Chapter 169: Death Summons

Chapter 169: Death Summons

Ascending Mount Wutai, they arrived at Xian Tong Temple, where the Empress Dowager once resided. The courtyard she stayed in was clean, showing signs of fire damage on some darkened stone walls.

The sacrificial altar was prepared, and in the main hall, the Empress Dowager's spirit tablet was set up, inscribed with "Spirit Tablet of Empress Wu Yi De of the Zhou Dynasty."

"Zhou" is the dynastic title, "Wu" is the posthumous title of Emperor Qian Ning, and "Yi De" is the Empress Dowager's own posthumous title.

The Emperor entered alone, while Yi Shun Yi, Fu Gui Ren, Princess Huai Qing, the Second Princess, and others stayed outside in the courtyard to offer incense and worship.

The position of princesses and consorts was naturally at the forefront. The Countess of Gui Ren, being of royal blood and to avoid her being among the men at the back, was placed just behind Princess Huai Qing and the Second Princess.

During the worship, veils could not be worn. Yi Shun Yi removed her veil and glanced inadvertently at the Countess of Gui Ren, then quickly lowered her gaze, hiding her shock, and dared not look again.

So it turns out...

Yishunyi reflects silently, concluding that since the Countess of Guiren has followed them, her motives are as clear as day, and she must not be allowed to have her way!

If His Majesty were to bring back some common women from his southern tour, it would be one thing, but if he took a fancy to this lady, where would that leave her chance of bearing a royal heir?! Though the Empress would surely punish her, that would only happen after returning to the palace.

Wait a moment...

Yishunyi suddenly realizes, the Empress couldn't possibly be unaware of the Countess of Guiren's situation. With His Majesty's southern tour passing through Jinzhou and visiting Xiurong County to offer sacrifices being a certainty, could the Empress have not anticipated the possible outcomes?

With the Empress's wisdom, she would have foreseen this, then... the Empress selecting her to accompany...

Yishunyi rapidly weighs the pros and cons.

If she intervenes to block this rival, not only would she eliminate a strong competitor, increasing her own chances of bearing a royal heir, but she would also be serving the Empress. Upon returning to the palace, rewards would naturally follow.

But if she allows the Countess of Guiren to approach His Majesty, what would she gain? Could she really believe that as a lone woman she could overthrow the Empress? If the Countess of Guiren had some backing, perhaps she could lend her support; after all, the higher the Empress stands in His Majesty's favor, the less advantageous it is for the other consorts. But the Countess of Guiren is just a lone woman, without the Dowager Empress and the deposed Queen Wang, she certainly cannot outmatch the Empress.

With resolve set in her heart, Yishunyi held the incense and candles, eyes closed, bowing in worship to the chanting of the monks.

Beside her, Fu Guiren, Huaiqing Princess, and the Second Princess also noticed the face of Guiren County's master, each showing a look of surprise.

Fu Guiren only glanced once before turning away; the Second Princess sneakily peeked at Yishunyi's expression before following suit in bowing; only Huaiqing Princess stared at Guiren County's master for a moment before turning away openly.

His Majesty the Emperor didn't stay inside for long, coming out after about half an hour.

His face was truly incomparable in beauty, making it difficult for the Emperor to not take notice.

But his eyes were deep and did not show the unusual emotion everyone speculated.

Such a youthful face, deliberately kept cold and indifferent, and the plain, even austere attire... all these ignited an unnamed fury in Xiao Sheng's heart, overwhelming and rampant.

He quickly left the small courtyard, leading everyone away from Xiantong Temple.

The officials following sensed that His Majesty seemed in a poor mood, which was understandable given the Empress Dowager's demise here. They hurriedly followed, maintaining solemn expressions, silent and fearful of displeasing the Emperor.

Yishunyi and Fu Guiren had some guesses but dared not speak.

Huaiqing Princess, holding the hand of the Second Princess, looked back and whispered, "Second sister, this Lady Song really resembles our mother."

The Second Princess replied, "Sister, let's not talk about this now, let's hurry."

Although Xiao Sheng was feeling unwell, his facial expression remained as calm as ever. Reaching the foot of the mountain, he said to Sheng An, "As the adopted daughter of the Empress, Guiren County's master's filial piety in praying for her in Xiuyong County is commendable. However, she seems frail and possibly unwell. After returning, send the imperial physician to check her pulse. It wouldn’t be good if she passed away prematurely."

Sheng An immediately responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

Glancing at Lady Liu and her party waiting at the foot of the mountain, he thought about the appearance of Guiren County's master he had just seen, and sighed inwardly: The Emperor would never allow anyone to tarnish the Empress' reputation, nor would he be moved by such a frail Guiren County's master.

Fourteen years old, not yet of age, bearing such a face, yet adopting a cold and distant demeanor. Ah, it's like challenging fate itself!

Sheng An would not forget why, when His Majesty was still Prince Cheng, he was eager to make moves in the twenty-eighth year of Qianning.

That year, as Princess Anning came of age, she would tie up her hair and adorn it with the hairpin sent by Chen Xianyu, the heir to the An Kingdom. Soon after, she would don her wedding gown and marry into the An Kingdom's household.

Before her coming-of-age, Princess Anning was vibrant in red. After, having grown up with the now-deceased Crown Prince Yuanhui and the An Kingdom's heir, and betrothed by imperial decree, she transformed from a royal maiden to another kind of royal, akin to a bright moon.

Perhaps, all girls change after coming of age. Once they marry, they can no longer enjoy the freedom of their maiden days.

Song Ran, walking behind the princesses with her head down, couldn’t comprehend why her plans faltered despite sensing the Emperor's gaze, which was far from indifferent. Why did he seem to ignore her existence?

She intended to remain passive, but with the Emperor's apparent disinterest, her strategy had to change.

However, Song Ran's thoughts shifted entirely upon returning home and seeing Sheng An arrive with the imperial physician.

The beardless eunuch smiled kindly, repeatedly suggesting she had a health deficiency, hence sending the physician to examine her.

A health deficiency? How could she be unwell?

The imperial physician's fingers on her wrist felt like a death knell, while her maid Xiaoxing mistakenly believed the Emperor’s special attention signified his favor.

Rapidly thinking, Song Ran, as the Empress Dowager's adopted daughter and a long-time petitioner for blessings, knew the Emperor wouldn’t let her die abruptly for the sake of reputation. The most likely scenario, as the eunuch suggested, was a gradual decline due to “health deficiency,” leading to an early death.

This meant she still had time to save herself, and possibly, turn the tables.