Chapter 8 Past Events

Chapter 8 Past Events

On this day, the Emperor arrived at Nanqiongzi Temple, accompanied by his consorts and noblewomen. The Yanxiang Taoist Temple had prepared early to receive the distinguished guests. A Wu had barely slept the night before, busy cleaning every corner with Miao Xin, running around at everyone’s orders until she was dead on her feet.

When the honored guests were about to enter the temple, A Wu and Miao Xin, as ordinary Taoist nuns, joined the assembly in the main hall to welcome them.

Upon entering the hall, they saw hundreds of Taoist nuns standing solemnly inside and out. The hall was already adorned with twelve incense lamps, twelve palace deities, and the spirit tablets of previous empresses, each furnished with a plaque, candles, cups, and offerings of silk and coins.

A Wu kept her head bowed, standing carefully in place without daring to make a sound.

All she hoped was that the Crown Prince’s Consort would not come—or if she did, that she wouldn’t recognize her. She just wanted to keep a low profile and avoid any trouble.

Just as she was thinking this, the sound of court music began, delicate and enchanting, like the soft chime of jade pendants in the breeze. The melody lifted A Wu’s spirits, making her eager to look around.

But the moment she glanced up, she caught the stern gaze of the head nun beside her.

A Wu quickly averted her eyes, forcing herself to appear solemn.

As the honored guests entered the temple, A Wu faintly saw imperial guards outside, all dressed in brocade robes with wide sleeves and green-trimmed caps, holding black lacquered staffs with silver tips, forming a majestic procession.

Amid the court music, a litter came to a stop, and protocol officers stepped forward to assist the honored guest in alighting.

Lingguan Song had long led her trusted Taoist nuns to welcome the guest, while A Wu and the others were directed by the head nun to stand aside in separate lines, assigned to assist with the ceremony.

A Wu happened to be near a window lattice. Curious, she discreetly peeked outside and saw palace maids holding jade-handled crystal lanterns on either side, with gold-trimmed red gauze lanterns leading the way—a grand and solemn procession.

Amid this entourage, a regal noblewoman finally appeared.

A Wu observed that this noblewoman wore a phoenix-and-dragon crown and a black silk headband. The crown was naturally exquisite, but even the headband was embroidered with gold-cloud and dragon patterns, adorned with finest pearls—utterly magnificent.

Judging by her attire—a deep blue ramie-silk robe with woven cloud-dragon motifs and multihued pheasant motifs—A Wu guessed this must be the Empress.

The Crown Prince was not the Empress’s biological son, but his birth mother, Virtuous Consort, had passed away long ago. He regarded the Empress as his formal mother and treated her with filial respect.

Yet now, seeing the Empress in person, A Wu was surprised—the Empress didn’t look old at all, even appearing rather young.

A Wu ticked off on her fingers: the Crown Prince was a year younger than her, probably only sixteen, while the Emperor seemed to be in his early thirties. So the Empress must be around that age too?

If so, it made sense that the Empress, well-preserved, looked so youthful.

Once the Empress entered the hall, Lingguan Song respectfully attended to her, accompanying her through the elaborate rituals of worship and blessings. At first, A Wu watched with interest, but soon she grew drowsy.

Just then, she was suddenly nudged.

Startled, she turned to look.

Miao Xin quickly signaled to her, whispering, “The Empress wishes to speak with you.”

What?

A Wu’s heart instantly filled with unease.

She had been hiding here just fine—why summon her now?

Did they want to see what kind of femme fatale she was? Or did they simply intend to take her life to prevent her from bringing calamity upon the nation?

Though she had her doubts, she had no choice but to approach cautiously and greet the Empress.

Since she was now a Taoist nun, she didn’t need to kneel and instead performed a Daoist salute: "This humble nun, Miao Zhen, greets Her Majesty the Empress. May the Daoist ancestors grant Your Majesty long life, health, and endless blessings."

After she spoke, the hall fell silent. The Empress remained silent.

A Wu’s unease grew.

At last, the Empress spoke: "Miao Zhen? Is that your name in the Dao?"

A Wu hurriedly replied, "Yes, it is this humble nun’s name in the Dao."

The Empress gave a slight nod, her tone rather gentle: "Look up. Let me see your face."

A Wu didn’t want to lift her head, but she had no choice but to obey.

She raised her face, her eyes lowered, her face the picture of pious humility.

Yet, when she lifted her head, soft murmurs of surprise spread through the room, and the Empress seemed to let out a soft "ah."

Then, everything seemed to fall into silence again. A Wu felt the Empress give her a long, searching look.

A Wu dared not make a sound, keeping her eyes downcast as she waited obediently.

There was something else in the Empress’s eyes—perhaps even dislike or rejection?

Was it because of the Crown Prince...?

Just as she was lost in thought, the Empress’s voice finally came from above: "A beauty indeed."

A Wu grew even more uneasy. "Beauty"—she didn’t take it as praise.

The Empress, however, had already turned to Lingguan Song and instructed, "See that she is well taught. She must devote herself to her practice here."

Lingguan Song smiled deferentially and replied respectfully, "As Your Majesty commands."

Dismissed at last, A Wu withdrew, her heart hammering in her chest.

She recalled Nie San’s words—that someone meant her harm. Had he been telling the truth?

Did the Empress want her dead?

But... to nobles like these, she was no more than an insect. If they truly wanted her life, why send her to Yanxiang Temple? They could have simply ordered her execution.

A Wu couldn’t understand it, only feeling increasingly anxious and unsettled.

Life... was so cruel!

Outside, ceremonial music swelled once more—various noblewomen and imperial relatives were entering Yanxiang Temple one after another. A Wu wanted to catch a glimpse of the Crown Princess, but all she saw was a dazzling array of jewels and finery, too dazzling to pick out any one person. She didn’t dare look too closely—how could she find the Crown Princess in all this?

As she was lost in thought, suddenly, she felt a gaze—one she knew—one that turned her blood cold.

In that instant, the past came rushing back like a flood—joyful, agonizing, desperate recollections that crashed into her, nearly buckling her knees.

She closed her eyes, trembling as a shudder ran through her.

Then, steeling herself, she stiffly and slowly turned her head to look in that direction.

Before her eyes, it was as if a thick morning mist had gathered, then slowly dispersed, until the haze parted, revealing a face as elegant and familiar as ink on silk.

It was him—

Seventh Master.

In A Wu's memory, Seventh Master was always dressed in luxurious attire. At this moment, he wore an embroidered python robe with flying fish motifs, his ceremonial attire gleaming, his handsome and dignified appearance standing out even among the lavish imperial procession, drawing the gaze of all.

A Wu gaped in disbelief, momentarily unable to believe it—why was he here?

Just then, Seventh Master’s gaze drifted lightly over A Wu.

When their gazes locked, his long lashes lowered slightly, and his lips curved into a knowing smile.

The man possessed a chilling, arresting handsomeness, and in that instant of his smile, even the sunlight seemed to dim before him.

A Wu's mind went blank, the world spinning around her.

It dawned on her belatedly—that gaze she had felt the day she was expelled from the Crown Prince's residence, behind the ornate pleasure-house gates, amidst the bustling streets—it had been him all along.

He had always known her circumstances, known she had been sent away from the Crown Prince's residence, known she had come to Yanxiang Temple.

He held every thread of her life in his grasp!

At this thought, A Wu felt naive once more.

How could he not know? After all, all of this had been orchestrated by him.

She let out a bitter, helpless laugh.

She was born along the eastern coast. Her father, originally a scholar, had commanded the essence of classics and histories by the age of ten, earning renown in their hometown. But when the coastal regions fell victim to Japanese pirate invasions, many common folk were caught in the turmoil, and A Wu's father was forced to abandon his path to the imperial examinations.

Her mother sold her dowry and jewelry, painstakingly gathering thirty taels of silver, and so A Wu's father turned from scholarship to trade, supporting the family through commerce.

Her father and two elder brothers ventured overseas as merchants. Skilled in trade, they frequently dealt in lacquer and rice, and within a few years, the family had accumulated considerable savings. Thus, A Wu grew up in comfort. Though she never enjoyed the jewels and finery of wealthy daughters, her daily life was abundant, and whenever her father returned from overseas, she would receive rare foreign curios.

But then, one year, her father and brothers set sail only to encounter Japanese pirate invasions—they never returned. Soon after, a tidal disaster struck the coastal regions, and A Wu's hometown was devastated. Fierce winds and torrential rains brought floods, collapsing homes and claiming human and animal lives alike. A Wu's mother perished in the disaster, and after hastily burying her, A Wu fled with her neighbors in desperate flight.

Her striking beauty set her apart from ordinary folk. Though she took care to blacken her face with soot, she still drew the attention of many men, and some saw through her disguise.

Amidst the chaos of refugees, there were predators and cutthroats who coveted her beauty. She struggled to navigate the dangers, barely able to protect herself.

At her lowest point, at the age of sixteen, she cast herself at the mercy of a stranger, seeking his protection. This man was towering and formidable, with followers of his own, though his origins were unknown.

This man was Seventh Master.

Seventh Master was not a man of gentle temperament. Though he often wore a smile, his nature was inscrutable—cold, ruthless, and unpredictable. For over half a year, A Wu stayed by his side, walking on eggshells, terrified of provoking him.

Then came a series of events. A Wu accidentally learned that this man was not from the coastal regions—he intended to return to his homeland. Unwilling to follow, A Wu begged him to leave her by the coast, where she could await her father and brothers' return.

Seventh Master refused. A Wu tried to flee but was caught and confined aboard his ship.

Whenever she recalled this period, A Wu remembered the way Seventh Master had looked at her—venomous and reptilian, like a serpent lurking in the shadows of night.

He seemed to be assessing her, or perhaps wrestling with something.

It unsettled her. She felt certain Seventh Master had some scheme in mind.

It was as if he were appraising her like livestock at market.

In the midst of A Wu's terror, one day, the maidservant attending to her said, "Seventh Master has found you a most... advantageous situation. He will settle you somewhere, ensure a lifetime of wealth and honor."

She was dressed to perfection and presented before the Crown Prince, who was smitten the moment he saw her. Thus, she followed him to the capital.

The Crown Prince was handsome, noble, and gentle, treating her with great affection. Yet, her heart remained unmoved.

It was all just about her looks.

But... under his tender care and affection, she gradually relaxed, occasionally feeling as though the torments of the past had finally ended.

At least Seventh Master had let her go.

But who knew he’d show up again?