This was Shen Mingzhuang's first time going out since arriving in Kyoto. Manhuan, who had previously worked at the Shen residence, immediately began explaining the local customs and culture of Kyoto to her, and then asked Shen Mingzhuang, "Miss, I wonder if it's the same in Jiangzhou?"

This stumped Shen Mingzhuang. She had never been to Jiangzhou before, and the book didn't describe the tragic Shen Jiuniang much. However, thinking that Jiangzhou was in Jiangnan, it should be similar to Wuzhen, which she had visited before, she simply embellished some of her experiences from her trip to Wuzhen and told Manhuan about them.

Man Huan listened, and couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

"I wonder if I'll ever be able to travel to such far places in my lifetime. I've read in local chronicles that every place has different customs and traditions, and each has its own unique cuisine."

"You can read?"

Shen Mingzhuang looked at Man Huan with some surprise. Few of these maids could read, so it was quite a pleasant surprise that Man Huan could.

At least this is a good thing for her.

"I know a few characters. When I was a child, there was a down-on-his-luck scholar in the village who taught me to read. Xue Rong also knows a few characters."

As Manhuan spoke, she looked at Xue Rong and smiled, "Xue Rong is very smart. I haven't taught her many words, but she has gradually been able to guess how to pronounce a word just by looking at its shape."

Seeing Manhuan praising her so highly, Xue Rong quickly waved her hand and said, "No, it's all thanks to my sister's excellent teaching."

"So all the girls in our courtyard can read?" Shen Mingzhuang asked with a smile, covering his mouth.

However, Man Huan shook her head and smiled somewhat embarrassedly: "We don't dare to show off our little bit of knowledge. It's just that Xue Rong doesn't mind that I'm uncouth and is willing to learn from me."

Listen to this, even a maid who's read a few books speaks differently. But even though that's what she said, she could guess why Ruyi and the others didn't want to learn. Qiutang and Ruyi were both much more arrogant than Xue Rong, and their refusal to listen to Man Huan, who was younger than them, was in line with their personalities. "It can only be said that everyone has their own destiny. Man Huan, you've already done very well."

The master and servant sat in the carriage, chatting as they drew closer to Daci Temple.

Daici Temple is a popular place of worship, attracting a constant stream of pilgrims throughout the year. It is located on the mountainside of Mount Kuroka, not far from the royal villas west of Kyoto.

This is a top choice for Kyoto residents, as it's within easy reach of the city and quite close to the Imperial Palace. The guard posts extend all the way to Daiji Temple, making people feel very safe.

The carriage stopped when it caught a faint scent of incense. The gate in front of Daci Temple was the only place where carriages could stop; once there, one had to walk up the steps.

Manhuan got off the carriage first, helping Shen Mingzhuang down, while Xuerong was the last to get off.

"Miss's dress is a little wrinkled." Man Huan smiled and bent down to smooth out the wrinkles on Shen Mingzhuang's dress. Shen Mingzhuang was looking at the ancient temple with its simple and elegant red walls and black tiles when a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Ninth Sister walked way too fast! We almost couldn't catch up with her!"

Looking back, it turned out to be Shen Mingxi and Shen Ming'e!

Shen Mingzhuang chuckled inwardly. Luckily, he hadn't gone directly to the manor, otherwise he might have suffered a setback in front of these two today.

"Why are you two sisters here too? If you need amulets, you can just ask me to bring them back with you."

Shen Mingzhuang looked at the two with a smile, but inwardly he couldn't help but curse them. Why did they have to learn from those scoundrels?

……@#￥%……