The Buddhist ceremony at Lingyun Temple was exceptionally grand, starting at dusk with the procession and chanting of scriptures.
Before the ceremony began, the Fourth Prince’s consort had already sought out Tang Ning to go together. She remained close by her side the entire time, even though Princess Le Yang and the Princess Consort of Ji wore dark expressions. Despite their coldness, the Fourth Prince's consort did not flinch and even helped Tang Ning defend herself from their provocations, causing Qi Yue and the others to be filled with confusion and suspicion.
However, after Qi Yue quietly asked, Tang Ning explained that it was due to some previous misunderstandings. Though they did not understand fully, they did not press her further.
By the middle of the ceremony, the moon had already risen.
The temple was burning ritual boats and incense, with Master Liao Wu leading a group of monks chanting by the water's edge. The worshippers who came to participate in the ceremony had gathered on the other side, lighting floating lanterns.
Tang Ning gently cradled her lantern in her hands, watching the flickering candlelight, closing her eyes to silently chant a prayer.
"I, a believer named Tang Ning, am sending this lamp to express my thoughts. I hope that my father and mother can be cleared of charges and the truth behind their deaths can be uncovered. I also hope that my brother will have a smooth journey to the northwest and get what he wants soon..."
She released the lantern into the water, and it slowly drifted away, gently moving with the ripples.
Tang Ning watched the lotus lantern drifting farther away, gradually blending into the sea of lights, her thoughts wandering.
She wondered if her brother had received the letter she had sent. It had been half a month since Xiao Yan had left the capital, but had he already reached the northwest?
“Tang Ning.”
The voice of the Fourth Prince’s consort pulled her from her thoughts. Turning around, she saw the consort smiling at her.
"What did you wish for?" the consort asked gently.
Tang Ning raised her lips slightly. "I prayed for my father and mother’s well-being."
The Fourth Prince’s consort’s gaze shifted to the Buddha beads around Tang Ning’s wrist. She fiddled with the incense pouch hanging from her waist and spoke softly, "I also prayed for my family, hoping that His Highness will regain his health, and that my mother and father can reconcile. I heard that there have been skirmishes in the northern regions recently, and the border towns are not at peace."
She sighed lightly. "I hope this lantern will bring those wishes to reality. I pray for the Emperor’s health, for peace in the world, and for the people to live in safety."
A number of noblewomen standing nearby had overheard her words and began speaking in praise.
"Fourth Prince’s consort is so magnanimous. Buddha will surely grant your wishes."
"With such concern for the people, the Zhen'an Army will certainly drive the barbarians back. And with someone like the Fourth Prince’s consort caring about the people, heaven will surely protect us."
Meanwhile, Qian Qiyue, squatting to the side, looked at the lotus lantern sent by the Fourth Prince's consort. Hearing the flattery from the group, she couldn't help but sneer.
"Such a tiny lantern, and she's making so many wishes. How greedy."
Fu Laiqing, who had unknowingly crouched nearby, whispered, "Keep it down."
Qian Qiyue rolled her eyes. "I know."
Regardless of what the Fourth Prince's consort thought, at least her outward wishes seemed noble. If Qian Qiyue argued now, it would only make her the target of ridicule. She lowered her voice and lightly tapped the water with a twig. "If it weren’t for her wishing for world peace, I’d have put out that lantern myself."
She secretly wished for the Empress to be abandoned by the Emperor and for the Fourth Prince to remain a cripple forever.
"Whoosh—"
Just as Qian Qiyue finished speaking, as if the heavens were paying attention, the lantern sent by the Fourth Prince’s consort suddenly tipped, and half of it sank into the water.
The royal lanterns were larger than others, making it particularly noticeable on the water. As the flame inside the lantern met the water, it was immediately extinguished.
The noblewomen who had been praising the Fourth Prince’s consort now stared in shock at the lotus lantern, which slowly sank, while all the other lanterns remained intact.
"..."
The surroundings fell eerily silent.
"What's going on?"
"How did that lantern go out?"
"Yes, it’s calm here. All the other lanterns are fine, but the Fourth Prince’s consort’s..."
Many people noticed this side, and saw that the Fourth Prince's wife's river lantern was the only one that was submerged in water. Princess Leyang, who was "betrayed" by the Fourth Prince's wife at the ceremony just now and saw that she actually went to please that bitch Song Tangning, was sarcastic.
"There’s not even a breeze, how could her lantern go out like that? Could it be that she’s a hypocrite, playing both sides, abandoning her noble status to please someone so lowly that even the Buddha couldn’t stand it anymore?"
Princess Consort Ji sneered, "Perhaps her heart isn’t sincere. The Buddha must have abandoned her."
The Fourth Prince’s consort’s face turned ashen, and the people around her wore strange expressions.
Out of all the floating lanterns, the Fourth Prince's consort’s was the only one to sink.
The noblewomen who had been praising her earlier now wore awkward expressions. The moment she made her wish, her lantern went out and sank into the water. Could it be that she had truly incurred the Buddha’s wrath?
Others, though more subtle, cast side glances at the Fourth Prince, who was sitting in his carriage a short distance away, wearing half a mask.
Lately, the Fourth Prince had encountered frequent misfortune, and with the Empress losing her position, the once-proud royal mother and son had hardly had a moment of peace. It seemed almost like the heavens were displeased.
Seeing that the Fourth Prince’s consort seemed to be struggling to hold her composure, Tang Ning frowned. "It’s just a lantern going out. How could you say that the Buddha has abandoned her? The gods and Buddhas have long abandoned emotions. If they have preferences, if they are unable to practice compassion and treat all beings equally, then how could they deserve to be gods, to have the world’s creatures worship them?"
"Besides, the Fourth Prince’s consort’s wishes were for the peace of the world, for the people to live in safety, and for the Emperor’s health. If the Buddha has abandoned her, then what does that make the Emperor and the royal family? Is the Princess Consort Ji cursing the Emperor?"
After Tang Ning finished speaking, she ignored the pale faces of the others and turned to the Fourth Prince’s consort, speaking in a deep voice.
"Don’t mind them. As long as your heart is sincere, the Buddha will see it."
The Fourth Prince’s consort hadn’t expected Tang Ning to speak up for her. With red-rimmed eyes, she followed Tang Ning’s words, "Though I don’t understand why this happened, perhaps it’s because I was too greedy, hoping both for my father’s well-being and for the world to be peaceful, for Da Wei to thrive. Princess Consort Ji is right, I should not have been so insincere, placing all my wishes on one lantern."
"Though the lantern sank, I still hope my wishes come true. Even if Princess Le Yang and Princess Consort Ji dislike me, they should not be cursing the Emperor."
"You!" Princess Consort Ji yelled angrily.
Princess Le Yang also shouted, "Zhao Yin Xuan!"
The Fourth Prince’s consort seemed startled, and as she stepped back, she accidentally stepped into the water. She stumbled, and if Tang Ning hadn’t quickly grabbed her, she would have fallen in.
"Fourth Prince’s consort, are you alright?" her maid hurriedly stepped forward.
Tang Ning glared at Princess Le Yang, "What are you doing, Princess? Do you intend to make a scene like Xie Yuyan did?"
Princess Le Yang, who had done nothing, was suddenly blamed for the mess. Glaring at Tang Ning and the pretentious Fourth Prince’s consort, her eyes seemed to be filled with daggers.
The Fourth Prince’s consort quickly held onto Tang Ning. "Forget it, the ceremony isn’t over yet. Let’s not argue with them."
She moved her foot slightly and winced.
Tang Ning frowned. "What’s wrong?"
"It seems like I twisted my ankle."
Seeing the Fourth Prince’s consort’s face turn pale from the pain, Tang Ning said, "Then you should go rest. Let someone check your foot. Your dress is wet, too. Go back and change."
The Fourth Prince’s consort looked at Princess Le Yang and the others. "But..."
Tang Ning’s cold eyes pierced through her, "They won’t dare do anything with everyone watching. I don’t bully others, but if someone bullies me, I won’t be afraid."
Hearing this, the Fourth Prince’s consort lowered her voice, "Then I’ll go back and change."
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T/N:
She's actually referring to the emperor and empress here
You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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