TLDPCRM 32: copy the Buddhist scriptures

Chapter 32: copy the Buddhist scriptures

"Ziluo, do I look good in this outfit?"

The Imperial Concubine Shu was obsessed with beauty, and everyone in the palace knew it.

"It looks great. Your Highness always looks very dignified no matter how you dress up."

"Better than Concubine Ying?"

"Of course. Concubine Ying is only better looking because she's younger. She only relies on her fox-like appearance to seduce the Emperor."

As soon as Ziluo finished speaking, she realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly knelt down and began to repeatedly slap herself.

The Imperial Concubine Shu was getting annoyed with the sound and lazily ran her hand through her hair, saying, "I didn't blame you. What's the point of being so afraid? Someone who doesn't know might think that I'm being harsh on you."

"I dare not. It's my fault. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

The Imperial Concubine Shu turned around arrogantly and helped her up, giving her a silver bracelet from her wrist.

"Your Highness..."

Ziluo was surprised and refused to take it.

"It's just a little something from me. I won't treat you unfairly with what I have."

Ziluo frowned tightly, her eyes filled with indescribable fear.

"Why won't you accept the gift I gave you? Are you angry with me?"

"I dare not. I wouldn't dare."

"Alright, don't be so servile. You can do whatever you want while working in the Qianxi Palace. Why hasn't Ziyun come back yet?"

Zi Luo put the bracelet in her pocket and said, "The laundry department is quite far from here. Perhaps they were delayed on the way. Shall I go check?"

Before Imperial Concubine Shu could respond, Ziyun ran back, flustered.

"Something terrible has happened, Your Highness! I was about to deal with that despicable woman when another woman appeared and rescued her, saying she wanted to help her clear her name."

Upon hearing this, Zi Luo turned pale. Anyone who dared to stop Concubine Shu's person would face the death penalty.

"Who has the audacity to disobey my orders, even my own people?" asked the Concubine Shu, trying to suppress her anger.

"It seems to be Princess Zhao, who was brought into the palace by Prince Zhao. She is the daughter of the Gu family," replied Zi Yan.

Imperial Concubine Shu narrowed her eyes, emitting a cold snort from her nose. Her sharp nails dug into her palms, and her eyes were full of hatred.

"It appears that even the Gu family cannot control their daughter."

.........

Gu Jun Yao wearing a stunning orange gown with a pale yellow satin wrapped around her chest, embroidered with exquisite peony flowers. She walked gracefully, with a swaying gait that was unforgettable. The hem of her skirt was covered in a dense blue sea and cloud pattern, which made her dress even more eye-catching.

Gu Jun Yao walked behind her father, holding a light gauze fan in her hand. She looked like a lotus in the green waves from afar. Her hair was tightly coiled up, leaving a small amount of black hair hanging in front of her chest. She was dignified yet playful. When she turned around, her long skirt fluttered like a goddess scattering flowers.

"Father, I heard that the princess is about to marry someone outside the boarder. But it's so difficult there. She will suffer without even water and rice. Won't she be miserable?"

It was truly pitiful to grow up in the imperial family, with no control over one's own fate. Gu Jun Yao felt apprehensive, but fortunately, she was not a princess herself.

"Do not speak of this in the palace. If it reaches the ears of the Princess, you will not have an easy time," said the father.

"Understood, I will remember your teachings," replied the daughter.

Ziluo had been waiting nearby for some time and inquired about the whereabouts of the Gu family. When she finally saw Father Gu, she approached him and greeted him with a bow. "Are you Mr. Gu?"

"Yes, and you are?" he asked.

"My name is Ziluo, and I am from the Qianxi Palace," she replied.

"Oh, my apologies, I did not realize you were in the company of the Concubine Shu," said master Gu, who loved to cozy up to the powerful figures in the palace. His face was all smiles.

"Would Mr. Gu like to visit the Qianxi Palace? Concubine Shu has something to discuss with you," said Ziluo.

Master Gu and Gu Junyao looked at each other, wondering if their good fortune was about to begin. Although they had little interaction with the Concubine Shu, Gu's father was already contemplating how to please her and possibly help Gu Junyao's marriage prospects.

Once they arrived at the Qianxi Palace, master Gu bowed to the Concubine Shu, but she did not signal for them to rise.

"Your Highness, why have you summoned me?" asked master Gu curiously, observing Imperial Concubine Shu's grandeur and grace, which he and his daughter could not emulate.

Imperial Concubine Shu looked at the Gu family and thought that Gu Junyao was the woman who had thwarted her plans.

"Master Gu, this is only our first meeting, but it seems to me that you have never really taken me seriously, not even your daughter whom you have taught."

Upon hearing this, master Gu was scared and immediately lowered his head, saying, "Your Highness, where did you get that idea? Even if you gave this old servant a hundred times more courage, I would still never dare to disrespect you."

"Is that so? Master Gu has failed to properly educate his daughter, and I feel sorry for her. Luckily, your daughter is with you today, so I will teach you both some manners."

master Gu was confused and had no idea what he had done wrong to receive such condemnation from the Imperial consort. He had to kneel outside for half an hour, and Gu Junyao suffered along with him.

Ziluo placed a large stack of Buddhist scriptures on the table and said with a frown, "This is what the noble consort ordered. You must copy all of them before leaving the palace today, otherwise, don't even think about going back."

"May I ask, what crime have my father and I committed to offend the noble consort?" Gu Junyao had never been so wronged before. She had dressed up nicely to enter the palace, but she did not expect to be targeted by the noble consort for no reason.

"Gu Yunru, you have offended the Imperial noble consort, but you are unaware of it! Don't think that just because you have the support of His Highness, the Prince Zhao, the noble consort can't do anything to you."

"Wait a minute, what you are looking for has nothing to do with Father and me, and the noble consort must have misunderstood something. Please, speak kindly and ask the noble consort to spare my father and me."

  In her heart, Gu Junyao hated Gu Yunru to the core. It must have been something she said that had caused the disgrace of the Gu family. And now, she had even implicated her and her father. When she returned to the Gu mansion, she would definitely complain to her mother.

  But Zi Luo didn't believe a word of what Gu Junyao said. She angrily shook off her hand and said, "You stay here and copy the Buddhist scriptures. You don't need to attend tonight's banquet, so as not to make a fool of yourself. The manners of the Gu family are so disgraceful, there's no need for you to go."

  "but..."

  Gu Junyao wanted to plead with her, but Zi Luo had already walked away.

  Meanwhile, Gu Yunru was taking care of Bi Luo at the laundry department. Bi Luo was overwhelmed with gratitude, watching as Gu Yunru and Prince Zhao personally took care of her. She was moved to tears.

  "Miss Gu, you have a heart of gold. I never expected you to speak up for me, but this will also offend Concubine Shu."

  Bi Luo sat on the bed, her eyes full of worry.