Chapter 166 – The Last Chance
Chapter 166 The Last Chance
Qingyun Temple was actually not very big, but it had a good reputation, especially among the aristocratic families.
Qingyun Temple had only been built for a few decades. Originally, it was just a small Taoist temple, but then it suddenly expanded because of its previous executive, who was also an infanta of the royal family.
Speaking of this infanta, in fact, it was not out of her own will to become a nun. Because of the rebellion 30 years ago, this infanta was forced to become a nun. Originally, she should have been sentenced to death, but Empress Dowager at that time protected her and said that she was extremely innocent and knew nothing, and that she had always been kept in the palace.
Therefore, this infanta, who was not yet of marriageable age, was forced to go to the temple to cultivate.
Empress Dowager was very good to her. She specially renovated this small temple again. Although it was small, there were all kinds of things inside. She even invited a well-known Taoist priest to Qingyun Temple.
However, this infanta did not live for many years in the end. It was said that she died of depression. Her parents, brothers, and sisters were all dead, and she had fallen to such a state, so she could not get over these things. Moreover, at that time, this infanta was still young, so she felt even more depressed.
After that, Qingyun Temple was passed to the next executive. It was said that this executive was also a noble lady. It seemed that she was also influenced by the rebellion. Therefore, she fled to Qingyun Temple. It was this infanta who saved her. After that, they depended on and lived with each other for a few years. Actually, the matter of Qingyun Temple had long been taken over and handled by this noble lady.
The noble lady came from a prestigious family. She used to be a very famous talented lady. After she became a Taoist nun, she relied on the infanta’s reputation and became even more famous. It was said that even Empress Dowager at that time appreciated her very much. Many of her explanations regarding Taoism scriptures were even more professional than some famous scholars.
Qingyun Temple then became a popular place among Taoists.
There were also people who said that this executive even had the ability to deduce the secrets of heaven. There were imperial astronomers who went to discuss the secrets of heaven with her. It was said that after they returned, they endlessly praised the executive and repeatedly said that it was too bad that she was only a woman. Otherwise, they would definitely invite her to work as an imperial astronomer. It was said that her deduction ability was extremely strong.
It was also because of this that Qingyun Temple became even more prosperous.
Although the executive had a good reputation, it was not easy to see her. The aristocratic families often took pride in meeting the executive and exchanging ideas with her. Many people even traveled thousands of miles just to see the executive.
In addition to the executive, there were also several Taoist nuns in the temple. Sometimes, they would also have interactions with the aristocratic families, which made them relatively easy to contact.
When in Earl Ling’an’s Mansion, Ji Hanyue had seen Qingyun Temple’s Taoist nuns several times. However, they were invited here by Xiao. Ji Hanyue herself did not believe these things. She only looked at them with a seemingly believing attitude and had no communication with the executive of Qingyun Temple.
Qu Moying was not very clear about the situation in Qu Mansion. She had never heard the Old Lady mention it before. The Old Lady should believe in Buddhism more. Otherwise, she would not have taken Qu Moying and the others to Dabei Temple last time. She had never seen a Taoist in the mansion. So what did it mean this time? It was really too surprising for Qu Moying.
“Where are the people from the Qingyun Temple? Why did they send it here?” Qu Moying asked in surprise.
“It’s said that they had already left. The reason why they sent the grease over was that the Second Madam asked for some. When the Second Madam went to Qingyun Temple, she had a good relationship with one of Qingyun Temple’s Taoist nuns. The Taoist nun said that there was some grease in Qingyun Temple, which they did not use and were of high quality. It would be a waste if the grease were neglected for a long time. The Second Madam recalled Third Lady’s wheelchair and said it had not been used for a long time. If the grease were not used on the wheelchair, the wheelchair would not be of use when needed in the future, so she asked for some.”
Yu Chun reported.
“That’s all?” Qu Moying raised her eyebrows. She was really surprised.
She had only heard how people donated things to the temple. Since when would anyone be able to get the Taoist nuns in the temple to send things out instead? It was very strange!
“There’s some more. In the past, the Second Madam said that… this wheelchair was going to be given to Qingyun Temple… But Fourth Lady, now that you are going to use it, the manager said they would wait a few more days. When you are done, he will send it to the temple.”
Yu Chun continued.
“When will they send it to the temple?” Qu Moying’s eyes narrowed slightly. After a pause, she asked lightly.
“The manager said one month later. He said that your sprain should heal in a month,” Yu Chun said. What he said was very reasonable. A sprain would only take a few days at most to heal. By that time, Qu Moying would not need the wheelchair anymore. She could even go to Earl Ling’an’s Mansion.
Yu Chun felt that the manager’s answer was very reasonable.
A month later? Qu Moying nodded. This matter was not urgent for the time being. What was urgent was another matter. She pondered for a moment and ordered, “Go to the kitchen and ask for some white radishes. Tell them that you want to eat fresh white radishes!”
Earl Ling’an’s Mansion’s funeral was indeed delayed by two days.
Qu Moying woke up early in the morning to go to Earl Ling’an’s Mansion. She attended as one of Earl Ling’an’s close relatives in the younger generation.
The wheelchair was placed in another carriage that followed behind her carriage into Earl Ling’an’s Mansion. There were not many people who came today, and they were all close relatives.
She brought Yu Dong and Granny Zhou with her. Yu Dong would stay by her side, and Granny Zhou would always act on her own accord.
When the carriage arrived at Earl Ling’an’s Mansion, Qu Moying got off the carriage and saw an old maid, who was already waiting at the side, coming forward with a smile. “Fourth Lady Qu, Princess Ji invites you over.”
“Princess Ji has returned to the mansion?” Qu Moying asked as she sat in the wheelchair. Yu Dong pushed her inside.
“Princess Ji has already been here for a while. Previously, she had me keep watch to invite you to see her, Fourth Lady Qu.” The old maid said with a smile.
Qu Moying nodded and closed her eyes slightly. She leaned back and let Yu Dong carefully push her inside.
Ji Youran was very busy and her expression did not look very good. She seemed to be a little haggard. It seemed that she was more tired than at the Crown Princess’ funeral. Two strands of hair were still hanging on the sides of her cheeks, covering a part of her face. The injury on her face was not completely healed.
Ji Youran did not keep Qu Moying to talk a lot. She was very busy now. She called Qu Moying over only to show that they had a good relationship. Naturally, it was a show for others to see.
That day, the Empress had told her to get along well with Fourth Lady Qu. The hidden meaning in the Empress’ words made Ji Youran uneasy. It seemed to mean that the high-ranking Lord Yun had deliberately bumped into Fourth Lady Qu and injured her.
As for the reason?
A young man deliberately bumping into a young woman—the reason was actually very obvious.
But was this possible?
In any case, Ji Youran didn’t really believe it. Lord Yun had never shown his care for women. He was indifferent to women. There were many women in this world, but she had never heard of anyone who could attract his attention.
As for making him take the initiative to bump into someone, there must be another reason.
But no matter what, Fourth Lady Qu had something to do with Lord Yun now. The Crown Prince had also repeatedly asked her to get along well with Qu Moying and not to make a mistake because of Qu Moying. With Lord Yun’s power and status, even the Crown Prince had to be careful to cater to him.
Ji Youran was a little aggrieved. A lady born by Vice Minister was originally much lower in status than her, but now she had to deal with the former carefully and even show her goodwill to the former.
Seeing that Qu Moying was very indifferent, she lost interest and used the excuse that she was very busy to send Qu Moying away.
Yu Dong pushed Qu Moying towards the mourning hall.
The coffin was still placed in the mourning hall. There were a few maids standing guard. Concubine Xiang stood by the side, looking haggard. These days, she had been standing guard in the mourning hall. When she was tired, she lay on the ground and slept for a while. When she woke up, she got up and burned some paper money as she kept watch.
The wheelchair stopped below the steps. Yu Dong helped Qu Moying go up the steps. They walked to the front of the table and knelt in front of the coffin. Tears immediately fell down.
She knew that her father’s corpse was not in the coffin, but she could not help but shed tears. Her heart ached, and tears kept falling down. She lowered her head and bent down to the ground. She cried so hard that she could not stop crying.
Her voice was very low, but it was like a young bird losing its parent. She was very sad. On the side, Concubine Xiang also sobbed.
Although Qu Moying sobbed in a low voice, this was the most harmful to the body. Her endless crying was low and sad. Those who heard her would also cry and feel sad.
“Fourth Lady Qu, don’t cry. If Earl Ling’an knew it in the underworld, he would definitely thank you, Fourth Lady.” Concubine Xiang said in a hoarse voice.
“Uncle, Aunt, Cousin Hanyue and Cousin Yanyue are all dead. My regret is that I had been in the village all the time and was unable to get close to them. Now, I can only watch helplessly as they are gone.” Qu Moying raised her eyes. Her eye veil had long been wet. She said in a choked voice. She held Concubine Xiang’s hand and asked, “Uncle does not have sons. How’s the matter you mentioned the other day, Concubine Xiang?”
“That matter is still being discussed,” Concubine Xiang said bitterly.
“Why? Are we just going to watch Uncle lose his lineage? Uncle is a great general, and he is so loyal and patriotic, and I heard that Cousin Hanyue… Now, all of his children have passed away. If Uncle knew it in the underworld, wouldn’t he be too sad?” Qu Moying wiped her tears and said.
She pulled Concubine Xiang’s hand and slipped a piece of paper into it. Concubine Xiang took the opportunity to take it. She married into the Ji Family with Yue. From a young age, she had been a private maid for Yue, so she knew some basic words.
“Fourth Lady Qu, I will try my best to make Earl Ling’an have a successor.” Concubine Xiang cried as she unfolded the note and glanced at it. When she saw the words written on the note in her hand, her eyes suddenly froze. She looked up at Qu Moying in shock, her eyes unable to hide her terror.
She had long known that this Fourth Lady Qu was not simple. At that time, she just felt that Fourth Lady Qu was very kind to her family. In the past, when Second Lady had not married, she would send people to give gifts to Fourth Lady Qu, who moved into the village. This should be the reason why Fourth Lady Qu wanted to expose the unfair way Third Lady had been treated.
But what was this?
Concubine Xiang’s fingers trembled. As she raised her eyes and looked at Qu Moying, Concubine Xiang’s lips moved.
Qu Moying lowered her head and wiped the eye veil in the corner of her eye with a handkerchief. She whispered, “What’s written is all true. It has been arranged, by Granny Zhou.”
Her words were a little messy, but Concubine Xiang immediately understood.
If Fourth Lady Qu had been the only one involved in this matter, Concubine Xiang would still have some doubts, but if there were also Granny Zhou involved, Concubine Xiang would be more convinced. She looked up at Fourth Lady Qu in front of her, gritted her teeth, and whispered, “I understand.”
She knew that this matter could not be delayed, but there was nothing she could do in the past few days. Even if she cried to death in the mourning hall, the Ji Family would not accept it. If this matter dragged on in the future, there might not be a chance. Now was indeed the last chance…
