Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

Empress Dowager Li murmured: "No wonder..." Her son has always been cold-hearted and heartless. No woman can enter his eyes. After Concubine Yi entered the palace, Concubine Li also told her that the emperor treated Concubine Yi slightly differently. It turned out that there was another reason.

Qian Hui stood up and said, "Your Majesty, there have been occasional rumors in the harem lately. Even though I was in the previous dynasty, I have heard some of them. Some are making a fuss about the original engagement, saying that it was not just a verbal engagement, but that the six ceremonies had already been completed. In my opinion, this is not only slanderous to Consort Yi, but also an insult to Your Majesty. General Lan has strictly observed the etiquette of national mourning. He has not performed any ceremonies in the past three years and only verbally agreed to the engagement. Otherwise, how could the Lin family member have broken off the engagement so easily? It is clear that he knew that the official registration was not available."

Emperor Shenwu said, "It was when the Lin family's affair was exposed that I ordered an investigation and unexpectedly learned of the Lan family's loyal and righteous deeds. General Lan did this for the late emperor and did not want others to know about it. I simply followed his wishes."

Empress Dowager Li sighed, "Such loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and filial piety are truly worthy of a family that has been passed down for thousands of years!"

Emperor Shenwu continued, "As for the rumors, from today onwards, if there are any more such rumors, they are slandering and accusing me!"

A deep silence fell among the concubines in the six palaces. Concubine Jiang cast a thoughtful glance at the silent Lan Qingwu. Concubine Wan had recently been troubled by Concubine Qian's illness, while Concubine Chen sat still, her expression as usual. Empress Dowager Li also had a favorable impression of Concubine Yi. A daughter raised in the Lan family would surely be well-behaved.

In Suowu Palace, Lan Qingwu was quietly reading a book on the swing in the backyard.

Ru Ping came over lightly and said, "Master, Concubine Xie has invited you to a small gathering at her Heyao Palace."

Lan Qingwu frowned slightly: "But isn't Xiaoyan not allowed this month?"

Ru Ping replied, "It's just a small gathering of three or five people. As long as there's no transgression, there's nothing wrong with it. It's rumored that Concubine Xie is a descendant of the famous Wang and Xie aristocratic families, and she carries herself with a certain aristocratic arrogance. Her younger sister, Concubine Liang, who hails from a military background, will definitely be involved. The two have always been at loggerheads."

Lan Qingwu pondered, "The swallows that once graced the halls of the Wang and Xie clans now fly into the homes of ordinary people. Since she possesses the pride of aristocrats and still cherishes the glory of the Xie clan, she should have invited Noblewoman Wen instead. Why would she invite me?"

Ru Ping said, "That's right, we've also invited Lady Wen. She's due in over a month and she said she'd be happy to go."

Lan Qingwu closed the book in his hand and said, "It doesn't look like it's a good thing. Anyway, I also want to see the elegance of the Wang and Xie families."

I think it is because His Majesty commended the Lan family a few days ago, and people have remembered it. Civil officials and military officials have always been in opposition, and it is common for civil officials to look down on military generals. Naturally, the women in his family are also deeply affected.

However, this was bound to disappoint Lan Qingwu. She did not see the heritage and elegance of the daughter of the ancient aristocracy, but only saw a self-righteous, sarcastic concubine in the harem. She thought that the Wang and Xie families had indeed been exterminated, and the remaining Wang and Xie families were just imposters.

There were eight concubines in total, and I heard the two concubines, Xie and Liang, who had the highest positions at the banquet, talking to each other.

Xie Concubine said sarcastically, "Since Sister Liang Concubine came, the atmosphere in my palace has become less refined. How do you say it? Oh, rude!"

Liangpin replied, "Oh, how come my rude wind didn't tear off your skin, sister? And you even invited me eagerly. Is it because sister just loves to blow this wind?"

Concubine Xie said, "Sister, please be more reserved today. I have invited the noble lady Wen here today. The Shi family is the foremost family in the literary world. Sister, please restrain your military demeanor and stop making a fool of yourself."

Liangpin looked at the pregnant Wen Guiren and said, "It's really not easy. You're almost due, and you're still here to support me. If the baby is born in your palace by accident, His Majesty will reward you."

Lan Qingwu felt that Concubine Liang was also very vicious.

Noblewoman Wen frowned and said, "Sister Liangpin, please don't joke about the royal heir."

Liangpin said slowly, "I don't understand either. What could be more important than the child in my belly? Why do you have to join the crowd? What a pedantic and sour character of a scholar. Oh, I don't understand, I don't understand."

Lady Wen’s expression also turned unhappy.

Xiepin said, "Sister, please stop speaking without restraint and think about what scriptures you will read later."

Liangpin's face twitched. "Scriptures? Sister, your literary attainments have reached such a level. Would you like me to invite some highly respected masters to study with you?"

Xie Concubine's face turned pale. "What I meant is that we sisters should recite some scriptures together to pray for the late emperor."

Since the matter concerned the late emperor, Concubine Liang stopped talking.

Lan Qingwu and Wen Guiren happened to be sitting face to face, their eyes occasionally meeting and then immediately looking away.

Concubine Xie suddenly said, "Noble Lady Yi, I heard that your Lan family observed a three-year period of national mourning for the late emperor. I'm sure you are well-versed in the scriptures. Come here..."

I saw more than a dozen palace maids coming one after another, all of them holding trays, and each tray had more than a dozen volumes of scriptures on it.

Concubine Xie said solemnly, "Then please ask Noble Lady Yi to read this Great Prajnaparamita Sutra to the late emperor."

This scripture has six hundred volumes and is the most numerous of all the scriptures, containing millions of words. The concubines below were all looking at Lan Qingwu. Across from her, Noble Lady Wen stroked her abdomen and watched quietly. Concubine Liang frowned slightly and was about to speak when she saw Lan Qingwu stand up.

Was this because he was using the late emperor's name to make it impossible for him to refuse? Millions of words, if he finished reading it, his voice would be ruined. If he refused, he would be accused of disrespecting the late emperor.

Lan Qingwu stood up and bowed. "The Great Prajnaparamita Sutra means reaching the other shore through wisdom. The entire sutra aims to explain that worldly knowledge and all objects it encounters are the result of cause and effect, false and unreal. Only through understanding worldly truths through Prajna can one grasp the absolute truth and achieve enlightenment and liberation. Thank you, Madam. This is not a prayer or mourning text, and—"

She pointed to one of the scriptures. Ruping walked past the two palace maids in front of her and picked up a scripture from the tray of the third palace maid. It was the one Lan Qingwu pointed to. She presented it to Lan Qingwu. Lan Qingwu looked at the small Sanskrit characters on the scripture, opened the scripture, and presented it to the two concubines in the front, and then turned to show it to the other concubines in turn.

"Moreover, these scriptures are interspersed with Sanskrit volumes. Madam Xie, please forgive my lack of knowledge and ability to lead the reading. Or, Madam Xie, who is knowledgeable and talented, please read a few Sanskrit volumes first so that I and others can also have a taste of the Xie family's elegance."

Ruping took the Sanskrit scripture again, walked to the upper seat and presented it to Xie Shu, the maid of Concubine Xie. Xie Shu looked at Concubine Xie hesitantly. Concubine Xie's face turned slightly blue. The concubines in lower positions lowered their heads as if they did not exist. Concubine Liang had a faint smile on her face.