When Xiao Shizhi arrived at Xingqing Palace, Bai Fuxue had already emerged from the palace halls.
Rong Baolin and Lin Zhaoyi stood side by side, exchanging hostile glances.
Rong Baolin held her head high, resembling a proud little peacock.
Though Lin Zhaoyi held a respectable rank, her lack of imperial favor left her unable to retort when looked down upon by a mere Baolin.
The moment Bai Fuxue spotted Xiao Shizhi approaching, while others were still performing their greetings, she immediately dashed over and threw herself directly into Xiao Shizhi’s embrace.
Xiao Shizhi staggered from the impact but held her tightly.
With concern in her voice, she asked, “Did you suffer any grievances at the Empress Dowager’s place just now?”
Xiao Shizhi’s heart clenched with worry as she carefully examined every inch of Bai Fuxue, genuinely fearing there might be unseen injuries.
The others knelt behind them in formal greeting, and it took Xiao Shizhi a long moment to notice before waving them up.
Just as Lin Zhaoyi was about to speak, she saw Bai Fuxue weeping pitifully,
“With Your Majesty’s comfort, no matter what grievances I suffer, I shall feel none at all.”
Bai Fuxue glanced at Rong Baolin with a faint, ambiguous smile.
Rong Baolin: “!!!”
Bai Fuxue’s posture against Xiao Shizhi grew increasingly coy and alluring,
“The Empress Dowager is well-versed in etiquette. In comparison, I am truly uncivilized to the extreme, I cannot even perform a simple greeting properly.”
A glimmer of tears shone in Bai Fuxue’s eyes. “It’s all Your Majesty’s fault for spoiling me so.”
Rong Baolin: ????
Lin Zhaoyi: !
Is it really okay to act so coquettishly with Her Majesty the Empress like this?
Calling you a seductive temptress, it seems you weren’t wrongly accused.
Lin Zhaoyi’s pupils trembled in disbelief.
Xiao Shizhi gently smoothed Bai Fuxue’s flowing black hair. “It’s alright. Etiquette is merely for show, what matters is the sincerity behind it.”
Bai Fuxue’s smile grew even sweeter as she nuzzled Xiao Shizhi’s cheek again.
“This humble consort and the other sisters will depart for Xingguo Temple tomorrow and will likely stay for a few days.”
Xiao Shizhi’s heart tightened once more in the original novel, this young lady had suffered terribly.
Xiao Shizhi gazed complexly at the beauty in her arms. “Don’t go, alright?”
Bai Fuxue shook her head, soft and timid. “The Empress Dowager specifically requested my presence. Your Majesty should uphold filial piety and not always oppose the Empress Dowager.”
She needed to assess the threat level of her rivals, an inexplicable sense of possessiveness rose within Bai Fuxue.
Xiao Shizhi had long arranged for people to be placed near the Empress Dowager.
They had seamlessly infiltrated the retinue without anyone noticing.
Xiao Shizhi stood atop the city walls, watching the carriage depart into the distance.
Her right eyelid twitched violently.
Li Dequan: “Reporting to Your Majesty, all personnel have been arranged. No one will dare mistreat the Consort.”
Even Li Dequan, who had witnessed countless dark schemes in the palace, couldn’t help but think the Empress was being overly cautious.
What could possibly happen in a sacred Buddhist site?
Only when the carriage disappeared beyond the horizon did Xiao Shizhi return to Zichen Hall.
Bai Fuxue and Lin Zhaoyi shared a carriage, so tired they could barely keep their eyes open.
Lin Zhaoyi: “Sister, rest for a while. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
Lin Zhaoyi had a gentle appearance that Bai Fuxue found appealing. Leaning against her, the space between her eyebrows was filled with the carriage’s pleasant floral fragrance.
When she opened her eyes again, outside the window emerald mountains encircled them, connected by clear blue waters.
The majestic temple stood imposingly upon the earth, while the faint, distant sounds of chanting and prayers drifted to their ears.
Bai Fuxue slept restlessly.
The Empress Dowager opened her eyes and, supported by her attendant, stepped down from the carriage.
Abbot Xinming was already waiting at the entrance, palms pressed together in prayer, his kasaya shimmering with golden light under the sun.
The Empress Dowager bowed with her palms together in return.
Bai Fuxue, drowsy as she climbed up, was awestruck by the scene before her.
Abbot Xinming greeted, “Amitabha, three benefactors.”
Bai Fuxue, Consort Lin, and Rong Baolin, who clung closely to the Empress Dowager, all pressed their palms together in response.
Rong Baolin was still young, her face bearing traces of childish innocence, resembling a charming young girl imitating the manners of her elders.
Abbot Xinming’s gaze suddenly shifted to Bai Fuxue’s face, a gentle yet sharp look that carved out a meaningful smile.
The Empress Dowager noticed the abbot’s unusual attention and glanced back at the languid-looking Bai Fuxue.
Feeling uneasy under the scrutiny, Bai Fuxue softly murmured, “Amitabha.”
The journey up the mountain had to be made on foot, with no sedan chairs or carriages available.
Since her transmigration, Bai Fuxue had grown unaccustomed to physical exertion and ignorant of basic life skills, living in a daze. She had never engaged in exercise; even climbing steps required assistance. Suddenly embarking on such a strenuous trek was more than she could endure.
The Empress Dowager, walking at the front, cast an extremely disdainful glance at Bai Fuxue.
Her heart filled with contempt.
If the late emperor or the current sovereign were present, such affectations might evoke pity.
But who was she putting on this frail act for now?
A fox spirit will always be a fox spirit.
Rong Baolin, though panting heavily, walked alongside her aunt, the Empress Dowager. Young as she was, she displayed remarkable vitality.
The abbot ahead turned and quietly observed Bai Fuxue, speaking only after everyone had climbed up.
“Benefactor, please stay.”
Accustomed to long years of Buddhist devotion, the Empress Dowager initially thought the call was for her. But just as she was about to respond, she saw Bai Fuxue step forward.
A breeze brushed against their faces, carrying faint chants of Buddhist scriptures.
The Empress Dowager’s composure nearly faltered as she glanced at her foolish niece beside her.
Rong Baolin quickly scurried over to stand by the abbot.
Abbot Xinming gazed calmly at Bai Fuxue. “This humble monk sees that you, benefactor, are an extraordinary person. Shall we converse further in the tea room?”
Bai Fuxue’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively took a step back and lowered her gaze.
“I am but an ordinary person, with nothing remarkable about me.”
The abbot’s smile remained unchanged as he pointed in a direction for the four benefactors.
“The young novices are currently attending morning lessons. If you have the leisure and inclination, you may take a seat in the main hall.”
The Empress Dowager inwardly scoffed at Bai Fuxue’s lack of appreciation, yet a flicker of curiosity arose within her.
Could it be that Bai Fuxue truly possessed something extraordinary?
The main hall was immensely grand, especially the golden statue of Buddha at the forefront. Merely standing before it evoked a sense of one’s own insignificance.
Bai Fuxue found a cushion and sat cross-legged upon it.
Rows of young novices sat ahead, their shaved heads swaying as they chanted a rather amusing sight.
She remained seated for several hours.
The Empress Dowager, seated at the front, closed her eyes and murmured prayers, clearly a devout follower.
Rong Baolin and Consort Lin, however, lacked such patience. Their legs grew numb from sitting, yet they dared not move.
Bai Fuxue dozed off, waking bleary-eyed only to fall asleep again.
When she opened her eyes once more, the Empress Dowager, Consort Lin, and Rong Baolin had all vanished. Even the young novices were nowhere to be seen.
Before her stood a golden Buddha statue so immense she had to tilt her head back to see its full height.
The Buddha gazed down with compassionate eyes, a faint smile gracing its lips as if holding a flower.
Bai Fuxue’s mind drifted for a moment before she finally noticed the Zen Master Xinming seated across from her.
Her pupils abruptly contracted.
Zen Master Xinming smiled gently and said, “You are the second most intriguing person this humble monk has ever met.”
Bai Fuxue pressed further, “Who was the first?”
The Zen Master’s eyes darkened, profound and unfathomable. “Xiao Shizhi.”