Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Escape Route (4)
Nanny Qian turned pale and said, "Madam, the altar set up by Master Puning caught fire and started burning!" Lady was startled and stood up from her chair, "How could the altar catch fire just like that? Where is Master?" This altar is the Buddha’s altar, where auspicious feng shui and fate are emphasized. How could it burn so suddenly?
Nanny Qian replied, "Master is in the back and will be here shortly!" Lady also turned pale, and Xiqiu clenched her handkerchief, her face full of terror, "Mother... could it be..." Lady’s body trembled at the thought – could it be the evil ghost causing trouble?!
The room fell silent, with no one speaking. These tales of spirits are better believed than doubted, and for a moment, no one knew what to say. After a while, Master Puning walked in with a somber face. Lady immediately went over, looking at the Master, "Master, what is going on here?"
"Amitabha Buddha!" Master Puning said with a calm face, "This wicked spirit is stubborn and refuses to leave!" Lady was shocked and asked, "What can be done about it?" Just thinking about the nightmares from the past few days made her still frightened. Master Puning shook her head, "It’s not that there is no way, just that..." Lady couldn’t care much and said, "Master, please speak without reservation!"
Master Puning said, "This matter originated with Lady and Sixth Miss; it seems only the two of you can resolve it!" Lady glanced at Xiqiu, saw her looking uneasy and anxious, then asked, "How can we resolve it?"
"It’s better not to speak of this method! The young lady is at an age of beauty, and the lady is entangled in household affairs, fearing neither have the time or energy..." She paused for a moment, and Lady quickly said, "Master, please don’t worry, just say it!" Master Puning replied, "It’s required for both of you to serve Buddha for eighty-one days, and then I will recite the Rebirth Mantra forty-nine times every day to dissolve this karmic bond!"
Lady was utterly surprised, serving Buddha for eighty-one days? It’s simply a joke; where would she find the time? There are so many matters in the household that need her attention; even if she invited Buddha to the mansion, she probably couldn’t commit to this!
"Master!" Suddenly, Xiqiu stepped forward and said, "Mother is overwhelmed with duties, and the household can’t do without her. Could I perhaps replace Mother in serving the Buddha?"
Lady’s eyes lit up, and Master Puning thought for a moment, reluctantly nodded and said, "If that’s the case, it shall be so!" She then turned to Lady and said, "Time is pressing, please have Sixth Miss follow me to the temple today!"
Lady was stunned, not expecting the urgency. The concubine frowned; if it wasn’t to the Half Plum Temple but to Puji Temple, then it would be much more difficult for her to act. Puji Temple is not like the Half Plum Temple; it is a centennial temple formerly known as Puji Hermitage, even visited by the Empress. It is one of the few temples in Great Zhou recognized as both temples and monasteries.
"Let it be as Master instructs!" Lady did not care about these things; the safety of the household was most important now. She turned to Xiqiu again, "Then go pack and accompany Master!" Xiqiu bowed slightly to Lady, "Daughter understands." She then greeted the Master and, with Chunyan and Chunliu waiting at the door, stepped out. Just then, a shadow at the door moved, and Xu Tianqing entered with a cold expression!
Upon seeing Xiqiu, his heart ached with guilt. He bowed deeply to Xiqiu, "Sixth Sister, it’s all because of me that you’re implicated!"
Xiqiu averted her gaze, returned the bow to Xu Tianqing, her voice cool and detached, "Cousin, no need to exaggerate!" There were no more words spoken.
Xu Tianqing’s eyes filled with pain, he turned away bitterly, directing his icy gaze at the concubine.
Seeing things turning wrong, Lady smiled and said to Master Puning, "Master, please rest in the side room for a while, vegetarian meals are prepared in the kitchen, please don’t disdain them!" Master Puning’s eyes swept over Xiqiu’s face, who smiled and greeted her, and Master nodded slightly before being led out by Nanny Qian.
"You all may leave now!" Lady ordered, dismissing the maids and servants. Nanny Fang pulled up Sixing, who was still sitting on the ground. A reluctant Sixing called out, "Young Master!" Xu Tianqing narrowed his eyes and, without turning his head, said coldly, "Take her out!"
Sixing started, her eyes filled with hurt. Looking at Xu Tianqing bewildered, "Young Master, what did you say?" Xu Tianqing turned around, his face still cold, "Fine, since you’re not leaving, let me ask you, what did you say to my mother?" Sixing shook her head, Xu Tianqing clenched his fist, "Was it you who told my mother that Sixth Miss and I were secretly seeing each other? Was it you who said you were here to deliver personal items on behalf of your young lady?"
"No... it wasn’t me!" Sixing had never seen Xu Tianqing so furious; she stepped back repeatedly, her face full of panic and unease. She looked to the concubine for help, "Concubine, please tell the young master, the servant really didn’t say anything!"
The concubine turned her face away, refusing to look at her.
Xu Tianqing coldly laughed, "I thought you were loyal to Sixth Sister. No matter what, I would assist you wholeheartedly. That day, when you cried saying Sixth Sister wanted to promise you to a servant in the mansion, what did I say? I said if Sixth Sister did so, there must be a reason; your relationship is special, and Sixth Sister surely thought it through for you." Lady’s eyes shifted slightly, sitting on the armchair like a spectator of the drama. The concubine was more uneasy, fearing that Xu Tianqing would discover everything today. She had no mind to honor promises made to Sixing, besides, merely a maid; did she genuinely intend to keep her?
Sixing sensed something was wrong, shaking her head fearfully, "The servant... is..." She looked at the concubine, who glared back at her, silencing her. She habitually sought help from Xiqiu, but the young lady who usually protected her stood coldly to the side. She looked desperately at Xu Tianqing, "The servant told the truth; the young master is fond of the young lady, and the young lady often gave embroidery gifts, all these are facts; the servant didn’t fabricate anything."
"Silence!" He laughed, "They’re all facts? What facts, why am I unaware?!" He suddenly turned his mocking gaze towards the concubine: "Mother, have you seen any such item?"
The concubine was stunned, not understanding Xu Tianqing’s words; she had clearly seen them yesterday, so why was he saying such things today, "What nonsense are you speaking, the items are all kept by Mother for you!" Xu Tianqing gave a half-smile, suddenly turning to the door and said, "Bring in the items!" Immediately, the servant by his side walked in, holding a copper basin filled halfway with ashes, and Xu Tianqing smiled towards the concubine and Sixing, "Is this what you’re talking about?"