Chapter 216: Chapter 216

"Oh." Jun Ning’s reaction wasn’t too big.

Jun Ning had heard about Emperor Yongning promoting Qiong Hua’s rank long ago.

Moreover, it seemed that the Emperor had thoughts of making her mother the Empress, after all, the position of Empress had been vacant since its last occupant.

The Emperor had once promised that any concubine who bore a princess would be made Empress, when praying for a daughter. But back then, the Empress was still present, so he could only bestow the title of Imperial Concubine. At that moment, it wasn’t a casual statement; he truly intended to reward the concubine who bore him a daughter.

However, because of Ah Yu, and due to her mother’s foreign origins, it was difficult to implement.

So, the Emperor could only temporarily promote her mother’s rank to the position of concubine and deal with it later.

Nanny Zhang noticed that mentioning Qiong Hua didn’t interest Jun Ning, so she added, "Your Highness, you seem troubled, is there anything on your mind?"

"Can you share it with your old maid? Perhaps I can offer some advice or comfort you." Nanny Zhang said as she put down the water she fetched for Jun Ning to wash her face and wiped her wet hands.

"Nanny, don’t worry, there’s nothing."

Jun Ning removed her blanket, got out of bed, and put on her shoes.

After dinner last night, little Qi Xiao woke up and cried incessantly, no matter what she did. She and Madam Qi had to stay with him until he fell asleep, which was late into the night before she could go to sleep herself.

Sleeping late naturally meant waking up late.

Jun Ning glanced at the sky; the sun was already quite high.

Yesterday, she and Madam Qi had agreed to visit the temple to pray and fulfill their vows after lunch.

She couldn’t continue to sleep; she needed to quickly wash and dress, have lunch, and then set out.

The temple was quite far from the National Guardian General Mansion, and they had to leave after lunch to ensure they returned before dark.

After helping Jun Ning wash and dress, Nanny Zhang pulled out a pink narrow-sleeved jacket and skirt for her to wear.

But Jun Ning didn’t like pink skirts; she preferred green ones.

She found the light green narrow-sleeved "Liu Xian" dress that the Empress Dowager had recently made for her.

The narrow sleeves embroidered with the leaves of cilantro, her favorite herb, were lifelike and harmonious. The overall beauty of the skirt was unaffected by the cilantro leaves; instead, they added a touch of vitality.

Jun Ning liked it very much.

She happily held the skirt, wanting to put it on herself.

Nanny Zhang laughed, "Princess, let your old maid help you!"

"You’re the one I’ve seen who loves green the most." Nanny Zhang cheerfully helped Jun Ning get dressed, "I never thought green looked good before, but because of you, Princess, I suddenly find it vibrant and full of life."

Green is the color of nature, full of vitality and energy.

That’s why Jun Ning liked it so much.

Madam Qi had already instructed the kitchen to prepare lunch half an hour early, to eat and then set off quickly.

When Jun Ning arrived, Madam Qi had already set the table with the help of the servants, ready to start the meal!

Seeing that Jun Ning hadn’t arrived, Madam Qi was about to send someone to fetch her. But when she saw Jun Ning approaching, she hurriedly invited her to sit and then sent someone to call Qi Qin.

For this trip to the temple, to ensure everyone’s safety, Qi Qin not only arranged for skilled guards to accompany them but also planned to go himself to protect his wife and children personally.

As soon as Qi Qin arrived, he said, "Madam, while in the carriage, you just need to look after Yi Yi and Xiao Er. I will ensure our safety outside."

Madam Qi nodded, "I understand."

Jun Ning asked in confusion, "Uncle Qi, Mother, why are we suddenly going to pray and fulfill our vows?"

It was really sudden.

She wasn’t prepared at all.

Madam Qi looked worriedly at the little Qi Xiao in her arms and didn’t speak.

Qi Qin put down his chopsticks and explained, "For years, I’ve fought many battles and killed many. I thought the heavy sins would mean having no children. So after marrying your mother, I went to the temple and vowed that if she could give me a child, regardless of gender, I would repay the favor by remaking the temple’s Buddha statue in gold."

Qi Qin wasn’t sure if Jun Ning understood, but he continued as she asked again, "What about the prayer? Why are we suddenly going to pray?"

In this cold winter, the roads to the temple might still have unmelted snow, making the carriage slow and bumpy. There was no real need to venture to the temple in the middle of winter; it would be possible to visit after spring began.

Qi Qin glanced at little Qi Xiao in Madam Qi’s arms, "Yi Yi, even though I don’t want to rush, but..."

Qi Qin sighed, holding his forehead, "But Xiao Er cried all night again. Even after you lulled him to sleep, he woke again and cried all night after you left."

Jun Ning felt guilty, "I didn’t know, I would’ve stayed with him instead of returning to my room."

Qi Qin patted Jun Ning’s head, "Yi Yi, don’t blame yourself."

Qi Qin continued, "Actually, ever since Xiao Er was born, he’s cried a lot. While having you around helps, and he doesn’t cry fiercely, allowing Madam to sleep well, he still cries occasionally."

But that cry wasn’t like a normal child’s.

It carried a mix of sorrow, pain, and despair...

It was as if he was frightened by something sinister or someone was after his life.

Qi Qin suspected that because of the sins he had committed, the child was suffering.

So, he planned to visit a temple to seek guidance from a Master. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel※fire.net

However, fearing that Jun Ning wouldn’t understand these words, he simply said, "We just need to go to the temple to pray for Xiao Er, and he won’t cry anymore."

"By then, even if you’re not always by his side, he won’t cry."

This was a good thing; Jun Ning looked forward to not having to stay with Qi Xiao day and night, allowing her to return to the palace and have more time for her plans.

She said, "Uncle Qi, Mother, let’s finish eating quickly and set off!"

Madam Qi didn’t start eating immediately but looked at Jun Ning, "Yi Yi, really, thank you so much for everything lately. Otherwise, I would’ve been exhausted by Xiao Er’s antics." The little one was really a handful.

"It’s nothing." After all, he was her future Prince Consort; she was taking care of her Prince Consort, not an outsider. "Mother, no need to be so formal."

After an hour and a half, they arrived at a temple in the west of the city.

The temple, called West City Temple, was bustling with worshippers.

It was said to be very effective in granting prayers. Moreover, the abbot of this temple was a friend and fellow disciple of Master Daoji from Huguo Temple, who once predicted the national fate for Eastern Chu. Both were renowned for their highly skilled Daoism.