Yet Ming Shu waited several more days, and still Yan Wei did not return to the estate.
The worry on Ming Shu’s brow deepened.
At this time, Guan Wan sent an invitation to Ming Shu.
Ming Shu’s eyes lit up—it was for a visit to Shanyu Temple the next day.
It was said that the master at Shanyu Temple was extremely skilled at fortune-telling, having once divined for the late emperor. However, because the current emperor disliked mystical arts, Shanyu Temple had gradually faded from the circles of the nobility.
Yet many still visited privately.
Ming Shu met the matron who had come to deliver the invitation and asked, “Did Sister Guan have any other instructions?”
“My young lady only wishes to go to Shanyu Temple to pray for the old madam’s blessings. She said that if you have matters to attend to, you need not worry about disappointing her.”
Hearing this, Ming Shu could not miss Guan Wan’s desire for her to accompany her.
“Will anyone else be going together?”
“My young lady only invited you; she did not send invitations to any other young ladies.”
“Thank you for making the trip, Matron. I will certainly be there on time tomorrow.”
“That’s wonderful. This old servant will return to the estate now to give my young lady your reply.”
Ming Shu nodded slightly, watching her disappear through the doorway.
When night fell, Tang Li suddenly had abdominal pain—it turned out her monthly cycle had arrived.
Ming Shu instructed Yuan Rong to go to the small kitchen and ask Matron An to prepare a bowl of brown sugar stewed eggs. She then sat down by Tang Li’s bedside.
“Tomorrow, you’ll stay at the estate. If you want anything to eat, just ask the small kitchen to make it for you.”
Tang Li’s lips were pale, and she looked very weak. “Thank you, young lady. But this servant won’t be able to accompany you to Shanyu Temple tomorrow.”
As she spoke, her voice choked slightly.
Ming Shu felt inexplicably moved. “Taking good care of your health is more important than anything.”
“But this servant wants to go.” Tang Li’s eyes were moist.
She also wanted to ask the master to divine her marriage prospects.
Ming Shu: …
Perhaps she had been moved for nothing.
Ming Shu glanced at her lightly. “That would be reckless, wouldn’t it? What young lady, during her monthly cycle, doesn’t rest properly and instead thinks of going out? Besides, can you even walk?”
Every month, Tang Li would spend a few days lying in bed groaning, her face as pale as if powdered.
In such a state, she likely lacked the strength to walk up the mountain.
Tang Li looked at Ming Shu resentfully. “Young lady, please don’t poke at this servant’s heart.”
Ming Shu gave a light hum.
Yuan Rong brought the brown sugar stewed eggs, and after watching Tang Li finish them, Ming Shu returned to her own room.
Since Tang Li couldn’t go tomorrow, only Yuan Rong would accompany her.
Early the next morning, the Guan family’s carriage arrived.
Ming Shu was late by the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Guan Wan slightly lifted the carriage curtain, revealing only a corner.
“A-shu, come up here.”
Ming Shu looked up and called out, “Sister Guan.”
From above, she heard a woman’s soft sigh. “A-shu is still the best, not like a certain someone who is busy learning household management.”
Ming Shu thought that “certain someone” must be Gu Yingzhen.
If so, the marriage arrangements were likely soon to be finalized.
Ming Shu boarded the carriage, and Yuan Rong followed, sitting by the door. Across from her was Guan Wan’s personal maid.
Yuan Rong smiled warmly.
Guan Wan’s gaze fell on Yuan Rong’s tiger’s mouth, and she turned her head to ask Ming Shu, “Where did you find this maid?”
The carriage began moving slowly, its wheels creaking.
“My cousin gave her to me. I never inquired further.”
Guan Wan chuckled lightly. “I didn’t expect General Yan to treat you so well. This maid knows martial arts, doesn’t she?”
Yuan Rong met Guan Wan’s scrutinizing gaze and replied openly, “This servant has practiced martial arts since childhood.”
Ming Shu nodded.
Guan Wan raised an eyebrow, carefully observing the calluses on Yuan Rong’s hands. They were unmistakable.
Minister Guan was well-informed about court affairs, so Guan Wan knew more news than other young ladies.
Hearing her ask, “There’s a rumor that General Yan has a fiancée. I wonder if it’s true?”
Ming Shu was taken aback—her cousin had a fiancée?
Really? Was that so?
“I… I don’t know. Yuan Rong, do you know?”
Yuan Rong had guessed, but she shook her head. “This servant has not heard of it either.”
Ming Shu looked at Guan Wan. “Sister Guan, where did you hear this?”
Seeing Ming Shu completely unaware, Guan Wan thought of the palace’s plans and the news that had come from the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree.
Perhaps she had learned of Yan Wei’s intentions.
But a woman’s reputation was of utmost importance—how could it be treated so lightly?
“How are you getting along with him?”
This question struck a chord with Ming Shu. “I… I think I made him angry…”
Guan Wan paused, her intended words shifting to, “How so?”
After all, women still harbored some curiosity for gossip.
Ming Shu recounted the important parts, but she kept to herself the incident where Yan Wei accidentally knocked her against the carriage wall—she had her pride too.
After finishing, she met Guan Wan’s amused eyes. “Sister Guan?”
“It’s nothing.”
Ming Shu clearly sensed that Guan Wan had more to say earlier, so why had she suddenly stopped?
Since Guan Wan said nothing, Yuan Rong breathed a sigh of relief.
It wasn’t that she was deliberately hiding things from Ming Shu—the general surely wouldn’t harm the young lady.
The carriage traveled for an hour and a half before arriving.
Shanyu Temple was built halfway up the mountain, with stone slabs paving the path.
Ming Shu walked side by side with Guan Wan, ascending the steps.
Shanyu Temple was filled with the fragrance of incense, smoke curling and drifting like ethereal immortal mist.
Upon entering, ancient trees centuries old were shrouded in hazy mist. Red silk ribbons, carrying the wishes of the world, fluttered gently in the wind, as if the gods above were watching.
Just as Guan Wan was about to ask a temple attendant for a silk ribbon, someone approached.
“Miss Guan, my master has words for you.”
Ming Shu did not recognize the newcomer, but Guan Wan did. She replied coldly, “I have nothing to say to your master.”
“My master said you would come.”
This was an outright threat. Just as Ming Shu thought Guan Wan would refuse, she agreed.
“A-shu, wait here for me a moment.”
Ming Shu frowned, watching as Guan Wan followed that person away.
Yuan Rong leaned close to Ming Shu’s ear and whispered, “Miss, that person possesses formidable martial arts skills.”
“Will Sister Guan be alright?”
Yuan Rong said, “Since Miss Guan went with him, she should be fine.”
Ming Shu’s brow remained furrowed, unaware of a young dandy approaching her, his gaze fixed intently on her beautiful face.
“Beautiful, truly beautiful,” he remarked, turning to the person beside him. “If she could become my concubine, I would persuade my father to agree to His Highness’s matter.”
The other person kept their head lowered, their expression unclear. “Young Master’s words, this humble one will certainly convey.”
But the dandy grew impatient.
He strode toward Ming Shu.
Yuan Rong glanced at him warily, subtly positioning herself in front of Ming Shu.
Unexpectedly, as the dandy brushed past, he suddenly stumbled toward Ming Shu.
Caught off guard, Ming Shu nearly fell, but Yuan Rong reacted swiftly, pulling her back a large step.
The dandy wore an apologetic expression. “Are you alright, Miss?”
Ming Shu’s heart skipped a beat.
Not intending to engage further, she took Yuan Rong’s hand and prepared to leave.
The dandy followed leisurely, and just as Ming Shu was about to reach a more crowded area, he gave a sidelong glance to his companion.
Yuan Rong sensed it keenly and swiftly drew the soft sword from her waist, engaging them in a struggle.
Ming Shu was shielded behind Yuan Rong.
The playboy did not show himself, but Ming Shu knew these were his men.
Her mind raced, searching for who he was.