Chapter 54: “All Are Granddaughters, None More Important Than the Other”

The door creaked open. Seeing Nanny Gui come out, Tang Rong immediately rushed forward with tear-filled eyes:
“Did Grandmother agree to see me?”

Nanny Gui first gave a polite bow to Tang Mi, then looked at Tang Rong and said,
“The Old Madam has sent word: she asks that you return and devote yourself to chanting sutras. There is no need for you to come again.”

Tang Rong’s face instantly turned pale. She staggered a step back and almost fell.

Why? She had done so much already, why was Grandmother still unwilling to let her return to the Tang household?

It had to be because of that wretched Tang Mi. She must have said something deliberately to turn Grandmother’s heart against her.

Thinking this, Tang Rong glared at Tang Mi with hatred.

Tang Mi, however, didn’t even glance at her. She simply asked Nanny Gui, “Has Grandmother taken her noon rest?”

Nanny Gui cast a glance at Tang Rong and gave a bitter smile:
“She had just fallen asleep when Fourth Miss arrived.”

A flicker of concern passed through Tang Mi’s eyes: “I’ll go check on Grandmother.”

Nanny Gui quickly nodded and was about to let Tang Mi inside, but then Tang Rong spoke again:
“Nanny Gui, I’ve copied many Buddhist scriptures for Grandmother over the past few days. Could you please give them to her for me?”

She handed over a small ornate box she had brought.

Nanny Gui glanced at the box, then at Tang Rong.

These scriptures… she doubted Tang Rong had copied them herself. If she really had devoted so much time to copying scriptures, how could she still carry such a heavy aura of resentment?

Rather than copying scriptures with such effort, it would be better if she truly let go of her grievances. Perhaps everything would be different.

Nanny Gui sighed silently, took the box, and followed Tang Mi inside.

As soon as they left, Tang Rong dropped her act, kicking the wall in a rage.

“Damn that Tang Mi! I’ll never let her off!”

From beginning to end, neither Qin-shi (Tang Rong’s mother) nor Tang Ying (her sister) came out. It was as if Tang Rong had never even come. Not even when she left did they bother to see her off.

However, when she exited the north wing, Tang Song was waiting for her outside.

“Big Brother!” The moment she saw him, Tang Rong’s eyes turned red again.

Tang Song stepped forward and, like when they were children, patted her head. But when he saw her bald head under the veil, a sharp pain struck his heart. He silently withdrew his hand.

“Did Grandmother see you?”

Tang Rong shook her head: “No.”

Then, eyes red with rage, she said,
“It’s all because of that Tang Mi. If she hadn’t come out talking nonsense, Grandmother would’ve seen me for sure!”

Grandmother was softhearted, if she had just cried and begged, Grandmother would have definitely agreed to let her return. It was all Tang Mi’s fault!

A cold light flashed in Tang Song’s eyes, but he gently comforted her,
“Don’t worry. Grandmother will be staying here for seven days. We still have time. Let’s follow the plan, she will definitely let you return.”

Tang Rong nodded tearfully.

“Come on, I’ll walk you back,” Tang Song said with a relaxed smile.

“Okay.” Tang Rong replied softly, then followed him away.

Jingyue Nunnery was right next to Baima Temple. Baima Temple was a monastery for monks; Jingyue was a convent for nuns. The temple was grand and solemn, with a respected abbot known for conducting important rituals. The nunnery, on the other hand, was quiet and popular with women praying for marriage or children.

Since the two temples were next to each other, visits between them were common, and someone like Tang Rong walking between them didn’t draw much attention.

Tang Ying stood by the window, watching Tang Song escort Tang Rong next door. Jealousy flickered in her eyes as she muttered,
“Big Brother really treats Rong’er well.”

Qin-shi, hearing this, glared at her,
“Your sister is in such a state, of course your brother is concerned. Isn’t he just as good to you?”

Tang Ying glanced at her mother, knowing she had always lacked insight, and couldn’t be bothered to argue. She looked away and went back to sipping tea.

“Do you think your grandmother refused to see your sister because of what that little wretch Tang Mi said?” Qin-shi asked anxiously. She had originally wanted to help Tang Rong, but Tang Ying had stopped her.

“She dotes on Tang Mi the most. You know that,” Tang Ying replied indifferently.

“That Tang Mi! She just can’t stand to see us doing well!” Qin-shi snapped angrily, then fretted,
“What if your grandmother never lets your sister return?”

Tang Ying put down her teacup, calm and composed:
“It’s only the first day. We still have six more to go. What’s the rush?”

“But what if that wretched Tang Mi meddles again?” Qin-shi was getting anxious. Her daughter was stuck in a nunnery, how could she not worry?

Tang Ying wasn’t concerned about Tang Mi. She raised her brows and said confidently:
“As long as Fourth Sister does as I instructed, Grandmother will soften. After all, Father is Grandmother’s biological son, and we are all her biological granddaughters. She has feelings for us too. If Tang Rong plays her part right, I believe Grandmother will relent.”

As for Tang Mi, Tang Ying wasn’t worried. No matter how much Grandmother doted on Tang Mi, she also doted on them. They were all her granddaughtersnone more important than the other. The key was to make Grandmother soften her heart. This was only the first day, there were still many tricks left to play. Grandmother couldn’t stay unmoved forever.

Seeing Tang Ying so confident, Qin-shi finally calmed down.
“Did you arrange for Prince Yu to visit today?”

Tang Ying’s gaze flickered. She picked up her teacup again:
“Don’t ask about Prince Yu. I’ll handle it.”

Qin-shi knew better than to press further. Her daughter had always been capable, she had no need to worry.

Next door, Tang Mi was also thinking about Tang Rong.

In truth, Tang Mi wasn’t worried about Tang Rong at all. Whether or not she returned to the Tang household, it didn’t matter. If she did return, Tang Mi could destroy her once and she could do it again.

Besides, Tang Rong’s reputation was already ruined. Even if she returned, she’d never be able to step outside the Tang estate again.

But Tang Ying, Tang Mi was more concerned about her.

Based on her knowledge of Tang Ying, she was definitely planning something big. And Ye Junyu was watching like a hungry tiger. So during these days at the temple, Tang Mi had to be cautious, very cautious.

Not knowing what Tang Ying was planning, Tang Mi thought of Qianliu. If she could win over Qian Liu from Baima Temple, that would be a great asset.

Nightfall.

“Qianliu, go find Steward Cao. I’ll take your place for the night,” said Yiyun, volunteering to take Qianliu’s night duty.

“Thanks.” Qianliu replied distractedly.

She didn’t want to see Steward Cao, but when she thought of her younger sister, she had no choice but to compromise.

She wrapped herself in a cloak and headed toward the north wing.

As soon as she moved, Ban Xia received word and immediately reported to Tang Mi:
“Miss, Qianliu has gone to the north wing.”

Tang Mi’s eyes narrowed. She got up and dressed at once.
“Let’s go have a look.”

Ban Xia quickly grabbed a cloak for her, and the two of them headed to the north wing.