Cute Wife Gourmet

Chapter 426 Extra (Liuli Chapter)

In the winter of the ninth year of Tianbao, the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month was just a few days away. Snow had been falling one after another, and the whole world was covered in silver. People said that auspicious snow meant a good harvest, but in the eyes of some people, it seemed as if the world was commemorating the Empress Dowager Wen Zhang, who had passed away ten years ago.

Today is the anniversary of the Empress Dowager's death. The palace has issued an imperial decree early on, requiring the Empress to go to Ciyuen Temple to pray for the Empress Dowager's spirit in heaven.

Zhao Liuli got up early, took a broom and swept the snow with the nuns in the nunnery. Although she was still a princess, the emperor did not deprive her of her title, and even sent her some snacks from the palace during the New Year and other festivals. Therefore, the head nun took special care of her, and her food, clothing and daily expenses were different. Her work was also easier than others. However, today the queen came to pray for blessings, which was the top priority of the nunnery, and everyone had their work assigned to them.

Zhao Liuli was sweeping the snow mechanically. She thought she had stayed in Ciyu Temple for eight years, with the green lamps and ancient Buddhas every day. She had become indifferent to everything and had figured everything out. But today, the Queen's arrival brought back some dusty past events, and she felt uneasy.

The current queen, the former crown princess, she used to look down on because the crown princess's family was not a prominent noble family, but a daughter of a third-rank official. The queen mother was against it, but she caught the eyes of the former queen and the crown prince and became the crown princess. For this reason, the queen mother ignored the former queen for a while. It was not until the crown princess gave birth to the emperor's grandson, and she was always cautious and flattering in front of the queen mother, that the queen mother's face gradually improved. She was willing to give her some face in front of others, but she still had some complaints behind her back. But now, she has become the queen and the mother of the country.

Things are really unpredictable, but there were too many people she looked down upon back then. She was the apple of the empress dowager's eye and could get whatever she wanted. No matter what she did, who she teased or humiliated, the empress dowager would take responsibility for her. Even if the emperor wanted to blame her, he had to give up because of the empress dowager's strong protection.

She was spoiled like this and thought that everything she did was right, until the appearance of Ye Jinxuan, the person she hated most in her life and her biggest rival.

However, at that time, she also looked down on him from the bottom of her heart. She fought with him again and again, and was defeated miserably again and again. At that time, she seemed to be trapped in a demonic barrier, and she was determined to trample this person under her feet, into the mud, and never get up again. The funny thing is that she was the one who fell into hell in the end, and she was the one who could never get up again.

During the first year of chanting sutras and praying for the Queen Mother in the palace, she thought every day and night that if she had been more open-minded at the beginning, perhaps everything would be different.

It's a pity that she couldn't let it go! The first time she was defeated was at the hands of Ye Jinxuan. After that, she was jealous. She was jealous that such a mediocre woman, a lowly cook, actually won Xia Chunyu's heart; she was jealous that every time she saw Xia Chunyu looking at Ye Jinxuan, he was gentle and doting, as if there was no other woman in the world except her, Ye Jinxuan; she was jealous that every time she heard others praise how capable Ye Jinxuan was, she was jealous that everyone around her was on Ye Jinxuan's side; she was jealous that every time she complained to Chunfeng, Chunfeng always said good things about Ye Jinxuan...

Yes, jealousy. She hated because of jealousy. She was jealous of Ye Jinxuan. She was obviously not as good as her in every way, but she lived a more wonderful life than her. She had parents-in-law who respected her, a husband who loved her, friends who liked her, and the Tianshangju, which was famous in Jinling...

After a lot of effort, she finally had a chance to be proud and surpass Ye Jinxuan, but unfortunately, her child was gone.

So she began to scheme, but after planning again and again, in the end, the retribution fell on her own head.

The first time I was scolded by the Queen Mother was because of Ye Jinxuan.

The first time I was looked down upon by my in-laws was because of Ye Jinxuan.

The estrangement from Chunfeng was due to Ye Jinxuan.

Lost Xiaoya because of Ye Jinxuan.

Forced to move out of the Marquis' Mansion because of Ye Jinxuan.

His reputation was ruined because of Ye Jinxuan.

……

But now that I think about it, rather than saying it was Ye Jinxuan's fault, it was her own fault.

Xia Chunyu had scolded her before. That day in Lantingxuan Teahouse, Xia Chunyu said: You feel happy when you bully others, but have you ever thought about how others feel? Do you think it is natural to bully others? You can't stand the slightest grievance...

At that time, she just felt angry. It was natural for her to bully others because she didn't like those people.

Later, she falsely accused Ye Jinxuan and Lu Xiaotian, and Xia Chunyu scolded her for bringing trouble upon herself.

Chunfeng's eyes looked at her colder day by day, but she was still complaining that Chunfeng didn't help her or stand by her, and even suspected that Chunfeng and Ye Jinxuan had some thoughts about each other.

Only now did I understand that it was not because Chunfeng liked Ye Jinxuan that he was disappointed in her. Ye Jinxuan was his sister-in-law and his family. He was disappointed because she had embarrassed and troubled him in front of his family time and time again, making him feel guilty. Chunfeng was a person who attached great importance to family affection.

Unfortunately, she understood these truths too late. She had been proud for too long and did not know how to lower her noble head.

Pure Wind...

She silently repeated the name in her mind, and her heart felt as if it was pricked by a needle, causing a dull pain.

Chunfeng, do you still hate me?

You must still hate me, otherwise, why have you never come to see me in all these years? Even if you just let your servants come to see me, it would be good to let me know that you don't hate me anymore!

Chunfeng, do you know that in this life, I have only given my heart to one person, and that is you; do you know how much I regret it now; do you know how much I miss you...

Zhao Liuli raised her head, looked at the still gloomy sky, and forced back the tears that were welling up in her eyes.

Chunfeng, do you know that this is the only wish I have now? I hope I can see you again in this life, even if it's just from a distance.

The sky finally brightened, and the queen's imperial procession arrived at Ciyuen Temple in a grand procession.

Except when Zhao Liuli mingled with the other Shani people when reciting scriptures, she hid in her room and did not come out. She did not want to see the queen.

Seeing the person whom she once looked down upon so beautiful and radiant, she felt indescribable. However, after the queen finished praying, she specifically asked her about him and asked her to come over to meet him.

If she had been the Crown Princess before, she would definitely not have gone. But now that she was the Queen, her words were the Imperial decree and she had to and dared not disobey.

The Queen and the head nun were drinking tea in the incense room when they saw Zhao Liuli, dressed in green monk's robes, walk in. They didn't recognize him at first glance.

In fact, when she was chanting the sutras before, she had been looking for Liuli among the monks, but they were all wearing the same monk's robes, hats, and heads down, so she couldn't tell them apart at all.

Seeing her now, I am also surprised. I haven't seen her for many years. Liuli has lost a lot of weight. Her round face has now become a standard oval face with a pointed chin, which makes her eyes look particularly big. The loose monk's robe looks empty on her.

When the queen saw her like this, she was filled with emotion. Princess Liuli, who was once so glorious that no one could match her, has now become like this.

If she had been a little more patient and tolerant, she wouldn't have ended up in this situation today.

She had asked the nun before, how Liuli was doing here? The nun said that Liuli was very quiet, didn't talk much, and never objected to anything she asked her to do.

The queen sighed silently and signaled everyone to leave. She wanted to talk to Liuli alone.

The room was quiet, with only the scent of sandalwood.

The queen considered and said, "Liuli, are you willing to follow me back to the palace?"

Liuli raised her head, her eyes filled with surprise.

This was the first time in all the years she had been here that someone asked her if she was willing to return to the palace.

The queen smiled slightly and said, "Before coming here, the emperor specifically mentioned you, saying that you have been praying for Empress Dowager Wen for many years, and your filial piety is commendable. Now you are still a princess. If you are willing to return to the palace, or if you are willing to remarry, the emperor will make the decision for you."

In fact, it was Ye Jinxuan who mentioned this to her, and she talked to the Queen Mother and the Emperor. The Queen Mother thought that Liuli was the only daughter of the Seventh Sage King after all, and even if she had done something wrong, the punishment for so many years was enough, and she couldn't really let Liuli live a life of seclusion. The Emperor was a filial son, so he naturally had no objection to what the Queen Mother said.

Liuli smiled bitterly. Go back to the palace? Little did she know that the palace was the place she least wanted to stay. She had spent her most glorious time in the palace. She asked to come to Ciyun Temple because she didn't want to stay there and be looked down upon.

As for remarriage, who would be willing to marry a notoriously unruly princess, an old and abandoned woman? Even if they had to marry her due to the majesty of the royal family, they would probably not treat her sincerely, so why bother to make others dislike her?
Unless this person is Chunfeng.

Liuli hesitated for a long time and asked, "Is Jing'an Marquis' Mansion okay now?"

The queen knew it well. Liuli must be thinking about Xia Chunfeng! She couldn't help but think of Ye Jinxuan's words: Liuli had done so many wrong things, but she was sincere to Xia Chunfeng. It was just that she was young and hot-tempered, and was used to being spoiled. Even if she wanted to be good to someone, she didn't know how to do it. Of course, Chunfeng is very happy now, and it is impossible for her to renew her relationship with Liuli.

The Queen said quietly, "The old Marquis of Jing'an Mansion has retired and is living a leisurely life at home enjoying his grandchildren. Now Xia Chunyu has inherited the title."

After a pause, the queen continued, "Chunfeng is now a general, guarding western Sichuan, and has two sons."

Liuli couldn't tell whether she was happy or sad. She was happy that Chunfeng was so promising. In fact, he didn't like it when the Queen Mother asked him to go to the Dali Temple. He wanted to fight in the battlefield like the old marquis and his second brother Xia Chunyu. Now, he got his wish.

Sadly, Chunfeng remarried and had two sons.

I couldn't help but think that if her child had been saved, perhaps there wouldn't have been so many things that happened later.

"I wonder which girl is so blessed?" Liuli smiled but felt extremely bitter in her heart.

The queen also hesitated and said, "It is Chen Ya, the daughter of the Grand Secretary of Longyuan Pavilion."

Liuli was stunned. Chen Ya, isn't that Xiaoya? Xiaoya was the daughter of a criminal, so she was not sent to the palace as a slave. Could it be that her father's case was vindicated?
Her face was burning and her heart was filled with mixed emotions. She thought it might be some rich girl, but it turned out to be her former maid Xiaoya, a mute. Xia Chunfeng was really a man of affection and righteousness. He married a mute and helped her family to redress their grievances.

Isn't it ridiculous? It's so ridiculous. She who was once extremely noble has now become a lay disciple of a nunnery. The maid who was once humble and lowly has become the daughter of the Grand Secretary of Longyuan Pavilion and the wife of the general. It's really ironic!

The Queen saw her face turning pale and blue, with a complicated expression that was hard to tell. She didn't expect that after so long, Liuli still cared so much about these things.

"Liuli, as long as you think it through, you will still have a bright future," the queen advised.

Liuli smiled sadly: "Thank you Queen for still thinking of me, but I think this kind of life is very good. I feel very quiet here. For the rest of my life, I just want to pray for the Queen Mother and the Emperor and Queen."

The only hope she had was shattered. What else could she hope for?
"You don't have to rush to answer me. You are still young and you still have a long way to go in your life. Think about it carefully. Once you have figured it out, send someone to send a message to me and I will make arrangements for you." The queen said gently.

Liuli bowed her head and said nothing. Is she still young? She is almost thirty years old. How many thirty years can there be in a lifetime? One wrong step, all wrong steps. She can't turn back.

Three days later, Zhao Liuli officially shaved her head and became a nun, with the Buddhist name Buhui.

In this life, she has too many regrets and remorse, and hopes that she will not regret it in the next life.

(End of this chapter)