Chapter 157: More at Ease
Playing chess was the best way to pass the time, and since winter days were short, dusk arrived in the blink of an eye.
Wen Mingqian and the Grand Princess played three games, with Wen Mingqian winning one and losing two.
“You clearly didn’t go all out, you were deliberately letting me win,” the Grand Princess said, gently pushing the chessboard away. “It seems you’ll give me plenty of entertainment when you visit again.”
“This humble woman has already racked her brains. If we were to play a fourth game, I wouldn’t be able to hold on any longer,” Wen Mingqian replied. “It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave and head down the mountain. Your Highness, please take care. If you need anything, you can send someone to Wu Qiu Nunnery to find this humble woman at any time.”
“I’ll send two guards to escort you down the mountain and into the city,” the Grand Princess said. “The weather is getting colder, let me give you two pieces of clothing!”
As she spoke, she called the elder maid, Cui Zhen, to bring over a cloak made of grey squirrel fur and another of silver fox fur. Both were made in the Imperial Household, with furs from Liaodong as tribute, faced with Shu brocade, and inlaid with gemstones at the collar, exuding immense luxury and opulence.
Wen Mingqian quickly expressed her gratitude.
The Grand Princess chuckled, “These are nothing. Here, take one for this little maid too! Don’t let this delicate little beauty freeze.”
Wen Mingqian and Sang Er descended the mountain and entered the city. The two guards escorted them to the entrance of Wu Qiu Nunnery before departing.
“My goodness, thank goodness for the clothes the Grand Princess bestowed upon us, otherwise I would have frozen stiff,” Sang Er said with relief after entering the nunnery. “Imperial-made items are truly extraordinary.”
“We will only wear these clothes when we visit the Grand Princess from now on. The rest of the time, we’ll put them away,” Wen Mingqian said. “They’re too eye-catching. It’s fortunate that it’s already late.”
As they spoke, the two entered the room. Just as they lit the lamp, Hui Ming arrived.
“Have the two benefactors had dinner yet? The kitchen has saved some food for you. You had only just left when the First Madam of the Zhou Family arrived,” Hui Ming said.
“Cuiyi came? What a shame, she missed us,” Wen Mingqian said. “Did she leave any message?”
“First Madam Zhou said she would come again tomorrow. If you are still unable to make time, please send word to her,” Hui Ming said.
“Alright, I understand. Thank you so much,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile to the young nun. “These are dim sum that the Grand Princess bestowed upon me. Take two pieces. They are all vegetarian, so eat them without worry.”
“No, no, how can this be?” Hui Ming blushed and firmly refused.
“Just take them! They aren’t gold or silver,” Sang Er insisted, pressing them into her hand. “We’ve received so much care from you here, what’s wrong with eating a couple of dim sum?”
Hui Ming finally accepted them.
Sang Er went to the back to get dinner. Hui Ming saw that the charcoal fire in their room had gone out, so she proactively took the brazier outside, emptied the ashes, and then brought a newly lit charcoal basin back in.
Just as Sang Er returned with dinner, it was indeed cold, and although the meal was kept warm, it was somewhat cool.
She said, “Thank goodness I bought an iron cover some days ago. This thing is a treasure.”
“Yes! Back in Shuangxi, this was indispensable in winter,” Wen Mingqian said. “And Zhang Ma’s baking cylinder always had a fire going. You are indeed thoughtful.”
“Why doesn’t Mother say it’s because I’m greedy?” Sang Er giggled. “This can be placed over the charcoal basin. It’s good for warming meals and dishes, and even better for roast meat and roast dim sum. It tastes exceptionally sweet.”
The two sat around the charcoal fire and ate their dinner at a leisurely pace.
The next day, Liu Cuiyi indeed came again.
Upon entering Wen Mingqian’s room, she said, “Elder Sister, do you know what they’re saying outside?”
“What are they saying?” Wen Mingqian asked, putting down her teacup and smiling.
“What else? Of course, it’s about your divorce,” Liu Cuiyi said, sitting down. “They say that the Gong Family has been experiencing one major event after another lately.”
“No matter how much they gossip, it’s only for a moment. Besides, they gossip their way, and I live my life,” Wen Mingqian truly didn’t care.
“Actually, I knew Elder Sister would eventually leave the Gong Family, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon. After I heard the news, I immediately had someone inquire about where you went. When I learned you were here, I rushed over,” Liu Cuiyi said. “I should have guessed it earlier.”
“I see your complexion is indeed much better now,” Wen Mingqian smiled. “You speak much faster than before.”
“Elder Sister, don’t laugh at me,” Liu Cuiyi said. “I am genuinely happy for you.”
“What? Aren’t you worried about me?”
“What is there to worry about? You endured seven difficult years in Shuangxi, and this is nothing compared to that,” Liu Cuiyi said. “You’ve finally escaped that cage. Your future days will be free and unfettered. I don’t know how much I envy you.”
“I feel the same way,” Wen Mingqian said. “When Gong Xu signed and stamped the divorce agreement, I felt an indescribable sense of relief.”
“Let’s go! Elder Sister, let’s go for a drink,” Liu Cuiyi said happily, taking Wen Mingqian’s hand. “Let’s have a good drink today.”
“My reputation as a divorced woman may not be good. If you associate with me, aren’t you afraid your mother-in-law will make things difficult for you?” Wen Mingqian asked.
“I’m not afraid,” Liu Cuiyi scoffed. “Even with all my adherence to the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, I never received any benefits. They never treated me like a human being.
A few days ago, my mother-in-law hinted that I went out too often and brought her niece into the house, causing all sorts of trouble.
I was so angry that I cursed them out for a while, telling them to stop riding on people’s necks. It was a complete mess, and I’m not afraid of losing face.
I might as well let everyone know what kind of respectable family the Zhou family is, so poor that they rely on their daughter-in-law’s dowry for support. If they dislike me, they should divorce me sooner. They must return my dowry, not a single cent less!
But they are reluctant to lose face and reluctant to part with money, so they can only pretend to be deaf and mute.”
“You’re truly amazing! If you had shown this fierce spirit earlier, Zhou Jing San would have been completely subdued,” Wen Mingqian couldn’t help but laugh. “How did you suddenly become so enlightened?”
Liu Cuiyi smiled without answering, only saying, “Regardless, I must treat you to a good meal today. I’ve already ordered the food and drinks, let’s go out now.”
“Sang Er has gone out to buy something,” Wen Mingqian said. “Let’s wait for her for now.”
“Alright,” Liu Cuiyi nodded. “Then let’s chat first. Elder Sister, where did you go yesterday?”
“I went to Yu Zhen Temple,” Wen Mingqian naturally wouldn’t hide it from her. “It was already late when I returned.”
“I knew it. You’ll live even better after leaving the Gong Family, especially now that you have the Grand Princess’s favor,” Liu Cuiyi said. “It’s a pity I don’t have your abilities.”
“What favor or not, it’s just that the Grand Princess didn’t abandon me, which gave me the opportunity to go there,” Wen Mingqian said. “Oh, right, I made some more things for you. Let’s bring them along!”
“If Elder Sister gives them to me, I won’t refuse. I’ve been wanting such good things,” Liu Cuiyi said, very pleased.
Wen Mingqian felt that her personality was even more lively than before she was married, so she didn’t understand why she had become this way, but she was still happy for her from the bottom of her heart.
