mtl008 Chapter 179 Madam Mochou
Chapter 179 Madam Mochou
Zhen Huan's gaze fell back on the emperor. Seeing him surrounded by the concubines, all the memories of their past interactions came to her mind. Those sweet words and gentle looks were like needles piercing her heart.
Even though she told herself countless times that those were all things of the past, she could not hide the attachment and pain that was hard to let go. She just watched quietly until the group finished worshiping Buddha and was about to leave the hall. Then she slowly withdrew her gaze, leaned against the pillar, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"There's even a little nun peeking over there!" Who else could have said this in a rhythmic and slightly complacent tone other than Concubine Qi?
Zhen Huan didn't dare to say a word, but Concubine Qi had already rushed over.
Seeing that it was indeed Zhen Huan, Concubine Qi's eyes seemed to be burning with anger, and she pulled her out.
Except for the emperor and his entourage, the other concubines were all attracted by their attention. Perhaps the emperor also heard it, but no matter what, he would not care about a nun.
Being dragged in front of the public by Concubine Qi, a flash of shame and anger flashed across Zhen Huan's eyes. She pulled back her sleeves and stood neither arrogantly nor servilely.
Concubine Qi naturally refused and circled around Zhen Huan, looking her up and down.
With a sneer, he said, "Do you still think you are the former Concubine Wan? How dare you not kneel down and salute me when you see me?"
Zhen Huan bit her lip, "Your humble concubine greets Her Majesty Jing, Her Majesty Qi, and all the ladies."
Shen Meizhuang frowned, protecting her belly, and stepped on the bottom of the flower pot, making a "da da da" sound. "Lady Qi, Concubine Wan is already a disciple of Buddhism, and there is no need for her to perform such a grand ceremony to you."
Caiyue clung to Shen Meizhuang with a nervous look on her face.
Concubine Qi glanced at Shen Meizhuang with disdain, then turned her gaze to Zhen Huan, "I wonder what Concubine Wan is called now?"
"My humble concubine is from Ganlu Temple, don't worry." Zhen Huan lowered her eyes, concentrating all her thoughts.
Noble Lady Qi raised her eyebrows. "Mo Chou is right, but why do you call yourself a humble concubine instead of a poor nun? Are you willing to be humble rather than be content with the Buddha?"
Shen Meizhuang clenched her fists. No matter how much resentment she had felt in the past, when she saw Zhen Huan's thin and pale appearance, she could not utter a word of blame.
With tears in her eyes, she retorted, "Madam Mochou is practicing with her hair uncut, but she is not a true nun."
"Noble Hui is deeply concerned and kind, and ultimately she is the best for Mo Chou."
Concubine Chun's eyes flickered, "Concubine Qi also cares about Master Mochou. She even dragged Mochou to meet us sisters just now. It must have hurt Master Mochou."
"Mo Chou is doing rough work now, so it's no big deal if she steps on your hand. Wasn't she scrubbing the floor just now?" Jing Bai said hurriedly, pointing to the bucket and rag beside Zhen Huan.
Concubine Chun pretended to be surprised and asked, "Rough work?"
Jing Bai was slightly startled, and carefully looked at everyone's face, "After all, they are not pampered empresses or ladies. They have to chop wood, wash clothes, and mop the floor." Seeing that no one was angry, and that Concubine Qi showed a happy expression, Jing Bai smiled with relief, "They are no different from the sisters-in-law in the temple."
The abbot disagreed a bit and looked at the two remaining concubines. "But Mo Chou is an honored lady in the palace after all. This is really unfair to her."
Concubine Jing and Concubine Qi looked at each other in silence. Concubine Qi cleared her throat and assumed the leadership position, "That's as it should be. Once you enter Buddhism, all things are empty, and the past and future should be abandoned."
The abbot had no choice but to bow his head and said, "Your Majesty is right."
Shen Meizhuang broke free from Caiyue's hand and knelt down, "Empress Qi, Mochou was ordered to leave the palace to practice Buddhism, and she is also the princess's biological mother. You can tell from her face that she is weak. But the temple still makes her do a lot of heavy work. Isn't that difficult?"
"Empress Qi has already said that once you become a nun, you should cut off your future. The princess is the princess, and Mo Chou is Mo Chou. The emperor has also said that the princess has only one mother, Concubine Duan. Concubine Hui should not take advantage of her pregnancy to disobey the emperor's will." Concubine Qi sneered.
Shen Meizhuang looked around and could only look at Concubine Jing and An Lingrong for help.
"Shaving your head to become a monk is shaving your head to become a monk, and keeping your hair is keeping your hair to practice. Lady Qi, please don't misunderstand me." Tara watched coldly and hit the nail on the head.
An Lingrong also spoke up at the right time, "Even the maids who left the palace are respected, not to mention that Mo Chou was once the emperor's concubine."
Concubine Jing laughed awkwardly, "Alright, the central hall for worship is at the back. If we don't go now, we'll be late."
The concubines left, but Shen Meizhuang stayed.
"Huan'er..."
"Sister Mei! They've all left, why are you doing this?"
Shen Meizhuang smiled sadly, "They all come in pairs. Yong'er caught a cold and didn't come. I don't have anyone to talk to anyway. It wouldn't be a problem if I went later. If it really doesn't work out, I can just use the excuse of feeling unwell."
Zhen Huan finally felt relieved. "I heard Sister Mei is pregnant, so she should be feeling much better. How come there's no one to talk to?"
Shen Meizhuang smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in her smile. "Empress Jing raised Princess Xinhe and has palace affairs to attend to, so I can't disturb her. Empress Xin has always loved to visit various palaces. Yong'er has become much more peaceful. Empress Duan has been very dedicated to raising Longyue, but she is not in good health, so I can't bother her often. On weekdays, I serve the Empress Dowager and have a relatively leisurely life."
When mentioning Lou Yong'er, Zhen Huan had a complicated expression, and when she saw Shen Meizhuang addressing her affectionately, Zhen Huan frowned.
Whatever!
Now that I have left the deep palace, I no longer think about those troublesome things.
"Sister Mei, you must be careful now that you are pregnant. If you feel unwell, feel free to go see Doctor Wen." Zhen Huan held Shen Meizhuang's hand with sincere eyes.
Shen Meizhuang was embarrassed for a moment, then turned into a warm smile.
Everyone left the palace at dawn and returned after nightfall.
Jiang Ruyin washed up and lay on the bed reading a book.
Hongxuan was holding his favorite pillow and peeking from behind the screen.
"What's wrong, little brat?" Jiang Ruyin asked casually without looking away.
Hongxuan cheered as if he had already received the consent, threw the pillow into the side of the bed, and climbed up himself.
She snuggled into Jiang Ruyin's arms and said coquettishly, "Hongxuan wants to sleep with mother~"
Pulling the quilt behind them to cover the two of them, Jiang Ruyin rubbed Hongxuan's soft face with her knuckles, "You'll be five in a few months. This won't happen again."
Hong Xuan turned over and leaned on Jiang Ruyin's arm to support himself. "Sister Wen Yi is seven years old and can still sleep with mother!"
"Then I'll punish you by turning you into a little girl."
"If I become a little girl, Hongxuan won't be able to do what I want to do!"