Having transmigrated into a book, who would still want to be a secondary wife?

Chapter 754 Your Highness Prince Xiao, I've Come to See You

After chatting for a while, Song Ruozhen learned that almost none of the young nuns knew about these things. The only ones who might know were Master Jingyin and Master Jingyun, who were closest to Master Jingchen.

Back then, Tianci Nunnery wasn't very popular. Abbess Jingchen came to Tianci Nunnery heartbroken. The previous abbess took pity on her and kept her there.

Not only that, Master Jingchen originally intended to die, but she failed to commit suicide and was rescued. In the end, under the persuasion of her senior nun, she devoted herself to becoming a nun.

Later, when the teacher got too old, he handed over Tianci Nunnery to Abbess Jingchen.

"They say that Abbess Jingyin and Abbess Jingchen seem to be from the same place?"

Song Ruozhen raised her eyebrows slightly, pondering the deeper meaning behind those words.

“Back then, Abbess Jingchen was so despondent that she came to Tianci Nunnery. When Abbess Jingyin arrived, she was also haggard and wanted to die.”

Ultimately, it was Abbess Jingchen who persuaded Abbess Jingyin, and only then did Abbess Jingyin remain at Tianci Nunnery.

When Chu Junting saw Song Ruozhen return with a thoughtful expression, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Your Highness, have you investigated where Abbess Jingchen originally came from?" Song Ruozhen asked.

"The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review should investigate this matter. I'll go and inquire."

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review rushed over and said, "Master Jingchen has always said that she has long since left this world. The former her no longer exists in this world. Now there are only Jingchen and Jingyin of Tianci Nunnery."

I've already sent people to investigate, but strangely enough, no one in the entire Tianci Nunnery, or even the surrounding area, knows their original identities; they've kept it extremely well hidden.

"The reason I knew that Abbess Jingchen had a child who died young was because I heard it from the neighborhood."

Because Abbess Jingchen had mentioned this matter when she contemplated suicide, everyone knew that she couldn't bear the pain of losing her child, which was why she wanted to end her life.

"So, you haven't found out why Abbess Jingyin became a nun yet?" Song Ruozhen asked.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review nodded helplessly, "The people sent to investigate have not yet sent back any news."

Song Ruozhen frowned slightly. "I just asked the young nuns, and they really didn't know anything about this. Moreover, the nuns usually treat them very well, and they regard them as extremely respected elders."

When the remains were unearthed, they were all startled. They figured interrogating them wouldn't yield any results, and since Abbess Jingchen's suicide indicated she must have known about it, they would have to investigate with the other abbesses.

At this moment, Qing Teng and Bai Zhi also arrived.

“Your Highness, I struck up a conversation with the old women who sell vegetables. They said that Tianci Nunnery holds seven consecutive days of chanting sutras and praying for blessings every June.”

This custom did not exist when the original abbess was alive. It only started after Abbess Jingchen took over Tianci Nunnery. At first, everyone found it a bit strange, but later, it was precisely because of the seven days of chanting and blessing that it attracted many pilgrims.

It is precisely for this reason that Tianci Nunnery is thriving and getting better and better.

"Moreover, the old woman who sells vegetables said that every year around this time, Abbess Jingchen seems to be in a very low mood, and once she even caught Abbess Jingchen secretly wiping away tears."

She was so surprised at the time that she's remembered it ever since.

Upon hearing this, Song Ruozhen and the others exchanged glances, realizing that there must be something wrong.

"Could the chanting and prayers for these seven days be for the purpose of helping these remains find peace?" the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review asked in shock.

Song Ruozhen looked at the skeleton not far away and nodded. "Very likely."

“I just observed them. These corpses include both men and women, but they are all three to five years old. And from the number I roughly counted, they seem to be in pairs.”

"It would be best to have the coroner piece together all the remains and see if the numbers match up."

As Song Ruozhen finished speaking, Chu Junting and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review exchanged a glance, both having a guess in their hearts.

Children of this age, especially in pairs, are highly likely to be sacrificed.

In some remote mountain villages, in order to pray for good weather and a bountiful harvest the following day, young boys and girls are chosen for sacrifice.

Moreover, even the child's parents often cannot make such a decision. However, the imperial court has now banned such sacrifices, so if it is still being carried out secretly in some places...

"If it is indeed a sacrifice, then these children should come from the hometown of Abbess Jingchen and Abbess Jingyin. We must investigate their ancestral origins."

Chu Junting's eyes narrowed slightly, and he immediately ordered his subordinates, "Investigate."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

When the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review saw that Chu Junting had sent his own guards to investigate, he knew that the Chu King's guards were just as capable of gathering information as the Court of Judicial Review.

"Master Jingchen came to Tianci Nunnery because she was heartbroken over her child's accident. Could her child be one of those children?"

Chu Junting frowned. He had encountered this kind of bad habit in his early years. As parents, they watched helplessly as their children were taken away, which took their lives, and they were powerless to stop it.

This kind of blow is indeed not something an ordinary person can withstand.

Song Ruozhen's heart sank slightly, and she said, "I want to go see Master Jingchen's body. By the way, shouldn't the nuns at Tianci Nunnery usually call a doctor?"

Presumably, the doctor also knows something about the situation.

Upon hearing this, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review's eyes lit up. "The Princess is right. We actually overlooked this point. I will send someone to fetch the doctor right away."

Song Ruozhen originally intended to go see Master Jingchen's body first, but Chu Junting stopped her.

"We've traveled so far to get here. Let's have a meal first before we start our investigation. Your health is the most important thing."

Song Ruozhen was slightly taken aback, only then realizing that she hadn't eaten anything yet. But looking at Chu Junting's serious expression, she couldn't help but want to laugh.

“Your Highness, you yourself were not the type to remember to eat before. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been suffering from stomach problems so often.”

"Now they've started teasing me." Chu Junting chuckled. "Before, I was single and didn't have to worry about anyone. Now that I'm married, I promised my parents-in-law that I would take good care of you and never let you suffer any grievances. So naturally, I have to take good care of you."

Seeing Chu Junting's caring attitude towards Song Ruozhen, King Xiao was truly amazed.

Who would have thought that the once cold and aloof King of Chu would now care so much about a girl, even giving her such instructions during meals?

"Your Highness, I've come to see you."

Suddenly, a joyful and familiar voice rang out.

Song Ruozhen turned her gaze and her expression instantly turned strange when she saw the person who had come. No way?

When King Xiao saw the newcomer, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes as well.