Chapter 147 Visit to the Imperial Awakening Temple 1

Since Wang Fei started teaching at the girls’ school, those who were initially hesitant about sending their daughters there suddenly became enthusiastic. After all, she was a princess!

For a daughter to study at the girls’ school and later be able to say that she was a student of the princess was a huge temptation for girls from commoner families. Even those still in their boudoirs and noblewomen who had nowhere to go were intrigued.

The Academy once again became a hot topic of discussion in the capital.

“Why would Wang Fei, a dignified Queen, want to teach those girls from commoner families who have been divorced? Isn’t she lowering her status?”

“Hush, don’t speak recklessly. Don’t forget that even the Empress has been divorced. If someone hears you looking down on divorced women and it reaches the Empress’s ears, it won’t be good.”

A lady of the court disdainfully pursed her lips.

“Wang Fei must have been influenced by the Empress. The Empress divorced, and now she won’t let the Emperor take a concubine. In the harem, there’s only one Empress, one Crown Prince, and one…” She shook her head.

The more cautious ladies had already shifted back slightly in their seats, choosing not to speak further.

The previous speaker continued, “I wonder how the Empress can face herself.”

Another noblewoman nodded and smiled, “In a few days, it will be the anniversary of the late Empress Dowager Xiaoxian. I wonder if the Emperor will go to the Imperial Awakening Temple to pay his respects?”

They exchanged glances, understanding each other’s thoughts.

Even if the Emperor were to visit the Temple, he wouldn’t make a big fuss about it. They decided to let their daughters try their luck, as there was nothing to lose. Since the Empress had cut off the path of selecting concubines to enter the palace, they had to come up with their own solutions.

It turned out that their speculations were correct.

The Emperor did plan to visit the Temple to pay respects to the late Empress Dowager, but due to scheduling constraints, he went several days early. Their calculations were bound to be off.

In the  Kunde Palace,

To avoid the Emperor’s unnecessary back and forth, after dinner, they had Hong Gong Gong deliver the paperwork to the Kunde Palace. The Emperor reviewed the documents, while Shu Shu Yuwan handled palace affairs on the side. They would occasionally seek each other’s opinions on difficult matters.

After finishing the paperwork for the day, the Emperor engaged in casual conversation with Shu Yuwan, “Shu Yuwan, tomorrow when we go to the Temple, you don’t need to accompany me. If there are urgent matters in the palace, you can handle them.”

Shu Shu Yuwan nodded in agreement, “Alright.”

The Emperor had originally planned to go quietly, with both children in the palace and additional guards. He didn’t feel at ease without her, so it was better for her to stay in the palace. As for paying respects to the late Empress Dowager, she could go another day.

After Shu Yuwan finished handling palace affairs, she went to visit the two children. Qing Dai followed along and whispered, “Madam, Princess Pingkang is still at the Temple.”

Upon hearing this, Shu Yuwan understood Qing Dai’s meaning and replied after some thought, “Tomorrow, let Xiao Dezi accompany the Emperor.”

“Understood.” Qing Dai agreed and accompanied Shu Yuwan to check her children before going to instruct Xiao Dezi.

Princess Wei wushuang, now known as Princess Pingkang, still refused to marry and remained at the Temple, praying for the Emperor and for peace. Qing Dai, feeling like just a maid, found it hard to believe. She carefully instructed Xiao Dezi to keep an eye on Princess Pingkang’s movements when accompanying the Emperor to the temple.

Xiao Dezi, in charge of the outer court affairs of the  Kunde Palace, was clever and suited for the task.

He readily agreed, “Qing Dai, rest assured. I will keep a close eye on Princess Pingkang for the full twelve hours.”

Since the Empress had entrusted him, he had to handle the matter properly.

On the other side,

Wei Wushuang had been at the Temple for almost a year. Over the past six months, Mrs. Luo had made several trips each month, trying to persuade Wei Wushuang to find a suitable husband, but each time she returned disappointed.

Now, Mrs. Luo was starting to feel hopeless.

However, Wei Wushuang was becoming increasingly agitated.

She had entered the temple to avoid the rumors at the time and to show her determination not to marry anyone other than her brother, the Emperor. After all this time, she believed her brother knew the depth of her feelings for him.

She no longer sought to become the Empress but only wished to enter the palace as a consort. Due to her status as Princess Pingkang, she had no chance to participate in the palace selection process and had to find another way. After waiting for so long, she was finally going to see her brother at the Temple.

Once she entered the palace, with their deep childhood bond and the status of the Wei family in court, she believed that eventually, the position of Empress would be hers.

Shu Yuwan, a divorced woman, was not fit to be Empress. Wei Wushuang believed she was more deserving of the title and responsibilities.

Although Wei Wushuang was in the temple, she still had many attendants with her. In recent days, she had her maids closely monitor the activities in the temple.

Finally, one of her maids, Yao Qin, came over and said, “Miss, the temple is on high alert.”