Chapter 39 Pei's Ritual

In the back hall, Pei Xian's ritual was in progress.

He Yuyao looked coldly at Minister He, Lin, and He Yunyao who were standing beside him with pious faces.

I wonder what they are thinking at this moment? Are they hoping that their mother will bless them with promotion and wealth? Or are they hoping that their mother will bless them with undiminished favor? Or are they hoping that their mother will bless them with marriage to a rich family?

She couldn't help but look up at her mother's spirit tablet, hoping that her mother would be reborn into a good family soon, so that her next life would not be as miserable as this one.

Pei Xian's ritual started at noon and ended at noon.

Minister He and his companions were already very hungry, so they went to the guest room prepared in the backyard to eat.

The prince and his companions only came at the end of the morning hour to burn incense and then left.

Even so, as long as the prince comes forward, it will be a great honor.

Now only He Yuyao and Pei Chuyan were left in the back hall, staying quietly.

After a long time, He Yuyao spoke, "Cousin, go and have a rest."

Pei Chuyan looked at He Yuyao, opened his mouth again and again, but finally did not speak. He just bowed again towards Pei Xian's tablet, then left the back hall and went to the backyard.

He Yuyao stared at her mother's tablet for a long time before she spoke: "Mother, my daughter is living a good life now. Today, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Second Prince came to pay homage. Did you see them, mother?"

"After my uncle passed away, my cousin has been living in the palace. Now he lives in the palace of Concubine Chen. Mother didn't see him today. Concubine Chen is very kind and is still supporting me in the He family!"

"It doesn't matter how my father treats me anymore."

After He Yuyao said this, she lay down for a long time without getting up.

As for Lu Xingwan, he felt uneasy since leaving the front hall, but he knew it was useless, so he just let Jinxin hold him and slowly walked into the backyard.

Compared with the strong smell of fireworks in the front yard, the backyard is exceptionally quiet and seems isolated from the world.

Lu Xingwan looked at the backyard and found that although the layout was simple, it had a unique charm. Her mother did not lie. Perhaps it was because there was no mess in the palace, she liked this kind of environment very much.

Not long after Jinyu and the others had finished packing, Concubine Chen came back from the front yard.

Lu Xingwan, however, was observing Concubine Chen carefully.

Knowing that Wanwan was feeling uneasy, Concubine Chen Guifei stepped forward and hugged her to reassure her.

"How come the Queen came back so quickly?" Jinyu asked as she was packing.

Concubine Chen Guifei took out the collected Buddhist beads and handed them to Jinxin: "Jinxin, these are Master Mingze's Buddhist beads. You must keep them well."

Jin Xin hurriedly took it and asked in surprise, "It turned out to be Master Mingze's Buddhist beads. How could he give such a precious thing to the queen?"

Concubine Chen touched Lu Xingwan in her arms and said with a smile, "Speaking of which, it was given to our Wanwan. Master Mingze said that Wanwan is a blessing to our Great Chu State. I told him about our assassination a few days ago, and he said that he would give this Buddhist bead to Wanwan to keep her safe."

Naturally, she didn't say much else.

Master Mingze did not explain clearly that since he was waiting for her in the main hall today, it was impossible that he was waiting for her just because Wanwan had the Buddha Lotus birthmark.

But since the master didn’t say it clearly, I naturally wouldn’t mention it.

If someone knew that I could hear Wanwan's thoughts, wouldn't they treat her as an alien? What if...

Forget it. Anyway, I’m the only one who knows about this matter, so I’ll naturally protect Wanwan.

Not long after, the crown prince and the second prince also returned.

"Those who have been waiting at the foot of the mountain can also go up the mountain to burn incense." The prince said with emotion.

He originally wanted to keep a low profile, burn incense on behalf of Madam He, come to the backyard to have dinner with his aunt and Wanwan, and then return to the palace.

However, he didn't expect that the news of his burning incense for Madam He had been leaked.

When they went up the mountain just now, there were many official vehicles parked at the foot of the stairs. It was not known whether they were here for Concubine Chen and her entourage, or if it was just a coincidence.

Concubine Chen smiled jokingly and said, "I think it's because our Crown Prince and Second Prince have reached a certain age, and there are more girls coming to see them."

"Don't make fun of me, Madam Chen. I am so young. I'm afraid they are all here for the Crown Prince."

As they were talking, they heard word from outside that the wife of Minister He had arrived with her little daughter.

Although Concubine Chen was unhappy, she still invited the person in.

"Greetings to the Royal Concubine, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness the Second Prince, and Princess Yong'an." The mother and daughter entered the house and greeted each other in a proper manner.

But after they stood up, He Yunyao's gaze turned to the second prince.

[These mother and daughter don't look like good people. They came to Mingjing Temple with some ulterior motive.]

[I think my second brother was wrong this time. I think the second young lady of the He family came for him.]

[After all, my eldest brother already has a wife, so this He Er Xiaojia probably wants to be my second brother's wife! Humph, don't you see what kind of person you are? How can you be worthy of my second brother? ]

[If she gets promoted, what will Rong's sister do? They are the official couple! ]

Lu Xingwan could see it, and naturally Concubine Chen could see it as well.

She looked at the Second Prince, but saw that he was talking to the Crown Prince and seemed to have no interest in the Second Miss He.

Then he asked, "Mrs. He, why are you here? Have you finished your work?"

"Your Highness, we are almost done with our work. Let's have some food. I heard that the food in Mingjing Temple is very good. Your Highness, have you tried it?"

Concubine Chen Guifei avoided the question and said, "I wonder if Miss He is ready to eat?"

"Your Majesty," it was He Yunyao who spoke this time, "my sister is still in the front and back halls!"

Lu Xingwan couldn't help but roll his eyes.

[Look at her cute face, and she dresses so thoughtfully. Even though she is wearing plain clothes, she pays attention to every detail! ]

[While speaking, he kept looking at his second brother.]

Listening to Lu Xingwan's inner thoughts, Concubine Chen Gui couldn't help but turn cold towards the mother and daughter.

"Mrs. He, why don't you just focus on your daughter first? We will make arrangements for her later."

After saying that, he looked at Jinxin again and said, "Jinxin, I'm tired, please see me off!"

This left Lin's mother and daughter confused.

When did I offend Concubine Chen?

"I wonder if Concubine Chen has always been like this. Why is she so cold?" After leaving the room, Lin said softly.

"She was originally there to support He Yuyao, so how could she like me?"

Lin couldn't help but pull He Yunyao's arm: "Then you..."

"So what? After all, she is not the biological mother of the Second Prince, and she is not the Empress, so she cannot make the decision. I still have to win the Second Prince's favor."

The mother and daughter walked further and further away as they talked.