Chapter 3 She Seeks Refuge in Taoism

Chapter 3 She Wishes to Become a Daoist Nun

After she finished speaking, silence lingered.

She cautiously looked up and saw a hongmu (rosewood) daybed placed beneath the latticed windows inlaid with mingwa (semi-transparent shell) tiles, with golden drapes hanging beside it.

The noble lady from earlier was reclining on a gold-embroidered cushion, leaning slightly against a cloud-motif pillow, lazily sipping scented tea while several maids attended her, holding carved lacquer tea bowls and trays.

This was undoubtedly the Crown Princess.

Earlier, standing outside the door, when she first raised her eyes under the glaring sunlight, everything had appeared a dazzling gold glare.

Now, upon closer inspection, she saw the Crown Princess wearing a purple silk headband edged with gold, adorned with gilt beads, which illuminated her refined and fair features, exuding an air of nobility.

She was dressed in a lotus-root-colored silk jacket with a silk skirt dusted with gold, her wrists adorned with iridescent bracelets, her demeanor languid and indifferent.

Unlike the warmth she had shown toward Noble Lady Ning earlier, she now appeared cold and detached, not even glancing at A Wu, as if she hadn’t heard her words.

Instead, a maidservant standing nearby suddenly scoffed disdainfully, "Such pretentious airs—no decorum at all!"

A Wu, curious, turned to look.

The woman wore a silver-threaded cloud-shaped bun, dressed in a lotus-root-colored silk jacket and a brocade-blue skirt, appearing dignified and composed.

She had once overheard whispers among the servants about Matron Su, the Crown Princess’s most trusted confidante, who had been her mother’s companion and had raised her since childhood. When the Crown Princess married into the Crown Prince’s household, she had brought Matron Su along.

Matron Su was the Crown Princess’s right-hand woman, managing everything for her.

A Wu lowered her head again and waited quietly.

After a long silence from the mistress and her servant, her thoughts began to wander.

Just then, she heard the faint sound of porcelain—the delicate scrape of a fine white teacup lid against its rim.

Her eyes remained fixed on the exquisitely woven carpet before her, imagining the Crown Princess lifting her fingers adorned with nail guards, lowering her eyelids slightly, and leisurely stirring the tea before taking a sip.

Finally, the Crown Princess sighed softly and asked, "Your name is A Wu?"

"Your Highness," A Wu replied, "this servant is named A Wu."

The Crown Princess drawled, "Hmm, what is your surname?"

"My family name is Ning," A Wu hesitated before answering.

The Crown Princess continued, "You’ve been in the residence for some time now, haven’t you?"

"I have lived here for two months," A Wu responded.

"Then you should have learned the proper decorum by now," the Crown Princess said.

A Wu was puzzled.

The Crown Princess explained, "His Highness went to Songzhou on official business. Yet he brought you back. Do you realize how this might bring disgrace upon his reputation if word spreads?"

A Wu began to understand: "It was A Wu who has brought disgrace upon His Highness."

The Crown Princess drawled, "His Highness is compassionate and principled. Since he brought you back, he will naturally see to your welfare. But—"

She smiled, her voice icy and contemptuous: "As you witnessed that night, His Highness may tolerate you. I may tolerate you. But the Emperor—he will not."

A Wu raised her head upon hearing this and looked at the Crown Princess: "Your Highness, this lowly maid knows her humble status and has never dared to hope for the honor of serving the Crown Prince. Since Your Highness has summoned me here, please just tell me what you need."

The Crown Princess was stunned, then gave a mocking smile: "What do you think I could possibly ask of you?"

A Wu looked carefully at the Crown Princess.

Those present then saw that the young woman's gaze was as clear and calm as still water, honest and tranquil, without any sign of subservience.

A Wu said, "Your Highness, there must be orders from the palace for you to summon me here. But surely they don’t intend for me to die—otherwise, I would have already been given a silken noose or poisoned wine, wouldn’t I?"

The Crown Princess's heart clenched, while Madam Su beside her expression changed slightly.

This delicate and seemingly naive young woman, who appeared to lack any worldly experience, had spoken so bluntly.

After the Emperor saw her that night, he took a dislike to her and meant to have her quietly removed. Yet the Crown Prince stubbornly refused, leading to a standoff in the palace. The Emperor, enraged, confined the Crown Prince to his quarters to reflect.

The matter had grown out of control, with father and son at an impasse, even drawing the attention of the Empress Dowager and the Empress.

The Empress Dowager favored her only grandson, while the Empress's true thoughts were unclear, though outwardly she had to show support.

With the situation at this impasse, the Emperor finally sent word to have the girl sent to Yanxiang Temple to become a Daoist nun.

But the Crown Prince immediately sent a eunuch with orders, urging the Crown Princess to stop this from happening and ensure A Wu did not leave before his return.

The Crown Princess knew she had to be virtuous and magnanimous, to give the Crown Prince an explanation.

She also had to be filial, obedient, and comply with the Emperor's command.

As for herself, of course, she wished for this woman before her to vanish—completely and utterly!

To preserve her reputation, avoid offending either side, and vent her own resentment, the Crown Princess naturally had to scheme carefully.

What she hadn’t expected was that this seemingly timid girl would suddenly speak so boldly.

She gave a cold laugh: "Are you relying on the Crown Prince’s favor to forget who you are?"

A Wu knelt there, looking up at the Crown Princess: "This lowly maid knows her place. Aware of my plain appearance and lowly status, I dare not tarnish the Crown Prince’s reputation. Since Your Highness has brought this up, in my heart, if Your Highness would grant me a path to survival, I will do my utmost to cooperate."

She leaned slightly forward, placing her hands lightly on the trodden carpet, and said respectfully, "Someone of my station dares not hope for anything else—only to receive a little more silver to live a few peaceful days."

A little more silver...

The crowd went quiet momentarily. What was this girl saying? Was she boldly asking the Crown Princess for money?

The Crown Princess herself was momentarily stunned. As the wife of the Crown Prince, she had seen countless people fawn over her, but never had anyone outright asked her for money.

Madam Su frowned and quickly gave the Crown Princess a meaningful glance.

The Crown Princess said, "Today, the Emperor issued an order for you to renounce the world and enter the Daoist order."

A Wu: "Enter the Daoist order?"

The Crown Princess: "Madam Su, explain it to her."

Madam Su replied respectfully, "Yes."

She then proceeded to explain to A Wu that south of the imperial capital lay Nanqiongzi, where palaces, training grounds, and hunting grounds had been built. The mountains also housed royal sacrificial sites, among which Yanxiang Temple was a Daoist nunnery dedicated to the vestments of past empresses. Elderly palace maids or those who had received imperial commendations but could not return home were sent there to live out their years in peace.

Madam Su said, "Sending you to Yanxiang Temple is the Emperor’s mercy. You must understand that many palace maids toil for most of their lives before they can enter and live out their days in comfort, receiving stipends from the inner court, free from worldly worries. During festivals, when ceremonies are held, nobles and high-ranking ladies visit the temple, and you would naturally receive many rewards. Moreover, since the temple houses the vestments of empresses, even nobles must show you respect!"

A Wu opened her eyes wide, listening carefully.

Lady Su watched as her long eyelashes fluttered, as if she both understood and didn't.

She then said with condescension, "Do you have any questions?"

A Wu: "If I become a Taoist nun, will I still receive a monthly stipend?"

Lady Su: "Of course."

A Wu: "How much will it be each month?"

Lady Su paused briefly, then glanced at the Crown Princess.

The Crown Princess replied indifferently, "The exact sum isn't known and likely depends on seniority. But rest assured, since I am sending you there, I will ensure you are properly settled and give you some money."

A Wu nodded, then asked further, "Can I keep the gifts His Highness the Crown Prince has bestowed upon me?"

The Crown Princess's mouth twitched.

What kind of girl is she?!

She had never encountered anyone who dared to mention money so frequently in her presence.

And the Crown Prince actually favored someone like this?

She gave a scornful look at A Wu. "Take them. You may take everything."

A Wu then put on a meek and obedient face. "Thank you, Your Highness. Your servant will obey the Emperor’s and Your Highness’s orders and go to Yanxiang Temple. I will pray day and night for the Crown Prince and Your Highness, praying for your long lives, boundless blessings, and eternal peace."

The Crown Princess raised her hand. "You may leave now. Lady Su will arrange your departure."

A Wu kowtowed to the Crown Princess. "Yes, Your servant thanks Your Highness!"

Her kowtows were earnest—three loud, proper kowtows.

As the Crown Princess watched A Wu kowtow, she suddenly felt that this girl truly had no desire to cling to the Crown Prince.

She felt slightly relieved.

But soon, another thought struck her—so what?

The Crown Prince was undoubtedly infatuated with her, utterly smitten, wishing to hold and cherish her every day. If she suddenly vanished, he would surely make trouble.

So... she needed a way to end this for good—a plan to erase this woman from the Crown Prince’s heart entirely.

**************

As A Wu walked along the covered walkway, her steps were unusually light.

Though she would no longer enjoy treats like braised water chestnuts with soft tofu, A Wu felt this arrangement wasn’t so bad.

The Crown Prince had doted on her, cherished her, and she had naturally liked it well enough. Yet, she had always felt uneasy, as if walking on shaky ground, where the next step might send her tumbling.

Now that the Crown Princess had summoned her and mentioned this matter, it was clear the Emperor, though displeased, wasn't going to have her killed—only decreeing she become a Taoist nun.

With this order in place, even if the Crown Princess disliked her, she wouldn’t dare harm her, and the Crown Prince would no longer be able to approach her.

Lost in these thoughts, A Wu suddenly noticed the setting sun shining on the carved eaves and painted railings, illuminating the towering pavilions and layered halls, with green pines touching the eaves and magnolias winding around the steps—a scene of majestic splendor.

Somehow, she was reminded of her childhood, of her parents and elder brother.

The sea swaying under the dusk’s setting sun, the daylilies swaying by the shore in the breeze, and herself chasing butterflies and grasshoppers.

Two years had passed. She didn’t know if she would ever have the chance to return to her hometown or see her seafaring loved ones again.

She thought of her current situation. If Yanxiang Temple was truly as they described, then being made a nun by imperial decree—one drawing an inner-court stipend—was surely better than staying in the Eastern Palace.

She also thought of the silver she had saved. The Crown Princess had said she could take it with her, and she certainly would. Once at Yanxiang Temple, a lavish hand would secure her footing.

Just as A Wu was lost in thought, Nanny Sun cut her a sharp look.

A Wu looked at her in confusion.

Nanny Sun stared at her for a long moment before finally averting her gaze and saying, "Hurry and pack your things. The palace has sent word—you must leave tonight. A carriage and escort stand ready outside the second gate."

A Wu replied, "Yes."

The two of them quickly returned to Huancui Courtyard, where A Wu had lived. The maids who once attended to her were startled by her sudden return, casting puzzled glances her way.

Nanny Sun snapped, "All of you, leave. From now on, Miss A Wu will no longer be here, nor will you serve her. The residence will assign you new posts."

The maids were astonished but dared not protest, withdrawing in silence.

Under Nanny Sun’s watchful eye, A Wu hastily packed her belongings.

As she packed, Nanny Sun’s gaze never left her. When A Wu reached for her jewelry, Nanny Sun strode over and snatched a phoenix hairpin from her hands.

It was gold—a filigreed phoenix head, gleaming brilliantly, set with a thumb-sized agate. Clearly priceless.

Nanny Sun frowned. "Do you know what this is?"

A Wu shook her head blankly. "No. His Highness gave it to me."

Nanny Sun was both furious and amused. "This belonged to the late Virtuous Consort! This isn’t for the likes of you!"

A Wu said, "I... didn’t know."

She glanced at the delicate filigree. "If it’s not meant for me, then you keep it, Nanny Sun."

Nanny Sun: "..."

She gaped at A Wu, torn between fury and disbelief.

How could someone be so shameless—taking advantage and then acting innocent!

The Virtuous Consort was, after all, the Crown Prince’s birth mother. Frail in health, she had passed away when he was seven. Some of her personal effects had naturally been left to him.

Nanny Sun had seen this gold phoenix hairpin before—it was an imperial gift, worn by the Virtuous Consort during New Year’s banquets while she lived. Back then, Nanny Sun had been a junior maid, catching only a distant glimpse of it.

And now, it was to be given to this nobody?

Seeing Nanny Sun’s fierce expression, A Wu was baffled. "What else must I do? I don’t want it—can’t you just take it?"

Meeting Nanny Sun’s wide-eyed glare, she felt wronged and quickly explained, "His Highness insisted I safeguard it for him! I told him it was too heavy, that I didn’t like wearing it, but he said to keep it for him!"

Nanny Sun saw stars.

The sheer audacity—

If she were the Crown Princess, she’d have this girl beaten to death right there! Seeing Nanny Sun’s look fit to kill, A Wu hastily pressed the hairpin into Nanny Sun’s palms. "Here, Nanny, take it. It’s yours now."

Nanny Sun’s eyes bulged, her hands shaking.

A Wu hastily snatched up another gold hairpin from the side and said, "Nanny Sun, this is for you too—take it all!"

Nanny Sun sucked in a breath, gripping the weighty gold hairpin. She shot a furtive glance out the window to ensure no one was watching, then stealthily tucked the hairpin into her sleeve.

Then she stiffened her posture, cleared her throat, and said sternly, "This phoenix-headed hairpin isn’t some common trinket—it was bestowed by the Emperor, a keepsake of the late Virtuous Consort. It must be returned to His Highness the Crown Prince. Since His Highness is not in residence, the Crown Princess will keep it for now. I will personally deliver this hairpin to Her Highness."

A Wu blinked. "Nanny Sun, you decide."

She couldn’t give a fig who got the hairpin. Even with her spotty grasp of decorum, she knew this was something she should never have touched.

Not only was the phoenix motif glaringly obvious, but the solid gold and rare white jade inlaid in it were also strictly forbidden for commoners to wear—such was the law of Great Hui.

She’d never planned to stick around as some Crown Prince’s concubine. Since she was getting out, why court trouble?

If she tried to pawn this, the pawnshop would report her to the authorities!

As for money… A Wu wasn’t worried at all.

Money was her obsession—she pinched every penny. During her months with the Crown Prince, she had seized every opportunity to ask for gold and silver. Fancy filigree and carvings? Just wasted labor to her—all flash, no substance.

She wanted raw, chunky lumps!

Perhaps the Crown Prince had noticed her preference, so he gifted her thick gold armlets—dense, hefty, the good stuff!

That was precisely why she had deliberately left the phoenix hairpin out in the open—letting them take what she didn’t want while keeping a few pieces for goodwill.

After shoving the two hairpins into her robe, Nanny Sun gave a performative cough and ordered the maids outside, "This item holds significance—handle it with care. Fetch a lacquered tray."

The maids scrambled to obey, and Nanny Sun solemnly placed the phoenix hairpin on the tray, instructing them to keep it safe until she delivered it to the Crown Princess.

While she spoke to the maids, A Wu seized the opportunity inside the room.

She crammed every last armlet into her quilted jacket and pants, tucking them here and there until her clothes were lumpy and sagging under the weight. Only then did she stop.

By the time Nanny Sun returned, A Wu had already folded the quilted clothes into her bundle, carrying only a small personal bag.

Nanny Sun squinted at it, skeptical.

A Wu fidgeted, guilt written all over her face. "Nanny… do you want to check the silver inside? This is all the Crown Prince gave me…"

She cautiously pushed the bag toward Nanny Sun, who pretended to inspect it. Inside were some gold items, though none too large.

With a sigh, Nanny Sun said, "Her Highness is letting you walk away with these. A woman of her standing wouldn’t bother tallying scraps. Take them, but I must record everything to report to Her Highness later."

A Wu nodded meekly. "Please note them down, Nanny."

Her meager bundle ready, it was time to go.

As she departed, A Wu dug in her heels, refusing to let anyone else shoulder her load.

***********

Her quilted layers hid her loot—if someone else carried them, they might notice. Fortunately, Nanny Sun wasn’t feeling generous either. With no maids or servants around, A Wu had to bear the weight herself.

Weak-kneed and sore from kneeling, the unwieldy bundle turned each step into a slog.

But there was nothing else she could do now. She figured she just had to tough it out for a while, and it would be over soon.

Her luggage had gold in it, so no matter how exhausted she was, she had to carry it out.

Fortunately, before leaving the Huanyuan Garden, she saw a small palanquin with seven or eight servants in matching green robes and caps, neat and tidy.

A Wu heaved her luggage onto the palanquin and then tried to climb in herself.

Just then, someone spoke up from the side: "Has her luggage been inspected?"

A Wu looked over—it was Madam Su.

Even Nanny Sun had to tread carefully around Madam Su. She quickly smiled and said, "Yes, it’s been checked. We’ve itemized all the valuables in her bundle, and I was just about to show you the inventory, Madam Su."

As she spoke, she hurriedly handed it over.

But Madam Su didn’t take it. Her eyes remained fixed on A Wu’s bundle.

Seeing this, A Wu shifted uncomfortably, her fair cheeks flushing pink. She explained softly, "It’s just padded cotton jackets—the heavy kind."

Madam Su frowned.

A Wu’s hands moved nervously as she whispered, "Madam Su, once I leave the Crown Prince’s residence, I won’t get my hands on clothes like these again, so I thought I should at least take a couple with me… for warmth in the future…"

Madam Su still stared at her bundle without speaking.

A Wu had no choice but to say, "Madam Su, how about… I give this one to you? You can have the cotton-padded jacket, and I’ll keep the trousers!"

With that, A Wu yanked at the jacket, pulling out a corner of it. She eagerly shoved it toward Madam Su. "Madam Su, take this—it’s warm, made of good cotton!"

Madam Su smirked, catching on at once.

Great Hui didn’t produce much cotton. Commoners usually used reed fluff for winter clothes, while cotton-padded garments were reserved for the wealthy. Once A Wu left the Crown Prince’s residence and entered the nunnery, she would never have access to such clothes again.

This A Wu—despite her breathtaking beauty and rare elegance—was so clueless and downright crude!

And yet, the Crown Prince had once doted on her so much…

Madam Su’s eyes brimmed with contempt as she coldly ordered, "Let’s go."