The two hit it off and, before they knew it, were walking side by side at the front.
The two sisters-in-law behind them: “……”
Wasn’t this supposed to be her first visit? How did their little sister-in-law look so at home, like she was returning?
“She really isn’t shy, is she?” Qian Sijin couldn’t help but remark.
Li Wanrong: “…Yes.”
To make it seem less like she was being intentionally cold, she added, “It’s good—so open and at ease.”
Qian Sijin: “Mm.”
Heavens, why did she even try to chat with this cold Guanyin? Talking to her was even worse than not talking at all.
Meanwhile, Yun Ran was already engrossed in conversation with the Zhike Shixiong. When she heard that the temple offered eight dishes, one soup, one dessert, and a fruit at every meal, she wished she could stay right then and there for seven days and seven nights—
But she remembered her current identity.
She knew she shouldn’t, nor needed to, do that anymore. She made a mental note to write to her Master and Senior Sister tonight to tell them how wonderful the benefits were at Changan’s big Daoist temples.
If they ever had a chance to visit Changan, they must stay at Xuandu Temple!
With the Zhike Shixiong leading the way, the three sisters-in-law toured the grand royal Daoist temple, which sat facing south with its back to a high slope.
At every hall, Yun Ran would straighten her robes and bow with utmost sincerity.
After each bow, she would introduce to her sisters-in-law which Xianjun or deity the hall honored, along with their origins and stories.
By the end of the tour, the Zhike Shixiong was looking at this little Junior Sister with genuine admiration. “It’s a pity you’ve returned to the secular world. With your devotion and wisdom, if you continued cultivating with us…”
“Ahem!”
Li Wanrong coughed into her handkerchief. “It’s getting late. I wonder when we might meet your abbot, Ziqing Daoist Master?”
The Zhike Shixiong realized he’d overstepped and quickly bowed his head in apology. “The abbot is currently compiling scriptures. He won’t see guests until Shen hour.”
Li Wanrong frowned. Yun Ran quickly took her arm and smiled. “No rush, no rush. After walking all morning, I’m hungry. Sisters, let’s go to the dining hall.”
“After lunch, you and third sister-in-law can rest in a quiet room. I’ll look around a bit more. It’ll be Shen hour before we know it.”
With just a few words, she had arranged everything. Li Wanrong and Qian Sijin exchanged helpless smiles. “Alright, we’ll do as our little aunt says today.”
Yun Ran blushed at being called “little aunt,” feeling rare embarrassment as she took both sisters-in-law by the arm and led them to the dining hall.
**
Xuandu Temple’s vegetarian meal was indeed as sumptuous as the Zhike Shixiong had described—
Today’s main dishes included jade melon strips, fragrant braised vegetarian chicken, Taiji Vegetarian Meat, Xianshan Vegetarian Four Treasures, Ruyi Vegetable Roll, grilled mushroom and white fungus, stir-fried songcai, and sweet and sour tofu cubes.
The soup was Taiji Tofu Soup, made with mashed yam and pumpkin simmered in a rich vegetarian broth until smooth.
The dessert was Huangdou Sweet Rice Cake, shaped like little copper coins. As for the fruit, it was the seasonal Qiu Yue Pear.
Yun Ran ate with a look of heartfelt admiration.
Li Wanrong and Qian Sijin found the meal tasty, but not to the point of being moved.
Yun Ran saw their confusion and, after popping the last piece of soft, delicious Huangdou Sweet Rice Cake into her mouth, explained, “In our old temple, we had three dishes and one soup every day, shared among the six of us—Master, Senior Sister, and me. The vegetables were all ones we grew ourselves: songcai, radishes, shepherd’s purse—just those few, over and over…”
Seeing her sisters-in-law’s sympathetic expressions, Yun Ran quickly added, “Of course, sometimes we’d eat other things. In spring, there are plenty of fresh bamboo shoots in the mountains. In summer, mushrooms grow behind the temple. In autumn, there are gorgon fruit and amaranth. In winter… winter… oh yes, we’d pick plum blossoms to brew wine and make plum blossom cakes!”
She smiled brightly, showing not a hint of bitterness about her poor past. Her dark eyes sparkled with fond memories. “My Senior Sister’s plum blossom cakes were delicious—fragrant, soft, and sticky, with the scent of rice and flowers, sweet but not cloying. Even after eating them, your breath would smell like flowers. Every New Year, she’d make them for us. So after the New Year, I’d always look forward to the next one.”
Li Wanrong and Qian Sijin had wanted to comfort her, but hearing her speak like this, their pity melted into a warm, indescribable feeling that flowed through their hearts.
The meal ended amidst sweet memories of hardship. Li Wanrong and Qian Sijin were led by a young Daoist to a quiet room to rest, while Yun Ran took Qingling to roam the various halls.
By afternoon, Xuandu Temple had fewer visitors, so Yun Ran didn’t have to worry about disturbing the monks on duty.
After chatting with the fifth Shixiong, and learning that there was a little-known Old Master Laozi Stele in the bamboo grove behind the temple, Yun Ran thought it would be a shame not to see it since she was already here.
Especially since the carving was the work of Wuyazi, the legendary painter of the previous dynasty!
After finishing her meal, Yun Ran had climbed up and down the temple’s five-tier steps, chatting and discussing Dao with each Shixiong she met. Now she wanted to climb back up to the bamboo grove behind the fifth tier. Qingling, following behind, couldn’t help but wipe her brow. “Young lady, how about we rest for a bit?”
Yun Ran turned and saw Qingling sweating heavily, and sighed. “I’ve always asked you all to practice martial arts with me, but you never want to. Now you’re out of breath just climbing to the third tier! Your constitution is too weak.”
Qingling had no way to argue. As a first-class maid of the Marquis’s Mansion, she rarely did any manual labor. In fact, her days were easier than many young ladies from small households.
Not to mention, the one before her was Yun Ran, who could carry water, grow vegetables, and dig for bamboo shoots all over the mountain.
“How about this? I’ll go up first.”
Yun Ran wasn’t one to force others. “You rest here. When you’ve caught your breath, come up.”
Qingling looked worried. “But…”
Yun Ran replied, “No buts. Maybe by the time I come back, you’ll just be catching your breath.”
With that, she waved and bounded up the steps.
Watching the petite figure dart up more than a dozen steps in an instant, Qingling thought: “…!”
The young lady’s energy is truly something!
Maybe starting tomorrow morning, she should practice martial arts with her?
Yun Ran climbed all five tiers in one go. She’d already visited Lingguan Hall, so she bypassed the shrine and headed straight for the bamboo grove behind.
Though called a bamboo grove, it was more than just bamboo. The surrounding trees were lush and shaded the sunlight, but the most striking was a tall, upright ginkgo tree—the very one her third sister-in-law Qian Sijin had mentioned.
Unfortunately, it was still a bit early in the season. The leaves were neither green nor yellow, lacking the golden charm.
Yun Ran thought, luckily third sister-in-law wasn’t here, or she would have been disappointed. Just then, a familiar gentle voice sounded from behind. “Fifth Sister Yun.”
Yun Ran paused, and when she turned to see who it was, she looked surprised. “Cousin Cui, what are you doing here?”
The young man in blue robes, strolling along the stone path, was none other than Cui Boxu, whom she hadn’t seen for some time.
“I heard you were coming to Xuandu Temple today… so I came.”
Cui Boxu stopped by the tree, keeping a respectful distance, and bowed. “Forgive me for disturbing your enjoyment, Sister.”
Yun Ran thought to herself, do all Changan people speak so formally? She returned the bow politely. “You’re too polite, Cousin Cui. This bamboo grove isn’t mine. It’s not like others can’t visit. But…”
She paused, looking at him in confusion. “Did you come here just to find me today?”
Cui Boxu blushed with embarrassment. “I know following a young lady is not the act of a gentleman, but… when I heard about your engagement to the Jing Prince, I had to come find you.”
Now Yun Ran was even more puzzled. What did her engagement to the Jing Prince have to do with him?
The next moment, Cui Boxu suddenly took a big step forward.
She was startled. “Cousin Cui?”
“Run.”
Cui Boxu glanced around, then looked at the innocent young lady before him. “The Jing Prince is not a good match. He’ll be the death of you. Don’t follow in my sister’s footsteps. Find a way to escape.”
In the distant bamboo pavilion, Changchun watched his master’s face. “Your Highness, this Cui Boxu is truly bold. Do you want me to…”
“Shut up.”
A young man in a dark robe stood by the corridor pillar, eyes dark as he stared at the pair under the ginkgo tree, both in blue robes, looking like a perfect couple.
He wanted to hear how she would answer.
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