Free Web NovelChapter 156: Chapter 155: Prudence
Du Yunluo dared not call the princess her sister. Even though their goals aligned, their relationship was far from being that close.
In Du Yunluo’s impression, the Empress Dowager was a stern and stubborn person, and once she made a decision, it was difficult to change it. Princess Yunhua’s idea of trying was not without risk.
In this game, Du Yunluo would become Princess Yunhua’s spear.
This was far more dangerous than the chess piece that the Empress Dowager wanted her to be, occasionally moving here and there.
If she wasn’t careful, she might end up falling short, and Princess Yunhua was the chosen one, leaving Du Yunluo to bear the consequences.
Just like Huo Ziming, ending up as a scapegoat.
Huo Ziming had grievances he couldn’t express, and if Du Yunluo really stood united with Princess Yunhua against others, she would be deserving of her fate.
No matter how easy and pleasant Princess Yunhua made it sound, without absolute certainty, Du Yunluo had to be extremely cautious.
Having come this far, she had turned things around significantly and was unwilling to let her efforts go to waste now.
For Mu Lianhui to marry Li Luan would be perfect. If that wasn’t possible, Du Yunluo would rather think of another way than to suffer self-inflicted losses in a fierce battle.
Princess Yunhua, accompanied by palace attendants, went to the main hall, while Du Yunluo gathered her thoughts and returned to her desk to copy another scroll.
It wasn’t until the evening glow stained the sky red that Du Yunluo took the dried scriptures to the main hall.
Princess Yunhua had already left.
Between the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort, a chessboard was still placed, black and white pieces intertwining.
Aunt Ming presented the scriptures to the Imperial Consort.
The Imperial Consort carefully read through them and laughed, saying, "Such delicate handwriting from a young lady."
The Empress Dowager also took a glance, nodding, "Practiced under your grandfather, didn’t you? Although you haven’t mastered it completely, you have grasped the basics."
Du Gongfu’s handwriting was very beautiful, grand and vigorous. The Holy Emperor liked his writing style, which was why he appointed him as the Crown Prince’s Tutor. As the future ruler, the Crown Prince couldn’t have petty handwriting, could he?
Du Yunluo lowered her eyes, respectfully replying, "I have practiced copying my grandfather’s calligraphy, but my talents are limited and I cannot learn the essence."
"It’s just right for a young lady like you." The Imperial Consort smiled softly, the wrinkles at her brow relaxed, "There are quite a lot of Huayan Sutra volumes; you should put more effort into them."
Du Yunluo agreed.
When leaving the palace, Du Yunluo walked with Aunt Ming along the way.
Under the glow of the sunset, the glazed tiles shone brightly, painting the depths of the Forbidden Palace, causing an inexplicable heaviness in her heart.
For the next ten days, Du Yunluo remained behind closed doors, continuously copying the scriptures.
There were quite a few Huayan Sutra volumes; without putting in significant effort, she feared she wouldn’t finish in time for the Guanyin Bodhisattva’s birthday.
Copying scriptures requires sincerity. Although Du Yunluo doesn’t believe in Buddhism, since this was important to the Imperial Consort, she couldn’t afford to just brush it off casually. Every stroke had to be made personally, not allowing others to do it.
Mrs. Zhen felt sorry for her staying up late to write for several days, but copying scriptures for the Imperial Consort was a great honor and fortune, so she instructed Shui Yue to prepare more snacks and soups for her.
Once the copying was complete, Du Yunluo returned to the palace.
The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort were very satisfied and handed the volumes over to Aunt Ming to bind them into books.
Princess Yunhua sat beside the Empress Dowager, bending over with a smiling face, teasing the cat that lay on Princess Nanyan’s lap.
It was a snow-white Persian cat with eyes as blue as the ocean, and its meowing was delicate. Around its neck was tied a golden bell that jingled as Princess Yunhua moved.
While teasing the cat, Princess Yunhua said, "Grand Empress Dowager, this time, when offering incense, will you come along too?"
The Empress Dowager glanced at Princess Yunhua and said, "You don’t exactly wish for me to go; you just want to go yourself."
Princess Yunhua didn’t deny this, released the cat, and holding the Empress Dowager’s arm, said, "Grand Empress Dowager, I haven’t left the palace for a long time, you should fulfill my little wish."
"Take your dirty hand away." The Empress Dowager lightly slapped Princess Yunhua’s hand, thought briefly, and said, "Alright, it’s high time I stepped out; let’s go to Guoning Temple."
Guoning Temple is located on Potuo Mountain; it’s a temple commissioned by the Royal Family, where the memorial tablets of past members of the royal family are enshrined. Not to mention commoners, even official families, without palace instructions, are not allowed to approach Guoning Temple.
If the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort grace Guoning Temple, Potuo Mountain will certainly close the road; fortunately, when the temple was built, another mountain path was constructed, so as not to hinder commoners from entering the mountain to pray.
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s agreement, Princess Yunhua beamed with a smile and again bent to tease the cat’s belly. Holding one of the cat’s front paws, she directed it towards Du Yunluo, saying, "Yunluo should come too."
Du Yunluo looked up at Princess Yunhua, only to feel that her smile had an implicit meaning, which sent a chill down her palm.
Although the words were spoken about Du Yunluo, she had no say whatsoever; whether she went or not depended solely on the Empress Dowager’s arrangement.
Du Yunluo silently looked at the kitten, her vision moving up until she met Princess Nanyan’s gaze.
As their eyes met, Princess Nanyan was slightly stunned, then smiled, a smile very faint and gentle, yet far more reassuring than Princess Yunhua’s brilliant smile.
The Empress Dowager tapped her long fingernail covers on the chess piece and said, "Then take her along; such a sincere child, the Bodhisattva will like her too."
Princess Yunhua’s eyes brightened with joy.
Du Yunluo stood up and agreed.
Stepping out from Cining Palace, Du Yunluo stood under the veranda for a while, about to leave the palace, when she heard a cat meow. Turning to look, Princess Yunhua and Princess Nanyan came out together.
The cat was nestled peacefully in Princess Nanyan’s arms, meowing softly twice before quieting down.
Princess Yunhua petted the cat’s head and walked over to Du Yunluo with a smile, saying, "Yunluo hasn’t been to Guoning Temple, has she? When I was young, I went once; the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings were so fierce, I cried after just a glance."
Du Yunluo also smiled faintly, "Hearing the princess say this, I really want to see them now."
"With Grand Empress Dowager leaving the palace, the attendants will be extraordinary. There will be many people accompanying her, I think your fiancé will definitely be among them." Princess Yunhua paused, glanced at Princess Nanyan not far behind, and whispered to Du Yunluo, "Jiarou will surely go."
Du Yunluo pursed her lips; indeed, it was just as anticipated.
Princess Nanyan approached with a smile, saying, "What is the princess discussing with Miss Du?"
Princess Yunhua’s phoenix eyes glanced over, her smile bold and proud, "I told her that the day we leave the palace, the entourage will be extraordinary, with many people accompanying, and her fiancé will definitely be among them."
"Fiancé? Do you mean the Heir of Duke Dingyuan?" Princess Nanyan said, noticing Du Yunluo’s cheeks redden, recalling the scene she had seen earlier, adding, "By the way, last time I saw the heir and the young lady walking through the Imperial Garden from afar."
Du Yunluo was surprised, was that the time she first entered the palace?
At that time, her thoughts were entirely on Mu Lianxiao, and she didn’t notice Princess Nanyan in the distance.
Princess Nanyan’s alabaster finger gently scratched the cat’s neck as she mused, "Just one glance and I could see that young lady and the heir have a very good relationship."
