Resisting the Wind and Splendor

"But I... don't quite understand." After paying her respects, Chu Yueli walked to Yu Fei's side.

Although she didn't understand, she still knelt down when Granny Ji brought the prayer mat. Then she looked at Consort Yu and realized that she really didn't understand and had to wait for Consort Yu's instructions.

Granny Ji brought her a notebook, which was a copy of a sutra made by Consort Yu herself.

Consort Yu said softly, "Just recite it quietly with me."

"Yes." Chu Yueli nodded and began to read along with Consort Yu, word by word.

At first, Chu Yueli was a little nervous. She had only ever heard of chanting scriptures and reciting Buddhist mantras, and had never actually done it before.

But later, as I kept reading, I suddenly felt that my feelings had really been incorporated into it.

With a clear mind, he was simply praying, hoping that each additional prayer would bring Lu Beimo, far away on the frontier, a little more peace.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn quickly passed, and the two of them finished reciting the last part of the scripture.

With the help of Granny Ji, Consort Yu stood up. Chu Yueli also quickly stood up and looked at Consort Yu, saying, "Mother, shouldn't we go to Yongshou Palace to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager?"

Consort Yu glanced at Granny Ji, who said, "I've already sent someone to inquire. The Empress Dowager got up a long time ago, but she's still chanting scriptures."

Therefore, we cannot disturb you for the time being.

"However, I think it's about time; the Empress should be leaving soon," Granny Ji reminded her.

As a concubine, one should not keep the Empress waiting; this is a sign of respect for the Emperor's principal wife.

Yu Fei nodded and took Chu Yue Li's hand: "Then let's go."

Chu Yueli was still not very familiar with the rules of the palace. She would leave when Consort Yu told her to leave and eat when she was told to eat. Everything she did today was to follow Consort Yu's arrangements.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Consort Rui outside the gates of Yongshou Palace.

Consort Rui didn't have much hostility towards Consort Yu before. Firstly, her son was always in the northern frontier, and it was unknown whether he would come back alive, so Consort Rui didn't take her seriously.

Secondly, Consort Yu was always quiet in the harem, with an extremely low profile. Sometimes she wouldn't even come back to see the Emperor and Empress Dowager during the New Year. Even the Emperor and Empress Dowager didn't pay much attention to Consort Yu, so naturally, she, as a concubine, would be even less attentive.

This year, however, Consort Yu has been stealing the spotlight from the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

Who doesn't know that Prince Mo went to Southern Mongolia these days?

If Prince Mo really returns from Southern Mongolia, whether he brings back the brothers of the Chu family army or wipes out Southern Mongolia in one fell swoop, his future will be limitless.

He is highly likely to be the future crown prince.

At this time, Consort Yu's status in the harem rose rapidly due to her son's birth.

Of course Consort Rui disliked her; her son was no less than Lu Beimo!

"Why is Consort Yu staying in the palace this year? Didn't she prefer to spend the New Year in those desolate wilderness places? Didn't she used to preach that she was indifferent to worldly affairs and practice vegetarianism? Now she knows to come to Yongshou Palace to compete for favor?"

Consort Rui glanced sideways at Consort Yu.

She already disliked Consort Yu intensely, and now, with Consort Yu by her side was Chu Yueli, whom she particularly hated.

This pair embodies everything she dislikes; just looking at them feels like an eyesore.

Consort Rui was used to being arrogant and domineering in the palace, not even respecting the Empress. Of course, she would not take Consort Yu seriously at this time.

"It seems that all that talk about vegetarianism is just an illusion; deep down, he's nothing but a petty person."