Yun Ran had been practicing martial arts for many years, and her constitution was naturally good.
After catching a mild cold, she was lively and bouncing around again within two days.
As soon as she recovered, she couldn’t wait to visit Xuandu Temple.
But Langui Mama held her back. “Young lady, your body has only just recovered. This is the time to restore your vitality. How can you rush out so recklessly? If you catch another chill, who could bear the blame?”
“Mama, dear Mama, I won’t!”
Yun Ran tugged at Langui Mama’s sleeve and swayed it. “I’m as strong as an ox. If you don’t believe me, I’ll do ten somersaults right here for you.”
Langui Mama: “……”
It was unclear whether she truly feared the future Jing Wangfei would start turning somersaults on the spot, or if it was that pitiful, pleading look in Yun Ran’s eyes that softened her heart, but in the end Langui Mama relented. “Rest quietly for another half a month. It’s not too late to go after that.”
After much bargaining, Yun Ran managed to shorten the half month to just seven days, leaving everyone satisfied.
During this period, an imperial decree of marriage was formally delivered from the palace, including the Grand Wedding Date set by the Imperial Astronomer—
November 11.
“This is far too rushed! It’s already late August now, not even three months left. How can we prepare the wedding in time?”
Zheng Shi, upon hearing that the wedding date had been set before the New Year, felt her vision go black and nearly fainted again.
Luckily, Li Wanrong was quick-witted and steady-handed, catching her mother-in-law in time. She then turned to the Eunuch Announcing the Edict, saying, “Sir, the wedding date is too soon and rather hasty. I wonder if…”
Before she could finish, the Eunuch Announcing the Edict interrupted her. “This marriage was decided by the Empress Dowager and His Majesty. The auspicious date was selected by the Imperial Astronomer. It was all chosen by the honored ones. I am just the eunuch announcing the edict, following orders. If Hou Furen and the Young Marquis Consort have any thoughts, perhaps you should enter the palace and discuss with the honored ones in person.”
The eunuch wore a polite yet respectful smile. Zheng Shi and Li Wanrong had nothing more to say.
Once they had received the decree and sent the eunuch off, the whole family stared at the glaring wedding date on the Shengzhi, all feeling troubled.
It was far too rushed.
In less than three months, they didn’t even know if they could prepare all the dowry.
Seeing her family once again distressed over her marriage, Yun Ran felt rather sorry in her heart.
“Father, Madam, don’t worry. Sooner or later I have to marry anyway. There’s not much difference.”
Yun Ran’s eyes curved as she smiled at them. “Besides, this date is actually quite nice. November 11 is the birthday of the Savior Heavenly Venerable. Every year when he celebrates his birthday, Our Temple is bustling for days, with incense burning without end for six or seven days straight!”
All year round, the run-down little Daoist temple relied on the birthdays of a few Xianjun to receive more incense offerings, saving up some silver to eat.
So every year when the Savior Heavenly Venerable’s birthday came, Yun Ran looked forward to it more than her own—she was even happier than on her own birthday.
After all, these years she didn’t even know her real birthday. She had always just counted the day her Master found her.
Now seeing that the wedding was set for November 11, Yun Ran felt as if the Savior Heavenly Venerable was comforting her from above: “Little disciple, don’t worry if you marry the wrong man. The Ancestor is watching over you.”
The whole Marquis of Changxin Manor had been frowning over the wedding date, but after Yun Ran’s explanation, it suddenly felt like the clouds parted to reveal the sun—it didn’t seem so bad anymore.
No matter what, the date was set, and both the royal family and the Marquis’s Mansion began bustling with preparations.
One was the Empress Dowager’s most cherished youngest son, the other the Marquis’s most beloved youngest daughter.
Both sides were determined to make this marriage as lively and grand as possible—neither would let their own child suffer any disadvantage.
Compared to her family’s busyness, Yun Ran’s mind was set on her trip to Xuandu Temple.
At last, after seven days, she was able to go out.
That morning, after practicing her forms and finishing her morning lessons, Yun Ran changed into a simple pale blue dress and waited in the courtyard for her eldest sister-in-law’s people to arrive.
Langui Mama looked at the young lady’s plain attire and wanted to advise her to dress up a bit, but seeing Yun Ran’s lively spirit, she swallowed her words. The cheerful, energetic look was more pleasing than any extravagant makeup.
“Here they come! Elder Sister Xiazhi from Dashao Furen’s side has arrived.”
Qingling, peeking through the window, quickly turned back to report.
Yun Ran jumped up from the couch and saw Xiazhi. “Are we ready to go?”
Xiazhi curtsied with a smile. “We are. The carriage is waiting outside. Dashao Furen said, if young lady is ready, we can leave now.”
“I’ve been ready for ages.”
Yun Ran checked herself in the mirror, smoothing her indigo skirt to ensure she looked neat, then turned to say goodbye to Langui Mama. “Mama, I’m off to play! Don’t worry, I’ll keep warm and come home early. If I find anything tasty or fun on the way, I’ll bring some back for you too.”
Langui Mama’s lips moved as if to correct a few things, but the child was so sincere and well-behaved, she couldn’t bring herself to spoil her mood.
Forget it—she’d wait until Yun Ran came home that night to say anything.
“You just take care of yourself, young lady. No need to worry about this old servant.”
With that, Langui Mama pulled Qingling aside and gave her a few earnest instructions before watching the two leave the courtyard.
**
After nearly half a month of being cooped up at home because of her cold, Yun Ran flew out the gates like a bird released from its cage, full of joy.
“Finally, I’m out! I’ve been stuck in the courtyard every day, reading and learning rules. I was about to turn into a wooden block!”
She lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out at the bustling Zhuque Avenue, feeling her breath become freer.
“Mother wanted to come too, but she’s still worried about your dowry list and has no time to spare. So she asked your third sister-in-law to accompany you,” Li Wanrong said. “Since you’re in such high spirits today, let’s spend more time at Xuandu Temple.”
Qian Sijin didn’t mind being called a companion by her sister-in-law. She just smiled. “Although it’s autumn now and we can’t see the March peach blossoms, there’s a thousand-year-old ginkgo behind Lingguan Hall. They say when the leaves turn golden, it looks like the tree is hung with gold ingots. It’s beautiful.”
Li Wanrong: “……”
Qian Shi had been married to the third brother for a year, but she still spoke so plainly.
Yun Ran was delighted. “But it’s not even September yet. I wonder if the leaves have turned yellow.”
The two of them discussed whether the leaves had turned for a long while. Li Wanrong finally found a chance to cut in, quickly steering the conversation to serious matters. “Last night, your eldest brother received a reply from Yuzhou. Second brother and his wife said they’ll hurry back before Ranran’s wedding.”
At these words, no one cared about the color of the leaves anymore.
Yun Ran was full of curiosity about her second brother and sister-in-law, whom she had never met.
Li Wanrong and Qian Sijin took turns answering her questions, and the three of them chatted happily all the way.
Even when the carriage stopped at Xuandu Temple, they were still reluctant to end their conversation, making plans to discuss on the way back how the martial second brother had managed to marry the woman known as Changan’s number one talented lady.
Xuandu Temple, a royal Daoist temple with a history spanning three reigns, stood next to the imperial palace in Chongye Ward, facing Daxingshan Temple across Zhuque Avenue in Jingshan Ward.
One temple, one monastery; Daoist and Buddhist, facing each other in harmony.
Before they arrived, the Marquis’s Mansion had sent word ahead, so as soon as the three sisters-in-law stepped out of the carriage, a Zhike Shixiong came to greet them. “Blessings of the Heavenly Lord. Honored guests, please come inside.”
It had been many days since Yun Ran last saw a fellow Daoist, and she felt especially close, returning the Daoist salute. “Zhike Shixiong, blessings of the Heavenly Lord.”
The Zhike Shixiong noticed her clear eyes and bright mind, and a trace of surprise flashed across his face. “Is the young lady from our Daoist sect?”
Yun Ran waved her hand. “I used to be. Now I’ve returned to secular life and cultivate quietly at home instead of staying in a temple.”
The Zhike Shixiong understood. “No wonder.”
His tone became much friendlier. “Since you’re visiting today, you must take a good look around. Our Taiji Hall, Jinxian Hall, and Lingguan Hall are all beautifully built.”
“Definitely, definitely.”
Yun Ran smiled, looking around at the grand architecture and layout of the temple, chatting with the Zhike Shixiong about her own Master and the Daoist temples in Yangzhou.