Following the location specified by the Prince of Ranan, Xiao Shan indeed found the tiger tally. After authenticating its genuineness, he presented it to Emperor Mingde.
The Lunar New Year was fast approaching, and the Dusheng Pagoda was opened. The imperial family, as in previous years, honored both deities and Buddhas, praying for the people's blessings.
The divine maiden accompanied the Emperor. Protected by layers of guards, the streets were cleared, and the area outside the Dusheng Pagoda was packed with people. A red carpet was laid out, and the imperial guards, clad in golden armor with long spears, resembled heavenly generals escorting the Emperor and the divine maiden. They formed an impenetrable barrier, making it impossible to see anyone within.
The commoners knelt and cheered until the Emperor and the divine maiden entered the pagoda.
The founder of the Dusheng Pagoda, Master Kongji, had been traveling for over thirty years. The current abbot was his grand-disciple, Liaowu. Emperor Mingde, accompanied by his ministers, stood before a colossal Buddha statue and accepted the incense sticks handed to him by Liaowu. He then turned to see Lingyao standing rigidly, her gaze sweeping around.
"Imperial Sister, deities and Buddhas share the same origin. Offer some incense!"
Lingyao looked at him, her eyes suddenly sharpening. She reached out and grabbed Emperor Mingde, pulling him behind her.
He felt the hand gripping his arm like an iron hook. He stumbled, almost losing his imperial crown.
"Protect the Emperor!"
A loud shout followed, and Song Beiting drew his sword, lunging at the novice monk who had just attempted to assassinate Emperor Mingde.
The novice monk had already been kicked aside by Lingyao. He offered little resistance before being subdued by Song Beiting.
Emperor Mingde then looked at Lingyao in shock, only to see her stand with her back to everyone, her belly protruding slightly.
Her belly protruding?
Was she faking her pregnancy?
No, no, no, she wasn't his little sister. Those eyes were so sharp they sent a chill down his spine. Who was she?
"Your Majesty, the outside world is unpredictable. It would be best to return to the palace swiftly." "Lingyao" whispered as she leaned closer to him.
Emperor Mingde understood. This was undoubtedly another scheme by Xiao Shan. No wonder he wasn't by his side today!
Song Beiting approached and asked, "Your Majesty, Princess, are you alright?"
He looked at Lingyao searchingly, with a hint of suspicion.
"We are fine." Emperor Mingde glanced around. "Minister Cao, remain here to investigate thoroughly. Let us return to the palace!"
The Emperor and the divine maiden soon departed the Dusheng Pagoda. The crowd surged forward, and a mother and daughter-in-law were jostled, stumbling about.
"Mother-in-law, it's too chaotic. Let's go back!"
"No! You think you can slack off? Don't always think of making my son work so hard. Look how thin he's become. You don't care about your own husband at all. Having you is completely useless!"
The old woman's face was thin and pale, devoid of color, with dark circles under her eyes, clearly the result of chronic lack of rest.
This mother and daughter-in-law were Wang Cuilan, the mother of Liu Donghuai from Bozi Village in Donglin County, and his wife, Su Yurou.
Because the imperial examinations after the New Year had been moved up to the capital, they had arrived early, intending to rent a courtyard and study peacefully while waiting. Unexpectedly, all their travel money was stolen on the way. After barely making it to the capital, Liu Donghuai found work copying books. He also begged and pleaded with people to rent them a place to stay first, promising payment a month later, which is how they secured a temporary residence.
They had heard that the Dusheng Pagoda was bustling with people these days, with everyone in the capital coming to offer incense. Thus, they brought the sachets they had sewn themselves, hoping to sell some for money.
They hadn't realized they would encounter the Emperor and the divine maiden's procession, leading to such a large crowd.
Wang Cuilan clutched the sachets tightly in her hand and struggled to push through the throng.
Su Yurou harbored resentment but could do nothing. Thinking of Liu Donghuai, she swallowed all her grievances.
She could only hope that her husband would succeed in the examinations this time.
Wang Cuilan finally reached a less crowded spot and gasped for breath.
"Su Shi, Su Shi—" Her cloudy eyes searched for her daughter-in-law.
Suddenly, her eyes fixed on a certain spot.
That hunter surnamed Xiao...
Why was he here?
And there was a young woman beside him.
"Oh—"
Lost in her observation, she was bumped by a man and her sachets scattered on the ground.
Not only that, but her elbow felt as if it were broken, and the pain made it impossible for her to get up.
"Su Shi, Su Shi..." Wang Cuilan cried out. As she turned, she saw Su Yurou looking in their direction, a strange smile on her face.
She was startled, then looked again and saw Su Shi hurrying over, her face etched with concern: "Mother-in-law, are you alright? Let me help you up."
Wang Cuilan, ignoring the piercing pain, got up and then looked towards the distant hillside. No one was there anymore.
Was that the hunter surnamed Xiao?
Yes, it must have been. Few people had such a physique. It was definitely him.
Judging by his attire, he seemed to be from a wealthy family. Had he prospered?
She had heard that he had been retaliated against by enemies, and his purchased wife had been burned alive. At the time, she had even muttered, "Evil deeds meet their retribution." Could the woman beside him now be his new wife?
With all her sachets soiled, Wang Cuilan was filled with anger and pain. She glared fiercely at Su Yurou, blaming her for being a spendthrift!
She offered no help to Donghuai and was always a burden!
"There are people giving out porridge at the city gate. Let's go and get two bowls."
This way, they could save on dinner, and her son could have an easier time.
Wasn't that like begging for food?
Su Yurou's family was at least a minor wealthy household in Donglin. She had never experienced such hardship and couldn't possibly bring herself to do that. Her face stiffened, and she refused to move.
"Hurry up!"
Wang Cuilan tried to pull her, but the force caused her injured arm to throb with pain. She cried out in agony, completely afraid to move again.
Her arm was truly broken.
She heard the grating sound of bone rubbing against bone.
...
Behind the Dusheng Pagoda, an inconspicuous carriage was parked.
A woman carrying a swaddled infant hurried to the carriage. The person inside eagerly leaned out and took the baby.
"After forty-nine days of purification before the Buddha, the young lady said that the master may examine the area behind his right ear."
After forty-nine days of purification, all sins and impurities had been removed.
This child was pure and would no longer suffer heavenly punishment.
Prince Ranan wiped away tears of excitement. He reached out and examined the baby, discovering a red mole the size of a red bean behind his right ear.
It was identical to the one behind his left ear!
Tears streamed down his face as he laughed and cried, "What is there to look at? Don't I still trust her? Just by looking at the child's face, I know. A round face, just like his mother."
He was content, truly content.
A mere mortal, a foolish man of grass and wood. There would be no more Prince Ranan in this world.
As the carriage gradually moved away, on the hilltop, Xiao Shan wrapped his arm around Lingyao's waist. "Alright, Your Highness the esteemed Princess, shall we return, or take another stroll?"
"Let's go and observe the people's conditions!"
"Ah, the Princess truly cares for the nation and its people!"
The two left the Dusheng Pagoda and, in their carriage, quickly arrived at the city gate. They had heard that for the past few days, people had been distributing porridge here, and they were all young ladies from prominent families.
Xiao Shan helped Lingyao onto the city wall. At the base of the wall, several long queues had formed, with many refugees orderly receiving porridge.
Chen Kui had assigned several guards to maintain order and was himself moving among the crowd, questioning anyone suspicious.
Xiao Shan nodded. The young man was quite diligent.
Lingyao, however, looked at the people distributing porridge and asked, "Whose daughters are those distributing porridge? They are indeed kind-hearted."
"Kind-hearted?"
"Are they not?"
Xiao Shan looked at her pure eyes, in which his reflection was clearly visible. The wind on the city wall was strong, causing her veil to cling to her face. He adjusted her hat more snugly.
Perhaps out of habit, he always felt she might be cold.
"Silly girl, your imperial brother is now like a piece of fat meat. Everyone wants a bite!"