CHAPTER 729: CHAPTER 729: BUDDHA DOES NOT HELP THOSE WHO CANNOT STAND ON THEIR OWN

However, status and rank were distinguished, and Cui Laner, although afraid, still insisted on her belief: a servant is a servant, born to endure whatever their master wishes to do. Those of higher rank naturally hold superiority over those below them. What’s wrong with reprimanding them a few times? They haven’t really been mistreated. Otherwise, what would be the point of having such hierarchies?

Kong Yinyin felt a deep sense of sorrow upon hearing this. She had experienced this sentiment deeply, having been bullied by others all along. If they had chosen to treat her well, she wouldn’t have had to endure such hardship...

Scanning the room, Lian Hua’s gaze fell on Kong Yinyin, "Changzai Kong, you will soon leave the palace. Today, you taught me a lesson and also shielded me. I have seen all of this. Now, I have a piece of advice for you; whether you heed it or not is up to you. Life is full of hardships, and everyone has their own difficulties. Being able to stand firm on your own feet is what truly matters. Otherwise, even outside the palace, it will be the same. Take care of yourself in the days to come."

Kong Yinyin was startled and stood frozen on the spot, a tumult of emotions rising within her heart. In the palace, everyone seemed to trample over her at will, and she had had enough of such days. She indeed harbored hopes that life would be better once she left the palace, filled with longing for the life outside. Yet... would it really be as she hoped?

After finishing her words, Lian Hua no longer looked at her. Nanny had said that Buddha does not save those who can’t be helped. She had done what she could, wanting to teach Kong Yinyin to stand up for herself, but... the rest was up to Kong Yinyin herself.

Alright, the phrase "Buddha does not save those who can’t be helped" was actually her own interpretation. The original saying wasn’t like this.

The first time she asked Nanny Qi to teach her sewing, Nanny Qi taught her all morning. After lunch, she simply left, leaving behind a profound statement which seemed to be "Buddha does not ferry people; one must ferry oneself." The general idea was that one must work hard on their own—no one else can do it for you. So, her interpretation that if one brings trouble upon themselves even Buddha can’t manage, must also be valid.

Lian Hua’s statement was in fact a melding of two of Nanny Qi’s statements into one.

That time when Nanny Qi taught her needlework, she felt exhausted both physically and mentally, thinking that Lian Hua’s sewing was simply a hopeless mess that collapsed as soon as it was lifted. After lunch, when Lian Hua brought up the afternoon’s learning plan, Nanny Qi genteelly implied "Buddha does not ferry people; one must ferry oneself," suggesting that needlework required insight, and that Lian Hua had to comprehend it herself, as teaching was impossible.

At that moment, Lian Hua understood vaguely. While she was pondering, her keen ears overheard the receding conversation of Nanny Qi with Pang Ya outside, where Nanny Qi said, "It’s such a misdeed! She seems bright on ordinary days, but when it comes to needlework... sigh, let it be. Just leave her shoddy sewing lying on the ground—it really can’t be helped..."

So, after combining the implications of both the statements, she came up with the phrase "Buddha does not save those who can’t be helped."

Confronted with Cui Laner who still wanted to beg for mercy and make excuses, Lian Hua spread her hands and shrugged her shoulders, dropping a line, "You all may rise. As you have seen just now, this matter will be reported to Consort De. Sister now manages the palace affairs and has her own regulations. Pleading with me is futile. Whatever should be done will be done." With this, she considered the matter handled.

Cui Laner was filled with regret, so much that it was almost tangible. When Lian Hua wanted to settle the matter privately, to vent for Cui Laner, she outwardly complied but inwardly rebelled, answering back with each sentence, without a hint of acknowledging her fault. But now that Lian Hua was handling the matter officially, she suddenly wanted to deeply regret her earlier foolishness—being deluded by self-importance. What did it amount to letting Kong Yinyin push her twice? It would’ve been acceptable even to kneel before Kong Yinyin, but it was too late.

Daying Jia stood up in a daze, no longer speaking, seeming lost in deep thought, which was a stark contrast to the domineering attitude and sycophancy upon arrival.

Cui Laner’s eyes flickered for a moment, she clenched her teeth and resumed kneeling motionless, head bowed, lost in thought.

Xiao Jizi gave her a sharp glance but ultimately said nothing.

The dispute stirred by Cui Laner came to a temporary close.

The entire harem had become much quieter after the Emperor and Consort Xu De jointly reorganized it, especially after a group of Palace Attendants was pardoned and allowed to leave the palace.

Those Palace Maids and eunuchs who came and went from Qianqiu Hall and recognized Lian Hua, were secretly shocked and couldn’t help but give her a few extra glances. However, most of these people were honest and straightforward, and after taking a look, they just carried on and did not inquire or spread any messages.

Thanks to Daying Jia’s loud shout, the masters who heard the wind nearby all prepared to come over personally.

The first to arrive were Beauty Zhao and Changzai Zhou.

The two of them had agreed to visit Qianqiu Hall early on, and were solving riddles on the lantern-lit corridor, enjoying themselves, when they heard the faint screams of Daying Jia. They exchanged a glance with different thoughts crossing their minds and immediately walked towards the sound. Along the way, they sighed a few times, saying they had not seen Sister Lian for many days and were quite concerned, so they wanted to come and see her.

When they arrived, they were somewhat baffled by the scene before them. They saw Cui Laner kneeling rigidly as if she had suffered a great injustice, stubbornly refusing to submit, while Daying Jia stood respectfully to the side, lowering his head, seemingly lost in thought, and there was also a concubine who was not often seen in a dazed state.

Not far away, the person they were most concerned about, Lian Hua, was in high spirits at the pitching pot area, excitedly asking the Young Eunuch for golden melon seeds, saying she had won the game. The surrounding Palace Maids and eunuchs huddled to her left and right, talking and laughing with joy evident on their faces, while the eunuch with the golden melon seeds and another with the Feather Arrow smiled and laughed along with her.

The scenes on either side were worlds apart.

Changzai Zhou and Beauty Zhao were shocked to discover that the person rumored to have been in trouble not only looked rosy and spirited but had become even more beautiful than before, with skin like cream and complexion like rouge, showing a charming elegance with every smile and gesture, causing even these two who were accustomed to seeing beauties to secretly marvel.

Hiding their amazement and shock, they instinctively looked first at Lian Hua’s stomach, and when they saw the wide palace attire sway to reveal a faint rounded outline, they were startled once more.

Changzai Zhou initially felt a surge of satisfaction, and she couldn’t help wanting to applaud when she thought of how the Noble Consort would react upon hearing the news.

However, as her thoughts slowly turned, her expression began to change. Linking past and present, she had figured out the ploy within His Majesty’s plan—Beauty Lian was never on the path to trouble!

Her lips lost some of their color, and a cold sweat slowly appeared on her back, with her heart pounding in fear.

Fortunately, she had remained calm regarding the matter of the Imperial Heir and had not done anything; otherwise, she might not have been able to stand here safely today.

Thinking back on something she had done in the past that, although long ago and only involved Talented Lady Sun, she still felt vaguely uneasy, and resolved in her heart that she could not involve Beauty Lian in her dealings with that party any longer.

She now knew: using Beauty Lian to go against the Noble Consort would certainly lead to her end without a place to be buried.

Beauty Zhao next to her also experienced several changes in expression, but her thoughts were entirely different from those of Changzai Zhou. She discreetly signaled to someone beside her and then, concealing her thoughts, took the lead to walk toward Lian Hua and the others, raising her voice to say, "Sister Lian is really here, that’s truly wonderful."