Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 553: Why is the Empress also here!?

Before the carriage left the city, Wang Yingluo heard the clamor.

It seemed like people were gathered together, loudly discussing something.

Her ears twitched, and suddenly she became excited.

"They’re talking about the papermaking technique and printing technique, those are my inventions!"

Wang Yingluo wanted to crawl out of the carriage and tell everyone that if they had inexpensive books to read, it was all thanks to her efforts.

Fu Rong stuffed something into her mouth directly but lifted the curtain, allowing Wang Yingluo to see the scene on the street.

After Wang Yingluo got a clear view, her eyes widened.

Because the shops by the city gate had all turned into bookstores.

The bookstores had long queues, and many people dressed as scholars were lining up, excitedly talking.

They said that those who passed the exams could, with proof, obtain a set of books for free at the bookstore, a set that includes as many as thirty-six volumes.

They were all thanking the state’s excellent policy that allowed scholars to no longer worry about purchasing books.

They also remarked that the cost of books was now seventy percent cheaper than before, all due to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress.

"How is it His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress’s achievement, when it is clearly mine!"

Wang Yingluo wanted to shout out loud, but her mouth had been blocked by Fu Rong, and she was also being held back by two nannies, so the people in front of the shop did not notice her at all.

She whimpered as the carriage moved on, and the city gate grew ever more distant.

Only then did Fu Rong remove the object from Wang Yingluo’s mouth, slowly saying, "His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress have not taken credit for this achievement. They have announced to the world that an eccentric improved the papermaking technique and printing technique. It’s just that, everyone knows, if Your Majesties had not valued the scholars, there would be no promotion of affordable books."

"What eccentric, it was clearly me who improved it, why didn’t they announce it to the world?! On what basis!"

Wang Yingluo felt indignant, as she could have made a great name for herself, yet someone else was stealing her credit!

"On the basis that you shouldn’t have set your sights on His Majesty!"

After Fu Rong spoke coldly, she once again stuffed something into Wang Yingluo’s mouth, this time determined not to speak another word to her.

This woman, she probably won’t repent even at the brink of death.

She thinks too highly of herself.

Wang Yingluo was filled with resentment, tasting the blood in her mouth.

The carriage continued on an increasingly isolated path, the voices of passersby gradually disappeared.

Wang Yingluo, who had believed she would not be executed, started to panic again.

Where were they taking her?

Wasn’t the Emperor supposed to see her?

Fu Rong had mentioned the Emperor and Empress, but she automatically ignored the Empress, believing it was Jun Yuyan alone who wanted to see her.

She thought again and realized that since Jun Yuyan cared so much about Murong Jiu, he would not want Murong Jiu to know about their meeting, and that’s why they would choose a remote place for their rendezvous.

Her thoughts bounced back and forth until, before she knew it, they had arrived.

"Huguo Temple."

Seeing the words on the plaque, Wang Yingluo began to smile.

In dramas, these high-ranking officials often used temples and Taoist temples as places for secret rendezvous because it was easier to shield from prying eyes.

The two nannies let her go, making several gestures to Fu Rong; Wang Yingluo then realized that these two nannies were deaf-mutes, no wonder Fu Rong would speak so openly about the printing technique and papermaking technique in the carriage.

Fu Rong took the cloth from her mouth, saying, "Follow me."

Wang Yingluo was displeased by her rudeness, yet had no choice but to obey, as she wanted to see Jun Yuyan.

Huguo Temple was vast; it felt like a long walk until Fu Rong finally slowed her pace.

Wang Yingluo’s heart fluttered with excitement; yet when she looked up, she saw someone she didn’t expect.

"Empress Dowager!"

Why would the Empress Dowager be here?

Isn’t this the Imperial Monastery? The Empress Dowager has been living well in the palace and hasn’t left once before; how could she suddenly appear here in the monastery?

Could it be that Jun Yuyan is using the Empress Dowager as a shield?

She hurriedly and properly performed a curtsey, "This commoner pays her respects to Empress Dowager."

But having paid her respects, she felt something was amiss. On a closer look, the Empress Dowager’s attire was too simple. If it weren’t for the Empress Dowager’s recognizable face, she might not have been able to identify her face to face just from her attire.

Empress Dowager Qi was a person who loved beauty; even after becoming the Empress Dowager, her clothes were always bright and dignified colors. She had never been this plainly dressed before.

Empress Dowager Qi also stopped, her gaze falling on Wang Yingluo’s face, then she smiled, "Well, since we’ve met, let’s go together. I’ll join in the fun." frёeωebɳovel.com

What does that mean?

Something is not right.

The Empress Dowager always referred to herself as ’we’; why would she suddenly use ’I’?

Too strange.

Could it be that the Empress Dowager knew the Emperor wanted to see her and deliberately sent her to the Emperor?

Wang Yingluo didn’t want to guess anymore, so she directly asked, "Empress Dowager, are we going to see Your Majesty the Emperor?"

"Of course, yes."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yingluo immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

It’s good if they were going to see the Emperor.

She had been afraid that some danger was awaiting her, but since they were going to see the Emperor, it seemed unlikely that they would make such a big fuss to bring her here if they wanted to kill her.

Having her bathe and change clothes before coming, wasn’t that hinting at her?

Thinking this, her face showed a hint of shyness, and she said, with her head slightly bowed to the Empress Dowager, "Empress Dowager, this commoner was ignorant before. After this experience, this commoner has learned her lesson and will surely keep a low profile, not causing any trouble for Her Majesty the Empress, and will serve Your Majesty the Emperor wholeheartedly, assisting Your Majesty."

"What did you say?"

It was beyond Empress Dowager Qi’s expectation that Wang Yingluo would say such a thing. What had led her to misunderstand that she was here today to serve the Emperor?

Would her son have eyes for a woman like Wang Yingluo?

She had seen the self-important, but never someone so presumptuous.

For a moment, the Empress Dowager was at a loss for words.

Wang Yingluo, with a coy smile, said, "This commoner understands everything, even if this must remain unseen, this commoner is willing."

The Empress Dowager was momentarily speechless.

If it wasn’t for the desire to watch the excitement and curiosity about soul swapping, she wouldn’t want to be seen with Wang Yingluo at all.

Amitabha, she really can only be a secular disciple, for no monastery would take her in.

Picking up the pace, she quickly arrived at the back mountain of Huguo Temple.

In the center of the back mountain was an open space with only two people: an old monk and another—Wang Yingluo immediately noticed the tall figure. The figure stood out in both form and stature.

It was now noon, and the sun shone directly down, enveloping the man as if he was coated in a layer of golden light, making him seem more unreachable.

Her heart raced like a startled fawn, and she shyly called out, "Your Majesty!"

Jun Yuyan turned his head, his eyes a cold expanse.

Due to the strong midday light, Wang Yingluo didn’t notice any discrepancy, and she quickened her steps, hurrying towards Jun Yuyan.

However, after only a few steps, her expression suddenly changed.

Because not far across, under a large tree, there was someone else.

The one fanning was Hong Yi, and sitting on the stone bench was none other than Her Majesty the Empress, Murong Jiu!

They were under the cool shade of the tree, which was why Wang Yingluo hadn’t noticed the presence of other people at first.

Why is the Empress also here!?