Chapter 255: Held High
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Master, you must not approach the altar. You may join the other patrons to listen to the sutras and offer prayers,” a young monk blocked Lu Yuan Ze’s path.
Numerous nobles turned their gazes toward Lu Yuan Ze. He responded with a polite smile.
“Marquis Yuan Ze, not just anyone can approach the altar.”
Sitting across from the high monk of the National Temple was a privilege reserved for the king. Prince Jingxi’s brows furrowed with disdain. [A man who drained the blood of his legitimate wife to nourish his concubine is contemptible.] He, Xie Jingxi, might not be a good person, but he would never stoop to such shamelessness.
Lu Yuan Ze bowed to Xie Jingxi. “My daughter has a special connection with the abbot; she should be allowed to pay her respects.” Lu Yuan Ze noticed the eyes on him and smirked internally. [What do you all know? Jing Yao was recognized by the abbot before she was even born. She’s different!]
“Young master, please inform the abbot that I am Lu Yuan Ze. Years ago, he bestowed a string of prayer beads upon my daughter. Today, I bring her to express our gratitude.”
The young monk’s face showed surprise. [Was this the one who received the prayer beads from the abbot?] He glanced at Lu Jing Yao, who gave him a sweet smile. The young monk returned the gesture with a bow.
“Please wait a moment, Marquis Yuan Ze.” The young monk headed towards the high platform.
The nobles below were quite surprised.
“Marquis Yuan Ze has such a connection with the abbot of the National Temple? Did you know, Madam Jiang?” the Princess Consort of Jingxi asked the lady beside her.
Madam Jiang’s face showed embarrassment. She forced a smile. “I don’t know much about the Lu family’s affairs.”
“Your daughter married Lu Jing Huai, didn’t she? You are in-laws.” The Princess Consort of Jingxi looked skeptical. The Princess Consort of Jingxi had recently returned to the capital and had been confined for her son’s disrespect towards Prince Jingxi. She had only heard snippets about the divorce of the Marquis of Zhongyong.
Madam Jiang frowned slightly, feeling heavy with frustration. “I did hear Jin Niang mention it once.”
“She said Jing Yao was blessed by the abbot while still in the womb, destined for great things. At that time, the abbot gave her a string of prayer beads imbued with Buddhist power. It seems the abbot holds her in high regard.”
The Princess Consort of Jingxi covered her mouth in surprise. “Lu Yuan Ze is quite fortunate.”
Madam Jiang smiled bitterly, her eyes dark and brooding. [She had never imagined that after breaking off the engagement with the cripple, the cripple would stand up again and achieve top honors! And the marriage she had painstakingly arranged didn’t even dare to enter the royal examinations!!] Her thoughts turned to Jiang Yun Jin crying at her mother’s house, demanding a divorce, and Jiang’s mother felt a headache. [How could the cripple she despised achieve top honors!]
Lu Jing Huai’s failure wasn’t terrifying. What was terrifying was Lu Yan Shu’s success.
Prince Jingxi’s eldest son, Xie Yu Zhou, sat on a mat, shrinking when he noticed his mother looking his way.
“Mother, look, that’s Jing Yao…”
“Jing Yao is smart and cute, nothing like Lu Chao Chao. That wild child!” Xie Yu Zhou shivered at the mention of Lu Chao Chao.
The Princess Consort of Jingxi glanced at the Duke, then glared at her son. “Be quiet, haven’t you been beaten enough? You should address her as Princess Sunshine.”
Xie Yu Zhou quickly looked around, fearing Lu Chao Chao might hear. “I won’t say it anymore.”
The Princess Consort of Jingxi looked at Lu Jing Yao. At a little over two years old, she seemed quite well-behaved. Noticing the Princess’s gaze, Jing Yao smiled at her. Xie Yu Zhou waved his arms in greeting.
Prince Jingxi remained indifferent. “Stay away from her.”
“She looks young, but her eyes are too shrewd. She might sell you out.” The Princess Consort of Jingxi was furious. [Was her son dense?]
“Princess Sunshine may be difficult, but her eyes are pure and uncalculating.” Although she didn’t like Princess Sunshine, her character was undeniable.
“Mother, how can you say that about Jing Yao? She’s just over two, surviving under the legitimate wife’s scrutiny. It’s hard for her. And the abbot gave her prayer beads… She must have a great destiny.” Xie Yu Zhou looked at his mother, dissatisfied.
The Princess Consort of Jingxi flicked her fingers, knocking him on the forehead. Xie Yu Zhou clutched his head, wincing in pain.
“Was your brain squeezed when I gave birth to you? Her mother ousted the legitimate wife to become the main wife. How is she struggling?” The Princess Consort of Jingxi scolded angrily. [No legitimate wife would ever like a concubine. It’s a natural enmity.]
“Did I drop your brain when you were born? She’s over two and already has you wrapped around her finger. What will she be like when she’s older?” The Princess Consort of Jingxi was exasperated. She paid no attention to Jing Yao’s friendly gestures.
[What two-year-old looks at people with such eagerness to please?] Jing Yao gave her a deep sense of unease. Her eyes weren’t those of an innocent child. Rather… [Like a schemer trapped in a child’s body?]
The Princess Consort of Jingxi shuddered. [I must be imagining things. Maybe she’s just been influenced by that concubine’s presence.]
“As for the prayer beads, they snapped on the spot. It might have been retribution!” The Princess Consort of Jingxi sneered. [A concubine’s daughter valued by the abbot? Nonsense! No legitimate wife wants to see a concubine’s daughter become powerful!]
“Is the abbot really powerful?” The Princess Consort of Jingxi lightly tugged on the Duke’s sleeve. She lowered her head, revealing a graceful neck, her face cautious and expectant.
Prince Jingxi might be unattractive, but his wife was stunningly beautiful. Prince Jingxi glanced at her. Despite their quarrels, he couldn’t deny their long years of affection.
“The National Temple is a royal monastery, and even the king is respectful to the abbot. The abbot is a rare enlightened monk. No one dares misbehave in his presence…”
“Where does Lu Yuan Ze get the nerve?” Prince Jingxi scoffed.
“How did the abbot lose his sight?” The Princess Consort of Jingxi asked.
Prince Jingxi shook his head. “No one knows for sure. He said it was due to his disrespect and revealing heavenly secrets.”
At this moment, the young monk reached the high platform. He whispered into the abbot’s ear. The abbot paused his prayer beads and seemed to say something. The young monk smiled and walked towards Lu Yuan Ze.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Marquis Yuan Ze, the abbot invites you to take a seat.” The young monk was full of surprise.
Lu Yuan Ze proudly led Lu Jing Yao up the stairs. The crowd murmured, astonished at this development.
[Who would have thought that Lu Yuan Ze had caught the abbot’s eye?]
What was even more shocking, Lu Yuan Ze brought his daughter up, and the abbot stood up to greet them personally.
“Marquis Yuan Ze…” The abbot clasped his hands in greeting.
Lu Yuan Ze quickly returned the gesture. “Three years ago, Abbot bestowed prayer beads upon my daughter. Today, I bring her to express our gratitude. Thanks to the prayer beads’ protection, she has been safe from harm all these years.”
Since receiving the prayer beads, no evil spirits dared approach during the mid-year festival. Unfortunately, the beads had broken. Lu Yuan Ze felt a deep regret.