Sure enough, Xia Yuhang's habits were still the same. He would stay at Cold Mountain Temple for a few days at this time of the month. Others didn't know the reason, but Ning Xueyan did.
"Oh, First Young Master Xia didn't go back today?" Ning Xueyan looked away and followed the young novice monk inside. If Xia Yuhang didn't show up, it wouldn't just be a slap to Ning Ziyan's face.
"You guessed it right, Fifth Young Lady. Someone from the Minister's Mansion came early this morning. I heard that it was to ask Young Master Xia to go back. Just now, the Uncle Master in charge of reception told us not to clean up the courtyard. First Young Master Xia will come back later, so he has to stay in that courtyard. He just has to go back today," answered the young novice monk.
The three of them chatted as they arrived at the place. This was the courtyard of the Cold Mountain Temple for the womenfolk to rest in.
The courtyard Ning Xueyan stayed in this time wasn't the one Ning Ziying stayed in in her previous life. It was closer to the men's side. Ning Ziying lived in the Lord Protector's Manor as a guest. Although she was her fiancé, they weren't allowed to see each other. Therefore, Xia Yuhang took the opportunity to meet Ning Ziying secretly.
Therefore, Ning Xueyan was no stranger to Cold Mountain Temple.
"Fifth Young Lady, the chrysanthemums in our temple are in full bloom. If you're interested, you can go and have a look. They're over there!" The young novice monk stood at the entrance of the courtyard and pointed to a spot in the back of the mountain.
"The chrysanthemums are in full bloom?" Ning Xueyan was slightly stunned. Something flashed through her mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.
"Yes, our monastery's chrysanthemums are famous far and wide. We have some rare varieties here. I heard that there are a few that can't be seen outside. Many famous people and refined scholars come here to admire them. Last year, even the Empress from the palace praised them when she came."
"Oh, you mean Honored Consort Ya? Will she come again this year? "A thought flashed through her mind.
Honored Consort Ya, the biological mother of the Third Prince, was the favorite concubine of the Emperor. She was born in the Qingliu Family. It was said that she loved to take care of flowers and plants in the palace. She was a well-known flower lover. Ning Xueyan also remembered that the chrysanthemum in the Cold Mountain Temple was indeed very famous. Two years ago, Honored Consort Ya specially came here to see it and praised the chrysanthemum here.
"I don't know if Her Ladyship from the palace will come, but the Martial Uncle in charge of receiving guests has asked us to prepare everything. He said that although there hasn't been any news, Her Ladyship might come when she wants to see it." The young novice monk put his palms together in a serious manner. He looked quite adorable.
"If the Empress in the palace comes out, please inform me. I haven't seen the Empress in the palace yet and I want to see her." Ning Xueyan smiled softly.
"Okay, I won't forget." The young novice monk said and left.
The courtyard was not big, but it was very clean. There was only one main room and two side rooms. Originally, it was prepared for a master to bring two or three servants. Ning Xueyan sat down in the room. Qingyu made tea and brought it over. Ning Xueyan took a sip of the tea which had a faint fragrance. Only then did she regain her composure.
The carriage was too small. It was bumpy and swayed all the way, making her head hurt. She touched her dizzy head and some memories of Ning Xueyan rushed to her mind. That year, Ning Xueyan was only seven or eight years old. She saw a gorgeously dressed old maid in the courtyard. She was even more gorgeous than the old maids serving Madam Ling in the mansion.
Madam Ming sent everyone out. Ning Xueyan was naughty and secretly hid under the window. She saw the old maid salute Madam Ming respectfully. Her words were very respectful to Madam Ming. Ning Xueyan didn't dare to get too close. She only faintly heard something from Honored Consort Ya. It seemed that Honored Consort Ya sent some gifts to Madam Ming and mentioned a person.
That person was Honored Consort Ya's servant. She intended to give it to Madam Ming, but Madam Ming refused. That person specially kowtowed to Madam Ming several times respectfully before leaving with Honored Consort Ya.
Ning Xueyan didn't care about this person before, but now she felt an idea. If Honored Consort Ya went out of the palace, that person would follow her since she was Honored Consort Ya's confidant. Thinking of her attitude toward Madam Ming at that time, she should have a deep relationship with Madam Ming. If she could persuade that person to work for her, it would really be God's help …
The chrysanthemums in the Cold Mountain Temple were indeed very beautiful. The variety was also very famous in the capital. It was a good time to admire the chrysanthemums. The pilgrims in the temple all went to the back of the mountain to see the chrysanthemums. Ning Xueyan listened to the scriptures at the head monk's place in the morning. After having lunch, she went to the back of the mountain with Qingyu and Lanning.
The Cold Mountain Temple was built halfway up the mountain. There was a path in front and a large forest behind. A winding path snaked upward. In the afternoon, there weren't as many people as there were in the morning. It was a bit more secluded. Not long after going up the mountain, Ning Xueyan's body couldn't take it anymore, so she simply rested in a pavilion on the side.
His other purpose for entering the Cold Mountain Temple this time was to strengthen his body so that his body wouldn't collapse before he could fight Madam Ling and Ning Ziyan. His body was too weak now. It was no wonder that he could cry himself to death in front of Madam Ming's coffin.
"Miss, do you still want to climb up? Just rest here. If you go up again, how can your body bear it? " Qingyu advised. She was really worried about her miss's body. She was usually ill. At this time, because of climbing up the mountain, her fair face was faintly flushed and she was short of breath.
"It's okay. If I can't take it anymore, I'll stop. The higher we go, the more beautiful the scenery is." Ning Xueyan raised her head and looked up. The back mountain of the Cold Mountain Temple was really high. Looking from afar, it was as high as the clouds. It was said that the Cold Mountain Temple above was the real Cold Mountain Temple, and the one below should be the branch of the Cold Mountain Temple.
Lanning poured a cup of hot tea for her and handed it to her. She said softly, "Miss, there's really nothing to see up here. It's just that the view is a little farther. In the past, we …"
For a moment, her eyes turned slightly red. Thinking of Ning Ziying who died mysteriously, she couldn't finish her words. She bit her lip to suppress the bitterness.
"Lan Ning, tell me about Miss Ziying, whom you used to serve. I heard that Sister Ziying was proficient in the four arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She was a rare and talented woman. But why did she take things so hard and throw herself into the lotus pond?" Ning Xueyan combed her hair with a smile in her eyes and asked with interest.
"Our miss didn't throw herself into the lotus pond. How could she do that? She entered the pond as a dowry …" Lanning was a little excited at the mention of Ning Ziyan. Her lips trembled and her voice rose unconsciously.
"Are you talking about Sister Ziying? What's wrong? Didn't they all say that she threw herself into the lotus pond? Is there something else? "A soft voice came from behind the three of them.
Just from the voice, one could tell that it was a gentle and charming beauty. Ning Xueyan slowly turned around and restrained the burning hatred in her eyes. She only felt cold all over. How could she forget this voice? It was the daughter of Madam Ling, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Lord Protector, Ning Ziyan! She was the one who woke her up from nightmares every night!
She wore a pink embroidered dress and had two hair ornaments in her hair bun. She had a pretty oval face and a gentle smile that made people want to protect her. Ning Xueyan didn't know when she had an affair with Xia Yuhang. She only knew that Xia Yuhang didn't avoid her because of their good relationship.
In the Lord Protector's Manor, whenever Xia Yuhang came, the three of them would talk together. Most of the time, they would talk in Ning Ziyan's yard. She said that her yard was bigger and had a better environment. Xia Yuhang felt more comfortable.
Now that she thought about it, the two of them must have had an affair back then. Otherwise, Xia Yuhang wouldn't have found it inconvenient to stay in Ning Ziyan's yard. There was even one time when Ning Ziying felt it wasn't good to keep bothering Ning Ziyan and told Xia Yuhang to stay in her own Cloud Cinema. Xia Yuhang directly refused, saying that they were both guests and that it was only right for the host to follow the guest's wishes. Since the eldest daughter of the Lord Protector's Manor was so reasonable, they couldn't be rude.
She was really silly. If Xia Yuhang hadn't stayed in Ning Ziyan's yard all the time when he came, there wouldn't have been talk about the marriage between the Xia family and the Lord Protector's Manor. No one had any objections. They all thought that Xia Yuhang was engaged to Ning Ziyan since childhood and not someone else. Otherwise, why would the eldest son of the Xia family go to Miss Ning's yard every time?
She thought she and Xia Yuhang were in love with each other, but it turned out that they were the ones in love with each other. She was just a supporting character, a supporting character who became a stepping stone for them. She used her life to fulfill their "good" marriage! Now, she came back from the Asura Blood Sea …
"Eldest Sister, when did you get here?" Ning Xueyan stood up and asked with a smile. Ning Xueyan and Ning Ziyan hadn't seen each other for four to five years, so they weren't exactly familiar with each other.
"Not long, I just arrived. I heard that you came to the back of the mountain, so I came to have a look. I didn't expect to run into you here. How are you doing, Fifth Sister?" Ning Ziyan came over and grabbed her hand, asking gently. It was hard to believe that she wasn't a big sister who was on good terms with her sisters. She had the demeanor of an elder sister!
Ning Xueyan resisted the urge to pull her hand away and smiled faintly. She pulled Ning Ziyan to the side of the road and said, "Since you're here, let's enjoy the scenery together. I was talking to Lanning about Miss Ning Ziying who lives in our manor. I heard that she's very beautiful, but I don't know why she jumped into the lotus pond. It's really strange."
"Jumped into the lotus pond? When did that happen? I've been extremely busy these past few days. I heard that Second Mother had something to do, but I've never heard of Sister Ziying. Lanning? Oh, I remember that you have a sister who works in the kitchen, right? Tell me, why did Sister Ziying jump into the lotus pond? " Ning Ziyan seemed to be hearing this for the first time. She put down Ning Xueyan's hand and turned to Lanning with a smile, asking one question after another.
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