Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1671 Consort Zhuang Throws Away Her Buddhist Beads (Bonus Chapter for 272 Million Reward Poi

"I understand."

Nangong Xuanyu closed the memorial and looked up at Minister Zhuang: "This matter will be handled as you have suggested. The Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, and the Hanlin Academy shall immediately select capable officials to form an imperial envoy to investigate. They shall rush to Puyang in Yuzhou and conduct a thorough investigation. If it is indeed a natural auspicious omen, then we will proceed with the subsequent ceremonies."

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Minister Zhuang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we will certainly act with caution and verify the facts thoroughly, and we will not dare to be negligent in the slightest!"

Nangong Xuanyu nodded: "This matter will be overseen by Minister Zhuang."

"The minister obeys the order!"

Seeing that the emperor had no further instructions, Minister Zhuang bowed and took his leave.

Whether the boulder is real or not, it's a good thing that His Majesty is willing to acknowledge it as an auspicious omen.

The tense atmosphere in the court has finally eased somewhat thanks to this favorable wind.

The bookmakers can also use this opportunity to help Consort Mei rise to a higher position!

After all, the Zhuang family is a century-old family with a clean reputation for generations. Why should they be suppressed by the Shen family, which has no foundation and has only risen in recent years because of the Imperial Noble Consort?

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

A cryptic smile curved Nangong Xuanyu's lips: "With a holy ruler in power, the world will be forever at peace..."

Li Changde stood aside, his eyes fixed on his nose, his mind clear as a mirror.

His Majesty may not believe in this auspicious omen, but His Majesty needs it. Just as a parched land needs a timely rain.

There were many Buddhists in the Great Zhou Dynasty. However, due to the destruction of Fatu Temple and the execution of the holy monk, there was much discussion and unrest among the people.

Once the people believe in the auspicious signs from heaven, their morale will be boosted.

After a bloody purge, the imperial court needed a touch of glamour to brighten its image and appease the people.

……

Changchun Palace.

Fatu Temple colluded with traitors, and even the holy monk was torn apart by five horses... This series of events has already stirred up a huge wave in the capital!

Consort Zhuang was a devout Buddhist, but she was also a shrewd woman. She understood that His Majesty now deeply resented anything related to temples!

Anything or anyone related to Buddhism or eminent monks could offend His Majesty at this critical juncture.

If she continues as before, will His Majesty suspect that she has been a devout Buddhist for many years and has secret dealings with Fatu Temple?

Doesn't the way she holds Buddhist prayer beads and chants scriptures remind you of the traitors at Fatu Temple?

If His Majesty sees these Buddhist offerings and feels displeased, and takes his anger out on her...

Consort Zhuang could not bear the consequences of losing the emperor's favor.

So... she could only apologize to Buddha and order the small Buddhist shrine to be sealed off.

Consort Zhuang also changed out of her usual plain clothes and put on a palace dress with gold peony patterns, and adorned her hair with a few bright palace flowers. Her demeanor was very dignified, and the peacefulness that had been ingrained in the scent of incense was gone.

She was a beauty, but she always dressed in a dignified and composed manner. Now, with her new attire, she truly possessed a regal and radiant beauty befitting a noble concubine.

At this moment, Consort Zhuang looked at the closed little Buddhist hall, a hint of regret flashing deep in her eyes.

The nimble eunuchs carried several heavy chests.

The gilded Buddha statues, bronze incense burners, celadon vases, and boxwood wooden fish that were carefully enshrined in the small Buddhist hall, along with stacks of neatly copied scriptures, were hastily packed away, ready to be carried deep into the storeroom to gather dust.

Even the Buddhist prayer beads that Consort Zhuang never parted with on her wrist were discarded by her, and she put on a pair of jade bracelets with excellent translucency.

"Mother..."

The eldest princess is also wearing a brightly colored dress today, with a velvet flower in her hair; she is at a lively age.

She tilted her head up, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, her eyes full of confusion: "Why did you seal off the small Buddhist shrine?"

"Why isn't Mother wearing her favorite Buddhist prayer beads anymore?"

The eldest princess remembered clearly that her mother had always taught her to sincerely worship Buddha and to be compassionate.

Every morning and evening, the mother would spend a long time in the small Buddhist hall, fiddling with prayer beads and silently reciting scriptures.

How did everything change overnight?

The small Buddhist shrine was sealed off, the Buddha statues were taken away, and even the mother's Buddhist beads were gone.

Consort Zhuang looked down into the innocent and bewildered eyes of the eldest princess, and her heart skipped a beat: "I read a book a few days ago that said that in spring and summer, the yang energy rises, and the location of the small Buddhist hall is somewhat incompatible with your birth chart this year, so it is not advisable to stay there for long."

"The smell of incense is not good for health if you smell it for too long, so we will seal it off for now."

Her excuse wasn't very clever, and was even a bit far-fetched. But it was passable enough to appease a six or seven-year-old child.

The eldest princess blinked, seemingly understanding but not quite: "What about the prayer beads? Didn't Mother say that sincerity brings results, and that prayer beads help to calm the mind?"

Consort Zhuang's smile remained unchanged. She took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and gently unfolded it: "Look, Mother Consort changed this handkerchief. It's embroidered with lotus flowers. Buddha resides in the heart, not in outward appearances."

"That string of prayer beads is quite old, and the string has loosened a bit. My mother was afraid it might come undone, so she has put it away for now. She will have it re-strung after some time."

The lotus embroidery on the handkerchief was indeed exquisite, drawing the attention of the eldest princess, who nodded and said, "Oh..."

"Will Mother still teach Yun'er to recite scriptures in the future?"

Consort Zhuang forced a smile and said, "Yun'er, you should know that if you have Buddha in your heart, you can find spiritual practice everywhere."

Even after abandoning the Buddhist temple and donning magnificent robes, she remained the dignified and benevolent Consort Zhuang.

From now on, she will need to be more careful in understanding the Emperor's intentions and take each step cautiously so as not to offend His Majesty.

At this moment, Ruoji came over and reported: "Your Majesty, Consort Mei has arrived and is currently waiting in the front hall."

Consort Zhuang had someone take the eldest princess down to play, and then said to Ruoji, "...Please invite Consort Mei to the inner room to talk."

"Yes."

Inner room.

Consort Mei was already seated.

Today she wore a primrose-colored magnolia-patterned palace dress, which made her skin appear even whiter. The small beauty mark at the corner of her eye added a touch of charm.

Upon seeing Consort Zhuang enter, Consort Mei immediately rose, smiled, and curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty be blessed with good fortune and peace!"

She was very polite and had a sweet smile.

"Sister, please don't stand on ceremony."

Consort Zhuang stepped forward to help him up and sat down in the main seat, a gentle smile on her face.

Consort Mei glanced at Consort Zhuang's attire subtly, then casually swept her gaze over the furnishings of the inner room.

Seeing that the conspicuous Buddhist offerings of the past were nowhere to be seen, Consort Zhuang's attire had also changed from its usual plainness to something luxurious and bright.

A hint of understanding flashed in her eyes as she looked at Consort Zhuang and asked with concern, "Cousin, when I came in just now, I heard from the palace servants that you had sealed off the small Buddhist shrine?"

Consort Zhuang said calmly, "That location is incompatible with my birth chart this year, so I had it sealed off for the time being."

Consort Mei chuckled lightly: "Cousin, are you still trying to dodge questions in front of me?"