The next day, after breakfast, Jiang Sui and Zhou Yuebai boarded the carriage together with Madam Jiang, heading for Daxiangguo Temple. Pei Zhiyu and Jiang Chengfeng each rode on horseback, leading the way before the carriage.
Daxiangguo Temple was a place of thriving incense and offerings, where nobles of the capital often came to worship and make offerings. Running into important figures here was the most natural thing in the world.
Clearly, the Grand Tutor’s household was not the only one out today. Jiang Sui had just followed her mother and elder sister-in-law out of the main hall when they ran into Madam Xiao, who had brought Xiao Lanxi and Xiao Heng along.
The two madams met and inevitably had much to say to each other, so they simply sent their respective children off.
Xiao Lanxi quickly sidled up to Jiang Sui, saying with relief, “Good thing I ran into Third Sister—otherwise, I’d probably be nagged to death by Mother today.”
As she spoke, she turned her head and greeted Jiang Chengfeng, his wife, and Pei Zhiyu.
The two families were well acquainted, but it was rare for them to gather so completely. Zhou Yuebai pursed her lips in a smile and made a decision:
“Husband, I’ll take Third Sister and Fourth Miss for a stroll.”
Between young ladies, there were naturally things that could only be said among themselves; and those three young lords, who each held important positions at court and were close friends, might also have important matters to discuss—so it was best to give them space.
Jiang Chengfeng understood and agreed; Xiao Heng was more than happy to have someone watch over Xiao Lanxi and had no objections. Only Pei Zhiyu, though smiling, silently gazed at Jiang Sui.
He only wanted to stay by Suisui’s side…
But Jiang Sui had already joined Xiao Lanxi, chatting and laughing as she followed Zhou Yuebai away, completely unaware of the deep, lingering gaze he cast her way.
Jiang Chengfeng seemed to sense something and followed his gaze, teasing:
“Stop staring, Huaishu—she’s already gone.”
Pei Zhiyu acted as if he hadn’t heard, his gaze clinging to that figure until it was completely out of sight before he nonchalantly withdrew his eyes:
“Let’s go.”
Xiao Heng watched and marveled inwardly. Jiang Chengfeng chuckled wickedly:
“Newlyweds, ah…”
Pei Zhiyu’s expression didn’t change as he walked, speaking in a gentle tone:
“Showing care for one’s wife is simply what I ought to do.”
“Speaking of which…” Pei Zhiyu’s tone shifted abruptly, landing on Xiao Heng, who was making faces and enjoying the spectacle. “Ziyu, you’ve already come of age—it’s time you considered marriage.”
Xiao Heng’s expression shifted slightly, but before he could open his mouth to refuse, Jiang Chengfeng was already eagerly chiming in:
“Huaishu is right… Ziyu, do you have a young lady in mind? I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
“Brother Jiang, no, no, no…” Xiao Heng waved his hands in refusal, but he couldn’t stop Jiang Chengfeng’s enthusiasm.
The instigator, Pei Zhiyu, brushed his sleeves as if it had nothing to do with him and drifted away.
On the women’s side, Zhou Yuebai led the two young ladies to find the abbot and request peace amulets.
Madam Jiang had come to the temple today to pray, all for the sake of Second Miss Jiang, Jiang Chao. Though they had previously added offering lamps, nothing compared to a peace amulet that could be delivered into the hands of the one you missed.
Jiang Sui and Zhou Yuebai each wrote their names on the peace amulets, and also added the names of the rest of the Jiang family.
The peace amulets were kept safe by Zhou Yuebai. Jiang Sui pondered for a moment, then requested a prayer bracelet along with a peace amulet.
She handed the bracelet to Zhou Yuebai: “Sister-in-law, give this to Second Sister too.”
Zhou Yuebai agreed, watching her carefully put away that peace amulet, and couldn’t help but smile softly without saying anything.
Xiao Lanxi also noticed, and though she said nothing, she couldn’t help but purse her lips.
Regarding the matter of the Seventh Princess—after returning home, the more she thought about it, the more something felt off. She had pulled her brother aside to ask, and only then learned that Pei Zhiyu had previously rescued the princess from a spooked horse.
She immediately understood the inexplicable hostility at the flower-viewing banquet, and couldn’t help but harbor some resentment toward Pei Zhiyu.
Now, looking at her friend, Xiao Lanxi couldn’t help but worry:
Third Sister is so innocent… she couldn’t be deceived by Young Master Pei, could she?
The Seventh Princess was favored and beautiful. Pei Zhiyu was a man—who knew whether he might waver… What if all those protective gestures before were just deliberately done to fool Third Sister?
But seeing Jiang Sui’s oblivious, shy, and naive expression, Xiao Lanxi hesitated again and again, and ultimately said nothing.
After obtaining the peace amulets, the three of them turned back with their retinue of servants behind them.
Today must have been some auspicious day, for there were especially many familiar faces in the temple.
Seeing Zhao Yuling approaching from afar, Jiang Sui’s steps faltered.
…She felt as though she was being haunted by something.
But despite her inward grumbling, Jiang Sui gently tugged at the sleeves of her friend and elder sister-in-law. When Zhao Yuling drew near, she turned sideways and bowed:
“Greetings to Your Highness.”
The other two understood and also offered their salutations. But Zhao Yuling only looked at Jiang Sui, her gaze drifting vaguely backward as she said:
“Please, rise. What a coincidence—Madam also came to worship today?”
Jiang Sui replied softly: “Yes, this humble woman came with her elder sister-in-law to accompany Mother in praying for Second Sister.”
Zhao Yuling’s gaze fell on Xiao Lanxi beside her.
Jiang Sui gently lifted her eyes and continued: “It was also a coincidence—we happened to run into Madam Xiao, so we’re traveling together. Mother and Madam Xiao have gone to pay respects, and told us not to follow.”
Zhao Yuling understood and withdrew her gaze with a smile:
“Then I shall not disturb you all.”
With that, she stepped aside and walked away, her retinue of servants following in a grand procession past the three of them.
Once she was far off, Zhao Yuling lowered her voice and said to the maid beside her:
“Go and find out if Young Master Pei is here.”
She had originally come here today to please the Emperor, but she hadn’t expected such an unexpected windfall.
Zhao Yuling curled the corner of her lips with a pleased expression.
On the other side, Xiao Lanxi carefully tugged at Jiang Sui’s sleeve and asked:
“Third Lady, do you think she might…”
Go looking for the Young Master?
Though a Buddhist sanctuary was no place for reckless behavior, for nobles, as long as they weren’t caught, what couldn’t they do…
But then she saw Jiang Sui turn her face toward her, looking utterly innocent and bewildered: “What’s wrong, might what?”
A wave of helplessness surged in Xiao Lanxi’s heart.
Sigh, what was she to do with such a foolish friend?
She closed her eyes in frustration, as if lamenting her friend’s lack of foresight, and said: “Third Lady, I mean… how about we go find Young Master Pei first?”
“Why?” The confusion in Jiang Sui’s eyes didn’t seem feigned. “Isn’t my husband with Eldest Brother and the others? Perhaps they’re discussing something important. We shouldn’t disturb them.”
Zhou Yuebai resided in the inner quarters, but she wasn’t completely oblivious to the world outside. She had heard something of the recent matters between the Marquis’s household and the Princess. Hearing the two women’s conversation now, she naturally understood Xiao Lanxi’s intent.
Though Jiang Sui’s innocence was somewhat exasperating, what she said did make sense. Zhou Yuebai spoke up to soothe them:
“Third Sister is right. My husband and Xiao Sanlang are both with Young Master Pei. It won’t be too late to go find them later.”
“Yes, once they’re done talking, they’ll come to us on their own.” Jiang Sui’s eyes curved gently, her dark pupils shimmering with clear, bright laughter.
If she went to find her husband now, she could neither use the Princess’s name to act petulant with him, nor witness his true feelings. What benefit was there in that?
Of course, she needed to find an opportunity to let them be alone together.
She hoped the Princess… would definitely see her husband.