Watching Lin Wanyi's carriage disappear into the distance, Xin Jiuwei stood at the entrance of Jingyuan Garden, the autumn wind ruffling her skirt. She glanced down at the still-wet ink on the prescription in her hand, then looked up at the gloomy sky. In this cold, calculating city, a faint but real sliver of warmth seemed to penetrate. She gripped the prescription tightly, a resolute glint in her eyes. Lin Wanyi was perhaps the first true ally she had gained in this cold city.
Xin Kui's injuries recovered quickly under Lin Wanyi's skillful hands and Xin Jiuwei's meticulous care. However, beneath the surface calm, undercurrents never ceased to surge.
A few days later, a sincere and Buddhist-themed invitation arrived at Jingyuan. The Second Prince, Xiao Zhuo, had set up a vegetarian feast at the famous ancient temple "Ci'en Temple" in the capital, inviting his brothers, members of the imperial family, and their families to worship Buddha and discuss Taoism together, and to pray for the ailing Empress Dowager.
"A trap." Xin Kui looked at the invitation and said coldly.
Xin Jiuwei set down the invitation, her fingertips tracing the elegant, ethereal handwriting penned by Xiao Zhuo. This Second Prince had indeed made his move. A Buddhist prayer ceremony—the name was grand and respectable, and the location was a secluded place of cultivation—leaving her with no reason to refuse.
"Prepare the car, let's go," Xin Jiuwei said calmly. What's meant to happen, can't be avoided.
Ancient trees towered over Ci'en Temple, and the air was filled with the sounds of chanting. A vegetarian meal was served in a secluded Zen courtyard. Xiao Zhuo, dressed in a simple lay Buddhist robe, held prayer beads in his hand, his smile gentle, like a compassionate Buddhist disciple. The Empress, several princes and princesses, and the families of several important officials from Xiao Zhuo's faction were all present. Xiao Xun was also there, seated below Xiao Zhuo, his expression indifferent. Xin Jiuwei was seated among the women, neither too close nor too far from Xiao Xun.
The vegetarian meal was exquisite, and Xiao Zhuo spoke with elegance, quoting scriptures and discussing the profound meaning of Buddhism, which drew applause from the crowd, creating a seemingly peaceful atmosphere. Princess Yongjia and the Fifth Princess Xiao Yufu were also unusually quiet today, but the occasional glances they cast at Xin Jiuwei still carried a venomous chill.
After several rounds of drinks, they exchanged cups of plain tea. Xiao Zhuo's gaze, seemingly unintentionally, fell on Xin Jiuwei, his smile still gentle: "Speaking of which, Sixth Sister-in-law, you come from Yingzhou, so you must not be very familiar with the grand Buddhist pilgrimage in the capital. The Palm Leaf Sutra at Ci'en Temple is a national treasure; perhaps the abbot can show it to you later."
Xin Jiuwei rose and gave a slight curtsy: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I am but a humble person with limited knowledge, and it is truly an honor to have the chance to see the Buddha's treasure."
Xiao Zhuo nodded with a smile, but then changed the subject quite naturally: "Although Yingzhou is far away, I've heard that Lord Xin was an upright official with a good reputation. The Xin family has a long tradition of scholarship and strict family discipline, which is why they were able to raise such a kind and virtuous woman as my sixth sister-in-law." He first praised the Xin family, then added with a touch of appropriate感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection), "It's just that the capital city has many rules and people are complicated. It's not like Yingzhou, where a letter from home and a few volumes of poetry are enough to maintain a good reputation. My sister-in-law has suddenly found herself in the eye of the storm, and every move she makes is being scrutinized. It must be quite difficult for her."
He sighed, seemingly genuinely concerned for Xin Jiuwei: "I've heard some rumors circulating in the capital recently, slandering your reputation, and even... implicating the Xin family's honor. Please don't take it to heart; the innocent will clear themselves. However..." He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his tone becoming earnest, "The position of the Crown Prince's principal wife concerns the face of the imperial family, the reputation of my sixth brother, and even the stability of the nation. You must be even more careful with your words and actions in the future, constantly reflecting on the Xin family's upright character, and lest those unfounded rumors tarnish the Xin family's reputation, and... also implicate my sixth brother."
Every word, like a gentle spring breeze, was piercing to the heart! On the surface, it was comforting and a reminder, but in reality, every sentence emphasized Xin Jiuwei's "humble origins" and "incompatibility with the capital," stressing that the Xin family's so-called "reputation" needed her to be carefully maintained, otherwise she would "tarnish the family's honor" and "implicate the prince"! He subtly placed Xin Jiuwei in opposition to the entire Xin family, in a dangerous situation that could damage the royal family's reputation, and deeply imprinted the impression in the minds of all the imperial family members and high-ranking officials present that "Xin Jiuwei is a stain and a burden on Xiao Xun"!
The monastery was silent. All eyes were fixed on Xin Jiuwei, filled with scrutiny, suspicion, and even a hint of rejection. The Empress frowned slightly, her gaze towards Xin Jiuwei showing even more displeasure.
Xin Jiuwei felt a chill run from her feet to the top of her head, her blood almost freezing. Xiao Zhuo's move was a hundred times more vicious than Yongjia's open attacks! She couldn't directly refute him, otherwise she would be seen as "hot-tempered" and "ungrateful." She could only endure it!
She took a deep breath, suppressing the anger and humiliation surging in her chest, her face striving to maintain a submissive demeanor and a perfectly measured hint of sadness and grievance. She rose again, bowed deeply in Xiao Zhuo's direction, her voice trembling slightly, yet clearly stating:
"Your Highness's teachings are etched in my heart, resounding like thunder in my ears. The Xin family's reputation is the result of our ancestors' hard work, and as a daughter of the Xin family, I dare not forget it for even a day. Your Highness's reputation is of paramount importance to the nation. I know my own insignificance, but Your Highness has not abandoned me. I can only be cautious and prudent, fulfilling my duty with utmost integrity, serving Your Highness with the utmost sincerity, daring not to slacken in the slightest, for fear of failing Your Majesty's grace, disgracing my family, and even... damaging Your Highness's reputation in the slightest." She lowered her stance to the lowest possible level, taking all the responsibility upon herself, indicating that she would strive to "clear her name" and "not be a burden," using an almost humble promise to defuse Xiao Zhuo's fatal blow.
Her words plunged the monastery into an even deeper silence. Some eyes showed sympathy, some remained disdainful, and others seemed lost in thought.
"Enough." A cold voice broke the silence.
Xiao Xun set down his teacup, making a crisp clinking sound. He raised his eyes, his gaze as deep and cold as a still pool, looking directly at Xiao Zhuo. His voice, though not loud, carried a cold, unyielding strength, resounding clearly throughout every corner of the Zen monastery:
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