Chapter 245: Chapter 245
"This home of A-Ning's is truly quite interesting!"
Four siblings, all from the same mother, yet their appearances and temperaments seem to have been sharply divided, more distinct than the Chu River boundary.
On the way back, seeing his wife unusually listless, Situ Jing reached out to pull her into his embrace and couldn't help but tease:
"Hmph, of course! I'm the one who looks most like Mother in our family!"
Otherwise, how could she be so incredibly beautiful!
Casually playing with his slender yet slightly calloused fingers, An Ning didn't feel anything amiss at all, instead wearing an expression of shared honor.
Her slightly raised face at this moment was full of indescribable radiance and confidence.
Situ Jing's gaze darkened again, his arm around her waist unconsciously tightening with some strength.
Autumn passed and winter came. Before this year's first snow had even fallen, the couple An Ning had already brought their servants with packed luggage to the suburban villa, under the fine-sounding pretext of recuperation.
Perhaps because it was frequently inhabited, not only were all the furnishings here extremely exquisite, but even the hot spring pool beneath An Ning and the paving beneath her feet were made of premium black jade. Agarwood worth its weight in gold was nothing extraordinary here.
The floor covered with several thick layers of wool carpet felt completely comfortable even when walking barefoot in winter.
Every few days, guards would deliver newly hunted mountain delicacies and game.
In short, after holing up through this entire winter, not only An Ning, but even her beautiful mother who occasionally visited her precious daughter, along with Mu Yang who came to play, all unconsciously gained a slightly rosier complexion.
It wasn't until the following spring when the ice and snow melted that the thoroughly entertained couple finally packed their luggage and returned to the mansion.
Almost as soon as they arrived at the mansion, palace messengers came to summon them—none other than the familiar Chief Steward Wei.
Obviously, the one issuing the summons was undoubtedly the Mingde Emperor.
While An Ning was keeping the Empress Dowager company, the imperial study was similarly filled with warm affection at this moment.
Personally stepping forward to carefully examine him, the Mingde Emperor, who had rarely smiled since ascending the throne, unconsciously showed some joy on his face.
He asked detailed questions and offered gentle concern, covering almost every matter thoroughly. Even though the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Institute took his pulse and examined him every few days, it couldn't stop the emperor's nearly heart-worn concern.
During this, Situ Jing also answered gently, though occasional complexity flashed through his glass-like eyes before quickly disappearing.
If the other princes had witnessed this scene, they probably would have been shocked speechless.
Even after the person before him took his leave, the joy in Mingde Emperor's eyes hadn't completely faded:
"The master truly lives up to being a highly accomplished monk—his words were indeed true. Prince Jing's consort truly has profound blessings. In just a few months, A-Jing's complexion has visibly improved significantly."
Most importantly, throughout this entire winter, he hadn't even suffered a common fever.
Coupled with what the imperial physician just said, how could this not make the Mingde Emperor ecstatic with joy?
If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have listened to A-Jing—the wedding date should have been set sooner.
The master who had been urgently summoned before even warming his seat: "..."
Ah this... couldn't it possibly be that happiness improves one's spirits?
Hadn't they noticed how visibly excellent the prince's mood had been these days?
Despite much internal criticism, before this highest authority, Master Wuxiang still pressed his palms together devoutly, perfectly maintaining the demeanor of a highly accomplished master.
"Amitabha, it is indeed true that the princess consort has profound blessings."
As for whether there were other connections—sorry, that wasn't within this monk's scope of business.
However, looking at this ninety-five supreme ruler who, in his joy, could no longer hear anything else, beneath his dignified and peaceful exterior, Master Wuxiang secretly wiped cold sweat from his brow again.
Amitabha, what was this called? One misstep leads to everlasting regret!
Indeed, as the Buddha said, what monks must never engage in is false speech.
Sigh, now this old monk could only hope that this Third Young Lady truly had excellent fortune.
After personally presenting the premium jade he had carefully carved recently and walking out of the palace gates, Master Wuxiang finally couldn't help but raise his hand to wipe the fine sweat from his forehead.
An Ning who saw this scene through the system: "..."
Within her consciousness, the system was nearly laughing itself apart.
"Hahahahaha, it's you again, host! Every time it's you! This old monk probably has a stress response to you now, hahaha so pitiful!"
"Host, you don't know—since that last golden words prophecy and successfully helping you recover your fortune, this Master Wuxiang has become a truly 'highly accomplished monk.'
Whenever anything happens, they definitely seek him out.
Especially the unlucky imperial family.
Fortunately, the talisman manuals that An Ning had "occasionally" left behind weren't fake. Among them was the spirit gathering talisman that could accumulate surrounding spiritual energy.
Even though this world's spiritual energy was so faint it was almost nonexistent, the more premium the jade, the more residual spiritual power it contained inside.
With both enhancements, the wearer would indeed benefit—it wasn't completely psychological.
After all, not to mention faith, these cunning individuals in the capital weren't simple. This was the real reason that scheme could be nearly seamless.
Of course, with obvious benefits upfront, Master Wuxiang's reputation as a highly accomplished monk inevitably grew even more illustrious.
The line of people seeking audience at the Huangjue Temple entrance could literally stretch beyond sight...
Especially the unfortunate imperial family.
An Ning said completely insincerely.
After all, this was the kind master who would personally step forward to comfort and counsel disappointed young women!
That's so typical of you!
In the garden, while ostensibly admiring the newly tributed peonies, An Ning was actually distracted. Not far away, two young men similarly wearing python robes and crimson jade belts at their waists couldn't help but stop and stare.
The younger youth spoke first:
"Second Brother, this must be Imperial Uncle's newly married little imperial aunt, right? She's truly..."
Father Emperor is really too partial!
This was undoubtedly the heartfelt thought of everyone present.
As the saying goes, the person rivals the flower's beauty—it was exactly .
Such a brilliantly beautiful woman, with profound blessings attested by a highly accomplished master's golden words—such a beauty, yet Father Emperor hadn't even considered his own sons.
Instead, he bestowed her upon a sickly person.
"By the way, I heard earlier that you also went to beg Father Emperor, Second Brother?"
As soon as these words fell, a cold reprimand came through the air: "Fifth Brother, don't forget this is the Empress Dowager's palace—mind your manners!"
"It's just... Father Emperor is really too partial!"
Biological sons can't compare to younger brother—where else could such unlucky things happen? Situ Yun, ranked fifth, clearly muttered discontentedly.
Thinking of that previous thorough dressing-down, Second Prince's gaze also darkened nearby.
If there should come a day...
Although her cultivation was weak, her spiritual awareness was not lacking at all. Despite some distance, how could An Ning not notice?
Especially this Second Prince. Recalling their few meetings, An Ning couldn't help but frown.
Speaking of which, this cheap second sister of the original body was really too tolerant!