Chapter 255

Chapter 255: Held High in Esteem

This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation

“Benevolent patron, you must not approach the Buddhist altar. You may join the other patrons in listening to the scriptures and offering prayers.” The young monk stepped forward to block the path.

The noble guests all turned to look at Lu Yuan Ze.

A gentle smile played on Lu Yuan Ze’s lips.

“Lord Lu, not just anyone can ascend the Buddhist altar.”

To be seated opposite the Abbot of the National Temple, listening to his sermons, was a privilege reserved for the Emperor.

Prince Jing Xi arched a brow in disdain.

A man who drained the life from his lawful wife to sustain a concubine—such a despicable act! Even Xie Jing Xi, who did not consider himself a virtuous man, would never stoop to such shamelessness.

Lu Yuan Ze bowed slightly to Xie Jing Xi.

“My daughter shares a karmic bond with the Abbot. It is only proper for her to step forward and pay respects.” Lu Yuan Ze cast a sweeping glance at the gathered nobles, a cold sneer hidden in his heart.

[What do they know?]

Before Jing Yao was even born, the Abbot had already taken notice of her. She was different!

“Young master monk, I trouble you to inform the Abbot that I am Lu Yuan Ze. Years ago, he bestowed a string of Buddhist prayer beads upon my daughter. Today, I have brought her here to express our gratitude.”

The young monk’s eyes widened in astonishment. So this was the fated child to whom the Abbot had given the sacred beads?

His gaze shifted to Lu Jing Yao.

Lu Jing Yao beamed sweetly at him.

Pressing his palms together, the young monk bowed in return. “Lord Lu, please wait a moment.” With that, he hurried toward the high platform.

The nobles whispered among themselves, their curiosity piqued.

“Lord Lu truly shares such a connection with the Abbot? Madam Jiang, did you know about this?” asked Princess Consort Jing Xi.

Madam Jiang’s expression turned awkward. She forced a smile. “I do not concern myself with the affairs of the Lu family.”

“But your daughter is married to Lu Jing Huai. That makes you in-laws, does it not?” Princess Consort Jing Xi eyed her with skepticism.

Having only recently returned to the capital, Princess Consort Jing Xi had been confined due to her son’s disrespect toward Prince Jing Xi’s appearance. She had only caught snippets regarding Marquis Zhongyong’s divorce scandal.

Madam Jiang lowered her eyes, resentment pressing heavily on her heart.

“I recall Jin Niang mentioning it once.”

“She said that before Jing Yao was even born, the National Temple’s Abbot had foretold her fate—higher than the heavens, destined for greatness. The Abbot even blessed a set of prayer beads for her.”

“It seems… he holds her in the highest regard.”

Princess Consort Jing Xi gasped, covering her mouth.

“Lu Yuan Ze has such fortune?”

Madam Jiang forced another smile, though her eyes burned with envy.

Who would have thought that after breaking off the engagement to that cripple, the very same cripple would later stand tall and achieve the highest rank in the imperial examinations?

Meanwhile, the marriage she had meticulously orchestrated had become a disgrace—her son-in-law did not even dare to step into the examination hall!

To make matters worse, her daughter had returned home in tears, demanding a divorce.

The thought of Jiang Yun Jin sobbing in her chambers made Madam Jiang’s head throb.

She had dismissed the cripple—how had he ended up achieving the Triple Crown?

Lu Jing Huai’s failure was insignificant.

The true disaster was Lu Yan Shu’s success.

Seated on a meditation mat, Xie Yu Zhou, the eldest son of Prince Jing Xi, shrank his neck when he noticed his mother’s gaze.

“Mother, look, that’s Jing Yao…”

“She is intelligent and adorable, nothing like Lu Chao Chao! That brute!” Xie Yu Zhou shuddered at the mere mention of Lu Chao Chao.

Princess Consort Jing Xi discreetly glanced at Prince Jing Xi, then shot her son a glare. “Silence! Have you not been beaten enough?”

“You dare to call Princess Sunshine by her name so casually?”

Xie Yu Zhou panicked, scanning his surroundings, terrified that Lu Chao Chao had overheard him.

“I won’t say it again.”

Princess Consort Jing Xi stole a glance at Lu Jing Yao. The child, now two years old, had grown more delicate and obedient. Sensing the scrutiny, she smiled at the consort.

Xie Yu Zhou waved enthusiastically in greeting.

Prince Jing Xi’s expression remained indifferent.

“Stay away from her.”

“For someone so young, her eyes are too calculating. She could sell you off, and you’d still be counting the silver she gave you in return.” Princess Consort Jing Xi huffed, exasperated by her son’s foolishness.

“Princess Sunshine may be difficult, but her gaze is pure—without a trace of scheming.” She did not favor Princess Sunshine, but the girl’s character was beyond reproach.

“Mother! How can you speak ill of Jing Yao? She’s barely two, struggling to survive under the oppression of the main wife. Her life is already difficult! Besides, the Abbot gave her the prayer beads—she is destined for great fortune!” Xie Yu Zhou defended her.

Princess Consort Jing Xi curled her fingers and rapped his forehead.

Xie Yu Zhou yelped, clutching his head in pain.

“Have you lost your mind? Her mother forced the rightful wife out and took her place—what oppression is she suffering?” The consort couldn’t hold back her irritation.

No proper wife would ever welcome a concubine’s daughter.

They were natural enemies.

“Did I drop you on your head when I gave birth to you? She’s only two and has already fooled you. What will she do when she’s older?” The consort fumed.

She ignored Lu Jing Yao’s attempts to ingratiate herself.

[What kind of two-year-old knows how to curry favor?]

Lu Jing Yao’s gaze was far too unsettling.

Not like a child’s at all…

Rather…

Like the soul of a cunning woman trapped in a child’s body?

A shiver ran down Princess Consort Jing Xi’s spine. She shook off the thought. Perhaps she had spent too much time with Madam Pei, picking up bad habits.

“As for the prayer beads, they shattered on the spot—probably divine retribution!” She sneered. A mere concubine’s daughter catching the Abbot’s attention?

Destined for greatness?

Absurd!

No wife would ever wish for a concubine’s daughter to outshine her own.

“Is the Abbot truly so revered?” She gently tugged on Prince Jing Xi’s sleeve.

Lowering her gaze, she tilted her head just so, revealing the elegant curve of her neck. Her voice was soft, expectant.

Though Prince Jing Xi was not a handsome man, his wife was undeniably beautiful.

Glancing at her, he sighed. Despite their quarrels, decades of marriage could not be cast aside.

“Though the National Temple belongs to the Imperial Family, even the Emperor himself observes proper decorum before the Abbot.”

“The Abbot is one of the rare enlightened monks of this era. No one dares act recklessly in his presence…”

“As for Lu Yuan Ze—where does he find such audacity?” Prince Jing Xi scoffed.

“How did the Abbot lose his sight?” she asked.

Prince Jing Xi shook his head. “No one knows. One day, he simply went blind. The Abbot claimed it was punishment for revealing the secrets of fate.”

At that moment, the young monk reached the high platform.

Whispering into the Abbot’s ear, the monk watched as the beads in the Abbot’s hand stilled.

The Abbot spoke.

The young monk smiled and descended the platform.

“Lord Lu, the Abbot invites you to take a seat.”

Gasps erupted among the onlookers as Lu Yuan Ze proudly ascended the steps, Lu Jing Yao in tow.

The hall buzzed with whispers.

Who would have thought Lu Yuan Ze would be recognized by the Abbot?

More astonishing still—

As Lu Yuan Ze approached, the Abbot stood to greet him personally.

“Lord Lu…” The Abbot pressed his palms together in respect.

Lu Yuan Ze bowed deeply in return.

“Three years ago, the Abbot gifted my daughter these sacred beads. Today, we have come to express our gratitude.”

“Thanks to the beads, we have been shielded from evil these past years.”

When Madam Pei received the beads, even during the Ghost Festival, no malevolent spirits dared approach.

Unfortunately, the beads had since shattered.

Lu Yuan Ze sighed regretfully.