Du Yutong pressed on, "How was it? Is he different from the man in your dreams?"
"It's not just different, it's completely mismatched. The appearance is so ordinary that you can't find it in a crowd, not to mention the height. The matchmaker's measuring tape must be too short, it's different from ours."
Zhan Shuzhen stroked her belly with her hand, her expression indescribable.
"To see his true colors, my maid and I each ate two baskets of steamed buns. I was so full that I feel like throwing up whenever I see buns now."
"Pfft! Hahahaha..."
Du Yutong couldn't help but burst out laughing, and Jiang Shuyue also laughed so hard she covered her stomach with both hands.
Zhan Shuzhen said with a look of utter despair, "Yesterday, another matchmaker came to propose marriage. The young master works in the yamen. I was so worried, thinking that he might be one of those fierce and ruthless yamen runners. Luckily, the matchmaker said that the young master makes a living by writing, and my heart finally settled down."
“Grandmother said that the Zhan family had been engaged in martial arts for generations, but the number of people in our generation had declined. Grandmother had a high opinion of civil officials, and she agreed to the position even before meeting the person.”
Zhan Shuzhen looked at Jiang Shuyue, her brows furrowed, "Sister Jiang, do you know anyone in the Jingzhao Yin? Could you help me find out if that young master is of good character?"
"Aren't you going to look at whether he's handsome or not?" Du Yutong asked, stopping her laughter.
"Forget it, I won't hope for it anymore. Grandmother is right. A person with good character, a respectable family background, and decent looks is enough. Such a person won't be a womanizer."
Seeing that Zhan Shuzhen was hesitant, Jiang Shuyue readily agreed.
"Don't rush. I'll inquire about it after we get back from our spring outing. If I remember correctly, A-Jin's friend works for the Prefect of the Capital. Go back and write down that young master's name, and I promise I'll find out everything for you."
"Sister Zhan, whether someone is a womanizer or not isn't determined by their looks. Old people aren't always right when they say that."
Du Yutong looked at Jiang Shuyue and said, "Look how handsome Jiang-jie and the Emperor are, and how beautiful Sui Sui is with her delicate, porcelain-like features."
Jiang Shuyue felt quite regretful when she mentioned Sui Sui. Gao Mu went to the palace to pick her up, and the emperor said that Sui Sui had missed some of her studies a few days ago and was busy catching up these days.
Jiang Shuyue didn't want her son to become the "King of Scrolls," but she was still powerless to change her fate, and her days were filled with arrangements by Xiao Jingzhao.
She wanted to argue with Xiao Jingzhao, but Sui Sui was enjoying herself, so she gave up on the idea.
"Sister Du is right. Who doesn't like a handsome and dashing young man?"
Zhan Shuzhen felt enlightened, and her eyes shone brightly.
The group chatted and laughed as they quickly arrived at Peach Blossom Temple.
Jiang Shuyue stepped off the carriage, and a vibrant scene of life came into view.
Wildflowers bloom in vibrant colors amidst the lush green grass by the roadside, and birds hop from branch to branch, creating a beautiful scene of birdsong and fragrant flowers.
"Sister Moon, look ahead."
Hearing Du Yutong call her name, Jiang Shuyue turned her gaze forward.
Several carriages were parked under the bamboo grove ahead, and a man was methodically directing the drivers to move the carriages into the courtyard to the side.
Jiang Shuyue knew that the courtyard did not belong to Peach Blossom Nunnery, but to the villagers nearby.
Every year in March, ladies and young women from the city would come here to admire the flowers. The Peach Blossom Temple couldn't accommodate so many carriages, so the ladies and young women who came to admire the flowers would leave their carriages at the homes of nearby farmers.
The farmhouses' courtyards were similar to the roadside inns along the official road; in addition to storing vehicles, the accompanying servants could also stay there for food and lodging.
Two hundred coins per person and one cart per day—a fair price that provided convenience for dignitaries from the capital, while also providing income for the villagers—a win-win situation.
Under the bright sunlight, with its white walls and gray tiles, it's clear from outside the courtyard that the farmers in this area are quite well-off.
Seeing the crowd at the entrance of the farmers' courtyards at the intersection, Jiang Shuyue waved to Qiuju.
Qiuju walked over from beside the carriage. "Miss, please sit back in the carriage and wait. There are too many people going out of the city to admire the flowers today."
"Tell Gao Mu not to wait any longer, let's go to the back." Jiang Shuyue pointed to the other end of the bamboo forest.
“Yes, let’s go over there first. There are quite a few farmers around here, and almost every family is counting on making money during the spring season. If this family has too many people staying here, we can just go to another one.” Du Yutong also agreed with Jiang Shuyue’s decision.
Gao Mu and the coachman from the Du family went to find a farmer to park the car, while Jiang Shuyue led everyone toward Peach Blossom Temple.
After turning a corner, everyone was suddenly greeted by a breathtaking view of peach orchards covering the mountains and fields, a scene straight out of a fairyland.
Pink peach blossoms bloom in profusion, creating a magnificent sea of flowers.
Birds flit by, butterflies dance, a gentle breeze blows, and the fragrance of flowers fills the air.
Looking around, groups of girls who had arrived early were strolling among the peach trees.
Some people stopped to admire the petals, and some girls leaned closer to the petals, greedily inhaling the refreshing fragrance.
Upon entering the peach grove and immersing herself in a sea of flowers, Jiang Shuyue took a deep breath, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
The fragrance of peach blossoms cleansed my whole being, and my mood became relaxed and joyful.
Seeing that no one was around, Zhan Shuzhen happily started twirling around in the peach grove.
"It's so beautiful! I've heard that the scenery of Peach Blossom Temple is magnificent, but seeing it in person is even better."
Du Yutong plucked a peach blossom and tucked it into Zhan Shuzhen's hair, saying, "Sister Zhan, may you share in the joy of the peach blossom."
"What's so auspicious about peach blossoms? Sister Du, don't try to fool me. They'll only attract a swarm of bees and butterflies." Zhan Shuzhen took a peach blossom from her hair and sniffed it.
"Yes, yes, it brings good luck in finding a romantic partner."
"Sister Du, you can't treat people like this."
Du Yutong played a trick on someone and ran away, and Zhan Shuzhen lifted her skirt and chased after her.
Their maids stood there, covering their mouths and chuckling.
Jiang Shuyue let the two of them play around and stood quietly under a peach tree, admiring the flowers.
Qiuju looked around and saw someone walking towards the Peach Blossom Hermitage deep in the peach grove.
She urged, "Miss, there are many people leaving the city today, let's go and settle on a place to stay first."
"Okay, I'll go with you. We'll take more silver from the nuns at the temple later."
Jiang Shuyue sent Du Yutong and Zhan Shuzhen's maids to deliver a message to the two women, instructing them to come directly to the nunnery to find them later. Then, she and Qiuju headed towards the nunnery.
The master and servant walked along the flower-viewing path to the outside of the Peach Blossom Nunnery.
The temple gate was somewhat mottled. Stepping into the courtyard, one could see bees flying around.
"Miss, be careful, there are bees here, be careful not to get stung."
Jiang Shuyue looked up and said, "No, these are domesticated bees; they won't hurt people easily."
The layout of the temple is different from that of ordinary residences. The temple in the middle enshrines a Bodhisattva sitting on a lotus pod. Passing through the main hall, a bluestone-paved path leads to the moon gate in front.
In the middle is a garden, without any exotic flowers or rare plants, but with a few towering trees standing in the garden.
The garden is flanked by independent courtyards.
The women living in the nunnery were all unmarried women who had become nuns for various reasons.
"Miss, there are quite a few people in the peach grove, so why is there so little person in the nunnery?" Qiuju looked around and found the surroundings unusually quiet.
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