"Indeed, one cannot simply live as one pleases. Learning rules and etiquette is cumberso, but they are essential life lessons. As the saying goes, without rules, there is no order. But once you’ve mastered these rules, they will beco your allies as you grow, helping you beco a more qualified Grand Princess.
"Being a flower isn’t so bad, either. You wouldn’t need to learn rules or etiquette, and no one would force you to do things you don’t want to. But once that flower blooms, people can do whatever they want with it. Pluck it, uproot it, even eradicate it completely—it has no right to say no!"
The speaker was not Old Lady Ji, nor Nanny Zhang, but Xie Pan’Er, who was slowly approaching.
"Pretty Sister!"
Xiaosuisui leaped from Old Lady Ji’s arms and rushed over to hug Xie Pan’Er’s leg.
"Pretty Sister, why are you back? Weren’t you at Qixia Temple accompanying Grandma?"
Xie Pan’Er gently disengaged her, had her stand aside, then first paid her respects to Old Lady Ji before greeting Nanny Zhang.
"Greetings, Old Lady Ji, Nanny Zhang!"
"Don’t be so formal; we’re family. Weren’t you at Qixia Temple accompanying the Empress Dowager? Why did you suddenly return?" Old Lady Ji quickly asked.
"The Empress Dowager heard that last night, Eldest Young Master Ji and Master Liao Kong agreed that the Grand Princess would beco Master Liao Kong’s disciple after the Dharma Assembly at Qixia Temple concludes today. Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was worried. Uncertain if Eldest Young Master Ji had other intentions, she sent Pan’Er back to inquire."
"Xiaosuisui is to beco a disciple? Did my eldest son say that?"
Old Lady Ji’s expression changed. She suddenly recalled Ji Youyuan ntioning it last night, but she had been preoccupied with Ji Youran’s poisoning and had overlooked it.
"What? Old Lady Ji, you didn’t know?"
Seeing Old Lady Ji’s expression, Xie Pan’Er grew concerned. It seems the Ji Family isn’t fully prepared! Otherwise, Old Lady Ji wouldn’t look like this.
"I truly didn’t. Soone, go and fetch my eldest son for !"
Old Lady Ji, flustered, imdiately sent a young maidservant to summon Ji Youyuan. Xiaosuisui, anwhile, went to have her breakfast.
With Xie Pan’Er present and observing, Nanny Zhang seized the rare opportunity to thoroughly drill Xiaosuisui on her manners. For Xiaosuisui, breakfast felt like torture.
In the Flower Hall, Old Lady Ji questioned Ji Youyuan, "Do you truly intend for Xiaosuisui to shave her head and beco a nun? You actually agreed to let her take a master?"
Ji Youyuan sat beside Old Lady Ji, choosing his words carefully.
"Mother, please don’t be upset yet. Let explain the reasons to you."
"Not angry? My beloved granddaughter is about to be pushed into becoming a nun by her own maternal uncle! If I weren’t angry, would I still be human? Eldest son, we called you back to solve problems, not to be a coward! Let tell you, if Xiaosuisui truly becos a nun, then I’ll beco one too! I’ll accompany her!"
Old Lady Ji was furious, her words bordering on irrational.
"Mother! How can you say such things? I’m Xiaosuisui’s biological uncle; would I ever harm her? Didn’t we agree previously to find a way to obtain the Buddhist Mind-Reading Art and Silent ditation Art? If she doesn’t beco a disciple, how could they willingly hand over such Buddhist treasures?"
"You an, becoming a disciple is a pretense? Our real goal is to use this opportunity to obtain those cultivation arts for Xiaosuisui?"
"Precisely."
With Ji Youyuan’s reassurance, Old Lady Ji understood. "Then this is your responsibility. If Xiaosuisui loses even a single hair, I’ll hold you accountable!"
Old Lady Ji looked at Ji Youyuan very seriously as she spoke.
"Rest assured, Mother. We won’t even need to try too hard. That old bald donkey is destined for this tribulation!"
"Hmm?"
Old Lady Ji was thoroughly puzzled and looked at Ji Youyuan questioningly.
Ji Youyuan rely smiled without elaborating, instead turning to ask a young maidservant.
"Isn’t Xiaosuisui ready yet?"
"She has finished her breakfast and is currently chatting with Miss Xie!"
When Miss Xie was around, Nanny Zhang found it much easier to instruct the Grand Princess on her etiquette.
"Go tell the Grand Princess it’s ti to depart."
Upon hearing they were leaving for Qixia Temple, Xiaosuisui was overjoyed. She had long coveted the Mind-Reading Art. She scampered to the Residence gate and, seeing Wang Dongxue standing by the carriage, chirped happily, "Eldest Auntie!"
Her call, so soft and sweet, nearly lted Wang Dongxue’s heart.
"Xiaosuisui!" Wang Dongxue opened her arms, about to embrace her, when a figure suddenly blocked her path. Wang Dongxue reached out to push him aside but couldn’t budge him.
"Husband! Move aside!" Wang Dongxue exclaid, utterly exasperated.
"You’re pregnant! Be careful! This little imp is boisterous; what if she accidentally hurts you?"
Ji Youyuan protectively guided Wang Dongxue behind him, then casually scooped Xiaosuisui into his arms.
"What nonsense are you spouting? How is Xiaosuisui boisterous? I think you just wanted to hold her yourself and didn’t want to get to her first!"
His intentions exposed, a faint blush crept onto Ji Youyuan’s face, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"Well... Hah! We’re all riding in the sa carriage. Does it really matter if I hold her or you do?"
As soon as Ji Youyuan finished speaking, a young maidservant ca forward to help Wang Dongxue into the carriage.
Ji Youyuan, carrying Xiaosuisui, boarded the carriage and ordered the procession to depart.
At Qixia Temple today, everyone was in high spirits. Senior monks and young novices alike bustled about, bursting with energy.
Even more noble young ladies and madams were gathered around the Empress Dowager.
"Your Majesty truly loves the people as her own children," one lady began. "When the calamity struck Yunhang, you imdiately ca to Qixia Temple to pray for the victims. I heard the disaster in Yunhang was severe, yet, astoundingly, not a single life was lost. It must be Your Majesty’s compassion for the people that moved the heavens, compelling them to protect the victims of Yunhang."
One after another, the noblewon drew near the Empress Dowager, each vying to curry favor.
The Empress Dowager, however, was not in a good mood. Watching these young won, dressed like blooming flowers, she naturally understood their intentions. In the past, she would have been delighted to have these young ladies gather around, allowing her to observe and select. She would have considered who might catch her precious son’s eye, scheming to quickly instate an empress and confer titles. But now, her heart was consud with worry for her precious granddaughter, leaving her with no patience for their chatter.
Thus, she remained seated, silent.
The won, recalling the news from the Imperial Palace the previous day, were all plotting. They couldn’t afford to sit idly by. The Princess of Nanjiang is of noble status. If she truly captures His Majesty the Emperor’s interest, then our daughters will lose their opportunity!
The Duchess Zhenguo blinked, a plan suddenly forming in her mind.
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