The Daily Life of a Depressed Salted Fish Chapter 61

The hammock Yin Wuzhi prepared was indeed much more comfortable than the bed in the temple. Perhaps to lull him to sleep, the hammock was gently pushed.

As his body swayed, for a moment, Jiang Wu felt as though he had returned to the state of a wandering soul, blown by the wind and drifting aimlessly.

It was clear he enjoyed this feeling. Though he was looking at Yin Wuzhi, his expression gradually became peaceful.

“I have to go guard the gate. Your Majesty, sleep well.”

Jiang Wu watched him leave and then closed his eyes again. The Jiang Wu of history and the one in front of him were vastly different, as was Yin Wuzhi. Why was that?

For the first time, Jiang Wu found himself curious about the story behind that piece of history. Why did Jiang Wu, once beloved by the people, become the tyrant vilified in the history books? Why did the former emperor continue to support Yao Ji even after Jiang Wu ascended to the throne? Was he truly so incompetent that he allowed Yao Ji to do whatever she pleased simply out of affection? King Xiang had clearly teamed up with Qiu Wuchen to trap Jiang Wu. Why did history lay all the blame at Jiang Wu’s feet? And Yin Wuzhi…

The phrase from the classics came to mind: “The sage acts without striving, thus there is no failure; he is without attachment, thus there is no loss.” What made Yin Wuzhi betray his name? And after he became emperor, what could he still not attain that made him seek fulfillment through divine intervention?

Jiang Wu wasn’t terribly curious, just a little bit.

That little bit of curiosity was almost negligible, and so Jiang Wu quickly fell asleep.

The next day, Jiang Wu was summoned by the Great Empress Dowager to bathe, burn incense, and offer prayers to Buddha. He was forced to walk into the Buddhist hall, dragging his arms. the Great Empress Dowager demonstrated, “Like this, put your palms together.”

Jiang Wu knelt lazily, hands drooping. The Great Empress Dowager had no choice but to come over, grab his hands, and press them together in front of him, saying, “Like this, hold them together.”

As soon as she let go, Jiang Wu’s hands started to droop again. The Great Empress Dowager was furious, asking, “Emperor, are you weak?”

Jiang Wu replied, “Yes.”

If he were lying, no one could tell, because his expression never changed. The Great Empress Dowager sighed, released his hands, and turned to the abbot, saying, “We will bow a few more times on behalf of the emperor. Is that alright?”

The abbot recited a prayer and said, “Sincerity of heart is all that matters.”

If sincerity is what matters, why drag him here?

The Great Empress Dowager, along with the other two dowagers, sincerely faced the statue of Buddha.

The Great Empress Dowager thought: May the emperor be healthy throughout his life, and may the Xia dynasty enjoy peace and prosperity, with the Jiang family line flourishing.

Empress Dowager Wen thought: May Wuer live safely and peacefully, forget his childhood nightmares, and live a carefree life.

Empress Dowager Yao thought: May Wuer return to normal, avenge our great enemy, and together, mother and son return home. What is owed to him, we will get it back slowly in the future.

They respectfully bowed before Buddha.

Jiang Wu followed, bowing as well.

They rose and bowed again. Jiang Wu simply slumped forward and laid down motionless.

Ah, how tiring. The floor under the Buddha was so cool and hard. He wanted Yin Wuzhi.

The three most noble women in the world each bowed for him. Afterward, Empress Dowager Wen helped Jiang Wu to his feet. Jiang Wu leaned into her, and she frowned and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Tired.”

“This soon? You’re already tired?” the Great Empress Dowager was both concerned and frustrated. “What do you do all day?”

Jiang Wu: “…”

It’s precisely because I sleep all day that getting up early today for bathing and incense made me so tired.

After the prayers, Jiang Wu was carried by the two mothers to the meditation room at the back. Empress Dowager Wen and Yao Ji together folded his legs, seating him before the great monk.

The discussion of Buddhist teachings began. The Great Empress Dowager said, “This is Master Kongwen. If you have any doubts, Your Majesty, you can ask him to provide answers.”

Kongwen, “Amitabha.”

Empress Dowager Wen gently lifted Jiang Wu’s chin. “Wuer, open your eyes, look at the master. If you have any worries, tell him. We will wait outside.”

Yao Ji nervously squeezed her fingers.

Once they let go, Jiang Wu’s head drooped again. Empress Dowager Wen hesitated and looked at Master Kongwen, who said, “Let him be. Allow His Majesty to do as he pleases.”

Empress Dowager Wen reluctantly released Jiang Wu. By the time she stood up, Jiang Wu was already lying on the floor of the meditation room. The door closed, and Kongwen didn’t move him but softly called, “Your Majesty? Your Majesty?”

Jiang Wu had fallen asleep.

Kongwen stood up, took a heavy monk’s robe, and covered him. Then he quietly sat down beside him and began striking a wooden fish. The rhythmic sound quickly echoed through Jiang Wu’s dream. After only a short while, Jiang Wu opened his eyes. Kongwen, sensing this, stopped his rhythm, turned to him, and smiled. “Your Majesty is awake.”

“Mmm.”

“The Great Empress Dowager brought Your Majesty here to have old me resolve your doubts. Please, speak your mind.”

Jiang Wu thought for a moment. He did have a question: “Why haven’t I died yet?”

Master Kongwen asked, “Why does Your Majesty think this?”

“Because I am still not dead.”

“Your Majesty is alive and well, how can you say you’re not dead?”

“I am not living. I am merely not dead.”

“Your Majesty,” Kongwen said, “At my age, I could be considered near death but not yet gone. However, Your Majesty is in the prime of your life. Why harbor such thoughts?”

“Because I’ve died and lived again. Compared to living, I prefer dying.”

Kongwen looked at him for a moment, then said, “Everyone will die eventually. Why insist on dying now? Why not do something meaningful while you’re still alive?”

“If everyone dies anyway, why not just die now? Living only to waste resources before dying is a sin.”

“Death can be as light as a feather or as heavy as Mount Tai.”

“If the end result is the same,” Jiang Wu said, “What difference does it make whether it’s Mount Tai or a feather?”

“Amitabha. Your Majesty is so stubborn. Would you share the reason with me?”

“I’ve already told you.”

Kongwen was stunned. “When did Your Majesty tell me?”

Jiang Wu: “.”

A deceptive monk—he couldn’t even provide clarity.

After Jiang Wu left, Kongwen, still somewhat bewildered, spoke with the Great Empress Dowager: “His Majesty only said he wants to die. I asked why, and he simply said he likes dying… I find it hard to change His Majesty’s preference.”

The Great Empress Dowager’s face darkened, and Yao Ji panicked instantly. “How could it be hard to change? Just tell him how wonderful life is and how terrible death is. Wouldn’t that solve it?”

Kongwen was in a difficult position. “But I’ve never died before,” he said. “I can’t make a proper comparison.”

The Great Empress Dowager sneered, “Not everyone gets the chance to realize how good living is.”

Yao Ji’s face turned deathly pale.

She staggered back a few steps, shaking her head. “Wuer hasn’t even married yet, hasn’t had children… hasn’t even begun to enjoy life. How could he have such extreme thoughts?”

When Jiang Wu returned, he quickly fell asleep again on the hammock. Upon waking, he found Qi Hanmiao crouched anxiously by his head. “Your Majesty, the Shizi was discovered making egg custard for you yesterday. The Great Empress Dowager is now punishing him.”

In truth, Shengguo Temple didn’t strictly forbid eggs, but this time was different. The one visiting was the Emperor, so no one dared to offend the royal family. Eggs were still considered a form of meat.

When Jiang Wu arrived, the punishment had already been carried out, and everyone had dispersed. He only saw King Dingnan, who looked grave and hurriedly bowed when he saw Jiang Wu. “Why has Your Majesty come?”

“Where is Yin Shu?”

“Yin Shu violated temple rules. By order of the Great Empress Dowager, he’s been taken away for confinement.”

“And my royal grandmother?”

“The Great Empress Dowager was tired and is resting in the courtyard.”

Jiang Wu ordered his men to carry him to his grandmother’s courtyard, where she was drinking tea with Empress Dowager Wen. Seeing him arrive in such a hurry, the Great Empress Dowager scolded, “Why the rush? What’s the matter?”

“I ate the egg.”

Empress Dowager Yao’s eyes grew cold. “Who got it for you?”

“I made Yin Wuzhi get it for me.”

“Didn’t he know the temple forbids meat?”

“I forced him to do it.” Jiang Wu’s shoulder was gently pressed as Empress Dowager Wen offered him a cup of tea. “Your grandmother didn’t take his life, just had him temporarily confined. He did break the rules, so he had to be punished.”

Jiang Wu looked at the teacup placed in his hand. Even though he wasn’t exerting any force, the tea remained steady thanks to his knees. Empress Dowager Wen coaxed him, “Drink some tea first to calm down. Be good.”

Jiang Wu pushed the cup away.

The cup clattered to the ground but failed to make any real impact.

The Great Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Wen exchanged glances, and the former said coldly, “Are you throwing a tantrum in front of your grandmother now?”

Empress Dowager Wen stifled a smile, squatted down, and picked up the cup. “Alright, go back for now. Once we return to the palace, he’ll be released.”

“Release him now.”

“That’s not possible right now.”

Jiang Wu remained silent.

Empress Dowager Wen handed the cup to a maid and, still squatting, looked up at him. “Oh? Pouting now? Are you really upset?”

Jiang Wu’s head and eyelashes drooped, but he didn’t say a word.

Empress Dowager Wen  thought for a moment. “Wuer, do you want to see him?”

“Release him.”

“If I release him now, what happens to your grandmother’s authority?” Empress Dowager Wen asked. “How about this? You go back first, and I’ll send Qi Hanmiao to check on him and bring you peace of mind. Alright?”

Jiang Wu finally looked at her. Empress Dowager Wen tapped his nose gently and said, “There, go back. Has your royal mother ever lied to you? He’ll be fine.”

He better be fine, Jiang Wu thought. If Yin Wuzhi dies, I won’t live either.

…Wait, no. Actually, it’d be better if Yin Wuzhi died. Then he wouldn’t have to live either.

So why had he gone to all this trouble? What a tiresome day.

Qi Hanmiao was sent to check on Yin Wuzhi. Meanwhile, Jiang Wu was wheeled back to his small courtyard. As they were heading back, someone stopped him. It was Yao Ji. “Wuer.”

Jiang Wu: “…”

He was too tired to even speak.

Yao Ji waved her hand, sending away the person pushing him, and took over herself. “Wuer, it’s rare to have some peace and quiet. Let’s take a walk together.”

“…” What was there to see in a temple?

Yao Ji sighed, adjusting the blanket on his lap. “I heard Qi Hanmiao went to see Yin Wuzhi. Why don’t you stay with your mother for now?”

Jiang Wu: “…”

Yao Ji brought him to her own courtyard. Her room was even smaller than Jiang Wu’s, but it was still clean and simple. Incense was burning in the room. She placed him by the table and asked, “Would you like something to eat?”

Jiang Wu closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.

“Wuer.” A hand brushed against his ear as Yao Ji softly whispered, “Royal Mother won’t treat you that way anymore. You’re still so young; you shouldn’t have such thoughts of death.” Her eyes reddened, and she said, “It was my fault for not letting you near women before. Now that you’re older, I’ve prepared a gift for you.”

The incense in the room made everything feel hazy, and Jiang Wu instinctively opened his eyes.

In the dim room, several beautiful young women dressed in thin veils stood. Yao Ji said, “Do you remember her? The maidservant I sent to your palace.”

The maid blushed and stepped forward, “Your Majesty, this servant is Lian Xin, paying my respects.”

“These others,” Yao Ji gestured, “I’ve chosen for their looks as well. If you like any, you may take them.”

She gently brushed aside the hair by his cheek and said, “There are still many beautiful things in life you haven’t experienced. How could you seek death so easily?”

Jiang Wu: “.”

He understood what Yao Ji was trying to do.

Sure enough, she soon pushed the door open and left, coldly instructing, “Serve His Majesty well.”

The four maids quickly agreed. They were all clean and presentable women. Once Empress Dowager Yao left, they shyly glanced at the dejected emperor sitting in the chair, their hearts pounding.

Lian Xin bit her lip. This was not what she had imagined. Empress Dowager Yao had initially praised her beauty, saying the emperor would surely like her. But now, suddenly, there were a few more equally beautiful women for him to choose from—it was rather frustrating.

At this point, being shy felt almost like a sin. She took two steps closer and, the nearer she got, the more she marveled at the emperor’s extraordinary beauty. His eyes, inherited from Empress Dowager Yao, were slightly alluring, but on this face, they exuded an ethereal quality that deterred disrespect.

She stood to the side, cautiously reaching out to touch the hem of his robe, “Your… Your Majesty…”

“Kneel.”

Lian Xin dropped to her knees with a thud. She knelt so hard her knees ached, and her eyes filled with tears. “Your Majesty, this servant is here to help you undress.”

Trembling, she reached out to touch Jiang Wu. The other maids, seeing this, immediately stepped forward as well. “Your Majesty, this servant will assist you, too.”

“Kneel.”

There was a series of thuds as the other maids also dropped to their knees, forming a half-circle, nervously gazing at him.

Jiang Wu’s cheeks slowly flushed as he felt a difficult-to-describe heat rising within him.

Meanwhile, in a temple room being used as a makeshift cell, Qi Hanmiao had just entered to see Yin Wuzhi. The latter noticed him immediately. “Attendant Qi.”

“His Majesty sent me to check on shizi.”

Yin Wuzhi immediately sat up. His long hair was disheveled, and he wore only thin undergarments. Upon hearing Qi Hanmiao’s words, his eyes lit up. “The emperor said that?”

“Of course,” Qi Hanmiao handed him some bean cakes. “Shizi must have some good fortune.”

Yin Wuzhi eagerly asked, “Why do you say that?”

“His Majesty got angry with the Great Empress Dowager today because of you and even threw a cup.”

“Threw a cup?” Yin Wuzhi excitedly grabbed a cup from the table and raised it high. “Like this?”

“No, not that high.”

Yin Wuzhi lowered the cup a bit. “Like this?”

“Lower.”

Yin Wuzhi set the cup back on the table. “Here?”

“A bit lower still,” Qi Hanmiao demonstrated by placing it on his knee, “like this.”

Yin Wuzhi was still thrilled. “Did the cup shatter into pieces, and did the Great Empress Dowager get scared?”

“Not quite. It just chipped a bit, lucky enough to hit a small stone. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have even done that.”

Yin Wuzhi was satisfied. “A chip is good enough.”

“Indeed. The Great Empress Dowager, with a stern face after His Majesty left, held that chipped cup fondly, praising you for your ability to bring out His Majesty’s strength.”

Yin Wuzhi rested his chin on his hand, amused. “I’d love to see that cup.”