The Commandery Princess and Master Pusuan engaged in a verbal sparring match, and County Magistrate Lei, listening on the side, discerned so aning, feeling secretly pleased.
No matter who gained the upper hand, the people of Zhi County would not go hungry. In this situation, he, as the County Magistrate of Zhi County, was guaranteed to win without losses.
"By the way, I heard that Old Madam Xue is coming to the White Cloud Temple to worship in two days," Jiang Shaohua said with a smile. "At that ti, I, as the Commandery Princess, plan to visit Old Madam Xue to pay my respects."
This was to give Master Pusuan face.
Otherwise, Jiang Shaohua, with her status as a Commandery Princess, had no need to personally co to the White Cloud Temple. She could easily wait at the county governnt for Old Madam Xue to call upon her.
Master Pusuan understood and quickly replied, "Thank you, Commandery Princess."
At noon, Jiang Shaohua had a vegetarian al at the White Cloud Temple, listened to Master Pusuan’s teachings in the afternoon, and left later in the day.
Master Pusuan, after seeing the Commandery Princess off, secretly sighed in relief.
The way the Commandery Princess conducted herself was indeed grand. Either she wouldn’t co at all, or she would co and give the White Cloud Temple ample respect.
...
Two days later.
Old Madam Xue and her company arrived at the White Cloud Temple.
The White Cloud Temple had cleared out ordinary worshipers in advance, tidying the best courtyard for worship.
According to usual habits, every ti Old Madam Xue visited the White Cloud Temple, she would typically stay for two days. Combined with travel ti back and forth, it would take six to seven days.
Old Madam Xue, at seventy-two this year, had a head full of silver hair yet still looked ruddy and healthy. She walked without assistance, her steps even considered nimble. Otherwise, she couldn’t withstand the monthly travel for worship and incense burning.
"Did the Master say that the Nanyang County Princess is coming to the White Cloud Temple?" Old Madam Xue asked with a smile.
Before speaking, Master Pusuan joined his palms together and recited, "Amitabha Buddha: Indeed she is. The Commandery Princess ntioned this two days ago, and today she sent word again, saying she will arrive before noon."
Old Madam Xue felt at ease, her tone conveying a hint of reserve: "Back when the Princess Consort was alive, I often ca to burn incense with her. Since her passing, I have been without a companion, indeed feeling a bit lonely. It’s just as well that the Commandery Princess is coming; I can recite the scriptures with her."
The Commandery Princess, in truth, was not a believer in Buddhism, but such things were sothing Master Pusuan would never voice. He followed Old Madam Xue’s conversation and said with a smile, "The Commandery Princess is naturally gifted and extraordinarily perceptive. Old Madam, you will surely feel a special connection with her."
Old Madam Xue chuckled softly, feeling a little regretful.
Had she known the Nanyang County Princess was coming to the White Cloud Temple, she would have brought her grandson Xue Lin along.
Governor Xue has five sons and one daughter. The sons have all grown into adults, married, and started families. The youngest daughter, Xue Liuniang, is not yet married. Old Madam Xue is very fond of this granddaughter and brings her along every ti she worships.
Xue Lin is Governor Xue’s nephew and the youngest grandson of Old Madam Xue, aged thirteen this year.
Governor Xue’s younger brother died early, and his sister-in-law remarried ten years ago. Xue Lin has lived with his grandmother since he was three, being, practically speaking, the apple of Old Madam Xue’s eye.
As Xue Lin grows, seeing his diocre studies, he might not have much hope in the Imperial Examination. Old Madam Xue began contemplating a good marriage prospect for her grandson.
Xue Lin was raised in the Inspector Mansion yet wasn’t Governor Xue’s son. The only inheritance he might receive is what the second house left behind. With no official title or future, it is truly challenging to marry a noble girl. Old Madam Xue wasn’t willing to marry him into a family of lower standing.
It would be best to marry a noble girl from within Jingzhou, with a generous dowry, so that they could live under her watchful eye. As his grandmother, she would be able to offer so support. Even if she closes her eyes and passes on, Xue Lin still has Governor Xue, his legitimate elder uncle, to look after him.
Having searched and searched, she found nothing particularly satisfactory. When Master Pusuan ntioned the Nanyang County Princess today, Old Madam Xue suddenly beca enlightened.
This Nanyang County Princess, only eleven years old, and her mother Jiang Yan is hailed as the foremost beauty of Nanyang. The Commandery Princess’s appearance surely must not be lacking. Regarding dowry, is there any girl in all of Jingzhou who could rival Jiang Shaohua?
What’s more fortuitous is that Prince Nanyang has already passed away. In the Prince Mansion, there is only the inconspicuous Prince Consort Lu... If this marriage worked out, wouldn’t the Nanyang Prince Mansion in the future be Xue Lin’s?
The more Old Madam Xue pondered, the more tempted she beca and imdiately called soone over: "Send a ssage back to the Inspector Mansion, letting Qi Lang co to the White Cloud Temple."
Xue Lin ranks seventh among his cousins and siblings.
The long-term follower was about to respond and leave when Xue Liuniang softly intervened, "Grandmother, coming to White Cloud Temple takes three to four days on the road. Seventh Brother is studying at the Prefecture School, and asking for extra leave is inconvenient. Why make him go back and forth excessively?"
Old Madam Xue glanced at Xue Liuniang with a smile, "I have my plans. You don’t need to worry about it."
Xue Liuniang said nothing more.
At that mont, a maid ca in to report, "To inform the Old Madam, the Nanyang County Princess has arrived."
Old Madam Xue stood up at first, then sat back down slowly, as if she had just thought of sothing: "Liuniang, go and greet the Commandery Princess."
Xue Liuniang slightly furrowed her eyebrows, "Given the Commandery Princess’s noble status, rely sending your granddaughter may not show enough respect. Grandmother should greet her personally."
Old Madam Xue replied, "She cos with the courtesy of a younger generation. I, at over seventy, can still handle this. Go on, greet the Commandery Princess!"
Xue Liuniang, unable to persuade her grandmother, sighed silently and had to get up and go out.
"Sixth Miss Xue greets the Commandery Princess." Xue Liuniang respectfully perford the courtesy.
Jiang Shaohua’s gaze flickered, and she smiled slightly, "Miss Xue Liu, please rise."
As Xue Liuniang stood up, she swiftly assessed the Commandery Princess with surprise.
Jiang Shaohua was very beautiful.
Even more enthralling was her composed, calm, and self-assured deanor.
In Xue Liuniang’s fourteen years of life, she had only seen such poise in her father.
Governor Xue had been the governor for eighteen years, and here was the Nanyang County Princess, just an eleven-year-old girl, still not as tall as her!
Jiang Shaohua was also observing Xue Liuniang.
No wonder Mrs. Yao instantly took a liking to Xue Liuniang.
Putting lineage aside, this Sixth Miss Xue possessed snow-white skin, blossom-like features, willow-like brows, almond eyes, and a graceful figure with bright, clear eyes. By any standard, she was a top-tier beauty.
Jiang Shaohua had t Chief Historian Feng’s granddaughter twice before. With Chief Historian Feng’s rather plain looks as a grandfather, Miss Feng’s appearance was barely plain. Comparing her to Xue Liuniang was simply impossible.
Mrs. Yao herself was a beauty and highly discerning about looks. Her dissatisfaction with Miss Feng was sowhat understandable.
Xue Liuniang’s voice sounded like an oriole, clear and pleasant: "Grandmother traveled from afar and is sowhat tired, resting in the Zen room. Unable to personally welco the Commandery Princess, she asks for your understanding."
Jiang Shaohua responded with a smile, "I am the younger generation, here to pay respects to an elder; it isn’t proper for an elder to greet . Please, Miss Six, lead the way."
Xue Liuniang bowed again and softly agreed. Her manners fully reflected the elegance and composure of a noble young lady.
Chen Jinyu’s bright, curious eyes flitted over Xue Liuniang’s graceful silhouette. Who would have thought her mother’s vision was so good?
Jiang Shaohua glanced at Chen Jinyu with a smile.
Chen Jinyu imdiately withdrew her gaze.
...
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