Medical Princess

Old Madam could feel cold sweat trickling down her forehead. When she found out the piece of paper was different, she thought that she had finally caught Shao Wanru tripping up. However, she could not give a plausible explanation.

Trying to keep herself calm, Old Madam lowered her head and said awkwardly, “I, I don’t understand.”

Empress Dowager didn’t think it would be a big deal, and thus, waved her hands with her eyes fixed on the album. Smiling, she said, “It is normal that you don’t know. It is the wisdom of Yuhui Nunnery, and it might also be related to Buddhism. Pushan Nun is one of the most eminent nuns in Yuhui Nunnery. How could a normal person understand her album of paintings?”

Shao Yanru frowned. Pouting, she suddenly thought of the story that Pushan Nun told her when she went there. An idea occurred to her.

“Your Highness, if you really want to know, how about inviting Pushan Nun to come here?” she suggested carefully.

Her words reminded two old madams sitting beside. Nodding, they said, “If you want to know Pushan Nun’s meaning, why don’t we invite her to come here?”

“Yes. It might be something relevant to Buddhist allegorical gestures! How interesting!”

The Madam Dowagers and Old Madams of other mansions could go to the mountain and worship Buddha, but it was inconvenient for Empress Dowager, who lived in the imperial palace, to go out, not to mention to the Yuhui Nunnery, where the former Emperor’s concubines were grounded. If she went to Yuhui Nunnery, there might be some negative things said.

Yuhui Nunnery was totally different from Huaguang Temple. If Empress Dowager needed to go out to worship Buddha, her only choice would be Huaguang Temple, not Yuhui Nunnery.

“Invite Pushan Nun to come here?” Although Empress Dowager felt hesitant, she still thought this plan was feasible.

“When I learned painting in Yuhui Nunnery, every time I mentioned Empress Dowager, Pushan Nun would be very respectful toward you. She sometimes would tell me that Empress Dowager has always been virtuous and very talented at a very young age. Moreover, she told me that Empress Dowager was famous for her paintings. Thus, she kept saying that she would ask for your suggestions if she could have a chance to meet you, Your Highness.”

Shao Yanru stood up and answered reverently.

“Well, Pushan Nun really said those words?” Empress Dowager said with a smile. It was even unusual for her to sound so proud.

“Pushan Nun did say so, and I just told her words to you now.” Shao Yanru acted much more reverently. She bowed sideways and answered mildly, both of which showed her good nurture. The elders all favored this kind of girl who was docile and polite. She also looked sincere and a bit shy, but it was persuasive.

“Good, good, good! I must meet Pushan Nun!” Shao Yanru’s words delighted Empress Dowager and also reminded her of the past. When Empress Dowager was young, she had been very talented. Without her talent and skills, she would not have married the former Emperor, who had contributed to the establishment of the country and who had not succeeded to the throne at that time.

Shao Yanru’s words brought back Empress Dowager’s memories of her youth. Even though Empress Dowager was clear that she didn’t paint as well as Pushan Nun said, however, given the troubled times, it was fair to say that she was very famous at that time with her talent and skills.

Since Old Madam of Duke Xing’s Mansion had now calmed down, she turned her eyes and asked with a smile, “Your Highness, how will you plan to invite Pushan Nun to come to the imperial palace?”

It was beneficial to her granddaughter. If Pushan Nun was favored by Empress Dowager, it would definitely benefit her granddaughter. Besides, it also meant that they could learn information about Empress Dowager as soon as possible from Pushan Nun, while Empress Dowager would even like to listen to her! In a word, it not only benefited her granddaughter but also the whole Duke Xing’s Mansion. Thus, she would try her best to support this thing and try to implement it immediately!

“Well,” Empress Dowager just said while feeling cheerful. Thus, she hesitated when being asked.

“I know there is a Buddha Hall where people can pay their respects to Buddha in the palace, and I wonder who recites or chants scriptures there,” Shao Yanru said gently to remind Empress Dowager.

“Yes, the Buddha Hall here is good, so we can invite Pushan Nun to chant scriptures here!” Empress Dowager kept nodding in agreement.

There was a Buddha Hall in the imperial palace that was established for some consorts and concubines who believed in Buddhism. Those consorts and concubines had always been very free and idle, for their husband was the same one—the Emperor. And those relatively old concubines who were deserted then tended to believe in Buddhism. After all, with this belief, they could make themselves tranquil and peaceful and keep themselves away from the rivalry of striving for the Emperor’s favor and from any troubles.

Empress Dowager was in a very good mood today. Moreover, people here began to talk about the past and even something that had happened during the former dynasty. The old madams who were present here were all old. Since they had experienced many things and even the change of dynasties, they could have the same feeling when talking about the sorrows and joys.

Shao Yanru still seated herself where she sat at the back before in a very righteous way. With a gentle smile on her face, she said nothing but just listened to them carefully.

Her good behavior made the elders like her more. The elderly people kept praising her, which later made her blush and too shy to raise her head.

They had a very long talk. Noticing that Empress Dowager seemed to feel a bit tired, these old madams then decided to leave together. Empress Dowager smiled and welcomed them to come next time.

When they all left, Empress Dowager touched her head and leaned back on her chair. Nanny Wei hurriedly stood out and massaged her temples adroitly.

Without anyone here, the whole palace was very silent.

Empress Dowager closed her eyes and looked tranquil, seemingly having fallen asleep because of Nanny Wei’s comforting massage.

“What do you think of this First Miss of Duke Xing’s Mansion?” After a while, Empress Dowager’s faint voice resounded.

Nanny Wei answered while massaging Empress Dowager’s temples, “Miss Shao is a very gentle lady. She is not only well-behaved but also very soft and clever. I have not seen such a gentle lady in years. The family culture of Duke Xing’s Mansion must be very learned and knowledgeable. If Miss Shao was such a gentle lady, Fifth Miss must be a very cute and learned lady!”

Although others knew nothing about the engagement between Shao Wanru and Chu Liuchen, Nanny Wei, as Empress Dowager’s right-hand servant, clearly knew this.

Chu Liuchen was quite favored by Empress Dowager. As the saying goes, “love me, love my dog”. Fifth Miss was also favored by Empress Dowager. Moreover, since Rui’an Great Elder Princess always entered the palace to talk with Empress Dowager, she would always mention her poor but filial and clever granddaughter.

Actually, Nanny Wei had forgotten Fifth Miss’s appearance. She could only remember that she was a very cute and clever lady who looked very delicate and pretty.

“Had Chen’er chosen this Miss Shao, I would be relieved!” Empress Dowager sighed deeply, seeming to be a little bit dissatisfied with this engagement.

“Empress Dowager, Fifth Miss is also good!” answered Nanny Wei, as she knew why Empress Dowager would say so.

“Fifth Miss is too young. Even though Rui’an is her grandmother, Rui’an is only her maternal grandmother, thus she actually could not compare with her paternal grandmother. However, it seems that Duke Xing’s Mansion doesn’t care about Fifth Miss. They just mentioned Yuhui Nunnery and Pushan Nun but they didn’t talk about Fifth Miss. Thus, obviously, Duke Xing’s Mansion will not pay a lot of attention to her and will not stand by Chen’er!”

Empress Dowager spoke very slowly, and instead of the smile that she had just put on her face during the talk, there was only a trace of disfavor left.

“But, you are here. With your support, nobody will dare to bully Prince Chen and Fifth Miss,” feeling a little scared, she hurriedly smiled and answered.

“I am old, and I will die one day. If I died, then what would become of my dear Chen’er?” Empress Dowager’s eyes became red-rimmed.

“What do you think?” Nanny Wei knew there might be something bad but she had to follow her master’s words to continue the talk. She almost could not control her strength. It was lucky that she had been serving Empress Dowager for long, thus with her high skills in massage, she would not let Empress Dowager find out that she was stunned.

“I want Chen’er to keep in touch with Shao Yanru. With this pretty countenance, she not only has talent and skill but also enjoys a good reputation. If he can get in touch with this First Miss, he might have feelings for her. If he likes her, the best result will be that he will decide to marry First Miss. However, if he doesn’t want to give up Fifth Miss, then just let these sisters marry him together!”

Empress Dowager answered slowly.

“Well, the, the seniority should be taken into consideration, right?” Nanny Wei said.

“First Miss ranks first, and Fifth Miss ranks second. They are a family. Besides, this First Miss enjoys a very good reputation. Thus, she will not treat her sister badly, will she?” Empress Dowager said casually.

“But, but Great Elder Princess will not agree!” Feeling her heart throbbing quickly, Nanny Wei hurriedly reminded Empress Dowager of this matter.

“Rui’an has always been very strong, but what does she have in the end? In this matter, she just needs to compromise and I will still be good to her. Moreover, it also benefits Fifth Miss. If I died, Chen’er would still be supported by the Emperor. If they have children, they can continue Chen’er’s bloodline.”

Empress Dowager sighed and sounded unpleasant.

“You are right.” Seeing that Empress Dowager had made up her mind, Nanny Wei didn’t dare to raise any objection.

“You need to arrange the Buddha Hall well after inviting Pushan Nun to chant scriptures here. She can live in the hall but if she enters the palace, First Miss of Duke Xing’s Mansion will come here frequently. Chen’er also likes painting. Although he has seldom shown his paintings in public, he does paint well. If possible, I want him to learn painting from Pushan Nun!” Empress Dowager said.

.

Although others didn’t know that Chu Liuchen was good at painting, and Empress Dowager knew this. She knew that Chu Liuchen was a quiet kid. At a very young age, he would paint in a silent room for several hours. Sometimes he would even look pale and was nearly unable to hold his legs up when walking out of the room. Anyway, since he liked painting, he finally could do something that could make him happy.

Even if she knew that painting was not good for Chu Liuchen’s health, Empress Dowager didn’t stop him.

“Sorry to be so foolish. It seems that you have arranged these things.” Nanny Wei praised Empress Dowager calmly while she kept rubbing her temples lightly.

“Foolish? No. Miss Shao must think herself clever today. It’s not good!” Empress Dowager snorted and looked a bit unpleasant.

Even though Pushan Nun taught Shao Yanru to paint, she should not speak for her without measure, which made Empress Dowager a bit unhappy. How could she get influenced by a nun like this! It was a bad thing!

“So?”

“Strike her and let her know her limitations!”