Chapter 6

Shi Qingshan wore a face full of confusion, “Scriptures? What scriptures?”

The old madam gave a look and Hu Momo placed the scriptures in front of Shi Qingshan.

Shi Qingshan opened it, read a few pages, and then replied, “Grandmother, this granddaughter indeed used to like to copy scriptures, but not recently. This should be the writing of Fourth Sister.”

“You…”

Shi Jingxuan had just wanted to swear when a sharp glare from the old madam forced the words back down her throat. She was enraged, yet she didn’t dare speak.

“A few days ago, didn’t Father tell Fourth Sister to copy scriptures and offer them to Grandmother’s temple?” Shi Qingshan said.

The old madam looked directly at Shi Qingshan, yet her face didn’t change color and her eyes didn’t waver.

The old madam then looked towards Shi Chenghuan, “Chenghuan, can you tell whose writing it is on these scriptures?”

Shi Qingshan smiled bitterly in her heart. Everyone in the Prime Minister’s residence thought that other than Shi Mingyuan, the Second Young Miss Shi Chenghuan’s literacy was the highest.

Back then, Shi Qingshan hid her talents and today, this prodigious memory had become her greatest weapon.

“Yes, Grandmother.”

Shi Chenghuan took it over and looked at it carefully. She then looked at Shi Jingxuan deeply, her eyes filled with disappointment.

She replied to the old madam, “Grandmother, this was indeed copied by Shi Jingxuan, but Chenghuan thinks that Jingxuan didn’t deliberately copy the wrong scriptures. Please forgive her…”

“I…”

Shi Jingxuan felt extremely wronged, but seeing Shi Chenghuan’s eyes, she didn’t speak.

The old madam felt angered every time she saw Shi Jingxuan. However, even her favorite granddaughter had spoken up so how could she bear to refuse?

The old madam declared, “Copying the wrong scriptures is a big mistake!”

Shi Chenghuan immediately coaxed, “Grandmother, why don’t you make Jingxuan copy the scriptures five more times and apologize to Buddha? Please give Jingxuan a chance to redeem herself!”

This move was adapting to one’s tastes. Using copying as a punishment, the old madam would definitely agree.

Shi Qingshan smiled lightly, “This granddaughter writes slowly. It once took me two days to copy one scripture. The calligraphy of Fourth Sister is so neat. Her copied scriptures would definitely be liked by the Buddha.”

The other people didn’t think much of it, but when Shi Jingxuan heard this, she uncontrollably screamed, “I don’t want to copy scriptures!”

How could she be willing to copy days’ worth of scriptures? That’s simply asking for her life!

It’s hard to take back what you say, “No, I mean…”

The old madam slammed the table and infuriatedly shouted, “Don’t want to copy scriptures? Then go to your courtyard to burn incense and kneel for two hours each day!”

Shi Jingxuan was utterly flabbergasted. Shi Chenghuan’s eyes were full of disappointment and decided to not help her any longer.

Shi Qingshan hid the smile in her eyes. When she lifted her up, she acted out a worried look.

Someone in the crowd asked, “Old Madam, now that there are no scriptures, how are we going to recite them?”

These noble ladies all had a habit: they would only read handwritten copies of scriptures. After reciting and conversing, they would offer tribute and pray.

That’s why there were no ready-made scriptures to be used in their hands. The only ones they had were filled with mistakes. How could they take those out to fool people with?

While everyone was in a dilemma, someone suddenly said, “Old Madam, just now Fifth Young Miss said that she had copied scriptures before.”

Everyone looked towards Shi Qingshan.

Thinking of the birth mother of Shi Qingshan, the old madam was slightly worried but still harbored some hope, “Qingshan, do you have copied scriptures at your place?”

“This…”

Shi Qingshan pursed her lips and replied in a respectful fashion, “Replying to Grandmother, this granddaughter indeed has some copied scriptures, but…”

“But what?”

“But those were copied last month. They might be old…” Shi Qingshan’s face turned slightly ugly.

The old madam happily replied, “It doesn’t matter. Qingshan, are you willing to take them out and share with these ladies?”

Shi Qingshan didn’t hesitate this time, “It’s my honor to be of assistance.”

“Hu Momo, quickly go and pick them up.” the old madam ordered.

In any case, this was an emergency situation. Even if Qingshan’s words were very ugly, the old madam had already come to a decision.

When Shi Qingshan’s copied scriptures were placed in front of the old madam, her eyebrows shot straight into her hairline!

“Good, good! Qingshan’s words are clear but the meaning isn’t lost in each stroke! When the Buddha sees it, he will surely understand Qingshan’s sincerity!”

Shi Qingshan could copy the writing of many people, but her own calligraphy was quite unique and stylish.

The original moon the stars revolved around Shi Chenghuan was ignored at this moment. She couldn’t stand the inattention and smiled, “Grandmother, this granddaughter wants to see Qingshan’s words. It’s also a good opportunity to learn.”

Shi Qingshan modestly said, “It’s Second Sister’s flowery calligraphy that is the best. I just wrote at will.”

Seeing that Shi Qingshan had no objections, Shi Chenghuan smiled at her.

However, when she went to receive the scriptures, the old madam smiled and said, “Chenghuan, you really should learn from Qingshan’s calligraphy. Her words all carry some spirit in them!”

The other people who saw the scriptures all praised similarly.

Only Shi Chenghuan and the madam’s brows were furrowed.

The daughter of the first wife was actually defeated by some ugly prostitute’s daughter?

However, the mother-daughter pair concealed it well. Shi Chenghuan nodded and smiled, “Grandmother is right. Chenghuan still has many shortcomings.”

The madam’s eyes stared deeply at Shi Qingshan for the first time.

This brat has such a skill?

How come she didn’t know before? Was she deliberately concealing it?

For some time, doubts filled the madam’s mind.

The old madam happily got up and led everyone to the temple to begin reciting the scriptures.

Shi Chenghuan was just about to follow when the old madam turned around, smiling at the two sisters: “This time, Qingshan should recite the scriptures.”

Shi Qingshan was startled. These scriptures were not in her original plans. She gave an aggrieved glance at Shi Chenghuan.

In the past, it was always Shi Chenghuan that read the scriptures, but this time, it was suddenly changed to Shi Qingshan. A stiff smile hung on her face, “Grandmother…”

The old madam smiled and said, “The scriptures copied by Qingshan are very spirited. Having her read will definitely be good.”

The madam laughed awkwardly, “Mother, I’m afraid that’s not a good idea. It was always Chenghuan that read the scriptures in the past.”

“Are you trying to say that I don’t know the rules?” the old madam’s smile disappeared.

The madam fearfully placated, “This daughter-in-law doesn’t dare. Except, Qingshan is only an illegitimate daughter, I’m afraid the others would be unhappy.”

(TL: To be exact, Qingshan is a concubine-born daughter.)

In Xuanqing Empire, children born of prostitutes or concubines were looked down upon. Shi Qingshan just happened to be born of a prostitute concubine, fulfilling both conditions.

The old madam snorted, “So what? In front of Buddha, everyone is equal. Qingshan copied the scriptures earnestly, where is there unconformity?”

Seeing that the old madam was slightly angered, the madam hurriedly compromised and told Shi Qingshan, “Qingshan, since your grandmother has seen your sincerity, you must earnestly recite the scriptures! Make sure you don’t make any mistakes!”

Shi Qingshan smiled obediently, “Mother, please don’t worry.”