She didn’t understand!

These things—she had simply flipped through a few Buddhist texts while collecting archaeological materials, glanced at them a few times, and memorized them.

Ji Yunshu said: “People spend their entire lives comprehending Buddha, yet even at death they still cannot understand Buddha’s true meaning. So-called ‘having Buddha in one’s heart’ is merely self-comfort.”

“…” Madam Kong was silent.

“I only wish to ask Madam one question: why do you believe in Buddha?”

Eh!

No one had ever asked Madam Kong this question. Her elegant face showed a trace of bewilderment and surprise.

After a long while—

She replied: “Buddha is just Buddha. But without Buddha, I don’t know what I would be anymore.”

“You are still a mother.”

Like a single phrase awakening someone from a dream, Madam Kong’s expression changed. She braced herself and rose from the ground.

Ji Yunshu also helped support her, rising together.

When rising, Madam Kong seemed somewhat strained, yet her hands never left the prayer beads. She moved with steps to the window and reached out to push open one of the shutters.

A warm breeze blew in, diluting the heavy candle incense scent somewhat.

On the windowsill lay several peach blossom petals.

Gazing at the vibrant peach blossoms in the courtyard, tears welled up in Madam Kong’s eyes.

With a somewhat desolate tone, she said: “From childhood to adulthood, Yu’er always stayed by my side, never going against my wishes. She was very obedient, very sensible—a good girl, a good daughter. I still remember over ten years ago when I had a serious illness, she stayed with me all day long. Every day, her small body would huddle by the bedside, watching over me night after night. At that time, she was only seven years old.”

As she spoke, a rare smile appeared on Madam Kong’s lips.

It also carried desolation.

Ji Yunshu listened quietly, walking to her side and following her gaze.

That patch of peach blossoms bloomed extremely brilliantly, piercing the eyes with their vivid red.

She said: “When Miss Kong died, she didn’t mention you. But I think the person she couldn’t let go of most in her heart was you.”

“…”

“You believe in Buddha, everything follows fate. You also try to hypnotize yourself, believing that Kong Yu being granted the title of princess was heaven’s will, marrying into Qujiang was heaven’s will, even marrying the Crown Prince was heaven’s will. Even though you were so casual about it all, she never resented you.”

Madam Kong’s eyes moistened, her hands gripping that string of prayer beads tightly.

After a long while—

Tears fell, but she raised her sleeve to wipe them away.

After calming down, she said in a low voice: “Thank you, Master, for saying these things to me. I think I understand now.”

“I say these things not to make you feel guilty, Madam Kong, but to help you understand that this outcome was Miss Kong’s own choice, just like your choice to believe in Buddha is the same principle.”

Madam Kong nodded.

She asked: “Master came today for Yu’er’s dying wish. Please tell me.”

“Miss Kong said she hoped that Miss Juan could leave the palace.”

“Juan’er?”

“Yes.” She nodded: “Miss Juan entered the palace together with Miss Kong, but not in the capacity of a palace maid, so she can never leave the palace for her entire life. It requires you, Madam, to enter the palace and bring her out. I believe His Majesty will agree.”

“Alright, I will see to it.”

“After Juan’er leaves the palace, Madam, you should take her and leave the capital. Qingshan Residence truly is a good place.”

Kong Yu was already dead. For Madam Kong, there was no need for her to remain in the capital anymore. Instead, leaving the capital would actually be a good thing.

The two said nothing more.

Ji Yunshu cupped her hands in farewell. As she was leaving, she said one more thing: “People are ultimately people, and Buddha is ultimately Buddha. People cannot become Buddha, and Buddha cannot become people.”

After saying those words, Ji Yunshu left.

Just after she departed, Madam Kong twisted the prayer beads in her hand.

Drip—

The string of prayer beads she had worn on her fingers for over ten years finally broke.

All ninety-nine beads scattered onto the ground, each one rolling like wild horses freed from their reins, scattering in all directions.

Ji Yunshu arrived in the courtyard and called out for Wei Yi. Wei Yi had picked several peach blossoms and cheerfully emerged from the small peach grove, presenting the peach blossoms before her.

“Here!”

Wearing a big boyish smile.

Ji Yunshu took the peach blossoms from his hands and reached out to pat his head.

“Let’s go home.”

“Mm!”

…

The Imperial Palace!

With the Crown Prince’s death, civil and military officials all crowded into the palace, standing in rows outside Fuyang Hall.

Inside the inner hall, Jing Yi, Jingrong, and Jing Hua also stood in a row.

Before them, the carved wooden doors were tightly closed. No one dared to knock, nor did anyone dare to push the doors open and walk inside.

The assembled people stood there for an entire day and night!

Aside from one edict transmitted from behind those doors, ordering that the Crown Prince’s rebellion not be proclaimed and setting the time for the Crown Prince’s burial, there had been no other movement.

Jingrong had a cold, hard expression on his face, his eyes having long lost focus, appearing somewhat weary.

Jing Yi beside him lightly bumped him with his elbow.

Lowering his voice, he asked: “Miss Kong is truly pitiful. Originally thinking she’d be granted the title of princess and marry far away to Qujiang to become a princess consort, yet after marrying Jing Hua for just a few shichen she became a new widow. Who could have known she would commit suicide and die just like the Crown Prince—fate truly plays tricks on people.”

Sarcastic and mocking!

“Don’t you feel even a little sad in your heart?” Jing Yi asked.

Jingrong still paid him no attention, not a ripple of emotion in his eyes.

Seeing him like this, Jing Yi curved his lips, raised his head a bit higher, and narrowed his contemplative eyes: “Tell me, now that the Crown Prince is dead, who do you think will get the position of Crown Prince?”

Smiling sinisterly and cunningly.

After a moment, Jingrong raised his gaze, looking straight ahead, and said in a low voice: “You will only ever be a prince in this lifetime.”

Eh!

Jing Yi was somewhat shocked by his sudden statement.

He let out a cold laugh and said mockingly: “I’m not like you, only wanting to be a carefree prince for life.”

Jingrong’s cold, hard features concentrated into a sharp, cold light, as if it would burst forth from his eyes at any moment. Fortunately, all that hostile energy was gathered in his tightly clenched fist.

He said calmly: “Sometimes, people’s hearts change. When you least want something, you’re forced to take it anyway. Today, my situation is precisely this.”

These words—Jing Yi understood them!

Jing Xian on the side also understood them.

Just as Jing Yi was about to open his mouth to respond, the doors before them opened.

Zhang Quan bowed as he emerged: “His Majesty commands that all may withdraw.”

Having said this, he turned and went back inside, closing the doors.

The civil and military court officials had stood for an entire day and night—their bodies long unable to endure it. With the edict issued, they all dispersed, returning to sleep soundly.

Jing Xian also couldn’t endure the torment and returned to Tongren Hall with a eunuch’s support.

After Jingrong emerged from the palace, he boarded his carriage.

“Your Highness, shall we return to the residence or go to Zhuxiyuan?” Lang Bo, waiting outside, asked.

“Yuhua Pavilion!” Jingrong said coldly.

But Lang Bo deliberately reminded him: “Your Highness, do you not want to go see Master Ji?”

Jingrong shot him a sideways glance.

“This prince said to go to Yuhua Pavilion.”