The Darling of Heaven Owns a Rip-off Shop

When Prince Kang heard this, his mood got even better. This was a sign the Princess was softening; if it went on like this, her anger would soon disappear.

”Good, then off you go, I won’t see you out.” The Princess burst out laughing, then, seeing Prince Kang frozen in place, added, ”Oh, these grapes are decent. Chun Lan, prepare a plate for the Prince to take back with him.”

Prince Kang’s expression eased again.

And so, Prince Kang went back to the front courtyard with the grapes and had the Housekeeper send ten thousand taels to the Princess.

...

After the Housekeeper had delivered the silver notes and left, Chun Lan said in a low voice, ”Princess, what Steward Chen said should be true.”

”It is true.” The Princess smiled. ”Concubine Qin wants my shop; she sent the Prince over to ask me for it.”

”But the Prince never brought it up. Does that mean, in his heart, you’re still the most important, Princess?” Chun Lan said, a bit delighted.

”If I were the most important, there wouldn’t be any Concubine Qin.” The Princess said with a faint smile.

”This maid deserves death.” Chun Lan cried out in fear, begging punishment.

”No need to be so nervous. I’ve let it all go now. Since he doesn’t care, why should I? For a person, the most important thing is to live happily.” The Princess waved the silver notes in her hand. ”I’ve already figured it out; from now on you should all see things more lightly too. Xia He, go have them make preparations. Tomorrow we’ll go to Gushan Temple outside the city. The mushrooms there are very delicious; we’ll have lunch there tomorrow.”

”Yes.” Xia He answered crisply.

Chun Lan, Xia He, Qiu Ju, and Dong Mei were the four maids who had followed the Princess since childhood, always loyal and devoted to her. They had always hoped the Princess would live well. It was just that, in the past, their idea of ”living well” had always meant that the Princess and the Prince would return to how they once were—harmonious and loving. But now, that thought was starting to waver.

Actually, as long as their lady was happy, did they really need to worry so much about everything else?

After Prince Kang went back, he told Concubine Qin that the Princess had refused and told her to pick another shopfront. Concubine Qin kept feeling Prince Kang was just brushing her off, but with no proof, she could only let the matter drop.

That night, the Princess ordered a door to be opened in that wall. When Prince Kang found out, he felt much more at ease.

...

The next morning at dawn, the Princess set out with a few maids and some guards.

The destination was Gushan Temple outside the city.

This Gushan Temple was very famous; high-ranking officials and nobles all liked to come here to burn incense and pray. The abbot was an enlightened monk who spent all year cultivating Zen in seclusion, not seeing visitors. He only appeared occasionally to give lectures on the scriptures. The lots drawn here were said to be extremely accurate.

However, the Princess was not coming here to draw lots; she was here to eat and have fun.

Behind Gushan Temple, there was a gorge that was remarkably beautiful, with a small lake inside it. Around the lake were all kinds of flowers, and at night many fireflies danced in the air. The high monk in charge of Gushan Temple’s daily affairs was a real talent; he had developed this place, built a stone path leading there, and even put up a small pavilion by the lakeside.

And the vegetarian meals at Gushan Temple were even more renowned far and wide, also thanks to the efforts of this high monk who oversaw the temple’s affairs.

Today, the Princess had come for precisely these two attractions.

Early in the morning, Gushan Temple received word that Princess Kang was coming, and they made preparations well in advance.

Gushan Temple had courtyards reserved for pilgrims to rest. Since Princess Kang was coming this time, they naturally prepared the courtyard with the best environment.

The high monk in charge of Gushan Temple’s affairs had the Dharma name Liao Wu, and this time he was a bit ”bald with worry.” Oh no, he was already bald long ago; this was just a way of saying he was troubled.