Chapter 374: Yuqing Temple [Thank you! Thank you again! Owed 7,000 words version]

Late June,

Autumn had already begun.

Early July,

This morning was overcast, and the pond by the roadside was reflected in a dark color.

Si hour (after 9:00 AM),

An autumn rain began to fall, wetting the entire Bianjing City.

An autumn wind blew through the rain, and there was a hint of chill in the air.

For a moment, it was impossible to tell whether the culprit that made the leaves fall to the ground was the autumn wind or the autumn rain.

Outside Bianjing City,

Yuqing Temple,

The autumn rain was misty on and off the mountain, a piece of emerald green.

At the foot of the mountain,

Roadside vendors set up sun-shading tarpaulins, which sagged because they had absorbed some water, making customers buying things not only pay attention to their feet but also be careful of their heads.

Beside the stall,

A carriage was parked in the open space in front of a wooden building.

A Bianjing agent, dressed decently and holding an oil-paper umbrella, was diligently talking to a wealthy-looking middle-aged man.

"Squire, you just arrived in Bianjing, perhaps you don't know. There are many Taoist temples inside and outside Bianjing City, but there are not many as prosperous as Yuqing Temple."

"There are two reasons. First, the Taoist priests of Yuqing Temple have profound Taoist practice. Whether it is seeking children, wealth, official career, or marriage, it is very efficacious in Bianjing."

"Second, because it is on the mountain outside the city, the entire Yuqing Temple covers a very large area, and all kinds of large halls, courtyards, forests, and flower gardens are complete. Whether it is burning incense, staying overnight, or practicing in seclusion, it is very convenient."

"Many high-ranking families in our Bianjing, whether they are nobles or officials, will come to the temple to burn incense and pray for blessings."

"The shop I showed your mansion's steward before is this one, right by the entrance of the mountain road, it was originally the Chi family's in the capital..."

The agent looked at the middle-aged man who was noncommittal and just nodded, his eyes slightly anxious, and he had a flash of inspiration and continued:

"Squire, do you know the Marquis of Yongyi who won a great victory in the North last month?"

"Hmm!"

"Squire, to tell you the truth, when the fifth son of this Marquis of Yongyi was young, he was unwell. They asked many medical officials in the capital, but couldn't find the reason. In the end, it was cured by the Taoist priest in Yuqing Temple!"

"Oh? Is this true!"

"How would I dare to deceive you, you will know as soon as you ask! Think about it, after the great victory of the Marquis of Yongyi spread, wouldn't those who know this come to Yuqing Temple to burn incense?"

Hearing this, the squire stroked his beard, his eyes full of thought, perhaps considering whether to cooperate with the Taoist temple to expand the story of "Xu Wulang seeking medical treatment at Yuqing Temple when he was young."

The agent was used to seeing people, so he hurriedly struck while the iron was hot: "Squire, look, the one walking over is the carriage of the Duke of Qi's family."

The squire put his hands behind his back and tilted his head, his eyes widened as he looked at the carriage of the Duke of Qi's family mentioned by the agent, then looked at his own carriage, shook his head slightly, and then said a few words to the agent.

At the entrance of the mountain road,

The carriage of the Qi family stopped slowly,

The servant hurriedly placed the carriage stool beside the carriage.

The mother of the Qi family who walked out of the carriage hurriedly opened the oil-paper umbrella to protect Princess Pingning as she got off the carriage.

Standing in front of the mountain road, Princess Pingning under the oil-paper umbrella glanced at the carriage behind, and after seeing Da Niangzi Chai get off the carriage, she smiled.

At this time, the maidservant on the third carriage behind trotted over and whispered a few words in Da Niangzi Chai's ear.

After waiting for a moment,

With the governess holding an umbrella behind her, Da Niangzi Chai walked a few steps to Princess Pingning's side and smiled: "Zhengzheng fell asleep on the road. The maidservant felt it was a bit cold, so she said to let her stay in the carriage for a while before going up the mountain. With the maidservant and governess there, let's go up first!"

In the sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella,

Princess Pingning looked back far away with a smile and nodded: "It should be noted."

As they spoke, the maidservants and governesses following behind them, carrying bamboo baskets and other things, began to go up the mountain.

A quarter of an hour later,

Beside the carriage, Yun Mu, holding an umbrella, glanced at the group of people under the wooden building not far away, then looked at the motorcade coming from not far away, and said: "Young lady, it looks like the carriages of the Gu and Xu families!"

"Hmm!"

Then came the sound of stretching from the carriage.

Before long, the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels rang out.

A motorcade longer than the Qi and Chai families' drove over.

Amidst a chorus of "Whoa,"

The motorcade stopped on the stone slab road.

By the roadside, Gu Tingyi got off the carriage, looked at Chai Zhengzheng standing under an umbrella in front waving at her, and tilted her head:

"Mother, Zhengzheng just got off the carriage too! I'll go find her!"

Da Niangzi Bai beside her nodded. At this time, Pingmei walked to Da Niangzi Bai's side with Qingzhi and Qingxia and said: "Mother, aren't the Princess and Da Niangzi Chai walking in front of us? Why hasn't Miss Zhengzheng gone up yet?"

Da Niangzi Bai shook her head with a smile, looking at the two girls who were talking: "You'll know in a while."

Saying this, Da Niangzi Bai looked back and beckoned to Da Niangzi Sun, who was bringing Xie Shi and Sheng Hualan.

After Sun Shi brought her two daughters-in-law close, Gu Tingyi also walked over with Chai Zhengzheng.

Looking at the inquiring eyes of the ladies, Gu Tingyi and Chai Zhengzheng bowed and explained a few words about "Zhengzheng fell asleep" and "the maidservant was afraid she would catch a cold."

Chai Zhengzheng lowered her head embarrassedly.

Sheng Hualan beside Sun Shi smiled and said: "As the saying goes, spring sleepiness and autumn fatigue, I also dozed off on the road!"

Da Niangzi Bai and Pingmei beside her looked at each other, with approval in their eyes: "Your maiden family's sister-in-law knows how to talk."

Pingmei nodded with a smile and said: "This is not a place to talk, Mother, let's start going up the mountain!"

This "Mother" was said to Da Niangzi Sun.

Afterwards, everyone began to step forward.

At the very front were Da Niangzi Sun and Da Niangzi Bai, in the middle were Pingmei and Sheng Hualan surrounding the eldest sister-in-law Xie Shi, and at the very back were Gu Tingyi and Chai Zhengzheng holding arms.

Surrounded by maidservants holding umbrellas, the group walked toward the mountain.

From time to time, there were noblewomen and officials' wives coming down the mountain, and when they met acquaintances, they either nodded or stopped to talk for a few words.

Greetings were naturally handled by the mothers and sisters-in-law in front,

Gu Tingyi and Chai Zhengzheng followed behind, slightly squatting and bowing.

Halfway up the road, just after bowing to a group of people coming from the opposite side, Chai Zhengzheng whispered in Gu Tingyi's ear: "Who are these?"

"The grandmother and aunt of Miss Li, the fifth daughter of the Minister of Personnel, Lord Li."

Glancing at the ladies who were talking, Gu Tingyi whispered: "Zhengzheng, did you stay up late last night?"

Chai Zhengzheng touched her face: "Can this be seen?"

Gu Tingyi: "What did you stay up late for?"

Chai Zhengzheng: "Uh... there was still a small half-scroll of scriptures for blessings for my cousin that I hadn't finished copying, so I went to bed late last night."

Gu Tingyi nodded.

Seeing the ladies in front saying goodbye to each other, the two bowed to the Li family again.

When they were about to reach Yuqing Temple,

A girl's crisp voice calling someone came from the front,

Zhengzheng and Gu Tingyi, whose view was blocked by the ladies, hurriedly tilted their heads to look.

"Miss Feiyan, Tingyi and Miss Zhengzheng are behind, you guys talk."

"Yes, Da Niangzi."

Watching Rong Feiyan walking toward the back, Pingmei, who was walking behind her mother, scanned her with a somewhat scrutinizing taste in her eyes.

Under the umbrellas of the three girls.

Gu Tingyi looked at Rong Feiyan's complexion: "Sister Feiyan, looking at your complexion, it looks much better than when I saw you last month."

Rong Feiyan raised her hand, touched her cheek and smiled: "Really? Perhaps because the weather is cool and I don't suffer from summer heat much, I eat more."

Chai Zhengzheng looked at Rong Feiyan's appearance and nodded: "Yes. Sister Feiyan, you came to Yuqing Temple for...?"

"At the turn of summer and autumn, I came to Yuqing Temple yesterday to pray for blessings for Consort Rong and the Master and others. Are the two sisters here to worship the Wenchang Emperor?"

Chai Zhengzheng and Gu Tingyi nodded in unison.

"My cousin Qi Heng, academy examination next month."

"My brother and two cousins are too."

After saying a few more words and agreeing on a gathering in autumn, the three said goodbye and dispersed.

After walking ten or so steps,

Rong Feiyan under the umbrella looked back at the group going up the mountain, and said with some resentment and disappointment in her tone: "Brother, he is too unreliable!"

Ningxiang and Seeing Xi Bu beside her nodded repeatedly. The day before yesterday, they heard clearly in the Huixue Courtyard that Rong Xian swore that the Xu family was coming to Yuqing Temple yesterday.

As a result...

Turning her head back, Rong Feiyan thought about things and continued to walk down the mountain.

"Scoundrel!"

Seeing Xi Bu beside her cursed in a low voice, then put down the umbrella she was holding to block Rong Feiyan.

Only then did Rong Feiyan wake up: "What's wrong?"

Seeing Xi Bu said beside her: "Young lady, opposite seems to be the descendants of the Duke of Korea, the Duke of Ling, and other families, staring straight at us!"

Hearing the laughter from behind the umbrella.

Rong Feiyan took a deep breath and raised her chin: "Take the umbrella away, let's go!"

"Yes, young lady!"

As Seeing Xi Bu's umbrella was erected again, Rong Feiyan didn't even move her head and continued to walk forward.

"Hiss! This Rong Feiyan was a beauty embryo when she was a child, this figure has grown up, looking even better than before!"

"Hehe, Third Brother is right!"

"If I could marry her, I would be willing to give up my family's title!"

"Hey~ Brother Ma, I think differently from you! I am willing to inherit my family's title, and I am also willing to marry this Miss Feiyan!"

"Wei Faqi, you think too beautifully!"

"Tsk! This blind maidservant, why did she put the umbrella flat!"

Listening to the words of the few people beside him, Han Chengyun withdrew his gaze from the Rong family's umbrella and echoed a few words, thinking: "Rong family? How can the Rong family be as good as the Chai family and the Gu family? Really!"

"It's a pity for those women in the nunnery, but being able to look at Miss Feiyan once is worth it!"

"Yo, the umbrella is moved away, I just like this arrogant look of Miss Feiyan!"

"Brother Qi, why don't we follow on horseback and say a few words to Miss Feiyan?"

"I say Brother Lu, aren't you afraid of that reckless Rong Xian? If he knows you did this, see if he doesn't beat you up!"

"I'm afraid of him? Joke!" Saying this, Brother Lu revealed the scar on his neck and said: "This crossbow arrow flew past my neck, have you seen me afraid?"

As the few talked, they led the servants carrying food boxes toward the mountain.

Entering Yuqing Temple,

The few were led by Taoist priests to the courtyard of Yuqing Temple.

In the courtyard, after the servants set up the good wine and dishes in the food boxes, they retreated.

"This Eldest Brother Qin is well-informed! Knowing that the Gu family is coming to Yuqing Temple today!"

"Tomorrow morning, I will show my face at the entrance of the Taoist temple, which will be considered as completing the task assigned by the family!"

"Speaking of which, it's fortunate that Eldest Brother Qin's news came in time, otherwise I would have wasted a pill made by that Taoist priest!"

Listening to Brother Lu's words, the people in the room began to talk about lewd things.

After drinking two glasses of wine, the door was opened a crack, and the servant of the Duke of Korea nodded at the door toward Han Chengyun.

Immediately, Han Chengyun stood up and said: "I'll go change clothes first!"

Brother Lu smiled: "I say Fifth Brother, how much have you drunk, and you're going to change clothes! You must use that pill sparingly!"

"Go, go, go!"

Han Chengyun waved his hand and walked out of the room.

Out of the courtyard, on the way to the latrine, Han Chengyun looked around under the umbrella, and seeing no one following, said: "Any news?"

The servant held the umbrella and whispered: "Yes, young master! The three families have booked the Wenchang Hall for tomorrow morning! Tomorrow we will wait near the Wenchang Hall!"

Han Chengyun exhaled and said: "Three families together, really troublesome!"

"Young master, the family also wants you to show your face more in the Chai family and Gu family. You are handsome and cool, maybe some girl will take a fancy to you!"

Han Chengyun shook his sleeves and said somewhat complacently: "That guy Brother Lu from the Duke of Ling's family is also planning this!"

"Brother Lu, how can he compare to you!"

"Haha! Only you know how to talk!"

"I'm just telling the truth!"

After changing clothes, Han Chengyun returned to the courtyard and continued to drink with the few playboys.

Rainy day plus autumn,

Although it was only afternoon, the sky was already a bit dark.

In the courtyard, the few noble descendants were used to drinking, and although they drank a lot, they were still sober.

Watching Han Chengyun, who stood up for the fourth time to change clothes, disappear at the door, the few people in the room looked at each other jokingly and burst into laughter.

Outside the room,

Han Chengyun stared at the Han family servant with an ugly face: "You'd better really have something!"

The Han family servant had an excited look on his face, pulled Han Chengyun aside and said: "Young master, just now a little Taoist boy came over and said he was entrusted by someone to pass a message."

"Say it!"

"That little Taoist boy said that the Chai family's steward mother asked the people in the Taoist temple to keep the hall where the spirit tablets are enshrined free of other people later today."

Han Chengyun, who had drunk a bit too much, said slowly: "You mean, someone might go into that hall?"

"Yes! Can't say who it will be!"

Han Chengyun's eyes rolled around and said: "This young master knows!"

In the courtyard opposite to where Han Chengyun and the others were,

In a neat and clean room,

On the bed that had been changed to their own things.

Da Niangzi Chai held Chai Zhengzheng's hand and said: "Zhengzheng, the mother below just told me that later today, there will be no other people in the hall where the spirit tablets are enshrined."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded.

Looking at the slight sadness in her daughter's eyes, Da Niangzi Chai said: "Tonight, why don't you sleep with Tingyi? With a little sister to chat with, your mood might be better!"

Chai Zhengzheng nodded.

"Okay, then I will send someone to tell her, and ask Tingyi to bring Miss Qingzhi from beside her sister-in-law over."

After saying this, Da Niangzi Chai patted Chai Zhengzheng's hand and stood up.

Later,

Chai Zhengzheng led the maidservants carrying three baskets of paper money and was about to leave the courtyard.

Seeing Gu Tingyi walking into the courtyard, she said in surprise: "Sister Tingyi, why did you come so early!"

Gu Tingyi looked irritable and said: "Mother and sister-in-law keep talking about marriage and such, I don't want to listen!"

Seeing the Chai family maidservants carrying the paper money with some difficulty, she said to Qingzhi behind her: "Qingzhi, you and the two sisters-in-law of the Zhu family, help out!"

"Yes, young lady!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 375 =====