Fu Ling liked to chant Buddhist scriptures, so a Buddhist temple was specially built for this purpose in the Xue Mansion.
The Buddhist temple is in the southwest corner of the garden, close to Anxianju where she lives.
At night, the candles are bright.
Amidst the lingering scent of sandalwood, the pure white jade Guanyin statue enshrined in the shrine was staring down at the woman on the cushion, twirling Buddhist beads and reciting scriptures devoutly.
The lady raised her eyebrows, her eyes were soft and gentle, with a hint of compassion, and her face was like a Guanyin statue carved from mutton-fat jade, but as a living person, she seemed a little rigid.
"Mother Xing," she called out, "I've been feeling my heart beating so fast these past two days. Do you think this is a bad omen?"
After saying that, he clasped his hands together again and began to recite silently.
Beside her, Madam Xing said, "Madam, you're worrying too much. The second young lady has been sent to the manor. I've already made arrangements with the people there. I'm afraid Fei Luxuan is exhausted."
Fu Ling paused for a moment, then sighed softly, "Second Mother, that little bitch, is quite capable of messing up a marriage like this. It's alright, though. If Second Mother really marries into the Yongping Marquis family, I'm afraid Xue Tingliu will be even more powerful. How will my son cope then?"
Thinking of this, she opened her eyes, and the unwillingness and resentment solidified between her brows finally caused a crack to appear on her pure and unselfish face.
"Two years ago, my son failed the palace examination, but the son of that lowly Rong family member came out on top and became a Jinshi... My son Tingsheng is so strong-willed. He's been studying so hard by candlelight for the past two years. It makes me feel bad."
She tightened her hand, and with a snap, the string of the Buddhist beads in her hand broke, and the beads scattered all over the ground.
"If Xue Tingliu keeps climbing up the ladder, it won't take a few years for that bitch to get an imperial decree. By then, I really won't be able to do anything to the three of them anymore..."
Seeing this, Mother Xing hurried to comfort him, "Madam...our eldest young master passed the imperial examination when he was only a teenager. He's already the best among his peers. How many people are still students even when they're old and gray? Why are you so worried about this, Madam?"
"Are you saying that bitch got lucky and gave birth to a child with extraordinary talent, a rare once-in-a-century unicorn?"
Mother Xing was speechless for a moment as she didn't expect Fu Ling to ask this.
Fu Ling, however, smiled coldly: "The Rong family is just a poor family. There is not even a proper official in the family. How could they give birth to a son like Xue Tingliu?"
She clutched the hem of her clothes and looked at the Guanyin statue, which was still full of compassion. Her eyes were red and full of resentment, as if questioning something.
"Over the years, my master has risen rapidly, and many of the noble ladies in the capital dislike me, saying that I am just from a merchant family... Now that the mother and son of the Rong family are so successful, they laugh at me behind my back, saying that I am a vulgar merchant girl, and even if I give birth to a legitimate son, it will not be as good as a bastard's... How can I not hate him!"
Mother Xing clenched her sweaty palms and carefully comforted her, "Even Concubine Rong isn't always lucky. Madam, think about the eldest daughter... The eldest daughter is already married, and now her husband and wife are in harmony. The third daughter is both talented and beautiful, and has a good reputation. This is something that the second daughter can't catch up with even if she flatters."
Fu Ling didn't refute, but just snorted coldly: "How could I raise a daughter like that who is not presentable?"
Seeing Fu Ling say this, Mother Xing felt that her mood had finally improved a little, so she continued, "The Third Miss is still unmarried, and has a soft personality. She loves to stick to Madam the most."
Mother Xing coaxed him gently, but she didn't notice that with his back to her, the corners of Fu Ling's mouth suddenly turned down.
When she thought of this, she hated it even more!
She hated that her little daughter, whom she cherished so dearly, was left to suffer in the merchant family, while she could only raise that bastard of unknown origin, and she couldn't show any sign of being uneasy, so as not to arouse suspicion.
She didn't know when the prophecy of Phoenix's fate would come true, and she didn't know how long the mother and daughter would be separated.
The more she missed Fu Rongxin, the more she annoyed she felt with Xue Zhiyi, who had usurped her place.
Whenever she saw her daughter coming up to her in a sweet voice, she couldn't help but feel disgusted and wanted to push her away.
She sighed deeply: Now she only hopes that Rong Xin will fulfill the prophecy of Phoenix's fate as soon as possible. When Rong Xin becomes the queen, she can step on Aunt Rong under her feet. What is a mere Xue Tingliu!
…
The main hall of Jiangxuexuan.
Through the screen, one can vaguely see a young girl sitting there. One cannot make out her face or emotions, but she gives one an inexplicable chill.
"Miss, someone is coming." Qiuyun said.
There was only a candle lit in front of Xue Zhiyi. She looked at the thin figure kneeling outside the screen without saying a word.
Until the man outside, who was in his thirties and dressed as an attendant, bowed his head and said, "I wonder why the Third Miss called Hu Bai here so late at night?"
This Hu Bai was the servant who served Xue Zhentong closely, and was also the one who was in charge of the punishment today.
Xue Zhiyi said nothing, just raised his hand slightly, and Su Yue poured a plate of silver ingots in front of him.
"Miss Third, this..."
"You did a good job today." Xue Zhiyi finally spoke.
Hu Bai was stunned, and gathered the silver ingots on the ground and put them in his arms: "Miss Third is so kind, it's just a small matter, just give me your instructions, it's not worthy of such a reward."
"It's really not worth it." Xue Zhiyi said: "So, I still need you to do something else."
Hu Bai's smile froze, and then he chuckled twice in a flattering manner: "Miss, please give your orders."
"I need you to continue working for Aunt Rong and the Second Young Master." Xue Zhiyi's voice sounded coldly.
Hu Bai paused, then kowtowed repeatedly in a panic: "Miss, what are you talking about! I am loyal to you, my lady!"
"Really?" she asked calmly, "If you are so loyal, how come father didn't even know that you committed a murder?"
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