The servant boy who came to deliver the message scratched his head, unable to answer.
Song Jiyun, however, believed that Yuan Yunzhong wouldn’t say such things without reason.
She had dinner with Madam Qian and then went to Yuan Yunzhong’s place.
To her surprise, Yuan Yunzhong was not there.
Shao Qing told her somewhat awkwardly, "The young master had been waiting for you all along. When he heard that you went to your mother’s place first, he stepped out."
Song Jiyun smiled as she accepted the tea Shao Qing had poured and sat under the eaves on a beauty’s recliner. She asked, "Then when will he be back?"
Shao Qing replied, "I’m not sure."
After speaking, he suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "So are you going to Gratitude Temple or The Eight Immortals Nunnery tomorrow?"
"Of course, we’re going to The Eight Immortals Nunnery," Song Jiyun said, giving him a curious glance.
Young Master Yuan’s information... was quite informed!
Then Song Jiyun saw Shao Qing laugh in relief, cheerfully saying, "Miss Song, I’ve discovered that your family’s cook is really skilled. I just mentioned the kind of roasted pigeon I wanted, and she almost got it right. It’s a pity that you are going to the nunnery tomorrow, otherwise you could try it."
Song Jiyun grew curious. Had he been spending his days mingling with their family’s plump kitchen maid?
"What kind of roasted pigeon?" she asked.
"The kind I had in Guangzhou," Shao Qing said, saliva almost dripping as he spoke, "with a layer of honey glaze on the outside, sweet and crispy skin, yet the meat is savory and delicious. When you come back from The Eight Immortals Nunnery, I will ask the cook to make it again."
After chatting idly for a few moments, Song Jiyun, seeing that Yuan Yunzhong wasn’t going to return and having to go to The Eight Immortals Nunnery the next day, decided to head back first.
However, what she didn’t know was that as soon as she left, Shao Qing hurriedly entered the neighboring study with its open screens, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said to Yuan Yunzhong in haste, "Young master, you’ve gone too far! After all, we are living in the Song Family’s house, and you refuse to see anyone without saying a word. What if Miss Song had walked in?"
Yuan Yunzhong was bent over writing something at his desk. Hearing Shao Qing, he looked up at him and said indifferently, "Aren’t we going to The Eight Immortals Nunnery tomorrow?"
Shao Qing, upon hearing this, deflated like a punctured ball, helplessly saying, "I give up!"
A light smile curled the corners of Yuan Yunzhong’s mouth.
But Shao Qing still couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, "What kind of temper is this? It wasn’t wrong for Miss Song to visit her mother first upon her return. And you, acting all mysterious and not wanting to see Miss Song! Fortunately, she has a good temper and decided to go to The Eight Immortals Nunnery without a word, or who knows what trouble it could have caused?"
With sharp eyes and keen ears, Yuan Yunzhong gave him a steady look.
He quickly pretended not to see and left the study, "I’ll go get ready. I’ll accompany you to The Eight Immortals Nunnery tomorrow."
*
Song Jiyun had been busy for over a dozen days and finally had the chance to return home. As soon as she lay down in the bed she had slept in since childhood, she fell asleep and the next day was awakened only by Xiang Zhan’s prodding, "Miss, if you don’t get up soon, you’ll be late!"
She sat up with a start, feeling groggy for a moment before she came to her senses while resting on the bed.
After washing up and having breakfast, she got dressed and went to Madam Qian’s place.
Song Jiyu and Song Jixue had already arrived, and were chatting with Madam Qian. Seeing her eldest sister, Song Jixue ran over excitedly, clinging to her arm and exclaiming, "Eldest sister, are we really going out for a hike? Won’t it delay your work? I heard from someone at home that Song Tao is competing with our family’s recipe against you," she said indignantly, "When I grow up, I’ll help you make ceramics."
Show Jiyu was gentle and shy by nature. Though happy about going out, she just had sparkling eyes and walked over to Song Jiyun, embarrassed. When she heard Song Jixue say this, she stopped her, "Eldest sister is already so busy, don’t cause her trouble. These days, we’ve been learning to paint with Master Wang."
The last part was addressed to Song Jiyun.
Song Jiyun was somewhat surprised.
Having been reborn with the memories of her previous life, she never cooperated in anything as a child, which in the eyes of others likely made her a "bear child".
Her father, seeing her unwilling to learn painting with him, once engaged Master Wang to teach her for a while.
Song Jiyu and Song Jixue were more "obedient" and were personally enlightened and taught by their father.
Upon hearing this, Song Jixue explained, "I made a deal with the second sister; when we grow up, we’ll both help you."
Madam Qian also said, "Your father always hoped that you could have a skill to rely on, so that no matter what happens, you will be able to fend for yourselves."
Song Jiyun put his arm around Song Jiyu’s shoulder, smiled, and said to Madam Qian and Song Jixue, "Then I’ll be waiting for the day you both become skilled. We’ll work together to expand and strengthen the Song Family Kiln Factory that Dad left behind."
Song Jixue clenched her little fists.
Everyone laughed.
Song Jiyun sighed with relief.
They would all gradually recover from the sadness of losing Song Youliang. That was good.
While the family chatted and laughed, Yuan Yunzhong and Shao Qing came over.
Song Jiyun thought that Yuan Yunzhong, dressed in a white fine cloth Taoist robe, seemed even more handsome than she remembered.
She greeted Yuan Yunzhong with a beaming smile.
Song Jixue even whispered to Song Jiyu, "Brother-in-law is so pretty!"
But the child had no sense of propriety, and everyone heard.
They all laughed again.
However, Yuan Yunzhong remained unmoved.
Song Jiyun raised an eyebrow, and while everyone was boarding the horse carriage, she said to Yuan Yunzhong, "You can’t be magnanimous over a girl’s careless words?"
She also warned him, "We’re going out to have fun today, everyone is in high spirits, don’t be a killjoy!"
Yuan Yunzhong glanced at her sideways and didn’t speak, but his expression softened considerably.
When they arrived at The Eight Immortals Nunnery, as expected, there weren’t many people there.
The abbess of The Eight Immortals Nunnery was very enthusiastic upon seeing them. She arranged a vegetarian feast personally and accompanied Madam Qian on a tour of the temple.
Following Madam Qian, Song Jiyun listened to the soughing of the wind through the bamboo grove, inhaled the fresh scent of bamboo leaves, and gazed upon the lush greenery, feeling as if she had been cleansed inside and out.
So when the abbess began to spin tales to solicit donations from Madam Qian after the vegetarian meal, Song Jiyun let it be and did not intervene.
It was Yuan Yunzhong who looked at her with a ’you just don’t get it’ expression several times.
Song Jiyun was puzzled.
From her understanding, Yuan Yunzhong was not someone who fretted over such trivial matters.
She leaned in and asked him in a low voice, "What’s wrong?"
Yuan Yunzhong looked as if he would be exhausted by another word with her.
He pointed towards the main hall of The Eight Immortals Nunnery.
Song Jiyun didn’t understand.
The Eight Immortals Nunnery was frequented by women and worshipped Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Goddess of Mercy associated with fertility, unlike other temples that worshipped Sakyamuni.
What did this have to do with what he wanted to say?
Yuan Yunzhong shot her a disdainful look and went straight toward the main hall of The Eight Immortals Nunnery.
Song Jiyun immediately followed him.
Guanyin Bodhisattva’s statue was dignified and serene, her hand holding the pure bottle was full and gracefully beautiful.
Song Jiyun looked left and right, still not understanding what Yuan Yunzhong intended to do.
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