Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 21

21: “When Will My Heir Be Born…”

The next day, the weather was clear and pleasant.

Yu Nanqing leaned against the window, reviewing account books. The shop managers she had reprimanded a few days ago had already organized and sent over the ledgers from recent years.

The people managing her mother’s shops were all trained by the Ji family and had come to the capital as part of her mother’s dowry. They were meticulous in their work, and there were no discrepancies in the accounts.

“I quietly asked a few of the shop managers.” Chen Xiang said as she carried a small pot into the room, stirring it while talking to Yu Nanqing. “When Madam first passed away, Lady Li used the Duke’s name to demand access to the accounts. Back then, Miss, you were still young, and they didn’t dare offend Lady Li, fearing she’d use it as an excuse to mistreat you further. Later, Lady Li’s greed grew, which is why the accounts have shown no surplus in recent years.”

The sweet fragrance of floral tea soon filled the room as it wafted from the small pot. Yu Nanqing looked up in surprise. “Is this jasmine tea? You’re quite clever—already learning to innovate.”

Chen Xiang smiled shyly. “Ever since you taught me to fry tea with sugar frosting and mix it with milk, I found the aftertaste of Longjing tea a bit too astringent. So I switched to the floral tea you usually drink, and it seems to work quite well. Would you like to try it, Miss?”

Yu Nanqing set down the account book and laughed. “You’re right. Most women in the capital don’t like bitter tea. Adding floral tea would make it much more palatable. Chen Xiang, you’ve helped me a great deal.”

Chen Xiang ladled out a small bowl to taste, and after taking a sip, she turned to Yu Nanqing with excitement. “Miss, this jasmine tea mixed with milk is truly much better than Longjing!”

Yu Nanqing smiled warmly.

“Why haven’t I ever heard of this combination before?” Chen Xiang continued, stirring the pot as she chattered. “Miss, you don’t even step into the kitchen—how did you know about this?”

Yu Nanqing smiled and explained, “In the Western Regions, they’ve long had this custom. However, their butter tea tends to be salty, and they’re not as particular about removing the gamey taste from the milk as we are in the capital. Naturally, it’s not as widely accepted as milk tea.”

Chen Xiang assumed Yu Nanqing had learned this from books—after all, in her eyes, her mistress knew everything.

Yu Nanqing asked, “What have the shop managers said about the teahouse these past few days?”

“Oh, right! I nearly forgot something so important!” Chen Xiang exclaimed, setting down her ladle and standing up, gesturing animatedly. “These days, the teahouse is packed with people lining up every day. In the past, we relied on storytellers to attract customers, but now it’s the other way around—people come for the tea and end up listening to the storytellers. Even the private rooms on the second and third floors, which used to sit empty, are now fully booked by young ladies from noble families, all eager to try this new milk tea.”

“They say the managers of other teahouses in the city are green with envy. They’ve tried imitating us by mixing milk with tea, but their flavors are all over the place.”

Yu Nanqing chuckled softly. Simply boiling tea and milk together was vastly different from frying the tea leaves with sugar frosting to meld the flavors, steeping them in hot water, and then blending in the milk. The process might seem unremarkable, but the details made all the difference.

In her previous life, she had developed this milk tea recipe in the Western Regions because she couldn’t stomach their butter tea.

But her goal in introducing milk tea wasn’t just to make money. The shops were already profitable enough, and she wasn’t lacking in silver. What mattered most was the influence of the storytellers—the power of public opinion could be fearsome, but it could also propel one to great heights.

After a moment of thought, Yu Nanqing said, “Send the recipe to those other restaurants as well.”

As they spoke, a servant boy appeared at the door to report, “Princess, your carriage is ready.”

When Lady Ji was still alive, she had a tradition of taking Yu Nanqing to burn incense at the temple every spring. After her death, her memorial tablet was enshrined both in the Duke’s ancestral hall and at Huguo Temple. Perhaps because she had seen Ji Zhiyun the day before, Yu Nanqing felt a strong urge to visit her mother at the temple.

Xiao Qiling had just returned from outside. Ever since the news spread that she had been “revived” by the marriage to bring good fortune, some of the former Crown Prince’s faction in the court had petitioned Emperor Wenjing to allow her to participate in court affairs, like Prince Chen.

Naturally, Emperor Wenjing did not agree.

However, still maintaining the facade of a benevolent father, he couldn’t outright refuse. Instead, he allowed Xiao Qiling to choose one of the Six Ministries to oversee, giving the appearance of granting her real authority.

Xiao Qiling chose the most inconspicuous Ministry of Works, which greatly reassured Emperor Wenjing.

“Isn’t today Your Highness’s first day at the Ministry of Works? Aren’t you going to invite the officials for a drink?” Yu Nanqing hadn’t expected Xiao Qiling to return so soon. She nearly pointed at her nose and asked why she wasn’t more ambitious.

Xiao Qiling caught the implication in her tone. Her gaze flicked to the clearly more ornate carriage at the door, and she replied considerately, “This Prince was worried the Princess would be lonely, so I hurried back early.”

“Where is the Princess headed?”

Yu Nanqing had no desire to go to Huguo Temple with Xiao Qiling and made up an excuse. “I’m going to the suburbs to clear my mind.”

Xiao Qiling responded, “There have been bandits near the suburbs lately. I’ll go with you.”

Yu Nanqing had no choice but to tell the truth, saying softly, “I’m going to the temple. Your Highness doesn’t believe in Buddhism, does she?”

Xiao Qiling didn’t give her a chance to refuse, pushing her toward the carriage. “Can’t the Princess teach me?”

The sound of hooves clattered as the carriage left the city, heading toward the temple in the suburbs. The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain, where the path was too narrow for it to continue. Yu Nanqing had to disembark.

The mountain air was damp and chilly. A light snow had fallen the previous night, leaving the stone steps slick. Climbers tread carefully to avoid slipping.

Supported by Chen Xiang, Yu Nanqing climbed the steps but was out of breath before reaching halfway, complaining that she couldn’t go on.

The guards accompanying Xiao Qiling exchanged glances, seemingly puzzled by how frail the Princess was. For them, running up and down the mountain three times wouldn’t be a challenge.

Perhaps their curious stares were too obvious, as Yu Nanqing’s ears turned red with embarrassment. She didn’t know why she had become so weak—she hadn’t been like this before.

Maybe she’d grown too comfortable eating and drinking at the Prince’s mansion. Reflecting on this, Yu Nanqing resolved to start morning exercises the next day.

Xiao Qiling waved the guards back to clear the path for other climbers.

Yu Nanqing didn’t try to push herself. She tugged pitifully at Xiao Qiling’s sleeve. “Your Highness, I can’t walk anymore.”

Xiao Qiling saw the plea in her eyes and asked gently, “Do you want me to carry you?”

Yu Nanqing clapped her hands, her eyes lighting up. “Is that allowed? Your Highness is my husband. Carrying me to Huguo Temple would make for a fine story.”

“I’m poisoned and nearing my end, coming to Huguo Temple to pray for a longer life.” Xiao Qiling teased in her tone. “Halfway up, I tire, and the Princess, unwilling to see me suffer, insists on carrying me. That would make an even better story.”

Yu Nanqing: …

She glanced at the guards Xiao Qiling had brought, trying to negotiate. “Or maybe they could carry me? They look strong and sturdy—surely they wouldn’t drop me.”

Xiao Qiling glanced at the burly guards. The word “fine” lingered on her tongue before she said with a half-smile, “No.”

Yu Nanqing’s face fell, and she tried to salvage the situation. “Not even that?”

“No.” Xiao Qiling replied, pointing to the temple at the mountain’s peak. “Huguo Temple is watched by all the gods and Buddhas. Only sincerity brings blessings.”

Yu Nanqing turned to look back at the path. “Would going back down be easier?”

Before she could turn fully, Xiao Qiling grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

Walking backward felt unsafe, and Yu Nanqing quickly grabbed Xiao Qiling’s hand. “Hey! Your Highness, don’t make me walk backward! I’ll walk, I can walk!”

Impatient with Yu Nanqing’s snail-like pace, Xiao Qiling turned her around and tugged her wrist, continuing up the steps.

Yu Nanqing stumbled along, unable to muster any clever words. Finally, she blurted, “This is a sacred Buddhist site—men and women shouldn’t touch!”

Xiao Qiling glanced at her. “Men and women shouldn’t touch?”

Yu Nanqing awkwardly turned her head away, muttering so only they could hear, “…Nor should women and women.”

Xiao Qiling burst into laughter, her deliberately roughened voice making it sound even more forced. Annoyed by the laughter, Yu Nanqing ignored her aching legs and stormed ahead, as if fleeing a beast.

Xiao Qiling quickened her pace, easily catching up. No matter what Yu Nanqing said, she pretended not to hear.

When they finally reached Huguo Temple’s gleaming golden plaque, Xiao Qiling released Yu Nanqing’s hand. Yu Nanqing swayed, nearly collapsing.

Led by Master Xichen, several monks in saffron robes stood waiting, flanked by two guards in the Prince’s mansion livery, who had clearly gone ahead to announce their arrival.

Yu Nanqing finally saw a benefit to bringing Xiao Qiling along.

“It’s been some time since Prince Ning last visited. What brings Your Highness today?” Master Xichen, though young, had an air of ethereal wisdom, like a sage untouched by age.

“I’m here with the Princess to pray for a child.” Xiao Qiling said without batting an eye. “Can Master Xichen fulfill this wish?”

A crack appeared in Master Xichen’s serene expression. Clearly, he and Xiao Qiling were well-acquainted, close enough to know her true gender.

Chanting “Amitabha,” he said, “The Buddha says sincerity brings blessings. How much Your Highness desires an heir depends on how sincere your heart is.”

“Monks don’t lie, Master. Don’t try to fool me, or this deceptive Huguo Temple…” Xiao Qiling glanced at the plaque, “…might be burned down as an act of charity.”

Xichen smiled. “This monk’s divinations are never wrong. If Your Highness lacks sincerity but blames me, I have nothing to say.”

In her previous life, Yu Nanqing had met Xichen, always exchanging brief courtesies without much conversation. Seeing him now trade sharp words with Xiao Qiling was truly surprising.

When she stole a glance at Xichen, he seemed to sense it, meeting her gaze and inviting her, “Since His Highness has no requests, shall I show the Princess around?”

Yu Nanqing looked to Xiao Qiling, seeking approval with her eyes. After Xiao Qiling nodded, she hesitantly asked, “Actually, I’d like to ask the Master… when will my heir be born?”

Xichen: …

Xiao Qiling glanced at Yu Nanqing in surprise, stifling a laugh.

Xichen’s composed facade shattered completely. He gave Xiao Qiling a thumbs-up, praising, “Your Highness is truly blessed. I’ll ensure the Princess prays before the Buddha for a little heir to Prince Ning’s mansion soon.”

Xiao Qiling nodded. “Then I’ll trouble you, Master.”

Xichen genuinely felt troubled.

He urged Yu Nanqing, “Please, Princess, come with me.”

Huguo Temple was filled with the scent of incense, its red tiles and green bricks adorned with golden Buddha statues. The ancient sandalwood fragrance permeated every breath, and as Yu Nanqing inhaled deeply, the heaviness in her chest seemed to dissipate. She began to understand why everyone, from nobles to commoners, flocked to temples.

Lady Ji had donated generously to Huguo Temple each year, and after her passing, Yu Nanqing continued the tradition. Her mother’s tablet was meticulously maintained, with fresh vegetarian offerings placed before it daily—far better than the neglected corner of the Duke’s ancestral hall.

Kneeling before her mother’s tablet, Yu Nanqing’s heart swelled with emotion. Silently, she recounted her rebirth to her mother, then spoke of Xiao Qiling, the Duke’s mansion, and everyone connected to her, praising their virtues.

As she spoke, her straight posture slumped, her head tilting slightly, her gaze fixed on the tablet, drifting like the flickering candle flame, unfocused and lost.

Xiao Qiling didn’t believe in gods or Buddhas, especially after the Empress’s death, harboring no devotion to the temple’s golden statues. The room Xichen arranged for her was the finest in Huguo Temple, but last night’s rain left a faint musty smell.

She left the room, standing outside the hall, watching Yu Nanqing for a long time. The melancholy emanating from Yu Nanqing reminded her of that day by the lake at the Duke’s mansion. Yu Nanqing seemed the same yet somehow different—ethereal, as if she might drift away with the incense smoke if not watched closely.

Xiao Qiling frowned. She stood as long as Yu Nanqing knelt, yet she still couldn’t see through her.

The sound of prayer beads interrupted her thoughts as Master Xichen approached, joining her in gazing into the hall. “After the Princess comes out, shall I interpret a fortune stick for her?”

Xiao Qiling replied, “It must be a good one.”

Xichen shook his head. “The stick isn’t mine to choose. A good stick now doesn’t guarantee a perfect future, just as a bad one doesn’t mean certain hardship.”

Turning to face Xiao Qiling, he said, “Doesn’t Your Highness understand this better than I?”

Did noble birth ensure a smooth life?

Did being named Crown Prince guarantee her security?

Clearly not.

As the most exalted princess of the previous dynasty, Xiao Qiling’s birth coincided with Emperor Wuxuan’s victorious pursuit of the Xiongnu 800 li away, a national triumph. But the people didn’t know that Emperor Wuxuan was gravely wounded, naming her Crown Prince from his deathbed.

Xichen looked at Xiao Qiling with compassion. “Your Highness, shall I draw a top fortune stick for you first?”

Xiao Qiling was uninterested. “Didn’t you just say we can’t choose?”

Xichen tried to persuade her. “The Princess can’t, but Your Highness can.”

Xiao Qiling teased, “When did you start playing by worldly rules, Master? If the one on the throne came, would you craft a supreme fortune stick just for him?”

Xichen lowered his head, fingering his beads, his face still serene. “Your Highness jests.”

Xiao Qiling smiled, still uninterested. “When my heir is born, then I’ll come for your top fortune stick.”

The “heir” she mentioned earlier clearly wasn’t the same as Xichen’s interpretation. She gave him a pointed look.

Xichen’s expression didn’t falter, his smile as warm as if he could save all beings.

After parting with Xiao Qiling, Xichen approached Yu Nanqing.

“Greetings, Princess Ning.” Xichen said, bowing slightly, his voice gentler as Yu Nanqing turned to face him.

Yu Nanqing glanced toward the door, catching Xiao Qiling’s retreating figure. Before she could call out, Xichen asked, “Why did the Princess break her promise last year?”

Yu Nanqing’s gaze snapped back, her pupils contracting sharply.

She took an instinctive half-step back, bumping into the incense table.

Breaking her promise last year.

Yu Nanqing had come to Huguo Temple every year to burn incense for her mother, never missing a visit. If one were to nitpick, the only time she failed was in her previous life—the year she died, unable to make it to the temple in spring after perishing in the winter at Yanmen Pass.

Her eyes, almost dazed, fixed on Master Xichen. Her fingers gripped the edge of the incense table, and she gasped twice before managing to speak. “You…”

Xichen’s smile grew kinder, like the compassionate Buddhas in the temple. “Take your time, Princess. There’s no rush.”

The sunlight outside grew brighter, piercing the heavy clouds and casting a golden glow into the hall, enveloping Yu Nanqing. Her cold fingers slowly warmed.

Forcing herself to stay calm, she said, “Perhaps you’re mistaken, Master. Last year, I came with my maid and the nanny who raised me, and I donated a thousand taels of gold for incense.”

Xichen smiled. “Why does the Princess adopt Prince Ning’s tactic of self-deception? You once asked me how to break free if you’d chosen the wrong lord. Have you forgotten that too?”

The bl00d that had just returned to Yu Nanqing’s face drained away, her vision swimming.

Memories from her past life stabbed into her mind like needles. Xichen stood calmly before her, fingering his polished prayer beads.

That year, the capital’s winter seemed endlessly long, snow blanketing the temple in white. Xichen, dressed in the same robes as now, had stood before the solemn Buddha hall, looking at her with the same compassion he showed all beings.

Back then, Yu Nanqing’s spirit was already fraying. The physical ailments of her frail body paled in comparison to the mental torment. She had seen too much of Xiao Qijun’s dark side yet was trapped by the gentleman’s code of not serving two masters.

When she asked Xichen, he smiled gently but gave no clear answer. “You’ve bound yourself for too long. To choose or to let go—the Buddha is compassionate, and all is destined.”

Yu Nanqing hadn’t taken his words to heart then. She stayed loyal to Xiao Qijun and the royal family of Da Qi.

Until she met the rebel leader before her death. Until she sold off Xiao Qijun’s military assets entirely.

Breathing lightly, Yu Nanqing asked, almost to herself, “So that’s why I can see you again, Master?”

“Have you come to understand now, Miss?” Xichen’s eyes seemed to see through her soul. He shook his head, as if regretful.

“I have a question, and I hope you’ll answer.” Yu Nanqing said, not asking about her past life’s choice. “Since you know how the world’s tides will shift, why not act to prevent the suffering of the people?”

“I am not of this world—how can I meddle in its affairs? You, as one of this world, can change its course.”

Xichen maintained his enigmatic air, reverting to calling her “Miss.” “I couldn’t answer you before. Since you’ve returned to this place, shall I interpret a fortune stick for you?”

Yu Nanqing didn’t respond.

Seeing her dazed expression, Xichen pulled out a dusty fortune stick container from under a table, brushing it off with his sleeve, though it still looked barely free of cobwebs.

“Draw one, Princess.”

Yu Nanqing stared at the grimy container and shook her head firmly. “No. Your words just now gave me much to ponder. I need to reflect deeply. Any more, and I won’t remember.”

“With your wisdom, how could you forget?” Xichen insisted, pressing the container into her hands. “Draw.”

Yu Nanqing closed her eyes, tilting the container slightly and shaking it. After about twenty shakes, a stick fell out, landing on the ground.

Xichen picked it up, his smile deepening as he read it. “Congratulations, Princess—it’s a middle-grade stick.”

Yu Nanqing: …

Was a middle-grade stick something to celebrate?

She reached to snatch it. “No, that doesn’t count. Let me draw again—I’m sure I can get a top-grade one.”

“You’re much livelier than last year.” Xichen commented with a smile. “If you’d drawn then, it would’ve been a bottom-grade stick. Are you still dissatisfied?”

Yu Nanqing pursed her lips. “Then please interpret it for me, Master.”

Xichen placed the stick in her hand, his voice ethereal and distant: “A beauty fades like smoke; dwell not on the past. Princes and nobles rise from nothing—listen for the phoenix’s song in stillness.”