Chapter 12. Enemies meet on a narrow road.
"Even without this incident, doesn't the Empress still see me as a thorn in her side?"
“Over the years, have the Empress and Yuyao ever allowed me even a moment of peace?” Jiang Fushi took a slow breath to calm herself down and continued, “But if I stand idly by today and let that villain do evil, I will only feel a pang of conscience and be unable to sleep at night whenever I think of this in the future.”
If that woman were truly forcibly taken into Cao Zhang's mansion, given his tyrannical nature, she would likely suffer a fate worse than death, ultimately dying with resentment.
"Your Highness is right." Lou Bingling's expression turned serious, then admiring.
"That father and daughter are indeed pitiful. If it weren't for His Highness's protection today, they would have already fallen into the jaws of wolves, and their fate would be uncertain."
As they were talking, the old man who had just been beaten, holding his daughter Rongrong's hand, knelt before Jiang Fushi with tears in his eyes, his voice trembling: "Thank you so much, Your Highness, for saving my life! I have no way to repay you, and in my next life I am willing to be your servant! Please, Your Highness, have mercy on me again. Rongrong... she has no one to rely on, and I am afraid that Young Master Cao will return!"
Rongrong was petite, and the farce just now had left her completely flustered. She was trembling uncontrollably and looked truly pitiful.
"Get up and speak. What grievances do you have? Just tell me," Jiang Fushi said softly.
Qingdai reached out and helped Rongrong up, then took out a handkerchief to wipe the dirt off her body.
"Your Highness, Princess..." Rongrong's voice was barely audible, still filled with lingering fear. She was about to kneel down and kowtow again: "There is no rice left in the house, my mother has passed away, and my father is bedridden. He was probably even more seriously injured while protecting me. I beg Your Highness to have mercy. Rongrong is willing to serve you like a cow or a horse, to pray for Your Highness's well-being, and to dedicate her whole life to you!"
The old man covered his face and wept, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing to Jiang Fushi: "Your Highness, this humble one is truly desperate. My family's shop was poorly managed, and we owed money to the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, which is why we have suffered this misfortune today."
"This humble subject does not ask for any reward or silver from Your Highness, but only begs that you take in my daughter and give her a way to live. I humbly beg Your Highness to grant my request. I am willing to repay your great kindness in my next life!"
Zisu couldn't help but plead, "Your Highness, this girl is all alone and helpless. Why not give her a way out and let her come into the mansion to do some cleaning and chores?"
An old man and a child knelt on the cold ground, their cries filled with anguish. If they were allowed to leave like this, their family might be destroyed and their lives ruined the next day.
Jiang Fushi sighed and said to Rongrong, "How much money does your family still owe Cao Zhang? I will pay it all for you. I will also give you some money to treat your father's injuries and help him recover. From now on, you will come back to the manor with me. Aunt Qingdai and Aunt Zisu will help you get acquainted with the rules."
"Now, I must continue my journey to Cixi Temple. If you wish, you may return to bid farewell to your father and depart with me."
Upon hearing this, Rongrong could hardly believe her ears. She was stunned for a moment before she reacted, tears welling up in her eyes, and she kowtowed heavily.
"Your Highness's kindness and virtue will never be forgotten by Rongrong, and she will do everything in her power to repay Your Highness!"
"Go ahead and pack your things." Jiang Fushi looked at Qingdai. "Get ready and continue on your way."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Jiang Fushi bought some lotus-shaped pastries and almond Buddha's hand pastries from a pastry shop on the street, and savored them with Lou Bingling in the carriage. She asked Qingdai to distribute the remaining pastries to the accompanying guards and palace maids, and specially saved a large portion for Rongrong.
Judging from her appearance just now, she was obviously very hungry, and probably lives a frugal life.
Lou Bingling sighed, "The Cao family is already a wealthy and influential family, yet Cao Zhang, as the eldest son of the emperor's brother-in-law, still acts so recklessly and competes with the people for profit. It is truly despicable."
Jiang Fushi picked up her hot tea and took a sip, then shook her head slightly: "Power corrupts people's minds. In their eyes, what difference is there between ordinary people and ants?"
The carriage slowly drove through the bustling streets and arrived at the foot of Cuiyun Mountain. The surrounding scenery gradually became more serene. The path was surrounded by bamboo, and clear springs flowed like ribbons, converging at the top of the pond to form a small waterfall that cascaded down.
Jiang Fushi lifted the carriage curtain, and a refreshing scent wafted towards her, instantly making her feel invigorated.
Ci'an Temple is built on a spacious platform at the foot of the mountain. Although there is no need to climb the mountain, carriages can only stop outside the mountain gate.
It was nearly noon, but there were still a few pilgrims coming and going.
When Jiang Fushi got out of the carriage, she noticed a luxuriously decorated carriage next to her, with exquisite jade bells hanging from the four corners of the eaves, which was quite eye-catching.
She looked away, not taking it to heart, and climbed the steps.
Upon learning of the arrival of this distinguished guest, Abbess Jinghui of Ci'an Temple was already waiting outside the temple gate, followed by several monks who were there to greet guests.
Jiang Fushi clasped her hands together and nodded slightly: "Thank you for welcoming me, Abbess. I have come today only to pray for blessings and would not dare to trouble the temple too much."
Abbess Jinghui returned the greeting: "Your Highness's arrival is an honor to our humble temple. Please follow me inside."
Ancient trees reach for the sky in the temple, and the sound of chanting lingers in the air.
Just as Jiang Fushi was about to follow the abbot to the main hall to offer incense, a pink figure suddenly flashed before her eyes. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was Li Wanru, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yongjia.
Li Wanru's aunt was the emperor's favorite concubine, Consort Li. Thanks to the consort's favor, the Yongjia Marquis's family gained increasing influence in the court and became the most prominent maternal relatives outside of the empress's family.
This brought up an old grudge from a flower-viewing banquet three years ago.
One of the refined pleasures of the flower-viewing banquet was to savor the floral-scented liqueurs prepared by the noble ladies.
Li Wanru studied under a renowned perfumer and was extremely proud of her skills. At the banquet, she meticulously crafted a complex and expensive perfume called "National Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance," a subtle allusion to her aunt.
Everyone praised it at the time, regarding it as a top-quality product.
Only Jiang Fushi, when it was her turn to evaluate, merely took a light sniff and then frowned slightly.
"This incense uses precious and elaborate ingredients, but unfortunately... the proportion of ambergris and camphor is slightly excessive, overpowering the natural essence of the flowers and giving off an overbearing, deliberately luxurious feel. If you smell it for too long, it may cause restlessness and will not help you sleep."
Having her limelight stolen and being publicly criticized for the "vulgar" connotations of the perfume, Li Wanru lost face and became a laughingstock.
Jiang Fushi's casually crafted "Lotus Leaf Fragrance" was so fresh and refined that it earned her a casual compliment from the emperor.
From that moment on, Li Wanru harbored a deep grudge against this great humiliation, a grudge that persists to this day.
“No wonder I saw the guards clearing the road at the foot of the mountain just now, with such an extraordinary procession. It turns out that Princess Yuhe has arrived. It has even given this peaceful Buddhist temple a touch of royal grandeur.” Li Wanru covered her lips with a round fan and said with a half-smile, without a trace of respect for Jiang Fushi in her eyes.
Lou Bingling frowned and stepped forward: "Miss Li, upon seeing Her Highness the Princess, shouldn't you pay your respects?"
"Greetings, Princess Yuhe." Li Wanru curtsied perfunctorily, her skirt barely rippled, her chin slightly raised, her gaze sideways.
What a small world! I ran into her here. She was as arrogant and rude as ever.
Jiang Fushi did not immediately wake Li Wanru, allowing her to remain in that awkward posture for a moment before speaking slowly and deliberately: "Miss Li, there is no need for such formalities. This is a pure Buddhist place, so these empty formalities should be avoided if possible."
Li Wanru then slowly straightened up, her eyes filled with coldness.
She looked Jiang Fushi up and down, examining her clothes and accessories.
"It's been quite a while since I last saw Her Highness; she seems to have lost some weight. Is it because she's not used to the luxuries of the palace? Or is she longing for the simple life of the common people?"
"Indeed, such natural and unadorned elegance is beyond the comprehension of us ordinary people. However, Your Highness's status is different now, so you should pay more attention to it. Some things are too plain, which would lose the dignity of the royal family and make people misunderstand that His Majesty has mistreated Your Highness."
Li Wanru spoke with concern, seemingly out of consideration for Jiang Fushi, but in reality, she was mocking her humble origins and perceived inferiority.
Jiang Fu dressed simply because she was worshipping Buddha today, but unexpectedly, Li Wanru used this as an excuse to ridicule her for being stingy and impolite.
"My father taught that benevolence is the adornment of dignity, and frugality is the royal family's ancestral precept. Rather than wasting your energy on superficial things, it is better to cultivate inner virtue. As for the customs and folklore of the common people, they contain the hardships and wisdom of the people. Miss Li has lived in seclusion for a long time and naturally cannot understand them, but I find that I have benefited greatly from them."
These words, invoking both the emperor and ancestral precepts while simultaneously claiming to be on the high ground of compassion for the people, left Li Wanru speechless, her face turning pale and then red. She could only stammer, "Your Highness is right..."
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she dug her fingertips into her palm.
Seeing this, the maidservant beside her carefully comforted her: "Miss, calm down. Don't get upset and harm your health. That Princess Yuhe is just a lucky one who has returned to the family. She is a phoenix who became a nun halfway through her life. She has the title of princess in name only. How can she be compared with a true golden branch and jade leaf, a noble lady from a high family like you?"
Hearing this, the anger surging in Li Wanru's heart gradually subsided.
She said indignantly, "Three years ago, she publicly humiliated me and made me a laughing stock in the capital. Today, she is using His Majesty and ancestral precepts to pressure me. How can I tolerate this!"
The personal maid kept her head down, not daring to say a word.
As if remembering something, Li Wanru suddenly asked, "Do you still have the leftover Red Treasure Grass from last time?"
"Yes, I keep some in my sachet to repel mosquitoes. Miss, what are you doing here?"
A glint of malice flashed in Li Wanru's eyes: "Isn't she going to offer incense? I'll let her 'shine' before the Buddha for once! Go, find a way to secretly sprinkle some on the top of the big incense stick she's going to light. Be quick and discreet!"
After offering incense in the various side halls, Jiang Fushi arrived at the bronze cauldron specially set up for the royal family to hold giant incense and candles.
This is the most popular spot in the temple, and only a giant incense stick with a coiled dragon design can show sincerity.
His eyesight, far exceeding that of ordinary people, had already locked onto Li Wanru's maid when she approached the incense burner, and he hadn't missed the subtle action of her lightly flicking her fingertips and sprinkling that little bit of reddish-brown powder onto the incense stick.
Although I don't know exactly what it is, it's definitely not well-intentioned.
He joined his two fingers together, condensed his energy into a line, and the icy cold air directly attacked that tiny flame.
A very faint sound of the engine shutting off.
The tinder in Jiang Fushi's hand was extinguished instantly, leaving only a wisp of blue smoke. An unusual chill spread up the bamboo tinder handle, causing her fingertips to tremble slightly.
She looked down at the extinguished tinder in her hand and was taken aback.
I subconsciously looked up and around, only to see a clear blue sky and the leaves of the ancient trees not even swaying. Where did this evil wind come from?
Rongrong, who had been standing quietly, suddenly leaned close to her and said earnestly and anxiously, "Your Highness, this incense has been drugged. You can't light it; it will explode instantly!"
Jiang Fushi frowned, glanced at the Panlong Incense, and then looked at the little girl in front of her who looked panicked but unusually serious: "What did you say? How do you know that this incense has been tampered with?"
Rongrong was so anxious she was about to cry: "Your Highness doesn't know, this servant has a naturally keen sense of smell, unlike ordinary people, and can smell the very subtle scents."
“My family has been in the medicinal herb business for generations, and through years of exposure to it, I remember the smells of many medicines very clearly.”
“Your Highness, this servant is certain that this incense has been sprinkled with red sapphire powder. Once it comes into contact with an open flame, it will burn rapidly and with great power, and it is very easy to injure people.”
"A slight mistake could even lead to disfigurement!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
