I changed the world.

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Li Jingxin, who had just come out of Ciyuan Palace, was being led forward by three eunuchs. The nearly seventy-year-old Li Jingxin was dressed in a magnificent blue Taoist robe, his beard was carefully groomed, his eyes were clear and pure like a baby's, his face was radiant, his steps were vigorous, and his expression was calm. He did not look old at all.

Behind him followed his disciple Yu Dezhao. Unlike his master's composure, Yu Dezhao looked reserved, kept his head down, and followed closely behind.

Early this morning, Li Jingxin entered the palace at the previously agreed time, and the Empress summoned him to Ciyuan Palace. The entire audience was quite harmonious, and at least in the eyes of his disciple Yu Dezhao, the whole process was quite successful.

Looking at the magnificent palaces around him and his master walking calmly and unhurriedly ahead, Yu Dezhao couldn't help but recall his recent trip to Ciyuan Palace.

As rumored, the Empress was indeed a kind and compassionate woman who believed in Taoism. She seemed delighted by her master's arrival, showing no airs whatsoever; on the contrary, she treated him with great courtesy.

Since it was their first meeting, the Empress asked her master many questions about the Yunxiao lineage. Her master gave a detailed introduction, not only about the history of the Yunxiao lineage but also about the local customs and traditions of Yunxiao Mountain.

In addition, the Empress showed great admiration for Master Xiao, who had recently passed away, and also inquired about many of Master Xiao's past experiences during his lifetime.

After a considerable period of pleasantries and inquiries, the conversation shifted to the main topic of the visit to the palace. The Empress inquired about some questions she had encountered while studying the scriptures, to which the Master provided explanations. As a leading figure in a major sect of Taoism, the Master's knowledge of these classics was also quite profound. His explanations were insightful yet easy to understand, drawing upon classical allusions with effortless ease. Even the eunuchs serving nearby were captivated.

At lunchtime, the Empress specially invited the master to dine in the palace, showing considerable respect. What Yu Dezhao particularly admired was that the master remained composed and dignified in front of Her Majesty the Empress throughout, displaying an admirable demeanor.

After lunch, the Empress originally wanted to keep her master to ask him some more questions, but at this moment a palace maid came to deliver an imperial decree, saying that His Majesty had heard that Abbot Li of Yunxiao Mountain had entered the palace and wished to summon Abbot Li for a chat.

For Yu Dezhao, this was undoubtedly an unexpected event. Even though society is not what it was a hundred years ago, with the development of science and technology and society, some ideas about equality and civil rights have gradually fermented in society. However, after thousands of years of imperial ideology, even the most radical scholars are cautious and respectful when they actually mention the royal family, let alone His Majesty the Emperor.

In the eyes of ordinary people, being summoned by the emperor was a momentous event worthy of bringing glory to one's ancestors, and even a recluse like Yu Dezhao was no exception.

At least, ever since Yu Dezhao learned that he was about to be summoned by the emperor, his heart had not completely calmed down, and he felt that his mind was in complete chaos...

However, the master appeared much calmer. He simply smiled, first bowed respectfully to the Empress to take his leave, and then calmly said to the leading female official who was over sixty years old, "In that case, please lead the way, sir."

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Chapter 427 Meeting the Emperor

Due to long-standing custom, riding horses was not allowed inside the Forbidden City. However, in modern society, this rule has evolved into prohibiting the use of vehicles within the palace grounds.

Therefore, the master and disciple walked for about twenty minutes under the guidance of the eunuch before arriving at the Ruian Palace where the emperor was located.

"His Majesty is waiting for the abbot inside." The leading female official stopped outside the Imperial Study of Ruian Palace and smiled at Li Jingxin. Then, she glanced at Yu Dezhao behind Li Jingxin and said, "This young monk, please go and wait for the tea break."

"De Zhao, go and wait over there," Li Jingxin whispered to his disciple.

"Yes, Master." Yu Dezhao felt a slight disappointment at not being able to meet His Majesty, but it was only a fleeting emotion. He respectfully agreed and then left with the guidance of another eunuch.

"Abbot Li, please come with me."

Li Jingxin nodded, straightened his clothes, and with a calm and composed expression, followed the female official into the imperial study.

The Imperial Study is warm and comfortable. Out of consideration for frugality, the late emperor had decreed that heating should not be used extensively in the palace, but only in certain rooms such as the bedroom, heated chambers, and study. The current emperor has continued this system since ascending the throne.

The imperial study was extremely spacious, with an exquisitely crafted gilded bronze incense burner in the center, from which a delicate sandalwood fragrance slowly wafted.

The study was filled with bookshelves, on which were displayed various books and documents. Emperor Chenghe, Chen Bingtai, was sitting at the imperial desk on the south side of the study, flipping through the documents. At this time, he was not wearing the solemn attire he had worn during the sacrificial ceremony, but rather a casual ochre-yellow round-necked narrow-sleeved robe with a leather belt around his waist and a small crown with nine dragons coiled in gold on his head.

"Your Majesty, Abbot Li requests an audience." The female official announced at the door, and the emperor put down the documents in his hand, smiled and nodded at her.

The female official then stepped aside and respectfully invited Li Jingxin behind her to enter.

"This humble man, Li Jingxin, greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy good health and longevity."

"Haha, I have long heard of Abbot Li's reputation, but we have never met. Today, I heard that the abbot has entered the palace, so I invited him here for a chat. Abbot, there is no need for such formalities." The emperor stood up with a smile, and then gestured to the rosewood sofa next to him.

Li Jingxin hesitated for a moment, then, seeing that the emperor had already taken his seat in the main seat, he sat down in the auxiliary seat to the side.

A female official who had been silently standing in the corner gracefully stepped forward and served tea. Afterward, she retreated and stood bowed like a clay statue.

"On what date did the abbot arrive in the capital?" the emperor asked with a smile.

“I arrived on the 13th,” Li Jingxin nodded in response.

"Are you getting used to living in Beijing? The climate in the north is colder than in the south. The snow has melted these past few days, and the temperature is lower than usual."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The food and lodging in the capital are already excellent. As an old man who has left home, I am not picky about such things. As long as I have a place to stay, I will be fine."

"Hahaha, come, Abbot, try my Dragon Ball tea. It's the tribute tea from Nanzhao two years ago. I haven't had a chance to drink it yet, so I just had the eunuch find it for me."

Li Jingxin hurriedly said he dared not, and carefully picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"Is the abbot from the Empress's household?"

"Yes, Her Majesty stayed for a vegetarian meal and discussed some issues related to the scriptures."

"I have heard that Yunxiao Mountain is a major sect in the south of the Xuanmen. The Empress recently read Master Xiao’s book, 'Xuanyuan He Shuo,' and was very impressed. I have also read part of it and gained a lot from it."

"However, there are still some things I don't quite understand, and it just so happens that the abbot is here this time..."

As the emperor spoke, he casually quoted a few allusions from the book. Li Jingxin was naturally familiar with his master's works, and upon hearing this, he immediately understood that the emperor in front of him had actually read them, and was not just being polite.

She then explained it to him in detail, and the atmosphere became more and more harmonious as they talked.

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"Master Xiao was truly a great master; his words were profound yet concise..."

"On behalf of my master, I thank Your Majesty for your praise."

"Originally, I also wanted to take some time to visit Dinghai and pay my respects to Master Xiao, but alas, I did not live long enough and received the news of his passing."

The emperor sighed, then his gaze sharpened as he looked at Li Jingxin: "I have heard that the Xuanmen (Taoist sect) has a saying about ascending to immortality through ascension. The spectacle of Master Xiao's ascension was quite magnificent, and I also watched the video at the time. I wonder... what exactly is meant by ascension? Is it truly what the Xuanmen call becoming an immortal?"

Li Jingxin was not taken aback by this question. In fact, the Religious Affairs Bureau had already inquired about it several times before, but he had always evaded the question by quoting scriptures. The Bureau probably thought that it involved some so-called "secrets" and did not really press the matter.

This time, the emperor simply brought it up, using his superior status as the ruler of a country to ask directly.

After a moment's thought, Li Jingxin knew he couldn't use the appeasement method this time, so he simply said, "This old man dares not deceive His Majesty; it is truly that my cultivation is insufficient, and I dare not speak presumptuously of the immortal path..."

"However... I once received instruction from a respected elder that what happened to my master that day was probably... another continuation of life."

Li Jingxin's description was vague, but it wasn't wrong. If we follow Zhang Taihe's words from that day, this was probably Xiao Daoguang reincarnated, which is another continuation of life.

The emperor grunted and slowly nodded, seemingly lost in thought. After a long pause, he slowly spoke: "Since I ascended the throne, for thirty-six years I have worked tirelessly day and night, never daring to fail the late emperor's trust. To be honest, Abbot, I have always respected but not believed in matters of ghosts and spirits."

Li Jingxin remained unmoved upon hearing this, knowing that the emperor's words were politically correct. Although he was a religious figure, he had studied sociology and understood that in this world, the legitimacy of a regime is nothing more than two things.