Chapter 19: Reunion in the Capital
On March 15th, the sky is high and the clouds are light, and spring is in full swing.
The city gate was bustling with traffic early in the morning.
They were all ladies and girls who went to Guoqing Temple to listen to Master Huaisu's lectures.
When we reached the foot of the mountain, we could no longer take the carriage. There was only one way to get to Guoqing Temple, which was the long and endless steps in front of the mountain.
"Grandma, let me support you," Qu Ling reached out to support the old lady, "If you are tired, let's rest."
Qu Ling felt that maintaining a close relationship with the old lady would be beneficial.
At least none of the servants in the Marquis' Mansion dared to look at her in the face anymore.
Although Song was released, her power as the head of the Marquis's Mansion was completely gone.
Qu Lianzhi's move out of Nuanshanju changed the direction of the Marquis' Mansion.
Song Shi did not attend today's event, claiming to be recuperating from illness, and she also kept Qu Lianzhi at home.
"This is the old lady of the Dingxiang Marquis's Mansion. I pay my respects to you."
On the stairs, there were many women from powerful families in the capital.
"Why aren't your wife and second daughter here? Who is this beautiful girl next to you?"
Some sharp-eyed people have already started to inquire.
Qu Ling felt like many eyes were looking him up and down.
She always supported the old lady with a faint smile on her face and did not speak without permission.
"...She was ill, and the second daughter, being a filial child, naturally stayed by her side to take care of her..."
He then pulled Qu Ling in front of the crowd and said, "This is my eldest daughter. She used to live in Jiangzhou and just returned to Beijing."
The crowd fell silent instantly.
Some girls even took two steps back, and their eyes changed when they looked at Qu Ling.
Qu Ling didn't care.
After all, the reason why she went to Jiangzhou must be something that Song would like to talk about every day.
The old lady naturally felt it too. "This child's mother died early, but fortunately the eldest princess loves her very much. As soon as she returned to the capital, she personally sent people to serve her."
She pointed to the maidservants behind Qu Ling and showed them to everyone.
When those people heard the name of the princess, their contempt disappeared and their eyes wandered away, not daring to stare at Qu Ling anymore.
"My Ah Ling is a good child," the old lady said, very satisfied with everyone's performance. She held her head high and straightened her back. "She went to Jiangzhou to recuperate. Now that she is back, you ladies must love her very much."
After saying that, he smiled and continued to climb up with the Qu family.
Behind me, several ladies gathered together and chatted in low voices.
"Didn't they say before that Miss Qu was sent to Jiangzhou because she stabbed the Marquis' wife?"
"No, I heard from my son that the stabbing six years ago was a trick by the Marquis."
"Where did your son hear that? How could he know about the affairs of the women in the inner house?" Some people didn't believe it.
"The one who went to Jiangzhou to pick up Miss Qu was the illegitimate son of the second branch of the Marquis's mansion. He was a lazy man who spent his days loitering around the capital and was not very tight-lipped. All the noble sons who played with him knew him."
"Your son also hangs out in the capital all day long?" Someone joked.
The lady who had the information instantly turned cold. She thought her son was just a child and would be fine when he grew up.
"Let's go quickly. If we are any later, we will miss Master Huaisu's lecture." A smiling voice sounded.
Following the sound, it was the wife of Marquis Jingwei.
She is not a stunning beauty in the traditional sense, but she has an innate nobility and dignity that is unforgettable.
"Didn't your Ah Yuan also come back from Jiangzhou? Did he say anything to you?"
When someone mentioned Chi Yuan, Lady Jingwei was very cold. "He grew up under my grandmother's wing, and we're not very close. Naturally, he wouldn't share such trivial matters with me."
The person who asked the question realized that he had said something wrong and left with a wry smile.
"Madam, the eldest son also came to Guoqing Temple today." said the maid beside the wife of Marquis Jingwei.
The wife of Marquis Jingwei did not show any emotion. "He does what he wants. What does it have to do with me?"
His nonchalant look made someone who didn't know him think he was a stranger.
People gradually arrived at the gate of Guoqing Temple.
They were so tired and out of breath that they had no energy to ask about other people's affairs.
"Give the Buddhist scriptures to the monks in the temple and offer them in front of the Buddha later." The old lady finally calmed down her breathing and hurriedly gave the order.
"Grandma, let me go." Qu Lianxue, who had been silent all the way, smiled ingratiatingly.
The old lady also knew that her life was not easy, so she nodded and gave her the opportunity to show herself and get to know more girls in the capital.
Qu Ling smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work. How about I let Su Shang go with us?"
"No need," Qu Lianxue said, "We'll just take a maid with us when we go out today. Sister, please leave Su Shang with you so that she can serve Grandmother."
She seemed to be afraid that Qu Ling would insist on letting Su Shang follow him, so without waiting for Qu Ling to speak, she took the box containing the Buddhist scriptures herself, bowed, and left.
"Grandma, let's go in first." Qu Ling supported the old lady and walked towards the hall where they would listen to the sutras.
Quite a few people have come.
People who know each other get together to talk.
The positions are arranged according to grade.
The Dingxiang Marquisate has a title and is a relative of the Song family, so it is very prominent.
Qu Ling's gaze fell on the first row. There was no doubt that the Song family was there, but they had not arrived yet.
Logically, the seats in the first row should be given to the princesses of the royal family.
But for so many years, the Song family has been sitting side by side with the Zhao family, and no one has raised any questions.
"Grandma, I want to go out for a walk." Qu Ling took advantage of the gap when the old lady was talking to someone and mentioned it.
The old lady hesitated.
"I heard from the eldest princess that before Master Huaisu gave lectures, he would meditate in front of the Rebirth Pond in the back mountain." Qu Ling lowered his voice.
"If I could meet the master alone, I would definitely ask him to give me some pointers on the Marquis' Mansion."
The old lady was indeed moved and advised, "Be careful and come back soon."
Qu Ling nodded quickly and quietly left with Su Shang.
Of course, the meditation and other things were just a lie to the old lady.
"Go find Qu Lianxue..." Qu Ling whispered to Su Shang.
Su Shang's figure soon disappeared.
Qu Ling looked back at the hall, and saw people coming in one after another.
She didn't dare go too far.
Seeing the sign pointing to the "Pond of Rebirth" under the corridor, I thought it would be a good idea to go and take a look.
The spring breeze blows gently, and Guoqing Temple is full of vitality.
As you go up the steps, you will see crabapple and pear trees planted on both sides. It is the blooming season, and the pink and white flowers are like clouds and snow, drifting in the wind and covering the ground with a beautiful scene.
The copper bells hanging on the eaves of the ancient temple ring softly in the wind, crisp and pleasant, harmonizing with the birdsong, adding a touch of Zen.
Qu Ling walked slowly, passed a sea of flowers, and suddenly the view in front of him opened up to the Pond of Rebirth.
He looked up, his pupils shrinking slightly.
Why is Chi Yuan here too?
He was wearing a moon-white robe today and was playing chess with a young monk.
His sleeves fluttered in the wind, his slender fingers pinched a black dot, his brows lowered, his expression focused.
Qu Ling stared at him without blinking, forgetting what he was going to do.
Chi Yuan seemed to be aware of something. The moment their eyes met, his gaze was as clear as pond water, yet with a hint of a faint smile.
The wind blew, and petals fluttered, falling on the chessboard and on his shoulders.
"Miss Qu, you're not in the main hall, why are you here?"
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