Lin Mengya said in a friendly way, but what she said was really sharp.

Old Madam Shangguan could be bossy to her by dint of her status. But a married daughter was like spilled water, and thus whether she lived or died was a matter of her husband’s family.

Her parents’ family didn’t have the right to say anything about it.

At this moment, Old Madam Shangguan had understood that the girl in front of her looked gentle but was strong inside.

Moreover, given the power of the Lin Family and Long Tianyu’s current status, it might not be appropriate for her to continue talking about this matter.

However, living a comfortable life all year round had made her used to criticizing others in such a domineering manner.

What was more, Lin Mengya was a junior. In an instant, the barely amiable look disappeared from Old Madam Shangguan’s face.

She stared at the girl in front of her with sharp eyes.

“Humph, do you know that even if your father were here, he would not dare to talk to me like this? Even though you’re Princess Yu, don’t lose your sense of propriety!”

Shangguan Qing was her youngest daughter, and she naturally loved her very much.

Besides, Lin Mengya should not go against her like this. Even her father should be polite to her.

After all, she was the emperor’s mother-in-law. No woman could be more exalted than her.

As soon as she spat out these words, the people around couldn’t help but gasp.

It seemed that Old Madam Shangguan was really mad. These people unconsciously broke into a cold sweat and felt nervous for the weak and lonely Princess Yu.

Just as everyone thought that Lin Mengya would be angry or feel embarrassed, they saw a gentle smile break out on her face.

“Grandmother, you’re right. How could I, a junior, contradict you? It’s my fault. The rules of courtesy in the country are just rules of your family. When I go back, I’ll immediately go to the imperial palace to ask for punishment and ask Father to remove my title as Princess Yu. Then, I’ll perform filial piety as a granddaughter. What do you think of this idea, Grandmother?”

It was the first time in Old Madam Shangguan’s life that she had been so openly and brutally refuted.

One could not say that Lin Mengya meant to offend the old madam because the girl was smiling softly.

But one would not believe that the girl didn’t mean it as her words had indicated that the old madam had broken royal rules.

Although Old Madam Shangguan was the emperor’s mother-in-law, her daughter had been gradually distant from her parents’ family since she married into the royal family.

No matter how low Lin Mengya’s seniority was and how young she was, she was still the daughter-in-law of the emperor, a member of the royal family.

How could an old madam of the Shangguan Family compare to her in status?

Therefore, Lin Mengya was actually reminding Old Madam Shangguan of her identity. Princess Yu was no longer the little girl whom she could push around.

The atmosphere between the two of them was a little oppressive.

The smile slowly disappeared from Lin Mengya’s face. She usually took strong measures only after courteous ones failed.

However, this old madam was obviously indiscreet. Lin Mengya would never step back.

“I’ve heard that you’ve always been healthy. I hope that my mother can live a long life like you. However, both domestic and external affairs will consume her energy. I’ll ask her to take care of herself in the Lin’s Mansion. Don’t worry, Grandmother.”

No matter how nice Lin Mengya’s words were, Old Madam Shangguan thought that they were a direct provocation to her.

“What an arrogant girl! How boastful she was!” she thought.

However, after having been staying in the Shangguan Family for so many years, the old madam had already gone through a lot. How could she be afraid of a little girl?

“Good. Although our Shangguan Family is not good enough, at least, we won’t let our daughter suffer grievances. It’s good of you to have a filial heart. If your mother doesn’t get better, I’ll come in person to see how my useless daughter lives in your mansion!”

Lin Mengya nodded slightly before turning around gracefully and leaving the noisy crowd.

“That damn old woman! Relying on her age and high seniority, she was as proud as a rooster.”

“Did she really think that I would be afraid of her who had had one foot in the grave?”

Once she walked out of the door, Lin Mengya secretly sighed in her heart.

She didn’t know if it was because of Shangguan Qing that she didn’t like any member of the Shangguan Family at all.

In particular, she could not tolerate their condescending attitude. As Old Madam Shangguan held such an attitude, she fought back almost subconsciously.

Soon, Lin Mengya calmed down. Since she had said those words, she could not take it back.

However, she inadvertently glanced in the direction of the Grand Hall.

After the madams had dispersed, almost all the monks in the temple had already gathered in that hall.

What exactly had happened?

Lin Mengya was never a person whose curiosity would be easily aroused because she knew that curiosity killed the cat.

However, the monk named Yunshen was too mysterious, and she could not forget the thrill that came from her soul.

Lin Mengya quietly came to the square outside the hall and saw that all the monks were chanting sutras and kowtowing.

Everyone looked solemn and seemed very worried about what had happened in the Grand Hall.

Lin Mengya stood behind them and tiptoed, but couldn’t see anything.

Not long after that, Monk Yunshen, who had been in the hall, suddenly came out for some reason.

Lin Mengya immediately hid in a corner for fear that that man would see her.

Fortunately, she moved quickly and was not discovered by Yunshen.

Obviously, the man’s attention was not on her.

Then Lin Mengya saw with her own eyes that Yunshen took out a few things from his pocket and stuffed them into the huge censer in front of the Grand Hall.

Instantly, a delicate scent of sandalwood gradually spread in the air.

All the other monks seemed to be a little excited and kept kowtowing towards Monk Yunshen.

It looked as if the smell were charity to them.

But Lin Mengya, who was hiding in the corner, became flustered.

There was something wrong with the smell.

Lin Mengya felt a deep pain in her soul, which made her almost unable to stand still.

All of a sudden, her soul and the body, which had been perfectly compatible with each other, almost collapsed.

The sound of her heartbeats suddenly filled her mind, and her eardrums began to hurt.

Just as she thought that she was doomed, a clear, fresh, and long scent of sandalwood suddenly rose from her waist.

The stabbing pain she felt just now gradually faded away like a tide.

Leaning against the wall, Lin Mengya awkwardly gasped for breath.

Others might feel that the smell just now was only a little stronger, but she smelled a very weird and lingering fragrance from it.

Lin Mengya was almost wet through and her knees felt extremely weak.

But she took out something she had been hanging around her waist.

In addition to the sachet given by the monks, there was an amulet given by Tian Ning.

Hongyu had insisted on hanging it on her waist in the morning. Lin Mengya had laughed at her for she was too careful, but unexpectedly, this little item really saved her this time.

The strong scent of sandalwood gradually dissipated as Lin Mengya felt better.

She put the amulet to her nose and found that the smell was gone.

It seemed that Tian Ning was right. The amulet could really save her life.

Carefully putting the amulet away, Lin Mengya did not want to stay here anymore. Anyway, almost all the people in the side chamber had left.

She might as well go back earlier.

However, when she just arrived at the door of the courtyard, she and the other madams were detained by the Empress’s people.

Lin Mengya looked around and found that except for those who were related to the Shangguan Family, almost all the madams and young ladies were here.

Since everyone had been detained, she had nothing to complain about.

However, everyone was talking about something. Lin Mengya wondered if it had something to do with what had happened in the Grand Hall.

Lin Mengya kept her guess in her mind, and remained calm on the surface.

Looking around, she noticed that Aunt Yan, the Empress’s confidant, was not here.

Soon, the serious Aunt Yan came over from the direction of the Grand Hall.

As she bowed to the madams, she said to them in a very respectful manner, “Her Majesty invites you. Everyone, please come with me.”

Since Aunt Yan was here, those madams did not dare to dawdle.

Even Lin Mengya had to follow the crowd and slowly walked towards the direction of the Grand Hall.

At this moment, the monks had scattered. However, many monks holding staves were divided into two rows and stood on both sides of the Grand Hall.

Lin Mengya could clearly see that every one of them was wearing a look of utter disgust on their faces.

Monks all stayed away from the earthly world. It must be because something very bad had happened that they showed such a look of deep disgust.

Before Lin Mengya could finish her conjecture, the Empress walked up to them slowly with a cold face.

Master Yunshen, who made Lin Mengya almost collapse, walked behind the Empress.

A meaningful smile had appeared on his beautiful, feminine face.

Lin Mengya’s body stiffened involuntarily as soon as she saw his face.

What did that mean?

The Empress stood in front of them and raised her beautiful eyes slightly. The dignity that emanated from her bones outshone the group of madams in front of her.

Even Lin Mengya had to admit that compared with the kind, gentle imperial noble consort, the Empress had the aura of a motherly model of the nation.

However, Lin Mengya was destined to fight against the Empress for the rest of her life.