Chapter 7 Prayer: "May Zhan (the author) and all things go smoothly."
Shen Mi quickly composed herself, wiped away her tears with a handkerchief hidden in her sleeve, tied the belt on her skirt, and laid her outer garment on the flat table to make sure there wasn't a single wrinkle before putting it on.
She knew very well that this was not her Qingluan Palace, nor was it her home. Even if she cried herself to death here today, no one would pity her, and they would even laugh at her for it.
After taking a deep breath, she found a mirror in Gu Zhan Palace and practiced in front of the bronze mirror many times. Finally, she found a decent, generous, and gentle smile, just like the one that Instructor Wu taught her when she was waiting to be married in the Shen family.
As she pushed open the door, Sun Cheng stepped forward to greet her, as if he wanted to explain something to her—no, he should say, he wanted to explain something on behalf of Gu Zhan.
In truth, she knew the reason all too well. When she and Gu Zhan were whispering sweet nothings and being all lovey-dovey in that corner, Sun Cheng wasn't around. What could he possibly know? He was just trying to ask her to be lenient with His Highness the Crown Prince. She had heard this kind of rhetoric far too many times since she married into the Eastern Palace.
Of course she had to "take care" of Gu Zhan, otherwise who would she rely on for the rest of her life?
Before Sun Cheng could speak, she interrupted him, saying, "Eunuch Sun, there's no need to say more. I know why His Highness left."
Sun Cheng looked at her with some doubt before letting out a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good. Consort, get some rest tonight. Perhaps you won't need to wait for His Highness."
Shen Mi had already turned her back, but upon hearing Sun Cheng's words, she couldn't help but pause slightly, and replied, "I know."
If Gu Zhanruo was interested in her, he wouldn't have suddenly withdrawn when things were about to go well, or even been so indifferent as to be devoid of any emotion or offer any words of comfort. Even if Sun Cheng hadn't said it, she knew she didn't need to wait for Gu Zhanruo.
On the way back to Qingluan Palace with the lantern, Cuiwei wanted to comfort Shenmi, but she didn't know what had happened in Qinzheng Palace, so she didn't know how to start the conversation.
But she didn't expect that the news of Gu Zhan leaving the Qin Zheng Hall ahead of time would spread so widely, and some palace servants couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Did you know that Consort Shen originally went to the Hall of Diligent Governance to see His Highness? About a quarter of an hour after she entered, His Highness suddenly came out of the hall with a displeased expression."
"You speak so truthfully, did you actually see it?"
“That’s right. I saw it clearly when Eunuch Sun called me back then, and the direction His Highness rode off in was probably towards Zhu Family Bridge outside the old Cao Gate.”
"Zhujiaqiao? Isn't that...that place a gathering place for brothels and pleasure quarters?"
They hid behind a withered tree by the palace lanterns along the roadside, whispering amongst themselves, completely unaware that the person in question was walking around the hanging flower gate next to them.
Every whisper reached Shen Mi's ears. Cuiwei glared at her and couldn't help but shout angrily, "Who gave you permission to gossip like this!"
The two palace maids quickly came to their senses and hurriedly knelt down to apologize to Shen Mi.
Shen Mi raised her hand, "No need to worry about it."
Cuiwei still felt indignant: "Miss..."
Shen Mi didn't speak, so Cuiwei could only turn around and glare fiercely at the two palace maids.
Shen Mi was almost at the Moon Gate near the Qingluan Palace when she heard the voices of the two palace maids coming from afar.
"She's just an unloved concubine, and she thinks she's something special!"
"Exactly! Let her be smug for a couple of days. Once His Highness welcomes the real Crown Princess into the palace, someone will deal with her!"
Cuiwei felt even more aggrieved: "Miss, you are just too soft-hearted. Since Her Majesty the Empress has put you in charge of the Eastern Palace, you should establish your authority!"
Shen Mi was in a bad mood and had no intention of arguing with her. She didn't say anything, and Cui Wei didn't dare to say anything more either. After returning to Qingluan Palace, she wanted to comfort Shen Mi, but Shen Mi directly dismissed her.
After days of heavy snow, a rare sunny day arrived. The moonlight was bright and clear, seeping in through the window, but she was wide awake.
Did Gu Zhan really go to that kind of place because of her unfamiliarity and lack of cooperation?
But she didn't mean it. It was just that she couldn't overcome her fear of Gu Zhan yet. After all, he was the current crown prince and the future emperor. She had no one behind her, so how could she not be afraid?
But why was Gu Zhan able to so clearly extricate himself from the situation at that point, leaving her alone and heartbroken? Or was he simply indiscriminate in his acceptance of anyone who threw themselves at him?
Shen Mi knew perfectly well that someone of Gu Zhan's status and position could not possibly remain chaste for over twenty years for anyone. But she still felt wronged.
The tears that she hadn't dared to shed freely in the Hall of Diligent Governance flowed down her cheeks at this moment, quickly soaking her pillow. Shen Mi felt a headache and didn't know when she had fallen asleep.
So much so that when the hairdresser did her hair the next day, she was still somewhat sleepy.
The woman who combed her hair chatted with her: "I heard that His Highness spent the whole night in the Ministry of Justice prison interrogating people last night, and hasn't returned yet."
Shen Mi opened her eyes: "The Ministry of Justice prison?"
Gu Zhan...didn't he go to that kind of place?
The woman combing her hair, unaware of what had happened the previous night, only said, "Perhaps the Lady went to bed early last night. His Highness went to Zhujiaqiao and caught that Xiang man, an accomplice of the Ministry of War, in adultery. It was irrefutable evidence of treason. The two were immediately arrested and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's jail. There's still no word on it, but I believe His Highness will surely bring this traitor to justice!"
Shen Mi's eyelashes trembled slightly. So Gu Zhan actually went to handle important matters? Or were they related to foreign tribes like the Dangxiang, and he didn't intentionally abandon her?
Actually, Gu Zhan doesn't dislike her?
Thinking of the Dangxiang, her father and brother died in the war between Daqi and the Dangxiang three years ago. Therefore, she also hated this tribe very much. If Gu Zhan could capture them this time and stop the loss in time, Daqi would die fewer people in future battles, and there would be fewer people like her who were lonely and helpless.
She turned to the woman combing her hair and asked, "If I remember correctly, today is Laba Festival?"
The woman combing her hair agreed.
The Great Qi has a long-standing tradition of going to temples to pray for blessings and offer incense on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. A few years ago, when she was in Yanzhou, which was close to the Dangxiang, there weren't many temples with thriving incense offerings, and she almost forgot about this custom.
"After breakfast, let's hitch a ride to Kaibao Temple. There are relics enshrined there, so it should be more effective," Shen Mi instructed calmly.
This was not a difficult task, and the servants quickly prepared it.
Shen Mi thought that she was not the Crown Princess, and today was Laba Festival, when the people of Bianjing would go to pray for blessings. The most popular temples in Bianjing were Daxiangguo Temple and Kaibao Temple. She didn't need to put on airs as a member of the royal family. She brought Mu Li and dressed up as an ordinary woman.
The last time she visited Kaibao Temple was when she was twelve years old, which must have been six years ago. When she was thirteen, her father was transferred to Yanzhou to guard the border due to a job change, and she and her mother went with him. Two years later, her father and brother died in battle, and she was in Yanzhou observing mourning for her father and brother while taking care of her seriously ill mother, so she was unable to visit again.
She imitated how her mother used to take her to worship Buddha in Bianjing, donating money for incense, and spending money to light eternal lamps for her parents and brothers. She bowed three times before the Buddha and walked around to the backyard.
In the middle was a large tree covered with red banners, and many people hung red silk ribbons on it, writing their wishes on them.
Seeing her stop, the young novice monk greeted her with a smile, "Would you like to make a wish, lady? This tree is very old; it was there when the temple was built. It's very effective for praying for marriage and children! It only costs ten coins!"
The young novice monk's words were practically impossible for a woman to refuse, since women usually only ask for these two things. However, these two things didn't seem to hold much appeal for Shen Mi.
As for marriage, she was already married, and the marriage was arranged by imperial decree. It didn't matter whether he was her sweetheart or not. As for the common woman's desire for a lifelong, monogamous relationship, she dared not even dream of it with Gu Zhan. As for offspring, that would be a matter for later.
"Are these the only two things I can ask for? Can I ask for anything else?"
The young novice monk continued to smile, his eyes sparkling: "Of course, but these two are the most effective. Would the lady like a red silk ribbon?"
Shen Mi was soft-hearted. It was only ten coins anyway. She gestured to Cuiwei to take the money and hand it to the young novice monk. After taking the ribbon and pen, she didn't know what to write for a long time.
She is now all alone, and all those who cared about her are now in the afterlife. She really has no requests. After thinking for a long time, she wrote down: "May Zhan have all things go smoothly."
She wrote the character "湛" very small, and even she herself didn't know if it was to avoid the taboo or something else.
Once the ink stains on the ribbon had dried completely, Shen Mi handed the red silk ribbon to the young novice.
The young novice took it, without even looking at the contents, and asked her, "This humble monk will help you hang it up. The higher it is hung, the easier it will be for the Buddha to see."
Shen Mi watched as he nimbly climbed the ladder next to the big tree and skillfully hung up the red ribbon.
As she watched the red ribbon flutter in the air, Shen Mi gently curved her lips into a smile.
She hadn't walked far when she heard someone call her by her childhood name: "Zhi Niang".
How familiar that voice was to her! She froze on the spot, but the person quickly caught up.
Two months ago, she searched for him in the midst of a blizzard, but could not find him—her childhood sweetheart, Chen Jun.
"Zhi Niang, how are you doing these days?"
Shen Mi took a step back. "Please be mindful of your manners, Young Master Chen. Do not call me by my maiden name again. I have already married into the Eastern Palace."
“Zhi Niang, I had no choice but to accept what happened that day…” Chen Jun wanted to step forward again.
Shen Mi said coldly, "Chen Jun, do I need to remind you again that I am now the Crown Prince's concubine, a member of the imperial family? You should bow to me when you see me."
Meanwhile, Gu Zhan came out of the Ministry of Justice and dealt with some other matters. When he passed by Kaibao Temple, he casually lifted the curtain and couldn't help but frown. He asked the person accompanying him, "Is that the Crown Prince's carriage?"
A note from the author:
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I'm two hours late, sorry.
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