Chapter 541 Offering Incense
Seeing that Qiao Qinghe had been staring at the post without saying a word for a long time, A Shuang asked curiously, "Madam, do you not want to go? Why don't you send someone to refuse the Yongchang Marquis's residence?"
Qiao Qinghe closed the invitation and shook her head. "What's meant to happen will happen eventually. After returning from Princess Huaiyang's housewarming banquet, Madam Wen had already given me a message through Qiao Ning. I was prepared."
"But seeing the post clearly stating that I should bring Qiao Ning along, I still feel a bit uneasy."
He sighed and said helplessly, "Fine, have someone write a reply saying I agree. Send someone to prepare for the trip."
Ah Shuang nodded in agreement, and then suggested, "Why doesn't the old lady take Miss Biao along?"
Qiao Qinghe thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright. Send someone to Princess Huaiyang's residence to inform her."
A few days after Qiao Yuanyao returned from Li Sanqi's housewarming banquet, Li Sanqi took her to Princess Huaiyang's residence.
Originally, Li Sanqi wanted Qiao Yuanyao to be her lady-in-waiting. However, after much consideration, Qiao Yuanyao still refused.
Finally, she moved into the princess's residence under the guise of a female teacher instructing her in painting techniques.
Sending someone to inform Qiao Yuanyao to go to the invitation now must be done with Li Sanqi's approval.
The Yongchang Marquis's Mansion was the maternal family of Li Sanqi, and Madam Wen was Li Sanqi's maternal grandmother.
Given Li Sanqi's love of joining in the fun, he might go along sometime.
With Li Sanqi around, Qiao Qinghe felt more confident, no matter what Madam Wen was planning.
As Qiao Qinghe had predicted, the messenger who went to the princess's residence returned with a message saying that Princess Huaiyang would bring Qiao Yuanyao to meet them outside the city.
On the day of offering incense, Qiao Qinghe took Qiao Ning in the Qiao family's carriage and headed straight for the outskirts of the city.
Once she left the city, the carriage from the Yongchang Marquis's residence was already waiting outside.
Qiao Qinghe lifted the carriage curtain and greeted Madam Wen, who had also lifted her curtain, with a smile: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Madam."
Madam Wen waved her hand dismissively, "It's alright, we just arrived. Since we've met, let's go now. It'll take another hour to get to Fahua Temple."
Qiao Qinghe quickly spoke up to stop her, "Please wait a moment, Madam. Princess Huaiyang is also going; she should be on her way out of the city by now."
Lady Wen was taken aback, then exclaimed in surprise, "Princess Huaiyang is going too? You invited her?"
Qiao Qinghe explained apologetically, "It's just a coincidence."
So he told her that he had planned to take Qiao Yuanyao with him, which had attracted Li Sanqi's attention, and that Li Sanqi wanted to go along too.
"I hope the Dowager will not be angry. Princess Huaiyang is a person who likes to join in the fun and prefers to hang out with us old ladies. As soon as she heard that you invited me to offer incense at Fahua Temple, she said she wanted to come too. I couldn't refuse."
Madam Wen waved her hand, "No need for so much explanation. I am Huaiyang's maternal grandmother. I'm overjoyed that she can go."
Seeing that Madam Wen's attitude was sincere and not feigned, Qiao Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief.
As the two were talking, a magnificent and luxurious carriage drove out of the city, followed by a squad of armored guards.
Qiao Qinghe twitched her lips. When did Li Sanqi start to be so particular about pomp and circumstance?
The carriage stopped in front of the two families' carriages. Li Sanqi lifted the curtain and waved to them, "Grandmother, Madam, let's talk again when we get to Fahua Temple."
After saying that, he lowered the carriage curtain and left first.
The carriage of the Marquis of Yongchang followed closely behind, with Qiao Qinghe lagging behind.
They remained silent the entire way.
An hour later, several carriages stopped at the foot of the mountain. Young monks from the temple were already waiting for them at the entrance to the mountain path.
When Qiao Qinghe alighted from the carriage, Li Sanqi had already instructed the guards to prepare three palanquins, which were lined up in a row at the intersection.
Qiao Qinghe led Qiao Ning forward.
Qiao Yuanyao stood behind Li Sanqi.
A young man followed behind Madam Wen.
After the three parties exchanged greetings according to custom, Li Sanqi said, "I have specially arranged for a palanquin to be prepared. Would Grandmother and Madam like to ride in the palanquin up the mountain?"
Madam Wen smiled and grasped Li Sanqi's hand, "You've thought of everything so thoughtfully. It's just that my old arms and legs are having a hard time climbing up here. I'll take the easy way out and appreciate your kindness."
Qiao Qinghe thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Then thank you very much, Princess."
The palanquin was carried by three people, and everyone assumed that the two old ladies each carried one, so the last one must belong to Li Sanqi.
But to everyone's surprise, after arranging for the two of them, Li Sanqi turned to the young man following behind Madam Wen and said, "Uncle, I prepared the last palanquin for you. You won't refuse to give me face, will you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes fell on the young man.
Qiao Qinghe had found it strange before, as Madam Wen had never introduced the young man's identity. If he was her grandson, he seemed too old. If he was her son, he seemed too young.
He looked to be in his late twenties and had a handsome appearance, but he was too quiet and seemed a bit naive.
Qiao Qinghe thought he was a relative of the Marquis of Yongchang's family, but she didn't expect that he was actually the youngest son of Madam Wen.
But why hadn't she heard that Madam Wen had given birth to a younger son?
Moreover, what kind of palanquin would a young man ride in?
Qiao Qinghe was filled with doubt.
Just then, the young man said in a calm and collected tone, "We shall respectfully comply."
He actually agreed.
Perhaps because the astonishment on Qiao Qinghe's face was too obvious, Madam Wen leaned closer to her and whispered, "This child has some difficulty walking."
Qiao Qinghe nodded.
Sure enough, when the young man boarded the palanquin, Qiao Qinghe noticed that he had legs of different lengths, walking with one leg higher than the other.
Perhaps sensing Qiao Qinghe's undisguisedly probing gaze, the man looked in her direction.
Qiao Qinghe neither dodged nor avoided him, but nodded in acknowledgment. The man also nodded slightly and boarded the palanquin.
Qiao Qinghe withdrew her gaze and boarded the palanquin.
After the three of them were seated, the guards carried the palanquin up the mountain.
Li Sanqi, holding Qiao Yuanyao's hand, followed behind the palanquin with Qiao Ning on foot.
Soon, the group arrived at the entrance of Fahua Temple, located halfway up the mountain.
After disembarking from the palanquin, the abbot and a group of monks waited respectfully at his side.
After exchanging greetings, the group was led into the main hall, where they offered incense, worshipped Buddha, and donated money for incense oil.
Afterwards, a young novice monk led everyone on a tour of the temple.
When Madam Wen said she was tired, everyone was led to the back room to rest.
"Please rest for a while, everyone. The temple has prepared a vegetarian meal for you, which will be delivered later."
The young novice monk bowed and withdrew.
Madam Wen then took Qiao Qinghe's hand and said with a smile, "Let's talk."
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