Chapter 654 - Princess Tiancheng
Lin Mengya just glanced out casually. Fortunately, the place where she lived was the furthest away from here. Otherwise, she would really think that it was targeted at her.
The small episode was soon over.
All the titled women went to the room in an orderly manner.
As it was a yard of three rows of houses, they had to enter the inner courtyard through the main hall.
As soon as Lin Mengya walked out, she saw that the imperial concubines who came from the palace stood outside the room with their heads bowed in order of their ranks.
It must be because there were so many people that the Empress decided to meet everyone in the open space of the inner courtyard.
Lin Mengya followed behind the several other princesses in a low key, and did not meet the Empress’s eyes.
However, as soon as she stood still, she felt that a few eyes seemed to have fallen on her.
As she looked up, she saw a few familiar women.
It was Yun Chongrong and Hui Jieyu, who were with Beauty Cheng on the long street when Lin Mengya saw Beauty Cheng that day.
It was just that while Yun Chongrong was still smiling lightly, Hui Jieyu gave her a cold stare before turning her face away.
Lin Mengya was not afraid of her. She just felt that it was really a small world.
She had never expected to see the two of them here again. She nodded slightly as a response to Yun Chongrong.
Then, Lin Mengya turned around again because a strange girl who stood behind the Empress was smiling brightly at her.
Lin Mengya racked her brains but couldn’t remember her.
Immediately, she was on guard. But before she could react, the pretty girl in a blue palace dress hurried to her side.
She stretched out a pair of small white hands and held Lin Mengya’s wrists intimately. At the same time, a sweet smile broke out on her face, which was as white and tender as a lotus blossom.
“I’ve heard from Mother that Third Sister-in-law is the most outstanding person among all the sisters-in-law. When I saw you, I realized what Mother said was true. Third Sister-in-law, you’ve outshone everyone else here.”
As soon as the woman uttered these words, Lin Mengya couldn’t help frowning slightly.
Sure enough, a few princesses around her cryptically or directly cast dissatisfied looks at her.
Lin Mengya immediately put on a smile.
“It was only a compliment from Her Majesty. Why do you take it so seriously and make fun of me, Your Highness?” She stated.
Judging from her words, the girl should be a princess in the palace.
However, Lin Mengya only knew a few princes, and had no contact with the princesses who were kept in the palace.
Moreover, the royal family of Dajin attached great importance to the education of their princesses and rarely allowed them to show up before these girls reached adulthood.
Therefore, Lin Mengya could not tell from which palace the woman in front of her came.
“Third Sister-in-law, you really have a good tongue. No wonder Mother praised you so much. By the way, I forgot to tell you that I’m Princess Tiancheng. It’s the first time we met. You really impressed me, Third Sister-in-law.”
Princess Tiancheng? Lin Mengya suddenly remembered that in addition to her son who was the Crown Prince, the Empress did have a princess named Mengru.
At the age of 12, the princess had been bestowed with the title of “Tiancheng”. And because she was graceful and intelligent, she was beloved by the emperor and the Empress.
It seemed that it was the girl in front of Lin Mengya.
But as soon as she came to her, Princess Tiancheng had almost caused a disaster for her. She was afraid that this person might have malicious intent.
“Oh, it’s Princess Tiancheng. Nice to meet you.”
historical
Lin Mengya was indifferent to others. Even in the face of Princess Tiancheng who came from a prominent family, she did not try to curry favor with her.
Princess Tiancheng said a few more words to her, but Lin Mengya’s answer was flawless. Perhaps feeling bored, Princess Tiancheng turned around and returned to the Empress’s side.
Lin Mengya saw her whispered something in the Empress’s ear. Because of what had happened just now, she was really eye-catching.
Thus, she had to lower her head and focus on the ground beside her feet, as if there would be a flower.
“Greetings, Your Majesty. May you have good health and peace of life.”
Everyone crouched down to salute the Empress.
As they were in the temple, the Empress did not wear her royal robe with a phoenix pattern, but only wore a red robe, and the accessories on her head were very plain and elegant.
She was wearing a smile on her face, but it made people unconsciously a little nervous.
Her pretty eyes scanned the crowd, but she did not pay much attention to a certain person.
However, when she saw that everyone was dressed neatly and curtsied in an orderly manner, a satisfied look appeared in her eyes.
“You may rise. This time we’ll pray for the prosperity of Dajin and the peaceful life of the people. I know you’ll have a hard time, but we have to do that.”
Since the Empress had said so, everyone would do their best.
In fact, they just needed to go to the Grand Hall and pray in silence every day after they fasted for three days.
Of course, it was a little dull, but they had to be serious about this kind of thing.
Lin Mengya just stood in her place with her head bowed and responded with the others.
The greeting process was as boring as usual. Except Princess Tiancheng, the other imperial concubines didn’t even look at Lin Mengya at all.
Lin Mengya helplessly looked at Princess Tiancheng, who was smiling at her. To be honest, the Empress’s son and daughter did not seem to be compatible with her.
Princess Tiancheng seemed to be very kind to her on the surface.
However, she was the only one who knew that the girl must have been harboring evil intents behind her smiling face.
Finally, Lin Mengya got through the greeting process, safe and sound. After she bowed and left with the others, she could not help but let out a sigh of relief.
From the moment she reached here, she knew that she would confront the Empress. However, the Empress did not take any action, which made her anxious.
She might be less patient than the Empress.
After the crowd dispersed, the innocent-looking Princess Tiancheng returned to the main room with her mother.
There were only their confidants in the room.
The Empress was a little tired. Princess Tiancheng tenderly helped her mother to sit on the soft couch of fragrant rosewood behind the bead curtain.
Then, she took the gavel from a palace maid and gently pounded the Empress’s calf to relieve her mother’s fatigue.
“You’ve heard what happened last night, haven’t you?”
The Empress closed her eyes slightly, as if everything that happened here could not escape her eyes and ears.
“Yes, I’ve heard all. They’re a group of idiots! They thought that they did it perfectly, but they still rely on me to clean up their mess.”
The innocent look disappeared from Princess Tiancheng’s face, and there was a hint of disdain and pride in her tone.
The Empress arched an eyebrow and looked at her daughter lovingly.
Compared with her useless son, her daughter was outstanding in both appearance and mind.
She gently brushed her hand over a loose strand of her daughter’s long hair and looked at her favorite little daughter with some regret.
“Don’t make a scene. We’re here for big things. There can be no accidents at this religious ceremony. Your useless brother has to rely on this religious ceremony to reverse the decline.”
The Empress looked at her daughter, but her words were full of worry for her son.
She did all these things in order to help her son ascend the throne.
A trace of dissatisfaction flashed across Princess Tiancheng’s eyes, but soon, she calmed down.
There was still a lovely smile on her face, and she pretended to be an obedient daughter.
“I know. No one will find out about this. Even if someone finds out, they won’t be able to know that it’s us behind it. But Mother, do you really believe what Yunshen said?”
The Empress looked at her daughter’s confused eyes but then closed her own eyes.
“Well, you even know about him? Ru’er, I don’t want you to interfere in some things for your own good. In a few years, your father will find you the most suitable husband. I don’t want you to marry far away. Besides, you will be the most glorious princess of Dajin.”
There was only coldness and indifference in Princess Tiancheng’s eyes as she heard her mother’s idea.
But when her mother looked at her, she became that lovely, temperate daughter.
“Of course I understand your kindness. Don’t worry, Mother. I will definitely assist my elder brother and make him the unique emperor of Dajin.”
The Empress was quite pleased to see her daughter being so sensible.
After serving her mother to rest, Princess Tiancheng and her palace maid quietly left the main room where the Empress lived.
Across the veranda was the wing in which she lived. However, in the courtyard behind her room lived the monk, Yunshen, whom her mother had valued a lot in recent days.
That monk was obviously a bad guy. Although he was handsome, he had an evil aura about him.
Princess Tiancheng had no intention of having any dealings with this evil person, but now her interest was aroused.
She had learned that her mother wanted to rely on this man to save her stupid brother’s reputation. Since he was so capable, she ought to pay him a visit.
Slightly rolling her eyes, Princess Tiancheng turned around and led her maid to the backyard.
No one knew what huge waves her decision would cause.
Coming back from the Empress’s courtyard, Lin Mengya immediately checked Yinghua’s situation.
As soon as she entered the yard, she saw Yinghua kicking his favorite cane ball with Hongyu’s company.
Not seeing any gloom in his smile, Lin Mengya could not help but feel relieved.
“You’re back! Third Sister-in-law, when you went to pay your respects to Imperial Mother, did she bully you?”
The little boy looked up and saw Lin Mengya, who had just entered the courtyard.
Regardless of whether the ball was still under his feet, he ran into Lin Mengya’s arms.