Unlike the Shuanghua Courtyard, the Hongni Courtyard, though kept firmly shut, was not barred by heavy locks, iron-meshed walls, or windows nailed shut. Yet, the desolate air here stood in stark contrast to the front courtyards.
Late autumn had arrived. A-Qiao was quietly sweeping fallen leaves in the yard with two young maids. Ever since the Princess Consort had taken to Buddhist practice, her temperament had become much quieter and more subdued; she spent her days either eating, sleeping, or copying sutras in the prayer hall. She would copy them for hours on end. While they were neither starved nor restricted in their movements, this could not go on forever. They had almost forgotten what the Prince looked like.
From the front courtyard came the low, rhythmic chanting of sutras. Chunxi stood on tiptoe, looking toward the sound, then suddenly leaned in toward A-Qiao. "Listen, sister, the chanting from the front has drifted all the way to our courtyard."
Chapter 82