"Princess, the Buddhist hall has been prepared." Early in the morning, Chu Chun reported to Zhao Shu.

Zhao Shu glanced at herself in the bronze mirror. She was dressed in a white brocade robe with light blue embroidery of bamboo, and wore a jade headdress from the Xie family, though it was only adorned with a hairpin. She also had a pair of plain jade pendants in her hands, making her look exceptionally refreshing.

Shengxia brushed the last strand of hair back and said, "Princess, you look beautiful even in such simple and elegant style, like a fairy."

Zhao Shu chuckled, putting down the longevity mantra she had been reciting all night, and said with a smile, "Shengxia, I haven't even fully grown up yet, and you're already calling me a fairy. When I'm your age, what words will you use to praise me?"

"When you grow up, you'll naturally be a fairy, right, Sister Shengxia?" Green Ivy wrung out her handkerchief and came over to put away Zhao Shu's books, saying this as she did so.

The group smiled and Zhao Shu said to Chu Chun, who was waiting, "Have Bi Qiao bring the concubines, and also, invite Concubine Zhang and my cousin to the Buddhist hall."

"Yes." Chu Chun went to make the arrangements, and Zhao Shu, surrounded by Sheng Xia, Luoluo, and others, headed towards the small Buddhist hall.

On the way, I met Ruyi, who had several pimples on her face and blisters around her mouth.

After walking a distance, making sure Ruyi couldn't hear their conversation, Green Ivy complained, "Princess, Consort Zhang still cooks porridge and makes clothes for you every day. Everyone says that Consort Zhang treats you like her own daughter." Ever since Green Ivy wasn't punished but protected at the Xie family last time, her mouth has become increasingly sharp.

Zhao Shu looked at her amusedly, "Which eye of yours saw that she cared about me?"

Green Ivy shook her head. "This servant didn't see it. This servant only saw Consort Zhang and Princess Nihong often asking Sister Biqiao about matters of the Prince's Mansion. They even wanted Ruyi to help Sister Biqiao." Green Ivy was young, but now she had become a first-class maid. She used to call Sister Biqiao "Auntie," but now she addressed her as such quite naturally.

The Buddhist hall in Prince Yong's mansion had hardly ever been used, but now that it had been cleaned overnight, it was barely usable.

Upon arriving at the small Buddhist hall, Bi Qiao had already led her concubines there. There were only three concubines and two singing girls, all of whom were the most beautiful women in the Yongwang Mansion. Although they only wore light makeup today, it was still impossible to hide their stunning beauty.

"Greetings to the Princess." After so long, the concubines and courtesans had long been accustomed to the fact that there was only the Princess in the Prince's mansion and no Prince. The Prince did not care about affairs and did not see them. The romantic girlish heart that once held the image of a domineering Prince and a little courtesan had long since been extinguished.

But the princess is different. Once the princess takes a liking to someone, not only will the person have a high status, but the best food, clothing and daily necessities will also be provided. The food, clothing and daily necessities in the Prince's Mansion were already very good before, but now they are even better.

Moreover, and most importantly, following the princess will lead to a better future. Look at Wei Ji, wasn't she taken by the second prince? I heard that the second prince treats her very well, regarding her as his master, and she can also see Prince Duan often.

They had also secretly seen Prince Duan. Although they were not as young or as handsome as the prince, their hearts pounded at his gentle, timeless gaze.

Zhao Shu nodded. "The imperial brothers in the palace have already gone to Huguo Temple to pray for His Highness the Crown Prince. Our Prince's Mansion cannot be out of line. Moreover, the Crown Prince has always been very kind to me, so our mansion should pray for His Highness the Crown Prince and beg the gods to help him recover soon. The concubines were carefully selected to pray for the Crown Prince, so remember to be sincere."

Bi Qiao had already said these words, but Zhao Shu said them again, not for the concubines to hear, but for Consort Zhang and Zhao Nihong to hear.

Almost as soon as Zhao Shu arrived, Consort Zhang and Zhao Nihong also arrived. However, before the two could speak, Zhao Shu spoke up and said what she had just said.

“Sister A-Jun, with your sincerity, your brother the Crown Prince will surely recover soon.” Zhao Nihong walked to Zhao Shu’s side, took her hand, and smiled brightly, as if she were very familiar with Zhao Shu.

Zhao Shuwei frowned almost imperceptibly. "Crown Prince? Have you ever met the Crown Prince? You mean Crown Prince?" She withdrew her hand. "My cousin has never met the Crown Prince, yet she is so sincere. Ah Jun has always been close to Crown Prince, so naturally she cannot be anything but sincere. Now that everyone is here, let's go in and pray for Crown Prince."

In Dayong, prayers for the sick are usually offered once every morning and evening for a period of 21 days.

Zhao Shu was the first to enter the Buddhist hall, kneeling at the very front, her palms clasped together, and began to chant the Longevity Sutra.

The Longevity Scripture is neither long nor short, containing more than ten thousand words. Because she had prepared in advance, Zhao Shu had memorized the entire text, and now her memory was getting better and better.

In modern times, teachers often say that memory can be trained, and it seems she has.

Zhao Shu murmured softly, and the concubines also began to murmur in a similar manner. Concubine Zhang and Zhao Nihong, not to be outdone, also murmured softly.

At first glance, everyone seems to be reciting the scriptures quite well, but as they continue, they lose patience because they have no Buddhist scriptures in their minds at all.

Buddhist scriptures are not something you can just recite offhand.

After a while, Consort Zhang, Zhao Nihong, and the other concubines began to experience discomfort in their knees, backs, shoulders, and entire bodies.

But Zhao Shu remained motionless, her palms clasped together, her eyes closed, muttering incantations.

One recitation is considered one cycle. Zhao Shusheng recited the ten thousand-word Longevity Scripture more than ten times. With the incense smoke rising from the incense burner, the group quickly became agitated.

After reading it, she opened her eyes. Green Luo and the others rushed over to help her up and turn around. Consort Zhang was alright, after all, she had been through something and was very composed, but Zhao Nihong's face was already ashen. "Sister Ajun, Sister Liuli invited me to her residence to pray for His Highness the Crown Prince together, so I won't accompany you."

This kneeling session lasted all morning, and left her dizzy and disoriented. The dilapidated Buddhist hall had a musty smell and was filled with smoke; it was no place for a human to stay! With the help of her maid, Zhao Nihong kept rubbing her knees.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!