Earlier than Shen Miao had anticipated, Mo Qing arrived at the gatehouse of Shen Mansion the very next day to serve as a guard. Shen Miao had previously instructed Shuangjiang to bribe the gatekeepers, claiming Mo Qing was a distant relative of hers. Since guards were categorized into different ranks and Mo Qing was assigned to the outermost post, he was accepted without much scrutiny.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the morning of the third day, Ren Wanyun had everything prepared and sent her maid, Xiang Lan, to brief Shen Miao on the arrangements. Before setting off, the group first gathered at the Hall of Glory and Scenery.
Old Madam Shen spoke gravely, admonishing everyone to behave properly. Normally, they wouldn’t visit the Crouching Dragon Temple for prayers, as it was relatively remote. Though famous, its incense offerings paled in comparison to those of temples closer to the city. No one knew why they were making this exception to travel so far this time.
Shen Qing, however, seemed particularly cheerful and declared loudly that she would pray to the Buddha on behalf of Old Madam Shen and Shen Yuanbai as well. The old lady was naturally pleased by this and treated Shen Qing with much more warmth.
For the journey, a few personal guards were assigned to ensure the safety of the Shen family’s young ladies. Shen Miao stood before the carriage but made no move to board. Noticing this, Ren Wanyun frowned and asked, “Why aren’t you getting on, Fifth Miss?”
“I just feel the guards are too few. To prevent any mishaps, Second Aunt, perhaps you could assign more guards to accompany us,” Shen Miao replied.
Ren Wanyun’s brow furrowed. She hadn’t expected Shen Miao to raise such an issue at this moment. But since everything had already been arranged, she smiled and said, “Fifth Miss, we’ve brought quite enough people. We can’t possibly take all of Shen Mansion’s guards with us. Too many would only make things inconvenient. Let’s just proceed as is.”
Yet Shen Miao stubbornly shook her head and refused to move.
Seeing this, Shen Yue remained silent, but Shen Qing, displeased, chimed in, “Our Shen family isn’t royalty. What kind of grand procession are you expecting, Fifth Sister? Even Uncle doesn’t make such demands when he travels.”
She had dragged Shen Xin into the conversation, but as soon as the words left her mouth, Shen Miao cast her a glance. Though fleeting, it sent a sudden chill down Shen Qing’s spine.
“Just two more, then,” Shen Miao said, pointing at two guards by the gatehouse. “Those two will do.”
Relieved that Shen Miao wasn’t asking for more than two additional guards, Ren Wanyun didn’t want to waste any more time on the matter. Two extra men wouldn’t disrupt her plans. Putting on a reluctant expression, she sighed, “Fifth Miss, you really are… Fine, when have I ever refused you? Have it your way.” She instructed Xiang Lan, “Go call those two over to accompany us out of the city.”
“Thank you, Second Aunt,” Shen Miao replied with a faint smile.
Seeing Ren Wanyun ultimately yield to Shen Miao’s request, Shen Yue merely looked at her cousin with curiosity, while Shen Qing stomped her foot in frustration, glared at Shen Miao, and stormed off.
Once inside the carriage, Shen Qing deliberately ignored Shen Miao. Though Shen Yue attempted conversation, her words carried an undertone of probing. Shen Miao couldn’t be bothered to engage and responded half-heartedly. Ren Wanyun, however, was in high spirits throughout the journey, reminiscing about childhood memories with Shen Miao, appearing exceedingly affectionate. In the past, Shen Miao might have felt genuine admiration for her seemingly kind aunt. But now, every gesture of the woman reeked of hypocrisy, and to someone who had witnessed all manner of human nature in the imperial harem, it was almost laughably transparent.
They set out at dawn and only reached their destination, Yangjing Peak, by dusk.
The Crouching Dragon Temple was nestled halfway up the mountain, surrounded by towering peaks and deep valleys. In spring, the area would be lush with birdsong and fragrant blossoms, a picturesque retreat. But now, in early autumn, the withered foliage lent the landscape a desolate air.
Because Yangjing Peak was so far from Fixed Capital and the path to the temple was rough, few pilgrims visited except for the most devout ladies. When the Shen family’s carriage arrived at the temple gates, only a lone young monk sweeping the grounds greeted them, underscoring the place’s solitude.
“How peaceful it is here,” Shen Yue remarked with a light laugh.
Shen Qing wrinkled her nose as if about to complain but seemed to think better of it and held her tongue.
Ren Wanyun said, “Don’t mistake its quiet for insignificance. It’s said the Buddha here is especially responsive. When we offer incense, we must do so with utmost sincerity.”
The young monk welcomed them, and while the servants unloaded the carriages, Ren Wanyun and the others followed him inside.
The deeper they ventured into the temple, the more apparent its emptiness became. Few monks roamed the spacious halls, and the absence of worshippers made the place feel eerily hollow. Spending the night here would likely unsettle anyone.
When they met the abbot, he assigned them their quarters. The young ladies were each given separate rooms close to one another. But when it came to Shen Miao, a middle-aged monk beside the abbot said apologetically, “I’m afraid the southern pavilion is full. If the young lady doesn’t mind, perhaps she could stay in the northern pavilion?”
All eyes turned to Shen Miao, who smiled and said, “I’m afraid I mind very much.”
“Fifth Miss,” Ren Wanyun chided softly, “this is sacred ground. You can’t afford to be willful here.”
“I’m just puzzled,” Shen Miao replied, unfazed. “The temple doesn’t seem to have many visitors. How could the pavilions possibly be full?”
The middle-aged monk frowned, likely unaccustomed to such boldness from a young lady who dared to question the temple’s arrangements. Yet Shen Miao wasn’t throwing a tantrum like a spoiled brat—her reasonable tone made it hard to dismiss her.
“Young benefactor, though we have few pilgrims, our monastic community is large,” the abbot explained with a gentle smile.
“But I’d be too scared to stay alone. What should I do?” she pressed.
“Well…” Ren Wanyun attempted to placate her, “Fifth Miss, just endure this one night. If you do, the Buddha will see your sincerity and grant your wishes when you pray tomorrow.”
In the past, such words would have swayed Shen Miao. She had always been more susceptible to soft persuasion than coercion, especially when it came to her hopes of being with Fu Xiuyi. For that, she might have endured this minor inconvenience.
But now, things were different.
Ren Wanyun was growing frustrated. Shen Miao had become increasingly thorny, whereas before, she had been so easily coaxed. Today’s repeated defiance was troubling—if Shen Miao wasn’t dealt with soon, she might become an even greater headache for the Shen family in the future.
“How about this,” Shen Miao suggested sweetly. “Aunt, why don’t you stay with me in the northern pavilion? With company, I’d feel much safer.”
Guess who’s in for misfortune~
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