The Beloved Imperial Consort

Chapter 14

Sir Mu sighed when he saw the worry on lady Yu's face. Currently, there were more important matters that needed to be promptly discussed. Since they could not change the fact that she was going to marry the sixth prince, at least they ought to make plans for their daughter so she would be able to build her standing within the inner yard.

Henceforth, the Mu spouses had discussed the whole night in the main house. After one day of rest, lady Yu taking along with her concubine Wu hastily rushed to Shengjing.

The shufei and ranks above were all allowed to take dowry maidservants with themselves once they married into the imperial family. People in Mu Xi Yao's courtyard were not bad. They were all children of household's servants who had signed contracts. She decided to take along with her the ones she was accustomed to. Also, she ought to take one of lady Yu's capable momos. They were more experienced than young girls, after all.

The dowry and bedchamber maidens she had prepared beforehand must be all changed. The dowry should be replaced by the stores they possessed in Shengjing and banknotes while the bedchamber maidens ought to be changed to capable long-serving maidservants. It has to be done as soon as possible to avoid giving some servants the wrong impression and have them deceive their master.

When Mu Xi Yao saw lady Yu, she was joyous. She immediately went to cuddle her. Knowing that lady Yu was worried about her, she chatted with her only about jolly topics like when she marries the imperial prince she will at once give birth to a fat son and make her grandmother, once she's promoted to cefei rank she will immediately buy lady Yu a large mansion in Shengjing. She will also ask his Highness to bestow her brother a good sister-in-law. These kinds of promises easily came out of Mu Xi Yao's mouth once she started to speak. She said it as if entering the imperial prince's estate was like entering treasure house and as if if she did not hurry to bring benefits to her family she would lose her face, making lady Yu and servant girls nearby lose themselves in laughter.

How would lady Yu not know about her daughter's purpose? She only secretly hoped that his sixth Highness would see Mu Xi Yao's goodness and treat her kindly.

After seeing lady Yu, Mu Xi Yao's mood became even better. She started to reckon that since there was no excuse to go to the library she ought to at least think of ways how to go out for a bit of short walk. Otherwise, wouldn't it be mistreating herself? She hasn't yet married but she was already so idle that she almost began to sprout grasses. Not to mention, she had truly found a place to go – the most infamous 'temple not to be seen upon entering but reputation carried ten miles by the sound of wind' Zhaojue Temple at the outskirt of Shengjing.

Thereupon, Mu Xi Yao picked a good day and took with her Mu Xi Ting along with Gui momo, servant girls and guards, who were given to her by lady Yu, and together they went to Zhaojue Temple. Mu Xi Yao expressed earnestly that the purpose of this journey was to thank for Heaven's grace and to pray for blessings.

Looking at the news sent by the secret agents, Zhong Zheng Lin knew that that rabbit's bad habit of inviting troubles has again relapsed. In Shengjing there were countless xiunus more decorous than her, yet she was the only thoughtful enough to go to the temple and thank for the favor?? Let it be. There were not many days left before she entered his estate. Moreover, there was no issue in complying with her wish.

Zhong Zheng Lin just demonstrated a typical example of a different treatment.

His two concubines did nothing, yet he saw them as the irksome existence and had sternly reprimanded them several times to 'behave well'. When it came to Mu Xi Yao, well, it seemed like it was Mu Xi Yao who was being wronged.

Zhong Zheng Lin did not bother himself with thinking about irrelevant people. He was currently pondering about how to arrange his assignments tomorrow so he could rush to Zhaojue Temple and see Mu Xi Yao.

Inside the Zhaojue Temple.

After going through all the formalities at the front she took everyone to the mountain at the back for sightseeing. The surrounding of the mountain was very beautiful and secluded. The millennium-old Buddhist temple made people feel at peace. The faint sound of the bells at the front that echoed in one's ears made one think that any worldly turmoil would promptly go away within a blink of an eye. Just like this ancient Buddhist temple. It saw innumerable people coming and going. In the end, it was accompanied only by the sound of bells, dwelling there peacefully for a millennium year.

Mu Xi Yao sighed. She chose a pavilion at the mountainside to take a rest. She quietly leaned against the railing, enjoying the rare peacefulness.

When Zhong Zheng Lin arrived, he just happened to come upon such a tranquil painting. The beauty inside was brimming with leisure. It was peaceful yet beautiful. The outline of her side face profile was very gentle, the corners of her mouth even carried a tiny smile. Even as he was looking from afar he felt how soft his heart has become. He wanted to wrap his arms around that person and hug her tightly.

Wei Zhen was long accustomed to such strange sights. Since his Highness had that conversation with mister in the study his Highness has become odd.

Apart from being cold and solemn in state affairs and keeping everything well in control as in the past, in private, he has changed altogether. Of course, this change was directed only at one person. Toward everyone else, he was his usual self.

His Highness would check the news about this woman every day. Occasionally he would show a smile. Wei Zhen felt like he has finally found the key trick on how to serve his Highness after the previous confusion. It was truly not an easy task to accomplish.

---***---

[1] Hug a golden leg means to find a protection from powerful influence or power

[2] Rice weevil means fig. lazy person, sponger

[3] Little white flower describes a beautiful woman who seems fragile and delicate