Chapter 50

The room was filled with a faint cold fragrance.

Sang Yao subconsciously tightened her sleeves because of her guilt. She was so nervous that her mind was almost blank.

Unlike Li Yaoge, Ming Rong’s malice was not very obvious. She wouldn’t directly mock or insult her. Her contempt and superiority were ingrained, often commanding rather than demanding. At this moment, this seemingly casual remark made Sang Yao feel like Ming Rong was interrogating her.

It felt like she was threatening her, so she was particularly nervous.

Sang Yao didn’t care about her contempt and arrogance; she was only worried about what she might do if she found out. Ming Rong stared at her and continued, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

She smiled and said, “Miss Sang, I’m just curious, don’t be nervous.” Sang Yao looked away and said, “…There’s nothing for me to be nervous about.”

She sat down, lips tight, constantly telling herself that Ming Rong couldn’t possibly know about the incident at the princess’s mansion. She said, “I indeed didn’t go to chant scriptures.”

Forcing herself to calm down, she said with a mix of truth and falsehood, “Because I lived in the temple when I was young, but as I grew up, I never had contact with Buddhist scriptures again.”

“I’ve forgotten a lot, and I’m afraid that if I go and can’t chant smoothly, it would be disrespectful to the Buddha.” “So I asked the little novice if there were any other rooms.”

Ming Rong asked again, “If you couldn’t chant smoothly, why did you still force yourself to come?”

Almost all the women with Sang Yao were of royal descent, with some royal blood. Ming Rong would never believe that no one was secretly manipulating things.

Sang Yao quickly replied, “It was my father. He thought I always stayed in the mansion and wanted me to go out and see the world.” Ming Rong didn’t speak, and Sang Yao didn’t know if she believed her or not. After a while, Ming Rong seemed to understand and said, “I see.”

Crossing her legs, Ming Rong gently swung her feet and said, “Since that’s the case, why don’t you just tell me that you don’t want to go? Miss Sang, there’s no need for you to force yourself like this.”

Sang Yao felt that her mind had never been as agile as it was today. She maintained a calm expression and said, “I’m afraid you might be displeased with me, Miss Ming, thinking that I’m sly and deceitful. If word of this were to spread…”

Ming Rong nodded and said, “It’s okay, Miss Sang. I am easy to talk to.”

These were familiar words. Rong Yan had said the same to her before, truly a man of his word. Sang Yao smiled awkwardly.

She guessed that this disaster had probably passed her by.

For the rest of the afternoon, she dared not leave her room for fear of being too nervous and giving herself away, but also not wanting to be too lax and accidentally reveal something that would lead to her downfall.

According to the hexagram, the Ministry of Rites had set the time for the sacrifice to be tomorrow at the hour of Chen.

They arrived at the Northern Palace just before the afternoon, and the preparations seemed to be pressing. Sang Yao, not wanting to be in the same room as Ming Rong all the time, went out for a walk near dusk.

Everyone passing by seemed to be in a hurry. Sang Yao walked alone for a while and then saw Xie Yun in front of a palace.

She stopped in her tracks, wondering how she could encounter Xie Yun everywhere. At this moment, there was an old courtier standing beside him, facing Sang Yao, but she couldn’t see his face clearly.

The old courtier stood in front of Xie Yun, his expression not very pleasant. He was speaking to Xie Yun in a stern manner, accompanied by gestures, looking somewhat agitated. Xie Yun, on the other hand, looked impatient, as if he might leave in the next moment.

Behind them were busy palace maids and eunuchs from the Ministry of Rites.

People were coming and going, occasionally seeking advice, and the old courtier would hastily give some instructions before returning to talk to Xie Yun.

Sang Yao found it somewhat intriguing.

Was Xie Yun arguing with someone? It seemed like it, but also not quite.

In fact, Xie Yun was not arguing at all. It was the old courtier who was unilaterally accusing him.

Although Xie Huan was over forty, he still looked very upright. However, years of accumulated authority made him seem unapproachable. He whispered, “You must tell me today who that woman was yesterday! “

Xie Yun couldn’t be bothered with him.

Xie Huan said, “If you don’t tell me today, I won’t know what nonsense you dare to do in this temple with others!” Xie Yun replied, “Is seeing and hearing the same as reality, Elder Xie? You seem rather shallow.”

Xie Huan snorted coldly and said, “Oh, even if it’s not true, what were you doing bringing someone back to your room in the middle of the night? Chatting?”

Xie Yun ignored him again.

Xie Huan’s expression grew worse. He continued to lower his voice, making his intentions clear, “You must get married this year! If you disagree, your mother and I will go live at Qiyang Temple. You can take over as the Chancellor, do as you please.” Xie Yun remained silent for a moment and then said, “I’m sure Master Changnian would be very pleased to welcome you both.”

Xie Huan fell silent for a while, then said, “I hope your son will treat you the same way in the future. ”

Xie Yun replied, “I probably won’t have a son.” “Can you say that again to me?”

Sang Yao remained silent for a while. Yang Wenchuan didn’t know when he had walked up to her. He whispered, “Yao Yao?”

Sang Yao’s heart tightened, and she quickly looked away. She looked at Yang Wenchuan in surprise and asked, “Big Brother Yang, what are you doing here?”

Yang Wenchuan had his hands behind his back and said gently, “I followed the teacher here to go through tomorrow’s schedule. The Ministry of Rites is still preparing, so I came out first.”

He glanced at Xie Yun on the steps and asked, “Were you watching Lord Xie, Yao Yao?” Sang Yao didn’t know why, but every time she tried to sneak a peek at Xie Yun, she would be caught.

Denying it now seemed somewhat futile. She said awkwardly, “I… just happened to see him. They seemed to be arguing, which is strange.”

Yang Wenchuan glanced over and explained, “That’s Elder Xie.”

Sang Yao widened her eyes, thinking no wonder, she had just been wondering who would dare argue with Xie Yun. Yang Wenchuan chuckled and asked, “Why are you out? Shouldn’t you be resting in your room?”

Sang Yao said, “I came out for a walk. Big Brother Yang, you don’t need to worry about me. Go about your business.”

The two walked side by side. Yang Wenchuan said, “It’s okay, I’m not busy right now.”

He whispered to Sang Yao, “To be honest, I’m just here to be nosy. I can’t really help with anything.”

Sang Yao laughed and said, “Well, you’re definitely more useful than me.”

Yang Wenchuan glanced back at Xie Yun and said, “Yao Yao, I think Elder Xie is probably talking about Lord Xie’s marriage, not arguing.”

“When I was still at home, my parents were always urging me to get married.”

Sang Yao thought for a moment. Yang Wenchuan wasn’t young anymore. According to the normal age to marry, he should have children by now. “Is it because you haven’t met the right woman?”

Yang Wenchuan pursed his lips and said after a moment of contemplation, “That was the case before, but now it seems different.”

Sang Yao was about to respond when…

Upon understanding his words, Sang Yao couldn’t help but widen her eyes in astonishment. Her beautiful eyes were full of surprise as she asked, “Big Brother Yang, do you have someone you like? Who is she?”

Yang Wenchuan chuckled, meeting Sang Yao’s gaze. Unlike Xie Yun, Yang Wenchuan had light-colored irises, and when he smiled, he appeared very gentle.

He didn’t speak. Sang Yao felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze.

“Big Brother Yang…”

Yang Wenchuan looked away and said, “It’s just that I don’t know if she would accept me. I also don’t know how to approach her without causing offense.”

Sang Yao nervously tugged at her sleeve and said, “Big Brother Yang, you’re so outstanding. She will definitely agree.”

However, Yang Wenchuan shook his head and said, “But I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. If she agrees reluctantly due to various external pressures, she will feel regretful.”

Sang Yao was stunned.

She pondered the meaning of his words. Sang Yao had never thought of herself as compromising or accepting someone she didn’t like. Because in the capital, almost everyone did the same. Marriages were often based on family background and mutual benefits, and there was nothing unacceptable about it.

Living a respectful and harmonious life together was actually quite good, and this was already the ideal for most people. But Sang Yao didn’t know if making such a choice would really leave her with regrets in the future.

She sincerely exclaimed, “Big Brother Yang, if you think like this, she will definitely be happy.”

Yang Wenchuan asked, “Why do you say that, Yao Yao?”

Sang Yao said, “I don’t know, but if someone said this to me, I would be happy.”

Yang Wenchuan looked at her again, behind her was a palace with red walls and yellow tiles, and the vast sky occasionally had birds flying by.

Yang Wenchuan always hesitated to pressure her into making choices at inappropriate times, but at this moment, he still asked the question.

Sang Yao pursed her lips. She felt that Yang Wenchuan’s gaze was a bit cautious, waiting for her answer, but also somewhat fearful.

Sang Yao didn’t understand why he was looking at her like this. The discomfort finally reached its peak at this moment, and a vague suspicion arose in her mind. She remembered her conversation with Sang Yan.

After a moment, under Yang Wenchuan’s gaze, she slowly opened her mouth and said, “I…”

Before she could finish her sentence, she noticed Xie Yun out of the corner of her eye.

He was far away from them, on the high white jade steps, and hadn’t noticed her.

Xie Huan had finished speaking and left. Xie Yun turned around, instructing someone beside him. People were busy coming and going, he stood with his back to her, the gentle sunlight casting a long shadow.

The long and high white jade steps shimmered in the sunlight, one step after another. They were precious, magnificent, and grand, and she couldn’t cross them.

Yang Wenchuan remained silent for a long time. He turned his head and followed Sang Yao’s gaze.

However, Sang Yao withdrew her gaze at this moment. She truthfully said to Yang Wenchuan, “I’m willing.”

She felt she wouldn’t regret it. All human troubles stem from desire, including the desire for love and the desire for someone who is hard to let go of. Regret only arises from wanting something but never getting it.

And she seemed to have never wanted these things.

When Sang Yao returned, it was already nearing the hour of Shen.

Ming Rong was still in the room.

Sang Yao pushed the door open and entered. Ming Rong looked at her and asked lightly, “Miss Sang, are you going to recite scriptures tonight?” Sang Yao was suddenly energized.

What did she mean? Is Rong Yan coming tonight? Are they…?

Sang Yao said, “…I don’t know.”

Ming Rong looked at her and continued, “It should be necessary, right? Miss Sang, I’m just asking. If you don’t want to go, it’s okay.”

“But I actually prefer you to go.”

“Miss Sang, what do you think?”