Chapter 148 Visit to the Imperial Awakening Temple 2

Wei Wushuang’s delicate body trembled slightly; the Emperor was finally coming!

She lowered her head to adjust her clothes and instructed Yao Qin, “Go and fetch my plum blossom pleated skirt.”

“Yes.” Yao Qin hurried off to get Wei Wushuang’s clothes. Following Wei Wushuang’s instructions, she changed her hairstyle and carefully adjusted her makeup.

Wei Wushuang looked at herself in the mirror, had Yao Qin make some adjustments, and finally felt somewhat satisfied. She got up, took Yao Qin, and headed to the area outside the hall where the late Empress Dowager was enshrined.

The young novice monk guarding the door dared not look at Wei Wushuang. After making eye contact with Yao Qin, he lowered his head, silently opened the door, and let Wei Wushuang in.

Wei Wushuang smiled triumphantly. She had been at the Temple for almost a year, and her efforts and skills over the years had not been in vain. She had spent time and money to win over some young monks for her use and had helped them establish themselves in the temple, earning the abbot’s favor.

The young monk guarding the door had secured this position under her instructions.

Upon entering the hall, Wei Wushuang knelt before the tablet of the late Empress Dowager, devoutly praying. Slightly tilting her head, she turned to Yao Qin and whispered in satisfaction, “You’ve done well. Once this is accomplished, I will reward you handsomely.”

Although she had been ennobled, Wei Wushuang refused to acknowledge this title. Privately, she still considered herself a lady of the Wei family estate.

Yao Qin happily responded, “Thank you, Miss.”

Wei Wushuang fell silent, closing her eyes and kneeling in meditation.

After a while, footsteps and voices were heard outside the door.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. The temple is closed today, and no one has been allowed in.”

“The tablet of the late Empress Dowager is being watched over, and Princess Pingkang often comes to pay her respects.”

As the voices drew closer, Wei Wushuang’s heart raced with excitement. She recognized the familiar voice of the Emperor saying, “Princess Pingkang is devoted.”

Wei Wushuang was very pleased, thinking to herself, “The abbot does have good judgment.” Adjusting her expression to look surprised, she waited for the Emperor to enter.

Suddenly, urgent cries were heard from outside.

“Assassin!”

“Protect the Emperor!”

“Protect the Emperor!”

Wei Wushuang was momentarily stunned but quickly got up and pushed the door open.

Outside, the guards surrounded the Emperor, who was in the center, and there was a pool of blood on the ground.

The young monk who had been guarding the door was being held down by several guards, while the abbot and others stood by, unsure of what to do.

Seeing Wei Wushuang emerge from inside, the onlookers were initially startled. The guards raised their swords, but upon recognizing Wei Wushuang, they remained cautious. The weakened Emperor looked at Wei Wushuang with a hint of suspicion, closed his eyes to rest, and Ah Qing exclaimed, “Why is Princess Pingkang here?”

Wei Wushuang was momentarily stunned and stammered, “I, I, I came to pay respects to the late Empress Dowager.”

“What on earth is going on?”

Ah Qing listened with doubt but knew it wasn’t the time to ask questions. He quickly bowed to Wei Wushuang and said, “The young monk at the door, we don’t know where he came from, but he attacked the Emperor.”

Wei Wushuang looked at the young monk being held by the guards, displaying a fearless demeanor. She felt a chill creeping up inside her. How could this happen?

Seeing the situation temporarily under control, Ah Qing ordered a trusted guard, “Quickly, take a few skilled men and ride swiftly to fetch the imperial physician. It must be done quickly!”

“Yes,” the guard hurried off.

The personal guards brought by the Emperor had already surrounded everyone present, ensuring no one could leave.

As Wei Wushuang approached the Emperor, the guards blocked her path. She dared not show anger and cautiously asked, “Ah Qing, how is the Emperor?”

Ah Qing, feeling anxious, replied, “Princess Pingkang, I don’t know. We’ll have to wait for the physician to arrive to find out.”

…

Shu Yuwan was sitting on a soft couch, gently stirring a teacup, wondering what Wei Wushuang would do now that the Emperor had gone to the Temple. Just then, Qing Dai rushed into the hall, almost running, and reported urgently, “Madam, the Emperor was attacked at the Temple!”

The teacup in Shu Yuwan’s hand trembled, almost falling to the ground.