After Luo Chaoyan and Huo Jin’s “gentleman’s agreement” that day, the marriage between the two families was officially settled. They exchanged birth Geng Ties, sent betrothal gifts, and even scheduled the wedding for one month later.
The noble young ladies in Jingdu who had designs on the position of Huo Jin’s wife were heartbroken upon hearing the news. As for the Luo Family’s Fourth Miss who suddenly emerged victorious, various rumors circulated among the common people.
Some said she was merely a wild girl who had just returned from Jiangnan, ignorant of rules and etiquette, who deliberately fell into the lotus pond at Su Manor to be rescued by Lord Huo, forcing him to marry her due to their physical contact.
Others claimed she took advantage of the situation by winning the affection of the two young masters of the Huo Family, prompting the Huo Family to propose marriage.
Just as people were beginning to scorn the Fourth Miss of the Luo Family for her underhanded methods, yet another rumor emerged that it was the Huo Family who repeatedly visited the Luo residence to seek the beauty’s hand in marriage. The implication was clear—the Huo Manor, and even Lord Huo himself, were extremely satisfied with this fiancée.
With so many differing opinions, the Fourth Miss of the Luo Family quickly became the talk of the town in Jingdu during tea breaks and after meals. Everyone was intensely curious about what kind of person she really was. What extraordinary abilities did she possess to make Lord Huo—a cold and aloof gentleman as pure as bamboo and jade—develop mortal desires and seek her hand in marriage?
Meanwhile, the very subject of these discussions, the Fourth Miss of the Luo Family, was currently in her courtyard sighing with frustration.
“Crunch!”
Luo Chaoyan nibbled on a fragrant pear while boredly watching Shulan embroider the wedding quilt for her.
“Fengli, Shulan, do you think the temple fair was lively yesterday?”
Shulan looked at her puzzled: “Miss, didn’t you used to dislike these Taoist Temple fairs and their preaching the most? Why do you keep talking about wanting to go to temple fairs since coming to Jingdu?”
Fengli chuckled: “Shulan, you’ve got it all wrong. The miss doesn’t want to watch Taoist priests and monks save all living beings—she’s clearly bored and wants to go out wandering and joining the excitement.”
“Our Fengli understands me best.” Luo Chaoyan said pitifully: “I miss Jizhou so much, I miss my cousins.”
Fengli also wore a look of yearning: “Yes, in Jizhou, the miss often went spring outings with the young master and young mistress cousins, picked fruits at the manor, learned to grill lamb chops like the frontier people at night, and danced around bonfires—so much fun.” She smacked her lips, looking greedy: “I wonder if Suxiang has developed any new delicious foods?”
“Fengli, how about…”
The two exchanged glances, immediately understanding each other’s thoughts.
“No!”
Having grown up together with them, Shulan could guess their intentions just from their expressions. She quickly stopped her work, reached out to tap Fengli’s forehead, and glared at her, “If you dare sneak the miss out to wander around and something happens, be prepared for Madame to have you beaten with boards.”
Turning to Luo Chaoyan, she pleaded earnestly: “Miss, you’re getting married in one month. Madame has repeatedly ordered you to stay indoors during this time to learn aristocratic rules. You’re not allowed to go out.”
Luo Chaoyan nodded, putting on a serious expression: “Don’t worry, I won’t sneak out.”
Just as Shulan was about to sigh in relief at her words, she heard her continue: “I’ll beg grandmother to let me go out.”
“Miss!” Shulan felt her scalp tighten.
“If grandmother agrees, mother will agree too.”
Fengli happily raised her thumb: “Our miss is still the clever one.”
Luo Chaoyan smiled: “Fengli, let’s go. Bring the pastries made by the chef from Su Manor, and let’s visit grandmother.”
Speaking, the two of them walked joyfully towards Old Madam Luo’s Yanshou Hall.
When they arrived, Old Madam Luo happened to be discussing with her three daughters-in-law about going to Pu Guang Temple for vegetarian meals and Buddhist worship in the coming days. Since the eldest daughter-in-law, Zhao Shi, and the third daughter-in-law, Yin Shi, were busy preparing for the wedding, the second daughter-in-law, Cao Shi, was asked to accompany her.
Luo Chaoyan felt her chance to leave the manor had come, so she coquettishly pleaded to go along.
Her reasons were quite convincing: she was about to get married and wanted to pray for her family’s blessings beforehand. Then, somewhat shyly, she expressed her hope to live harmoniously with her husband after marrying into the Huo Family and to have an early birth of noble children. This struck a chord with Old Madam Luo, who agreed to let her join.
Only Yin Shi, who knew the truth, secretly glared at her daughter. She still remembered what her daughter had said a few days ago when asked if she truly wanted to marry into the Huo Family.
“Mother, Huo Jin has good character, and the Huo Manor has a simple household. As long as I behave properly, with my clever and shrewd nature, I can live in wealth and comfort for life.”
“Mother, Father said you had a difficult labor when giving birth to me, so he didn’t want you to have more children. This shows that childbirth is a life-and-death struggle for women. The Huo Family already has two precious grandsons, so they probably won’t pressure me to have children. That would make things easier for me—just for that, I’m willing.”
Thinking of this, and now hearing her daughter say she wanted to pray for children at the temple, how could she not see through her scheme? The girl was too clever. But never mind—after marriage, she wouldn’t have the same freedom as an unmarried girl, so she let her have her way.
Gu Manor Study
Gu Ling spoke coldly to the head of the Gu Family and his elder brother, Gu Yan: “Father, Elder Brother, what does Huo Jin mean by this? Is he looking down on our Gu Family and the Crown Prince?”
Gu Yan frowned. “Second Brother, watch your words.”
“Elder Brother, what did I say wrong? The Crown Prince clearly intended for him to marry Third Sister. Instead, not only did he refuse, but he’s marrying some Luo Family girl who came out of nowhere. Isn’t this clearly looking down on our Gu Family?”
The head of the Gu Family looked at his eldest son and asked, “A-Yan, what do you think about this matter?”
“Father, the Huo Family is now close to the Emperor, enjoying continuous favor. Our Gu Manor is the Crown Prince’s in-laws. If they were to marry into our family now, it would draw too much attention. Even if The Emperor is wise, he might become suspicious.”
The head of the Gu Family nodded approvingly. “That old scoundrel Huo Qing is a cunning fox—he naturally understands this.”
Gu Ling retorted indignantly, “The Crown Prince is the future emperor. Marrying into our Gu Family would only better assist the Crown Prince. Why would The Emperor be suspicious? Hmph! I say the Huo Family is being ungrateful.”
“What do you know? No one can predict the future. You must think long-term and not focus only on the present. Never mind, you wouldn’t understand.” Seeing his second son’s gloomy expression and guessing he might plot something, the head of the Gu Family grew angry. “Stop your underhanded tricks and go back to your studies immediately.”
“Father!” Seeing the look of disappointment on his father’s face, Gu Ling stormed off in a fury.
As he walked, he grew more and more resentful. In his father’s eyes, he would never measure up to his elder brother. His eyes turned sinister. Hmph! Huo Jin, you want to marry the Luo Family girl? I won’t let you have your way!
Pu Guang Temple
Huo Rui, accompanied only by his maid Qiu Yue and servant Bai Mu, wandered idly and bored around the temple.
“Young Master Rui, it’s almost noon. The Old Madam should have finished her Buddhist prayers by now. We should head back, or she’ll worry if we’re late.” Qiuyue voiced her concern.
She glanced at Bai Mu, hoping he would help persuade him.
Bai Mu shook his head slightly. He knew this young master had a strong will—if you forbade him from doing something, he would insist on doing it; if you stopped him, he would find ways to make trouble for you.
“Young Master Rui, we didn’t bring any guards with us. The temple is crowded and chaotic, and I’m afraid you might be jostled.”
“You’re such a chatterbox…” Huo Rui was about to scold Qiuyue for her nagging when his gaze caught a maid emerging from the temple kitchen, walking in their direction. The maid looked somewhat familiar.
Ah! He remembered—it was that woman’s personal maid, Fengli, if he recalled correctly. What was she doing here? Could it be that woman had also come to the temple?
Bai Mu also spotted Fengli and exclaimed in surprise, “Young Master Rui, it’s Miss Fengli!”
Huo Rui pursed his lips, thinking to himself, That woman truly can’t stay put. She’s about to marry Father, yet she’s still wandering around. Given her lazy nature, she would never come here to pray. Hmph! I’ll see what she’s up to.
He signaled Bai Mu with a look. “Bai Mu, since Fengli is here, Madam Luo must be in the temple as well.”
“Ah? Oh! Yes, Young Master Rui. Madam Luo will be your elder soon. Perhaps you should pay her a visit?” Bai Mu played along.
Huo Rui nodded approvingly. “You’re right. It’s only proper.”
“Qiuyue, go back and tell Great-Grandmother that I’ve gone to pay my respects to Madam Luo and will return later.”
Qiuyue hesitated but, seeing the young master’s impatient expression, reluctantly agreed.
Once she had left, Huo Rui pulled Bai Mu behind a flower bed to hide. They waited until Fengli, carrying a basket of vegetables, passed by before quietly following her.
Fengli exited through the temple’s side gate and wound her way toward the sparsely populated back hill.
On the back hill, there was a pine forest where Luo Chaoyan and Yun Mo had set up a simple charcoal stove with stones. Seeing Fengli return, Luo Chaoyan smiled and said, “As expected of our Fengli—you never return empty-handed.”
Fengli scoffed, “Miss, the monks in the temple are so judgmental. They took one look at my plain clothes and assumed I was poor. When I asked for some vegetables, they made all sorts of excuses. But the moment I took out some silver, their attitudes changed instantly, and they politely told me to take as much as I wanted.”
Yun Mo exclaimed in surprise, “Ah? Miss, even the monks in the temple love money?”
Luo Chaoyan replied, “Of course, you silly girl. Did you really think monks are detached from all worldly desires? They need to eat too. With hundreds of people in such a large temple, the little grain from their two acres of land is hardly enough!”
Fengli suddenly understood. “So, when the temple’s masters hold Dharma talks from time to time, it’s to attract crowds. With more people, they naturally earn more income, and with income, the monks can eat well and build houses.”
Yun Mo looked at her with admiration. “Sister Fengli, you’re so clever.”
“Hehe… It’s all thanks to Miss’s excellent guidance,” Fengli said with a laugh.
Luo Chaoyan shot her a glare and said, “Let’s get to work quickly, otherwise we’ll be back too late and I’m afraid Grandmother will start nagging.”
The two nodded and deftly strung up the washed and chopped vegetables.
Once the charcoal in the stove had burned properly, Luo Chaoyan placed the skewered vegetables on the stove to grill. After the moisture had dried off, she brushed on a layer of oil, and just before they were fully cooked, she sprinkled on some of her homemade barbecue seasoning.
Before long, the scent wafted through the back hills.
Huo Rui and Bai Mu stood not far away, watching them enjoy the fragrant barbecue, and suddenly felt their stomachs growling with hunger.
“Young Master, Fourth Miss is truly impressive—she can even make vegetables smell this delicious when grilled,” Bai Mu said, his eyes fixed on the skewers in the hands of the group ahead.
Huo Rui was also tempted by the aroma, but he stiffened his neck and retorted, “Don’t be so shameless and embarrass me.”
Just as he finished speaking, his stomach began to rumble loudly, as if staging an empty-city stratagem.
For the sake of his own safety, Bai Mu had to suppress his laughter. To spare his master embarrassment, he steeled himself and said, “Young Master, Fourth Miss will soon be marrying into the household. After all, we’ll be family. It wouldn’tt be too abrupt to ask for some food. Otherwise…”
Huo Rui wanted to agree but felt it would be too humiliating, so he kept a stern face and remained silent.
He kicked a pine nut on the ground, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and it flew toward Luo Chaoyan’s head. If Fengli hadn’t been quick-eyed and swift-handed, raising her arm to swat it away, it would have hit her squarely.
“Who’s there?”
Luo Chaoyan and the other two scanned their surroundings and spotted Huo Rui and his companion lurking not far away.
Fengli planted her hands on her hips and angrily scolded, “You villain! Trying to ambush my lady again!”