Qian's overtures acted as a weather vane, instantly stirring up the atmosphere in the mansion. Thinking about how she could easily find excuses to manipulate Qian Zhiqing in the future, Shi Lan was so happy that she even ate a few more bites of food.
Zhu Yi noticed her change and tried to win her over by flattering her. One evening, he ordered Xingbi to find Shi Lan the most inconspicuous clothes. After she put them on, he mysteriously took her out.
Shi Lan was curious, but seeing that he seemed to be about to surprise her, she smiled and let him lead the way.
Just as they turned the corner of the covered walkway and were about to exit through the second gate, they heard someone call out from behind, "Cousin."
Zhu Yi paused for a moment, then continued forward without stopping.
Instead, Shi Lan stopped and turned to look.
In the dim light and under the brilliant sunset, Qian Zhiqing walked slowly in a moon-white dress.
Shi Lan clicked her tongue lightly. No wonder the old saying goes, "If you want to look good, wear mourning clothes."
Qian Zhiqing's appearance was merely delicate and pretty, not particularly eye-catching in a crowd. But after putting on this outfit, her temperament changed instantly. Her originally gentle and graceful demeanor suddenly gained a touch of aloofness and a hint of haughtiness.
In addition, Qian Zhiqing's current frail and sickly appearance gives her a touch of the beauty of Xi Shi holding her heart.
"Cousin, please wait a moment," Qian Zhiqing said, seeing that Zhu Yi ignored her and was about to pull Shi Lan out of the second gate. She quickly helped Lan Qiu walk a few steps.
Hearing the person behind him walk quickly in, Zhu Yi frowned, turned around, and asked, "Cousin, is something the matter?"
Qian Zhiqing approached, took a moment to catch her breath, and then revealed a faint smile. "I heard that the Taoist temple in the west of the city is holding a religious ceremony. I'd like to pray for good fortune for my grandparents. I wonder if my cousin could give me a ride?"
Zhu Yi curled his lips and said, "It's a bit late to go there for the ritual now. How about I have the steward send you there tomorrow?"
"Thank you, cousin. But the fasting ritual is all about timing and location. Zhiqing started fasting last night. If it's too late, it might not be good." Qian Zhiqing already knew that things were different now. Zhu Yi no longer had the patience he used to have for her. After speaking, she didn't look at him, but instead glanced at Shi Lan's attire and said, "Why is my cousin-in-law dressed like this?"
Shi Lan knew from the moment she saw her that she would definitely follow along, so she didn't respond to her at all and just watched how she would continue her act.
Qian Zhiqing, who was singing opera, obviously didn't expect her to answer, and continued to say to herself, "That's right, there's a temple fair in front of the Taoist temple. Cousin and his wife are dressed like that, so they're going there to join in the fun, right?"
After saying that, she covered her mouth with her hand and laughed, "So we're on the same path now."
Zhu Yi had rejected the idea from the beginning, but she acted as if she hadn't heard him at all, and went on to finish her sentence, eventually finalizing the itinerary.
Zhu Yi was incredibly annoyed by her talking to herself. Why was it so difficult for him to have a sweet time alone with her?
Shi Lan raised an eyebrow and met Qian Zhiqing's gaze.
Qian Zhiqing's lips curled slightly, her eyes clearly saying, "I knew you wouldn't dare bring me along."
Shi Lan slowly grinned. Although she didn't know where Zhu Yi was going to take her, she wasn't afraid now that Zhu Yi had made her move.
"Since my cousin is going the same way as us, why don't we take her along?"
Zhu Yi frowned, gave a wink to the side, and immediately a servant ran to the back.
Soon after, Zhi Cui and Dan Cai arrived.
The master and servants got into the carriage, which swayed and wobbled as it left the Marquis's residence.
After driving around most of the city, the car finally stopped.
After getting off the car, Shi Lan didn't even glance at Qian Zhiqing, with whom she had no common ground. Zhu Yi instructed the driver to accompany Qian Zhiqing to help with the religious ceremony, and then pulled Shi Lan into the crowd.
Qian Zhiqing stood there, coldly staring at the backs of the group, before finally letting out a cold laugh.
Seeing her like this, Lanqiu couldn't help but say, "Miss, why are you doing this to yourself?"
Qian Zhiqing glanced at her impatiently and said coldly, "Have you done everything you were told to do?"
Lan Qiu shivered at her icy gaze and nodded, shrinking her neck.
Qian Zhiqing knew that Lan Qiu was afraid of her, but so what? These were nothing but ants. She had endured it all for the sake of her image, but now her body was almost completely decayed. That fool Qian Shi not only couldn't help, but also emboldened that stubborn man. Seeing that her influence over Zhu Yi was getting weaker and weaker, if she didn't act now, she would have no chance later.
Thinking about the plans ahead, Qian Zhiqing smiled, looking forward to the upcoming show.
Qian Zhiqing straightened her clothes, glanced at the bustling crowd, and followed the path to the side into the noisy Taoist temple.
At this moment, Shi Lan and Zhu Yi, who were also squeezed into the crowd, were watching cockfighting. Two proud roosters with their wings spread and red combs standing upright, their eyes red, were fighting each other. Before long, the whole place was filled with chicken feathers.
After passing the cockfighting arena, we went to watch sumo wrestling and rope skipping. Finally, when we got tired, we found a tent, got some rock sugar and cold water to quench our thirst, and bought some sweets such as bean cakes and lychee cakes.
After finishing their meal and drinks, the two studied Taoist arts for a while.
It was already completely dark by then. Shi Lan was worried about what kind of trouble Qian Zhiqing might cause, so she decided to go back as soon as possible.
Although Zhu Xian didn't like Qian Zhiqing very much anymore, they still had a long-standing relationship and he couldn't just give up on her immediately. Hearing Shi Lan say this, he didn't object, and the group returned to where the carriage was parked.
The driver was waiting by the carriage. Upon seeing the group, he quickly went up to Zhu Yi and reported the expenses incurred at the Taoist temple.
Zhu Yi nodded and helped Shi Lan into the car.
Upon entering the carriage, Qian Zhiqing smiled slightly at her, "The temple fair here is the most lively in Kyoto. I wonder if my cousin-in-law had a good time?"
Shi Lan sat down and said calmly, "Happiness is a matter of personal taste. If you're with people you like and there's no one you find repulsive standing in front of you, you'll naturally be very happy."
Qian Zhiqing's expression stiffened slightly for a moment, then she raised her fair wrist and poured Shi Lan a cup of tea as if nothing had happened.
"Sister-in-law, you must be thirsty after playing for so long. Have some tea to quench your thirst."
Shi Lan pursed her lips and didn't take it.
Being verbally abused to her face without acting like nothing happened was not Qian Zhiqing's style. Shi Lan was even more certain that she had a backup plan.
Qian Zhiqing held up the teacup for a while, but seeing that Shi Lan didn't take it, she simply picked up the teacup and slowly drank from it.
She sipped her tea all the way to the entrance of the Marquis's mansion.
After getting off the carriage, he saw the steward of the Marquis's residence waiting at the door, saying that the Marquis had something to discuss with the heir.
Zhu Yi turned to look at Shi Lan, told her he would be there in a moment, and then left with the steward.
Qian Zhiqing stared at Zhu Yi's back and stepped forward.
Shi Lan became secretly wary.
After entering the second gate, Shi Lan turned directly onto the covered walkway, preparing to return to Beining Garden.
Qian Zhiqing stood by the stone-paved road and chuckled softly, "Cousin-in-law avoids me like the plague, is she afraid of me?"
Shi Lan paused, turned around, and said with a contemptuous expression, "There are many things I'm afraid of, but that doesn't include mangy dogs, especially the kind that cling to other women's men."
Qian Zhiqing's face turned pale instantly. After a while, she let out a cold laugh and turned away.
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