She leaned forward slightly, pressing both hands lightly on the carpet that had been trampled upon, and respectfully said, “With a humble status like mine, how could I dare to ask for anything else? I only hope to receive some more silver to live a few peaceful days.”
More silver…
For a moment, the room fell into silence.
What was this girl saying?
Was she actually asking the Crown Princess for money?
Even the Crown Princess was caught off guard.
As the wife of the heir to the throne, she had seen many people flatter and curry favor with her, but no one had ever dared to ask her for money outright.
Lady Su frowned and quickly signaled to the Crown Princess with a look.
The Crown Princess said, “Today, the Emperor issued an order for you to renounce the secular world and enter the Daoist sect.”
A’Wu repeated, “Enter the Daoist sect?”
The Crown Princess said, “Lady Su, explain it to her.”
Lady Su respectfully replied, “Yes.”
Then, she began explaining to Ah Wu.
South of the imperial capital, in Nanqiong Mountain, there were palaces, training grounds, and hunting grounds built for the royal family.
Within the mountain, there was also a royal temple for ancestral worship.
Among them, Yanxiang Temple was a Daoist convent dedicated to honoring the ceremonial robes and crowns of past Empresses.
It also served as a place for aging palace maids and honored concubines who had been rewarded but could not return to their homes, where they could live out their remaining years in peace.
Lady Su continued, “Sending you to Yanxiang Temple is an act of mercy from the Emperor.
You must know that many palace maids spend their entire lives serving in the palace just to earn the right to retire there, receiving a stipend from the inner court, never again having to worry about life’s troubles.
During festivals, when ceremonies are held at the temple, the imperial family and noblewomen from high-ranking households will all visit.
At that time, you will naturally receive many rewards. Since the temple enshrines the ceremonial attire of the Empresses, even members of the royal family must show reverence when they visit.”
A’Wu widened her eyes and listened attentively.
Lady Su noticed her long eyelashes fluttering as if she understood, yet at the same time, as if she did not.
So, she looked down at her and asked, “Do you have any questions?”
A’Wu asked, “As a Daoist nun, will I still receive a monthly stipend?”
Lady Su replied, “Of course.”
A’Wu asked, “How much per month?”
Lady Su was momentarily stunned and glanced at the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess said indifferently, “I don’t know the exact amount; it depends on seniority. But don’t worry, since I am arranging for you to go, I will ensure that you are settled properly. You will receive some silver as a resettlement allowance.”
A’Wu nodded, then asked again, “Can I bring along the rewards that the Crown Prince has given me in the past?”
The Crown Princess’s lips twitched.
What kind of girl was this?
Never in her life had she seen anyone mention money so brazenly in front of her—not once, but repeatedly.
And the Crown Prince actually took a liking to this?
She cast a look of contempt at A’Wu and said, “Take it. You can take it all.”
A’Wu immediately displayed an obedient and grateful expression.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I will follow the orders of the Emperor and Your Highness and go to Yanxiang Temple. I will pray day and night, offering blessings for Your Highness and the Crown Prince, wishing you both a long life and eternal prosperity.”
The Crown Princess raised her hand.
“You may leave now. Lady Su will arrange for your departure.”
A’Wu kowtowed to the Crown Princess.
“Yes, this servant thanks Your Highness!”
Her kowtows were firm and resolute—three solid knocks against the ground.
Watching A’Wu bow, the Crown Princess suddenly had a thought: perhaps this girl truly had no intention of clinging to the Crown Prince.
She felt slightly relieved.
But then, almost immediately, another thought surfaced.
So what?
The Crown Prince was clearly obsessed with her right now, deeply infatuated, desperate to have her in his arms every day.
If she were suddenly taken away, he would surely refuse to let it go.
Therefore… she needed to come up with a plan.
A plan that would permanently erase this girl from the Crown Prince’s heart.
For good.
***
As A’Wu walked along the covered walkway, her steps were especially light.
Though she would no longer be able to enjoy tofu cooked with water chestnuts, she felt that this outcome wasn’t bad at all.
The Crown Prince cherished her, doted on her, and she had naturally enjoyed it and grown fond of it.
However, she had always felt uneasy, as if she were walking a treacherous path in the dark, never knowing when she might misstep and fall into the abyss.
Now that the Crown Princess had summoned her and brought up the matter, it was clear that although the Emperor disliked her, he did not intend to take her life.
Instead, he had issued an order for her to enter the Daoist sect.
With this decree, even if the Crown Princess harbored resentment toward her, she likely wouldn’t dare to kill her outright.
And as for the Crown Prince—he wouldn’t be able to approach her anymore.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, the setting sun cast its golden glow upon the intricately carved corridors, illuminating the towering palace structures, the lofty multi-tiered halls, the pine trees brushing against the eaves, and the magnolia blossoms surrounding the stone steps.
The scene was one of magnificent grandeur.
For some reason, memories of her childhood surfaced in her mind—memories of her parents and elder brother.
She recalled the evening sun shimmering over the vast sea, the seagrass swaying gently in the coastal breeze, and herself, as a little girl, chasing butterflies and grasshoppers along the shore.
It had already been two years.
She didn’t know if she would ever have the chance to return to her homeland, to see her family again.
Her mind drifted back to her present situation.
If Yanxiang Temple was truly as they described it, then entering it by imperial decree—becoming a Daoist nun with an official court stipend—seemed like a far better option than remaining in the Crown Prince’s residence.
Then, she thought about the silver she had managed to save.
Since the Crown Princess had said she could take it with her, she naturally would.
Once she arrived at Yanxiang Temple, she could afford to be generous.
With enough silver, she would surely be able to establish herself.
Just as she was lost in thought, the nearby senior maid, Sun Momo, suddenly cast a sharp glance at her.
A’Wu looked at her in confusion.
Sun Momo stared at A’Wu for a long moment before retracting her gaze and saying, “Hurry up and pack your things. The imperial decree has been issued—you will leave tonight. A carriage and escort have already been arranged outside the second gate. They are waiting for you.”
A’Wu replied, “Alright.”
Without delay, the two of them quickly returned to Ah Wu’s residence, Huancui Courtyard.
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