Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 296 Lin Daiyu: If I had known he was here, I would not have come

……

Xiangguo Temple is located in the southwest of the imperial city and has been visited by many people since the founding of Daxia.

No matter if they were high-ranking officials, wives of marquises, daughters of officials, or even the empress dowager, they would come to Xiangguo Temple to burn incense and worship Buddha, or pray for blessings, or pray for a successful career, or ask about marriage, or pray for children...

Xiangguo Temple welcomes everyone, as long as they pay incense and money to ask for anything. The temple is especially welcoming to noble families like the Ningguo Mansion. They order people to clean out the entire west wing courtyard three days in advance and forbid outsiders to approach.

"Abbot Kongci, these are some gifts from our Ningguo Mansion. I hope you will not refuse them."

Jia Rong took out a stack of bills of exchange. The cunning Abbot Kongci could tell at a glance that the bills were at least two thousand taels.

Ningguo Mansion is so grand!

"You are too polite, young master. Don't worry, I will arrange everything you asked me to do. When the time comes, I will personally preside over the ritual and make sure Master Zhen rests in peace there."

Abbot Kongci almost bowed his head.

"Then I'll trouble you, Abbot."

Jia Rong handed over the bill of exchange.

Kong Ci hurriedly took it carefully, put it into his sleeve without making a sound, and said with a chuckle: "My Lord, if the vegetarian food in our temple doesn't suit your taste... you can ask the servants to bring it in through the back door. I will arrange for someone to guard there, there will be no problem."

"That's not necessary." Jia Rong smiled and waved his hand: "When in Rome, follow the customs. I'm just going to have a few vegetarian meals."

The abbot was immediately in awe and made a Buddhist chanting gesture with one hand: "Amitabha, young master, you are very understanding of justice. I admire you. I will have someone bring vegetarian food to you later. If you have any questions, you can go to the quiet courtyard to find me directly."

Jia Rong bowed in return and said, "Thank you, abbot. Do you still need me to attend the vegetarian offering ceremony tomorrow?"

Abbot Kongci turned his rosary beads and smiled, "Young Master, your heart is known by the gods. You don't need to go there. You can just pay your respects from afar here."

Jia Rong nodded secretly.

It's worth the money spent, it's really thoughtful and considerate.

Abbot Kongci went to make preparations and specially arranged for martial monks to guard the place. However, Jia Rong would not rely on outsiders for protection. Ningguo Mansion brought about thirty personal soldiers who were distributed outside the entire west wing.

Silent all night.

Early the next morning, the aunt, Yingchun and Tanchun went to the Lin residence together to meet Lin Daiyu and go to Xiangguo Temple to burn incense.

When Jia Rong received the letter, he had already gone to greet her in person outside the west wing.

"Aunts, come this way."

"Hehe, look, Rong'er is waiting for us over there." Xichun lifted the curtain and pointed outside with a smile.

Yingchun and Tanchun both looked at Daiyu with smiles.

"Sister Lin, someone is waiting for you."

"Bah, I'm waiting for you aunts." Lin Daiyu glanced at Jia Rong secretly, then lowered her head shyly.

Tanchun nudged Lin Daiyu and said with a chuckle, "Aren't you also his aunt?"

Yingchun: "Yes, yes."

"Ah, I'm ignoring you!"

"whee."

Several people were making noises in the carriage. Xiao Xiao and an unknown senior sister were driving outside. They looked... very fair, very gentle, and seemed very lazy. They squinted their eyes slightly, and their hair fluttered in the wind. They held a long sword in their hands...

"Grandpa, this is Senior Sister Mu. She has been learning martial arts from my grandfather since she was a child. She went out to gain experience in the martial arts world a few years ago. Now she is better than my grandfather."

After entering the west wing, Xiao Xiao got off the carriage and pointed at the woman and introduced her.

"Greetings, Master." Senior Sister Mu first saluted to Jia Rong casually, then said to Xiao Xiao, "Junior Sister, you are too kind. How can I compare with Master?"

"Grandpa said so himself."

"Master is just being modest. Young Master, please don't listen to her. I am useless."

Jia Rong smiled slightly: "Senior Sister Mu is modest, we are all family, Xiao Xiao, please invite Senior Sister Mu into the house for tea."

"Okay sir."

When Xiaoxiao heard Jia Rong following her and calling her Senior Sister Mu, she was very happy and pulled Senior Sister Mu inside.

Senior Sister Mu has been through a lot in the martial arts world over the past few years and has met many different kinds of people, but this is the first time she has seen someone with such a distinguished background as Jia Rong and yet still so approachable.

Originally, she was not interested in coming to protect a group of young masters and young ladies, especially those of noble status, who were usually difficult to serve. If it weren't for her master's order and the sisterhood she had with Xiao Xiao since childhood, she wouldn't have come. Now, she was somewhat interested.

I heard that this young master is extremely well-read and is known as the most talented scholar in Kyoto. He even won the first place in the palace examination and is known as the youngest third place in the imperial examination.

Most importantly, this scholar, who was famous for his deep study of the Book of Rites, had his aunt as his fiancée...

How awesome!

"Rong'er, come and help me down." Xichun bent down and got out of the carriage, waved to Jia Rong.

Jia Rong hurried forward to support him.

"Aunt, slow down."

Xichun was not obedient at all. She grabbed Jia Rong's hand and jumped down, scaring Yingchun who followed behind.

"Fourth sister, be careful."

"It's okay."

Xichun helped Jia Rong land steadily on the ground and said with a smile, "Brother Rong is here to help you. Second sister, you should come down quickly too."

"Ah I……"

"Come on, Second Aunt, don't be afraid."

"Ai."

Yingchun nodded without thinking much about it, since Jia Rong was her nephew after all.

However, Yingchun did not jump down directly like Xichun. Instead, she held Jia Rong in one hand and lifted her skirt with the other, carefully stepped down on the stool, and then quickly let go of Jia Rong.

I don't know why, but I suddenly felt shy.

Especially the little hands, they feel hot, very hot.

At this time, the carriage behind arrived, and Zijuan, Shishu, Ruhua, Siqi and others hurried over to serve the young lady.

Jia Rong was originally going to help another aunt get off the carriage, but now he had to give up and said with a smile, "You are late, especially Siqi, you should be punished."

Siqi saw Jia Rong helping Yingchun get off the carriage, and smiled softly, "It seems proper for a nephew to help his aunt get off the carriage, which shows that Master Rong is filial."

Yingchun stamped her feet: "Siqi, stop talking."

Tanchun helped the secretary get off the carriage and said with a smile, "Yes, if you continue talking, your lady will really punish you."

"Hehe, Third Aunt, don't joke around." Jia Rong reminded with a smile.

Tanchun smiled and said, "I understand, Rong'er, don't worry."

Yingchun: "What do you mean?"

Tanchun said seriously, "Nothing, second sister, do you have the chessboard? We have finally come to the west wing of Xiangguo Temple, we can't not play chess."

Yingchun: "Of course I bring it."

Tanchun: "Then let's go, let's play a round first."

Yingchun was puzzled: "Where is Sister Lin?"

Tanchun quietly pointed at Jia Rong and said, "Sister Lin probably doesn't want to play chess with us now."

Yingchun nodded thoughtfully.

……

Lin Daiyu was helped out of the car by Zijuan. She lowered her head and walked inside without even looking at Jia Rong.

"Aunt Lin, stop."

Jia Rong shouted from behind.

Lin Daiyu covered her face with a handkerchief and walked faster.

So ashamed of myself.

If I had known he was here, I wouldn’t have come.