Chapter 73: Gaining New Courage

  

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  ### Chapter 73: Gaining New Courage

This "error" started when Ming Luo saw the first page with a different handwriting—

Different handwriting indicates that different people transcribed the scriptures, which is common since there are more than just the wife of Marquis Zheng present in the Zheng family; anyone with intent can partake in the act of transcribing scriptures for blessings.

In the next moment, Ming Luo's gaze fell on the signature at the bottom of the page.

Second Young Miss Yao, Yao Xia?

Ming Luo had no impression of this person.

It wasn’t surprising for the scriptures to come from Marquis Zheng's wife; the female companions present had friendly ties and often gathered to transcribe scriptures together.

Ming Luo didn’t pay it much mind, turning the page to continue reading.

Again, there was another different handwriting.

Ming Luo instinctively looked at the signature—Sui Ning of the General's House.

A flash of the young girl’s face crossed her mind, but Ming Luo remained calm and turned the page once more.

The next page featured yet another entirely different handwriting.

Ming Luo's brow furrowed momentarily.

She picked up the scripture to examine it closely; the more she looked, the more certain she became—

This was a mimicry of the handwriting of Princess Chongyue during her lifetime.

Her gaze quickly shifted to the signature and saw "Sui Ning" written there, her frown deepening.

Why did Sui Ning use two different styles of handwriting to transcribe the scriptures, and why did she imitate Princess Chongyue's handwriting? 

Princess Chongyue's writing was not easy to learn, yet the imitation was at least seventy percent similar... indicating that it wasn’t accomplished overnight but required prolonged practice.

What could this move be aimed at?

Thinking of a possibility, Ming Luo couldn’t help but sneer silently.

Using two different styles of handwriting to transcribe scriptures might seem like a superficial display, but the deliberate imitation of Princess Chongyue’s script certainly indicated ulterior motives.

Did she hope to catch the holy emperor’s eye?

“Miss, is there something wrong?” Liuzhu, the close maidservant, noticed that Ming Luo had been staring at that page for a long time, her expression displeased, and cautiously inquired.

Ming Luo’s expression was indifferent as she crumpled the scripture into a ball and casually tossed it into the nearby brazier.

“Numerous mistakes in the characters, yet she dares to present it to the holy emperor —”

Liuzhu responded, “I wonder who was so careless.”

Ming Luo didn’t say much more, merely stating, “Let it go.”

Liuzhu didn’t ask further.

The two palace maids who had been serving tea and snacks understood the situation.

They all knew that the Miss despised careless workers.

However, for someone to send scriptures filled with errors could leave a terrible impression if the Holy Emperor saw it. In this way, the Miss was indeed helping the other party.

The Miss had always been like this; though strict, her heart was kind.

Ming Luo sat down behind the writing desk.

She took one last look at the scriptures that had turned to ash in the brazier.

Her brows and eyes had returned to calm, yet a faint hint of sarcasm lingered in the depths of her gaze.

A mere general's adopted daughter, a lowly outsider, dared to entertain such thoughts.

Truly, she was overestimating herself.

And poorly so.

But such a person, who failed to recognize her own status yet harbored delusions, was indeed detestable.

Ming Luo redirected her attention and began flipping through the scriptures beside her.

Once she had read through them all, she learned that Cui Jing had already left, and she instructed her maid to take the scriptures to the holy emperor.

“These are the scriptures transcribed by the ladies from each family over the past few days; please, your majesty, review them when you have time.”

“Hmm, just put them down.” 

Holy Emperor set aside the red brush in her hand, leaning back in the chair to rest her eyes.

Seeing this, Ming Luo moved around to stand behind her, as usual, and began to knead her shoulders: “Auntie, you deal with countless matters every day, and with the added pressure of the blessing ceremony, you must be fatigued... Today, Ah Shen has made such an outrageous mistake. He truly doesn’t understand, but I have already scolded and reminded him. Once we return home, I’m sure Father will also reprimand him; let him reflect on his actions for the time being.”

She said softly, “I hope Auntie can calm down and take care of your health first.”

Holy Emperor didn’t comment: “If he can learn to reflect on his mistakes, that would be best.”

Ming Luo replied, “He has at least learned a lesson today…”

Holy Emperor thought of Ming Jin's embarrassed appearance and spoke slowly with his eyes still closed, “Yesterday at the ceremony, that young lady from the Chang family was indeed different from ordinary young women... Ah Shen’s bad luck today was to meet her.”

It was difficult to say whether this was a compliment or a criticism.

“This Chang family young lady indeed exhibits rare behavior.” Ming Luo continued massaging, her voice gentle. “From yesterday to today, these two incidents show her character; she seems to be someone who pays back grievances and does not yield. This is understandable, but her actions... ultimately lack some restraint.”

Holy Emperor remained with her eyes closed: “It seems lacking in restraint, yet she hasn’t left a single flaw for others to point out.”

Ming Luo paused her hands momentarily.

Was this praise?

“How is Li Lu? Has the physician seen him again today?” Holy Emperor changed the subject.

Ming Luo immediately refocused: “Auntie, don’t worry. The heir of the Rong Wang only suffered from anxiety yesterday; he is no longer in serious condition.”

Holy Emperor nodded slightly: “He has always been in poor health. I initially didn’t want him to come here, but he wished to show his sincerity, and I couldn’t refuse... The temple isn’t as proper as the Rong Wang Manor; we must ensure the attendants and physicians take good care of him.”

Ming Luo acknowledged, “Yes, please rest assured, Auntie.”

At this moment, a palace maid entered to report: “Your majesty, Yu Changshi is asking for an audience outside.”

“Let him in.”

Yu Zeng entered the Zen hall and bowed.

At Ming Luo’s indication, all unrelated palace attendants and eunuchs withdrew to stand guard outside.

Yu Zeng was the head of the Palace affairs. For ordinary matters, he would only need to send someone to pass on the message; for him to come personally, it must be something significant or not suitable for public discussion.

“I have clarified whether the words of the sinner Pei shi are true or false,” Yu Zeng shi stated. “The young lady from the General’s residence is not the daughter of Yao Yi.”

“Is that so…” Holy Emperor finally opened her eyes, “But since Yao Yi secretly sought someone, it can’t be entirely false.”

“Indeed, there was a search for a person, claiming to look for a friend’s daughter. Although I do not know the truth of this statement, whether it is inconvenient to speak of…” Yu Zeng shi considered, lowering his gaze and saying, “But it is indeed a case of searching in the wrong place.”

In other words, the search is genuine, but the person they are looking for is not the daughter of the Chang family.

The Holy Emperor nodded slightly, understanding the implication.

She had no intention of interfering in her ministers’ family affairs, but just as the court and the inner palace have always been closely linked, the affairs of the ministers, in a certain sense, fell within her realm of control.

Her eyes always needed to see more.

Because countless pairs of eyes were also watching her at all times.

...

During the vegetarian meal at noon, Chang Kuo frequently picked food from his daughter's bowl: “Eat more!”

Qiao Yumian nodded and said softly, “Yes, Ning Ning, you must eat more so your injuries can heal faster.”

Qiao Yubai then added, “And carrying water is very tiring.”

Chang Sui'an remarked, “Hitting people is tiring too!”

Qiao Yubai, unusually, did not retort; after a moment of silence, he nodded, “Yes.”

After all, having beaten someone to such a state, it must have indeed taken a lot of effort.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Yumian hesitated to speak.

She wanted to say that hitting someone is ultimately not good.

But then she thought, Ning Ning wasn’t really hitting a person, was she?

That son of the Marquis was notorious for his misconduct.

Hitting someone is wrong, but Ning Ning wasn’t hitting a person—

Realizing this, Qiao Yumian suddenly felt that there was no problem after all.

She also tried to serve food to Chang Suining: “Here, Ning Ning, have a piece of bamboo shoot.”

Unable to see, she could only lift the food in front of her and extend it towards Chang Suining. Chang Suining quickly lifted her bowl to catch it.

Soon, the bowls and plates in front of her piled up like a small mountain.

Chang Suining felt a bit distressed.

Xi'er, watching from the side, felt that in the next moment, her young lady would surely say something detrimental: without meat, the meal wouldn’t be delicious.

Although the food wasn’t particularly appetizing, Chang Suining finished everything in front of her.

In the afternoon, her meditation hall suddenly became lively.

“I thought that Sister Chang was injured and needed to rest, so I didn’t dare to disturb her…”

But who knew that in the blink of an eye, they heard that Sister Chang not only went to the back mountain to fetch water but also beat up the son of the Minister!

Yao Xia, thinking of this, couldn’t help but show admiration: “This is the first time I’ve heard that the son of the Minister was beaten!”

“Yes, yes…”

“Sister Chang is truly brave!”

The five or six girls who followed Yao Xia chimed in excitedly.

“That son of the Minister isn’t a good person…” A beautiful girl lowered her voice and indignantly said, “His actions are arrogant and reckless; he’s a lecherous person.”

“Exactly, this person is indulgent in pleasures and behaves frivolously… It’s a well-known fact. As for being a lecherous person, in the entire capital, the only one who could compete with him is probably only the second daughter of the Yao family!” A girl said seriously.

Yao Xia scoffed, “Puh puh puh, I’m not like him at all!”

“How are you not like him?”

The girls burst into laughter.

Those who could play with Yao Xia were mostly cheerful and lively, naturally talkative and somewhat bolder than ordinary young ladies.

Someone, out of concern, quietly asked, “Why did Sister Chang clash with that son of the Minister? Is it because he covets Sister Chang’s beauty and wanted to act inappropriately?”

Chang Suining shook her head: “Not at all.”

At least, not before he had the chance.

She thought it unlikely he would dare to in the future.

“That’s good…”

“From now on, Sister Chang must be careful of this person.”

“Then what did Sister Chang teach him a lesson for?” Yao Xia asked curiously.

Chang Suining covered her mouth and yawned: “He bullied a friend of mine. He insisted on fighting, so I could only fight back.”

A group of girls was stunned upon hearing this.

Sister Chang actually beat the son of the Duke for the sake of a friend!

And she won!

Someone couldn’t help but think back to the day of the flower fair when Sister Chang stepped on bugs with such grace.

—Did Sister Chang need more friends?

After this yawn, Chang Suining lifted her gaze and met the shining eyes of many.

So… today she beat someone, and it seemed to have earned her public acclaim?

And it even seemed to have the momentum to become famous for it.

It seemed that this was similar to targeting high-ranking enemies on the battlefield.

Hmm… her thoughts suddenly became clearer.

Chang Suining tried to mentally draft a little booklet to list the people in the capital who could be fought, for future reference.

After Yao Xia and the others left, Chang Suining got up from her chair and walked outside.

Xi'er quickly followed: “Are you going to fetch water again, Young Miss?”

“Not today.”

Xi'er breathed a sigh of relief.

She had quietly calculated for the young lady. If an ordinary lady could earn ten merits for copying scriptures in the morning, then fetching water would earn her a hundred. Moreover, after the young lady beat that Ming Shizi, in a certain sense, it could be said that she had greatly purified the Buddha’s perception. If the Buddha valued merit, he ought to at least grant the young lady a thousand merits, right?

With that calculation, the young lady’s merits were now unmatched; fetching water was certainly no longer necessary. Otherwise, it would truly be leaving no opportunities for the other ladies.

“Then where is the young lady going?”

“To find Yu Gong.”

Huh?  

The young lady was previously most afraid of Yu Gong.

Xi'er’s gaze fell on her young lady’s round little head, thinking, could it be that this is what is meant by having something to lose but also gaining something? Although the young lady lost her old mind, she has now gained new courage.

When Chang Suining arrived alone, Yu Zeng had a similar feeling and made a new addition—this person not only gained new courage but also a thick skin.

“Yesterday, I was injured and frightened; why didn’t you send someone to check on me?” The girl came right up with this remark, as if asking—Is this how you act as a father?

Yu Zeng sneered, “I didn’t see anywhere you were frightened; rather, I should be the one frightened.”

He had heard that today she beat the son of the Minister in the back mountain, and it was not the usual young lady’s way of throwing a pearl or tossing a stone; she was using a carrying pole to beat him.

He raised his eyes coolly: “Do you know that the son of the Minister is certainly not a good person—”

Chang Suining sat there: “So, I came to find Yu Gong.”

“Why? You want me to help you clean up the mess?”

Chang Suining asked in confusion, “What mess needs cleaning up?”

People have been punished; those who needed to be driven away have been driven away.

As for what comes next, that hasn’t happened yet, has it?

Yu Zeng shi: “...Then why are you here?”

“I want to ask Yu Gong for a list.” Chang Suining said, “The names of the royal relatives, officials, and their family members who came along this time.”

Yu Zeng shi frowned: “What do you need that for?”

“Yu Gong knows, my mind is not right, and I cannot recognize many people.”

Chang Suining said earnestly: “Before I fought that son of the Minister today, he first reported his family name—if I encounter someone stubborn who refuses to disclose their identity one day, I should at least know who I’m fighting, right?”

Yu Zeng: “??”

His expression was one he hadn’t shown in many years!

He frowned and looked at Xi'er: “The palace physician has no way… what about the Huichun Hall? Have you had someone look at her?”

We should think of a solution, right?

Xi'er’s expression was complicated, and Chang Suining answered herself: “Yu Gong can rest assured; on the first day I returned to the capital, I had the physician from Huichun Hall come to check on me.”

“What did they say?”

“They said to leave it to fate.”

Yu Zeng: “...”

“Don’t worry, Yu Gong, I don’t want this list for the purpose of fighting.” Chang Suining reassured him: “Many people’s female attendants cannot be recognized completely. To avoid bumping into people I shouldn’t, it’s better to be aware.”

Yu Zeng scoffed: “...In your eyes, is there really someone you shouldn’t bump into?”

Saying this, he couldn’t be bothered to waste more words, instructing his trusted aide beside him: “Alright, bring it to her.”

Whoever came was certainly not a matter of confidentiality.

After Chang Suining received the list, she stood up to leave, expressing her gratitude with the highest courtesy of the Chang family—

“Thank you, Yu Gong.”

Simple yet perfunctory.

...

That night, Chang Suining held the long list and read it deep into the night.

With the matter of A Li settled, she should properly understand the current situation and

 observe carefully.

Only after coming to the capital did she realize that the scope of information is indeed broader than before, but the knowledge she possessed was also very limited.

What a troubling matter.

To be able to grasp more identities would naturally make it easier to navigate.

So in the coming days, she would always ask Xi'er to bring along the list. 

“See, it’s like this: Your Chang family has relatives in the capital. If someone mentions a surname I don’t recognize, I can refer to the list.” 

Xi'er was skeptical: “But these are the family names of officials and noble families; how could they be relevant to us?”

“Just to be careful.”

The two women discussed some family matters for a while, gradually shifting topics. In the end, Chang Suining fell asleep with her chin resting on her hand, holding the long list and vaguely remembering one name—Yao Shun…

She seemed to remember that she had seen someone with that surname.

Upon waking, she found it was already the next morning. After finishing her meal, she wanted to ask Xi'er about that person but realized she hadn’t remembered which one it was.

“Should I go to the Huichun Hall to check again?” She wondered.

No, I should wait.

She couldn’t avoid people in the palace entirely, so it would be better to see if someone mentioned that name.

“Xi'er, help me prepare today’s offerings to the Buddha.”

After preparing for a while, Chang Suining went out to observe the details of her surroundings.

The capital was lively and bustling with people coming and going. 

A Li had made her way into the palace today and seemed to have risen early to prepare. It looked like Chang Suining had really become a minor celebrity recently.

Many girls had followed her into the hall.

At least she was not the only one who enjoyed such popularity.

And then she even heard someone mention, “The number of opportunities to go to the palace has increased. Isn’t this a good thing?” 

Chang Suining’s brows furrowed slightly as she thought, "This is quite troubling."

Yu Zeng had not made arrangements for her earlier. The older Yu Gong always made her feel as if she were walking on thin ice.

Having achieved a temporary silence, the few girls present still expressed no intention to hold back.

“Someone from the inner palace will soon take notice. If Sister Chang can maintain this, she might be called to the palace one day.”

But Chang Suining could not sit and do nothing.

After breakfast, she carefully recalled the people she had seen in the Huichun Hall.

Her instincts told her that the next step should be about finding out more and observing carefully.

She also pondered the way forward in the future.

After all, the influence of the people in the capital was indeed more complex than her previous experiences.  

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