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墨書 Inktalez
When several people heard Aunt Yu's words, they couldn't help but feel alarmed. However, the condition of the person lying in the room was indeed a tricky matter, and it was certainly not something that could be resolved with just a few words or prescriptions. To be honest, they had no confidence in saving her.
The group knelt down together and repeatedly pleaded, "Aunt Yu, as officials, we will naturally do our utmost, but given the current situation, even if Bian Que were to come back to life, it would still take considerable effort."
Aunt Yu remained impassive, continuing with her cold remarks, "So you mean there is still some hope?"
Seeing this situation, Zhang Taiyi decided to speak frankly. "Aunt, you may not know this, but I can only tell that this young lady has been poisoned severely in the past and has a cold constitution. However, to be honest, I have no knowledge of what poison she was afflicted with or how she was treated before. If we do not understand the cause and effect, it will be very difficult to prescribe the right remedy. If we rashly use medicine without proper understanding, we might misjudge the dosage..."
His reasoning was sound, leaving Aunt Yu in a difficult position. How could she know about Mei Shuang's previous condition? Looking coldly at the several imperial physicians before her, she did not feel they were shirking responsibility. "Then what should we do now?"
Zhang Taiyi pondered for a moment and said, "For now, we can only maintain the status quo. I will use acupuncture to stabilize her vital energy. If we cannot find the cause within five days, I fear there will be nothing more I can do."
Aunt Yu sighed and went into the room to consult with Abbot before immediately sending someone on horseback back to the palace to report to Empress Dowager Mingxi.
The night was cool as water, and a solitary cottage stood alone in the wilderness.
The bright moon hung in the sky above the cottage, casting a layer of desolate coldness over the barren outskirts.
Aunt Yu gazed up at the night sky, lost in thought until she heard soft footsteps approaching from behind. She then returned to her senses and said lightly, "You've arrived?"
Abbot stood some distance behind Aunt Yu and was about to kneel in greeting when Aunt Yu stopped him. "We are old acquaintances; there is no need for such formalities."
As she spoke, Aunt Yu turned around to look at Abbot in his gray monk's robe.
Abbot slightly bowed his body, hands clasped together, lowering his gaze with a respectful demeanor.
Perhaps due to years of cultivation, he appeared serene and composed; his brows and eyes exuded tranquility and detachment from worldly affairs.
Aunt Yu gazed at his face and felt a momentary daze as if she had instantly returned to those flourishing years...
In the Eternal Life Palace filled with light songs and graceful dances, a circle of songstresses suddenly retreated to reveal their enchanting figures. With long flowing sleeves sweeping through the air in stunning arcs, the face before her—untouched by time—turned back with a charming smile that could captivate anyone.
In that moment, the Eternal Life Palace lost its brilliance, and she also saw the burning gaze of the noble on the dragon throne...
The past cannot be pursued.
Aunt Yu sighed. In a fleeting moment, she seemed to catch a glimpse of the Abbot raising his eyes to look at her, and within those eyes, there was... resentment?
She shivered and withdrew her thoughts.
Looking at the Abbot again, he still kept his head bowed, standing in place with no change in expression.
Aunt Yu gazed at the Abbot's face, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. She said calmly, "I wonder if I should address you by your monastic name, Pure Zen Abbot, or your secular name, Qingqin?"
Upon hearing "Qingqin," the Abbot's expression changed slightly, and his body stiffened for a moment before he regained composure and lowered his eyes respectfully. "Since we are old acquaintances, Auntie may call me as you wish. However, I have been practicing for a long time; my secular name may not be appropriate."
"Is that so?" Aunt Yu replied with a meaningful glint in her eyes. "I fear that while Pure Zen Abbot has practiced for many years, your mind remains impure; perhaps secular thoughts have not been discarded!"
The Abbot's expression remained unchanged, but it was evident that his brows slightly furrowed. He met Aunt Yu's gaze, which was calm and indifferent. He then said lightly, "Jingkong does not understand Auntie's meaning..."
Aunt Yu smirked slightly, her tone laced with subtle sarcasm as she spoke. "Qingqin, a monk should abandon worldly thoughts and remain detached from the mundane; one must also harbor compassion. You have secluded yourself here as an Abbot for so many years; do you truly have such insights?"
The Abbot's gaze flickered with an imperceptible emotion but responded calmly, "Auntie’s teachings, Jingkong will certainly remember. As for insights, Jingkong naturally possesses some..."
"Is that so?" Aunt Yu took a few steps forward and suddenly reached out to take the prayer beads from the Abbot's hand.
The unique fragrance of the sandalwood prayer beads was faint yet rich and serene. After years of accumulation, they became even more lustrous. Holding them in her hand, their cool touch brought a sense of tranquility to her mind.
Under the moonlight, Aunt Yu carefully examined the patterns on the prayer beads and smiled slightly. "If I remember correctly, these prayer beads were bestowed upon you by the Empress Dowager back then..."
The Abbot nodded. "Indeed, these prayer beads have never left Jingkong's side..."
Aunt Yu also nodded and took a breath. "The Empress Dowager devoted herself to Buddhism and possessed many precious prayer beads. Only this sandalwood string was most favored by her. This string was consecrated by a high monk back then; the Empress Dowager never parted with it but gave it to you instead. Now seeing this string of beads shining brightly, it seems you have taken good care of it. However, Qingqin, seeing this object reminds one of others; do you think of the Empress Dowager's instructions every day when you see these beads?"
Abbot raised her gaze, but it seemed as if her eyes were also covered by moonlight, hazy and elusive, making it difficult for others to discern the emotions within.
She gazed at Aunt Yu, took a deep breath, and slowly spoke, "Aunt, please understand that Qingqin has not dared to forget the instructions of the Empress Dowager for even a moment. This string of beads that Qingqin carries is to ensure that I can see the Empress Dowager every day and live up to her expectations..."
Her expression was respectful, and her voice was as usual, without any hint of impropriety. For some reason, however, Aunt Yu noticed that the hands clasped together by the other party were slightly tightening, as if suppressing something.
Suddenly, Aunt Yu's thoughts shifted. She returned the prayer beads in her hand to Abbot, and her expression grew three points colder. " Qingqin, you have stayed peacefully at Cheng En Temple for nearly twenty years. In these twenty years, have you ever thought about the day we would meet again?"
Abbot took the prayer beads and held them tightly in her hand, unconsciously applying a bit of force while shaking her head. "Qingqin does not dare to hope."
As she lowered her gaze, her words carried a hint of profound meaning. "Perhaps the Empress Dowager has already forgotten me..."
Aunt Yu stared at the woman before her. Time had etched many hardships on her face, and the once-clear eyes were now clouded with the dust of years, becoming deep and difficult to read.
She smiled lightly. "The Empress Dowager has not forgotten the Singer who was favored by the late Former Emperor. The name ‘Qingqin’ was also bestowed by the Former Emperor, which shows how favored you were..."
The phrase "how favored you were" was said with deep meaning, and along with Aunt Yu's light laugh, it struck Abbot like a loud slap across the face. She felt a sudden warmth on her cheeks; when she looked up again, a thin layer of pink had appeared on her pale face.
She thought that her face must have turned red.
After a moment, she also chuckled softly, clearly mocking herself. "Qing, plants like reeds are merely names for grass; how could the Former Emperor bestow such a name upon me..."
Aunt Yu curled her lips into a faint smile of sarcasm. "Have you ever seen how the reeds dance gracefully in the wind at sunset? Back then, when you danced in your blue attire, so delicate and light, the Former Emperor was astonished. Do you know that he put much thought into that ‘Qing’ character?"
Abbot's eyes flickered slightly. "Aunt, rather than saying it was the Former Emperor's thoughtfulness, it would be more accurate to say it was the Empress Dowager's intention..."
"Impudent!" Aunt Yu became angry, her face cold as frost. "You dare to speak ill of the Empress Dowager behind her back."
Abbot seemed not to hear; as she turned her gaze toward the distance, there was an added touch of sorrow in her eyes. With a self-deprecating smile at the corner of her lips, she murmured softly, "The former Empress Mingxi did not want anyone to share in her favor; even if the emperor looked at me twice, she would feel jealousy in her heart. To make sure that the emperor looked down on me, she even begged him to bestow upon me the name ‘Qingqin’. At that time, the emperor's heart was pure; how could he perceive the intricacies behind this?"
At this point, there was a hint of lingering sorrow in her eyes, and her tone became hauntingly melancholic. "He thought that bestowing this title upon me was an act of favor; little did he know that I regarded it as a lifelong humiliation..."
Mentioning the past, Aunt Yu fell silent.
Having served beside the Empress Dowager for many years, how could she not know the intricacies involved? The women in the imperial harem have always fought endlessly, vying for a share of the meager favor from the emperor. However, in such struggles, there are always winners and losers.
Undoubtedly, Qingqin was one of the defeated under Empress Dowager Mingxi. But then again, how many others like her had also faced defeat? Compared to those beautiful concubines who died young, she could be considered fortunate to still be here.
The sorrowful expression on Qingqin's face softened Aunt Yu's heart. She reined in her earlier harshness and said lightly, "The past is but a wisp of smoke; you have been cultivating yourself here for many years and will naturally find it hard to let go. Consider your words as if I have never heard them."
When Qingqin withdrew her gaze and looked at Aunt Yu again, there was not a trace of the complex emotions from before in her eyes. She knelt down and softly said, "Thank you, Aunt."
Aunt Yu sighed softly, stepped forward to help her up, and spoke in a gentler tone, "Qingqin, even though you once caught the Former Emperor's eye, your fortune was still limited. The Former Emperor was kind; even when your father committed a grave crime, he did not involve you. However, one cannot wish for too much. Without family support, even temporary favor cannot secure a place in the Former Emperor's heart... Empress Dowager Mingxi's actions were also meant to protect you..."
"Protect?" At these words, Qingqin's eyes twitched slightly. Her previously calm mood surged with turmoil due to those two words. Ultimately, she suppressed it and quietly said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."
Aunt Yu carefully observed Qingqin's expression; there was nothing unusual on her face. Aunt Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "This time, the Empress Dowager sent me to convey a few messages to you."
"I would like to hear more."
"Alright then, tell me where Chu Xiruo from General of the State's family has gone?" Aunt Yu asked.
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