Chapter 52 - 052: Praying for Blessings

“What does Lord Sang mean by this? Our Prison Department has never mishandled a case with wrongful accusations. The Emperor trusts our department, which is why he entrusted this case to us.”

Wang Lishuo maintained an expression of integrity on his young indifferent face.

Yet behind him, another corpse was being carried out.

As it passed by Sang Yan, one hand of the corpse dangled down, dripping with fresh blood, and bones faintly visible.

Sang Yan felt like she was going insane, “You, you coerced confessions, you—”

She couldn’t handle the shock, her vision darkened, and she fainted again.

“Miss!”

“Lord Sang!”

The scene erupted into chaos.

At the same time,

Long Chan Temple

in front of the main hall’s Buddha statue.

He Ying pressed his palms together, eyes closed, kneeling on the prayer mat.

He had been kneeling for eight hours.

During which he hadn’t even had his midday meal.

Pei Muyang, who was also kneeling beside him, was so hungry that his stomach rumbled. He couldn’t help but quietly crawl up and go look for something to eat.

Unexpectedly, he ran into Master Yixuan just as he was leaving, quickly pressing his palms together and bowing, “Master Yixuan, the Emperor is still kneeling, won’t you go and persuade him? He’s been kneeling for about eight or ten hours now, even an iron body can’t withstand that.”

Master Yixuan was the abbot of Long Chan Temple, also personally appointed by the imperial family.

He was nearly eighty but still had sharp eyes and a robust body, moving as swiftly as the wind.

At that moment, he wore his Kasaya, holding a Buddha’s staff in one hand and turning Buddha Beads in the other, chanting, “Amitabha Buddha—”

Pei Muyang, who was apprehensive about interacting with monks, gave a wry smile and followed suit, “Amitabha Buddha, I hope you can offer some advice.”

Master Yixuan: “…”

He said nothing and walked into the main hall.

Within the main hall

He Ying was still kneeling. Seeing him approach, he turned and gave a respectful bow, “Master is compassionate.”

He had never kneeled to anyone since his birth.

Four years ago, after he had recaptured Min State and was passing through Long Chan Temple on his way back to the Imperial City, he entered the temple on a whim, carrying the aura of someone who would kill even Buddha if encountered.

Master Yixuan had mentioned that he had amassed too much blood guilt and should seek forgiveness from the heavens.

But he took no heed and never knelt.

Now, for a woman, he had been kneeling for almost ten hours.

“Life is like the morning dew, all phenomena are like floating clouds.”

Master Yixuan seemed to be either lamenting or advising, “Your Majesty, those who are tough in fate and thin in fortune, must not be overly demanded.”

He Ying listened and asked earnestly, “I am the Emperor, blessed with luck, how about sharing half of it with her?”

Master Yixuan paused, his expression solemn. After a long silence, he murmured two words: “Foolish child!”

*

Qingning Palace, side hall

When Sang Yan woke up again, it was already dark.

Seeing Qiuzhi rushing toward her with a tear-stained face, she spoke first, “Has the Emperor returned?”

Qiuzhi shook her head, crying, “If the Emperor had returned while you were still unconscious, I definitely would have been punished severely.”

Sang Yan fully believed that the Emperor was capable of such actions, hence she suggested, “If you are afraid, you should go back to the mansion.”

She feared that she couldn’t protect her, either.

“Don’t.”

Qiuzhi knelt by the bed, shaking her head, “Miss, please don’t send me away. Even if I die, I want to be with you.”

Sang Yan didn’t want to hear about death anymore, she waved her hand to have Qiuzhi stand up.

Then, recalling the matter of the Cold Palace, she asked gloomily, “How many are still alive in the Cold Palace?”

Qiuzhi didn’t answer, just wiping her tears, sobbing, “Miss, you just woke up, let’s not think about these things. I don’t care about them, I just want you to be well.”

She was likely changing the subject with this.

Sang Yan guessed that probably none from the Cold Palace had survived, feeling immensely anguished, and tears fell, “Is Consort Xuan still alive?”

She truly wanted to save Noble Consort Xuan.

If she too were to die because of her…

Thinking of that beautiful woman, she couldn’t help but remember the expelled Observatory. What had Wan Zhang seen in her face? Reincarnating through another’s body, she must be an ominous person, right? That’s why everyone close to her met unfortunate ends!

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t know anything. I really don’t.”

Where would Qiuzhi dare to inquire about the affairs of the Cold Palace?

Her own life was hardly secure.

Seeing her say this, Sang Yan didn’t make it difficult for her, “Since you don’t know, then go and find out. Forget it, I see that I can’t make use of you.”

She called for the little eunuch who had previously gone to request the Imperial Physician for Noble Consort Xuan.

The little eunuch was named Fang Legui, also known as Little Guizi.

Little Guizi, fifteen or sixteen years old, had a round face and round eyes, and when he smiled, two little canine teeth showed, making him look joyous and cute.

He was also astute, having already inquired beforehand, and smilingly said, “Master, rest assured, Lady Xuan is still ill and hasn’t been tortured, she’s fine. Just frightened. If you are worried, shall I call another Imperial Physician to take a look?”

Sang Yan finally heard some good news, a smile returned to her face, and she nodded, “Good. Go ahead. From today, you will serve before me.”

This was a coveted opportunity many were vying for.

Little Guizi excitedly kowtowed repeatedly, “Yes. Thank you, Master. I will definitely serve well.”

Some rejoiced while others were worried.

Qiuzhi watched this scene, feeling a bitterness inside, and though she dared not say anything, her tears fell even stronger.

Sang Yan caught sight of it and felt somewhat softhearted, giving her a warning, “Do not think about hiding anything from me in the future. There are no secrets in the Imperial Palace. If you don’t tell me what I want to know, others will.”

Qiuzhi nodded while crying, feeling aggrieved, “I worry about Miss’s health. Ever since you came to the Imperial Palace, it’s either sickness or fainting, truly frightening.”

Sang Yan knew she genuinely cared about her, and self-mockingly smiled, “Don’t worry. I won’t die just yet.”

She was weary and powerlessly leaned on the pillow, closing her eyes.

Qiuzhi saw this, didn’t disturb her peace, and went out to arrange meals.

Sang Yan had little appetite, simply drank a bowl of porridge, then had it taken away.

The night was silent.

Her sleep being prolonged earlier, she now found herself unable to sleep and had someone keep watch on the main hall.

Until the hour of Chou, around two or three in the morning, she woke up hazily and only then learned of the Emperor’s return.

It was too late.

She didn’t call for him.@@novelbin@@

But he came on his own.

He must have just bathed, wearing a black silk robe, his hair still wet and long, flowing down his back, under the light of the lamp, his handsome face cold white like jade.

“Why haven’t you slept yet?”

“Are you feeling unwell? I heard you fainted again at dusk. Did you call for the Imperial Physician?”

His eyes full of concern, his sincerity visible.

Indeed, he was very kind to her, very gentle, even showing favoritism towards her compared to others.

But this favoritism brought her too many tears and blood.

“My illness is of the heart, medicine and stone are of no use.”

She lowered her voice, putting on an indifferent expression, “If your Majesty truly cares about me, let me leave the palace.”

To this day, only leaving the palace could distance her from the Imperial Palace’s schemes and the bloody cruelty.

She was really too tired.

He Ying, not knowing the full story, thought she wanted to leave him again, his expression turning very unpleasant.

He wanted to question her, “What did I do wrong that you want to leave me again!”

But seeing her frail, haggard appearance, he suppressed his feelings.

His face unhappy, his chest heaving, the pent-up fire burning his insides, ready to explode at any moment.

Pei Muyang saw this and hastened to ease the atmosphere, “Master, please don’t say such things. His Majesty went to Long Chan Temple early in the morning to pray for your blessing, kneeling for seven two-hour periods. When he got up, he could barely walk. He had just bathed and I saw clearly, his knees were swollen and unbearable to look at. At the very least, knowing the heart the Emperor has for you, don’t strike at it with a dagger!”

As if responding to Pei Muyang’s words, He Ying even lifted his robe, revealing his knees full of bruises.

Due to his fair skin, the bruises appeared even more ferocious and horrifying.

Sang Yan: “…”

This was self-inflicted injury!

Definitely self-inflicted injury!