In mid-April, Chen Yuancheng and his sister came to her home, wanting to invite her and the Zuo siblings to go to Liangshan Temple in the mountains to the south to pray for blessings.
Xiao Yunying served them tea: "Going to the temple to pray for blessings?"
Chen Yuanyao took the cup: "I know Sister Yunying doesn't believe in gods and Buddhas. We're mainly going there to travel. There's a large area of peach and apricot blossoms behind Liangshan Temple, and they're in full bloom right now. Plus, the vegetarian food at the temple is delicious. Let's go and try it together."
Xiao Yunying sat down and asked, "Is Liangshan Temple far away? Do we have to climb the mountain?"
"It's alright. We can take a horse-drawn carriage to the temple gate. We just need to climb eighty-one steps. It will take about two hours from here."
"That's alright, otherwise I'm afraid I won't be able to make it up with Xin'er in tow."
She glanced at Chen Yuancheng: "Are you going too?"
Chen Yuancheng said, "I'm going to listen to the abbot's sermon at the temple, not to admire the flowers on the back mountain, so there's no need to worry."
"Okay."
As long as he doesn't come into contact with pollen, he'll be fine.
Chen Yuanyao said happily, "Then it's settled. Sister Yunying, come into the city with us this afternoon and stay at my house for one night. We'll set off early tomorrow morning and stay on the mountain for another night. It will probably take two days to get back."
Xiao Yunying thought for a moment and asked Luo Sheng, "Would you like to come with me to see the scenery?"
"Me?" Luo Sheng was taken aback when she heard her ask him that question.
To be honest, he didn't have a deep relationship with either the Chen siblings or the Zuo siblings. He only treated them with courtesy out of respect for Yun Ying, and he supposes that's what they thought too.
Luo Sheng hesitated, which was uncharacteristic of him. If he went with them, would they be too reserved and not have enough fun?
If they don't have enough fun, will their wives regret bringing them along?
He didn't want to spoil his wife's mood.
Seeing that he hadn't answered for a long time, Xiao Yunying asked, "What's wrong? Do you have something to do tomorrow or the day after?"
"No, not at all..."
"Then let's go together. You've been back for so long and haven't seen the beautiful scenery around Donglin City yet, have you? Consider it keeping me and Xin'er company."
In Xiao Yunying's mind, although Luo Sheng looked calm and composed, he was just a young man in his early twenties who had suffered a lot at the border since childhood. Now that he was free, he naturally wanted to enjoy life.
Since his wife had said so, Luo Sheng naturally had no reason to refuse.
"good."
Xiao Yunying then said to Chen Yuanyao, "Then I won't go into the city with you today. Let's set off early tomorrow and meet up in the city."
Chen Yuanyao glanced at her brother and said, "Okay, then we'll wait for you at Huiweilou."
The Chen siblings left after lunch. That evening, Xiao Yunying told Luo Chen and the others about their plan to go to Liangshan Temple to pray for blessings the next day.
"Do you want to come along? If you do, I'll have Luo Sheng ask your teacher for leave."
Luo Chen gripped his chopsticks tightly nervously: "You're going to Liangshan Temple?"
"Yes, I heard that the scenery behind the temple is very beautiful, and there is a peach blossom forest in full bloom. I was thinking of taking Xin'er there to play."
"Mother...you can't go to the temple."
Xiao Yunying asked in confusion, "Why?"
Luo Chen quickly thought of a reason: "Peach blossoms... there are plenty on the mountains near our village. If Mother wants to see them... Father can go and pick them to put in a vase."
"That's so boring." Xiao Yunying seemed to guess his thoughts from the expression on her eldest son's face: "The main thing is to take Xin'er out to play. She'll have a better experience if she goes by herself."
"Then let Aunt Yunwan take Xin'er there. Mother should stay home and not go..."
"Alright." Xiao Yunying said with a hint of helplessness, "Put away those strange ideas in your head. I'm just taking Xin'er out to play. Besides, your father is with us. Nothing will happen."
This child probably still thinks he's a monster, and doesn't realize what he did that's different from ordinary people, causing him to keep misunderstanding.
Luo Chen was still a little worried: "Then..."
Luo Yang quickly replied, "If you're having fun, then we won't go. The teacher said the other day that next month is the annual examination for those who pass the imperial examinations twice in three years, and we want to memorize more books."
Xiao Yunying said in surprise, "You're going to take the imperial examination for children? So early."
The three children are only around ten years old, and have only been in formal school for a little over a year, so it's a bit early.
“We want to give it a try,” Luo Yang said. “It was also the teacher’s suggestion. Even if we don’t pass the exam, we can still gain experience and try harder next time.”
"Okay, you guys have a good attitude. Give it a try. There's no limit to the number of times you can take it. If you don't pass this time, you can try again next time. Don't put too much pressure on yourselves."
"We know."
After dinner, Xiao Yunying specially made some pastries and snacks to eat on the road the next day.
The next morning, Xiao Yunying got up early, ate breakfast, and went into town with the children.
They gathered at the entrance of Huiweilou, discussed briefly, and then took two carriages. The large carriage prepared by the Chen family was given to the girls and children, while Chen Yuancheng, Luo Sheng, and Zuo Ningyuan rode in Xiao Yunying's carriage.
The girls chatted and laughed all the way, having a great time, while the carriage carrying the three men remained completely silent, as if no one was riding in it.
Zuo Ningyuan glanced at Chen Yuancheng, who was resting with his eyes closed to the left, and then at Luo Sheng, who was expressionless opposite him, and regretted getting into the carriage earlier.
If he had known the atmosphere here would be so oppressive, he would have preferred to sit in another carriage and keep the driver company.
Bored, he could only eat the snacks that Xiao Yunying had brought for them, piece by piece.
Seeing his behavior, Luo Sheng felt that he should show some concern for his wife's younger brother.
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