A sinister smile crept across his face. "Don't raise young courtesans, don't teach little prostitutes. Fourth Brother, not to mention you've vowed to practice Buddhism. Even if you were a free man, you shouldn't keep such a low - class woman by your side!"
"Has Fourth Brother forgotten Mother's teachings?"
Song Chengyuan deliberately embarrassed Caiyu in public to test Caiyu's weight in Song Yinghuai's heart.
Sheng Jiangli had given him an idea. Later, he would find an opportunity to threaten Song Yinghuai with Caiyu's real identity.
If he wanted to threaten Song Yinghuai, Caiyu must be extremely important to him.
As soon as Caiyu turned around, she was so stimulated by Song Chengyuan's words that her back stiffened and her face turned pale.
She never expected that her identity as a Yangzhou courtesan would be exposed in front of the most noble people in Daye.
Once her identity was made public, if she were to be with Song Yinghuai in the future, wouldn't he be implicated by her and laughed at by the world?
If she were just the daughter of a criminal or a disgraced official, there would still be a day of rehabilitation.
But her experience as a Yangzhou courtesan couldn't be erased by an imperial edict.
There would surely be a stain on her, a stain that would forever make her unworthy of Song Yinghuai.
She suddenly gritted her teeth tightly. Her eyes were blood - red, and her extremely beautiful face quickly turned pale and purple. She clenched her fists tightly, as if she had swallowed the bitterest herb in the world.
Song Yinghuai keenly caught Caiyu's expression.
The man's gaze suddenly swept towards Song Chengyuan. His black eyes were sharp, like a wolf lurking in the bushes, with a blood - thirsty fierceness.
The killing intent in his chest surged, and he tried his best to suppress it. He said in a deep voice:
"Yes, Mother has taught me that there is no self, no others, and all sentient beings are equal..."
"All sentient beings are equal, just like thousands of lotus flowers shining brightly. All phenomena are empty, and all sentient beings are equal, without any distinction of high or low, noble or humble."
"So what if she's a Yangzhou courtesan? Everyone here has witnessed Caiyu's talent and courage. Not to mention ordinary women, even the daughters of all of you here, how many of your young ladies would dare to be neither overbearing nor humble in the face of the Emperor's anger?"
"Purity lies in people's hearts. It can't be defined by a body or some past experiences."
"Since I'm practicing Buddhism, no matter what her identity is, she's the same in my eyes. Please rest assured, Father and Mother. I will never misjudge people. Even if the other person is an evil god who has fallen into hell, I will guide her to become a Buddha."
Song Yinghuai's gaze was firm and clear, which made Caiyu feel dazed.
When she first entered Yandi, she never thought about her identity.
When she first entered Shangjing, she didn't have time to think about this problem either.
But Song Chengyuan suddenly exposed everything, and she began to feel inferior and lost.
Did Song Yinghuai really not care that she had been a Yangzhou courtesan?
Or was he just saying these things for show?
Just thinking about these things made her feel blocked in her heart, chest tightness, and uncomfortable.
Others naturally didn't know how complicated Caiyu's heart was, but Song Chengyuan had been like a clown at Queen Ma's birthday banquet, instigating all kinds of things, which made Queen Ma extremely tired.
She reluctantly showed up this time just to see how Caiyu was.
Now she had seen the person and witnessed the situation.
But Song Chengyuan still refused to let it go and kept causing trouble.
Even though Queen Ma was usually gentle, she was impatient under the double torture of illness and fatigue:
"Xuanyao is right. Crown Prince, how did I teach you on weekdays? I've said that you should not only pick on people's sore spots and should not easily create negative karma. Where have you put my words?"
"Which innocent girl would be willing to fall into the dust? They must all have their own helplessness... As the crown prince and the future ruler of Daye's people, when your people suffer and are forced into the dust, instead of having compassion, you even use it to laugh at them..."
"You..." Before Queen Ma could finish her words, she felt chest tightness and shortness of breath and began to cough violently.
Lv Baiwei quickly stood up and stepped in front of Xu Buyue to pat Queen Ma on the back to help her breathe.
At the same time, she glanced at Xu Buyue and, as if she had just noticed there was someone else beside Queen Ma, said apologetically:
"Princess, please forgive me. You've been in the army all year round, so your strength is great. Mother is precious and is still ill. I'm worried that if you don't control your strength well, you might hurt Mother."
"Let me do it. I've served Mother for two years, so I know her better."
Xu Buyue rarely showed up in the noble circles, so Lv Baiwei had never noticed her.
But when she entered the palace last night, she found that Queen Ma was extremely enthusiastic and fond of her, which made her heart sink.
With the power of the Xu family, this woman was either here to replace the soon - to - be - deceased Crown Princess or to marry Song Yinghuai.
Lv Baiwei wanted both.
She wanted the position of Crown Princess, and she also wanted Song Yinghuai to stand behind her and her orphaned son as a backer to stabilize her power.
So after Xu Buyue suddenly appeared, she didn't have the mind or energy to deal with Caiyu.
Xu Buyue gave Lv Baiwei a cold look.
She was used to staying in the army and had always been straightforward. She hated people like Lv Baiwei who always beat around the bush.
Who was Lv Baiwei talking to?
Naturally, it was for all the civil and military officials to hear.
She wanted to tell everyone that she was the most considerate daughter - in - law of Queen Ma.
The future Crown Princess of Daye?
Xu Buyue replied coldly and firmly, "This isn't the first time Her Majesty the Queen has coughed. I've been serving her before, and nothing has gone wrong. What are you worried about, Concubine Lv?"
"Moreover, the Crown Princess is still seriously ill. Concubine Lv might as well focus on serving the Crown Princess. Why bother running between the palace and the mansion, being unable to take good care of both, and making the Crown Princess and Her Majesty the Queen's health worse day by day?"
Concubine Lv's face changed.
Xu Buyue really didn't save any face. She even blamed the poor health of the Crown Princess and the Queen on her.
But she couldn't refute!
The Crown Princess was the mistress of the Crown Prince's mansion. As a concubine, she should take good care of the mistress when she was ill.
Queen Ma was her mother - in - law. Since she was temporarily in charge of the mansion on behalf of the Crown Princess, she should also serve her whole - heartedly...
But these two people's health was really getting worse day by day.
Especially the Crown Princess, who seemed to be at the end of her life.
Lv Baiwei secretly wished that the Crown Princess would die soon so that she could have a chance to take her place.
But she couldn't show her true feelings.
On the surface, she still had to look extremely worried!
Lv Baiwei forced a smile. "Princess of Nan'an is right. It's my fault that I didn't take good care of them. I'm wrong."
"Since you know you're not good at taking care of people, then be sensible and get out of here quickly!" Xu Buyue said bluntly, "Her Majesty the Queen is precious. You don't know how to take care of people. Don't take bad care of Her Majesty."
She didn't want to steal Lv Baiwei's limelight.
She just couldn't stand such a hypocrite.
Lv Baiwei felt a surge of blood in her chest. But the Xu family was powerful and favored by the Emperor.
The Crown Prince had endured Xu Buyue's rebuke just now. How could she, a mere concubine, dare to go against her?
Lv Baiwei had no choice but to reluctantly sit back beside Song Chengyuan.
Song Chengyuan's sinister voice floated into her ear. "Useless thing. You can't even curry favor with Mother."
Lv Baiwei buried her head in her chest. Her body stiffened slightly. She pressed her slightly trembling hand, and the hatred in her eyes couldn't be concealed.
Blame her?
Why didn't he take a look at how many stupid things he had done just now?
Idiot!
One day, she would make all those who had blocked her way end up badly!
Queen Ma sat for a long time and couldn't hold on anymore.
She looked at Emperor Guangwu and nodded slightly.
Emperor Guangwu naturally knew what she meant.
In fact, all the officials present also roughly knew what was going to happen next -
To arrange a marriage for Xu Buyue!
Everyone's expressions became serious.
Although arranging a marriage for Xu Buyue had nothing to do with them personally, it was related to the political situation in the court!
Xu Buyue would either be betrothed to the Crown Prince or to the Prince of Yan.
The Xu family was extremely powerful. Whoever got the support of the Xu family would have a greater chance of success.
Although the Crown Prince was the heir apparent, his position had always been precarious, and the anti - Crown Prince faction was getting stronger day by day.
The Prince of Yan also had a great chance. If he got the support of the Xu family.
The Crown Prince's position as the heir apparent might not last long!
Everyone could see the situation clearly, including Caiyu.
The color that had gradually returned to her face because of Song Yinghuai's words of protection instantly faded again.
That woman might be the future Princess of Yan.