Yu Tang and the Pei young ladies first returned to their lodgings. Following her memory, she wrote down the incense formulas, then carefully checked them over once more. Finding no errors, she handed the formulas to Third Miss. “You help me look them over too. As I recall, these are the three formulas.”
Among the Pei residence young ladies, Second Miss was most interested in making incense and would occasionally personally blend some aromatic or Buddhist incense. She and Gu Xi had quickly become good friends, probably largely due to this shared interest. However, Second Miss wasn’t here right now.
Third Miss was indifferent either way, but she loved reading and was very curious about everything. She took the incense formulas and looked them over carefully. Her eyes gradually grew brighter, and she said to Yu Tang somewhat excitedly, “I think we can try this. If Miss Yu trusts me, I’ll first follow the formulas you’ve written to try making some Buddhist incense for the two Ladies Pei to smell.”
What reason did Yu Tang have not to trust her?
She had previously planned to have Gu Xi help her test it. Third Miss volunteering was even better.
However, she hadn’t expected Third Miss could also make incense.
Fourth Miss laughed outright. “Sister Yu misunderstands. Third Sister doesn’t like using incense to scent her clothes, but that doesn’t mean she can’t make incense.”
That made sense. Young ladies from prestigious families could learn many things. As long as they were interested, they could find teachers to instruct them—something ordinary families couldn’t compare with.
“Then I’ll trouble Third Miss,” Yu Tang said with a smile.
Third Miss waved her hands repeatedly. “This is doing a good deed. Anyone who knows about it would lend a hand. Sister Yu is being too formal saying such things.”
Fourth Miss seemed uninterested in making incense, while Fifth Miss was too young to understand. After the incense formulas circulated through the three people’s hands, they returned to Yu Tang’s hands.
Yu Tang had Shuang Tao brew tea and bring out pastries to entertain them, and even asked if they wanted to rest here for a while.
The three Pei young ladies shook their heads, and somehow the topic of conversation turned back to Young Master Yang with chattering voices.
Only then did Yu Tang learn that Third Miss was already betrothed—an arranged childhood engagement no less. Her fiancé was her maternal uncle’s son, two or three months younger than Third Miss. Perhaps because boys mature later, he was still only half a head taller than Third Miss. Third Miss had always worried he wouldn’t grow tall.
Seeing Young Master Yang made her worry even more.
Fourth Miss even said, “You shouldn’t have agreed to this match in the first place. My grandmother said marriage shouldn’t be arranged too early. If people grow up and turn out badly, there’s nowhere to even cry—when Eldest Sister and Second Sister both bring their husbands home to visit relatives in the future, let’s see what you do!”
This nearly made Third Miss cry.
Yu Tang listened from the side, struggling to suppress her laughter. Seeing this, she quickly comforted Third Miss. “Don’t listen to Fourth Miss’s nonsense. Your parents treasure you like a pearl in their palm. They surely felt your cousin had merit before arranging this match for you. You don’t need to worry so much.”
Third Miss nodded with a bitter face but still wasn’t happy.
Everyone chattered away comforting her for a long while, but not only did Third Miss not feel relieved, she grew increasingly dejected.
Only then did Yu Tang discover that Third Miss was the type who liked to imagine the worst outcome for everything.
This was somewhat troublesome.
Fortunately, the two Ladies Pei had finished meeting their guests. A’Shan, whom they had left behind, came running over to tell them, “The two Ladies Pei are having a private conversation. Second Madam is arranging for maids and matrons to pack up, preparing to return to the villa.”
Yu Tang sent someone to call Gu Xi and had someone inform Second Madam.
Shortly, Gu Xi arrived, and Second Madam’s personal matron also came, saying she was ordered by Second Madam to invite them to the side room next door for tea.
The group went next door.
Matrons and young servants bustled about the courtyard. Several maids clustered around Second Madam standing under the eaves of the main room, supervising the matrons and servants as they packed.
Seeing Yu Tang and the others, Second Madam smiled and came forward, taking Fifth Miss’s hand and saying to them, “Come sit inside—it’s chaotic here.” She asked if they were hungry. “By the time we get home, it will surely be time to light the lamps. You should eat something to tide you over.” She also praised Yu Tang. “The pastries are delicious and were sent at just the right time. You’re so thoughtful.”
Yu Tang quickly demurred modestly.
What she could think of, the matrons and maids of the Pei family could naturally also think of. Second Madam was merely elevating her by praising her this way. If she became proud or took it seriously because of this, thinking no one else but her could be so capable, that would invite ridicule.
Everyone sat down according to their status. After maids served tea and refreshments, Second Madam said to Yu Tang warmly, “I’ve already heard from the matrons about your matter. This is a wonderful thing, and I certainly support you. Tell me—do you need money or people? I’ll arrange it all for you.”
Fifth Miss giggled and leaned against her mother. “We just wanted to ask you if this matter is feasible. If it is, we’ll go ask the two Ladies Pei to make the decision. Also, Sister Yu has written several incense formulas and needs you to help see if they’ll work.”
She also told Second Madam that Third Miss would help test-make the Buddhist incense.
Second Madam was very gratified.
Several juniors gathering together to do good deeds could both strengthen the bonds between sisters and give them more compassionate hearts.
This time, Second Madam was decisive and efficient. Upon hearing this, she immediately stood up. “This matter will certainly work, and the two Ladies Pei will surely support you too. Come with me now to see the two Ladies Pei—we’re about to return to the villa. While we’re still at Ku’an Temple, we can settle this matter. In a few more days, we’ll also be going down the mountain to return to Lin’an City.”
Going from Lin’an to Ku’an Temple again would be quite a distance. More importantly, whether the two Ladies Pei or Second Madam, all would begin getting busy with New Year socializing.
The juniors were overjoyed and happily followed Second Madam toward Lady Pei’s quarters.
Fourth Miss, who always loved commotion, even pulled at Second Madam asking, “Is Second Sister still at Lady Pei’s? Has Young Master Yang already left? Did Lady Pei agree to the Yang family match?”
Second Madam had probably already understood Fourth Miss’s personality. Hearing this, she wasn’t angry but amusedly pinched her cheek. “You’re just a child—why are you always fixating on these matters? Have you finished all the homework the teacher assigned before leaving? After we go down the mountain, your uncle’s children will come to give your mother New Year gifts, and you’ll also visit your uncle’s home. If you haven’t finished your homework, I wonder if your mother will let you go out visiting with your brothers and sisters…”
This immediately shut Fourth Miss up and made her repeatedly plead with Second Madam, “I won’t talk nonsense anymore,” causing everyone to laugh.
Soon they arrived at the room where the two Ladies Pei were resting. Second Miss stood before the two Ladies Pei with a flushed face saying something. Seeing them enter, she immediately ran to the side.
The two Ladies Pei exchanged smiles. Lady Pei instructed the maids beside her to serve tea and refreshments to Yu Tang and the others.
The group sat down in a circle. Second Madam told the two Ladies Pei about Yu Tang and the others’ purpose. The two Ladies Pei were both surprised and delighted, praising all the juniors thoroughly. Lady Pei then domineeringly waved her hand. “Such a good thing—what’s there to discuss? Does Ku’an Temple not want to stand on its own? No matter how much our Pei family helps, we can only manage their three meals. Trying to aid the whole world is impossible.”
Second Madam nodded repeatedly and asked Lady Pei, “Should we invite Ku’an Temple’s head abbess to discuss this matter?”
Old Lady Yi spoke up before Lady Pei. “I think we should discuss it. What if they’re unwilling? Wouldn’t we be worrying for them in vain?”
Lady Pei nodded and instructed Nanny Ji, “Go invite Ku’an Temple’s head abbess.”
Yu Tang pondered inwardly.
In her previous life, Ku’an Temple seemed to have always relied on the several acres of surrounding land, mountain produce, and alms from pilgrims to get by. She didn’t know if they were unwilling to be self-sufficient or simply never had the opportunity.
She couldn’t guess how the head abbess would react.
The handkerchief in Gu Xi’s hand was crushed into a ball.
The Pei family elders were indeed beginning to actively pursue this matter as she had predicted. Unfortunately, the idea was Yu Tang’s. Even if she wanted to contribute effort, it would be adding bricks and tiles to Yu Tang’s reputation. She was unwilling to do such a thing.
Gu Xi couldn’t help but glance at Yu Tang.
Yu Tang kept her head lowered, her long eyelashes fluttering like little fans, looking especially demure and gentle.
Yet she could think up the idea of teaching Ku’an Temple to make incense to escape their predicament.
How could such a person have a demure and gentle heart?!
Gu Xi sneered inwardly.
Ku’an Temple’s head abbess arrived.
She had probably already inquired beforehand what the two Ladies Pei wanted to discuss with her. Her expression showed some excitement. Upon seeing the two Ladies Pei, she performed a deep bow and repeatedly chanted, “Bodhisattva bless us—Ku’an Temple has encountered good people.”
The two Ladies Pei didn’t exchange many pleasantries with her and directly stated their intention.
The head abbess was so happy tears fell. Her sallow, suffering face suddenly gained some radiance. “Since I began managing Ku’an Temple twenty years ago, I’ve always wanted to find a way forward for Ku’an Temple. I tried making dried bamboo shoots, tried selling pickled vegetables, but the results were always minimal. For the two Ladies Pei to point out a path of survival for us unfortunate souls at Ku’an Temple—we, we will be grateful to the two Ladies Pei in this life and the next, and will establish longevity tablets for the two Ladies Pei…” Saying this, she was about to kneel and perform a grand bow.
Fortunately, Nanny Chen and Nanny Ji were quick-eyed and quick-handed, supporting the head abbess and preventing her from kneeling. Nanny Chen even said, “What are you doing? This would be too much for our two Ladies Pei! If you have something to say, sit down and talk properly. Our Ladies Pei only thought of this and brought it up. Whether it will work or not—isn’t that why we asked you to come discuss it?”
Only then did the head abbess calm down somewhat, smiling awkwardly as she sat on the embroidered stool beside them.
Lady Pei’s gaze fell on Yu Tang.
Yu Tang immediately understood.
Lady Pei saw that she had come up with this idea, so now wanted to push her forward to explain the incense-making matter to the head abbess.
Yu Tang quickly shook her head at Lady Pei and made a pleading expression.