CHAPTER 661: CHAPTER 661 JADE GUANYIN

After the tea, the Empress took her leave.

A complex expression flickered in the Empress Dowager’s eyes. After a long while, she finally instructed Sister Qing.

"Go, take the mutton-fat jade Guanyin statue to Consort Xian Pin and say..."

"I’ve seen her attending to the Emperor these past few days and am touched by her devotion. This is her reward!"

Sister Qing hesitated for a moment.

Is she really going to side with the Empress?

The Empress Dowager waved her hand dismissively, clearly not wishing to explain further.

"Just go!"

Sister Qing dared not say more, acknowledged the order, and went out.

「Qingya Residence.」

Xia Ruqing had not long returned from paying her respects at Jiaofang Hall when she received a gift from Ningshou Palace: the Jade Guanyin, personally delivered by Sister Qing.

Xia Ruqing accepted it with all due respect, expressed some pleasing words of gratitude, and then properly sent Sister Qing off.

Back in the inner chamber, Xia Ruqing looked at the Jade Guanyin, and the more she looked, the more something felt amiss.

"Why has the Empress Dowager suddenly sent me something?"

I have a feeling that something’s not quite right!

At that moment, Zi Yue entered with a solemn expression.

"My Lady, the Empress just returned from Ningshou Palace!"

That single sentence was enough for Xia Ruqing to understand. She smiled.

"So that’s how it is!"

She sipped her tea, lazily reclined on the *kang* bed, a flicker of disdain and sarcasm in her eyes.

The harem is truly a wondrous place!

For benefits, even people who couldn’t be further apart can come together, acting as close as mother and daughter!

If I remember correctly, the Shih Family and the Fan Family were once sworn enemies!

TSK, TSK.

Now, the Fan Family was done for, stripped of their power by the Emperor and confined to the Capital City.

As for the Shih Family, judging by her sister-in-law’s tone, they were also in a rather miserable state, though slightly better off than the Fan Family, as at least their power hadn’t been stripped.

It seemed the Emperor was still somewhat lenient with his maternal family.

No wonder the Empress would choose this moment to cling to the great tree that is the Empress Dowager.

Since she can’t rely on the Emperor, she naturally has to find another high branch to climb!

Compared to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager might not be such a lofty branch, but she’s Her Majesty’s only choice!

Otherwise, how long could a powerless Empress last?

If the Emperor became displeased, he could depose her, and there wouldn’t even be anyone to speak up for her.

Truly terrifying!

The more Xia Ruqing thought about it, the more she felt the Empress’s days were simply too miserable.

To have such a good hand dealt to her and play it so disastrously, it’s almost admirable in a way.

"My Lady, what shall we do with this Jade Guanyin?" Zi Yue asked.

Xia Ruqing thought about it and then said,

"Find a proper place to set up this Bodhisattva for worship. From today onwards, I will start copying Buddhist scriptures!"

"I must pray earnestly—for the Emperor, for the Imperial Son," and for myself too, I suppose.

When it comes to gods and Buddhas, it’s better to believe they exist than to believe they don’t.

It’s best to be reverent.

Besides, there’s nothing much to do anyway. Copying scriptures can also calm the mind, so why not?

Zi Yue respectfully acknowledged the order.

Together with Zi Su, she found a spot in the east wing and set up the Bodhisattva statue for worship.

Xia Ruqing also had someone find some Buddhist sutras, and she would copy a few passages whenever she had free time.

Her calligraphy wasn’t good, and she wrote slowly, but each stroke was still neat and tidy.

However, in Zhao Junyao’s eyes, it still looked like a dog’s scribbles.

When Zhao Junyao came by in the evening, he frowned immediately after just one glance.

"Qingqing, your handwriting..."

Xia Ruqing was startled by him; her hand shook, and a drop of ink fell.

"Your Majesty! You..."

She was so angry! A page she had worked so hard on was ruined again.

Zhao Junyao tapped her on the head, as if he was disappointed in iron not becoming steel.

"Haven’t I given you a copybook?"

Xia Ruqing looked innocent.

"Your Majesty, ever since the Imperial Son was born, where would I, your humble concubine, find the time..."

Zhao Junyao patted her on the bottom again.

"You have five servants here, plus three Wetnurse Sisters. You don’t need to personally attend to the Imperial Son’s matters!"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit guilty.

In modern times, this would be a whole team of nannies, wouldn’t it?

No time? That excuse simply wasn’t valid.

"Not practicing properly is just not practicing properly!"

Zhao Junyao’s tone was somewhat stern.

After saying this, he took her hand, picked up the brush, found a fresh sheet of paper, dipped the brush generously in thick ink, and began to write on the paper.

He encircled her in his embrace, his gaze cool and focused.

Xia Ruqing nestled into his embrace, smelling the pleasant ambergris on him, and began to daydream.

So handsome!

His calligraphy is so beautiful!

Zhao Junyao had been practicing calligraphy since he was three years old and had never stopped until before he ascended the throne.

Later, after ascending the throne and taking over state affairs, he gradually became busier and set calligraphy aside.

However, by that time, his calligraphic style had already formed. He didn’t need to practice deliberately; occasional review was sufficient.

His calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, his brushstrokes bold and free-spirited, strong and forceful, the ink seemingly penetrating through the paper.

Each stroke and line was like a swimming dragon or a flying phoenix.

Xia Ruqing watched, exclaiming in admiration.

"Your Majesty, did you perhaps study under some great calligrapher?"

Zhao Junyao’s lips curved.

"What great calligrapher? I *am* the great calligrapher!"

Such an arrogant thing to say, but also so cool!

It might have sounded like boasting, but it was actually true.

Even the Grand Scholars of the Hanlin Academy unanimously praised Zhao Junyao’s skill!

He was in no way inferior to the great contemporary calligraphers!

This man... what on earth was he made of? Was there anything he couldn’t do?

The way Xia Ruqing looked at him became even more peculiar.

Zhao Junyao, his vanity immensely satisfied, said arrogantly,

"Qingqing, I know you admire me greatly!"

Xia Ruqing was speechless. Your Majesty, I, your humble consort, also know you’re very narcissistic!

He quickly finished writing the passage.

She looked at the characters the Emperor had written, then at her own.

The difference was so vast she could hardly bear to look.

Xia Ruqing sighed to the heavens.

Why is there such a huge gap between people!

But Zhao Junyao was in a very good mood.

"Qingqing, what made you suddenly decide to copy Buddhist scriptures?" If I recall, Qingqing doesn’t believe in Buddhism.

Xia Ruqing thought about how to reply.

After mulling it over, she felt she couldn’t hide it anyway, so she simply recounted the matter of the Empress Dowager gifting her the Jade Guanyin.

Xia Ruqing finally added,

"Since the Empress Dowager has treated me, your humble consort, so generously, I should naturally be more sensible..."

"I am copying these Buddhist sutras entirely of my own volition!"

She didn’t say it was to pray for the Empress Dowager’s well-being.

Since that wasn’t the case, she wouldn’t tell that lie; one should still maintain some reverence before the Buddha.

However... it seemed Zhao Junyao had misunderstood.

The Empress Dowager gifted her a Guanyin statue, and Qingqing said she was copying the scriptures voluntarily.

No matter how one looked at it, such an explanation carried a hint of grievance.

He felt she had been wronged. She disliked writing, yet she had to copy Buddhist sutras.

Zhao Junyao felt a twinge of guilt inside.

He embraced her and said,

"If you don’t want to write, then don’t. I’ll protect you from the Empress Dowager! Go read your storybooks!"

As he said this, Zhao Junyao felt quite displeased.

What has been going on with the Empress Dowager lately?

As the Empress Dowager of a nation, shouldn’t she be peacefully reciting sutras and praying to Buddha in her palace, living a good life?

Why does she keep finding trouble with these concubines?

She completely lacks the magnanimity and grace expected of an Empress Dowager.

But, she was his biological mother. No matter how much he disapproved, he had to endure it!