Chapter 80
The wives and daughters of the officials who understood such matters all widened their eyes in disbelief. After all, Su Wan’ning was not the only one who had thought to appeal to the Empress Dowager’s tastes when choosing a tribute.
However, to go as far as using her own blood to transcribe scriptures—especially the entire Ten Thousand Words Sutra—was truly unprecedented.
No wonder the Crown Prince’s side consort looked so pale and frail. It turned out she had exhausted herself copying scriptures for the Empress Dowager.
The room buzzed with whispers, and even the Empress Dowager was visibly moved by the sight of the full scroll of scriptures.
She stood up and nodded, saying, “The children in the Crown Prince’s household are indeed dutiful. But there is no need to harm your own body for the sake of an old woman who is already half buried in the earth. Yun’er’s hair embroidery is one thing—it does not cause harm to the body. But drawing blood every day to copy scriptures is far too damaging. Especially for a young woman, whose duty is to ensure the continuation of the royal lineage. You must not harm your health like this again.”
Su Wan’ning stepped forward and knelt before the Empress Dowager, saying, “Your Highness speaks wisely; it was thoughtless of me. I only acted out of deep admiration for you and devotion to the Buddha. I wished to move the Buddha’s heart and pray for your long life and well-being.”
The Empress Dowager nodded and said, “I understand your sincerity,” before signaling to Xiao Bingzi, “Take it.”
The Crown Prince was thoroughly pleased. The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet was an occasion where the female members of the court shone the brightest.
And his wife and concubine had truly brought him great honor today.
Especially Wan’er—sacrificing her own health to present such a grand tribute was worthy of the highest praise.
As expected, the Empress Dowager ordered a eunuch to bring a chair for Su Wan’ning and had her sit beside her.
The subsequent tributes all felt lackluster in comparison—mostly rare antiques, calligraphy, and paintings.
The Empress Dowager lacked for nothing in terms of treasures; what she truly valued was sincerity.
As the tributes came to an end, Lu Hanzhi was still nowhere to be seen.
The last person to present a gift was Imperial Concubine Rong, who offered a string of relic prayer beads. Compared to the other gifts, this was clearly the Empress Dowager’s favorite.
For after accepting the beads, she immediately held them in her hands.
Imperial Concubine Rong stepped aside and turned to Yuwen Min, asking, “What’s going on with Han’er? Why hasn’t he appeared yet? If he delays any longer, the performances will begin.”
The Empress Dowager enjoyed watching plays featuring talented scholars and beautiful women. The emperor had specially invited several renowned opera troupes to liven up the celebration.
Yuwen Min shook his head and replied, “I don’t know.”
Imperial Concubine Rong then looked to Yuwen Jue, who simply smiled faintly and said, “Mother, there’s no need to worry. A good meal is never late.”
Imperial Concubine Rong: …Where had he learned to speak like this?
Still, she couldn’t help but feel anxious. The room had fallen silent, and she feared that if the emperor announced it was time to watch the performances, the opportunity would be lost.
Glancing at the Empress Dowager, she quickly came up with a way to start a conversation.
She stepped forward with a smile, saluted, and said, “Your Highness, forgive my boldness, but I simply cannot contain my curiosity. Your lips today are so vibrantly colored, simply breathtaking. I have never seen such a shade before—it makes your complexion appear even more fair and radiant. You look absolutely stunning! May I ask what rouge you are using? I’d love to try it myself.”
Imperial Concubine Rong had touched on just the right topic. County Princess Zhaoyun immediately chimed in, “That’s right, Your Highness! Yun’er wanted to ask as well—Mother and I have been whispering about it for ages! You look so beautiful today. If someone didn’t know better, they might mistake you for the Empress instead of the Empress Dowager!”
Zhaoyun’s words instantly delighted the Empress Dowager, while the Empress’s expression darkened.
Indeed, compared to the Empress, who had recently appeared haggard and dull, the Empress Dowager—despite being in her sixties—seemed far more youthful and radiant.
The Empress Dowager took Zhaoyun’s hand, her mood evidently lifted. She said, “Oh, you sweet little thing. You always know just what to say to make me happy.”
Then, turning to Imperial Concubine Rong, she said warmly, “As a matter of fact, I have you to thank for this.”
Imperial Concubine Rong was puzzled. “Your Highness, what do you mean?”
The Empress Dowager chuckled. “The other day, when Prince An’s Wang Fei came to the palace to pay his respects, he had something tucked away in his sleeve. Though he didn’t say anything, it was clear he was carrying a gift for his mother-in-law. But before he could present it, I snatched it away without a second thought!”
As soon as she finished speaking, laughter erupted around her.
Imperial Concubine Rong laughed along as well. “That child is always full of clever tricks. If he has something good to offer Your Highness, it is his fortune to do so. But since Han’er was the one who prepared it, I suppose I can rest assured. I’ll just have to ask him for one myself next time.”
The Empress Dowager reached out and tapped lightly, smiling as she said, “Then he surely won’t keep it to himself. He’ll obediently offer it in filial respect to his mother-in-law.”
Just then, a voice came from beside the Empress Dowager: “Speaking of Prince An, why hasn’t Prince An’s Wang Fei been seen today? Wasn’t he supposed to accompany him to the palace?”
Imperial Concubine Rong frowned slightly without revealing any emotion. The Empress was always trying to undermine her.
The Empress Dowager, as if only just realizing it, spoke up, “Oh, right. I’m very fond of Hanzhi. Why isn’t he here? Is he feeling unwell? Could it be that he’s expecting again?”
As she spoke, she turned to Yuwen Min and added, “Our Min’er is still young and strong, and they are very affectionate. It wouldn’t be surprising.”
Yuwen Min: …
Why does the Empress Dowager always have to embarrass me?
The Empress then spoke again, “Even if he is expecting, he still shouldn’t miss the Empress Dowager’s grand birthday celebration. That would be improper.”
At last, the Emperor spoke: “Indeed, it is unacceptable. Min’er, what is the matter with your Wang Fei?”
Just then, ceremonial music sounded from outside Cining Palace, followed by Lu Hanzhi’s voice: “Your servant has arrived late. I beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager’s forgiveness.”
As the music floated into the hall, several palace maids dressed in light gauze carried baskets of flowers. Two young eunuchs at the front rolled out a long red carpet, and the palace maids scattered dried lotus petals upon it.
Lu Hanzhi stepped forward to pay respects, immediately piquing everyone’s curiosity.
The Empress Dowager stood up and said, “Hanzhi, you may rise. What is this grand spectacle for?”
Lu Hanzhi straightened up, smiled at the Empress Dowager, and said, “Congratulations and blessings to the Empress Dowager! A heavenly auspicious sign has appeared to celebrate Your Majesty’s grand birthday.”
The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor, who also looked at Lu Hanzhi in confusion and asked, “What kind of auspicious sign?”
The Empress, however, merely smiled and said, “I have heard that Prince An’s Wang Fei enjoys playing with ingenious contraptions. Today, he is even performing mystical tricks before the throne. If this truly is an auspicious omen, then fine. But if not, it would be a grave crime to deceive the Emperor.”
The Empress Dowager frowned and said, “It’s not that serious. My birthday celebration is meant to be lively and joyful—why must we talk about crimes of deceiving the Emperor?”
The Emperor also looked displeased with the Empress, who had no choice but to offer an awkward smile and sit back down.
Lu Hanzhi, however, remained completely serious. “Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I have not exaggerated. This truly is a divine omen from the heavens.”
Now, everyone’s interest was fully captured. They all gathered closer.
Even the Empress Dowager and the Emperor grew solemn, uncertain about what this junior had up his sleeve.
The Emperor said, “Since that is the case, don’t keep us in suspense. Present the auspicious sign.”
Lu Hanzhi respectfully bowed to the Emperor and said, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Immediately, the ceremonial music played again. A redwood cart carrying a massive human-shaped figure was slowly pushed in by several young eunuchs.
In front of the giant figure stood a smaller human-like object, whose nature was unknown.
The cart was pushed into the very center of the hall, draped in a red cloth.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor stepped forward, and the gathered crowd followed suit.
Lu Hanzhi turned to the Empress Dowager and said, “Empress Dowager, please do us the honor of unveiling the auspicious sign yourself.”
The Empress Dowager chuckled, glanced at the Emperor to assure him there was no harm, then stepped forward and gently pulled off the red cloth.
As the fabric fell away, a pristine white statue of Guanyin was revealed before everyone’s eyes. In front of the jade Guanyin sat a small meditative child—Ah Chan.
The moment the cloth was removed, gasps and exclamations of awe filled the hall.
“This… is a Guanyin statue carved from a single piece of jade?”
“Pure white throughout, without a single blemish?”
“How could such an extraordinary jade exist in this world? While flawless white jade is rare, a piece of this size is practically unheard of!”
“This is jade? Why does it… seem somewhat different from ordinary jade?”
—
Both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were filled with wonder, but what amazed them even more was the face of the Guanyin.
The face of the Guanyin bore a striking resemblance to the Empress Dowager.
Lu Hanzhi immediately explained, “The great and merciful Guanyin manifests in a thousand hands and faces. Naturally, one of those faces belongs to the Empress Dowager. It is through Your Majesty’s visage that Guanyin listens to the voices of the world.”
At these words, the Empress Dowager immediately exclaimed, “Wonderful!”
Everyone knew how devoutly she practiced Buddhism. This flattery was so well-delivered it might as well have echoed across the heavens.
The gathered officials and nobles were full of admiration, clicking their tongues in amazement.
Even the Empress and the Crown Prince’s faction were left astounded. They had never expected that Lu Hanzhi, a mere Xiao Langjun, would be capable of such an extraordinary display.
Imperial Concubine Rong’s expression was one of shock and awe—clearly, she had not been informed of this in advance.
The Crown Prince’s faction had painstakingly copied Buddhist scriptures in blood as a tribute, yet they had lost.
However, Su Wan’ning merely smiled. Lost? Not necessarily.
As long as the Empress Dowager kept the scripture, then she had won.
The Empress, beaming, stepped forward and said, “This… this is truly astounding! The Empress Dowager is indeed most fortunate today. First, she receives a handwritten scripture transcribed in blood from Wan’er, and now, this unparalleled jade Guanyin. What a joyous occasion!”
Lu Hanzhi, who had been introducing the Guanyin, suddenly felt his heart sink upon hearing that Su Wan’ning had gifted a scripture written with her own blood.
His mind instantly screamed that something was wrong.
He instinctively felt that this scripture must be problematic—and worse, that it was an issue he could not resolve.
His thoughts raced, and his palms began to sweat as he desperately tried to think of a way to make the Empress Dowager reject the gift.
Human blood is inauspicious?
No, that wouldn’t work. Using one’s own blood as an offering to Buddha was considered an act of great devotion.
A concubine’s lowly birth?
No, that wouldn’t work either. He himself never cared for lineage, and it would be too weak of an argument.
Just as Lu Hanzhi was growing increasingly anxious, an idea suddenly struck him like lightning.
He immediately stepped forward, feigning astonishment, and said to the Empress Dowager, “Empress Dowager, so sister Wan’er has gifted you a scripture transcribed with her own blood? That is truly marvelous—what a great blessing for Your Majesty!”
The Empress Dowager was puzzled. “Oh? And how exactly is this marvelous?”
Lu Hanzhi replied, “Your Majesty may not be aware, but this heavenly white porcelain is a magnificent gift from the heavens to the people. The white porcelain Guanyin is the most sacred of all auspicious signs. It must be offered with the most devout tribute and burned as an offering, only then can it connect to the Western Pure Land and convey the myriad voices of the world to the Bodhisattva!”
The Empress Dowager still didn’t quite understand and asked, “Oh?”
Lu Hanzhi smiled and said, “To put it simply, burning Cousin Wan’er’s Ten Thousand Words Sutra in front of the Guanyin statue will bring years of favorable weather and abundant harvests to the Great Zhao. Even His Majesty and the Empress Dowager will receive blessings like never before.”
Su Wan’ning’s eyes widened in shock on the spot.
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