Chapter 298 – Tu Mansion, A Daughter From The Tu Clan Again
“His Majesty wants to grant a marriage for my father?” Wei Yuewu lowered her head and asked.
“Yes, Father Emperor has already chosen a noble daughter from a distinguished family for Marquis Hua Yang. She is from my maternal grandfather’s clan… my Ninth Aunt!” The Third Princess paused at this point and suddenly remembered Zhaoyi Tu’s instructions. The Empress also had a plan for this marriage.
Although it was also a daughter from the Tu Clan, she was closer to Empress.
It was actually a daughter from the Tu Clan?
Wei Yuewu was stunned for a moment before she understood the meaning. The fact that her father was able to get engaged to Empress Tu indicated how much importance Grand Preceptor Tu attached to her father. Moreover, Empress Tu was still able to ascend to the throne after her engagement was canceled. On the one hand, this indicated that Empress Tu was really lucky. On the other hand, it also showed Empress Tu’s status in the Tu Clan.
Empress Tu was the real legitimate daughter of the main branch of the Tu Clan, the biological daughter of Grand Preceptor Tu.
By comparison, Zhaoyi Tu was actually the daughter of Grand Preceptor Tu’s brother. Later, she was adopted as Grand Preceptor Tu’s daughter and sent into the Palace along with Empress Tu.
In the Tu Clan, the most outstanding young girls would be taken as the legitimate daughters of the main branch, which was why the Tu Clan’s legitimate daughters were famous throughout the country.
Now, it was only right for Grand Preceptor Tu to choose a daughter of the Tu Clan for her father, Marquis Hua Yang.
“Is she Grand Preceptor Tu’s… daughter?” Wei Yuewu smiled and asked curiously.
This was also the question of all the other young ladies at the scene, who became more and more concentrated.
“No, she is a niece of my grandfather!” The Third Princess said with a smile. Her words were very vague because the Ninth Aunt to be recommended by her mother Zhaoyi Tu and the other daughter of the Tu Clan to be recommended by the Empress were both a niece of Grand Preceptor Tu.
The most outstanding legitimate daughters of the same generation as her Ninth Aunt were all married, whereas the next generation of legitimate daughters of the Tu Clan were still young. Therefore, Zhaoyi Tu and Empress Tu could only choose from daughters of the side branches of the Tu Clan, who were outstanding and had reached the marriageable age.
“Your Highness, everything is ready!” A palace maid came in and reported respectfully to the Third Princess.
“Then let’s go together!” The Third Princess stood up with a smile. She did not want to continue the topic. Before the matter was concluded, it was indeed not good for her to discuss it with others. She might be punished by her mother.
The Third Princess got up, and the rest of the young ladies followed her out. This time, no sedan chairs were prepared. Everyone followed the Third Princess on foot.
After walking for only a while, they arrived at a palace. The palace was filled with the smell of incense sticks that were burning, and there was also a kind-looking Bodhisattva enshrined in the center of the hall. There were more than ten round futons on the ground in front of the Bodhisattva!
“Everyone, come with me to offer incense to the Bodhisattva!” The Third Princess was the first to step forward and kneel on the futon. The other young ladies also knelt down.
Wei Yuewu chose a futon in the corner and knelt down.
The maidservants and palace maids all retreated outside the door. The side hall was very quiet and incense smoke waved in the air. Wei Yuewu lowered her head to calm her mind. In a trance, she heard the sound of sutra chanting.
As the chanting went on, Wei Yuewu’s heart became more and more serene. In this situation, she could think about almost anything or simply stop thinking. However, she inexplicably recalled the palace she had seen.
Her heart skipped a beat. That palace was very much like the one in her childhood memory. That little sister should have died there!
Was she indeed a princess of the royal family? If not, why would she appear in the palace? But it was also possible that she was not a princess, because she, the daughter of Marquis Hua Yang, also appeared in that palace at that time.
But if that little sister was really a princess of the royal family and died at such a young age, it would be understandable that no one mentioned her after her death.
So even after asking around in secret for so long, she still failed to find out who “Qingyang” was. Was she Princess Qingyang? Whose daughter could she be?
If there was a chance, she must go to that palace to take a look. She had a feeling that there might be something that would make her recall something…
After kneeling in the Buddha Hall for a long time, Wei Yuewu felt as if her knees had become numb, and her head started to become muddled. Only then did she finally hear someone say, “Third Princess, please rise!”
When she opened her eyes, she saw a palace maid helping the Third Princess up. Then, the Third Princess bowed respectfully to a monk sitting on the seat of honor.
After the monk returned the salute, he retreated from the side door.
“Miss, let me help you up!” By this time, Jin Ling had come in. When she saw Wei Yuewu, she knew that she could not stand up. She reached out to support Wei Yuewu and carefully helped her up.
On the other side, the other young ladies were also helped up by their maidservants. They all had pale faces and looked quite exhausted.
After kneeling on the futon for such a long time, these delicate young ladies were almost about to collapse!
However, seeing that the Third Princess persisted without saying anything, they could only force themselves to hold on.
“Young ladies, thank you for accompanying me to pray!” The Third Princess turned around and said with a smile. Although her face was also pale, she seemed to be in a great spirit.
“It’s our please and honor, Your Highness!” The young ladies who had just stood up bowed with difficulty. At this time, their knees were so stiff that they could hardly bow properly.
“Today is the first day, and the praying ceremony is a little too long. It won’t be this long next time. Moreover, there will be a break in the middle of the ceremony.” The Third Princess waved her hand to motion them not to stand on ceremonies. Then, she continued, “Sedans have already been prepared outside. Those who feel tired can directly go back to rest. Those who are still able to hold on can walk around in the Palace.”
After hearing the Third Princess’ words, the young ladies immediately thanked the Third Princess for being so considerate to them.
After that, the Third Princess left the hall, and the young ladies followed behind.
Wei Yuewu was a little weaker than the other young ladies. As she stood there, she felt that she could not lift her legs to move a single step. She could only stand there to gather strength.
“Sixth Younger Sister, how are you feeling?” Wei Qiufu came over with a worried face and asked with concern.
“Nothing serious. I will be OK after standing for a little!” Wei Yuewu shook her head and said politely. “Fourth Elder Sister, you should follow the Third Princess out first. If the Third Princess has any instruction for us, you will know in time and can also keep me informed.”
“Then… alright! I am leaving now. If you need help, just let me know!” Seeing the other young ladies following behind the Third Princess out of the hall, Wei Qiufu was also anxious. Now that Wei Yuewu said this, she was in no mood to act the play of sisterhood. She hurriedly left Wei Yuewu and went out to catch up with the Third Princess.
“Help me sit over there!” Wei Yuewu really couldn’t walk. She glanced sideways and saw a small side hall whose door was open. Looking from afar, there were chairs inside. It should be the place mentioned by the Third Princess for them to have a rest during the break in the subsequent praying ceremonies.
Following Wei Yuewu’s gaze, Jin Ling also saw that small side hall. She used both her hands to support Wei Yuewu and helped her walk slowly to that side hall.
Sure enough, there were two rows of chairs. Wei Yuewu took the last seat in the back. Jin Ling squatted down and started to massage her in the calves.
Wei Yuewu felt her calves were numb, sore and painful. Jin Ling was almost heartbroken. As she gently massaged Wei Yuewu, she said, “Miss, if this happens every day, you won’t be able to withstand it!”
“It doesn’t matter. The first day was different. In the following days, we won’t have to kneel for so long!” Wei Yuewu smiled and shook her head. She looked at the chairs around her and her lips curled up slightly. If this happened again, even the Third Princess might not be able to hold on.
Although she had forced herself to walk out of the hall where they prayed, her legs were still stiff!
Moreover, the aristocratic families took it as an honor to have their daughters accompany the princess to pray. If these aristocratic young ladies were really hurt, the royal family would not be able to explain it to their families.
Convinced by Wei Yuewu, Jin Ling felt relieved. She looked around and asked curiously, “Miss, this is the imperial palace. Why is there a Buddhist temple?”
“Why not? There are royal consorts in the Palace who believe in Buddha. Moreover, there has always been a tradition of the princess praying for the prosperity of the country. Such grand ceremonies draw in a lot of people. Naturally, they couldn’t be held outside the Palace every time!” Wei Yuewu explained with a smile.
She moved her legs slightly and felt that they were not as stiff as before. Then, she stood up with the help of Jin Ling and walked a few steps.
Although it was still somewhat unnatural, she was at least able to walk.
“Miss, you had better go back in the sedan!” Jin Ling suggested on the side.
Wei Yuewu shook her head. “Let’s go take a look at that palace!”
“Miss, can you walk that long distance? How about going there after we obtained more detailed information about that palace? On our way here, the palace maid told me there was no one in the palace because it was haunted. She said that a distinguished person died there.” Jin Ling said in embarrassment. They were now quite a distance from that palace and she was afraid that Wei Yuewu couldn’t walk to that palace.
“Haunted?” Wei Yuewu turned to look at Jin Ling.
“Yes. It was said that because the status of the person who died at that time was extremely noble, those royal consorts who moved in had weak horoscopes and couldn’t resist the influence of the ghost. In the end, they were all scared and moved out, so there was no one living in that place!”
Jin Ling reported truthfully.
So, it was an abandoned palace and it was not far from the main road…
Wei Yuewu pondered for a moment before nodding. “Alright, I will take the sedan back first. Ask the sedan carriers to walk slowly!”
It was the first day she entered the Palace. If she was in such a hurry to visit that abandoned palace, it was very easy to arouse suspicion. At the moment, Wei Yuewu did not want to alarm anyone.
As expected, there was still a soft sedan outside the hall. Jin Ling helped Wei Yuewu into the sedan.
“Would you please walk a little slowly? Our young lady’s legs are numb. She will feel very uncomfortable if the sedan moves fast!” Jin Ling smiled at the two eunuchs who were carrying the sedan. Meanwhile, she took out two purses from her sleeve and handed them over.
The two eunuchs received the purses and said happily, “Don’t worry, we will definitely carry the sedan steadily and walk slowly!”
As expected, the speed of the sedan was much slower than before. Jin Ling lifted the curtains for Wei Yuewu. There were no other sedans now and they had nothing to do. There was no need to hurry.
“Could you please carry our young lady to the Third Princess’ place first? Perhaps some of those young ladies have been to the Third Princess’ place!” Jin Ling calmly smiled at the two eunuchs.
Because they took Jin Ling’s purses, the two eunuchs were very courteous. Moreover, the two of them were now assigned to serve Wei Yuewu. When they heard that Wei Yuewu wanted to go to the Third Princess’ place to take a look, they nodded repeatedly.
Thus, the sedan headed towards the Third Princess’ palace.
The Third Princess’ palace wasn’t far away, and it did not take long for them to see the Third Princess’ palace. There was no soft sedan at the entrance of Third Princess’ palace. It was obvious that the other young ladies had already returned to their rooms. However, there were a few guards standing at the entrance of the palace with cold faces, creating a cold and solemn atmosphere!
“Carriers, please wait!” Wei Yuewu rolled her eyes and spoke softly in the sedan.
This chapter is updat𝓮d by fre(e)webnov(l).com