Chapter 441: Meeting of the Two Beauties

If Daqing Shousi was considered the foremost temple in the capital, then the Imperially Constructed Hongen Lingji Palace, located adjacent to the Western Garden, was regarded as the top Taoist temple. As the Jade Palace Lord and the Golden Palace Lord enshrined there frequently showed miraculous powers—ensuring victory in northern campaigns and safeguarding the emperor’s health—this royal Taoist temple naturally enjoyed great popularity. Not only would the great Taoist masters often hold banquets here upon arriving in the capital, but rehearsals for official ceremonies also took place here. As a result, these two deities became even more revered among the people, and on the first and fifteenth days of each month, the place was always packed with devout worshippers.

That day was the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, an especially auspicious day, so Lingji Palace was bustling from early morning. Along Lingji Hutong, in addition to the endless stream of pilgrims, there were also vendors selling incense and candles, pastries, tiger-head shoes, and various other trinkets. Carriages from wealthy families lined up along Fuyou Street outside, with servants from these families pushing aside pedestrians to make way for their masters.

Although she didn’t believe in Buddhism, Xiao Wu had heard that the Jade Palace Lord and the Golden Palace Lord were extremely powerful and would grant wishes, so she decided to come here to pray. Under the pretext of learning medicine from Feng Yuanming, she set out early in the morning. But upon arriving and seeing the crowded scene, she frowned and hesitated whether to join the crowd.

“Xiao Wu!”

Hearing this familiar voice, Xiao Wu quickly turned around and saw a familiar carriage parked on the road. Her eyes lit up immediately, and she rushed over. Through the partially lifted curtain, she saw that it was indeed Zhu Ning inside, and she smiled, her bright face showing two adorable dimples.

“Princess, what a coincidence! Are you here to offer incense too?”

“I couldn’t resist my father. He believes in Buddhism, Taoism, Islam—whatever people persuade him to believe in, he believes.”

Zhu Ning pouted irritably, then waved for Xiao Wu to get into the carriage and gave instructions to the driver. After lowering the red curtain, she glanced at Xiao Wu for a moment before asking concerningly, “I was shocked when I heard the news yesterday. Are your mother and sister alright? I didn’t dare visit Wan’er at this critical time. With her temperament and Zhang Yue to comfort her, I think she should be able to get through it.”

“Mom is fine, and Sister should be fine too, but I’m not!” Xiao Wu had held back all night, and now she couldn’t hold it any longer. She rushed forward, hugged Zhu Ning’s neck, and burst into sobs. “Princess, I’m scared. I’m afraid that when I wake up, I’ll find myself without parents again… The old monk is gone. It took me so long to have a home, to have family, to have our first family reunion on the 15th of August. But just now, something happened to Dad…”

It was meant as a caring question, but Zhu Ning never expected it to upset Xiao Wu so much. She immediately regretted her words and hurriedly comforted her. The two maids in the carriage were used to Xiao Wu’s caprices. One quickly fetched a handkerchief, while the other stepped forward to comfort her as well. It took some time to calm her down, but her left shoulder was still soaked. After wiping her face vigorously, Xiao Wu was extremely embarrassed at the result of her tears.

“I’m sorry… I just couldn’t hold back for a moment…”

Xiao Wu had only applied a light layer of makeup, which was now washed away by her tears, making her look even more like a pitiful little kitten. Zhu Ning felt both annoyed and amused. She quickly ordered the maids to wet a handkerchief with water from the silver bottle and wiped her face twice, restoring its cleanliness before stopping.

“It’s just one piece of clothing soaked by your tears. How could I blame you?” She pinched Xiao Wu’s nose playfully. Seeing her look so pitiful, Zhu Ning embraced her and comforted her again. “The emperor values Lord Du greatly. He even released Lord Du despite such a serious situation before—this time will be no different. Don’t worry. With your brother-in-law around, you don’t need to fret. Let’s go through the back door of Lingji Palace. That place is usually closed to ordinary people. You can pray to the deity for your dad there.”

Due to this little incident, Zhu Ning put on an additional robe with mud-gold and colorful peony patterns when she got off the carriage, covering the wet spot on her left shoulder. As a royal princess and someone sent by the King of Zhou to offer incense, the back door was opened early, with rows of monks waiting to greet her. Zhu Ning took Xiao Wu’s hand and led her inside. After walking a short distance along the stone path, they saw an old man in a green satin robe standing there. She smiled slightly.

“Greetings, Princess.”

“Thank you for your help today, Lord Fang.”

On the first day of his demotion to Lingji Palace, it happened that Princess Chenliu, Zhu Ning, came to offer incense. Fang Bin naturally felt extremely awkward. After bowing in greeting, he said little and simply stepped back slightly to accompany her. Although there was a main hall designated for ordinary people to offer incense, the hall where the golden statues of the Jade Palace True Lord and the Golden Palace True Lord were enshrined was located at the back. After leading Zhu Ning there, he saw her and another younger girl reciting prayers. Later, when she said she wanted to explore Lingji Palace, he found an excuse to leave. However, on his way out, he saw a young Taoist priest rushing over.

“Sir, Eunuch Lu from the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau says he has been ordered to come and offer incense!” Though young, the priest was highly experienced in handling guests at this imperial Taoist temple. Seeing Fang Bin stunned, he quickly added, “It’s Eunuch Lu from the Eastern Depot!”

It would have been fine if it were just anyone coming to offer incense, but hearing about the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau and the Eastern Depot sent Fang Bin into even greater shock. Although he had acted without ulterior motives the previous day, whether that mattered was up to the emperor’s decision, not his. Though he was luckier than Xia Yuanji and the others in being removed from office, the role of supervisor of Lingji Palace filled him with fear. With just an imperial edict, his fate would likely be no better than theirs.

Back in the day, Huang Huai was personally appointed by the emperor as a cabinet minister, only to be imprisoned for eight years. Liang Qian, who enjoyed the emperor’s favor, nearly lost his life over a trivial matter and was only spared thanks to Du Zhen’s intercession. Fang Bin had offended so many people in his life; now that he had fallen from power, everyone would surely turn against him. How could he even hope to make a comeback?

He adjusted his clothes and nodded calmly at the young Taoist priest, “I understand. I’ll go greet them right away. You go inform the other Taoist priests to tidy up the main hall again, as the princess just led people in there.”

From being a second-rank Minister of War to being demoted to a trivial position as supervisor of Lingji Palace, Fang Bin could no longer act arrogantly like before. To his slight relief, the eunuch, whom he had barely glanced at before, though dressed in a bright red brocade robe embroidered with qilins, did not act condescendingly but was rather polite to him. After accompanying him to offer incense in the main hall, he thought Lu Feng would return to the palace immediately. Instead, the eunuch suddenly ordered his attendants to step back and then looked at him with a fake smile.

After leaving Hanwang Mansion, Lu Feng returned to the palace under the pretext of praying for the emperor’s well-being, and soon secured permission to go to Lingji Palace to offer incense. Seeing Fang Bin’s fear, he felt extremely pleased, though his tone remained calm: “Lord Fang, today both Grand Secretary Yang and Scholar Yang advised the emperor, but his anger still hadn’t subsided. After leaving the court, he vented his fury in the Qianqing Palace, saying things like ‘Fang Bin and Xia Yuanji have greatly disappointed us.’ It is said that the censors are already plotting to impeach you, claiming that you accepted many bribes from border generals while in office.” Although Lu Feng spoke in a calm tone, Fang Bin felt his heart contract painfully. Having served in the court for many years and enjoying the emperor’s favor, how could he not know that Zhu Di was known for his capricious and unforgiving nature? Imagining stacks of impeachment petitions filling the Ministry of State Affairs, he felt his scalp tingle and his vision blur. “Lord Fang, be careful. Whether it’s the Jinyiwei’s prison or public execution, your family will inevitably be dragged into it.” No need for heavy blows—seeing Fang Bin’s distraught appearance, Lu Feng was extremely satisfied. He nodded, gave a signal to his guards and attendants, and then left with his group. Although the emperor was unforgiving, he usually refused to replace the officials he had grown accustomed to, especially since Fang Bin had accompanied him on many northern expeditions. The impeachment petitions alone might not convince the emperor, but if there were other corroborating facts, things could change… Zhu Ning was also in a bad mood. Since she ran into Xiao Wu, who was equally upset, she had to wander around Lingji Palace to calm herself. As the sun reached its peak, she pulled Xiao Wu back, saying, “Did you see that Lord Fang I mentioned when we first entered? He was the Minister of War just yesterday. It was because of your father’s imprisonment that he was exiled here. Since he’s the one who caused trouble, your father should be fine. Don’t worry.” “Ah, so he’s also a victim of bad luck!” Xiao Wu’s eyes widened, then he curled his lips. “But he’s much luckier than dad. Dad was thrown into prison and can’t even be visited, unlike him, who lives freely… Hey, Princess, do you think that’s Lord Fang?”

Hearing this, Zhu Ning looked up and immediately saw someone staggering away in the distance. It was indeed Fang Bin. Remembering how Fang Bin had still managed to force a smile earlier, but now seemed utterly out of sorts, she frowned. She had thought it best not to get involved in court affairs, but still felt worried, so she pulled Xiao Wu and chased after them.

“Lord Fang!”

Fang Bin, who had been walking aimlessly toward the purification room, wasn’t expecting anyone to block his path. He was stunned for a moment before recognizing the person in front of him. At that moment, he had no mood to deal with Zhu Ning properly and simply replied perfunctorily, “Princess, please forgive me. I am a man burdened with guilt and truly have no heart to accompany you now…”

“Even if you are guilty, why go to such extremes?” The more Zhu Ning looked at Fang Bin, the paler and lifeless his complexion seemed, so she frowned. “A true man must endure ups and downs in life. As a high-ranking official in the court and someone favored by the emperor, you should be able to see things more clearly. The emperor will surely have a plan. If you become so depressed over a temporary setback, won’t that make others laugh at you? I may not understand court affairs as a woman, but I know that one needs spirit and vitality to live.”

Having just suffered a severe setback, Fang Bin was stunned by her words. He lowered his head, pondering her words, feeling both ashamed and guilty. When he finally looked up, Zhu Ning and her men had already left. After a long while, filled with mixed emotions, he trudged back to his room, unaware that Xiao Wu was wondering to Zhu Ning.

“Princess, why did you say those things to him?”

“Since the emperor didn’t punish Fang Bin severely, Minister Xia and your father are just taking it out on him. If Fang Bin really suffers because of his grievances, things could get complicated. Besides, I can’t stand seeing a true man in such a dejected state.”