CH 40

Temple Visit (2)

Suddenly, Xu Shi became a little worried. “Does it taste bad?”

Chu Ning shook her head and covered the food tray before giving it to Cui He for safe keeping. “The cakes are tasty. You are very thoughtful. I shall save them for my supper.”

Xu Shi finally relaxed upon hearing that.

Chu Ning then asked Cui He to bring out a few rouges and a booklet of paintings to give them to Guo Er. “I, too, have little gifts for you. They are the rouge that girls like to use and a booklet of paintings of the latest fashion for ladies in Chang’an. I hope that you will like them.”

Guo Er thanked her shyly and began to flip through the booklet of paintings. Soon, she was engrossed with it.

Xu Shi glanced at the booklet and saw that the paintings were lively. The dresses and accessories in the paintings were painted in detail. She immediately understood why Chu Ning gave them to Guo Er.

This was to ensure that Xu Shi and Guo Er knew how to dress well so as not to be looked down on by other nobles.

“Thank you, Your Highness!” Xu Shi flushed with embarrassment. “Previously, in the palace, I was ungrateful to your well intentions. Now, I would like to apologize for my behavior…”

“It’s alright. You don’t have to apologize.” Chu Ning patted her hand. “Furthermore, although I treated you well out of my sincerity, I too have my reasons for doing so.”

Xu Shi saw that she was serious and was stunned for a moment. Then, she smiled again and said, “No matter what, I am still indebted to your kindness.”

As Chu Ning was frank to her, Xu Shi was relieved.

Then, they rode in a carriage to the temple.

After riding the carriage together, Xu Shi became less nervous. Guo Er, too, became less shy and was comfortable with holding Chu Ning’s sleeves and talking to her.

The temple was notified of their visit and prepared a room for the three of them. After praying, they had a vegetarian meal in the room and listened to some teachings before leaving.

Then, the carriage sent Xu Shi and Guo Er to their residence before taking Chu Ning back to the East Palace.

However, the carriage suddenly stopped in between Yongxin Lane and Anxin Lane.

“Your Highness, there is a procession on the road before us. Please wait for a moment.” A servant reported after checking the road before them.

“I understand.” Chu Ning sat in the carriage and lifted the curtain to see what was going on. There were numerous well-dressed servants leading a magnificent carriage in a slow procession.

The breeze blew at the carriage’s curtain and revealed a charming face.

Chu Ning’s eyes widened as she recognized the person. She was Zhao Yue, the second daughter of the Zhao family, who had left Chang’an for many years.

Zhao Yue was born in a military family. Her father was the Upper Second Rank General Auxiliary, Zhao Kui. He guarded Bozhou all year round and resisted being summoned back to the capital. After his passing last year, his eldest son, also Zhao Yue’s elder brother, was appointed as a general and continued to guard the Bozhou area.

The Zhao family had control over the Bozhou army. It was a large army and the only army in Great Liang that was comparable to the Ganzhou army.

With such great power behind them, even though the Great Liang favored literary courtiers over the military officials, this did not affect the Zhao family.

Zhao Yue was a few years older than Chu Ning. After her marriage, she left Chang’an for four to five years. Why did she suddenly return now?

Cui He looked at Chu Ning’s puzzled expression and reminded softly, “Madam, you forgot. Zhao Yue was widowed last year, and she returned to Chang’an last month.”

Only then did Chu Ning remember.

After Zhao Yue was married, she followed her husband to Xiangzhou. Last year, Chu Ning heard that Zhao Yue’s husband died of an illness.

But the mourning period is three years. Why is she back in Chang’an alone?

Chu Ning found the situation suspicious and instructed the coachman to get closer to the road so that she could observe the situation there.

She was stunned by what she saw there.

The Zhao family’s servants and carriage stopped on the road and blocked it.

At the same time, a group of a dozen people came from Tonghua Gate toward the Zhao family’s procession.

There were two young men on magnificent horses leading this group. The one on the left was dressed in armor. He looked strong and had a sword hung at his waist. This was a newly appointed personal guard to the Emperor, General Jin Jiang. Meanwhile, the man on the right had a cold and sharp expression. He gave off an authoritative and domineering presence. Although he was only riding a horse, his authority was undeniable. This was Xiao Kezhi, the new Emperor.

With the road before him blocked, Xiao Kezhi reigned his horse to a stop. He was dressed in unassuming black clothes and did not want to attract attention. As he was about to lead his group to the side to avoid the procession, a servant near the magnificent carriage suddenly pulled open its curtain.

Zhao Yue stepped down from the carriage, stepped in front of Xiao Kezhi, and curtsied.