Offering incense

Qi Lingheng rarely interfered in women's affairs.

Having unexpectedly learned of the secret of Concubine Lu family's background, he did not intend to interfere casually.

However, the matter at the Wuding Marquis Residence had become so widely known that he couldn't ignore it no matter where he went.

"Heng'er, what are you thinking about?"

Zhao Susu summoned her family members to the palace to speak with her. Just then Qi Lingheng came over to pay his respects, and she asked him to sit for a while.

He didn't like chatting with women in the Inner Residence; he would usually just sit and listen for a while, then have a cup of tea before leaving.

But now he seemed a little distracted.

Qi Lingheng replied to his Empress, "It's snowing."

Zhao Susu and the other women from the Zhao family looked out the window and saw that it was indeed snowing.

After a moment of joy, everyone continued talking about Zhao family's Eldest Aunt, who was Zhao Susu's Elder Sister and Qi Lingheng's maternal aunt.

Zhao Susu was very sad. "After my Eldest Sister divorced, she married far away, and I haven't seen her for several years."

We communicated by letter every year.

Her expression was forlorn. "... I don't even know what my sister looks like anymore."

Her sister-in-law, Madam Zhao, advised her, "Her Majesty wishes to see what the Eldest Aunt looks like. After the New Year, I will have the Third Master visit the Eldest Aunt and have a portrait of Eldest Aunt painted."

"OK!"

Zhao Susu missed her sister so much that her eyes turned red.

Madam Zhao, being a smooth talker, quickly smiled and said, "My Eldest Aunt is pregnant again, not even three months along. She said she had a dream in which a deity said this time it's a girl. My Eldest Aunt didn't want to make it public, but our younger generation are all rascals! My Great-Aunt was so happy that she wrote a letter home to tell my husband and Madam."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Susu was indeed pleased. "Really?"

Madam Zhao said, "Of course it's true!"

People say that Zhao Susu's Elder Sister risked everything to get a divorce back then, and Zhao Susu didn't hesitate to tell Emperor Jingshun about her family's dirty laundry, all for the life she has today. It was truly worth it.

"A woman who gets divorced will be severely punished, even if she doesn't die. Our Eldest Aunt is a pitiful person too."

Madam Zhao sighed.

Who says otherwise?

Speaking of divorces, there's been a very heated divorce case in the Capital recently. Zhao Susu thought of Grand Tutor Lin and couldn't help but mention, "Grand Tutor Lin's daughter also had a bad fate."

Qi Lingheng's eyes flickered slightly as he took a sip of tea.

Madam Zhao then added, "I heard that the Lin Family also tried their best to get their daughter divorced, but it's really the Wuding Marquis Residence..."

Zhao Susu sighed, "When a woman goes so far as to get a divorce, it must be because she can't make it work anymore."

As women ourselves, who wouldn't sympathize with Lin Yunwan?

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Madam Zhao quickly said, "Perhaps after the Lin Family made such a fuss, Grand Tutor Lin's daughter will have an easier time from now on. We haven't heard anything bad about her since, and the Lu family has also gotten rid of that Concubine."

Zhao Susu also thought positively, "... Maybe the Lu family really treated her well, and she herself has come to terms with it." This is the best possible outcome.

Qi Lingheng didn't want to listen anymore.

"Your Empress, I take my leave."

She also said goodbye to her maternal aunts, uncles, and other relatives from her maternal family.

"It's snowing outside, Your Prince, please be careful on the road."

Qi Lingheng nodded slightly and left the Imperial Palace.

The first snow in the Capital was light. A Fu held an umbrella for him, and by the time they reached the outside of the Imperial Palace, the snow had stopped.

When they returned to Prince Huan's Residence, there was no more snow.

A Fu handed the umbrella to the servant, who then brought in a tray of pastries, saying, "Your Prince, these are winter cakes that the Abbot Red Elephant Temple just sent over. Would you like to try some? They've already been tested for poison."

He lifted the lid, revealing several exquisitely crafted pastries, some snow-white and others translucent, resembling fruits growing on snow-covered branches in the icy winter.

Qi Lingheng glanced at it and said, "Take it away."

He wasn't particularly fond of food; although the pastries were exquisitely made, he had little interest in them.

I picked up a book and started reading.

A Fu closed the lid, picked up the drawer, and was about to leave when Qi Lingheng called him back, "Red Elephant Temple only delivers to the Prince's Mansion?"

A Fu thought for a moment and said, "It's definitely not. The wealthy pilgrims that the temple usually associates with must all receive gifts."

Qi Lingheng pondered for a moment and said, "Go and give them more reward money, and tell them to pick an auspicious day for the King to go and offer incense."

Wow!

Why did you change your mind so quickly?

A Fu asked, "And this pastry, you...?"

Qi Lingheng said he wanted to try it, but he only took one bite and put it down, saying, "It tastes better than what's made in the palace."

But it's just so-so; after eating so much delicious food, it doesn't feel that special anymore.

A Fu packed his things and went out, personally instructing the Guest Reception Monk sent by Red Elephant Temple, who was specifically tasked with dealing with distinguished pilgrims. The novice was very considerate in his words and actions. After receiving the reward, the novice monk said, "I will definitely make proper arrangements when I return."

The Wuding Marquis Residence also received the pastries.

"Chang Gong, have a taste."

Lin Yunwan had little appetite, so she let Lu Chang'gong eat.

If his mother gave him something to eat, he would try to bite into it, even if it was a stone.

Lu Chang'gong ate a piece and said with a faint smile, "It tastes good."

There was a hint of surprise in his eyes, but he was naturally composed, and that surprise was not noticeable unless you looked closely.

Lin Yunwan felt he was too dull, so she said, "Eat some more."

Lu Chang'gong nodded obediently.

Lin Yunwan spoke to him more, "These are pastries from Red Elephant Temple, the place where we stayed when we took you to pay respects to your maternal grandfather last time."

She became somewhat lost in thought when she thought of her father.

Lu Chang'gong said, "I remember the murals inside; they were beautifully painted. If Mother isn't busy, I'll accompany you to see them again."

Does Red Elephant Temple have murals?

Lin Yunwan had never seriously explored a temple before and didn't know there were murals inside, but she really wanted to go and pay her respects to her father.

She then instructed Ping Ye, "Go and tell the people at Red Elephant Temple that we'll be going there to offer incense the day after tomorrow."

Lin Yunwan still insisted on a woman's adherence to etiquette and informed her elders in the family.

Old Madam Lu and Wei Shi didn't actually want her to go out, but they didn't dare stop her.

The Physician was supposed to take Zhu Qing's pulse came and examined her three times, diagnosing her with pregnancy each time.

Lin Yunwan was very happy and said to Ping Ye, "Go to the storeroom and pick out a few things for her, and tell her that she doesn't need to pay her respects anymore; everything should be based on her own comfort."

Ping Ye left with a smile, and when she returned, she said, "Xiliu wants to go and serve Concubine Zhu Qing."

Lin Yunwan said, "I don't concern myself with these matters anymore, but I'm Madam won't object."

When Zhu Qing spoke to Wei Shi indeed did not object.

Lu Chang'gong kept staring at Lin Yunwan's face after hearing that he was going to have a younger brother or sister.

When Lin Yunwan noticed, she sensed that Lu Chang'gong seemed worried, so she smiled and asked, "Don't you like your sister?"

Lu Chang'gong countered, "Mother, how did you know it was my sister?"

Lin Yunwan was taken aback, then said, "I think so."

Anyway, in her previous life, Zhu Qing had a very clever daughter, just as intelligent as her. Whether she will be like that in this life, we don't know.

I've often heard people say that a person's fate with their children is predetermined; maybe it will be a lovely girl.