Yan Wan is reborn as a legitimate wife: Curing Ruyi's Douyi syndrome

Today was the day for Ruyi's canonization ceremony, and Su Lujun and Bai Ruiji had given birth to the sixth and seventh princes, Yongrong and Yongyu, respectively. Hongli simply conferred titles on all six concubines.

Ruyi was promoted to Noble Consort Xian, Arruo to Consort Shen, Bai Ruiji to Consort Mei, Yihuan to Consort Shu, and Lu Muping to Noble Lady. Ruyi's enthronement ceremony was held together with those of Arruo, Bai Ruiji, Yihuan, Lu Muping, and Chen Wanyin, who did not have an enthronement ceremony due to her eastern tour.

A Ruo and others gathered at Jingren Palace to attend the enthronement ceremony. Hongli sent Li Yu to observe the ceremony.

After the enthronement ceremony, Li Yu prepared to leave and said respectfully to Ruyi, "Empress Xian, I will take my leave first and return to report to the Emperor."

Ruyi bowed slightly to Li Yu, who nodded and left. A Ruo and the others behind her had different expressions on their faces, but without saying much, they planned to return to the palace.

Unexpectedly, Ruyi turned around with a smile and said, "The weather is hot, and I believe everyone must be tired. Why don't you sit down in the inner room? I have prepared some iced almond drink."

Everyone looked at each other, Yihuan took the lead and followed in, and the other concubines could only follow in one after another.

Bai Ruiji followed behind, gritting her teeth and saying, "Look at how she behaves. She's still a noble concubine, and she's like this."

Ah Ruo whispered sarcastically, "After all, she's a concubine now. It's different now~"

Inner Room of Jingren Palace

Ruyi was supported by Jinxin and took a seat. She looked at the concubines and said with a smile, "Please sit down."

Everyone: "Thank you, Imperial Concubine Xian." They all sat down.

Ruyi watched everyone sit down and continued, "The war in Jinchuan is intense, and both the imperial court and the harem are in turmoil, so this time's enthronement ceremony will be simpler."

Ah Ruo, Bai Ruiji, and Chen Wanyin all frowned. Do you think you're the master? How can you, a concubine, decide how the enthronement ceremony goes? It's not you who's in charge.

Yi Huan saw the silence and tried to smooth things over, saying, "State affairs are more important, so let's not bother with that. Actually, we haven't officially congratulated Concubine Xian on her big day yet."

Yihuan stood up and prepared to salute. Except for Yihuan, the other concubines in the main position did not stand up. Yihuan looked around awkwardly. Only some concubines in lower positions stood up with Yihuan.

Yi Huan bravely took the lead and bowed deeply, saying, "Congratulations to Concubine Xian on her great happiness."

Ruyi also looked at Yihuan stiffly as she performed the full ceremony, then said hypocritically, "We are all serving the Emperor. Let's not let status hinder friendship. Everyone, get up."

Yihuan and the others said, "Thank you, Concubine Xian." They slowly stood up and sat back in their original seats.

A Ruo sneered, and Bai Ruiji and the others were also very disdainful. If you love to flatter Ruyi, you will get endless flattery. Shupin, your good days are still ahead.

Ruyi frowned, but did not dare to find fault with A Ruo. Gui Duo was now getting higher and higher in power, and somehow, everyone felt that she owed A Ruo's family a favor. If she openly punished A Ruo at the enthronement ceremony, it would spread the next day that she was ungrateful.

Ruyi forced a smile and said, "The war is intense, and the Emperor is worried, so he has invited Master Anji from the Southern Sacred Land to the palace for prayers. He will be here in a few days. Then we can all pray together for a successful war and good fortune for the Qing Dynasty."

Yi Huan continued, "Master Anji prays for blessings and prosperity for the Qing Dynasty every year, and his cultivation is profound."

Lu Muping also gossiped: "I heard that the Imperial Master is young and promising, with a handsome appearance, and makes people feel like spring breeze at first sight~"

Ruyi glanced at Lu Muping and criticized her, "Lady Qing, this is not something we concubines should say."

Lu Muping was criticized by name, and she no longer had the heart to liven up the atmosphere. She replied in a low voice: "Yes..."

Chen Wanyin sat in her seat, lost in thought.

……

Gyeongin Palace

Chen Wanyin returned to her room and asked excitedly, "Shunxin, if Concubine Xian falls, will Yongqi come back to me?"

Shunxin said in embarrassment: "Logically speaking, yes, but Concubine Xian did nothing wrong, so why did she fall?"

Chen Wanyin murmured to herself, "If only she had fallen... Yongqi would have come back to me..."

Shunxin saw that Chen Wanyin looked paranoid and didn't know how to persuade her anymore. In fact, the master had already moved to Jingren Palace and could see the Fifth Prince every day, which was much better than before.

Although Concubine Xian is hypocritical, it is because she cares about her reputation that the master can meet the Fifth Prince from time to time, which is better than being taken away by someone else.

Chen Wanyin didn't think so. Before she gave birth to Yongqi, her life was stagnant. She wasted every day waiting for the emperor to summon her. After she gave birth to Yongqi, she was preoccupied with his every move every day. Her affection for the emperor was gradually transferred to Yongqi.

How could Chen Wanyin accept that Yongqi, whom she loved so much, was completely ignored by Ruyi?

Outside Anhua Hall

Anji entered the palace with a group of lamas, looking straight ahead. A group of palace maids and eunuchs gathered outside the Anhua Palace to watch the excitement.

Anhua Hall

Ruyi led the concubines to welcome them in the main hall.

Ruyi stepped forward, clasped her hands together, and saluted, saying, "Master Anji, you have come a long way and must have had a hard time on your journey."

Anji returned the greeting, "Thank you, Noble Concubine Xian."

Ruyi nodded and lamented, "The Jinchuan War is at a stalemate, the whole country is in turmoil, and the Emperor has been depressed. It is a rare blessing for the Qing Dynasty to have Master Anji come to the palace to pray for the soldiers on the border."

Anji: "Warfare harms the harmony of nature. I will pray for the souls of the soldiers who died on the battlefield. I will chant sutras and pray for blessings from today, the Ghost Festival, until the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th."

Ruyi bowed and said, "Thank you, Master. Please stay with me and all the disciples in Anhua Hall to practice and pray."

Anji: "Thank you, Concubine Xian."

On the second day, Anhua Hall

Hongli and Ruyi came to pray, and Anji and everyone else accompanied them.

Anji: "Your Majesty is benevolent and compassionate, and the people are grateful for his grace. With your Majesty's heart, this prayer will surely be more effective."

The emperor clasped his hands together and said, "I entrust everything to the Imperial Master."

Ruyi: "Wait a moment, the concubines will give the scriptures they copied to the master for recitation."

Hongli: "I have something else to do in the morning court, so I will return to the Yangxin Palace first."

Anji bowed and Ruyi escorted Hongli out of the palace. Ruyi was about to step out of the main hall when she tripped over the threshold.

Anji was right behind Ruyi, and he reached out to support her, saying worriedly, "Noble Concubine Xian, be careful."

The emperor looked back at Ruyi and Anji's actions, frowned and said, "Ruyi, be careful."

Ruyi bowed and said, "Yes. Farewell, Your Majesty."

Hongli left. Kexin and Anxin came in together and bowed, saying, "Greetings to Consort Xian. Greetings to Master."

Ruyi: "Get up."

Ke Xin: "Master, Concubine Chun and Concubine Zhe are both kind-hearted. They pricked their fingers and copied the mantra a hundred times, hoping to pray for the eldest and third princes."

Anji nodded and said, "Once I have finished reciting it, I will present it to the Buddha and pay my respects. I will also convey the loving kindness of Concubine Chun and Concubine Zhe."

Ke Xin and An Xin bowed and said, "Thank you, Master. I will take my leave first."

Ruyi exclaimed in admiration, "Master, your cultivation is profound. Everyone in the palace holds you in high esteem."

Anji praised her in return, "Her Royal Concubine Xian goes to the Anhua Palace every morning and evening to burn incense. She is truly sincere."

Ruyi smiled and said, "Being able to be accompanied by Buddhist music, I feel very peaceful in my heart."

Anji: "I have two things I can give to Concubine Xian."

Anduo brought a handful of Tibetan incense and a bronze incense burner.

Anji explained, "I obtained this Tibetan incense from the borderlands. It can accumulate boundless merit. If Concubine Xian likes accessories, wearing the seven-treasure beads will surely increase her peace and tranquility."

Ruyi smiled and said, "Thank you for the advice, Master."

A young palace maid behind Ruyi heard everything and quietly told Chen Wanyin the news after returning to the palace.

Hongli sat in the sedan chair and watched many palace maids heading towards Anhua Palace with great interest.

Hongli frowned and asked, "Are these palace maids going to Anhua Palace?"

Li Yu replied, "Yes. It's rare for the master to enter the palace, and the palace ladies all want to hear him chant and receive blessings."

Jinzhong observed his expression and said, "The master is well versed in Buddhism and is also handsome and elegant. The palace maids are visiting him very frequently."

The emperor frowned and said, "The women in the palace rarely see outsiders. Although the Imperial Preceptor is a monk, we must avoid suspicion. After the prayer is over, order him to leave the palace early."

Jinzhong and Li Yu replied, "Yes."

Gyeongin Palace

Ruyi came in with a smile on her face, and behind her, Jinxin was holding the Tibetan incense and incense burner given by Master Anji.

Ruyi smiled and ordered, "Light up the Tibetan incense that the master gave me."

Jin Xin replied, "Yes."

In the evening, after Ruyi finished bathing, she stood up and Jinxin came forward to wrap her whole body with a large piece of silk. Ruyi looked at her figure in the mirror and was very satisfied. Jinxin was busy serving her.

Sanbao came over holding a washbasin. A man in white was about to climb over the wall to leave. Sanbao was so scared that he dropped the washbasin. The man immediately climbed over the wall and left.

Sanbao yelled, "There's an assassin! There's an assassin!"

A man in white climbed over the wall and disappeared quickly. The guards who were patrolling nearby heard Sanbao's cry and saw the man in white climbing over the wall and shouting loudly.

Guard A: "Who's there? Quick! Chase them!"

Guard B: There is an assassin in Jingren Palace! Catch the assassin!

Sanbao ran into the main hall and explained the whole story.

Ruyi looked bewildered and asked, "How could there be an assassin in Jingren Palace? Have they been caught?"

Sanbao said in confusion: "The assassin ran fast and has disappeared."

Ruyi ordered, "Hurry and report to the Emperor what happened tonight. Send more men to thoroughly search Jingren Palace and the other palaces. Most importantly, protect the Emperor."

Ruyi sat there for a long time, still not realizing what had happened. Sanbao came back and reported, "Master, we've searched everywhere, but there's no trace of the assassin."

Ruyi became even more confused.

East Side Hall of Jingren Palace

The man in white climbed over the wall and then climbed back, hiding in Chen Wanyin's palace. Chen Wanyin handed the guard's clothes to the man in white. The man in white hid behind the screen and changed into them. Then he pretended nothing had happened and went out, mixed into the guard team and disappeared.

Chen Wanyin asked Shunxin to light a brazier, and the two of them quietly hid in the hall and burned the white clothes.

Shunxin complained, "Master, after this, our money is almost gone."

It is not easy to find an assassin with high martial arts skills. Chen Wanyin spent a lot of effort and money to bribe a personal guard to do things for her. However, she was not favored and her mother's family was not prominent, so this incident directly spent all the money.

Chen Wanyin sighed and said, "Let's take it one step at a time. As long as Yongqi can come back to my side, it will be worth it."

Chen Wanyin found a piece of red plum blossom paper, sprinkled with gold, that she had taken from Ruyi, and carefully wrote: "Putting the lotus in my sleeve, the lotus heart is completely red. Thinking of my lover who has not come, I look up at the flying geese. I have received this gift from you, and I know that we are in love. If you are willing, I will wait for you tonight in the eastern warm room of Jingren Palace."

Shunxin took the letter, folded it, and threw it under the corner of Jingren Palace when Muer and his men came to guard the palace. Shunxin winked at the people in the team, pointed in the direction, and left.

The man understood and walked in that direction.

Yangxindian

Hongli frowned and said, "There's an assassination in Jingren Palace, and they haven't found the cause yet. The assassination has even reached my concubine's palace. Moore, you lead your men to clear the palace and patrol carefully."

Moore: “Yes.”

Gyeongin Palace

The man found the letter, opened it, looked at it, and was shocked. He shouted, "Master Moore!"

Moore came hurriedly, took the letter, his face changed, and ordered the guards to search Jingren Palace strictly.

Chen Wanyin burned the evidence early and escaped. Moore and his men searched around Jingren Palace and asked Master Anji if he had anything to give to Concubine Xian.

Jinxin and Sanbao looked at each other, knelt down and responded, and took out the gifts they had given each other that day.

Moore hurried back to the Yangxin Palace with the evidence: the Tibetan incense and the incense burner, and the witnesses: Sanbao and Jinxin.

Yangxindian

Moore explained the whole story in detail and called up the guard who discovered the incident.

The guard answered Wang Qin's question tremblingly, insisting that he discovered it accidentally and knew nothing about it.

Sanbao and Jinxin also insisted that Master Anji only gave them Tibetan incense and an incense burner, nothing else.

Hongli then asked Wang Qin to inquire about Master Anji's whereabouts. Wang Qin reported back, "Your Majesty, the master claimed that he wanted to meditate in seclusion and locked himself in the second floor of the Anhua Hall, not allowing any monks to enter or leave."

Hongli frowned and said, "Call Consort Xian."

Li Yu replied, "Yes."

On the way, Li Yu told Ruyi the whole story. Ruyi came to the Yangxin Palace in a rage. Hongli actually suspected that she had an affair with Master Anji?

Ruyi rushed in and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Hongli: "Get up, Ruyi! Muer and his men found this in your palace. The handwriting is clearly yours. How do you explain it?"

Ruyi took the letter and after reading it, she retorted, "This handwriting is indeed similar to mine, but it is certainly not mine."

Hongli was suspicious and said, "You learned calligraphy from Madam Wei. No other concubine in the palace has learned it, so it's impossible to imitate it. If Imperial Concubine Hui were still alive, perhaps she could copy a little, but Imperial Concubine Hui is far away in the Jinan Palace, so there's no one else to help."

Ruyi was deeply hurt by Hongli's suspicious look and said coldly, "I am tired of saying the word 'innocent'. I have done nothing wrong. Those who are innocent are innocent. I have nothing to refute."

Sanbao and Jinxin, who were kneeling on the ground, were in disbelief and shouted, "Master!"

Hongli looked at Ruyi's angry face and said helplessly, "Forget it, Ruyi, you go down, I will find out."

Ruyi stood up angrily, turned around and left without caring about the lives of Sanbao and Jinxin.

Sanbao and Jinxin were taken to the Ministry of Punishment.