Song Xibai pondered for a moment before looking up.
"Is Commander Yue free? Please ask him to come over."
Wei Hong turned around and ran out. Not long after, she led Commander Yue in.
Commander Yue was about to bow to Song Xibai when Song Xibai helped him up.
"Outside, Commander Yue, there's no need for such formalities. I'd like to ask if Yuan Qian has experienced any unusual circumstances lately?"
Commander Yue carefully considered his tone before replying, "Young Master Yuan hasn't done anything out of line lately. He spends most of his time at home, reading and practicing calligraphy, and rarely goes out. However, he visits Abbess Wangnian every month."
Master Wangnian, also known as Shu, had not been heard from by Song Xibai since she shaved her head and became a nun.
"Where does Abbess Wangnian live now?"
Song Xibai asked again.
Master Wangnian originally became a nun at Huangjue Temple, but since Huangjue Temple was full of monks, it was not appropriate for her, a woman, to stay there for a long time. So, in the end, the abbot of Huangjue Temple introduced her to a nearby nunnery.
This nunnery is nothing special; it's just an ordinary nunnery that only takes in poor women who have nowhere else to go and no home.
"The Taiping Nunnery is located east of Longevity Hill, only a quarter of an hour's walk from the estate. Would Your Highness like to go and take a look?"
Song Xibai looked at Wei Hong: "Have everything been arranged on the estate?"
Wei Hong nodded: "Everything has been arranged as you instructed. The same goes for the Empress Dowager."
Song Xibai nodded.
"Let's go take a look now! I'll trouble Commander Yue to lead the way."
Commander Yue quickly waved his hand, bowed, and withdrew.
Song Xibai didn't invite anyone else to accompany her, only Wei Hong. She changed into some casual clothes and quietly boarded an inconspicuous little carriage.
Although Song Xibai wanted to travel light, Commander Yue still ordered a team of guards to accompany her and personally drove her to Taiping Nunnery.
Upon arriving at Taiping Nunnery, Song Xibai helped Wei Hong out of the carriage, and immediately a kind-looking nun came out from inside.
"We apologize for not being able to properly welcome our distinguished guests."
Did you know in advance that you would be coming?
Song Xibai glanced at Commander Yue.
Commander Yue hurriedly explained, "Before we came, His Majesty repeatedly instructed me to ensure your safety and not allow any mishaps, otherwise he would send me to pay with my head."
Song Xibai found it both funny and touching.
"Alright, alright, I didn't mean to blame you. Let the guards stay outside! This is a nunnery, so you shouldn't go in."
Commander Yue accepted the order and left.
Then, Song Xibai, accompanied by Wei Hong, followed the nun into the nunnery.
The nun did not lead them straight in, but instead turned a corner in the front yard and headed towards the adjacent side yard.
This is a large courtyard. To the north is a row of neat houses, which seem to be sleeping quarters. The side rooms on this side have been converted into a kitchen and a woodshed, and two middle-aged nuns are chopping wood at the entrance.
Upon seeing strangers, the two were somewhat surprised and quickly stood up to greet them.
Song Xibai returned the Buddhist salute, then walked forward, passed through the side gate, and arrived at the back of the courtyard.
Behind this yard is a vegetable garden.
It was the height of summer, and the fruits and vegetables in the garden were growing rapidly. The area closest to Song Xibai was planted with eggplants, which were covered with long and round purple eggplants.
Further away are various leafy green vegetables, such as bok choy, Chinese cabbage, spinach, amaranth, and so on.
As for the four sides of the vegetable garden, trellises were built, and beans grew on them.
In addition, the gaps in the vegetable garden are also covered with vines of loofah, cucumber, pumpkin and winter melon.
The lush vegetable garden reminded Song Xibai of the days when she was pregnant on the estate.
Just as she was about to ask, she suddenly saw a dusty figure in the distance carrying a bucket of water, slowly walking towards her.
The moment Song Xibai saw that person, she froze.
Even Wei Hong was surprised. She took two steps closer to Song Xibai and asked in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, that is...is it Lady Shu?"
Song Xibai blinked to make sure she wasn't seeing things, then nodded, but then corrected her.
"She should be called Master Wangnian."
Wei Hong stuck out her tongue: "This servant never expected that she would actually become a nun... I originally thought she was only doing it out of necessity to save her life!"
Song Xibai thought so too.
The main reason was that they had all seen the spirited and arrogant Consort Shu back in the palace.
At that time, Consort Shu was dressed in gorgeous clothes, adorned with pearls and jade, and had a beautiful face. The nun in front of me was dressed simply, with her eyebrows lowered and her eyes filled with humility.
She walked to the edge of the vegetable garden, put down the bucket, looked up, and saw Song Xibai and her servant. She paused for a moment, then smiled and walked towards them.
Only after that smile did Song Xibai recognize a resemblance to the former Consort Shu on her face.
"This humble nun presumptuously greets Her Highness Consort Xi."
Wangnian walked over and bowed to her.
Upon hearing this form of address, Song Xibai's lips twitched subconsciously, but she quickly concealed it, clasped her hands together, and returned the greeting.
"I accompanied the Empress Dowager to Huangjue Temple to worship Buddha, and stopped by to take a look."
She explained why she had come, but didn't mention Yuan Qian at all.
Wang Nian looked up in the direction of Longevity Hill and suddenly realized, "That's right, it's summer."
She quickly looked away.
"Guests are always welcome. Your Majesty, please have a cup of tea before you leave!"
As she spoke, she took the lead and walked towards the side courtyard.
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