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The concubines stared in shock as the mysterious masked woman suddenly lunged toward the emperor, fluttering like a butterfly, just a dozen steps away from him.
In such a public setting, this bold act of throwing herself into his arms was truly unexpected. Even Xiao Luo was momentarily taken aback and instinctively reached out to catch the woman who was rushing toward him.
As he caught Mei Shuang, he tilted his face slightly to the right to avoid her mask potentially colliding with his own face.
But in the next moment, he realized that his concern was unnecessary.
Mei Shuang buried her face in Xiao Luo's solid embrace, the golden threads of his Dragon Robe rubbing against her delicate face painfully, but she endured it.
Just moments ago, she had been walking fine when suddenly her knees went numb, and an unknown force pushed her forward.
If Xiao Luo hadn't caught her, she would have certainly fallen hard. Clearly, the intention was for her to land in Xiao Luo's arms; otherwise, the distance wouldn't have been calculated so precisely.
She remained nestled in Xiao Luo's embrace, showing no intention of getting up. Xiao Luo had already noticed that her mask had flown off to the side, and he could see the complex expressions on the faces of the surrounding concubines.
Under everyone's gaze, holding a woman openly made him feel somewhat awkward. He then opened his arms, preparing to let Mei Shuang stand properly.
He heard Mei Shuang mumble softly in his arms, "Your Majesty, first, I didn't do it on purpose; second, without my mask, I can't face anyone."
Xiao Luo found it amusing. As for the first point, he wasn't a fool and could see something was off. As for the second point, he lowered his gaze and said, "Lift your head."
Mei Shuang replied helplessly, "I'm afraid of startling His Majesty."
"You are forgiven."
Well then, Mei Shuang slowly lifted her head as if trying to give Xiao Luo some time to mentally prepare.
Indeed, when Xiao Luo saw her forehead and face dotted with red spots gradually rising into view, his lips twitched. The discomfort flashing in his eyes made Mei Shuang secretly delighted; it seemed that even this valiant emperor had a fear of clusters.
Not only Xiao Luo, but some sharp-eyed yet timid concubines nearby also noticed the red spots on Mei Shuang's face. The involuntary gasps echoed among them, making everyone too afraid to focus too much on revealing Mei Shuang's true appearance. In fact, with so many red spots on her face, it was difficult to discern her true features.
However, just one glance made one concubine unable to hold back a retch and regret not being able to resist her curiosity. After that one look, she wondered how many days she would go without eating or sleeping well.
Even Consort Chen was taken aback, feeling disgusted and confused. How did she end up like this? With such behavior and appearance, how dare she pounce on the Emperor? Truly, she was utterly delusional, how ridiculous!
Xiao Luo swallowed hard, looking at the innocent expression in the dark eyes of the woman in his arms, and said helplessly, "Someone, bring the mask."
Queen Meiru quietly observed the scene. She was also curious about what secrets lay beneath Mei Shuang's mask, but she never expected it to be so unsightly.
At that moment, her heart sank. A perfectly good face had become as if stung by bees. Thinking of how Mei Shuang regarded her little face as precious, it seemed she had finally received her comeuppance.
However, unlike the other concubines who only focused on Mei Shuang's beauty or lack thereof, she clearly caught a fleeting expression in the Emperor's eyes—something indescribable directed at that ugly face—helplessness. Although it was brief, it shocked Mei Ru so much that her hand clutching the Silk Handkerchief in her wide sleeves tightened fiercely. She had never seen such an expression in the cold and unfeeling Emperor's eyes before. Even the rare moments of warmth were few and far between.
Especially that brief exchange; it felt like casual conversation. When had there ever been such informality between ruler and subject?
Mei Ru felt her blood racing through her veins, surging violently toward her heart. She could almost hear her heart pounding fiercely.
What had this woman experienced to cause such a significant change in the Emperor in such a short time?
Taking a deep breath, she slightly raised her chin. When Xiao Luo ordered for Mei Shuang's mask to be brought forth, she called out to Li Gonggong, saying calmly, "Wait."
She then gracefully moved toward the thin Silver Mask, bending down to pick it up.
This scene left the other concubines exchanging bewildered glances; the Empress actually lowered herself to retrieve a mask for an unknown ugly woman?
Hiding within Xiao Luohai, Mei Shuang also noticed this moment. Seeing Mei Ru pick up the mask and approach with a gentle smile shocked her even more.
But if she continued to hide within Xiao Luohai, it would seem too deliberate and disrespectful. Fearing being recognized by Mei Ru, she hurriedly lifted her wide sleeves to cover her face, revealing only her eyes and small hands reaching out from the sleeve to take something. She quickly said, "Thank you."
Unexpectedly, Mei Ru did not directly hand the mask to Mei Shuang. Instead, she spoke softly, "Do not be afraid. Lower your hands; I know some medical skills. If you trust me, I will do my best to treat you."
"......"
Mei Shuang was taken aback for a moment and quickly declined, "Thank you, Empress, but with such an ugly appearance, how could I disturb you?" She stepped forward, preparing to take back the mask.
Looking at the mask in her hand, Mei Ru no longer insisted and handed it over to Mei Shuang.
Mei Shuang quickly turned her back to put on her mask, cursing inwardly at the fact that she had been ambushed.
Moreover, judging by the meaningful smile at the corner of Mei Ru's lips, it was likely that she had already recognized her.
At that moment, Li Gonggong approached Xiao Luo and whispered something in her ear. Xiao Luo nodded and stepped toward the Blessing Hall.
Inside the Blessing Hall, incense wafted through the air, and in the center stood a Golden Buddha about thirty feet tall, overlooking all beings with a dignified presence.
Several rows of yellow brocade circular cushions were arranged on the ground.
Under the guidance of the temple monks, Xiao Luo and the concubines knelt in turn.
Mei Shuang had just chosen a spot at the back when she heard Xiao Luo calmly say, "Let Miss Lin come to the front."
Li Gonggong promptly went over to Mei Shuang with a meaningful look and said, "Please, Miss Lin."
Mei Shuang was taken aback but quickly got up and moved to kneel behind Xiao Luo, where monks had already placed cushions on the ground.
Soon after, the abbot of Dazhao Temple announced the start of the Blessing Ceremony, and then the monks outside began chanting scriptures.
The sound of chanting echoed in the spacious hall as Mei Shuang pressed her palms together and bowed her head in sync with Xiao Luo.
After a round of bows and chanting, Xiao Luo stood up, and a monk stepped forward to present incense.
Mei Shuang widened her eyes in surprise. Wasn't that Yun Kong from the inn? He was indeed a monk from Dazhao Temple.
After Xiao Luo received the incense, Yun Kong stepped aside respectfully, lowering his gaze with his hands pressed together.
Once the Emperor and Empress finished offering their incense, they knelt down again to continue the blessing ritual.
For Mei Shuang, this blessing ceremony felt entirely unnecessary for her. After all, it was only natural for the Empress Dowager's son to bring his daughters-in-law to pray for her. As an outsider here, she always felt awkward and out of place.
However, since she was already here, she might as well pray for herself during this process of praying for the Empress Dowager.
While everyone was closing their eyes and earnestly praying, Mei Shuang felt as if a needle had pricked the back of her hand, causing a slight sting. She opened her eyes, but there was nothing on her hand. Just as she was about to close her eyes again, she caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a burning gaze directed at her.
She raised her eyes slightly and looked around the hall, but saw nothing unusual.
Strange, Mei Shuang thought as she closed her eyes again. After a while, the same sensation returned—she could feel as if someone was standing right in front of her, even with her eyes closed.
She opened her eyes once more and followed her intuition to look over. It turned out to be several Bodhisattvas next to the large Buddha statue, each life-sized, either standing or sitting in various poses.
As Mei Shuang looked at them one by one, suddenly her heart skipped a beat; she thought she must be seeing things. Just moments ago, she clearly saw one of the Bodhisattvas' wide-open eyes move slightly.
Startled, she shook her body; she must have been mistaken.
When she gathered the courage to look again, that Bodhisattva appeared normal, without any abnormalities. She let out a sigh of relief, but just as she was about to shift her gaze away, the eye moved again and seemed to be looking directly at Mei Shuang, with a hint of a cold smile at the corner of its lips.
This Bodhisattva already had a fierce expression, and now this made Mei Shuang nearly cry out in fear.
A chilling sensation rose from her feet, causing her limbs to tremble.
This is terrifying! What is going on here?
Mei Shuang shivered when suddenly a gentle gaze fell upon her from above. She widened her eyes in surprise; it was Yun Kong from the left front.
Suddenly remembering that she was wearing a mask, Mei Shuang realized Yun Kong might not recognize her. However, his gaze was soft yet firm despite his confusion, and in that moment, Mei Shuang felt somewhat reassured.
Yet, she could no longer focus on any prayers or blessings; all that filled her mind were the terrifying scenes from earlier.
If it wasn't the Bodhisattva manifesting its spirit, then there was something wrong with it.
After all, things had been strange since she arrived—first being inexplicably ambushed in Xiao Luohai and now witnessing the Bodhisattva "manifest." What exactly was going on?
One thing was certain: there was definitely someone mysterious watching her every move from somewhere unknown.
Thinking of this made Mei Shuang shiver involuntarily.
Everything seemed to have become complicated.
She stole a glance at the Emperor in front of her, who knelt still and motionless; Queen Meiru was the same, her demeanor very devout.
In her line of sight, she could only see these two people; the other women were behind her, and she couldn't see their expressions. Could it be that the mysterious person was among them?
Mei Shuang anxiously speculated, her mind a tangled mess.
When the blessing was completed and Xiao Luo stood up, her legs had actually gone numb from kneeling. As she swayed to rise, she found that her legs had no strength at all, and in her dazed state, they collapsed to one side as if they were broken.
"Be careful, benefactor." Yun Kong, who was closest to her, said in a deep voice. He quickly stepped forward and gently supported Mei Shuang's arm, helping her regain her balance before stepping back to the side.
Xiao Luo turned around, her gaze calm. "Take a break for a while," she said before walking toward the door.
Mei Shuang gratefully glanced at Yun Kong. With her legs temporarily unable to move, she could only wait in place for a moment.
As Queen Meiru passed by her, she looked at Mei Shuang and then cast a glance at Yun Kong. The meaning in her eyes was clear to anyone who saw it, and surprisingly, a hint of cold killing intent flashed through them!
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