Chapter 66 The Bitter Flesh Plan
On the morning of September 1st, when paying respects, the second daughter, who had been ill for three days, finally showed her face. She was slightly thinner, and her eyes were no longer as bright and almost aggressive as before. This made her fiery and radiant beauty more subdued, adding a touch of lingering charm.
Seeing her usually flamboyant daughter so dejected, the old lady felt pity for her and said, "Second daughter, I'm going to Tianqing Temple to burn incense and fast today. Why don't you come with me? Let's burn incense, pray for blessings, and cleanse ourselves of impurities. What do you say?"
The second daughter smiled and said, "I was just about to ask Grandmother, but Grandmother spoke first. Of course, I couldn't be happier."
After breakfast, the old lady took the second daughter, Ruan Bi, Zheng Mama, and Manyun to Tianqing Temple.
The atmosphere in the carriage with the second young lady and Ruan Bi was predictably cold. Chunyun and Xiuzhi sat on small stools, barely daring to breathe. The second young lady, however, kept staring out the window, her face, half-carved with swords, radiating a chilling aura.
Halfway there, she suddenly said coldly, "Don't think that I'll forgive you just because you sent me the draft. Let me tell you, I will never forgive you."
Ruan Bi looked at her in surprise, wondering, just how awful must someone be to say something so outrageous? After thinking about it, she ultimately decided there was no point in communicating with her. Fortunately, the awful second young lady didn't say another word for the rest of the journey.
Upon arriving at Tianqing Temple, just as before, the guest monk greeted us at the gate, led us to the guest hall to sit down, and then served tea.
Just as they had taken a few sips, a 13 or 14-year-old, mature and composed novice monk came in and asked, "Which one of you is Miss Ruan Wu? My aunt Bai Lian invites you."
Who exactly is Bai Lian? Ruan Bi held up her cup, looking at the young novice monk with a puzzled expression.
But then the old lady asked, "Has Master Bailian returned from his travels?"
The young novice said, "Yes, I have been back for ten days. I heard that Master Ziying's disciple is also fasting today, so he asked me to come and invite him."
The old lady nodded, seeing that Ruan Bi still looked confused, and said, "Master Bailian and Master Ziying are friends outside the secular world, so they must have heard about you and want to meet you. I have some homework to do later, so I can't accompany you. Let Granny Zheng go with you."
Ruan Bi nodded, and under the Second Miss's gloomy gaze, followed the young novice monk out, turning east and west, until they arrived at a secluded room in the backyard. The young novice monk pushed open the wooden door and gestured for them to enter. "Fifth Miss, please come in. Uncle Bailian only has you here; please have your servant wait outside."
Xiuzhi and Zheng Mama were taken aback and looked at Ruan Bi.
Ruan Bi also felt a little strange, but thinking that Master Bailian was a hermit and had an acquaintance with Master Ziying, there shouldn't be any danger. So she nodded slightly, indicating that they could just guard the door. She then stepped over the threshold, and as soon as she entered, she heard the sound of the wooden door closing, which intensified the strange feeling. She stopped and looked around. The hermitage was very spacious, dimly lit, with only one window on the east side, through which several clumps of chrysanthemums swayed gracefully.
A figure stood in the shadows by the window, his face obscured. He wore a blue cloth robe, his black hair tied up in a bun and wrapped in blue cloth. Could Master Bailian be a young lay disciple? Ruan Bi wondered, pondering whether to cough. He took a step forward, standing in the sunlight, his entire face clearly visible, his beard stubble covering his features, except for his eyes, which shone like stars, looking at her with a mischievous smile.
Ruan Bi looked at him carefully for a while, then couldn't help but smile. "Why are you dressed like this? At first glance, I would have thought you were a monkey from the mountains."
"You've got guts. I thought you'd scream and run away!"
Ruan Bi smiled, stepped forward, curtsied, and said in a clear voice, "This humble woman greets Master Bai Lian."
The Prince of Jin laughed, his full beard trembling. "You're usually so polite, but now you're all set? How hypocritical." He reached out and pulled her arm, feeling her soft, boneless body, and his heart melted. His voice deepened, "I've missed you so much. Have you missed me?"
Ruan Bi felt as sweet as honey, but she rolled her eyes at him and said, "If you really missed me, why haven't you written a letter for so many days?"
"I went to another city for four days and just got back this morning. I came here to wait for you as soon as I got back."
His voice was different from his usual clear and melodious tone; it was slightly hoarse, yet possessed a unique charm that made one blush and their heart race. Ruan Bi managed to calm herself down, noticing the slight dark circles under his eyes, which clearly indicated he wasn't lying, and said, "Then what are you doing here? Go back and rest."
"It's not easy to meet her, so I have to take a good look at her." Prince Jin said, turning her body to face him and scrutinizing her carefully with eager eyes.
Ruan Bi lowered her head shyly, and heard him say in a low voice, "Yunying said you have a new pomegranate skirt that is exceptionally gorgeous and looks very good on you. Why don't you wear it and let me see it?"
"Why am I dressed so extravagantly when I'm here to burn incense and fast today?"
"Oh, then what are you doing dressed so extravagantly at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion?"
His tone was a little strange, and Ruan Bi's heart sank. She looked up at him, but his face was covered in a beard, so she couldn't see his expression at all.
He looked at her, his gaze bright and piercing. "I rarely see you pay attention to your clothes, why are you so particular about them just for a visit to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion?"
"It's not about being particular..."
Before he could finish speaking, he added, "If it's not about being particular, then what is it? Are you deliberately trying to make my aunt, who dislikes luxury, dislike you?"
Ruan Bi's eyes widened in surprise, and she said, "You...know?"
“That’s my aunt, of course I know. As for you, of course I know you too, you’re full of tricks. But don’t do that next time, my aunt often goes to the palace to talk with the Empress Dowager, if she dislikes you, then things won’t go as planned.” Prince Jin naturally knew why Ruan Bi wanted Madam Gu to dislike her, but since she didn’t say it, he didn’t want to say more. He patted her head and said, “You don’t need to worry about some things, things will fall into place naturally.”
Ruan Bi nodded haphazardly, deeply moved. So there really was such a person, who understood everything you did, without needing explanation or reason.
"What exactly is that dress like? Yunying said you looked like a goddess or fairy in it. Remember to wear it next time so I can see just how beautiful you are."
Ruan Bi nodded haphazardly again, feeling like she had become stupid and couldn't do anything but nod.
Prince Jin smiled, pulled her to the window, and, in the daylight, looked her up and down again. His eyes, however, were no longer as intense as before, but rather held a calmness as if he were examining an object.
Ruan Bi was puzzled by his gaze and asked, "What are you looking at?"
"I was thinking, should I stab you there with the sword later?"
"What...does that mean?" Ruan Bi felt that her brain was not keeping up with her pace today.
"I've come today to tell you something important. Remember, when the scriptures are being presented, if the crowd becomes agitated, move closer to Old Madam Shen. When the assassin draws his sword, rush in front of Old Madam Shen to shield her. The assassin will stab you..." Prince Jin's gaze swept over her, finally pressing his thumb on her shoulder. "Here. This assassin is someone I arranged. He's highly skilled and uses the thinnest sword; it won't leave a serious wound. Don't be afraid. You must rush in front of Old Madam Shen to shield her, understand?"
He didn't explain why, but Ruan Bi was clever and quickly realized that it was a ruse.
"I didn't want you to get hurt, but after much thought, this is the best way. Prime Minister Shen is a proud and upright man, not someone who can be bought with money or coerced with force. The only way is to do him a favor. He is a filial son. When your mother divorced him, it was Old Madam Shen who insisted on it. Today you saved her, and tomorrow the news will spread throughout the capital. A small favor should be repaid with a great one. Prime Minister Shen will definitely let you be recognized as a member of his family. Otherwise, he won't be able to silence the gossip of the world, and he will be ashamed to be a role model for all scholars. Once you become Prime Minister Shen's eldest daughter..."
“You don’t need to say it, I understand.” Ruan Bi interrupted him, feeling a bit resentful at the thought of being recognized as the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Shen. Although she didn’t know the real reason for Ruan Lan’s divorce from him, she instinctively sympathized with Ruan Lan. She couldn’t help but sigh whenever she thought of Ruan Lan’s life, so adrift and forlorn. But even with her resentment, she had to do it without hesitation. Prince Jin had painstakingly arranged all of this to clear obstacles for their future; how could she possibly hinder him? He wouldn’t betray her, and she wouldn’t betray him either.
The Prince of Jin said nothing more and reached out to pull her into his arms.
After a quarter of an hour, the two reluctantly parted ways, and Ruan Bi returned to the guest room.
The old lady was probably still chanting scriptures and doing her homework. Only the second young lady was there. She looked Ruan Bi up and down and said, "How strange. Fifth sister, were you just going to see Master Bailian? How come you're all dressed like a spring breeze?"
Ruan Bi's heart skipped a beat, and she asked, "So, Second Sister means, who should we see to feel all warm and fuzzy?"
The second young lady remained silent, continuing to drink her tea while her eyes darted around Ruan Bi.
A little while later, the old lady returned and led everyone to the East Hall. When they entered, Old Madam Shen was already there with Ruan Bi. The grandmother and granddaughter's gazes lingered slightly on Ruan Bi, who was wearing a veiled hat.
Right on time, the novice monk opened the door to the side hall.
A large group of people rushed in like a swarm of bees, led by seventeen or eighteen pregnant women who, supported by their families, went straight to Madam Shen's table and cried out, "Old Madam Shen, my daughter wants a son. Please let her touch your hand for good luck."
"Old Lady Shen, my wife has already given birth to two daughters. Please let her touch my hand so that she can receive some good fortune and give birth to a boy."
...
For a moment, it was as noisy as a vegetable market.
Ruan Bi searched through the crowd and saw Prince Jin standing at the door, looking at her with bright and gentle eyes.
The second daughter suddenly leaned close to her ear and said, "Who is that bearded man at the door? Why is he staring at Fifth Sister?"
Ruan Bi glared at her with disgust, pretended to avoid her, and took two steps toward Old Madam Shen.
The second girl followed closely, glancing at her and then at the bearded man at the door.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Shen's table was surrounded by the pregnant woman and her family. Pale-faced, she looked at the dozen or so hands reaching for her and took a step back. Her daughter-in-law quickly stepped forward and pulled her in front of her. Just as she was about to speak, the crowd suddenly began to stir. A cacophony of voices and a jumble of heads filled the air. Smoke from the main hall drifted in, blurring everyone's faces. The atmosphere in the entire East Hall became eerily mysterious.
Ruan Bi's heart skipped a beat as she glanced at the doorway again.
Prince Jin winked at her, and she nodded almost imperceptibly before taking another step toward Old Madam Shen.
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