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Of course she wouldn't be angry. After all, once the Rong family's affairs were settled, she would leave this place. Perhaps this rumor could even help her sell her shops at a higher price.

Gu Changjin's gaze softened slightly, hiding the fleeting smile in his eyes.

He had anticipated her reaction.

"Next time when Lady asks you questions, there's no need to hide anything from her. Just tell her the truth," Gu Changjin picked up the documents on the desk and continued, "If there's nothing else, go back and stay with her."

Chang Ji's top priority was to protect Rong Shu. He had no other concerns, so he agreed immediately. As he walked away, he scratched his head and asked, "Master, has Heng Ping returned?"

Gu Changjin nodded. "He picked up Xuan Ce's trail halfway and only arrived in the capital a few days after Xuan Ce. He's now on Mount Da Ci'en."

Mount Da Ci'en – wasn't that where Empress Qi was being watched?

Empress Qi had been on Mount Da Ci'en for two days now. It was said that she would pray at Da Ci'en Temple for seven days. In the past, the empress would return within three days of leaving the palace, but this time, she was staying longer than usual.

As Chang Ji pondered these thoughts, he left the Eastern Palace.

At Da Ci'en Temple, in the main hall.

Empress Qi handed the book of merits to the young novice and proceeded to purify her hands before lighting incense. After bowing in prayer, she finally marked the moment of truth.

As Nurse Gui held an umbrella for her, she said, "Your Majesty, that young lady has arrived."

Qi Empress paused in her step, gripping her rosary beads tightly. "Where is she?"

She was supposed to meet this child yesterday, but a heavy snowstorm had trapped the girl, delaying their meeting by a day.

Nurse Gui replied, "In the small shrine."

Qi Empress nodded, glancing at the clearing sky with a smile. "Nurse Gui, come with me. Let others wait here."

The path from the main hall to the small shrine was not a short one. Seeing Qi Empress quicken her pace, Nurse Gui hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please walk slower and watch your steps."

Qi Empress chuckled. "Has Nurse forgotten that I once danced with a sword and hunted beasts in the snow?"

Born into a military family, she was a fierce tiger cub. Though her father often kept her indoors to learn the arts of the literati for her marriage to the Eastern Palace, she was, after all, of the Qi lineage, skilled in horseback riding, hunting, and archery. Running swiftly through the snow was nothing out of the ordinary for her.

Nurse Gui observed the smile on Qi Empress's lips – it was a sight she hadn't seen in a long time. Since the death of Prince Qiyuan, the smiles on Qi Empress's face had become fewer and farther between.

Is it because she's about to meet the young princess?

Four guards stood outside the small Buddhist shrine, bowing respectfully as Empress Qi arrived. Knowing they were Meng Zong's men, she nodded slightly and said, "You've all worked hard."

Then, she glanced inside.

The door of the small Buddhist shrine was wide open, and an inner chamber was concealed by a cotton curtain embroidered with Sanskrit characters. The curtain flapped loudly in the wind, revealing a slender figure behind it.

Empress Qi's heart raced suddenly.

Is that the child?

Will the child resent or hate her after learning the truth?

With a mixture of anxiety and anticipation, Empress Qi removed her cloak and handed it to Aunt Gui, saying, "Aunt, you can wait outside. I'll go in and see her myself."

As she spoke, she passed through the outer room, lifted the curtain, and entered.

Inside the small Buddhist shrine, ancestral tablets of the Qi family were enshrined on four large sandalwood altars, with hundreds of tablets arranged neatly. On both sides, a dozen Buddha lamps flickered dimly due to the breeze brought in by the curtain.

In the soft glow of the dim lamp, a young lady dressed in a pea green robe and skirt sat nervously in a round chair by the window.

This maiden was strikingly beautiful, with snow-white skin, black hair, and bright, expressive eyes. Even her plain attire could not conceal her natural grace.

Hearing the rustling of the curtain, she lifted her gaze and, after a moment's hesitation, rose to bow, saying, "This humble woman pays her respects to Her Majesty, the Empress."

Empress Qi stepped forward to help her up and spoke warmly, "No need for formalities. Do you know who I am?"

Wen Xi nodded slightly. "The officials mentioned to this humble woman that the noble personage I would meet today is Her Majesty the Empress."

Pausing, she ventured cautiously, "May I ask why Her Majesty has summoned this humble woman today?"

Empress Qi scrutinized her intently before smiling and saying, "Sit down and chat with me."

After both ladies were seated, she continued with a radiant smile, "I've heard that you, like His Highness the Crown Prince, were raised under Xu Fu's care since childhood. How did she treat you? Did she ever speak about your background?"

Wen Xi replied softly, "This humble woman is an orphan, taken in by a nursemaid soon after birth. Madam treated me exceptionally well, teaching me to read and write, as well as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, treating me as if I were her own child."

As she mentioned Xiao Fu, a look of deep admiration appeared on her face, indicating that she held Xiao Fu in high esteem as a beloved elder.

Back then, when Xiao Wu affectionately called Empress Qi "Mother," the empress would occasionally wish that Xiao Wu was addressing her. Now, hearing Wen Xi mention Xiao Fu, Empress Qi expected to feel some jealousy, but surprisingly, her heart remained calm. Staring at this unfamiliar face before her, she realized they were indeed different.

Xiao Wu would visit her in the Kunning Palace from time to time. She watched Xiao Wu grow from a babbling infant into a bright and beautiful young woman. Even if Xiao Wu wasn't her biological daughter, their bond was unique.

Although this child before her was her flesh and blood, there were still nineteen long years of separation. How could it be easy to break through that barrier?

With these thoughts, Empress Qi couldn't help but feel more sympathy for Wen Xi.

Sighing softly, she pointed at the spirit tablet on the high altar and said, "This is the Qi family's Buddhist shrine, where we worship our ancestors. These are all your relatives. You were born right here. Child—"

Empress Qi looked at Wen Xi and spoke deliberately, "You are my daughter."

"Screech—"

The sound of a chair leg dragging echoed from the inner chamber, causing Aunt Gui to worryingly glance inside.

This small Buddhist shrine was where the princess was born. Would the princess hold any resentment towards Empress Qi? After all, it was here that the empress left her behind, entrusting her to the Qi family.