Xiangguo Temple in the capital, this royal temple, has been a gathering place for Buddhists in the capital since ancient times. It is famous for its prosperous incense business.

Inside the main hall, the eternally burning lamp flickers and emits a warm and quiet light, whether it is day or night, as if silently praying for all living beings, wishing that the deceased can quickly ascend to paradise and obtain eternal peace.

At this moment, the old lady of Xingyuan Hou, Hong Yingrong, and her second son Xue Zhongfu, reverently donated incense oil in this solemn hall to express their respect for Buddhism and compassion for all living beings.

Then the two of them slowly walked towards the longevity tablet of their second daughter-in-law, Shen Yunniang, and each step seemed particularly heavy.

There was a glint of sadness in old lady Hong Yingrong's eyes. She lit a stick of incense, and the green smoke rose up, as if carrying her grief and prayers.

Xue Zhongfu stood silently by, his eyes deep, as if he was recalling the time he spent with his deceased wife, and seemed to be telling her about his endless longing for her.

On the first and fifteenth day of every month, Xue Zhongfu would come to Xiangguo Temple as scheduled to burn incense for his late wife Chen Yunniang. Today, his mother's company made his longing even stronger.

Hong Yingrong looked at her son's deep and slightly sad eyes, and her heart ached.

She sighed softly and said gently, "Zhongfu, the dead are gone. Yunniang's spirit in heaven also hopes that you can live a happy life. You have been single for many years. It's time to consider remarrying. Life must go on, and you also need someone who understands your feelings by your side."

Xue Zhongfu was silent for a moment after hearing this. Then he turned around, looked at his mother and said, "Mother, I know your worries. But Yunniang's place in my heart is irreplaceable. I have never been able to forget her over the years."

Hong Yingrong patted her son's hand gently and said softly, "I understand your feelings for Yunniang, but people must learn to let go. We can't always stagnate. Everything must start over."

In the Buddhist hall in the side hall, there was a solemn and peaceful atmosphere with the curling of incense and the sound of wooden fish.

Li Shurou knelt on the mat, hands clasped together, eyes closed in prayer, but the faint sound of the mother and son's conversation reached her ears. She could not help but open her eyes and listen intently through the delicate screen.

Hearing Xue Zhongfu's affectionate remembrance of his deceased wife, Li Shurou was secretly distressed. She had long harbored feelings for Xue Zhongfu, but only now did she truly understand how far away she was from him. His heart was always filled with the image of the departed woman, Chen Yunniang, who seemed to be lingering forever.

Li Shurou couldn't help but think of the reason she came here today. Her mother had brought her to Xiangguo Temple specifically to pray for fortune. Only then did she suddenly realize that her mother's true intention was to let her hear Xue Zhongfu's inner voice and understand the depth of his obsession with his deceased wife.

Concubine Shu looked at the disappointment and unwillingness in her daughter Li Shurou's eyes and sighed in her heart.

She gently took her daughter's hand and said earnestly, "Rou'er, you heard it all. Xue Zhongfu's love for Chen Yunniang is so deep that you can't imagine it. Mother doesn't ask for your future husband to be a noble, but at least he must be devoted to you. However, the place in the heart of the second son of the Xue family has been forever occupied by his late wife. How can you surpass her?"

Li Shurou lowered her head and remained silent. She knew that her feelings for Xue Zhongfu were deep and she couldn't extricate herself. However, she also knew that she could not replace Shen Yunniang's position in his heart. This obsession would only make her more painful.

Concubine Shu continued, "Rou'er, you've been smart since childhood and should understand that love can't be forced. The second son of the Xue family has given his heart to Chen Yunniang. No matter how hard you try, you can't change this fact. Are you willing to marry a husband who will always have other women in his heart?"

Li Shurou felt a pang of pain in her heart when she heard this. She didn't want to do it, how could she be willing? But how could she let go of her feelings for Xue Zhongfu?

Concubine Shu looked at her daughter's conflicted expression and felt very sorry for her. She gestured to the palace servants around her, asking them to take good care of the eldest princess, and then she walked out of the side hall lightly.

Outside the side hall, sunlight shines through the clouds, adding a bit of warmth to this solemn temple.

Hong Yingrong had just finished burning incense and was about to leave when she suddenly saw an elegant figure slowly walking out from a side hall. She looked closely and recognized that it was Concubine Shu.

"Your Highness, what a coincidence that you are here too." Hong Yingrong took a few steps forward and saluted with a smile.

When Concubine Shu saw that it was Hong Yingrong, she also smiled gently, "Old Madam, what a coincidence! Are you also here to pray for your family?"

"Yes, I'm here to pray for my daughter-in-law, Shen Yunniang, hoping that her soul in heaven can rest in peace." Hong Yingrong sighed softly, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes.

"Old lady, I am deeply sorry for your loss."

Xue Zhongfu stepped forward steadily, knelt down respectfully and performed a great salute. Every movement he made was elegant and appropriate.

Concubine Shu did not ask him to stand up immediately, but walked slowly closer and looked at him carefully.

It was said that the children of the old Marquis of Xingyuan were all outstanding, both talented and beautiful, and Xue Zhongfu was the best of them all. Not only was he handsome, but he also had a calm and graceful demeanor. It was no wonder that at a palace banquet, a single glance at him had captured the heart of the eldest princess.

Xue Zhongfu remained kneeling with a normal expression, as if he was already accustomed to dealing with such situations.

Hong Yingrong stood aside and keenly noticed the strangeness in Concubine Shu's eyes. There was a scrutinizing look in her eyes as she stared straight at Xue Zhongfu, as if she was searching for something.

"If Her Majesty the Dowager wants to burn incense in the palace, it would be inconvenient for a man like me to be here. It would be better to let my son leave for the time being to avoid disturbing Her Majesty." Hong Yingrong spoke tentatively, trying to rescue her son.

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhongfu immediately kowtowed again and said, "I apologize for my rudeness. If I have disturbed the Empress Dowager, please forgive me. I will withdraw now."

However, Concubine Shu did not let him leave as he wished. She said in a rare and dignified tone, "No need! Master Xue, stand up and answer!"

This majestic tone was very different from the gentle and virtuous image of Concubine Shu in the past, which made Hong Yingrong feel a little surprised. She didn't understand why Concubine Shu suddenly became so interested in Xue Zhongfu.

Concubine Shu's gaze was as sharp as a torch, and she asked bluntly, "Master Xue, I have heard everything you just said to the old lady. Now I just want to clarify one thing: if I were to grant you a marriage immediately, what would you think of the wife you would marry?"

Her tone was firm and sharp, revealing an unavoidable majesty, and she obviously wanted to hear Xue Zhongfu's truest thoughts.