In the Palace, the Empress calmly sipped his tea. Below him, the wife of the Minister of Rites and the wife of the Deputy Minister of Personnel sat there with awkward expressions, unable to discern the Empress’ thoughts. After drinking half a cup of tea, the Empress extended his hand and Eunuch Jin promptly took the teacup and placed it on the tea table. The Empress used a silk handkerchief to dab at the corners of his mouth before looking up.

The Minister of Rites’ wife hastily put on a smiling face and said, “Your Highness, Abbess Huiqing’s intention in presiding over this event is merely to pray for blessings for Your Highness and the Emperor, with no other implications.” The Empress sneered inwardly and said, “This Empress seldom visits the Rain Forest Temple and has never made offerings there. This Empress considers himself unrelated to Buddhism. This Empress has recovered now and has no need to seek any blessings. The Emperor has never favored the presence of monks or nuns in the palace and you should be aware of that.”

The Minister’s wife’s expression tightened and she hurriedly apologized. “It was my indiscretion. I will go and inform Abbess Huiqing.” The Empress didn’t make things difficult for the two ladies and let them leave. Once they were gone, Eunuch Jin asked curiously, “Your Highness, why is the presiding nun from the Rainforest Monastery suddenly…” The Empress took the teacup from Eunuch Jin’s hands again. “They are not well-intentioned. It’s merely for the two relics in Yunan’s possession.”

“Oh?”

In the General’s residence, Wang Shijing, who was waiting for Prince Murong’s reply, received unexpected guests—his aunt and father. Both of them wore unpleasant expressions. As soon as they entered, Shao Yunan asked, “Aunt, Father, what happened?”

Chenyi, angrily said, “Duchess Ningguo is here, chatting with the Old Lady in front, and she brought an invitation from the Rainforest Temple’s presiding nun. She wants to meet you.”

Shen Bing cut to the chase. “It’s definitely about the two relics in your hands. Our General’s residence has nothing to do with the Rain Forest Temple. They suddenly want to meet you; what else could it be for?”

Shao Yunan smirked and said to Wang Shijing, “Shijing, you go first. Murong hasn’t come yet, probably stuck with this matter. The King’s Consort converted to Buddhism in the Rainforest Temple. I’ll send someone to inform Murong Yi and ask him to go directly there. There is no need to come to the residence to find you.” Wang Shijing frowned. “I’ll stay and accompany you.”

“No need. It’s better if you’re not at home.”

Shen Bing added, “Shijing, go. It’s better to handle this matter without you present. The old lord went out early and the third brother is not in the residence.” Wang Shijing nodded, while looking at his wife. Shao Yunan knew what he wanted to say and smiled as he adjusted Wang Shijing’s clothes. “The relics are for our Brother Tiger… let them try to snatch food from a tiger’s mouth.”

Wang Shijing patted his wife’s back, bowed to the two elders, and left. Once Wang Shijing left, Su Chenyi said, “Yunan, do you want to meet them?” Shao Yunan thought for a moment and said, “Yes, let’s meet. After all, it’s the presiding nun of the Rain Forest Temple we should give her some face.” Mainly because he thought of the origin of his own space, he still had some respect for these Buddhist monks. Without that high monk, he wouldn’t have the space, let alone thrive in this world.

Shao Yunan didn’t show up in person. Instead, Shen Bing informed the Old Lady on his behalf. The Duchess of Ningguo left happily, while the Old Lady and the Old General were left puzzled.

“Why does Yunan want to see him?”

Shen Bing said, “Yunan said since it’s the presiding nun of the Rain Forest Temple, he still wants to give some face. However, Yunan also said, ‘The relics won’t be given since Brother Tiger wants them.'”

“What?” Only then did the Old Lady and Old Lord feel relieved. 

While the atmosphere in the General’s residence was relaxed, it was completely different in King Rong’s mansion. Facing his former consort and current Abbess, King Luo Rong felt as if he were in a different world. Originally, King Luo Rong seemed much older than the Queen who devoted herself to Buddhism. However, now, when they met again, the Queen appeared like King Luo Rong’s older sister, with a significant age difference.

Upon hearing from Murong Yi that his father was going to remarry, King Luo Rong’s Queen chose to become a nun and wrote a letter to King Luo Rong, delivered by Murong Yi. Lin, the Queen, never felt joy about her status as the Queen. She had only felt distress. Since childhood, after being exposed to Buddhism, she had always wanted to become a nun. Unfortunately, her mother forced her to the brink of death, and with the late emperor’s decree for her marriage, she had no choice.

After Murong Yi was born, apart from not shaving her head, Queen Lin’s life did not differ much from that of a nun. Now that King Luo Rong wanted to remarry, she no longer needed to cling to her identity as the only lady of the King mansion. Naturally, she wanted to fulfill her wish immediately, rid herself of three thousand vexations, become a true disciple of Buddhism, and no longer return to the mansion, which was a cage for her. She could stay in the temple with a clear conscience and become a monk.

The Queen had become a nun. For the sake of the heir, King Luo Rong retained the Queen’s position, but had no affection for his wife. Even if they were familiar in the past, they couldn’t be considered so now. Long unseen, they were now even more estranged. However, he never expected that the first time they met after she became a nun, she would be seeking Shao Yunan’s two relics. The usually gentle King Luo Rong couldn’t muster a smile at this moment.

King Luo Rong was displeased and Murong Yi was furious. Murong Yi had no feelings for his birth mother, and now, facing her request, he was infuriated and found it laughable.

“Abbess Shiyin, where does your confidence come from that my father can persuade Lord Wang Shao to hand over those two relics to the Rain Forest Temple? Even if my father has such great face, what reason does he have to help the Rain Forest Temple?”

Abbess Shiyin didn’t show displeasure at her son’s disrespect. First, she paid her respects to King Luo Rong with a Buddhist gesture and then said, “My lord, this humble nun hopes my lord can consider the many years this humble nun has been praying for the heir. Please help this humble nun this time. For the rest of this humble nun’s life, every day will be spent praying for my lord, the heir, and Lord Wang Shao.”

Murong Yi almost crushed the chair’s armrest, while King Luo Rong spoke up. “Abbess Shiyin, it’s not that this lord doesn’t cherish old feelings. But this lord cannot open his mouth on this matter. The relics were not something that Loyal and Brave Marquis bought on a whim. Lord Wang Shao has a unique background; he once had a fateful encounter with a venerable monk. Although he did not enter a Buddhist temple, his connection with the Buddha might be deeper than yours. Buying those two relics must have had a purpose, but this lord cannot inquire further.”

Abbess Shiyin’s delicate eyebrows tightened slightly before saying, “Then may I ask if my lord can arrange a meeting between Loyal and Brave Marquis, Lord Wang Shao, and this humble nun?”

King Luo Rong said, “This lord will convey the message for Abbess Shiyin, but whether to meet or not, this lord cannot force. I hope Abbess Shiyin will understand.”

Abbess Shiyin stood up, bowed, and said, “Thank you, my lord. This humble nun is temporarily residing at Duke Ningguo’s residence. If Loyal and Brave Marquis and Lord Wang Shao are willing to meet this humble nun, please have someone inform me.”

 

“I understand.”

Without keeping Abbess Shiyin for a stay and without having the heir see her off, King Luo Rong simply had the people in the mansion escort his “former” Queen out.

As soon as she left, Murong Yi exploded. “Father! You’re not truly planning to seek Yunan for her sake, are you?!”

King Luo Rong raised his hand to calm his son, urging him not to get angry, and said, “If the Rain Forest Temple wanted those two relics, they wouldn’t send only her. She mentioned staying at Duke Ningguo’s residence. It’s likely the Duke’s residence will find other mediators as well. The Duchess of Ningguo is a frequent visitor to the Rain Forest Temple. The relics involve the Emperor’s auspiciousness, so Yunan will not hand them over. However, we cannot speak about this matter. Trust Yunan; he will have his way. But I don’t know whether it’s the Rain Forest Temple’s intention for her to come to the mansion or her own.”

Murong Yi… “Forget about whose intention it is. Her coming in person is clearly making things difficult for you. She has never considered your feelings!”

King Luo Rong stood up. “You are going to the outskirts of the capital today and it’s late. Hurry up. I will go to the palace. Since ‘she’ has become a nun, the title of queen should be relinquished. Father will ask the Emperor for an imperial edict. Don’t take it to heart. No matter what, she is the one who gave birth to you.”

Murong Yi also stood up and said with suppressed anger, “Father, don’t get angry because of ‘her’, it’s not worth it.”

King Luo Rong smiled lightly. “Father doesn’t have that much anger. Go quickly.”

“Then, the child will leave.”

“Go ahead.”

Murong Yi left with a gloomy expression. King Luo Rong stood for a while and then went to the backyard.

Hearing that the queen had arrived, Guo Zimu was restless in his room. He didn’t deny that he minded. After waiting for a long time, the familiar footsteps outside calmed Guo Zimu’s anxious heart instantly.

“Rong, what happened?” Guo Zimu stepped forward and raised his hand to press King Luo Rong’s brow. Seeing his little wife, King Luo Rong’s mood eased a bit. Pulling down Guo Zimu’s hand, King Luo Rong held him and walked into the room, letting the attendants withdraw. He explained the purpose of the queen’s visit. After he finished, Guo Zimu frowned and said, “This is too much trouble for you.”

King Luo Rong picked up Guo Zimu, sat him on his lap, and exhaled a stale breath. “Those two relics belong to Yunan. I’ve already sent someone to tell him. Whether to give them or not depends entirely on Yunan’s intention. I won’t interfere. I’ll go to the palace later to ask for an imperial edict. Since the queen has become a nun, she is naturally no longer a member of the mansion, and it’s also to prevent her from using this status to do inappropriate things in the future.”

King Luo Rong was naturally angry, but just now, in front of his son, he couldn’t explode. He also couldn’t point out the shortcomings of his son’s birth mother in front of his son. That would only intensify his son’s dissatisfaction.

“Don’t be angry,” Guo Zimu rubbed King Luo Rong’s chest. “I don’t like it when you get angry because of another woman.” With that, King Luo Rong smiled, lowered his head, and kissed Guo Zimu’s lips. Guo Zimu’s lips were sweet and King Luo Rong’s heart melted when he touched them. After a passionate kiss, King Luo Rong, breathing heavily, withdrew and said, “The heir has left. I’ll go to the palace now. Are you staying alone in the mansion or coming with me to the palace?”

“I made an appointment with Yunan today to check on the shop. I won’t go.” What Guo Zimu didn’t want to say was that he was a little afraid of the Queen.

“Then I’ll send you to the General’s Mansion first and then go to the palace.”

“Okay.”

Guo Zimu took the initiative to give another kiss. “Don’t be angry.”

“I’m not angry, I’m not angry.”

After personally sending Guo Zimu to the General’s Mansion, King Luo Rong turned to the palace. King Luo Rong did not hide the purpose of the Queen’s visit from the Empress. The Empress did not say anything, but immediately issued the imperial edict, and sent someone to the Duke of Ningguo’s mansion to declare the edict.  Murong Lin, who should have been divorced, was ordered to separate from King Luo Rong and lost her status as queen due to her becoming a nun, which damaged the royal dignity. This was also because of King Luo Rong’s plea.

This imperial edict did not go to the Rain Forest Temple, but directly to Duke Ningguo’s mansion. Everyone could see the Empress’ displeasure. After the edict was read, Abbess Shiyin left Duke Ningguo’s mansion with her little nuns and returned to the Rain Forest Temple. She did not mention meeting Lord Wang Shao anymore. At the same time, Duke Ningguo himself went to the palace to ask for forgiveness from the Emperor. The imperial edict was a blow to the Rain Forest Temple, but it was also a blow to Duke Ningguo’s mansion. Similarly, Abbess Shiyin also understood King Luo Rong’s attitude.

However, Master Huiqing of the Rain Forest Temple, who stayed in Duke Ningguo’s mansion, did not leave. After getting the General’s Mansion’s approval, Master Huiqing went to the General’s Mansion alone.

 

Edited by: Jaisland

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