Chapter 67 This is His Sheng Sheng

Qi Mubai was exceptionally brilliant. The last time he saw Su Zhiyi, he knew that Yu Shengsheng's life in the Su household could not possibly be easy.

At this moment, seeing the hand gestures she made and clearly catching sight of the unhealed scar below the corner of her eye, a sharp ache pierced through Qi Mubai's heart.

He understood Yu Shengsheng far too well. She was always steadfast and enduring; nothing could ever defeat her. The more adversity she faced, the stronger the vitality she would unleash.

Except that she cared far too deeply for ties and affections.

Yu Shengsheng's vulnerability was never about herself.

Qi Mubai's smile widened, and he made a gesture back to her.

I am well, too. Only when I see you well can I truly be better.

Yu Shengsheng was stunned for a moment; then, her smile blossomed all at once, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Moisture glistened in Qi Mubai's eyes as well. He pointed to the corner of his own eye and gently wiped the air.

He could tell that Yu Shengsheng had grown taller, her hair had grown longer, and she had lost quite a bit of weight, making her lively eyes appear even larger and brighter.

The young girl who once ran wild among the mountain woods and grasses had grown into a graceful maiden, upright and slender like a newly sprouted bamboo, or suddenly blooming plum blossoms.

This was his Shengsheng.

Separated by dozens of meters, separated by the surging crowd, separated by the mountain breeze and the chirping of birds.

Yet Yu Shengsheng felt that their two hearts were infinitely close, offering solace against the loneliness and pain she had endured for over a year.

The sound of a bell rang from afar.

All the scholars stopped what they were doing and stood still for a moment.

"It's the bell! The abbot is about to lecture on Zen. Hurry to the front hall!"

Everyone immediately turned and walked toward the front. Qi Mubai raised his hand, making a gentle patting motion across the distance.

He offered Yu Shengsheng a tender smile.

Yu Shengsheng touched her head, smiled, and nodded.

Qi Mubai turned and walked away. After a few steps, he stopped, though he did not look back.

He had to strive to become better. Only when he was well could he bring a better life to Shengsheng. Otherwise, what use was this sheer, burning sincerity?

Yu Shengsheng's gaze remained glued to him until he walked beneath the tree, stepped onto the path, passed through the moon gate, and vanished from sight.

She took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, and then turned to gaze at the distant mountain forests, smiling to herself for a moment.

There were hardly any people left around. The place that had been bustling just a moment ago fell quiet once again.

She took out the prepared paper and small tools, walked over to the calligraphy stele, and began to make rubings of the inscriptions upon it.

She thought of making these rubings and, should the opportunity arise, giving them to Qi Mubai; he would surely love them.

Or perhaps, she could practice writing the characters found here herself.

Just as she was finishing the very last sheet, a sharp female voice rang out from behind.

"Who is there? Is just anyone allowed to casually touch a century-old stele like this?"

Yu Shengsheng peeled off the final sheet and neatly packed her things.

"This Princess is speaking to you! Are you deaf?!"

Having finished organizing her belongings, Yu Shengsheng finally turned around to look.

Walking in front was a woman dressed in luxurious attire, around twenty years of age, with apricot eyes and peach blossom cheeks. While not exceptionally beautiful, she possessed a formidable presence.

Following closely behind were four maidservants and matronly attendants, each carrying various items in their hands.

Folding fans, ice chalices, and a miscellaneous assortment of goods.

Yu Shengsheng had some impression of her, having caught a glimpse of her a year ago at the hunting grounds.

A maidservant barked, "Audacious! How dare you not kneel and pay your respects upon seeing Princess Danyang?"

Princess Danyang looked Yu Shengsheng up and down, letting out a sneer. "I wondered who it was. Turns out it's you—that fatherless, motherless cousin from the Su family who only knows how to sponge off others."

Yu Shengsheng curtsied, neither servile nor overbearing. "Greetings, Princess."

Princess Danyang was a genuine member of the imperial lineage. Unlike Su Zhiyi, who had been bestowed the title of Princess Rongyang, Princess Danyang's father was the Emperor's cousin, Prince Rui.

Prince Rui's fief was in Nanshun, but possessing a rather soft temperament and lacking military prowess, he had been unable to properly hold Nanshun. After the Kong family garrisoned Nanshun, they gradually usurped authority, becoming the de facto rulers of the region.

As the Kong family's influence rose, Prince Rui's position grew increasingly awkward. After submitting several petitions, he finally gained the Emperor's permission to relocate from Nanshun and take up permanent residence in the capital.

At the time, in an effort to appease and rope in the Kong family, the Emperor had even considered marrying Prince Rui's daughter, Princess Danyang, to them. Firstly, as an imperial relative, it would show greater sincerity; secondly, Nanshun was where she had grown up, so she would be somewhat familiar with it.

However, the proposal was politely declined by the Kong family, who claimed they were unworthy of a marital alliance with the imperial house.

Kong Dezhao even boasted publicly that Princess Danyang possessed peerless beauty, supreme talent, and a noble birth, whereas he was merely a rough man utterly unworthy of her.

Yet in reality, Princess Danyang possessed none of those three traits: peerless beauty, supreme talent, or truly formidable backing.

Her noble birth barely counted since she was indeed of royal blood, but Prince Rui wielded no real power and was merely a wealthy, idle prince. In the eyes of the Kong family, he was completely insignificant.

The remark was pure sarcasm.

Princess Danyang had fallen ill with anger over the incident. Being unwilling to marry Kong Dezhao was one thing, but being humiliated in such a manner was entirely another.

Ever since she learned that Kong Dezhao was coming to the capital, she had exerted every ounce of effort—starving herself down by four or five pounds, bathing in fresh milk daily, and applying fragrant ointments to her skin—all just to make Kong Dezhao gaze upon her, feel astounded, and regret his words.

Yet unexpectedly, before she even had a chance to see Kong Dezhao, she heard that he was staying at the Su residence, had openly declared his fondness for Yu Shengsheng, and intended to petition the palace for a marriage decree.

She had nearly fallen ill all over again.

Early this morning, upon receiving a note stating that Yu Shengsheng was coming to Hongyuan Temple to pray for romantic fortune, she could not wait to come and vent her spleen.

Seeing that Yu Shengsheng showed absolutely no reaction to her insults, Princess Danyang grew even more furious.

"I have no desire to lay eyes on you; you are truly an eyesore." Princess Danyang scrutinized her, the jealousy in her eyes burning intensely enough to spit fire.

Yu Shengsheng was so slender—even if Danyang were to lose another three or five pounds, she could never compare. Her skin was so flawlessly fair and tender that even constantly soaking in milk could not achieve...

Princess Danyang abruptly checked that train of thought. What a ridiculous notion; as a dignified princess, did she really need to lower herself to compare such things with someone of humble birth?

"Who gave you permission to touch the calligraphy stele? Hand over the rubbings."

Lowering her gaze, Yu Shengsheng replied, "Temple steles are meant for anyone to make rubings from. Dozens of scholars have made rubings here today alone. I wonder on what grounds the Princess claims touching them is forbidden?"

"You still dare to talk back?" the maidservant snapped. "What is your status? How could you possibly compare with those scholars?"

"My status is of no consequence. The Buddha is merciful and does not judge people by their status."

"Such a sharp tongue," Princess Danyang scoffed. "Today, I will let you experience whether having a glib tongue without any real backing will get you anywhere."

"Someone, give her a slap across the face on my behalf."

The two matrons behind her set down the things they were carrying, rolled up their sleeves, and strode directly toward Yu Shengsheng.

"Hand over the rubbings," one matron snarled viciously. "Otherwise, don't blame this old woman for not holding back my strength and smashing that seductive fox-spirit face of yours!"

Yu Shengsheng took a step back, frowning as she asked, "Princess, we have no grudges or enmity between us, and I have never offended you. Why resort to this?"

There had to be a reason for everything, and Yu Shengsheng found Princess Danyang's attitude utterly inexplicable.

Not asking would have been fine, but asking felt like driving a knife straight into Princess Danyang's heart.

"You still dare to ask? Hit her!"

Yu Shengsheng retreated once more, only to be grabbed by the shoulder by the other matron.

"Still trying to run? Come here!"

The matron gritted her teeth and raised her hand high.

Her hand was thick and heavy, with calloused, rigid fingers. She put every ounce of her strength into the motion; if that blow landed, Yu Shengsheng's face would swell up instantly.

The scar at the corner of her eye would surely split open as well.

"Hold on!"