A Cutie Spoiled by Her Seven Uncles-Chapter 597: Inviting the Empress Dowager to the Ceremony
Chapter 597: Chapter 597: Inviting the Empress Dowager to the Ceremony
"If you don’t want to be a monk, then why are you going through with this apprenticeship? Is that senior monk forcing you? My little darling, don’t worry. As long as you don’t want to, Grandmother will definitely protect you!"
Xiaosuisui shook her head again forcefully. "There’s no need for that, Grandmother. Eldest Maternal Uncle said I don’t need to do anything else; I just need to wait obediently."
Hearing Xiaosuisui’s words, the Empress Dowager was perplexed. But when Suisui said this was Ji Youyuan’s idea,
It’s likely Ji Youyuan has some sort of plan,
she thought. She looked up towards the Courtyard entrance just as Xie Pan’Er ran in, panting heavily.
"Greetings, Empress Dowager!" Xie Pan’Er gasped, clutching her chest.
"You may rise." Seeing her panting so heavily, the Empress Dowager couldn’t bear to have her complete the formal greeting and hurriedly told her to stand.
"Oh my, Your Highness! You ran so fast! I used every ounce of strength I had and still couldn’t catch up to you!"
Xiaosuisui just giggled, her chubby little hand involuntarily reaching up to touch the few soft strands of hair on her head.
Xie Pan’Er had been sent by the Empress Dowager to the Ji Family. She must have returned with the news the Empress Dowager was waiting for.
"My precious! You must be tired from such a long journey! Go with Nanny Xiao to wash up, and then have some Dim Sum!"
The Empress Dowager quickly handed Xiaosuisui to Nanny Xiao. Then, extending her hand for Xie Pan’Er to support her, they began to stroll and talk.
"Well? What did the Eldest Young Master of the Ji Family say?"
The Empress Dowager stopped, glanced at the group of noblewomen and young ladies trailing behind them at a distance, and quietly asked Xie Pan’Er.
"The Eldest Young Master said that, in fact, none of us need to be concerned. As long as the Princess doesn’t want it, she can solve it herself!"
Xie Pan’Er also whispered her reply, relaying all the information she had gathered to the Empress Dowager.
"She can solve it herself? Suisui is still just a child! How could she possibly solve it?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager became extremely worried, her face etched with anxiety.
"The Eldest Young Master said that he and Master Liao Kong had agreed on two conditions. The first was that Master Liao Kong must impart the Buddhist mind-reading technique and the silent meditation Cultivation Technique to the Princess. The second condition was that the Princess must formally become his disciple right here, before the Mingwu Building of Qixia Temple, by offering tea and kowtowing to Master Liao Kong. He stated that as long as the ceremony was completed successfully, the Ji Family would not interfere, regardless of whether it was just accepting the Princess as his disciple or even if he wanted to shave her head and make her a true Nun. Furthermore, not only would they not interfere, but he would also help persuade the imperial family to no longer meddle in the Princess’s affairs!"
At first, the Empress Dowager’s expression was grim, but as she listened, it gradually transformed into one of sudden realization.
"We were mistaken! Truly, only Suisui herself can resolve this!"
After saying this, the Empress Dowager was elated. Her back no longer ached, her legs felt fine, and in high spirits, she began to stroll around Qixia Temple.
The Empress Dowager was in high spirits and didn’t feel tired from walking, but this was a trial for the contingent of noblewomen and young ladies following her. The group hurried along, panting, behind the Empress Dowager and Xie Pan’Er, whispering amongst themselves, ’Who is that young woman supporting the Empress Dowager? I don’t believe I’ve seen her before.’
Finally, just as everyone felt they were about to collapse from exhaustion, a young novice monk approached.
"Amitabha! Grand Master’s disciple acceptance ceremony is about to begin. Empress Dowager, esteemed ladies, and young misses, please proceed to the Mingwu Building to observe the proceedings!"
"The disciple acceptance ceremony is about to begin! Let’s go and take a look!"
Without the slightest hesitation, the Empress Dowager turned and proceeded towards the Mingwu Building with Xie Pan’Er.
Just as the Empress Dowager arrived before the Mingwu Building, the Abbot came forward to pay his respects.
"Greetings, Empress Dowager. Grand Master instructed that a prime viewing spot be reserved specially for you."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager looked up. In front of the Mingwu Building stood Liao Kong, dressed in a Kasaya, looking every bit the transcendent master.
"My! This old monk is certainly dressed to the nines today. That Kasaya looks brand new, doesn’t it!"
Hearing her words, the Abbot’s mouth twitched.
The Empress Dowager must be furious because of the Ji Family’s compromise!
he thought. The imperial family didn’t dare offend the Ji Family. So, when the Ji Family relented, they couldn’t very well stop the Grand Master from accepting a disciple. Seeing the utterly displeased expression on the Empress Dowager’s face, the Abbot merely smiled and said nothing.
Looking at the Abbot’s gleeful expression, the Empress Dowager thought,
You old bald donkey, enjoy your smugness now. We’ll see if you’re still smiling after this disciple acceptance ceremony!
As the Empress Dowager was lost in thought, she heard the Abbot inviting her to come forward.
"Today is an auspicious day for Grand Master to accept a disciple. Naturally, he should be well-dressed. This way, please, Your Majesty."
The Abbot gestured towards the front of the Mingwu Building, indicating a seat that had been specially placed near Liao Kong for the Empress Dowager to observe the ceremony.
However, the Empress Dowager didn’t take another step forward. She remained where she was and chuckled softly.
"I sat for quite long enough at the Dharma assembly this morning. I’ll stand for a while now; it’s good exercise!"
The Abbot didn’t think much of her words.
Her pique must stem from the fact that Buddhism ultimately won this unseen battle,
he mused. The Ji Family had caved, agreeing to let the Princess take refuge in Buddhism, and the imperial family had no choice but to acquiesce. That must be the reason for the Empress Dowager’s current attitude.
"Amitabha. In that case, this humble monk shall defer to the Empress Dowager’s wishes."
Since the Empress Dowager did not take her seat, those accompanying her naturally didn’t dare to sit either. Despite their fatigue, they all remained standing behind her.
Xie Pan’Er was also beginning to feel the strain. The Empress Dowager, whom she was supporting, was trembling slightly. Concerned, Xie Pan’Er said, "Your Majesty! Are you feeling alright? Perhaps you should sit for a little while!"
The Empress Dowager didn’t respond to Xie Pan’Er directly but said to her cryptically, "We won’t get involved in that commotion. We’ll just stand here and watch the show. It’s safer this way."
Xie Pan’Er was thoroughly confused by the Empress Dowager’s words. Just as she was about to ask what Her Majesty meant, she saw the Ji Family approaching them.
The Ji Family members approached. "Greetings, Empress Dowager."
The members of the Ji Family did not perform a full kowtow; they merely bent at the waist and clasped their hands. Yet, before their bows were even complete, the Empress Dowager quickly waved her hand. "No need for formalities, no need at all!"
The Empress Dowager’s action stunned the surrounding noblewomen and young ladies.
The Ji Family members were merely making a token gesture; they straightened up the instant the Empress Dowager waved her hand, not even waiting for a single breath. "Our thanks to the Empress Dowager."
"The Eldest Young Master’s legs..." the Empress Dowager began, looking at Ji Youyuan’s legs with astonishment, utterly amazed that he could stand.
Ji Youyuan smiled faintly. "My precious niece is a medical genius. She healed my legs."
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager was overjoyed. "Truly? My little Xiaosuisui possesses such skills?"
Old Madam Ji chuckled. "Her abilities extend far beyond that. The child is merely young, which is why she’s been taken advantage of. Just you wait. In another three to five years, no one will dare to bully her!"
Old Madam Ji spoke these words quite loudly, clearly expressing her displeasure with the Buddhist faction.
"Mother, please don’t be angry," Ji Youyuan said. "Suisui is blessed by fortune; if she doesn’t wish to do something, no one can force her!"
Chapter 597: Inviting the Empress Dowager to the Ceremony
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