Dafu Temple was situated on Luoxia Mountain at the western edge of the city.

Luoxia Mountain was covered entirely with maple trees. Every autumn, the maple leaves turned red like sunset clouds, stretching endlessly as far as the eye could see – hence the mountain’s name, “Falling Sunset.”

The Dafu Temple in the morning light was awakened by long, resonant bell sounds, preparing to welcome the throngs of pilgrims who would soon arrive.

Today’s devout men and women were the most distinguished group in the capital.

On this eighth day of the fourth month, Dafu Temple only received official families and imperial nobles. After this would come a temple fair lasting half a month, open to everyone.

When the Li family group arrived, the foot of Luoxia Mountain was already filled with carriages. Old Madam Jiang got out of her carriage and led everyone up the stone steps on foot.

It was the season when flowers bloomed most vibrantly. Along both sides of the mountain path, trees were green and flowers red, colorful and magnificent. Pilgrims in groups of two or three wound from the foot of the mountain to the summit in an unending stream.

Immersed in this scene, the rich festive atmosphere was overwhelming. The several young ladies from the Li residence excitedly yet reservedly glanced around quietly, just like all the well-bred young ladies climbing the mountain at this time.

Li Jiǎo walked beside Li Jiāo, asking in a low voice: “Second Sister, do your feet still hurt?”

A flash of displeasure quickly crossed Li Jiāo’s eyes.

What a way to bring up exactly what shouldn’t be mentioned!

However, the concern on Li Jiǎo’s face seemed genuine. Thinking of Grandmother’s recent admonishments, Li Jiāo curved her lips into an elegant arc and replied with a smile: “Thank you for your concern, Elder Sister. Though they still hurt somewhat, today is Buddha’s birthday, and to pray to Buddha for our family members’ blessings, I must come.”

Li Jiǎo listened with a smile on her face while finding it amusing in her heart.

It was really hard on Second Sister, having a flamboyant and fiery nature, yet being constrained by the County Lady to learn the mannerisms of a noble family’s daughter. The result? She could put on an act on ordinary days, but whenever something happened, her true nature showed through – trying to paint a tiger but ending up with a dog.

Unaware of Li Jiāo’s thoughts, Li Jiǎo remembered her help that day. Although neither of them had benefited in the end, she still needed to show some appreciation out of courtesy and asked with concern: “After we returned that day, Elder Sister, were you alright?”

“That day—” Li Jiǎo lowered her eyes, her voice showing some dejection amid its length, “I kowtowed to Grandmother and the others to beg forgiveness. Fortunately, Grandmother was magnanimous and didn’t hold it against me. But Second Sister needn’t worry about me – I’ve grown accustomed to it over all these years. It’s nothing.”

Hearing Li Jiǎo say this, Li Jiāo suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed.

Among the several young ladies in the West Residence, she looked down on Li San the most, while this cousin made her dare not slacken, fearing that if she relaxed her standards even slightly, she would be surpassed. But ultimately, this cousin had lost her mother at a young age and had to be sisters with someone like Li San – she was also pitiable.

Li Jiāo’s heart softened. She reached out to grasp Li Jiǎo’s hand and promised, “Elder Sister, don’t worry. Someday, I will teach Li San a severe lesson and vindicate you!”

Li Jiǎo kept her eyes lowered, her gaze falling on that white and tender hand, feeling revulsion in her heart.

Vindicate her? That day, she had been an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. If Li Jiāo hadn’t been so stupid, and if she hadn’t happened to be there and gotten involved, how would she have ended up in such an impossible position?

Though Li Jiǎo thought this, her expression remained unchanged as she gently squeezed Li Jiāo’s hand: “I’m very grateful for Second Sister’s sentiment, but these past days I’ve been observing coldly – Third Sister has become quite different from before. We should avoid provoking her, lest—”

Li Jiāo snorted coldly, interrupting Li Jiǎo: “What is Elder Sister afraid of? That day, she just had dog-shit luck. Just wait and see in the future!”

Li Jiǎo neither agreed nor contradicted, only smiled.

At this moment, a young girl’s cheerful voice came from behind: “Cousin Jiao—”

Li Jiǎo and Li Jiāo both turned around.

A girl in a green jacket was waving at Li Jiǎo from a distance.

Li Jiǎo stopped walking.

“Miss Du from the Earl of Guchang’s residence?” Li Jiāo asked neither warmly nor coldly.

“It’s her.” Li Jiǎo had already descended the steps to meet her, grasping hands with the girl in green. “Cousin Feixue, I was just wondering if we might run into each other at the temple. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

This girl in the green jacket was Li Jiǎo’s maternal cousin, Du Feixue.

Du Feiyang and Du Feixue were the legitimate son and daughter of the Earl of Guchang, a pair of dragon and phoenix twins who had been very close to Li Jiǎo since childhood.

“Where is Cousin Feiyang?”

“Brother went to the Marquis of Taining’s residence to find Cousin Zhu.”

“You mean Young Master Zhu?” Li Jiǎo couldn’t help feeling envious.

The Marquis of Taining’s residence was an even more noble household than her maternal grandfather’s Earl of Guchang residence. She had once met that Young Master Zhu – he was truly gentle as jade.

Li Jiǎo discreetly observed Du Feixue.

Today, Du Feixue wore a scallion-green jacket made of precious jade-water gauze with exquisite craftsmanship. Unfortunately, her skin was slightly dark, so the garment didn’t flatter her.

Li Jiǎo felt bitter in her heart.

In terms of appearance and talent, she surpassed her cousin in every way, yet just because she had lost her mother, she was excluded from the circle of noble ladies that her cousin belonged to. On ordinary days, she had to rely on that picky and harsh Old Madam from the East Residence to attend some gatherings.

The affairs of this world were truly unfair.

“Of course it’s Young Master Zhu – who else could it be?” When mentioning her cousin Zhu Yàn, Du Feixue’s eyes lit up, and even her slightly dark complexion gained radiance.

She didn’t want to discuss her beloved with other young ladies, not even her cousin, so she changed the subject: “Cousin Jiao, I heard that Third Miss from your residence has returned?”

“Cousin Feixue knows about it, too?”

Du Feixue scoffed: “Who in the entire capital doesn’t know? Cousin Jiao, you don’t know – when Grandmother learned that your engagement was broken off, she was so angry she didn’t eat dinner. Grandfather even threw down his chopsticks, and even my father had a stern face for several days.”

“Really? It’s all my fault for making the elders worry.”

Grandfather and the others were unhappy because they lost the roundabout marriage connection with the Earl of Changchun’s residence, weren’t they? Li Jiǎo thought coldly.

“That’s not your fault either – it’s all Li San’s doing!” Du Feixue looked around and sneered, “She didn’t come today? Right, after encountering such a thing, how could she have the face to go out!”

Du Feixue linked arms with Li Jiǎo, smiling brightly: “Cousin Jiao, just thinking that I’ll never have to see that disgusting person again makes me happy. Later, let’s go scatter beans for good karma together.”

Li Jiāo, at the top of the steps, finally became impatient and called out: “Elder Sister, Sister Du, if we don’t leave soon, the elders will start urging us.”

“Mm, let’s go.”

The mountain path to Dafu Temple was spacious and gentle, so everyone climbed up without much effort.

The mountain gate of Dafu Temple stood wide open, with bells and drums sounding continuously. Monks in yellow robes moved slowly across the spacious open ground. The stone lions before the temple appeared sacred and solemn, and the Buddha water prepared for the bathing ceremony emitted a unique fragrance.

The young ladies had little interest in the annual Buddha-bathing ceremony. What attracted them more was freely enjoying the scenery and chatting on this high and open Luoxia Mountain, while what would willingly draw them back to the elders’ sides were the Buddhist scriptures donated by each family.

Before so many noble ladies, whichever family’s scriptures received praise from that Grand Princess at Shuying Nunnery would bring great honor to those families’ daughters.

After partaking of the vegetarian feast, the madams and young ladies from various residences waited in different halls with mutual understanding.