"Why are you suddenly concerned about the assassination?" Fu Yuheng was hesitant in his heart, wondering whether he should believe Xiao Shushen or should he rather believe it than not and investigate her thoroughly.
Xiao Shushen's body visibly stiffened. "Does His Majesty suspect that I had something to do with the assassination?" As she spoke, tears were about to fall. "I just couldn't bear to see Your Majesty so worried, so I prepared to make soup for Your Majesty. If the assassination was really done by me, how could I have come to you so easily? Your Majesty has three thousand beauties in his harem, so he would never suspect me. Why does His Majesty think that I am guilty of my concern for him?" Xiao Shushen's tone contained grievance, but what she said was not without reason.
Fu Yuheng felt a little guilty when he heard her words. She saved his life, but he actually doubted her like that. "Okay, stop crying." Fu Yuheng rubbed his temples, feeling a little helpless. He put the bowl aside and patted her shoulder with his hand. She then lay in his arms.
Xiao Shushen was sobbing because she was sad. Fu Yuheng thought it was his fault and was too embarrassed to push her away. He could only let her lean on his chest and cry like a pear blossom in the rain. He could only comfort her helplessly.
This time, he didn't want to doubt her anymore. After all, everything she said made sense. Besides, based on Xiao Shushen's usual style, she didn't seem like someone who would assassinate the Empress Dowager and Concubine Xian.
"Alright, alright, I apologize to you. It's my fault. I shouldn't have blamed you like this..."
On the other side, Li Jieyu was staying in her bedroom thinking about it. She was now in the camp of Concubine De, but although Concubine De was one of the four concubines, she had slowly lost the emperor's favor. If she stayed with her, she would probably not see the emperor a few times in half a year and could only grow old in this deep palace.
"What do you think?" Li Jieyu lowered her head and asked the maid who was kneeling on the ground.
The maid's face was already red and swollen. She raised her head tremblingly, but she didn't dare to look him in the eye.
"The thing a woman fears most in this palace is to have her youth buried in this deep palace without being appreciated by any man. Given Concubine De's situation, if there is really a chance to see the emperor, Concubine De will definitely seize the opportunity herself, and there will be no chance for you to see the emperor. If this is the case, when will you ever be able to make a name for yourself?"
Li Jieyu's eyes became sharp. The maid was right, so she nodded. She didn't think she was heartless. She felt that she had been with Concubine De for a long time, but the current situation made Concubine De very disappointed. She didn't want to wait until she was old and ugly. If that day really came, she might achieve nothing in her life and even be driven out of the palace.
The only way out is to seek a better job. And the one that Li Jieyu is eyeing is the current Empress. The Empress is different from Concubine De. The Empress is the head of the harem. She is to be the mother of the country and to promote the continuation of the royal bloodline. Therefore, she must not have selfish thoughts in her heart and must not monopolize the emperor. If she is close to the Empress, she is likely to see the emperor often, which will increase the possibility of her being favored.
After much thought, Li Jieyu finally decided to seek refuge with the Queen, so as not to waste her youth which was destined to be ruined in the deep palace.
“De Fei, please don’t blame me. It’s just that you are really too old. Now, I’m afraid you should just stay in the yard and take care of yourself…” Li Jieyu stretched out her hand and tore off a branch of flowers beside her. Blood oozed from her fingers, but she didn’t notice it at all.
About half a day later, Shen Qingwan also arrived at Fashan Temple. This time was different from the last time she came with the empress dowager. It was much more peaceful.
Originally, Shen Qingwan went to Fashan Temple to pray for blessings and to see the abbot. However, after walking around for a long time, she did not see him and became confused. Just then, she saw a young monk sweeping the floor, so she went over to ask, "Where is your abbot now?"
Seeing that she was not surprised at all, the little monk just raised his hand and said, "Amitabha, I just saw the master in the back mountain. I'm afraid he won't be able to come to see the female donor for a while. If the female donor wants to see the master, why not let me lead the way for her."
The scenery of the back mountain is very beautiful, it can be said to be lush and green, the birds are singing crisply and melodiously, and you can feel the freedom of the birds. It is like a hermit's residence, extremely quiet and full of vitality.
"We're here." The little monk bowed, and Shen Qingwan came back to her senses.
When she looked up, she saw the abbot playing chess with a young man in white. However, in Shen Qingwan's eyes, this scene seemed like two otherworldly masters playing chess. She could only watch from a distance and not get close to blaspheme.
"Abbot, it seems that a distinguished guest has arrived." The young man in white dropped his black chess piece and turned around to look at Shen Qingwan. It turned out that he had already noticed her and turned around to smile at her.
Shen Qingwan was stunned for a few seconds and quickly walked forward.
The young man in white seemed like Baoyu, delicate and fair, with eyes that seemed to contain a thousand words, but he said nothing to her, just smiled at her, and that smile seemed to make the flowers lose their color.
Shen Qingwan didn't know how to react, she could only stare at him and smile. His temperament was like that of a god, so much so that she was only focused on appreciating that pure temperament and didn't notice that he had left.
"Madam donor, are you here to see me?" Fortunately, the abbot reminded her in time, and Shen Qingwan came to her senses. She immediately said, "I'm sorry." The abbot just smiled faintly, as if it was commonplace.
"Who is the young man in white just now, and what is his identity?" Shen Qingwan was cold by nature, but she had infinite curiosity and speculation about the young man in white.
The abbot just shook his head and smiled, perhaps a little helpless, "The Buddha said: 'It is unspeakable.' I cannot reveal too much. And don't worry, lady donor. You and the young man in white will meet again soon."
Meet again? How did Fang Zheng know? Why was he so sure? He guessed in his mind, but didn't ask any more questions.
The abbot smiled but did not answer, which made her even more curious about the identity of the young man in white.
"Female donor, why don't you come with me to the main hall? As for who that young man is, you will know sooner or later. Why rush it now?" Fang Zheng kept his mouth shut and was unwilling to reveal anything. Shen Qingwan nodded, but did not ask any more questions. Since the abbot said so, it would probably be fruitless to ask further.
During this prayer, Shen Qingwan thought about many things, about the unfathomable harem, about the unfathomable court... She could only try to protect herself, and as for what the final outcome would be, it was all up to fate. But as Concubine Shu said, it is not impossible to survive in the face of death.
After saying goodbye to the abbot, he left Fashan Temple and returned to the palace.