return."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei secretly lamented. Hadn't the matters in Wannian City been enough trouble? The murder of Xiao An hadn't even been resolved, and Fang Jun was adding to the chaos. Why did he have to become a monk now?
Chen Xiaobei wanted to say more, but he saw Master Wanneng wave his hand. A young monk brought over a tray containing several taels of silver and a jade pendant.
"Master Kongyun said this jade pendant is an heirloom from their family and he no longer needs it. Please ask 驸马 Chen to take it back and give it to Grand Tutor Fang."
"This old monk will take his leave!"
Wanneng finished speaking, bowed again, recited a Buddhist salutation, and turned to leave.
Holding the silver and the jade pendant, Chen Xiaobei was utterly bewildered in the cold wind.
He never expected Fang Jun to choose this path.
How should he face Fang Zheng when he returned?
Beside him, Liu Rumei also sighed, "I really didn't expect Fang Jun to do such a thing. What should we do? When we go back, we can only tell the old Grand Tutor the truth."
Yes, now there was no other choice but to speak the truth. Regardless of whether the truth was accepted, it could only be so.
Meanwhile, in Wannian City, at Fang Zheng's residence, a maid finally discovered a letter under Fang Jun's pillow and hurriedly brought it to Fang Zheng.
The letter, when opened, was concise, containing only a few sentences. The general meaning was that he was ashamed to show his face in his current state and intended to become a monk. He hoped his grandfather, Fang Zheng, would not search for him anymore. Additionally, he asked Fang Zheng to convey to Feng Xiaoyue that he, Fang Jun, had wronged her in this life and would repay her in the next life as an ox or a horse.
After reading the letter, Fang Zheng slammed his fist on the table. Sudannovel.com
He tore the letter to shreds and sighed.
"Bastard, I taught you from childhood to read and write, to learn literary and martial arts to serve the imperial family, and you, of all things, want to chant scriptures and recite Buddhist verses."
"Alas, alas, go as you please. As long as you are alive, I have done justice to your deceased parents."
As he spoke, hot tears streamed down his face.
To lose a grandson in middle age, to have raised him with hardship, and yet for him to end up like this.
While he was secretly shedding tears, a family servant came in to report, "Master, Miss Liu and 驸马 Chen have arrived and say they have found the young master's whereabouts."
Fang Zheng gently raised his hand, "I know. Let them in. Oh, and go and bring the pair of jade Buddhas I prepared."
"Master, those Buddha statues, you said you wanted to keep them..."
"No need to keep them, they are useless now." Fang Zheng said, leaning on the armrests of his chair, trying to stand up. He walked somewhat unsteadily towards the reception hall.
At this moment, the family servant's nose also twitched. From behind, Fang Zheng looked several years older.
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei entered the reception hall and bowed to Fang Zheng. Chen Xiaobei got straight to the point, "Grandfather Fang, Fang Jun's whereabouts have been found!"
As he spoke, he stepped forward and placed the jade pendant and the silver by Fang Zheng's side.
"Fang Jun has already shaved his head and become a monk at Xiangguo Temple."
Fang Zheng showed no surprise, merely sighed deeply, "So be it, if he wants to become a monk, then so be it. It's just a pity for Miss Xiaoyue."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei exchanged glances. It seemed Fang Zheng already knew, as he was not surprised or anxious at all.