The news that the emperor had granted the Wei Wangfu status had spread rapidly and caused great stir in the capital.
The people's talk was like the flying willow catkins in spring, quickly spreading through the streets and alleys of the capital, with every teahouse and market place becoming a center of heated discussion.
"Have you heard? Wei Wang, the sixth prince who returned from the Buddhist temple, has actually had two children!"
An elderly man in simple clothing holds a tea cup, his eyes showing a hint of surprise.
"Wow, what a big news. Wasn't he raised in the Wanfo Temple, devoting himself to Buddhism? How could he suddenly have descendants?"
A young scholar beside him nodded and shook his head, obviously curious about the matter.
"Hmm, who knows? Maybe the Buddha couldn't bear it any longer and let him continue the line of descendants."
A flower seller interjects, her face carrying a faint smile of mockery.
These discussions soon spread to every corner of the capital.
This incident not only stirred the officials in the court but also deeply touched the tranquil Buddhist land of Wanfo Temple.
Xuanjing has returned to the royal family and has been renamed as Huoguosi Temple.
The Abbot Master Huikong was meditating and reciting scriptures in his meditation room when he suddenly heard the urgent sound of bells outside the temple, causing him to be alert, knowing that an important matter had arisen.
"Abbot, something terrible has happened. Word has been brought from the capital that Wei Wang Xuanjing has actually sired children, and they have been officially recognized by the emperor as the Prince of the World and Princess of a Principality!"
A young monk hurriedly rushed in, breaking the tranquility of the room.
Abbot Master Huikong opened his eyes, and a faint fluctuation could be seen in his eyes, but he quickly regained composure and said softly, "Take me to see my fellow abbot."
In the abbot's study, several elders had already gathered together, creating a solemn atmosphere.
Master Huikong entered the room directly and asked, "Is this matter true?"
"This is definitely true. The imperial edict has been issued, and the people of the capital are discussing it everywhere."
An elder handed a transcribed copy of the imperial edict.
Master Huikong took it and read it carefully, his brow furrowed in concentration.
After a moment, he put down the paper and said in a low voice, "I have watched Xuanjing grow up. He has a tenacious character and an extraordinary wisdom. How could he have done such a thing? However, the Buddhist precepts are strict. If there is indeed such a matter, it is necessary to investigate."
"The abbot's words are quite right," said another elder, worriedly. "But Xuanjing is now in a high position. How should we handle this?"
Master Huikong pondered for a moment and decided to go down the mountain himself to investigate the matter.
He knew that this matter was not only about Xuanjing's personal honor and disgrace, but also about the reputation of the Buddhist sect and future inheritance.
At Wei Wangfu, Master Huikong wore his robe and held his Zen staff, moving steadily.
The guards of the Wangfu, upon seeing this, dared not neglect their duty and immediately reported it.
Shortly after, Xuanjing rushed out, seeing Master Huikong, his eyes were slightly red, and he kneeled to say, "Disciple Xuanjing, I pay respects to my teacher."
Master Huikong looked at this former most favorite disciple in front of him, with a complex feeling in his heart.
He said not a word, only staring at him, as if to pierce through Xuanjing's heart.
"Master, my disciple has committed a sin, please punish me."
Xuanjing could not deceive his master and had long guessed his intentions. He knelt on both knees, touched the ground with his forehead, and trembled in voice to say.
Master Huikong's gaze was complex, and a look of distress flashed in his eyes as he said solemnly, "Xuanji, rise. Your teacher has something to ask you."
Xuanji rose according to his teacher's words, but dared not look him in the eyes, speaking softly, "Disciple."
"Two children, what is the truth behind this?"
Master Huikong's voice was not loud, but each word was clear, carrying an undeniable authority.
Xuanji kneeled again and said in a low voice, "Master, my disciple has violated Buddhist precepts and committed sins that cannot be forgiven. These two children are indeed my biological children. But my intention is not to renounce the Buddhist path. I only want to raise them myself in the Wei Wangfu."
Master Huikong's expression grew more serious as he heard this. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, "Xuanjing, you have been with us in our Buddhist sect since you were a child, and you have cultivated for many years. You should have no worries or attachments. How could you commit such a serious mistake?"
Xuanjing bowed his head, his voice trembling with emotion: "Disciple knows that my sins are deep and heavy, and I dare not ask for Master's forgiveness. But there is love in my heart, and I cannot bear to see the children wandering outside without a home or support. I am willing to bear any punishment, only asking Master to allow me to continue raising them."
Master Huikong opened his eyes, and a hint of compassion could be seen in his gaze, but it was quickly replaced by determination: "Since you have violated the precepts, you must accept the punishment. Follow me back to Wanfo Temple and practice meditation to atone for your previous sins."
Xuanjing heard this and was terrified in his heart, quickly pleading for mercy: "Master, if the disciple leaves, who will take care of the two children? The disciple is willing to practice meditation in isolation in Wei Wangfu, reciting sutras and Buddha's name every day to atone for my own mistakes."
Master Huikong pondered for a moment, and finally gave in: "Well, since you have committed a first offense and your situation is understandable. You can stay in Wei Wangfu, but must strictly observe the precepts and not set foot in the secular world again. In addition, the Buddhist precepts cannot be abandoned, and you need to be whipped thirty times here to serve as a warning."
Xuanjing's heart was a whirlwind of emotions, but there was more gratitude and respect for his master.
Xuanji knelt again, his voice firm: "Disciple will comply, and will strictly observe the precepts, not to disappoint Master's high expectations."
With that said, he did not hesitate for a moment, slowly got up, took off his luxurious clothes, revealing his muscular back, glistening under the sunlight.
He knelt again on the ground, facing away from everyone, his face firm, and his back straight.
The servants of the Wangfu saw this and felt sorry for him. Some were sobbing softly, some were biting their lower lips tightly, afraid to make a sound and disturb this solemnity.
Abbot Master Huikong took the cudgel from the monks, the cudgel was made of special materials that would not harm the bones and muscles but could still make people feel strong pain, as a form of punishment.
He held the cudgel, standing next to Xuanjing, with a serious face and eyes full of reluctance and compassion, "Xuanjing, do you know your mistake?"
Xuanjing replied calmly, "Disciple knows his mistake, and is willing to accept the punishment to atone for violating the precepts."
Abbot Master Huikong sighed gently, and slowly raised the cudgel. He said in a low voice, "Xuanji, each stroke of this cudgel is a warning for you to repent your sins, and also a reminder for your future cultivation."
"Crack."
With the first strike, a crisp sound echoed through the air.
Xuanji bit his teeth tightly, but still couldn't conceal the painful hum.
His back quivered slightly, but there was no sign of any movement.
One cudgel after another, each one felt like a heavy hammer striking at the hearts of everyone present. In a blink of an eye, his back was bleeding and the flesh was torn, evoking a sense of compassion.
At this moment, the sound of urgent footsteps broke the tranquility of the courtyard.
Xuande Emperor rushed to Wei Wangfu upon hearing the news, arriving just in time to witness this scene.
His face turned ashen in an instant, and he shouted furiously, "Stop this at once! My son, how dare you treat him with such disrespect!"
Abbot Master Huikong and Xuanji both opened their eyes at the same time. The former bowed slightly in respect, while the latter tried to get up but was unable to because of the pain.
Abbot Master Huikong faced Emperor Xuande with respect but firmness: "Your Majesty, Xuanji has violated a serious precept of our Buddhist sect. As his teacher, I have the right to impose discipline. I hope Your Majesty understands the old monk's intention to uphold the purity of our Buddhist community."
Emperor Xuande glared at Huikong, then turned to Xuanji with a look of pain, "Xuanji, why are you so stubborn and deluded? You are already the Wei Wang. Why do you need to endure such suffering?"
Xuanji looked at his father, shook his head slightly, gritted his teeth, and insisted, "Father, although the son is the Wei Wang in status, his belief in Buddhism in heart has not changed. The son is willing to accept the punishment to demonstrate his determination. Moreover, the son wishes to raise An An and You You here, watching them grow up healthily."
Emperor Xuande's anger lessened slightly, and looking at his son's bleeding back, he was extremely pitiful, "You... what have you gone through for this?"
Xuanji, however, smiled weakly, "Father, my heart has its own measure. Please be assured that the son will not disappoint your expectations and will not bring shame to our Buddhist sect."
Seeing this, Master Huikong silently nodded in his heart and continued to administer the remaining strokes of the cudgel.
Each stroke landed, making a crisp and dull sound.
"Crack."
"Crack."
"Crack."
…
Xuanji remained kneeling in place with his back straight, never uttering a groan, his teeth clenched tightly.
The back was already as red and swollen as a rose, sweat mixed with blood dripped to the ground, falling into the dust.
Emperor Xuande turned his back on him and could not help feeling sorrow.
He feared that if he looked any longer, he would lose control and want to seize this bald monk and flog him thirty times as well.
After the flogging was over, Xuanji was already badly bruised, but he seemed to have obtained some kind of liberation, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
Master Huikong sighed deeply, put down the cudgel, and went forward to personally apply medicine and bandage Xuanji.
The master and the disciple looked at each other without a word, with everything understood without spoken words.
