Chapter 42 Suppertime

ries and feudal lords are watching!"The old emperor was furious but unmoved. He roared, “Remove your hand!”"I'm not that stupid, if I let go, won't you kill me Do I just wait for death" Yun Qianyue sm...Volume 1: Laughing at the Splendor Chapter 42 (Second Update)

Yun Qianyue nearly spat blood watching Yun Muhuan leave calmly.

The Shallow Moon Pavilion had a hundred secret guards hidden within, and each of the four gates of the王府had another hundred. That made five hundred people in total. Even if she were alone or even with ten others, there was no way to escape. She took deep breaths, telling herself not to be angry, but it was impossible not to feel frustrated. Her once beautiful face turned a liverish color.

"Miss" Cai Lian stood far behind Yun Qianyue and dared not approach. The Miss looked scary!

"Go to sleep!" Yun Qianyue glanced at Cai Lian, Zhao Mama, and the others before turning back into her room and locking the door tightly. She thought about the Phoenix True Scripture that Old Prince once mentioned; it seemed powerful, but she had no memory of this body's past life. She touched her body, finding nothing except a few pieces of jewelry. Her eyes began to move around the room frantically, wondering if the Phoenix True Scripture could be hidden somewhere on a handkerchief or parchment.

With that thought, she started searching her room. She checked the bedside cabinet, wardrobe, bookshelf, and even felt along the walls for secret compartments. The sound of her rummaging echoed throughout the room.

"Miss, are you looking for something" Cai Lian's voice came from outside the door.

"Nothing!" Yun Qianyue continued searching.

Cai Lian fell silent.

After about an hour, Yun Qianyue had turned her room upside down but found nothing. She slumped onto the bed in disappointment. Was it possible that there really was a Phoenix True Scripture Or perhaps after Yun Qianyue memorized it thoroughly, out of fear that others would learn it, she burned it herself If so... what hope did she have at all!

"Miss, have you found what you were looking for" Cai Lian's cautious voice came again.

"No!" Yun Qianyue said dejectedly.

"Then what are you looking for Tell me, and perhaps I can help Miss find it," Cai Lian試探著問道。

Upon hearing this, Yun Qianyue immediately perked up. She was about to say the True Phoenix Scripture but thought that such a confidential item would likely be unknown even to the half-year-old little maid, so she pondered for a moment and said instead: "It's something Grandpa gave me; it’s very precious. I forgot where I put it. Do you know"

Cai Lian indeed shook her head. "I've only been here for half a year. Over these six months, the old prince regent didn't give Miss anything besides maintaining her safety. It must be something from before, right The maids who served by Miss's side have died or left one after another; now there’s only me. Oh, yes! Miss’s wet nurse would definitely know, since she was closest to you back then. But the wet nurse is dead..."

Is heaven trying to ruin me Yun Qianyue closed her eyes in despair.

"Miss Is it important What should we do Shall I come and help look for it" Cai Lian asked again.

"Forget it, it’s not that crucial. If I can’t find it, then so be it," Yun Qianyue was thoroughly dispirited; ancient people's martial arts were too mysterious! Even if she found the item, she might not learn how to use it and thus it would still be useless. She closed her eyes wearily, "You may leave now, I’m going to sleep."

"Yes!" Cai Lian went down.

The next day, Yun Muhuan arrived at the Qianyue Pavilion as early as usual.

This day, Yun Qianyue looked listless and dejected as she went through her daily routine half-heartedly. When Yun Muhuan left, he glanced at her but did not utter a word.

In the following ten days or so, Yun Qianyue had resigned herself to her fate. She would bide her time and see who could outlast whom—she was after all someone who had undergone years of rigorous training in military school. If she lacked such perseverance and stamina, she wouldn't even be worth a pinch of salt.

For the next half a month straight, Yun Qianyue’s residence was so quiet that not even a bird could startle it out of its peace.

Yun Qianyue had grown tired of seeing and writing down all those names in her household. She thought to herself that when she finally took over the management of the estate, she would deal with every single one of these people who caused her annoyance. No exceptions. Revenge was a must!

In the evening of this day, as Yun Muhuan left, he dropped off a remark, "It seems you have memorized all those names in our household and written them down thoroughly. Starting tomorrow, we’ll begin studying the accounts."

"Alright!" Yun Qianyue dragged out her response.

Yun Muhuan gave her a serious look before getting up to leave the Yun Qianyue’s residence.

The moment Yun Muhuan left, Cailian let out a sigh. Yun Qianyue pretended not to hear and soon enough, Cailian sighed again and again. Fed up with it, she glared at Cailian irritably, "You weren’t the one who had to endure learning all these characters. What’s there for you to sigh about"

Cailian looked somewhat aggrieved as she gazed at Yun Qianyue, "I am sighing on Miss’ behalf. I never knew that recognizing characters could be so arduous. If only I had listened to you and sent back the accounts to His Excellency before Young Master’s arrival. Now seeing Miss unhappy every day pains me too. Haven’t you noticed Even Aunt Zhao, Tingyu, Tingxue, and all those people serving in our Yun Qianyue’s residence have stopped smiling."

"What can I do" Yun Qianyue slumped back into her chair with a gloomy expression.

"Moreover, tomorrow is the Blessing Festival. The Heavensan will pray for three days. But when His Highness left, he said that Miss should start learning accounts from tomorrow. Doesn't this mean that Miss won't be able to leave the estate tomorrow I heard that Venerable Lingyin, the number one monk in the land, will hold a Dharma lecture on Fragrant Spring Mountain at Lingtai Temple tomorrow. The mountain is sure to be bustling with people then. They say that the Emperor ordered His Highness to represent him and listen to Master Lingyin's teachings, while scholars and young nobles have also flocked there out of admiration. I've even heard that many ladies from noble families in the capital arrived early. It's a rare opportunity for them to both pray for blessings and hear the holy monk lecture," Cai Lian continued chattering, sighing after every sentence, "It's such a pity that Miss is being confined by His Highness to learn characters, so she can't go."

Yun Qianmo pursed her lips and dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "So what if I can't It’s just one monk after all."

"Miss! How could you say that Venerable Lingyin is no ordinary monk. You might not know this, but he's said to be extremely proficient in Buddhism and able to foresee destiny. In the past, when he examined the Emperor's face, he predicted that he would become an imperial sovereign. Back then, the previous emperor had yet to appoint a crown prince, but shortly after, the current Emperor was indeed made one and ascended the throne as expected. Isn't this exactly what 'emperor' means" Cai Lian leaned in close to Yun Qianmo's ear when she finished speaking, whispering: "It's rumored that many young ladies aren’t there for the Dharma lectures but rather to seek a divination from Master Lingyin to see if they can find a good husband."

Great! Isn't this what people call a fraud

Yun Qianmo’s face darkened. "Oh, then I have even less reason to go. Even if His Highness weren’t confining me to learn characters, I wouldn’t want to."

If that fraud were to realize she wasn't from here but a ghost possessing a body, what would stop him from binding her and expelling her Wouldn’t she be doomed

"Miss, this is such an auspicious day for basking in Buddha's grace. You can’t go because you’re learning characters, but why don’t you even want to if you aren’t confined" Cai Lian was puzzled.

There’s no reason," Yun Qianmo showed a look that nobody could understand.

"I heard that when Venerable Lingyin arrived at the temple today, he sent an invitation to Prince Jing. He said it had been ten years since they met and they were quite compatible back then. Because of some urgent matters, he left in haste without fully enjoying their company. Upon hearing that Prince Jing has recovered from his illness and come out of seclusion, Venerable Lingyin specially invited him to Fragrant Spring Mountain for a chat! Prince Jing accepted the invitation," Cai Lian excitedly reported.

Great! Is Rong Jing going too Then I definitely won’t be going. These days, he's been tormenting me with his trickery; I wish someone would put him back in his mother’s belly!

"Miss, do you know Listening to the holy monk's teachings is already a delightful experience. Now that we can hear Prince Jing and Venerable Lingyin discuss Dharma, it’s even more delightful! When Prince Jing accepted the invitation and said he would go to Fragrant Spring Mountain, the whole capital went wild! People rushed there from all directions on horseback, especially those young ladies who were decked out in fine clothes and fragrances. The Silk Pavilion and Perfume Shop sold out within a day; everyone wants to catch a glimpse of Prince Jing’s風采呢！”彩蓮無限神往地說。

Yun Qianyue kept rolling her eyes. She knew that Rong Jing was a troublemaker. It would be best if he were caught by the fortune-teller and forced to become a monk, thereby reducing one source of harm in the world. Then Yun Muhuan wouldn't be able to use him to threaten her anymore.

"Ah, it's too bad that no matter how good tomorrow might be, Miss can't go," Cai Lian's face fell as she seemed deeply saddened.

Yun Qianyue glanced at her and thought that the little girl was quite religious. She got up and walked towards the bedroom, waving dismissively at her. "It doesn't matter if I can't go; there's no need to sigh so much. It’s getting late, it’s time for bed."

Cai Lian nodded and dejectedly left.

At that moment, footsteps hurried outside, as if someone was in a rush.

Yun Qianyue turned to look out the window. She saw Yun Meng hurry into the Jade Moon Pavilion. She frowned slightly; for half a month now she had been cooped up here and only seen Yun Muhuan besides the people inside the pavilion. What could the head steward want at this time A bad feeling suddenly welled up in her.

"Miss, it's the head steward! Could it be that you'll be allowed to leave the estate tomorrow" Cai Lian immediately brightened up.

"Shut your black mouth!" Yun Qianyue snapped at Cai Lian.

Cai Lian immediately clamped her lips shut but stared hopefully as Yun Meng approached.

Indeed, after a short while, Yun Meng arrived at the door and stopped. Through the open door he said to Yun Qianyue, "Old servant pays his respects to Miss Jade Moon! The old王爺sent me to deliver a message from him: in recognition of your good behavior these days, you will not have to study tomorrow, but instead be permitted to go to Fragrant Spring Mountain and Lingtai Temple to pray for blessings. You may also listen to the Dharma discourse by Venerable Lingyin."

"Ah, that's great! Miss, you can leave the estate now! I'll go and pack your things for you..." Cai Lian cheered up immediately. As she was about to rush down to start packing.

"Stop!" Yun Qianyue sternly stopped Cai Lian.

Cai Lian's cheering suddenly halted. She looked at Yun Qianyue, thinking that her miss probably didn't want to go to Fragrant Hot Springs Mountain, and instantly deflated.

"Tell Grandfather that I'm willing to continue my studies and won’t be going to Fragrant Hot Springs Mountain tomorrow." Yun Qianyue instructed Yun Meng.

Yun Meng was taken aback. Seeing Yun Qianyue's serious face, he chuckled and said, "The Old King knows you've been cooped up in the estate for days now and thinks it's a good idea for you to go out tomorrow and clear your mind. If you don't want to return, staying at Lingtai Temple for a few days is fine too. Furthermore, the Old King sent someone to inform the Honor王府 of this plan. He asked Jun Prince to take you there tomorrow. The messenger who returned said that Jun Prince has already agreed and will come to pick you up in the morning. Your clothes and cosmetics were prepared long ago by your old servant on His Highness's orders. Miss, don't worry, with Jun Prince looking after you, no one would dare bully you. You can go with peace of mind. I was just about to prepare everything for you tomorrow and will now excuse myself!"

With that said, Yun Meng hurriedly left before Yun Qianyue could argue further. In a short while, his figure had already disappeared from the Azure Moon Pavilion.

Cai Lian thought to herself that it was no wonder he was the head steward; she hadn't even seen him take a breath throughout such an extensive speech. She raised her head and secretly glanced at Yun Qianyue, only to see her miss's face as black as the bottom of a pot. Lowering her head again, she couldn’t understand why Miss didn’t want to go despite the good fortune of Jun Prince personally coming to pick her up. How many young ladies in the capital would envy and wish they were dead Moreover, how could Miss seem so indifferent towards such an amiable person as Jun Prince

After a long while with no sound from Yun Qianyue, Cai Lian lifted her head again, her voice barely audible. "Miss... tomorrow..."

—-

The second update is here today! Ten thousand words tomorrow! Stay tuned for the announcement...zzling rain for a moment made her feel somewhat strange, but she was relieved overall. If this rain continued to fall, she would be afraid that the world would be flooded and that the end of days had...