Chapter 25

Lady Jing'an said bitterly, "I said back then that the Gu family had committed too many killings over three generations, and retribution would surely fall on the Gu family. We must not marry into the Gu family!"

She's been married for so long and has only given birth to one mute child, who is also considered an unlucky star, almost causing the Qin family line to die out.

"If it weren't for me..." She pursed her lips as she said this.

Qin Su rubbed his temples, a feeling he couldn't quite describe welling up inside him.

For a moment, Gu Liaoliao's words echoed in his ears: "Once this feng shui formation is set up, everything will go smoothly for your Qin family, but my Aman has been running a high fever and has ruined her voice."

Could it be that the feng shui formation suppressed Ah Man, which is why he had a son?

He swallowed hard, shaking off his jumbled thoughts, and said, "Mother, don't overthink it, it's just a coincidence."

Lady Jing'an was even angrier: "You're still favoring the Gu family. Your cousin is carrying your son!"

“Aman is your granddaughter.”

"Who would want a mute, money-losing good-for-nothing?"

"mother!"

Seeing her son's face turn cold, Lady Jing'an picked up her handkerchief again and began to sob.

Qin Su sighed and said, "How about this, I'll have the steward find a few more midwives and doctors to stay in the mansion and keep watch. In a few days, I'll go to Taiqing Temple with Young Master Chen, and then I'll personally ask Qingping Zhenren for a talisman for a smooth delivery. Now you can rest assured, right?"

"Reassured? Of course not. This is the precious grandson she's waited so many years for; he can't be allowed to suffer even the slightest mishap." Lady Jing'an wiped away her tears and said, "Su'er, your mother is now counting on Yao Niang to give our Qin family a grandson. You're almost thirty, and you have no children. Don't you long for one?"

Qin Su remained silent. He had been hoping for eight long years!

He was as happy as Gu Liaoliao was when she became pregnant with Aman, and as disappointed as she was when she gave birth to Aman.

"You must understand, your mother is doing all this for you. Our Qin family can't be wiped out by this wicked star..."

Qin Su gave a perfunctory reply, then stood up and said, "Mother, I'm going to check on Yao Niang."

After saying that, he turned and walked away.

Sun Yaoniang rested in the green gauze curtain. She was a woman who was weak to the core, completely different from Gu Liaoliao. Qin Su felt that she would definitely not be able to survive if she left him.

He had only intended to sit for a short while, but amidst her gentle words, he unknowingly stayed until dusk.

But when he returned to his and his wife's courtyard, it was completely empty. The darkness that met his eyes was just like Gu Liaoliao's dark eyes when she said "separate residences after property division".

Qin Su was so frustrated that he couldn't sleep all night, and he still had to go to work the next day.

Xie Yingchen was going to Taiqing Temple on the first day of the fifth lunar month, and Qin Su took on the task of accompanying him.

After returning to the capital, Xie Yingchen lived in the palace.

He was not a prince, and having already come of age, living in the inner palace would certainly be extremely inconvenient. When he first returned, several senior officials cited numerous precedents and argued that no dynasty had ever had such a rule, requesting the emperor to grant Xie Yingchen a residence in the capital. However, the emperor refused, citing Xie Yingchen's poor health and need for care, and finally simply allowed him to live in Xiyunwu.

Xiyunwu is surrounded by a lake on the side closest to the inner palace, which serves as a partition from the inner palace. The emperor even made a special exception and allowed Xie Yingchen to bring his own attendants.

Qin Su is currently working at Xiyunwu.

Xie Yingchen's incognito trip required a lot of preparation, both big and small. Qin Su was extremely busy, as if trying to use the busyness to dispel the unspeakable frustration in his heart.

He stayed in his cell in the palace for several days. The day he set off was a day specially chosen by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, with clear skies and no clouds.

The warm May sunshine made Qin Su, who had already changed into a light coat, feel a bit hot, but when Xie Yingchen came out, he was still wearing a heavy cloak.

"Young Master."

Qin Su bowed in greeting.

Ever since the Grand Secretary Song used the title "Eldest Son," the Emperor has tacitly accepted it.

Xie Yingchen smiled and gestured for them to dispense with formalities. His black hair was tied up with a jade crown, and he walked with a leisurely gait. Every gesture he made exuded nobility and composure.

After walking out of the palace gate, Xie Yingchen boarded the carriage. Qin Chen lowered the curtain and walked over, saying in a businesslike manner, "Commander Qin, we can depart now."

Qin Su's gaze fell on the thin white bandage around his neck.

The reason why Fifth Brother got injured was ultimately because of Qin Chen.

Unable to deal with Gu Zhizhuo, the mother vented her anger on Aunt Zhao, who had given birth to Qin Chen. Unexpectedly, a reward was sent from the palace, specifically for Aunt Zhao, in recognition of Qin Chen's meritorious service over the years. It was obvious that this was an imperial decree obtained through Prince Chen's intervention. With this reward, the mother could only suppress her anger.

Gongzi Chen's actions showed that he treated Qin Chen not like an ordinary guard, but more like a confidant.

Qin Su's face was grave, devoid of any smile.

"Qin Chen..."

"Young Master!"

A high-pitched voice interrupted him. A royal attendant hurried over and called out to them, "Young Master, please wait a moment. His Majesty will accompany you."

The Emperor is going too? Qin Su was startled and swallowed back the words he was about to say.

Xie Yingchen dismounted from the carriage to greet the emperor.

After about an incense stick's time, the imperial procession arrived.

The emperor was in his forties, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe. His eyebrows and eyes were very similar to Xie Jing's, but he also had an imposing and dignified air.

He raised his hand to indicate that there was no need for formalities, and said to Xie Yingchen in a good mood, "I have some free time and I'd like to go for a walk with you. No need for formalities. Chen'er, hurry back to the carriage. It's windy here, don't catch a cold."

Apart from his guards, the emperor only brought three princes and a few close ministers, dressed like ordinary wealthy men.

Taiqing Temple is located on the outskirts of the capital, and it takes just over an hour for a carriage to get there.

Qin Su had given prior notice a few days in advance, and the abbot knew that a distinguished guest would be arriving today. The young Taoist boy had been waiting outside the mountain gate for a long time, and as soon as the guest arrived, he came out to greet him.

Taiqing Temple has a history of over a hundred years. Even during the turbulent times of the previous dynasty, its incense continued to burn continuously, demonstrating a sense of detachment from worldly affairs.

Upon seeing the holy countenance, the abbot was slightly surprised for a moment, but smiled neither humbly nor arrogantly and said, "Thank you, sir, please."

"Last time I... cough, the last time I came to Taiqing Temple was three years ago," the emperor said leisurely, waving his folding fan. "The abbot's demeanor is still as elegant as it was back then."

The abbot had an otherworldly appearance, with kind eyes and a gentle smile. He said, "It's been three years since we last met. Your purple aura is even more pronounced, Master Xie."

Purple aura signifies nobility, and when applied to an emperor, it naturally becomes dragon aura.

These words pleased the emperor greatly, and he laughed heartily before stepping into the Taiqing Temple.

Taiqing Temple is extremely popular, and the abbot is approachable. Many believers have met him, and they often stop to greet him, which the abbot returns.

The emperor didn't mind, and walked at a leisurely pace, asking as he went, "I've heard that there is a Pure Peace Master in the temple. I wonder if he is here today?"

The emperor had heard of this Qingping Zhenren from time to time while in the palace.

Especially in recent days, there have been frequent rumors in the capital that strange phenomena have occurred in the sky above Taiqing Temple, and that Master Qingping, who is in seclusion, has sensed the will of Heaven. The rumors are described in great detail.

"Qingping just came out of seclusion the day before yesterday and hasn't gone out these past two days." The abbot said, and then called a young Taoist boy to deliver a message to Qingping Zhenren.

"Please go ahead!"

The main hall of Taiqing Temple is the Sanqing Hall. The emperor stepped up a step and was about to ask the abbot about the "extraordinary celestial phenomena" when a young girl dressed in a rouge-colored silk skirt came out and came face to face with him.

The girl's face was covered by a thin veil, and her phoenix eyes were as clear as water.

She blinked, slightly surprised, then stepped forward with a smile and greeted him, "Thank you, Uncle Xie."

The emperor was momentarily taken aback by the address, but then he smiled happily: "Zhuo'er, what brings you here?"

Gu Zhizhuo looked completely innocent.

In her previous life, she had formally become a disciple of a Taoist master and was considered a lay disciple of the Taoist sect. Now that she had entered this Taoist temple, she should at least pay her respects to the patriarch.

Besides, I never heard that the emperor would come! How could I have run into him?

She first glanced at Xie Yingchen behind the emperor. When their eyes met, Xie Yingchen's narrow eyes twitched slightly at the corners, and he shook his head at her almost imperceptibly before lowering his eyelids.

Gu Zhizhuo lowered her eyes slightly and noticed that she was pinching her skirt, and her fingertips were turning white from gripping it too tightly. In her previous life, the young master had told her that she should avoid certain small actions in front of people she didn't trust, so as not to reveal her thoughts.

She silently smoothed her skirt to cover it up, and said lightly, "I'm here to ask for a fortune slip for my little cousin to keep safe."

She waved the lucky charm in her hand: "I was just about to take it over to hang it up when I saw you arrive."

Not far from the Sanqing Hall is a pond, and beside the pond stands a thousand-year-old cypress tree. Since some time ago, believers have been hanging the peace talismans they have obtained on it. As more and more talismans are hung there, the red threads move in the wind, undulating like red waves, creating a unique and beautiful scene.

"You go ahead, there's no need for you to follow."

The emperor considerately dismissed her, and Gu Zhizhuo happily curtsied and, accompanied by two maids, headed towards the ancient cypress tree.

The emperor withdrew his gaze and took a few more steps up the stairs. The abbot smiled and said, "Thank you, sir. There are quite a few believers today. I'm afraid the Sanqing Hall can't accommodate so many people."

The emperor pondered for a moment and then nodded.

Qin Su bowed in acceptance, and left outside with most of his guards.

Gu Zhizhuo faced the Sanqing Hall and slowly tied the divination rope. Seeing that Qin Chen did not follow her in, she hooked a slipknot with her little finger.

So, not long after it was hung up, a gust of wind blew the peace charm away.

"ah!"

Gu Zhizhuo let out a soft gasp.

Qin Chen cleverly ran over, picked it up, and happily handed it over.

"Miss Gu, here is your blessing."

"Thank you." Gu Zhizhuo reached out and took it, then lowered his voice and quietly asked, "Why is he here?" He was referring to the emperor.

"I don't know." Qin Chen was also puzzled. "It was a sudden decision just before we set off."

He used his back to block the view of others, and lowered his voice: "Did I implicate you last time? I heard that your aunt has gone back to her parents' home."

"It's none of your business." Gu Zhizhuo pretended to tidy up the red thread, and when she saw Qin Su looking at her with an unfriendly expression, she sneered, "The Qin family just doesn't know what's good for them."

Qin Chen heard it but didn't understand.

Gu Zhizhuo beckoned him closer with his finger: "The Crown Prince Qin's Descendant Palace is afflicted by clashes, punishments, and piercings, indicating that he is destined to have no heirs."

Qin Chen was stunned, his mouth slowly opening into a semi-circle.

Gu Zhizhuo smiled faintly: "He used up all his luck from eight lifetimes to marry my aunt. The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is known for its ruthlessness, and my aunt's fate was filled with malevolent energy, which suppressed the ominous star in Qin Su's ancestral palace, allowing him to have Aman by sheer luck."

Ah Man was his only blood relative in this life.

Therefore, to be precise, it is not that Gu Liaoliao had difficulty conceiving after eight years of marriage.

Instead, Qin Su caused his aunt to have difficulty conceiving after eight years of marriage!

Qin Chen was stunned.

Wow! By the way, he heard that Qin Su's concubine Sun is about to give birth. So whose child is she carrying?

A note from the author: