Many believers had already gathered outside the main hall.
The two lit incense and candles and went to the main hall to worship, but unfortunately someone had already taken the prayer cushions. Jiang Lanyue and Shen Jiaxue stood quietly to the side and waited.
“Gods and Buddhas above, I, Shen Jiaxue, pray that my heart and Wei Lang’s will be in harmony, and that our love will be stronger than gold. May his heart be devoted to me, that we be faithful and inseparable, and that we be together for a long time…”
“ I, Shen Jiaxue, will sincerely worship Buddha, perform good deeds, and cultivate virtue, so as not to fail Buddha’s grace and deep affection.”
The moment Shen Jiaxue spoke, Jiang Lanyue froze. This delicate voice had haunted her nightmares for five years.
Jiang Lanyue’s eyes instantly turned into two sharp, poisonous blades, as if she wanted to gouge two gaping holes in Shen Jiaxue. The resentment in her eyes seemed to corrode her flesh and bones, sending chills down one’s spine.
“Miss will surely marry Wei Tanhua and live a loving life together.” The maid stepped forward to help Shen Jiaxue up, smiling obsequiously.
Shen Jiaxue slightly raised her chin, her expression haughty, her eyes revealing undisguised affection. After today, her marriage to Wei Lang would be on the agenda.
“Let’s go! If we wait any longer, we won’t find a good spot to admire the chrysanthemums.”
As she turned, Jiang Lanyue lowered her head slightly to avoid revealing her hatred.
Upon seeing Jiang Lanyue for the first time, Shen Jiaxue’s delicate brows furrowed slightly; a woman’s sixth sense told her she disliked the beautiful woman before her.
Despite Jiang Lanyue’s married hairstyle, Shen Jiaxue’s sense of crisis only intensified.
Both women, lost in their own thoughts, remained motionless, observing each other.
Jiang Lanyue concealed her hatred, looked up to meet her gaze, smiled amicably, and then walked past her to offer incense and pray to the gods. Shen Jiaxue gave her retreating figure a deep look, snorted coldly, and turned away.
After everyone had gone, Shen Jiaxue grew increasingly uneasy and casually asked, “Chunyu, who is more beautiful, me or that woman in the main hall?”
Chunyu was taken aback, not understanding her question, but after a moment’s thought, she knew who her mistress was referring to—that woman was exceptionally beautiful and possessed outstanding bearing.
Although her mistress was pretty, she naturally couldn’t compare to that woman in the main hall.
Knowing her mistress’s temperament well, Chunyu praised her without batting an eye.
“In my opinion, that woman is merely a bit fair-skinned and slender, but in terms of features and bearing, she is definitely no match for yours, Miss.”
“Besides, her clothes are made of middle-class material, which can’t compare to the shimmering brocade you wear, Miss. Your noble status is far beyond what that mere commoner can compare to!”
After these words, Shen Jiaxue’s lips curled into a wide smile, her displeasure vanishing. Chunyu secretly wiped the sweat from her brow.
Outside the main hall, after worshipping the gods and Buddhas, Jiang Lanyue donated some incense money.
Ruyi looked around and saw many tourists heading towards the back mountain. She turned to Jiang Lanyue with a smile and asked, “Miss, are we going to see the green chrysanthemums now?”
Green chrysanthemums were extremely rare, let alone a large field of them. It was said that when nobles in the palace tried to transplant green chrysanthemums, they withered within half a month.
Later, experienced gardeners explained that only the area around Hanshan Temple could support their survival.
Otherwise, people of their status would never have the chance to appreciate such precious green chrysanthemums.
Jiang Lanyue’s eyes were deep and she shook her head, saying, “Wait a little longer, Ruyi. Did you bring the medicine I asked you to prepare?”
She knew she would run into Shen Jiaxue when she came, and it would be impolite not to give a gift to an old friend.
Ruyi nodded and took out layers of wrapped powder: “The amount is sufficient, but this powder is potent, so please don’t let it get on your skin, Miss. If it causes blisters, it will leave scars.”
Jiang Lanyue patted Ruyi’s head approvingly and then whispered in her ear.
After today, Shen Jiaxue will be “rescued by a hero” by Wei Chi, and the beauty will repay his kindness by offering herself to him. Their love will cause quite a stir among the talented scholars.
She came today, and she didn’t know if Wei Chi would rescue the beauty, but he would definitely rescue the ugly one.
Although Ruyi didn’t understand why she had to drug that arrogant “Red-Clad Peacock” lady, her parents had told her that she should listen to her mistress from now on.
Ruyi, carrying the first task given to her by her mistress, confidently followed them to the back mountain.
After they had gone far away, Junyao clutched his stomach and laughed: “I thought she was a delicate and charming beauty who couldn’t take care of herself, but I didn’t expect her to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
It wasn’t a wasted trip. Junyao’s lips curled up slightly, and he was in a good mood. There was going to be a good show…
The chrysanthemums in the back mountain were all lush and green, but the color of the green chrysanthemums was a bit dark, giving people a fresh and elegant feeling.
Jiang Lanyue’s eyes flashed with amazement. It really lived up to its reputation.
In the central pavilion, noble ladies were admiring chrysanthemums, painting, and writing poetry. Shen Jiaxue, of noble birth, was always surrounded by admirers.
At that moment, she casually plucked a green chrysanthemum and tucked it behind her ear. Across from her, a talented noblewoman from the capital was painting a picture of her.
Green chrysanthemums were precious and not to be picked privately. Shen Jiaxue’s audacity stemmed solely from the immense power of the Liang State Duke’s mansion.
The monks of Hanshan Temple dared not confront her, let alone intervene.
Jiang Lanyue’s heart sank. Unable to protect herself, she could only remain hidden, lest she openly oppose the Liang State Duke’s mansion.
However, Shen Jiaxue had already seen her. Upon seeing that breathtaking beauty again, her defenses crumbled, and displeasure appeared on her face.
Her lackey, observing her expression, followed her gaze, a look of amazement flashing in his eyes. He muttered to himself, “What a beautiful lady! I wonder whose family she belongs to? I’ve never seen her before.”
Everyone turned to look at Jiang Lanyue, who was standing at the edge admiring chrysanthemums. Wherever she appeared, tourists politely made way for her, their smiles seeming utterly worthless.
“Vixen!” Shen Jiaxue thought jealously, muttering under her breath.
The noble ladies awkwardly averted their gazes, quickly offering a few words of flattery to Shen Jiaxue.
On the road from Hanshan Temple to the back mountain,
Wei Chi softly complimented the Prince Ke’s heir. Since being impeached and dismissed by Imperial Censor Meng, the heir had harbored resentment towards him, doubting his abilities.
These past few days, he had been preoccupied with restoring his image, leaving no time for his mother and sister, who were currently still at the Military Command.
Facing the heir’s cold face, he felt a deep resentment. In his previous life, when he held a high position, even the Prince Ke’s heir had to fawn over him upon ascending the throne. When had Wei Chi ever received such cold treatment?
“…Zigu, what are you thinking about? Didn’t you say the chrysanthemums are particularly beautiful this year? Why are you just standing there motionless?”
The Prince Ke’s heir frowned slightly. If Wei Chi hadn’t helped him before and was now shamelessly begging him again, he wouldn’t have bothered associating with such a heartless and ungrateful person.
He had initially thought Wei Chi was a clever man, but it turned out he was not only stupid but also arrogant.
How could Wei Chi not sense the disdain in the prince’s words? He lowered his eyes to hide the anger in them and put on a smile: “Coming!”
The group had just arrived at the back mountain when they caused a commotion.
Everyone looked at Wei Chi and his companions at the crossroads. Enjoying the admiring gazes of the crowd, Wei Chi stood up straight, seemingly back in his days as the Grand Secretary.
“It’s Wei Lang!”
Shen Jiaxue stood up and looked shyly at her beloved.