Chapter 312: Scandal at the Nun's Hermitage

I'm dying of laughter; Bai Li can't keep up the act this time, after all if she keeps pretending she'll be said that her brother can't become an official, and she might not even get into the palace.

So she started to panic; she has to kiss, hug, lift him up, in order to coax the Emperor into doing things for her.

But she didn't expect that the self‑righteous thing would make them happy regardless of time or place.

In Jingxin An's finest dining hall, everyone was quietly eating vegetarian fare.

Chu Yunzheng had no idea where to go; as Empress, Wan Tang naturally had to preside over the overall situation.

The Imperial Observatory officials and the various ministers took their seats.

Although Bai Zijun was a good‑for‑nothing, he was still the Duke of Ning's son, and he sat down below.

In Wan Tang's ears, a barrage was streaming live in real time.

She slightly frowned and whispered to the Abbess, "There are so many summer mosquitoes; they are truly irritating."

The Abbess understood instantly.

Even clearer, this person is the true patron who can make Jingxin An flourish.

She flattered with a smile, "Poor nun, I'll go light some mugwort right away."

The elders below all wore puzzled expressions, doubting the Emperor's whereabouts, yet it was inconvenient to ask further.

At this moment, a wisp of fragrance drifted in.

The Duke of Ning sat at the breezy spot, his nostrils twitching, and set his chopsticks down: "Has anyone smelled any scent?"

The presiding Abbess inhaled deeply, her face puzzled: "Only sandalwood incense is offered to the Buddha here; aside from the fresh scent of flowers and herbs, how could this smell appear?"

"It actually sounds like a scent daughters like," Wan Tang lightly waved her folding fan, her eyes full of doubt: "I keep feeling the fragrance is a bit odd."

"Hahaha, isn't this the scent used in brothels?" Bai Zijun scoffed, smugly crossing his legs.

He gave Wan Tang a sideways glance: "I never imagined the hermitage donated by the Empress would be such a fragrant, lewd place."

"Outrageous!"

The Duke of Ning abruptly rose, slapping the table: "To the Empress, cease your rudeness."

He could not let Bai Zijun continue speaking.

Everyone was quite clear why Wan Tang would donate construction.

Throughout the dynasties, the royal constructions have always been Baoguo Temple.

Only Wan Tang would take special care of a hermitage.

It was because Bai Li insisted on staying here; there was no other way.

But Bai Zijun just couldn't figure it out; he only felt his face dim: "Why the hostility? When my sister enters the palace, even if she's Empress, what can she…?"

Before his words finished, a sound.

The Duke of Ning lunged forward a few steps and slapped Bai Zijun.

The vein on his neck bulged with anger: "How dare you speak such reckless words?"

"It was from the start!" Bai Zijun covered his face, embarrassed and angry, feeling he had lost face before so many people: "If you can't even detect the scent that spices up this place, how can you manage the Imperial harem?"

"My sister is different, regarding…"

Snap!

Another crisp slap; the Duke of Ning trembled with fury: "Such greasy filth cannot tarnish the Empress's pure hearing?"

Bai Zijun's face was full of resentment.

Wan Tang felt especially at ease; this Bai Zijun was even more of a blockhead than they had realized.

She gently set down her tea cup, Wan Tang frowned: "The Abbess just said the hermitage has no such fragrance?"

The Abbess's expression changed, and she immediately knelt on the ground.

Hands clasped, her face full of sorrow and anger: "Jingxin An is absolutely a pure place; in hundreds of years, there has never been any scandal."

"The Bodhisattva is above; Jingxin An is not a place that must be hidden."

"Now someone defames it like this; poor nun feels ashamed before the Bodhisattva."

The Abbess said, casting a resentful glance at Bai Zijun.

"Who framed you? My sister still lives here; I'm still worried you might affect my sister's reputation."

Several ministers around exchanged glances, all disdainful.

The Duke of Ning's aged face flushed bright red with shame.

He brushed off his sleeves and rose: "Old Minister will never allow such a thing to happen."

"Since Old Minister is present today, I will see this through to the end."

The Duke of Ning immediately stood and went off to trace the scent.

As Empress, Wan Tang naturally followed beside him.

The ministers, regardless of their mindset, trailed closely behind, fearing they'd miss something.

Rear courtyard.

Inside the Zen Chamber.

"Emperor… please, why are you in such a hurry today?"

"Bai Li, I… I don't know why, today, don't refuse me any longer!"

"But Emperor, if we act like this, ambiguous and improper, how will others speak of us later!"

"What are you afraid of? You are the one I love. As long as I'm here, no one dares to speak against you."

Chu Yunzheng's voice grew increasingly urgent, and he finally pulled the beauty into his arms.

"The Empress has gone to handle the Copper Tripod matter; once Bai Zijun is entered into the Mo Family Genealogy, I will grant you the title of Noble Consort."

Bai Li was quite unwilling.

She sneered: "But I have said I will never be a concubine."

"Fool, the Empress has sacrificed too much now, and she is also the Mo Family's sole descendant. Civil and military officials will not allow any change to the Empress position."

"Li'er, once you become pregnant, you will be the Imperial Noble Consort, with a rank equal to a secondary Empress…"

Breathing grew increasingly rapid.

The rustling sound of clothes being stripped came.

Spring fragrance warmed the tent.

The crowd followed the scent to the back courtyard,

Suddenly, panting sounded from inside the Zen Chamber.

The creak of the wooden bed was unusually clear.

The Duke of Ning's face turned ashen, and he shouted angrily: "The Buddhist realm is a pure place; how can such filth be tolerated!"

Wan Tang's face showed panic, her voice trembling: "Who… who is inside?"

While speaking, she fixed her gaze on the senior nun.

The head nun fell to her knees, eyes full of fear: "Poor nun, I dare not speak…"

Wan Tang's expression changed abruptly, as if she had thought of something.

She suddenly turned back, her stern gaze fixed on Xiao Luzi: "Where is the Emperor?"

Xiao Luzi's face turned deathly pale, his voice sinking lower: "We haven't found any sign of the Emperor; we only saw Grandfather Xiao Dongzi waiting there…"

He pointed with his hand; the spot where Xiao Dongzi stood was far from this Zen Chamber.

But that place, as far as the eye could see, had no one else besides Xiao Dongzi.

Where could the Emperor have gone?

Wan Tang's face showed sorrow; she took a deep breath and forced herself: "Enough."

"Since this concerns Jingxin An, it should be left to Jingxin An to handle."

"Let's go!"

Wan Tang turned to leave.

"What are you walking away for?" Bai Zijun leapt forward to block the way, smugly, "The Empress is so insecure; could something interesting have happened inside?"

"The Empress keeps saying, you donated a pure place."

"What? Is this kind of dark, ugly deed happening under the lamp as well?"

"Nonsense!" Wan Tang shouted sharply, her fingertips gripping her sleeve, "This hall was funded by my palace; such disgrace must not occur." Wan Tang neither affirmed nor denied.

She only said that it must not appear.

She turned again to the crowd and said, "Esteemed lords, grant me some face and depart quickly!"

Several Old Ministers exchanged glances, already guessing the situation.

Moreover, anyone who could follow here must be especially familiar with the Emperor.

The sounds from inside, heard repeatedly, were not without speculation.

They nodded and prepared to withdraw.

The Duke of Ning's heart was like a bright brocade.

Shei lives here?

Can it still be unclear?

His face full of sorrow: "Since the Empress knows this place concerns reputation, she should enforce stricter control."

He felt guilty, yet thought that Wan Tang should still intervene in such matters.

He reconsidered, felt remorseful toward Wan Tang, and simply lowered his head and turned away.

"Everyone stay!" Bai Zijun shouted excitedly, rushing toward the Zen Chamber, "Today we will catch this wild pair of mandarin ducks!"

Wan Tang hurriedly blocked: "Stop, you may not enter!"

The more Wan Tang refused, the more Bai Zijun insisted.

Their mother had repeatedly warned that Bai Zijun and Bai Li are one, sharing each other's honor.

His sister was plotting his future, so he naturally had to lend her a hand.

To make this lofty Empress reveal her true form on the spot, becoming a despised opponent to all.

"Hmph!" Bai Zijun sneered coldly, his face full of contempt: "I wonder what kind of Empress you are—perhaps the meddlesome matchmaker!"

"You won't let me see, yet I will go."

"Bai Zijun, you will regret this," Wan Tang threatened, her eyes full of menace: "I command you to leave at once."

Bai Zijun snorted: "You really are devious!"

"People fear you, but I fear no one; I am just this upright person!"

Seeing him persist, Wan Tang suddenly raised her voice: "You may not go in!"

Bai Zijun shoved Wan Tang aside directly.

He lifted his foot, and with a bang, kicked the door open.

The instant the great door swung open, Wan Tang's mouth corner lifted slowly.

Inside, a man and woman were riding horses; a flash of light entered, startling them into hastily dressing.

Yet the fragrance was so strong.

It had been replenished recently, and it was excellent.

With extreme tension and perfect alignment, Chu Yunzheng's expression suddenly froze!

He rode atop, unable to move a muscle.

Bai Li covered her face with both hands, helpless, and with a sobbing voice urged: "Quick, quickly get down!"

Outside the door.

The assembly of ministers were awkward beyond measure.

But they couldn't help sneaking a peek inside.

After all, such a thing, whether inside or outside the palace, is rare!

"Come, come, look at those dog couple, still stuck together, hahaha, truly unheard of."

Bai Zihua glared provocatively at Wan Tang: "Come see, our Empress, who is she pimping for?"

Bai Zijun said, and with a swift motion lifted the final curtain.

The two naked bodies were displayed perfectly.

"Scoundrel!"

Chu Yunzheng roared, hurriedly pulling a blanket over the two.

Bai Zijun's smug smile froze instantly as if struck by lightning.

In disbelief they whispered, "Sis... sister..."

After ten years apart, his memory of Bai Li's voice had already faded.

As a good‑for‑nothing, what right ever did he have to appear before the Emperor?

Now, he had committed such a huge blunder.

His legs went weak, and with a thud he fell to his knees on the ground.

Frightened, tears streaming, he kept kowtowing and begging, "Emperor, spare me, Emperor, spare me…"

Originally, everyone consciously stood far away outside.

As long as they stayed silent, once the door closed, no one dared to say who was inside.

But those repeated pleas—"Emperor", "Emperor", "Sister"—...

Wan Tang almost couldn't hold back a laugh, but the moment the laugh escaped it turned into a sob.

She choked out, "Someone, drag Bai Zijun out."

Then she herself stepped forward and shut the door.

She locked herself, Bai Li, and the Emperor inside.