Chapter 38 Taoist Temple [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Liu Qinglan's Appearance.
Lian Yue glanced back at the now silent carriage, then turned and started the carriage toward Qingyun Temple.
Qingyun Temple was located on the outskirts of Jinling City. When Liu Shiyu arrived, perhaps due to the approaching Lower Yuan Festival, the area outside the temple was bustling with traffic, and worshippers were coming in droves. As they approached Qingyun Temple, Liu Shiyu called out to the car, "Stop the car!"
He reined in his horse for months.
Liu Shiyu sat by the window, gazing out, her desperate search passing through unfamiliar faces. With each glance, she felt lost and disoriented.
She was really scared.
Liu Shiyu lowered her eyes. She clenched her fists and began to comfort herself, saying that she had been blinded by her own biases and that she had been too suspicious and prone to overthinking.
Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves rang in my ears.
Liu Shiyu looked up, and Xu Luchuan sped past her. Lian Yue watched Xu Luchuan's departing figure, then turned and lifted the cotton curtain, asking, "Your Highness, that's Master Xu. What's he doing here? Did you come to Qingyun Temple to look for him? Should I intercept him?"
"No need."
Liu Shiyu refused, her gaze never leaving the window from the moment she saw Xu Luchuan.
Xu Luchuan reined in his horse outside Qingyun Temple, just as Liu Qinglan's carriage came to a stop. Although Xu Luchuan had never met Liu Qinglan before, even so, Liu Qinglan, who was always the center of attention wherever she went, was certainly much easier to recognize than ordinary people.
Xu Luchuan dismounted and looked around, noticing people whispering to each other beside him.
"Why hasn't Miss Liu arrived yet? I specially changed her into a new dress today."
...
"Yes, she should be here by now. I remember Miss Liu always arrives around this time every month."
...
"Hey, isn't that Liu Qinglan's carriage?"
Xu Luchuan looked in the direction they were pointing and saw a carved carriage parked there smoothly. Two maids lifted the curtain, and a woman in white with a graceful figure stepped out. The woman had fair skin and a beautiful figure, and was exceptionally beautiful, attracting countless admiring glances from those around her.
While everyone was admiring the beauty, Xu Luchuan looked at her gaudy and drafty carriage and shook his head in disgust.
In the dead of winter... isn't she cold?
When Xu Luchuan came to his senses, the young talents who had been whispering to each other were now all eager to try to get closer to Liu Qinglan.
"Miss Liu, I, Zhao, have something to say."
...
"Get out of my way, you rascal. Miss Liu, Miss Liu. Look at me, my family is a famous tea merchant in Jiangnan."
...
"Miss Liu, I'm here too..."
These people rushed forward, but were all turned away by the maids beside Liu Qinglan. Liu Qinglan's eyes remained indifferent throughout, her head held high, never glancing to the side, never taking anyone seriously.
Xu Luchuan was so engrossed in watching these good-for-nothing fellows that he almost forgot about the important matter. Just then, Liu Qinglan walked past him, and he called out to her, "Miss Liu, please wait."
"Who are you? Just because we tell our young lady to stop, does that mean she has to? Go away, go away, go!" The maid beside Liu Qinglan spoke up, but when she saw Xu Luchuan's appearance, she hesitated, "Get out of the way..."
Xu Luchuan was not annoyed. He then cupped his hands and said, "Miss Liu, my name is Xu Luchuan."
Xu Luchuan?
Upon hearing his name, Liu Qinglan hesitated for two seconds before turning her head back.
So this is the husband her father chose for her? The second son of the Taichang family?
Liu Qinglan casually looked Xu Luchuan up and down; he was tall and dignified.
Liu Qinglan seemed fairly satisfied with the husband her father had chosen. However, she ignored Xu Luchuan, gave him a meaningful look, and then turned to continue walking towards Qingyun Temple.
Outside the gate, the people who had been admiring Liu Qinglan dispersed after she stepped into Qingyun Temple.
Xu Luchuan had a different purpose than them; he followed closely behind Liu Qinglan into Qingyun Temple.
Inside the carriage, Liu Shiyu watched as the two entered the temple gate one after the other. Lian Yue stood outside the carriage and asked in a deep voice, "Your Highness, are you alright? Should I go after them and check on you?"
“It’s his freedom, don’t disturb him.” Liu Shiyu slowly lowered the cotton curtain, her mind blank. “Let’s go.”
"Your Highness, where are we going?" Lian Yue asked, and Liu Shiyu replied without hesitation, "Back to the palace."
Lian Yue, somewhat worried, kindly reminded him, "But Your Highness, it's already this late. If you go back to the palace, you might not make it in time to go to Yanhexuan to buy roast duck. Didn't you specially prepare a welcome banquet for your husband tonight? You've been looking forward to this banquet for a long time."
"Return to the palace." Liu Shiyu's mind was made up, and Lian Yue did not try to persuade him further. He then rode away from Qingyun Temple again.
...
Inside Qingyun Temple, Liu Qinglan gave some instructions to the maid beside her.
After the maid agreed, she walked towards Xu Luchuan.
Xu Luchuan nodded as the maid approached. The maid said, "Greetings, sir. Our young lady would like you to wait at Changfeng Pavilion. She will come to meet you after she has finished offering incense to the patriarchs at Sanqing Hall."
"Thank you, young lady." Xu Luchuan nodded, and the maidservant left.
Xu Luchuan went to Changfeng Pavilion alone. Despite the bustling scene outside Qingyun Temple, the temple itself was surprisingly quiet and peaceful.
Xu Luchuan sat under the pavilion, feeling quite content. He was only wondering how Liu Shiyu would greet him after today's business was finished. During their trip to Yongzhou, there were many things between them that remained unsaid, but their relationship was definitely different from before.
Thinking about it this way, Xu Luchuan actually felt a little hopeful.
Xu Luchuan casually pulled out the boxwood comb with mandarin duck patterns that he had specially gone out of his way to buy for Liu Shiyu from his sleeve, and then he was lost in thought.
Liu Qinglan returned from offering incense at the Sanqing Hall and saw Xu Luchuan staring blankly at the comb under the pavilion. She said softly, "Second Young Master has good taste. This boxwood comb is the most fashionable comb in Jinling recently."
Hearing the sound, Xu Luchuan snapped out of his reverie, quickly tucked the comb into his sleeve, and stood up to greet Liu Qinglan: "Miss Liu, you've already offered incense so soon?"
"Yes. When it comes to offering incense, sincerity is key. There's no such thing as fast or slow." Liu Qinglan walked into the pavilion and gestured, "Second Master, please sit down."
After exchanging pleasantries, the two took their seats.
The maidservant who was attending to her wisely went to stand guard outside the pavilion. In early winter, even the warmest sunshine felt cold on the skin. But Liu Qinglan was still dressed in thin clothes, and even with her fair neck exposed, she didn't shiver at all.
Liu Qinglan looked at Xu Luchuan and asked, "My meeting with you, Second Young Master, is no coincidence. May I ask what brings you to Qingyun Temple to see me?"
“Miss Liu, you are indeed intelligent.” Xu Luchuan straightened up and paused. “I have come here today to explain to Miss Liu in person the matter of our two families’ marriage alliance.”
"Explain the marriage arrangement clearly?" Liu Qinglan asked, puzzled.
Xu Luchuan made no attempt to hide his intentions and said directly, "Miss Liu, I will not marry you. But I hope that Miss Liu can find a better husband than I am."
Liu Qinglan was surprised by Xu Luchuan's refusal to marry her.
Liu Qinglan, who had always refused to marry others, never imagined that one day someone would refuse her marriage proposal.
For someone who always held himself in high esteem, the taste of this was ultimately somewhat cruel. Yet Liu Qinglan still feigned composure and slowly asked, "Did Second Master Yuan come all this way specifically to refuse the marriage?"
"But why is Second Master refusing the marriage? Is it because he is not satisfied with Qinglan?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan explained, "Miss Liu is naturally impeccable; it's my own fault. It has nothing to do with Miss Liu."
For some reason, Liu Qinglan sneered. But her laugh was as indifferent as she was. She spoke, "I understand what you mean, Second Master. If there's nothing else, please leave."
Xu Luchuan stood up. "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell."
Xu Luchuan stepped out of Changfeng Pavilion, and Liu Qinglan followed suit.
Standing beneath the pavilion, Liu Qinglan gazed silently at Xu Luchuan's departing figure. Seeing this, her maidservant approached and asked, "That second son of the Xu family is truly ungrateful, daring to refuse Miss's marriage proposal. If Master finds out, he'll surely cause a huge scene with the Xu family to avenge Miss!"
"Stupid." Liu Qinglan looked at the maid beside her with a sharp gaze. "Do you think the Xu family is a nobody? Do you think my father is a scoundrel? Go back and receive your punishment. If you continue to speak so recklessly, I will sell you off."
"I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong. I am willing to accept punishment, please, Miss, do not sell me."
The maid's gossip angered Liu Qinglan, which was entirely her own fault for bringing trouble upon herself. Dansha, who had served Liu Qinglan for many years, saw this and advised, "Miss, please calm down. She's quite capable. Think about how many female slaves you've sold in the past six months. If you sell them again, we don't know how we'll manage to bribe the dealers."
"For the sake of your reputation, please bear with it."
Dansha spoke frankly, and although Liu Qinglan was displeased, she did not refute him. After waving away the maid who had just left, Dansha continued, "What are your plans regarding this marriage with the Xu family, Miss? Should we reject him first? Or should we fight to the death with this Xu Erlang?"
"Putting everything else aside, this Xu Erlang is quite handsome. He's far superior to those scoundrels who dream of marrying a swan."
Upon hearing this, Liu Qinglan glanced back at Dansha and said calmly, "He chased me all the way here but still refused the marriage. Does that mean I'm really going to make him marry me?"
"But this Xu Erlang is really interesting..."
After Liu Qinglan finished speaking, she smiled slightly. Dansha smiled back and then remained silent.
...
After leaving Qingyun Temple, Xu Luchuan never returned to the Court of Justice.
He rode his horse into Jinling City, heading towards the market on Shanghua Street. He had been in too much of a rush when buying the hair comb earlier. Now, Xu Luchuan wanted to calmly buy some things for Liu Shiyu.
He stayed on Shanghua Street for a full hour before he finally bought everything he wanted.
Once again, Xu Luchuan spurred his horse and galloped towards the princess's residence, which he had longed for.
Upon arriving at the tavern, Baichuan and Guihai were still standing guard at the counter, as usual.
Xu Luchuan walked by and tossed a bag of walnuts to them without saying a word. The two men thanked him. Xu Luchuan waved his hand and walked smoothly through the secret passage into the princess's residence.
But when Xu Luchuan hurried to the central courtyard, he found that Liu Shiyu was not there.
Feng Rong heard the commotion from the front yard and came to investigate. Seeing Xu Luchuan from afar, she greeted him warmly, "Young Master Xu!"
"When did you arrive, my lord? Is your injury fully healed?"
"You said you were coming, why did you bring so much stuff? Quickly, put it down."
Xu Luchuan didn't hear a single one of Feng Rong's series of questions. After putting the things in Xiaoyuezhai, he asked, "Where is Liu Shiyu?"
Feng Rong helped Xu Luchuan set out his things, then turned to him and replied, "His Highness isn't here. Perhaps he's busy with official duties and hasn't finished work yet. But it looks like it's almost time, so he should be heading back."
"Then I'll wait for her here." Xu Luchuan said, then walked out of Xiaoyuezhai and towards the couch.
Seeing this, Feng Rong poured Xu Luchuan a pot of tea and served it to him, saying, "Young Master Xu, your tea is ready. Please make yourself at home. I'll go and attend to my business now. Just let me know if you need anything."
Xu Luchuan nodded, and Feng Rong then left.
With no one around, Xu Luchuan sat quietly on the tatami mat filled with memories, waiting for Liu Shiyu to come home from work.
[Author's Note]
Xu Luchuan (obediently) waited for his wife to come home from get off work...
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