Chapter 646 You Mother and Daughter Have a Good Relationship, That’s Good

Chapter 646: So What If You Two Are Close?

The Duke of Xinguo’s family had naturally reserved Baiyun Temple for the Land and Water Ceremony in advance, clearing the premises beforehand.

Baiyun Temple was hushed. The abbess and the temple’s nuns stood at the gate to welcome the guests.

When the sedan chairs carrying the women of the Duke of Xinguo’s family arrived at the gate, Jiao Shi’s eyes landed on Yu Mingzhu standing beside the abbess.

Yu Mingzhu was dressed in a gray Daoist robe. She’d clearly lost weight—the oversized garment flapped in the wind, clinging to her bony frame and making her look even thinner.

Jiao Shi’s chest tightened with emotion, and she couldn’t help but take a step toward Yu Mingzhu.

Yu Mingzhu’s eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed at Jiao Shi with longing, like she might burst into tears at any moment.

But she didn’t move from her spot, standing alone as the wind whipped her robe around her, making her look even lonelier.

Jiao Shi fought back tears, barely managing to keep her composure in front of everyone.

As the matriarch of the household, she held herself together despite the pain.

She gave Yu Mingzhu a heartbroken look.

Meanwhile, the Dowager Duchess of Xin had already begun making small talk with the abbess.

"Don’t worry, everything’s ready in the main hall," said the abbess, gesturing politely. "Would you like to rest first or check the ceremony site to make sure nothing’s been missed?"

The Land and Water Ceremony was a big deal. The Duke of Xinguo’s family had arranged for it to be held at Baiyun Temple over three days, and servants had already handled all the preparations.

Since the Dowager Duchess was elderly, she naturally chose to rest first.

Wei Pozi and Xingxing, as guests personally invited by the Dowager Duchess, were accommodated in the finest guest courtyard along with her.

After the two elderly ladies went to rest, Xingxing, bouncing with energy, decided to explore Baiyun Temple.

With the temple reserved exclusively for the Duke of Xinguo’s family, it was perfectly safe.

As luck would have it, just as Xingxing stepped out of the courtyard with Zhao Ying, she saw Jiao Shi rushing out of a side courtyard with her most trusted attendant, Aunt Jingchun.

Not wanting to intrude, Xingxing paused briefly before choosing a different path to continue exploring the temple.

Yet, as she walked down the path admiring the temple’s stone tablets and ancient trees, she was about to climb the steps to a higher pavilion when she caught the sound of crying from a courtyard just beyond the wall.

"Mother, I’ve missed you so much..."

"Zhu Zhu, my dear Zhu Zhu, you’ve suffered so much..."

Xingxing froze.

She’d accidentally walked in on Jiao Shi and Yu Mingzhu’s heartfelt reunion.

She had no desire to eavesdrop on their emotional exchange and quickened her pace to leave. But then Yu Mingzhu’s next words caught her attention—

"...Mother, I saw Yu Xingxing. Isn’t this our Duke of Xinguo’s ceremony? Why bring an outsider here?"

Through the wall, Jiao Shi’s reply was somewhat muffled and indistinct: "...Zhu Zhu, don’t mind them. Your grandmother has taken quite a liking to her recently, so it’s nothing unusual."

Yu Mingzhu’s voice grew even more aggrieved: "Mother, Grandmother has grown colder toward me... She used to dote on me so much. Could someone have turned her against me?"

Xingxing, who had been about to leave, couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at that.

She could hear Yu Mingzhu's veiled implication to Lady Jiao—that the sudden chill in the Dowager Duchess of Xin’s attitude toward her was all because she, Yu Xingxing, had been driving a wedge between their grandmother-granddaughter bond.

Xingxing's lips twisted wryly.

How amusing.

Yu Mingzhu was trying to shift all blame onto others, completely absolving herself of her own misdeeds.

Had she forgotten why she had come to Baiyun Temple for secluded meditation in the first place?

Yet Lady Jiao fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Lady Jiao’s voice was full of reassurance: “Zhu Zhu, you needn’t worry. No matter what others say, your grandmother still loves you as her own granddaughter. Look, in the past, our family’s Land and Water Ceremony was always held at grand temples. This time, I missed you so much that I suggested to your grandmother we hold it here at Baiyun Temple. She must have known very well that I wanted a reason to bring you back… Yet your grandparents still agreed. What does that mean? It means they care deeply for you.”

“Mother… wailed Yu Mingzhu. Mother, you’re the one who truly loves me.”

Xingxing stood silently on the other side of the wall, listening to the mother and daughter sharing their tender feelings.

Jiao Shi’s words—“No matter what others say”—somehow caused Xingxing a small twinge of hurt.

Didn’t that imply tacit agreement with Yu Mingzhu’s suspicion that she had turned the Dowager Duchess against her?

Not just Xingxing felt this way—Zhao Ying, too, was quietly indignant, grumbling under her breath, “If you two are so close, why drag our Princess into it?”

Xingxing gently patted Zhao Ying’s hand and, ignoring whatever else the pair behind the wall said, continued climbing toward the high pavilion.

Once seated in the pavilion, the brisk mountain breeze carried a slight chill, but mostly brought freshness and clarity.

Xingxing felt the earlier discomfort blow away instantly.

After spending some time in the pavilion, she gathered some medicinal plants nearby before descending the mountain.

However, it seemed she was fated to cross paths with Lady Jiao and Yu Mingzhu again—for on her way down, she unexpectedly ran into them once more.

When Lady Jiao caught Xingxing’s calm gaze, for a fleeting moment, she felt a flicker of guilt.

But Yu Mingzhu reacted the fastest. She stepped forward and performed a proper curtsy to Xingxing: “Township Lady, although I meant no harm before, I did unintentionally cause you misunderstanding. During my time in secluded meditation here, I’ve reflected deeply. Indeed, my actions were improper, and my behavior was wrong. I sincerely ask for your forgiveness.”

This apology was far more earnest than before.

Lady Jiao teared up at Yu Mingzhu’s show of maturity and understanding.

But Zhao Ying stepped forward, smiling slightly as she curtsied in return: “Miss Yu, there’s something I must clarify. Our Miss is no longer a Township Lady—she has been personally granted the title of Princess Fusui by His Majesty.”

Upon hearing that Xingxing had been ennobled as princess, Yu Mingzhu barely kept her composure!

Princess?!

She had only been away from the capital for a few months, and this backwoods nobody—who schemed her way into becoming a Township Lady—had somehow wormed her way up to become a princess?!

Yu Mingzhu shook with barely-contained rage, gripping her palm tightly to keep herself in check and remind herself not to act rashly.

She managed a tight smile: “…I’ve been in secluded meditation at Baiyun Temple and was unaware of such wonderful news for the Princess! My congratulations, Princess.”

Xingxing wasn’t interested in Yu Mingzhu’s act and bluntly asked, “You’ve apologized and congratulated me—was there something else?”

Yu Mingzhu froze, mortified by Xingxing’s directness.

Seeing this, Lady Jiao felt sorry for Yu Mingzhu all over again.

She thought to herself, if Xingxing were truly her biological daughter, then Zhu Zhu and Xingxing would be sisters. Why should sisters have such a strained relationship?

Jiao Shi couldn’t help but try to mediate: "...Lady, Zhu Zhu didn’t mean anything by it. She only wishes to reconcile with you."

Yu Mingzhu managed a smile and nodded: "Yes. Lady, perhaps there have been some misunderstandings between us..."

Xingxing gazed deeply at Yu Mingzhu and asked calmly, "Is that really all it is?"

Yu Mingzhu was once again left feeling deeply embarrassed by Xingxing’s words.

Jiao Shi grew anxious: "Lady!"

Xingxing frowned and cut in abruptly: "Madam Jiao, I’m tired and will go rest in my room now."

With that, Xingxing walked away without looking back.

Yu Mingzhu realized keenly that this Yu Xingxing didn’t think much of her at all!

She was seething with anger!

"Your Highness—" Jiao Shi watched Xingxing’s retreating figure, strangely unsettled. She took a step forward but couldn’t help glancing back at Yu Mingzhu.

Taking advantage, Yu Mingzhu let her eyes redden and shed tears: "Mother, am I really so detestable now?"

Jiao Shi’s heart ached terribly. She embraced Yu Mingzhu and comforted her for a long while.

...

Only after Xingxing had been away from the cloyingly sweet mother and daughter for some time did her mood improve.

Outside the guest courtyard where Dowager Duchess of Xin and Wei Pozi were staying, she gave her cheeks a light pat, unwilling to bring her bad mood to the two elders.

By the time Xingxing stepped into the courtyard, she was her usual smiling self again.

Nanny Qingluan was leading the maids in cleaning as quietly as they could.

Though the courtyard at Baiyun Temple was relatively tidy, it still wasn't up to standard in the eyes of noble families.

To Nanny Qingluan’s exacting standards, the dust on the windows was unbearable, and the debris on the stone path was equally intolerable.

Xingxing playfully stuck out her tongue and hurried to Wei Pozi’s room.

Since coming to the capital, Wei Pozi had truly become a venerated family matriarch, with sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren all devoted to her. With everything going smoothly at home, she had taken to napping in the afternoons.

When Xingxing tiptoed in, Wei Pozi was still asleep.

Xingxing sat quietly on the window seat in the outer room, taking out a storybook to read.

By the time Wei Pozi woke from her nap, Xingxing was halfway through the book.

A maid helped Wei Pozi wash up and tidy her slightly disheveled hair.

The faint scent of sandalwood filled the room. Watching her granddaughter lounging on the window seat with her storybook, Wei Pozi felt nothing but perfect contentment.

Such a peaceful life was something she couldn’t have imagined ten years ago—beyond her wildest dreams.

...

After Wei Pozi and Dowager Duchess of Xin finished their naps, the daughters-in-law of the Duke of Xinguo’s household, led by Jiao Shi, were already waiting in the main house of the guest courtyard to present their respects to the Dowager Duchess.

The group marched in a grand procession to attend the Land and Water Ceremony.

At this moment, the main hall of Baiyun Temple was very quiet, with only a few Taoist nuns refilling the eternal lamps.

Yu Mingzhu was among them.

She focused intently, holding the long oil pot as she slowly poured oil into the eternal lamp. Lit by the faint candlelight, she looked ethereal and pure.

The Dowager Duchess of Xin halted.

Jiao Shi glanced at the Dowager Duchess's expression and said, "Zhu Zhu, come to your grandmother."

Mao Fuqu's face paled slightly.

Yu Mingzhu, as if just noticing her grandmother’s arrival, set down the oil pot and came forward to pay her respects.

Her eyes were red, as if she'd missed her grandmother terribly.

"Grandmother…" Yu Mingzhu bowed deeply.

The Dowager Duchess studied the girl kneeling before her for a long while before sighing deeply. "Rise."

Though the Dowager Duchess had always felt distant from Yu Mingzhu, years of family ties softened her heart. Seeing her once-beloved granddaughter in such a state moved her to pity.

Yet Yu Mingzhu did not rise. She turned toward Mao Fuqu, who stood a step behind the Dowager Duchess, and bowed deeply to her as well.

This shocked many onlookers.

Mao Fuqu stepped back instinctively.

But Yu Chongjie was filled with concern and stepped forward to help Yu Mingzhu up. "Zhu Zhu…"

Yu Mingzhu gently shook her head at him. "Elder Brother, you can't coddle me anymore. I’ve thought hard about what I did to my sister-in-law. Every day I pray before the deities for her quick recovery."

Jiao Shi and Yu Chongjie looked clearly touched.

Even the other ladies from different branches of the family murmured approvingly. "Zhu Zhu is so grown-up!"

Only Mao Fuqu remained silent, her face pale, lost in thought for a moment before finally saying, "Thanks to your prayers, my health has indeed improved."

Yu Mingzhu smiled in relief. "That’s good…"

She swayed slightly, almost collapsing.

Jiao Shi’s concern was plain as she rushed over to support Yu Mingzhu. "Zhu Zhu!"

A nearby nun sighed. "Your daughter is truly devoted to her spiritual practice. She rises before dawn every day to complete her duties, then spends the rest of her time praying before the deities for her family. I once asked why she was so devout, and she said it was to atone for past mistakes… But she's still just a young girl. The temple's harsh life is too much for her—how can her body endure it?"

At these words, Jiao Shi burst into tears.

Holding Yu Mingzhu close, she begged her mother-in-law, "Mother…"

The Dowager Duchess frowned, staying silent for a long while before finally giving in. "...Take Mingzhu back to rest first."

Jiao Shi nearly wept with joy.

She knew her mother-in-law’s nature—though she appeared gentle and approachable, once she made up her mind, nothing could change it.

For her to give in and allow Mingzhu to return to rest, without rejecting her plea, meant that bringing Zhu Zhu back home would probably be fine!

How could Jiao Shi not rejoice?