Although it had become fashionable among noble daughters of high-ranking families in the current dynasty to enter religious life as Daoist nuns known as “female crown holders”—to pray for their families’ blessings, they usually donned Daoist robes at seven or eight years old, cultivated for several years in a temple, and then returned to secular life the year before coming of age to await marriage.
In this way, both religious life and marriage could be accommodated without conflict.
Old Madam Cheng could not help but say, “Yunxiang is already sixteen this year…” If she left for three to five years, she would return as an older maiden. How would she then find a suitable husband? Would this not delay her entire future?
Chen Baomiao wiped away tears as she added, “Yes, Zhuru, Yunxiang…” Yet knowing the hardship Cheng Zhixiang had endured in the palace without children, she found herself unable to refuse outright.
Cheng Zhixiang did not look at them. Instead, she fixed her gaze on Cheng Yunxiang. “Yunxiang, are you willing?” There was almost a note of pleading in her voice.
Without the slightest hesitation, Cheng Yunxiang replied, surprising everyone, “Sister, of course I am willing.”
At first, she had been startled by the suggestion, but soon after, she felt an unexpected surge of excitement. If only they knew how advantageous it was, in this era, for noblewomen to enter religious life rather than marry.
All the constraints imposed upon women by society—serving one’s in-laws, attending to a husband, bearing children to continue the family line, managing the inner household would vanish entirely. She could cultivate if she wished, travel the world if she pleased, or move about freely without restriction. Compared to being tied down to the trivial burdens of domestic life, it was infinitely more liberating.
Moreover, this was not a permanent choice. If, in a few years, she wished to marry, she could simply shed her Daoist robes and return to secular life.
Why would she hesitate even a second?
Cheng Zhixiang lowered her gaze and let out a long breath of relief. “With your consent, I am greatly comforted. I will have the Astronomical Bureau select an auspicious date for your ordination at once.”
Once again, the Cheng women were left speechless. It seemed Zhuru was truly desperate for a child.
Chen Baomiao struggled inwardly. “Zhuru, your sister’s future marriage will depend on you.” When Cheng Yunxiang returned home years later, it would fall to her elder sister to arrange a suitable match.
By now, her expectations had lowered from a prestigious marriage to merely a passable one.
Cheng Zhixiang nodded solemnly. “Do not worry, Mother. I will keep it in mind.”
Cheng Yunxiang fell silent. She silently pleaded, Sister, please say you did not mean that seriously.
Old Madam Cheng and Chen Baomiao had experienced a tumultuous day, their emotions rising and falling from worry, to relief, to sorrow, and back again.
For a moment, no one knew what to say.
Then Cheng Yunxiang heard hurried footsteps. Emperor Song Yu had returned.
Cheng Zhixiang went forward and leaned gently against him. “Your Majesty, I have discussed the matter with Grandmother and Mother,” she murmured softly, then added, “Yunxiang has also agreed to become a Daoist nun to pray for me. I am very happy. What does Your Majesty think?”
Song Yu glanced at Cheng Yunxiang, mild surprise flickering in his eyes. “Is that so, Yunxiang?”
“I am most willing to pray for Your Majesty and my sister,” Cheng Yunxiang replied without hesitation.
After a moment’s thought, Song Yu said, “The Ganquan Temple where my elder sister Princess Jianing once resided for her cultivation remains vacant. Let it be granted to Yunxiang.”
Just beyond the northwestern palace gate, across a street, stood Ganquan Temple, originally built by Empress Dowager Shen for Princess Jianing when she had entered religious life to pray for the nation. After the princess returned to secular life, it had remained unused for years.
Though called a temple, its front housed the Daoist halls dedicated to the Three Pure Ones, while the rear consisted of a grand five-courtyard residence known as Lian Garden, famed for its exquisite architecture and scenery.
Hearing this, Cheng Yunxiang felt a surge of joy and almost wanted to kneel in gratitude. This brother-in-law was truly generous.
But on second thought, she quickly declined, “Your Majesty, Lian Garden was once the residence of the princess. I would not dare to reside there. Please assign me another place.”
Song Yu waved his hand dismissively. “It is merely a residence, and the princess has long since moved out. Besides, it is closest to the palace and guarded day and night. You staying there will put both me and your sister at ease.”
With no choice, Cheng Yunxiang accepted. “Yes, thank you, Your Majesty.”
Holding Cheng Zhixiang’s hand, Song Yu asked, “Has an auspicious date been chosen?”
“I have already informed Director Wan of the Astronomical Bureau.”
At that moment, a message arrived: “Your Majesty, Consort Chen, the next three days are all auspicious.”
Cheng Zhixiang glanced at Cheng Yunxiang. “In that case, why not tomorrow?”
The Cheng women were stunned. This was far too rushed.
Suppressing their mixed emotions, they said, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”
Song Yu gestured lightly, then sighed. “I must return to studying. You may continue your conversation.” The matter of Beicang had yet to be resolved.
Cheng Zhixiang said, “Your Majesty, I will take my family to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”
He nodded. “Go.”
Cheng Zhixiang sent Kong Yu ahead to inform Empress Dowager Shen.
The Empress Dowager, free at the moment, invited them in. When they arrived, she was dressed in elegant robes, teasing a parrot. Though over fifty, her face showed hardly a wrinkle, her eyes bright, her figure full and dignified.
Seeing them, she greeted Old Madam Cheng warmly, “My dear relative.”
The Cheng women hurriedly bowed. “We pay our respects to Your Majesty, Empress Dowager.”
She smiled and granted them seats, then turned to Cheng Yunxiang. “What a lovely girl.”
No wonder Lady Tang had come the previous day to seek her approval to adopt this girl.
She handed Cheng Yunxiang a small jade ruyi as a gift.
After a glance from her sister, Cheng Yunxiang accepted it with thanks.
The Empress Dowager, clearly fond of her, spoke kindly for a while before saying, “Since you are here, stay a few days before returning home.”
She intended to summon Lady Tang and arrange the adoption.
But before Cheng Yunxiang could respond, Cheng Zhixiang interjected, “Mother, Yunxiang has come to tell me she wishes to enter religious life to pray for my child. His Majesty has already granted her Ganquan Temple.”
The Empress Dowager paused, then let out a soft “Oh.” She thought to herself that Yunxiang was already quite old to begin such a path, and returning later would make marriage difficult.
Recalling her own daughter’s unsatisfactory marriage after returning from religious life, she felt a pang of bitterness.
Yet when she remembered that Yunxiang was doing this to secure her a grandson, her mood brightened again. “A good child.”
She even praised her son. “His Majesty has made an excellent decision.”
She then summoned a female official. “You once served at Ganquan Temple. Take her there and familiarize her with everything.”
The official bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Cheng Yunxiang thanked her.
After chatting for a long while, the Empress Dowager dismissed them, sending gifts along.
After they left, she sighed. “The adoption will have to be delayed.”
Cheng Yunxiang would be too occupied to entertain such matters.
The official agreed, then added quietly, “Your Majesty, I have heard that the envoy from the Pei clan will soon arrive…”
Years ago, the Pei clan had sought a marriage alliance, demanding wealth under the guise of supporting a princess.
The Empress Dowager’s hand trembled. “The princesses are already married… only the daughter of Prince Xu remains of suitable age…”
It dawned on her that Lady Tang’s sudden interest in adoption was likely a scheme to use Cheng Yunxiang as a substitute.
She gave a cold smile. “Consort Chen is clever.”
The official agreed.
The Empress Dowager’s gaze darkened. In the harem, it was good for a woman to bear children, but excessive cleverness could bring disaster.
In the imperial study, several ministers stood with grave expressions.
Fan Ying said solemnly, “Your Majesty, the ambitions of the Pei clan will soon reach the south…”
The fall of Later Sui weighed heavily on them all.
Previously, when the Pei clan sought a marriage alliance, they demanded vast annual tribute under the pretense of supporting a princess.
The court had seen through it immediately.
It was nothing more than tribute under another name.
At that time, they had refused.
But now, circumstances have changed.
The Pei clan had grown far stronger, while Later Yue had lost its former confidence.
This time, they might not be able to refuse.