The Empress's Edict Arrives (continued)

"Greetings, Your Marquis?"

"Hmm." Third Concubine nodded, still somewhat puzzled. "Don't you know that Abbot Master Shiqing of Yuhong Temple is the Marquis's mentor?"

Gu Wanning: "... I don't know."

Where would she find out?

"What will the Marquis learn from the abbot? Kung Fu?"

"Yes. Master Shiqing was once the head of the guards by the Grand Princess's side. He later became a monk at Yuhong Temple, but he has always maintained contact with the Grand Princess's Residence."

Gu Wanning nodded to indicate that she understood; so this was the Grand Princess's connection.

But why would that guard, who was perfectly fine, want to become a monk?

But it's really good to cling to a powerful figure; becoming an abbot isn't something just anyone can do.

Those around the Grand Princess were all promoted to high positions.

"Do I still need to visit Master Shiqing?" Gu Wanning asked.

"Master Shiqing does not receive worshippers. Even Marquis must obtain his permission in advance before a meeting can be arranged."

Gu Wanning thought to herself, "That would be perfect. What I hate most is trouble."

Praying to Buddha is an extremely boring thing, and Gu Wanning didn't have a firm belief. She just copied what others did, bowed haphazardly, and then came out.

After leaving the main hall, there were places to get amulets for peace and fortune, as well as stalls for drawing lots, but Gu Wanning wasn't very interested in either.

The First Concubine went to get a peace charm for Jiaoniang, who lived in the mansion. The Second Concubine originally wanted to go as well, but after seeing that the First Concubine had given her money after getting the charm, she pouted and didn't go.

The Third Concubine, without any desires or wants, stood quietly behind Gu Wanning.

Fourth Concubine then went to shake the divination bucket to draw lots.

She swung her arm and shook it, sending the sticks flying out of the container.

Many of them flew towards Gu Wanqing's direction.

Gu Wanqing jumped aside to avoid it, and couldn't help but scold, "Can't you slow down a bit! You're so clumsy, you need to be taught a lesson."

The skewers were scattered all over the ground, and everyone bent down to help clean them up. Gu Wanning noticed that the tops of the other skewers were painted black, but only one was painted red. Out of curiosity, she picked up the red-painted one.

Good grief, this is a terrible draw.

The only bad luck draw.

No, no! Gu Wanning decided not to believe it.

What's going on at Yuhong Temple? They even put unlucky fortune sticks in the divination box. Isn't that just adding to people's bad luck?

Do you even want your incense to be burning brightly? You can't even offer auspicious words!

Gu Wanning didn't make a fuss. She picked up a few more sticks, and this time they were all very auspicious ones. She couldn't help but feel happy, thinking that even if they were accurate, her suffering would finally come to an end.

"Let's go." Gu Wanning put the skewers back and said to everyone, "Does anyone else want to stay for the vegetarian meal? I'd like to go out for dinner. Let's split up, wander around a bit, and come back in half an hour. We can go to a restaurant for something nice, or maybe go see a play."

Anyway, it's still early, and Fourth Concubine's birthday today, so we should be happy.

Several people said they would go with her.

Worshipping Buddha was just a pretense.

Gu Wanning couldn't help but wonder, where did Qin Lie go?

Oh, I forgot, he doesn't know if the mountain gate is open yet; he estimates it will be a while later.

Gu Wanning led everyone to walk around the back mountain. They saw people coming in one after another, but Qin Lie still did not appear.

Gu Wanning felt somewhat annoyed.

If it weren't to give him another chance, why would we be here at this temple today?

They came with a huge entourage, but he was still late.

She didn't want to wait any longer.

"Madam," a guard rushed in and bowed before Gu Wanning, "Her Majesty the Empress's decree has arrived."

Um?

Empress?

Gu Wanning thought for a moment; the memories of the Empress from her previous life were already very vague.

She and Xu Weibei were betrothed by imperial decree, so she had to go to the palace to express her gratitude.

Xu Weibei left with his troops on their wedding night, so Gu Wanning went to the palace to express her gratitude the next day.

Her only memory of that day was that it was a very hot day, and she was wearing a thick noblewoman's dress, standing under the eaves waiting for a very long time.

The empress was pale and looked listless. After summoning her, she said a few polite words, gave her some gifts, and then dismissed her.

Why is the Empress seeking her out today?

The Empress is now Gu Wanqing's mother-in-law, so they're all related by blood. Could it be that she's trying to build a closer relationship and win Xu Weibei over to her side?

Gu Wanning's mind raced as she thought about many things.

As it turned out, she took herself too seriously.

The Empress's decree was to reprimand her.

The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial decree was a somewhat familiar-looking young eunuch, but he was followed by two tall squads of Imperial Guards, exuding an imposing aura.

Gu Wanning remembered that this little eunuch had previously delivered the Emperor's rewards to the Marquis's Residence.

We're acquaintances, you could say.

What, so you're serving the Empress again now?

Or was it a palace eunuch delivering imperial decrees? Were the titles of "Emperor" and "Empress" used interchangeably?

Gu Wanning also took a special look at the arriving Imperial Guards, but she didn't see her third brother.

But they should also be Third Brother's colleagues...

"Lady Hou, receive the imperial decree—"

The eunuch's shrill voice interrupted Gu Wanning's reverie.

Gu Wanning, along with several concubines, knelt down to receive the imperial decree. The crowd that had been gathered around to watch the spectacle also knelt down.

Seeing this, Gu Wanning thought to herself, "I let you watch the show, and now you're all in for it, kneeling and begging!"

The Empress's decree was utterly ruthless, harshly berating Gu Wanning for her extravagance and debauchery.

Gu Wanning:???

How could someone as simple as her be extravagant and dissolute?

The imperial edict was very detailed, allowing her to "die knowing exactly what happened."

Spending a large sum of money to purchase "rare and exotic beasts".

Okay, okay, so you're picking the softest persimmon, aren't you?

The alpaca was clearly bought by Xu Weibei. If you have a problem with that, go find Xu Weibei.

And what's wrong with you, Empress?

It's just that I bought an alpaca.