Chapter 270: Mutual Understanding
“Yes, Young Lady.” Jinshu replied, “The military supplies corruption case is almost concluded. Guo Zhaohuai’s second uncle, Guo Mingyuan, has confessed to the crime of negligent supervision regarding the misappropriation of grain from the Changping Granary…”
Xue Sui’s hand-wiping motion paused, water droplets falling onto the blue stone slabs.
She gazed at the rolling green mountains in the distance, recalling the border soldiers who had starved to death or died suddenly in the snowfields due to the embezzlement of grain and provisions.
“Even with posthumous honors and lavish burials, I fear they will not rest in peace,”
Jinshu’s voice was very low as she continued, “The Eldest Young Master received news that Madam Wang, the Duchess of Zheng, along with the female members of her family, intends to visit the nunnery to offer incense, purify the premises, and pray for the Guo family.”
Xue Sui’s fingers twitched slightly, a flash of cold light in her eyes before it quickly subsided, her expression returning to calm.
“When?”
“The fifteenth day of the month, the full moon. They have prepared three cartloads of incense, candles, and offerings.”
“Understood.” Her voice was clear and cold.
“County Princess Minghui will also be accompanying them,” Jinshu added, a hint of hesitation in her voice.
“The County Princess often visits the nunnery and has a history with you, Young Lady. If you wish to investigate the details of the embezzlement or find any clues to the Guo family’s hidden ill-gotten gains, you could start with the County Princess…”
“There’s no need.” Xue Sui interrupted her. “Third Miss Guo has a clear mind; do not involve her. We already have our informants in place; there’s no need for such methods.”
“Yes.” Jinshu retreated, blushing.
–
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the summer heat gradually intensified.
The fifteenth day was a Renyin day, auspicious for offering sacrifices to Buddha, fasting, and praying for blessings.
At three quarters past the Mao hour, the carriage of the Duke of Zheng’s mansion indeed arrived at Shui Yue Nunnery.
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn, with only the sound of sutra chanting and the gentle tapping of wooden fish.
Madam Wang, the Duchess of Zheng, led the female members of her household, a dense crowd kneeling on cushions, listening to the scriptures with focused minds.
They wore simple, elegant silks, their hair buns adorned only with blue satin.
Madam Guo Wang’s well-maintained face was drawn tight, an unshakeable anxiety etched between her brows.
Some of the younger wives behind her could barely remain kneeling; even with cushions beneath their knees, their waists and legs ached.
Xue Yue E followed behind her mother-in-law, Second Madam Sun Shi, her face haggard, her movements perfunctory. Her gaze occasionally flickered towards Xue Sui, who was dressed in simple attire, her eyes filled with undisguised scrutiny…
As daughters of the Xue family, their fates were vastly different. Facing Xue Sui, she felt both ashamed and humiliated.
Guo Yunrong, along with her birth mother, Madam Luo, knelt in the front rows of the female contingent. She wore a plain sky-blue silk robe, her hair adorned with only a simple silver hairpin.
She slightly raised her head and, upon seeing Xue Sui, her eyes lit up.
Not seeing her look back, a flicker of confusion crossed her face, along with a suppressed sense of grievance.
After a long while—
The sutra chanting finally ceased, and Abbess Huiming led everyone to rise.
Xue Sui also stood up, clad in a grey monk’s robe, her figure slender and upright, devoid of joy or sorrow.
“All benefactors have sincere hearts towards Buddha and will surely receive the Bodhisattva’s protection. However, worldly attachments must be seen through and let go of to attain great freedom,” Abbess Huiming’s voice was clear and pure, as if devoid of any earthly concerns.
Madam Guo Wang, the Duchess of Zheng, maintained her composure and led the female members of her household to rise, a polite smile gracing her lips.
“Reverend Mother is merciful. Today, I, along with the female members of my household, have brought humble offerings, hoping for the Bodhisattva’s compassion to bless our Guo family with longevity, and our descendants with freedom from disaster and illness. The entire Duke of Zheng’s mansion will forever be grateful for the Master’s grace and virtue.”
She bowed deeply, and everyone followed suit, bowing in unison.
Huiming’s eyes held compassion as she softly uttered, “Amitabha.”
“Benefactors who serve the Bodhisattva with a pure heart will have their wishes fulfilled according to their hearts.”
With that, she gestured for her young disciple to collect the list of offerings and silently recited Buddhist chants.
The female members of the Duke of Zheng’s mansion stepped forward in order, offering incense and oil, uttering the same predictable auspicious words.
When it was Guo Yunrong’s turn, she stepped forward a few paces. After offering the incense and oil, she approached Xue Sui, her clear eyes filled with unspoken words.
“Sister, you have grown thinner… Is life in the mountains arduous, but are you at peace?”
Xue Sui’s gaze fell upon her face, lingering for a moment. She clasped her hands in return.
“Thank you for your concern, County Princess. The Buddhist Gate is pure, and this nun’s heart is calm, thus I am naturally at peace.”
Her gaze was deep, like a stone dropped into an ancient well, creating a faint ripple that quickly subsided into silence.
Guo Yunrong could not fathom her, and felt a sense of grievance.
“I came all this way to see you, Sister, yet you refuse to acknowledge me.”
“County Princess, you are overthinking. It is simply that these gifts are too precious; this nun feels unworthy to accept them. If the County Princess is merely here to worship Buddha and clear her mind, or to rest in the monastic room and chat, this nun will gladly welcome you…”
An excuse! It wasn’t like this before…
Guo Yunrong’s eyes reddened slightly. She felt Xue Sui was deliberately keeping her at a distance and was about to say more when her mother, Madam Luo, subtly tugged her arm.
“Yunrong, do not be rude. Do not disturb Master Miaozhen’s peace.”
Her voice was not loud, but it conveyed a clear displeasure.
Xue Sui had previously accompanied Madam Luo to Pu Ji Temple to listen to scriptures and eat vegetarian meals, and they had conversed quite pleasantly.
She naturally understood why Madam Luo, who had always been gentle and affectionate, would suddenly be so distant and wary of her.
Her elder brother, Luo Huan, had been the Minister of Revenue and was demoted to Yazhou for the case of Princess Ping Le’s land acquisition. Now, with the marriage between Li Zhao and Guo Yunrong, she was somewhat displeased. As a mother, how could she not harbor resentment?
Xue Sui smiled, clasped her hands, and nodded, her etiquette impeccable.
“This nun is accustomed to the quiet life of a nun; I dare not trouble Madam with your concern.”
Madam Luo looked at her with complex emotions, her lips moving, but she said nothing further.
However, Xue Yue Man, standing beside her, could not contain herself. She let out a snort, her sharp voice grating.
“Yunrong, your status is noble, why debase yourself? Sixth Sister is now a Master Miaozhen personally appointed by His Majesty, and she puts on airs. How could she possibly look down on your meager offerings…”
She deliberately emphasized the words “personally appointed by His Majesty,” her tone full of sarcasm.
“Some people, while chanting Amitabha on the surface, might be plotting some unspeakable scheme in their hearts, intending to harm the Guo family…”
“Fourth Sister-in-law!” Guo Yunrong stomped her foot in distress, her face flushed red. “What nonsense are you spouting? Sister Xue is a good person…”
“A good person?” Xue Yue Man scoffed. “Could a good person make the Crown Prince defy an imperial decree and break off an engagement for her, enduring twenty-eight lashes? Could a good person stir up unrest in the court and country? Back in the Xue family, she was a natural troublemaker! I don’t believe entering the Buddhist Gate has washed away all her filth…”
She became more agitated as she spoke, her finger almost poking at Xue Sui’s face.
Guo Yunrong’s expression changed instantly, and she turned to Second Madam Sun Shi.
“Second Aunt, how can you let Fourth Sister-in-law speak such nonsense…”
Second Madam Sun Shi looked troubled, her gaze evasive.
Ever since Xue Yue Man joined the family, she had a shrewish and overbearing personality, and the resentment between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law ran deep. She had always been unable to control her. Moreover, the First Madam usually managed the household affairs, making it even more inconvenient for her, the Second Madam, to intervene.
Xue Sui remained calm, as if Xue Yue Man’s insults were merely the noisy chirping of cicadas outside the hall.
“A pure Buddhist sanctuary should be filled with good intentions. Fourth Young Madam harbors resentment in her heart and speaks ill words, which are also karmic obstacles. This nun, here, is willing to chant a sutra for Madam to resolve her fierce aura…”
Her voice was light, as if carrying a serene and ethereal power, causing Xue Yue Man’s anger to feel like a punch landing on cotton, leaving her chest feeling stifled and her expression even more unpleasant.
“Hmph, putting on airs! I can’t be bothered with you…”
She flicked her sleeve and left.
Guo Yunrong looked at Xue Sui’s unruffled demeanor, feeling a pang of sympathy.
While everyone was offering incense, she took out a small oiled paper packet from her sleeve, swiftly and deftly handed it to Ru Yi, who was standing by the hall door, and whispered in a hushed voice:
“For Sister Xue. Tell her not to take offense with my Fourth Sister-in-law. She’s just a foolish person with a loose tongue; there’s no need to get angry over her, it’s not worth it to harm your health.”
Ru Yi was startled. Touching the lingering warmth of the oiled paper packet, her heart felt a slight ache.
These were the sweet persimmon cream soft cakes that Young Lady used to love.
It was thoughtful of Third Miss Guo to remember.
She quickly glanced inside the hall and quietly tucked the small packet into her sleeve.
–
After the Dharma assembly concluded, Abbess Huiming led the Duchess of Zheng and her entourage to the guest hall for a vegetarian meal.
The clamoring crowd dispersed, leaving only the lingering scent of sandalwood and the empty blue stone ground before the hall.
Xue Sui did not leave immediately.
She stood alone beneath the ancient, gnarled plum tree, watching the wind rustle through the leaves, letting it blow her wide monk’s robe, lost in thought.
“Young Lady…” Ru Yi finally approached, carefully taking out the warm oiled paper packet from her sleeve and presenting it to Xue Sui, “County Princess Minghui gave this… persimmon cream cakes, still warm.”
The familiar sweet fragrance, carrying the lazy afternoon moments from the former Prince Duan’s Mansion.
Xue Sui’s gaze fell upon it with a faint hint of joy.
Soon, it returned to its usual indifference.
“You can have it.”
“Young Lady, the County Princess’s kind intentions…” Ru Yi’s hand froze mid-air. She watched Xue Sui’s slender back as she turned towards the monastic room, her heart aching.
She and Xiao Zhao accompanied Young Lady almost every day. Young Lady had always worn simple clothes, eaten simple food, burned incense, and chanted scriptures, as if she were truly an outsider with no worldly desires, seeking nothing.
She had never changed…
Yet, at times, Ru Yi felt that Young Lady had changed.
She had become more withdrawn and cold, less willing to form bonds with others…
–
Inside the monastic room, the candlelight flickered, casting Xue Sui’s shadow long and thin.
Jinshu silently offered a cup of clear tea, her gaze sweeping over the unopened oiled paper packet on the desk, her words caught in her throat.
“Third Miss Guo is still in the side hall copying scriptures. She said she would come to chat with you later, after Madam goes to sleep.”
The female members of the Duke of Zheng’s mansion were observing fasting and abstinence at the nunnery and would be staying overnight.
Xue Sui nodded silently, saying nothing more.
Jinshu continued, “Since Eighth Miss Xue married into the Guo family, their marital discord is well known. Second Master Guo was imprisoned due to the military supplies case, but Fourth Master Guo, instead of turning over a new leaf, has become even worse. He frequents brothels and gambling dens daily, recently becoming infatuated with a courtesan named Liu Yiyi, spending lavishly almost every night. It is heard that a few days ago, he got into a fight with the son of the Vice Minister of Works at a pleasure house over a woman, causing quite a scene…”
Xue Sui let out a soft hum,
a faint smile appearing on her face.
“No wonder Eighth Miss was so furious, losing all semblance of dignity.”
Jinshu hesitated, then added, “Eldest Young Master Guo Zhaohuai, however, remains composed. His actions are proper, making it difficult to find fault with him for now…”
Xue Sui picked up the worn picture album and turned to the page with Guo Zhaohuai’s portrait.
Among the pampered sons of noble families who had followed Princess Ping Le back then, Guo Zhaohuai was not the one who bullied her the most, but he was the most cunning.
They had relied on their family status to act arrogantly in the past, and now it was time for them to face their comeuppance one by one…
She ran her finger over the album, a cold understanding flashing in her eyes.
“The Duke of Zheng’s mansion has deep roots, and Guo Pi has been in court for many years with numerous allies. The crime of Second Master Guo alone cannot shake its foundation. If we alert them prematurely, we might force their hand, making them desperate. It’s better to wait a little longer…”
She paused, then a smile touched her lips.
“If Guo Zhaohuai has no leverage, then we will ‘find’ some for him…”
“Young Lady intends to…”
“If the Eldest Young Master is not feasible, we will start with the Fourth Young Master. Doesn’t Guo Zhaoxuan enjoy pleasure houses and gambling dens? Then let him taste a bit more sweetness…”
Xue Sui gave instructions, then added, “After obtaining the key confessions and evidence, do not hand them directly to the authorities, nor should you alarm the court…”
The Duke of Zheng held immense power in the court, and minor matters would hardly shake his foundation.
With his protection, it would be difficult to indict the Heir Apparent.
Jinshu nodded. “Then what should we do?”
Xue Sui said, “Choose an occasion where the Guo family cannot control or conceal the situation, and use someone else’s hand to make a move…”
An occasion that cannot be controlled or concealed?
When would that be?
Jinshu was slightly stunned, then heard Xue Sui speak calmly.
“Li Zhao has achieved a great victory in his western campaign and is returning to court. The court will surely send imperial clan members and high officials to welcome him. We will choose the moment when the grand army triumphantly enters the city… and hand this blade into Li Zhao’s hands ourselves.”
Li Zhao: On this festive occasion, I thank you for still thinking of me, Xue Ping’an.
Lai Fu: Your Highness, that doesn’t seem like thinking of you, but rather plotting against you…
Guan Ya: Excellent, my great saber is already thirsty.
Li Zhao: Take these two away and give them fifty lashes each.
