The disciples were stunned this time. Buddhism was vast and opened the doors of convenience to the world. They had never heard of any temple in the world that would specifically refuse someone entry…
"Hurry, hurry! Let's get back to the manor quickly!"
Hearing the old monk's sharp voice, Han Mo immediately quickened his pace. He stepped onto the carriage and then urged the driver to hurry away.
"Sir, is there something urgent?"
"There's nothing urgent, but I just did something against my conscience, and now I'm afraid the aggrieved party will come looking for me!"
As Han Mo spoke, he took out a small, ancient-looking purple clay teapot from his sleeve.
This item was clearly the old monk's prized possession, and now that he had taken it, it would be a miracle if the old monk wasn't heartbroken!
"Ah?"
Hearing Han Mo say this, the driver couldn't help but look back in the direction of Daxiangguo Temple. Had his master set fire to Daxiangguo Temple?
Just as he was about to ask more questions, he suddenly heard Han Mo humming a tune from inside the carriage. The words that were on the tip of his tongue were involuntarily swallowed back.
"Mo Ge'er, where have you been? Why are you only returning now?"
As soon as Han Mo stepped off the carriage, the steward of the manor rushed forward to greet him.
"I just went out to meet a friend. What happened? Has something happened?"
"Grand Marshal Liang has been waiting for you in the manor for nearly half an hour. You should go in quickly!"
When Han Mo said this, the steward of the manor hurried to lead Han Mo inside.
"My apologies for keeping Grand Marshal Liang waiting. Why didn't you send someone to inform me beforehand when you came as a guest?"
When Han Mo arrived at the main hall, he saw Han Jiayan and Liang Shicheng conversing in low voices as he stepped through the door.
"I was just passing by, and it was a sudden whim. I didn't expect you to be out of the manor in broad daylight!"
"Grand Marshal Liang, you've come early, but it's also opportune. I've just acquired a treasure. Since Grand Marshal Liang is here today, why don't we appreciate it together?"
As Han Mo spoke, he took out the calligraphy and painting from his sleeve as if presenting a treasure.
"Oh? I'm quite curious about something that the top scholar calls a treasure!"
Hearing Han Mo say this, Liang Shicheng also smiled and leaned closer.
"This is…"
However, as soon as Liang Shicheng opened the scroll in his hand, his brows immediately furrowed.
"This looks like a genuine work by Mr. Dongpo!"
Since Liang Shicheng had come closer, Han Jiayan naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to appreciate it.
With his discerning eye, he quickly recognized the origin of this painting.
"Uncle-Ancestor, you have good eyesight. This is a treasure that I painstakingly acquired from Daxiangguo Temple!"
"You actually got this painting from that mythical beast?"
Hearing Han Mo say this, Liang Shicheng immediately took the painting with both hands as if he had found a treasure and began to examine it carefully.
"It did take some effort to obtain, but thankfully it's finally in my possession. If Grand Marshal Liang likes it, why not give it to him!"
Liang Shicheng had always claimed to be a descendant of Su Dongpo, that is, an illegitimate son. Now that Han Mo had obtained this calligraphy and painting, he immediately thought of Liang Shicheng.
"Are you truly willing to part with it?"
After carefully examining the seals and marks on the painting, Liang Shicheng looked at Han Mo with a joyous expression.
"A treasure should only be possessed by the virtuous. There are very few relics of Mr. Dongpo circulating in the world. Besides Grand Marshal Liang, I can't think of anyone else in this world who could preserve this painting intact!"
"You're thoughtful, my boy. I'll remember this favor!"
After taking a deep breath, Liang Shicheng carefully rolled up the painting again.
Hearing Han Mo's words, Han Jiayan also let out a light laugh.
What Han Mo had said wasn't entirely flattery. Although this painting was a genuine work by Su Dongpo, even he dared not hang it openly.
After all, not long ago, Emperor Zhao Ji had suddenly issued another decree, ordering local governments to strictly investigate Su Dongpo's poems and writings and burn them immediately upon discovery.
Although few people in the world truly took the Emperor's decree to heart, if it were to be exposed, it would indeed be a minor trouble for Han Jiayan.
However, this was not a concern for Liang Shicheng.
He had always claimed to be Su Dongpo's illegitimate son, so even if he hid some of Su Dongpo's poems and writings and was reported, it would be logically justifiable.
After all, filial piety was paramount in the Song Dynasty!
Even the Song Dynasty's laws stipulated that if parents committed a crime, their children had to help them conceal it!
Public justice against one's own family was truly unpopular in this era. Not only was it unpopular, but it was also illegal!
Moreover, with his power, anyone who dared to trouble him over such a trivial matter would be courting death, wouldn't they?
"Grand Marshal Liang, you're too kind. It's just a small matter, nothing to worry about!"
"Uncle-Ancestor, I also have a treasure here, to offer to Uncle-Ancestor!"
Seeing Liang Shicheng's fondness for the painting, Han Mo smiled and took out the purple clay teapot from his sleeve again.
"Eh, why does this pot look so familiar?"
As soon as he took it out, Han Jiayan looked at Han Mo with a strange expression.
"Uncle-Ancestor, have you seen this thing before?"
Han Mo looked at Han Jiayan somewhat strangely.
"Why does this thing look so much like the pot that old bald donkey Dao Jian is holding?"
After carefully playing with it for a while, Han Jiayan asked curiously.
"Uncle-Ancestor, you have sharp eyes. This is indeed that pot. Not only that pot, but I've also managed to swipe the jade prayer beads that the old monk was holding!"
"Pfft—"
"Hahaha, has that old mythical beast bled today? Those jade prayer beads he holds, it is said that the largest bead on them is one of the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni. You must keep them carefully, it would be too much of a pity if they were lost!"
Looking at the prayer beads in Han Mo's hand, although he was a little envious, Liang Shicheng had already accepted a painting today, and it was a little embarrassing for him to ask for more at this moment. He could only look at Han Mo with envy and say.