After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingling's face suddenly turned bright red.

"Has the marriage been arranged?" Rong Yingluo asked teasingly, seeing her sister's expression.

Gu Qingling kept her head down, but still managed to let out a barely audible "hmm".

"That's wonderful! Auntie's heart is finally at ease. I've heard that this young master Zimo from the fourth branch of the Qi family is quite learned. If he passes the imperial examination next year, my sister will be an official's wife when she marries him. Congratulations in advance, sister-in-law!" Rong Yingluo was happy for her.

It is of utmost importance for a woman to have a good marriage.

Judging from her younger sister's shy expression, it was clear that she was very satisfied with that young master Qi.

"Sister-in-law!" Gu Qingling stomped her foot shyly.

"Oh, right, tell your third uncle to go see the Prince of Bei when he has time, and tell him it was me who said it." Rong Yingluo suddenly remembered something.

The bandits on Huangling Mountain robbed the Zhenguo Duke's mansion of its goods. It's one thing if it's someone else's, but we should still compensate Uncle for the goods that were lost in his possession, so that he won't have trouble keeping accounts.

That evening, the Jin family of four was taken to the small courtyard where Rong Yingluo had initially arranged for Ling Feng and his group of four.

Meanwhile, Jin Zier was taken by Rong Yingluo to the old lady's courtyard to ask Granny Ye for help in disciplining her.

When Jin Zier entered the grand mansion for the first time, her eyes were dazzled by the sights, and she realized for the first time the difference in social status.

"You must learn the rules properly from Granny Ye. If there is the slightest mistake, you will be beaten to death. Do you understand?" Rong Yingluo instructed sternly. This girl's heart was not upright, and if she wanted to be disciplined, she had to take drastic measures.

"This servant will definitely learn the rules well." Jin Zier was overjoyed. She was so lucky to be able to enter a family like the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

In the following days, Rong Yingluo kept her word, giving the Jin family's wife acupuncture several times and administering medicine. Her health improved significantly, and she left enough medicine for the Jin family before having them sent to the dowry estate.

With this family in her hands, Rong Yingluo wasn't afraid that Jin Zier would disobey her.

In the past few days, she had realized that although Jin Zier wanted to marry into a higher social class, she was still filial to her parents, which pleased Rong Yingluo.

The time soon arrived for the appointed meeting with the Empress at Huguo Temple.

The Empress's departure from the palace to pray for blessings was no small matter. The Emperor specifically instructed the Imperial Household Department to make proper arrangements, ensuring that everything, including food, clothing, and lodging, was prepared perfectly.

The Empress wanted to keep a low profile, but the Emperor rejected that idea with a single sentence.

"Xian'er has finally recovered, and we cannot afford to let anything go wrong. Anyone who fails to serve her properly will be executed on my own." The Emperor showed the Empress his usual concern.

After so many years of marriage, the Emperor's care for the Empress had long become a habit.

As emperor, he could not favor only the empress, but he always regarded her as his closest relative.

Rong Yingluo got up early, got ready, and waited at the palace gate.

It wasn't until early morning that the Empress emerged in her phoenix palanquin, with the Emperor beside her.

The Emperor personally saw them off at the palace gate.

"Xian'er, the weather is getting cold. You must not catch a cold. You must be the same when you come back as when you go out. If you can't do that, I will not let any of the servants go." Emperor Taikang glanced at the palace servants following him.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will take good care of myself," the Empress replied gently.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, with me here, Her Majesty the Empress will not lose a single hair," Rong Yingluo interjected.

Emperor Taikang liked to hear this: "Hmm, let's go."

They each boarded their carriages.

Gu Ce saw him off all the way.

Rong Yingluo was puzzled, as her husband had not mentioned sending them to Huguo Temple.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Gu Ce deliberately didn't tell his wife, wanting to give her a surprise.

"Aren't you excited?" Gu Ce rode his horse alongside Rong Yingluo's carriage.

"No, isn't it only right that you give us a gift?" Rong Yingluo said with a smile.

As her husband, and possibly even the empress's son, it was only natural for him to accompany her all the way.

Huguo Temple is not far from the capital, only about 20 li away.

When the Empress's carriage arrived, the abbot of Huguo Temple led the high-ranking monks of the temple to stand respectfully in front of the mountain gate to welcome her.

Today, Huguo Temple is closed and does not receive any visitors. The temple is being cleaned and dusted in preparation for the Empress's prayers.

Rong Yingluo was the first to get off the carriage and went to the Empress's carriage, where she helped the Empress down.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace." The crowd bowed in respect.

"No need for formalities. Abbot Huitong, I'm sorry to trouble you." The Empress was very kind.

"Amitabha, Your Majesty the Empress is too kind. The room has been prepared for you. Please follow me." The abbot put his hands together and said a Buddhist prayer.

He wore a purple kasaya, a royal honor bestowed by the emperor. On this formal occasion, the abbot specially donned it to welcome the Empress.

The abbot, whose Dharma name is Huitong, is over fifty years old. He has a round face, and when he smiles, it feels like a Buddha's light emanates from him, yet he also possesses a shrewdness. Such a person is most suitable to be an abbot.

Gu Ce and Rong Yingluo also greeted the abbot and the others.

The group followed Abbot Huitong to a courtyard in Huguo Temple where guests could rest.

The place was spotless. Even though it was the season of falling leaves, there wasn't a single dead leaf on the ground, showing that Huguo Temple had put in a lot of effort to welcome the Empress.

As soon as Gu Ce entered, he took the initiative to inspect the entire courtyard from front to back, and was very satisfied.

Huguo Temple has martial monks, and several martial monks are stationed to guard the perimeter of this courtyard, which is 500 paces away.

It will neither disturb the Empress nor hinder her, and it will serve a protective function.

"Your Majesty, I have seen everything, and the abbot's arrangements are very appropriate. I will take my leave now. I will come to fetch you when you return to the palace," Gu Ce said respectfully.

These days, Gu Ce always wants to find opportunities to meet and talk with the Empress more often.

That feeling was indescribable; he just wanted to be closer to the Empress and see a different kind of attention in her eyes.

"Ah Ce, you've worked hard. I know you're busy. Go back now. Liuli will only stay with me for ten days before I return her to you," the Empress teased.

Upon hearing this, both Gu Ce and Rong Yingluo blushed slightly.

The Empress covered her mouth and chuckled. The two had only been married for a little over three months, and she did feel a little guilty for separating the newlyweds.

But she also wanted to spend more time with Rong Liuli; she desperately wanted to know the whereabouts of her son.

The couple exchanged a glance, and Gu Ce left.

Rong Yingluo first had lunch with the Empress, and then rested for a while.

Only then did the Empress propose to pay homage in the various palaces.

In the following days, Rong Yingluo accompanied the Empress and the monks to do morning prayers every day, and then recited scriptures in front of the Buddha.

The Queen was very devout and did her homework meticulously every day.

Rong Yingluo could tell from the Empress's serious demeanor how devout she was in worshipping Buddha in the palace.

She was a Taoist, and there were several statues in the Buddhist temple that were the same as those in the Taoist temple.

When the Queen was completely absorbed in the scriptures, she would temporarily go to the statues of the gods to do her own homework.

He always made it back to the Empress's side before the Empress's performance ended.

Except for the first day when no one else was allowed to enter, Huguo Temple resumed normal visitor reception on the second day.

This is also the Empress's wish.

That day, as usual, the Empress went to Chongshou Hall to chant scriptures. Rong Yingluo had just left the hall when she was stopped by a young novice monk.

"Amitabha Buddha, female benefactor, Master Huitong invites you."