Chapter 46: Grace, Thunder, Rain, and Dew, All for the King’s Grace
When Qingzan came down from the hill where Qingyan Palace was located, the blush on her face had not yet faded. Although she frowned slightly, her eyes seemed to contain spring stars. Her glance was enough to captivate people's souls.
Doukou turned on the light and kept looking at her.
Qingzan tilted her head and nodded: "What's wrong?"
Doukou said shyly yet boldly, "Master is becoming more and more beautiful. It is true that dragon energy nourishes people."
In the past, Qing Zan would have laughed and joked with the other person, but this time, she simply frowned and said, "Women are naturally all different. We are so close friends, so naturally, the more you look at me, the more beautiful I become."
Doukou looked at Qingzan suspiciously twice more.
There were no outsiders present today, so she walked down the mountain with her master. His Majesty specifically instructed her to support them more.
Doukou thought for a moment, then suddenly moved closer and asked quietly, "Master, why don't you stay in Qingyan Hall?"
His Majesty had allowed the master to spend the night in Qingyan Palace, but the master insisted on leaving after dinner.
There must be something going on.
Qingzan's gaze suddenly drifted off: "Is there a Buddhist temple in the hunting palace?"
Doukou suddenly realized that they were going to the Buddhist temple.
It doesn't take much thought to know that the master still can't let go of Ying Cairen's matter.
No, now I should be called Yingpin.
Yingpin risked her life for a promotion, but she was unable to fulfill her wish during her lifetime. However, after her death, she was posthumously awarded the title of a concubine and was buried according to the specifications of a concubine... What a twist of fate.
But after all, it was a beautiful life, lost just like that. Doukou couldn't help but feel a little melancholy, so she stopped laughing and said solemnly, "I heard there is one, but I haven't been there either. Xiao Yizi should know how to get there. Let's go back and ask."
Both the master and the servant walked all the way to the front of the Mixue Pavilion with a little sadness, but they met an unexpected person.
Ming Zhaoyi was actually waiting outside the Mixue Pavilion.
"Empress Zhaoyi." One must show great respect to the Empress. Qingzan was complaining a little because of the fatigue in his body, but he had just bent down and squatted a little when he was stopped by Ming Zhaoyi.
"No need to be so polite, could you please let me in and sit down?"
"Your Majesty, please."
As soon as Ming Zhaoyi stepped over the threshold, she looked around, as if she was somewhat disgusted by the simplicity of Mixue Pavilion.
She was a prodigy in a military family at home and the queen in the palace. She had never lived in such a petty place.
"I didn't want to come, but I heard that the Queen wanted you to live in Danli Palace that day, but you refused. So I should come and thank you for preserving my old home."
Everyone has sentimentality, and they don't want to give the place they have lived in to others.
Besides, last year was her first year in the palace. She was full of ambition at that time. How could she not be happy when she thought about it?
Qing Zan raised her hand to call for tea and said to Ming Zhaoyi, "Actually, Your Majesty, there's no need to make this special trip."
The tea in the temporary palace was not as fine as that in the palace, but the advantage was that it could benefit from the mountain. The palace people dried the mountain flowers into scented slices and brewed them with wild dew.
Zhaoyi only took a sip and knew that this was a special gift from the palace maids to the favored concubine, and that they had put a lot of thought into it.
She smiled and said, "I was a little worried about you just now, but now it seems that you have adapted very well."
Qing Zan was puzzled: "What do you mean, Madam?"
Zhaoyi didn't explain, but continued on her own: "Actually, promotion is just a prize. Taking it too seriously ignores the joy of hunting itself. Furthermore, those with more insight know that this hunting competition was simply organized by His Majesty to flatter you. Anyone with a modicum of integrity wouldn't want to take advantage of you. Therefore, if it weren't for your promotion, the Ying family wouldn't have gotten a chance. Don't take the rumors to heart."
Zhaoyi stood up and left after saying this: "Thank you for coming today. Your Excellency is very kind. This palace does not need anyone who is too soft-hearted."
Before leaving, he said again, "The tea is good."
Qingzan came and went in such a hurry, welcoming people in and sending them away, and the tea on the table was still warm.
"I didn't expect that Concubine Ming would come to comfort the master." Doukou was a little puzzled by this Concubine Ming. Everyone said that she looked pure, but she was still nice to the master.
She asked Qingzan: "Are we still going?"
Qingzan pondered Ming Zhaoyi's words for a while and said, "Go."
In fact, she went to the Buddhist temple not to blame herself for the incident, but she could never be completely indifferent to human life at any time, that's all.
But it seemed as if everyone believed that she was kind-hearted and felt uncomfortable, and they were eager to enlighten her.
The Buddhist temple is located in a remote area. Although there is no curfew in the palace, they cannot wait until late at night to come back. Qingzan and Doukou set off without any delay.
Hunting grounds are used to committing the sin of killing, so this Buddhist temple has always been very popular. I heard that many people would come to pay their respects before and after hunting, but at this moment, there were not many people in the hall.
Qingzan lit a stick of incense and offered it as a sacrifice, praying that Yingpin would pass away soon.
After finishing the business here and about to return, a series of footsteps like the sound of bells gradually came closer from outside the Buddhist temple.
Someone is coming.
The one walking in front was the palace maid beside Concubine Hui, and a little behind was Concubine Yuan.
Qingzan bumped into them unexpectedly. The palace maid bowed to Qingzan and said, "Noble Lady Ying."
"Are you also here to burn incense for Concubine Ying?" Qingzan gave up her seat in front of the incense table.
The palace maid did not move, but Concubine Yuan stepped forward and knelt on the cushion in front of the Buddha statue without saying a word.
The palace maid said to Qingzan, "Her Majesty said that rumors have been spreading recently, and Consort Yuan's name has been mentioned frequently. She asked Consort Yuan to burn incense and pray for Consort Ying for three days to calm the rumors."
As another person involved in the rumors, Qing Zan was also at the center of the storm. However, the palace servants did not seem to think that there was anything wrong with Concubine Hui only letting Concubine Yuan come to kneel and offer incense.
Praying for three days may be called praying for blessings, but it is actually a punishment.
Qing Zan said to the palace maid, "I want to say a few words to Consort Yuan."
The palace maid understood and said, "This servant will wait outside the Buddhist temple."
After saying this, he went out with Doukou.
The Buddha on the lotus throne smiled and picked up a flower, shedding golden light. Concubine Yuan knelt upright beneath him, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, moved her lips silently, and muttered something.
Qing Zan listened quietly beside her for a while: "What sutra is being recited for the selection of concubines?"
Concubine Yuan's recitation came to an abrupt halt.
She opened her eyes sharply, completely unlike her usual gentle self. "It was you who did it, yet Your Majesty didn't punish me? I thought the palace was supposed to be austere and dignified, and wouldn't tolerate such scoundrels spreading rumors and causing trouble."
Qingzan only looked at the incense stick she had just offered. It had barely burned down to the tip, but was still full and upright.
But no matter how long the incense burns, it is only the living seeking their own comfort. Can the dead really benefit from it?
She never believed in Buddhism.
She spoke slowly, each word carefully, making sure everyone could hear clearly, "Of course it's unacceptable. Wasn't Concubine Hui the first one to not tolerate it? Now this only proves that I wasn't the one who caused the trouble."
Consort Yuan chuckled lightly and said coldly, "What does your Excellency want to say to me?"
Qing Zan: "I just want to advise the concubine not to focus on me anymore. It will not harm me and will not benefit you. It will only bring you trouble."
Consort Yuan seemed to have heard and softened her voice, "Your Excellency has misunderstood. I never intended to target you. In fact, I admire your sister very much."
She just couldn't let anyone stand in the way of her career.
The same goes for Zhao Cairen and Ying Guiren.
Qingzan had no intention of arguing with her, nor did he dwell on the truth or wrong. He simply replied meaningfully, "I'm truly overwhelmed by this honor."
She walked out of the Buddhist hall, but before Consort Yuan could continue the interrupted scripture, Qing Zan paused and turned back, suddenly asking, "Besides instigating Yingpin's view of me as her rival, how much else did you participate in? Did she prepare the nettle juice with the intention of using it on me?"
Consort Yuan was stunned.
Ying never thought of nettle juice.
She secretly thought that some things were best known only to herself and God, but telling them out would not cause any consequences. Besides, if no one appreciated her great achievements, wouldn't it be better to walk in the night in fine clothes?
So she hadn't even admitted it to Concubine Hui, but now she said it with a smile: "You should be thankful that she was stupid and couldn't really do anything to you. I taught her to smear nettle juice on your whip. When you drive the horse, it will be frightened and riot. A fall and injury will be the least of its consequences."
As if showing off a hidden treasure, Concubine Yuan was reserved and self-assured, and stopped talking without saying more.
"As for the rest, if you want to know, please go and check it yourself."
Anyway, Yingpin is already dead, and there is no evidence now, so no one can accuse her.
Concubine Yuan was resentful that Concubine Hui suspected her and made her come here to confess her sins for three days just because she had been to the path behind the Dizi Paddock.
Thinking of this, she clasped her hands together again, her face icy, and said as if venting her anger: "If I was really determined to harm you, you might not be able to stand here in peace."
Qingzan was neither angry nor annoyed. When she turned around, she saw dust dancing in the light and shadow of the Buddha lamps, and the people kneeling before the Buddha had no compassion in their hearts, but looked very pious.
Sitting reverently in the dust.
Qing Zan laughed: "Could it be that the concubine thinks she can control the fate of others?"
But for people walking in this world, being able to control their own destiny is a great blessing.
*
Concubine Hui had long regarded Yuan as one of her own. Ever since she knew that Yuan was most likely involved in Concubine Ying's death, she had been unable to sleep at night for many days.
Before the rumors spread widely, she sent people to suppress them, but was stopped by the emperor's men.
Thinking that the emperor might have some suspicions, Concubine Hui couldn't protect him even if she wanted to.
So even though she summoned Yuan several times and concluded from her responses that Yuan had at most given Yingpin a few suggestions, she still punished her by sending her to the Buddhist temple to repent and reflect on her mistakes.
He went to Qingyan Hall to ask for an audience with the emperor.
The emperor did not have any memorials piled up to read today. He was in a corner of the hall, wiping his old bow.
When she was still in the Eastern Palace, Concubine Hui had seen the emperor's bow.
Concubine Hui's tense nerves relaxed a little. She accompanied the emperor from the East Palace to the Nine-Layered Danbi. The emperor had actually always treated her quite well. Even when it came to his cousin's matter, although he was indifferent to her kneeling in the rain and begging for mercy, at least he did not blame her.
She smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty is indeed nostalgic. I have changed several bows over the years."
The emperor hung the dark bow on the wall. Not far away hung his sword, which had not been unsheathed for a long time.
He turned around, his face expression expressionless: "If it's a good bow that suits your needs, there's no need to change it often."
Concubine Hui felt uneasy for a moment. Was he talking about the bow... or the person?
"Now, rumors are spreading like wildfire, saying that Consort Yuan is unlucky. I have asked Consort Yuan to go to Shenxin Hall to pray for blessings for three days. I believe that the long-term immersion in the Buddha's light will be able to dispel evil and purify impurities, and turn bad luck into good luck."
The emperor walked out from a deep corner of the hall with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "Since the situation is unclear, how can three days be enough?"
Concubine Hui was stunned for a moment. Three days was not enough. How many days would be enough?
She chased after him and asked, "Then..."
The emperor fiddled with the ring on his thumb, then stopped and said, "Order Yuan to stay in Shenxin Hall and pray for Yingpin."
Does this mean that Yuan will never be allowed to return to the palace?
Concubine Hui was startled and quickly pleaded for mercy: "Concubine Yuan has always been quite well-behaved by my side. When the Luan Palace was on fire, it was she who came up with a plan and finally found out the answer. She has been helping me manage the harem these days, which is considered a meritorious service. I have never asked for any favors on her behalf..."
These days, Yuan has been very devoted to her. She is not a puppet or a clay figurine. To be honest, her feelings for Yuan are much stronger than those for that cousin who only causes trouble for her.
The emperor smiled faintly: "I know."
If it weren't for the hard work and the fact that merits and demerits offset each other, how could a mere concubine survive such chaos and trouble on the day of the autumn hunt?
Concubine Hui's heart had already turned cold, but she didn't understand why His Majesty punished Yuan so severely.
Is it because this matter involves...
She steadied herself and said, "I was foolish. I thought Consort Yuan had no motive to harm Concubine Ying. Wasn't this an accident?"
The emperor simply said, "There is no need to discuss this further."
"Since Concubine Hui feels sorry for her, I am willing to show her some mercy and grant her a name to commend her for her sincere devotion to the imperial court and to Concubine Ying."
Concubine Hui's suspicion suddenly intensified: "What word?"
The emperor pursed his lips with a hint of interest and asked her to stretch out her hand so that he could write on her palm with his fingers.
Concubine Hui tried her best to piece together every stroke.
When she recognized the word, she opened her mouth and was silent for a long time: "...Hui?"
"Hmm." The emperor put his hands behind his back again and slowly raised his thin eyelids: "This Hui is not that Hui. But I think, having one Hui in the palace is enough?"
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Author's words: My dears, I added a detail to the previous article. Yuan Shi learned from Xiang Su that Qing Zan might save Zhao Cairen, so she was anxious to take action against the girl.
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