Chapter 369 Why Did Grandmother Blame You?
Just as Sheng Sheng grabbed her cloak and was about to walk out the door, something suddenly struck her mind—
"Wait, Master Huihai?"
Sheng Sheng's footsteps suddenly stopped, as she suddenly recalled the scene when she entered the temple: the monk who led the way had clearly said that the Empress Dowager was discussing Buddhist scriptures with the abbot of Putuo Temple.
And the abbot's Dharma name seems to be... Master Huihai!
But wasn't that the monk who just stopped her and offered to heal the little fox's wounds Master Huihai?!
The person next to her, dressed in the same plain robes, whom she mistook for a monk because she hadn't looked closely...
"Oh my god, it's the Empress Dowager!" Sheng Sheng gasped, her eyes widening. She stopped abruptly and asked Zhui Feng, "Zhui Feng, what was that just now...?"
Before she could finish speaking, Zhui Feng knew what she was asking.
Zhui Feng had already recognized the person's identity, and nodded as expected: "Miss, that's right, just as you guessed."
Sheng Sheng had a bitter face. She was in such a hurry that she only had time to glance at her grandmother and didn't get a proper look at her.
Now, all she remembers is that her grandmother was dressed in simple clothes and looked somewhat dignified; she remembers nothing else.
"Heavens, Sheng Sheng seemed a little rude just now. Will Grandmother dislike Sheng Sheng because of this?"
She didn't bow properly and seemed impatient. Since the Empress Dowager is a Buddhist, she must be calm and composed. Seeing her so restless would surely make a bad impression on her.
More importantly, since the Empress Dowager and Master Huihai were there at the time, doesn't that mean their "discussion on scriptures and doctrines" had already ended?
"Chasing the Wind, hurry up, hurry up, we're really late!"
Sheng Sheng rushed back to the original courtyard, only to find it empty.
The little dumpling was startled. The word "I'm doomed" had just left his mind when he heard a conversation coming from a meditation room.
One of the gentle voices belonged to her brother, whom she had been searching for for a long time.
Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, instantly felt half relieved. She tiptoed to the window of the meditation room and was about to knock when she heard an unfamiliar voice from inside: "Ah-shang, how is your mother doing lately?"
If it's neither Master Huihai nor Xie Yunshang, then it can only be the Empress Dowager who hasn't spoken until now.
Sheng Sheng peeked in, intending to observe secretly, but was betrayed by Ta Ying's turn of her head.
Ta Ying was sensitive to his surroundings, so when he heard noises by the window, he naturally went to check it out. It's not surprising that he didn't know he would see someone sneaking around and eavesdropping when he turned his head.
Ta Ying turned her head, and the others looked over as well.
So, Sheng Sheng's carefully chosen angle, where she only showed her eyes in a "peeping pose," suddenly turned into a "public peeping" under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Even the subtle blushing at the tips of her ears could be clearly seen.
The air was still for a moment, and Sheng Sheng felt her cheeks burning and even the roots of her ears were burning.
The little dumpling froze on the spot, unsure whether to go forward or backward. Finally, Xie Yunyang couldn't help but chuckle and beckoned to her, "Shengsheng, come in. Don't stand by the window."
Only then did she seem to receive a pardon. She reluctantly pushed open the door, lowered her head, and walked to Xie Yunyang's side. She secretly glanced at the Empress Dowager on the seat of honor. The Empress Dowager was still wearing that plain monk's robe. The aloofness and solemnity she had shown when she blocked her way were gone. Instead, she looked at her with a smile that was not quite a smile.
"He was running around in the yard just now, and now he's eavesdropping by the window."
The Empress Dowager spoke up, "You child, you are even more clever and quick-witted than the Fifth Prince when he was young."
Unexpectedly, although the Empress Dowager looked serious and indifferent, and spoke in a flat tone, there was not a trace of reproach in her voice. Instead, it sounded like she was teasing him.
It seems like he's not angry?
Sheng Sheng blushed even more, but because of what she had realized, she was less nervous. She quickly bowed and said obediently, "Grandmother, please forgive me. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was just looking for my brother in a hurry when I suddenly heard the noise inside, so I didn't dare to knock on the door."
The Empress Dowager raised her eyebrows, somewhat surprised that she wasn't frightened by her.
After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager gently raised and lowered her hand, patted her thigh, and called out, "Come here."
Um?
Is she going to be punished?
What was it called, a slap on the hand or something else?
Sheng Sheng walked over without hesitation. Anyway, everyone in the house was one of their own, so what was there to be afraid of?
At worst, she can just act cute.
If acting cute doesn't work, then she'll just have to accept the punishment, since she was the one who was rude first.
"Grandmother." Sheng Sheng smiled and stood obediently in place, letting the Empress Dowager look at her.
The Empress Dowager stared at her for a long while, and found that no matter how she looked her over, Sheng Sheng always appeared obedient and submissive, letting her do as she pleased. She couldn't help but be a little surprised: "Aren't you afraid of me?"
Now it was Sheng Sheng's turn to be surprised.
"Um?"
Sheng Sheng blinked, somewhat confused: "Why should I be afraid of my grandmother?"
"This is your first time meeting me. Don't you think I'm very serious?"
The Empress Dowager gently touched the top of her head with her fingertips; the touch was as soft as a cloud. The aloofness in her tone faded slightly.
When children of that age in the palace saw her, they all behaved themselves properly and dared not utter a sound.
But this girl only had pure curiosity in her eyes, without the slightest fear.
Sheng Sheng tilted her head and thought about it seriously: "It is a little serious, but Grandmother just asked Master Huihai to treat the little fox's injuries. How could a kind-hearted person make people afraid?"
As she spoke, she subtly pointed out the window, towards the courtyard where they had met before.
"Besides, this isn't the first time we've met. We just saw each other not long ago!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunyang couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips, and Master Huihai also smiled as he twirled his prayer beads.
The Empress Dowager looked into her bright eyes, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and pulled her to sit on her lap, gently rubbing her cheek with her fingertips: "You little rascal, you know how to talk."
The smile in his voice could no longer be hidden.
Sensing her affection, Sheng Sheng knew that this meant her grandmother had accepted her, but she still had to ask Yi a question in a cocky manner.
"Won't Grandmother punish me?"
"Punishment?" the Empress Dowager asked in confusion. "Why should I be punished?"
"It's because Sheng Sheng is late. She said she would wait for Grandmother in the courtyard, but she went somewhere else instead. And she seemed a little rude just now. Please don't be angry, Grandmother. She was just in a bit of a hurry."
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, then burst into laughter.
"Silly child, if the Empress Dowager would blame you, why would she stop your brother, the Crown Prince, from calling you, and deliberately make you accompany that little fox to finish his treatment before coming over by yourself?"
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