CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 67: GUANYIN STATUE!

"Alright, your matter can be considered resolved!" Yu Nianzhao stretched her limbs, ready to return home.

"Princess Consort, the temple property has been finalized by this subordinate. Would you like to take a look?" This task was entirely managed by Yiu Renjian. His keen eye for detail and haggling skills secured the deal. He was quite satisfied with it himself, though he wasn’t sure how Yu Nianzhao would feel about it.

"Is the property in the suburbs?"

"It’s just outside the city of Shangjing. There are other temples nearby as well."

"Forget it, forget it. Having to leave the city is bothersome. I don’t feel like going to see it." Yu Nianzhao’s brows relaxed, seemingly indifferent. "Yu, I trust your judgment. The place you chose will definitely be fine."

"..." Being incessantly called ’Yu’ had numbed Yiu Renjian, leaving him to resign himself silently to her calls.

Better than being called ’Jian Ren’ incessantly by Mr. Dongfang.

Mu Hongxuan pondered for a moment before saying, "Princess Consort, I have also found a craftsman to sculpt the gold statue. Although the Princess Consort’s portrait has already been sent, the craftsman said it would be best if the Princess Consort could visit in person. He needs to see the Princess Consort in person to capture the true aura for the statue."

Yu Nianzhao found this reasoning sensible and nodded gently. "That sounds good. This is something I must attend to."

When it comes to crafting her gold statue, she must indeed go in person.

The craftsman who sculpts the gold statues is in a shop in Shangjing. Curiously, this shop was right next to a funeral supplies shop.

At the entrance of the shop were several white wreaths, and various types of paper figures, painted vividly lifelike, somewhat eerie.

"No wonder the shop is at the end of the street. If it were on a bustling street corner, seeing such things would be quite frightening," remarked Dongfang Chenyuan, casually wandering around. As a person of the mystic arts, he was used to such things and showed no fear.

"This is rather inauspicious," Yiu Renjian frowned. "Mr. Mu, how did you find this place?"

Mu Hongxuan, arms crossed confidently, said, "In all of Shangjing, the best Buddhist statues are made by the craftsmen here. I’ve done my research; many major temple statues are the work of Mr. Zhang."

Yu Nianzhao walked through the narrow shop, with shelves full of statues around her.

Some were large, some small; some were crying, others laughing.

Whether carved from wood or jade, all had expressive features as if they could come to life at any moment.

"The carving of these statues is quite realistic. Mu Hongxuan has a good eye," Yu Nianzhao glanced around at the statues, expressing her approval of Mr. Zhang’s craftsmanship.

Mu Hongxuan, usually indifferent, couldn’t help but let a smile appear on his lips.

The sense of pride was impossible to hide.

He finally understood the Prince’s feelings.

Receiving praise from the Princess Consort was even better than being praised by the Prince.

During their viewing, voices came from the backyard, gradually getting closer...

"Mr. Zhang, this time’s Guanyin statue is even better than the previous ones. In ten days, make another one for me."

"Alright, Mr. Xie, don’t worry. I know the requirements and will definitely deliver the finished Guanyin statue to your residence."

"No need to send it to my residence. I will personally come to fetch it each time."

"Alright then, I will be expecting your visit here at the shop, Mr. Xie."

Two figures emerged from the backyard. Yu Nianzhao looked up and saw someone familiar.

"Princess Consort Su?"

Xie Yunzhe, carrying a box covered by a yellow cloth, instinctively sidestepped to hide it when he noticed Yu Nianzhao’s gaze, as if not wanting her to see it.

"So it’s the Princely Heir of Prince An Nan, what a coincidence."

Yu Nianzhao glanced and then looked away, her tone cold and indifferent, merely acknowledging his presence.

"Why is Princess Consort Su here?" Xie Yunzhe’s expression was tense, his brows knitted, his suspicious look nearly asking, "Are you following me?"

Yu Nianzhao gave him a peculiar look, "Why? Is this shop owned by the Princely Heir of Prince An Nan? Can only you come, not me?"

Xie Yunzhe’s mouth twitched. He forced a smile, "Of course not, I was just curious."

"Oh!" Yu Nianzhao replied coolly.

Xie Yunzhe, "..."

For a moment, he was at a loss, so... you’re not going to explain anything?

Seeing his strange expression, Yu Nianzhao raised her eyebrow, "What? You can be curious, but what does that have to do with me? Do you expect me to explain my whole family tree to you?"

Xie Yunzhe awkwardly replied, "No need for that."

"So... have you bought your things and still not leaving?" With little interest in him, Yu Nianzhao just wanted Mr. Zhang to hurry and sculpt her statue.

Feeling inexplicably ushered out, Xie Yunzhe took a deep breath, "I am leaving, Princess Consort Su, as you please."

As he walked past Yu Nianzhao, Xie Yunzhe could not hold back his words any longer. He stopped and, lowering his voice, said, "Princess Consort Su, do you not know? Your original identity should have made you my fiancée, the future wife of the Princely Heir of Prince An Nan. Are you truly willing to marry the Emperor’s uncle?"

He feared Prince Su, but the truth was, Prince Su wouldn’t live past twenty-six.

Ever since Xie Yunzhe found out about Yu Nianzhao’s true identity, he felt a strange sensation.

So, Yu Nianzhao was supposed to be his fiancée...

Yu Nianzhao sized up Xie Yunzhe with a direct gaze, without reservation she said, "Xie Jiuxiao is better than you in every way. I should be grateful. Why, is the Princely Heir of Prince An Nan dissatisfied with his current fiancée? Why tell me this? Or... have you developed feelings for me? That won’t work, nephew!"

Mu Hongxuan put away his drawn sword and Dongfang Chenyuan’s eyes turned mocking.

The Princess Consort’s combat spirit remained as strong as ever.

A single ’nephew’ sent Xie Yunzhe seething with rage, "Of course not! Pei Yunzhi is from a noble family, and at least in terms of upbringing, she surpasses you, deserving of the title of Princely Heir’s wife."

Yu Nianzhao looked at him disdainfully, "Look at you, pitiful, marrying for a title. Why not bring home a plaque? It would be dignified, follow all your words, never argue back, truly perfect."

"Brilliant!" Dongfang Chenyuan, unable to hold back, clapped in admiration.

Xie Yunzhe’s expression was full of endurance, his eyes wide and filled with resentment. Clasping the box tightly, he said coolly, "I too am grateful that you are not my Princely Heir’s wife. Wishing you and the Emperor’s uncle a happy marriage."

Xie Jiuxiao was destined for an early death. Wasn’t he just wishing her to die along with Xie Jiuxiao?

Yu Nianzhao smiled sweetly, "Dear nephew, thank you for your kind words."

Feeling like he had punched a pillow, Xie Yunzhe left in both anger and silence, holding the box tightly and turning to leave.