A single sentence struck a chord with Princess Zhaoning's inner thoughts. She turned to look at the Lotus Cult Leader, bowed again, and then departed.
Once Princess Zhaoning returned to her chambers and sat down, she appeared dispirited.
Her two personal maids, Chunhua and Qiuyue, seeing this, quickly stepped forward and asked cautiously, "Your Highness, are you troubled by something?"
Princess Zhaoning sighed, "Don't mention it. Master is urging me to get married. She says if I don't marry soon, I'll end up being sent for a political marriage."
Chunhua and Qiuyue exchanged glances and, without a word, nodded in unison. "Your Highness, we agree with the Cult Leader. It's better to get married sooner rather than later."
"But whom can I marry in this desolate wilderness? I can't exactly marry a wild wolf from the mountain behind us."
Princess Zhaoning sighed again.
Chunhua and Qiuyue also sighed along, "Your Highness, why don't we return to the capital? There are many high-ranking officials and nobles there; we're bound to find a suitable match."
Princess Zhaoning, however, shook her head. "I'm not going back. I refuse to go back. I'd rather die than go back."
Knowing that their persuasion would be futile, Chunhua and Qiuyue wisely kept silent.
The next morning, Princess Zhaoning woke up early.
After getting up, she ordered someone to prepare breakfast and then quietly waited for her respected master, the Lotus Cult Leader, to wake.
In fact, the Lotus Cult Leader had already risen. Upon hearing Princess Zhaoning's movements, she first summoned her personal disciple, Moli.
"Instruct everyone to prepare. We will leave after breakfast."
Moli looked at the Lotus Cult Leader in surprise. "Master, why are we leaving in such a hurry? Why not stay a few more days?"
The Lotus Cult Leader sighed. "We've reached Centipede Ridge, and I need to see Huangying."
The words cast a somber mood, and Moli fell silent.
The Lotus Cult Leader looked at her. "Alright, go and invite the Princess in. I have something to tell her."
Soon, Princess Zhaoning was summoned.
Upon entering the room, Princess Zhaoning immediately cupped her fists in a salute. "Greetings, Master."
The Lotus Cult Leader waved her hand and gestured to the chair in front of her. "Alright, sit down. I have something to tell you."
Princess Zhaoning obediently sat down and quietly looked at her master.
"Princess, I must leave after breakfast."
The words stunned Princess Zhaoning. She asked in surprise, "Master, please stay a few more days. You're leaving so soon, and I haven't had a chance to properly show my filial respect."
"If you find it inconvenient to stay here, I can book an entire inn for you in Xiaojia Town."
The Lotus Cult Leader waved her hand. "That's not necessary. I'm used to wandering the world; there's nothing inconvenient about it."
"After bringing so many people out, I must escort them back. I called you here to tell you something."
As she said this, the Lotus Cult Leader's expression grew more serious. "You are close to your martial aunt here. On festivals and special occasions, go and light an incense stick for your martial aunt Huangying."
"Additionally, if Chen Xiaobei needs anything, lend him a hand. Do it not for others, but for your late martial aunt Huangying."
Hearing this, Princess Zhaoning stood up and respectfully bowed to the Lotus Cult Leader. "Master, please rest assured. On the first and fifteenth of each month, and on the three major festivals and two birthdays, Jingfeng's wishes will be honored."
"As for Chen Xiaobei, I will do my best to assist him."
With Princess Zhaoning's promise, the Lotus Cult Leader nodded gently.
"Very well, then I will head to Hetou Village after breakfast."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoning bowed again. "Master, this disciple will accompany you. I will go and light an incense stick for martial aunt."
The Lotus Cult Leader thought for a moment and nodded. "Very well, then we shall go together."
After breakfast, Princess Zhaoning left a few people to guard the mountain stronghold. She, along with Chunhua, Qiuyue, and several guards, followed the Lotus Cult Leader down Centipede Ridge in a grand procession.
The distance from Centipede Ridge to Hetou Village is about forty to fifty li. It would take at least half an hour by fast horse.
The village defense team members guarding the entrance saw the Princess and the Lotus Cult Leader arriving and immediately sent word to Cui Hongyu.
Cui Hongyu was busy with her men, inventorying the military supplies transported from the mountain. Upon hearing of their arrival, she quickly put down her work and rushed to the village entrance to greet them. By the time she arrived, the Lotus Cult Leader and Princess Zhaoning were already waiting.
Cui Hongyu stepped forward and was about to kowtow to the Princess when the Lotus Cult Leader stepped forward and helped her up.
"Sister Hongyu, there's no need to be so formal. By seniority, you are an elder to the Princess."
Alright, since it was said, Cui Hongyu did not refuse. She looked at the two and said in a deep voice, "Cult Leader and Princess, welcome. Please rest at my humble abode first."
The Lotus Cult Leader waved her hand. "No need. I've come to see Huangying."
This was within Cui Hongyu's expectations; she knew the Lotus Cult Leader's visit was most likely for this reason.
"I have already sent people to prepare food, wine, and incense. Please follow me." Su Dan Novel Network.
The Lotus Cult Leader gestured to the people behind her. "No need to trouble yourselves. We have already prepared everything. Please lead us there."
Very well, since that was the case, Cui Hongyu said no more and led the Lotus Cult Leader and the Princess towards Huangying's grave on the east side of the village.
Upon seeing Huangying's grave, before Cui Hongyu could speak, tears were already streaming down the Lotus Cult Leader's face. Princess Zhaoning hurried forward and knelt before the grave, weeping uncontrollably. Then, Moli and the other disciples of the Lotus Cult Leader also knelt down in a large group.
The Lotus Cult Leader stepped forward, personally arranged the offerings, lit the incense, bowed three times, placed the incense, and then lit the paper money.
As she burned the offerings, she murmured, "Huangying, oh Huangying, rest in peace. We will take care of matters here. I know you worry about your Master. I will visit and care for you often. I also know you are concerned about Chen Xiaobei; we will visit often as well. In the afterlife, please bless them well."
Seeing that everyone had paid their respects, the Lotus Cult Leader waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave.
Moli understood that her master wished to have some time alone and immediately gathered her senior and junior sisters to quickly depart.
When everyone had left, only Cui Hongyu, the Lotus Cult Leader, and Princess Zhaoning remained.
The Lotus Cult Leader looked at Cui Hongyu and then at Princess Zhaoning, and said in a deep voice, "Hongyu, there are no outsiders here. In front of the Princess, I will speak frankly. From now on, if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. If you cannot find me, go to the Princess. Huangying and I were like sisters, and I will definitely see through your matters with Chen Xiaobei to the end."
Cui Hongyu bowed. "Thank you for your kindness, Cult Leader. I believe that under normal circumstances, we can manage without any unforeseen events."
Princess Zhaoning cupped her fists. "I have settled in Centipede Ridge. Even if I move to the capital later, people will remain at Centipede Ridge. If you need any help in the future, you can come to me directly."
Cui Hongyu looked astonished. "Your Highness, you are of noble birth. How can you live in such a desolate place?"
Princess Zhaoning, however, appeared indifferent and shook her head. "It's fine, it's fine. It doesn't matter where I live, as long as it's not in the capital."