Master Du'e’s attitude towards Li Man'er was entirely different from his demeanor with others. He acted like a charlatan, devoid of any trace of a dignified monk, his face plastered with a fawning expression that made it impossible to associate him with an enlightened master.
“I wonder what Master seeks from me?”
“That…” Master Du'e neither drank his tea nor offered any pleasantries. Instead, he asked, “Has the County Princess ever heard of this old monk’s name?”
“Is there anyone in Zun Kingdom who hasn’t heard of Master Du'e?” Li Man'er tilted her head in thought. “You are even more famous than you imagine!”
Speaking of this Master Du'e, he was truly remarkable. Legend had it that he was originally a butcher, his secular surname being Bai. He learned the trade from his father from a young age and was so skilled that by the age of fifteen or sixteen, he could work independently and earn money.
But one day, as the pigs were all trussed up, Master Du'e, as if possessed, knelt before one of the pigs and wept uncontrollably.
Confused, people stepped forward to inquire what was happening. The then young Master Du'e, gasping for breath through his sobs, declared that this pig was the reincarnation of his paternal grandfather.
This terrified everyone. No one had ever heard of such a thing. Yet, seeing his genuine and profound sorrow, the crowd was at a loss.
Someone then invited Master Du'e’s father to help them decide what to do. Butcher Bai, upon hearing this, exclaimed, “What? This pig is my father?” He was so enraged that he wanted to beat Master Du'e. However, Master Du'e clung to the pig, vowing not to let his father commit patricide.
This single statement caused Butcher Bai to be the subject of ridicule for most of his life. Ultimately, as one might expect, the pig was still slaughtered.
The young man went on a hunger strike for three days, after which he resolved to become a monk. He eventually shaved his head and was ordained at Yin Tan Temple, becoming a venerable monk.
These were not the deeds that brought Master Du'e fame. His most renowned act was persuading the rebellious King Liang to abandon his plan of massacring the city.
At that time, King Liang was in Jingzhou. To pressure the imperial court and force the late Emperor to withdraw his troops, he had posted a notice announcing his intention to slaughter the city in three days.
Although Jingzhou was small, it had tens of thousands of inhabitants. If a massacre were to occur, the common people’s trust in the imperial court would be completely shattered.
It was then that Master Du'e, disregarding his personal safety, insisted on entering the city to share the fate of its citizens. Standing at the foot of the city walls, he declared with conviction, “This humble monk’s death is insignificant. If it can bring solace to the souls of the citizens, then my merit will be complete.”
Unexpectedly, Master Du'e entered the city, met with King Liang, and in just one hour, managed to persuade King Liang to abandon his intention of slaughtering the city.
Later, when King Liang was apprehended and faced execution, he uttered these words before his death: “Master Du'e and I met too late. Had I encountered the Master sooner, I would surely have become a wise and benevolent king.”
It was precisely because of this remark that Master Du'e became known throughout the land.
There were many legends about him, but Li Man'er remained neutral regarding them. The incident with the Worry-Free County Princess had shown her that this monk was not as virtuous as the outside world portrayed him to be.
He might just be a charlatan.
“False fame, false fame.” Master Du'e was clearly pleased with what he heard. “This old monk rarely speaks without reason, but when I do, there is always a cause and effect.”
Li Man'er frowned. “Master, I am unlettered. I do not observe fasts or chant Buddhist scriptures, and I can only recognize a few characters. If you have something to say, perhaps you could be more direct?”
Master Du'e chanted a Buddhist invocation, his eyes gleaming with profound wisdom, and simply said, “Donor, you are not of this realm. Is this old monk correct?”
Li Man'er’s head buzzed. She had never imagined that her origins would be seen through by this monk.
However, she feigned an expression of great confusion. “Master, I do not quite understand what you mean. What does it mean to not be of this realm? And where is ‘this realm’?”
“Heh heh.” Du'e merely replied, “Whether it is true or false, this old monk merely wishes to tell the donor that you are an anomaly.”
Anomaly?
Li Man'er’s heart skipped a beat. Generally, this word was not a compliment.
“I still do not understand.”
“The County Princess need not understand. Just know that everything begins with the heart, and that is the beginning and end. Amitabha, Amitabha.”
It was baffling.
By the time Li Man'er regained her senses, Master Du'e had already departed. Her heart was pounding a little faster, and she had a nagging feeling that things were not as simple as she thought. Yet, the other party spoke elliptively, making it a real strain on her mind.
Never mind. Accept what comes, and adapt. She couldn't go back anyway, so why overthink it?
Li Man'er continued to select medicinal herbs, also preparing a portion for Ning Daocheng. The Emperor had long since issued a decree allowing her to retrieve anything she lacked from the palace, so she naturally wouldn’t be polite.
Since Emperor Chenghua’s condition had stabilized, Li Man’er was scheduled to leave the palace that evening. It was a rare occasion that Ning Liancheng and Ning Qianjing were both at her County Princess's mansion. This provided an excellent opportunity to treat their chronic ailments as well.
Li Man'er returned to the County Princess's mansion by sedan chair and had the items sent to her courtyard. Without even changing her clothes, she went to see Ning Liancheng.
Ning Liancheng had been greatly distressed after learning about his daughter’s situation. Upon seeing his younger son’s crippled limbs, he had fainted on the spot. Elderly people could not withstand extreme joy or sorrow. Fortunately, Li Man'er possessed great skill and had nursed Ning Liancheng back to stability after a few days.
“Grandfather, I’m back.”
Ning Liancheng had recovered considerably. His spirits seemed even better than before he came to the capital. Most importantly, he suffered from chronic knee pain; every winter, his legs felt as heavy as lead. Now, after taking Li Man'er’s medicine, not only did he feel lighter, but his knees were warm, as if he had shed a few years.
“Man'er is back.”
Ning Qianjing was a gentleman of etiquette. Though young, he was like an old man. He quickly bowed to Li Man'er. “County Princess.”
“Oh, Big Uncle, how many times have I told you? We are family, there’s no need for such formality. There are no outsiders here, so when you act like this, I feel so awkward.”
Ning Liancheng snorted. “No memory.”
Ning Qianjing could only offer an embarrassed smile. Ever since he received the County Princess’s letter, his father had been scolding him relentlessly, saying he was useless and not as capable as Man'er, a mere young girl.
Good heavens!
Was Man'er just any young girl? Listen to what she had done in Mobei; even ordinary generals were not as formidable as her! It was not strange that she could find her younger brother.
“Grandfather, are you feeling better today?”
Ning Liancheng patted his leg. “Much better. That ointment you made is truly miraculous. If it were sold in our family’s apothecary, who knows how many people’s legs it would save. However, the medicinal ingredients must surely be expensive, and even if we didn't seek profit, ordinary commoners would likely not be able to afford it.”
Upon saying this, Ning Liancheng sighed softly.
He was a merchant, and it was true that he sought profit. But more than that, he acted with a conscience, wanting to do more practical good for the common people.