Wen Yu took the mutton-fat white jade statue of Guanyin, who is bestowing fertility, and washed it repeatedly several times. He then dried it in the courtyard before he dared to bring it back to the incense table in the inner hall.
"Miss, according to me, it's unlucky. Either throw it away or lock it up in the storeroom. I've put so much effort into it, and now I want to keep it in the house. I'm really afraid they'll tamper with it!"
"The gods don't commit great evil. It's humans who are doing the wrong thing. Why bother?" Wei Shuyi knelt on the futon and burned incense devoutly. "If the treasure that the imperial concubine worships day and night is really unlucky..."
"Miss, seriously! Think about it carefully! The imperial concubine treats it as a treasure, yet she has never been pregnant. How can this be called the Goddess of Childbirth? She's supposed to be stealing the child!"
She shrugged, "It's just a statue that carries beautiful wishes. There's no need to blame it for everything. Perhaps it's because the imperial concubine has a weak constitution and is having trouble conceiving."
Seeing that she was so persistent, Wen Yu had no choice but to give up trying to persuade her.
After the blessing, Wei Shuyi sat on the bed as usual, admiring the dyed ink lotus painting: "I don't know how those two are doing."
"Those two sisters have no good intentions at all! Only the Qu family would think of applying medicine to the outside of your statue!" Wen Yu was extremely indignant when she mentioned this matter. "Fortunately, there is no big problem, otherwise, I would definitely fight them to the death!"
"Yes... the dosage was precise and well thought out. It only caused me pain once without causing any serious damage. It's quite clever."
Wen Yu stopped what she was doing and said, "Miss, they are people who have done many evil things. How come when you say that, it sounds like a compliment?"
"Praise where it's due." Wei Shuyi suddenly changed the subject. "I asked you to call for Imperial Physician Lu. Is he here?"
"He said he would come in the morning, so he should be here soon."
In the matter of the Goddess of Childbirth, Lu Xingzhou lost to Jiang Yuanzheng for the first time. It wasn't because of his inferior skills, but...
Perhaps because it involved Concubine Jin, he kept his mouth shut.
Just as he was thinking about it, he came over carrying his usual small wooden box: "Your humble servant greets Consort Xi."
"No need to be polite."
"Please come sit here, my lord. I will take your pulse."
Wei Shuyi didn't move, but instead studied his expression: "Doctor Lu's eyes are dark blue, didn't he get enough rest?"
"Yes, thanks to my lady's care, my position was promoted after the emperor killed Jiang Yuanzheng's two disciples. I'm so busy now that I don't have much time to rest."
"I still remember that when I visited you at the Imperial Hospital before, you were still busy, but I've never seen you look so exhausted." Wei Shuyi got straight to the point. "Is it because the Imperial Concubine is still being punished? After copying the scriptures, she has to accompany the Empress Dowager in worshiping Buddha. She's bound to be scolded again."
Lu Xingzhou's figure moved slightly, and his lowered eyes gradually met her gaze: "In my opinion, was this done by the Imperial Concubine?"
"It doesn't matter what I think, or even what the Empress thinks. The Imperial Concubine was punished by the Emperor, not me. What the Emperor wants to believe is what matters most."
"Yes, I understand."
"I thought that since I had done you a favor earlier, you would at least protect me." Wei Shuyi sighed softly, his words filled with disappointment. "I didn't expect that in such a critical moment, you would still side with the Imperial Concubine."
Wen Yu couldn't help but chime in, "Yes! With such a serious incident, it would be fine if Imperial Physician Lu could at least tell me privately so I could be aware of it. The young lady fainted from the pain that day, and you said it was normal. I don't know what I should do, what if it affects the delivery?"
Lu Xingzhou accepted the accusation silently and did not continue to argue.
He is used to doing this. If we continue to criticize him, the outcome may be contrary to our original intention.
Wei Shuyi's eyes signaled Wen Yu to stop talking, and he stood up with difficulty: "Doctor Lu, I am just a little disappointed. Compared to the risks that the imperial concubine may face, you completely disregard my life..."
"What I did was indeed unfair, and it's understandable that you've disappointed me. Noble Lady Wen was present at the time, and I knew the intricacies of the situation, fearing it would implicate the Imperial Concubine. After checking the pulse, I knew you were fine, so I spoke those words. Now that I think about it, I failed to put myself in your shoes, and I beg your pardon."
Others have already bowed their heads, and continuing to hold them accountable is a disguised way of severing ties of friendship.
Wei Shuyi sat on the cushion and stretched out his hand: "Then I'll punish you by making you feel my pulse again."
——
In Shoukang Palace, Concubine Jin and Concubine Wen were kneeling one after the other, and in the front was still the Empress Dowager who was concentrating on worshiping Buddha.
This was the most agonizing moment for Concubine Jin: her legs felt like they were surrounded by ants and were being bitten by them, but she could not move her body for fear of being accused of misconduct by the Empress Dowager.
Lady Wen was calm and composed. She was studying Buddhist scriptures and fiddling with the Buddhist beads in her hands. She didn't seem to be having a hard time.
"Empress Dowager, Xi Changzai is here."
Aunt Zijin stepped forward and reported in a low voice.
"This child is already old and has difficulty walking, so why is he still running to my palace?"
"Then I will help you up and go over to take a look?"
The Queen Mother opened her eyes and held out her left hand, tacitly agreeing, "Don't keep her waiting too long. Her body can't bear it."
Just like that, only the statues of gods were left in the temple staring at the two of them, and the feeling of oppression was reduced by a lot.
Concubine Jin let out a long sigh: "Sister, does your knee hurt?"
"The Empress Dowager specially arranged the softest cushions for us. I don't feel any pain. How about you, elder sister?"
"Now that the Queen Mother has gone to meet guests, you don't have to pretend like this. If the Bodhisattva hears, it won't be in your power to speak a few good words for you!"
Noblewoman Wen chuckled softly and kowtowed to the statue again: "But my heart is sincere, and the Bodhisattva can sense it. Perhaps, I will be spared those punishments before you. I will try to leave the palace as soon as possible and go to the Hall of Eternal Life to serve the Emperor!"
Imperial Concubine Jin snorted coldly, "In Yonghua Palace, besides me, only Concubine Xi has ever been treated like a guest in Changsheng Palace. Who do you think you are? The Emperor may not value you!"
"I thought I was destined to be blessed by Concubine Xi, but who can guarantee that I wouldn't become another one? First, she stayed overnight, then she slept with me a few times and I got pregnant. From now on, my father will be at ease and won't have to worry about my eldest sister's belly anymore!"
Noble Lady Wen had always been mean and vicious, and had repeatedly humiliated Concubine Jin when they were still in the boudoir. She repeatedly targeted her sore spots, fearing that she would not retaliate in anger.
"How dare you utter such obscene words in front of the gods and Buddhas? How can you be so shameless!!"
"Sister, what you said is a sin. How can continuing the royal family's lineage be considered filthy?" Noble Lady Wen clasped her hands together and looked towards the Buddha statue. "Amitabha, please forgive my careless words, and please do not bring down the divine punishment of a barren woman!"
"you?!"
As Wei Shuyi walked to the back door of the Buddhist hall, he saw Concubine Jin stand up angrily and slap Concubine Wen in the face!
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