From Shi’an westward to Xicui Mountain, along the post road were green hills and clear waters, with rural farmlands. In the fields, the rice had just sprouted vibrant green seedlings. Among the crisscrossing paths, one could see weeping willows by the water and peach blossoms covering the countryside.
At the foot of Xicui Mountain, everyone disembarked from their carriages and saw that the Zu family’s carriage had already arrived. Second Madam was standing outside the mausoleum gate waiting for them. The young ladies of the Gu family all greeted her with proper courtesy, and the Second Madam asked them to rise: “…Let’s all go up. Second Master is waiting for us up there.”
When Jin Chao and the others had visited the Zu family previously, they had only caught a glimpse of the Second Master from afar, without having the chance to pay their respects properly.
The group, accompanied by maids, servants, and attendants, began ascending the stone steps up the mountain.
Xicui Mountain was the Gu family’s ancestral burial ground. Nearby, the Zu family had funded the construction of a temple called Lingbi Temple to protect the Gu family’s glory. The Gu family visited this place frequently, renovating it yearly. The bluestone steps were immaculately clean, with a pavilion built at every hundred steps. A small courtyard was also built next to the burial ground.
When villagers from nearby came to burn incense at Lingbi Temple and saw members of the Gu family, they would respectfully keep their distance. The Zu family owned many fields around Xicui Mountain, and many villagers depended on the shelter of the Gu and Zu families for their livelihood.
The young ladies, having been raised in secluded inner chambers, were climbing the mountain breathlessly. The sun was strong that day, and Jin Chao also felt somewhat uncomfortable. Looking back, she saw Gu Xi and Gu Yi supporting each other as they trudged along, while Gu Lan was also covered in sweat. Gu Jin Xian and Gu Jin Xiao, however, appeared quite relaxed.
But Ye Xian seemed to be in the worst condition. His skin, naturally pale, now appeared somewhat bluish.
Second Madam looked back and was inevitably startled: “Young Master, would you like to rest a bit?”
Ye Xian waved his hand, about to say something, but his chest heaved uncontrollably, and before he could speak, his eyes closed, and he fainted. Everyone immediately gathered around him. It was Gu De Zhao who kept his composure, saying, “Everyone please make room!” He then instructed two servants behind him to carry Ye Xian to the nearest pavilion, lay him flat, and loosen his collar.
The young ladies were about to withdraw, but Jin Chao secretly observed from the side.
Fifth Madam was anxious to the point of tears, her hands trembling as she took out a porcelain bottle from her bosom, tipped out several rice-sized bright red pills, and fed them to Ye Xian with clear water.
Second Madam couldn’t help but comment: “Has the Young Master not fully recovered? How could he come up the mountain with us?”
Fifth Madam wiped her tears. Ye Xian’s breathing was somewhat rapid, and she patted his chest to help him breathe more easily. “He told me he was fine, I didn’t know… if anything were to happen, what would we do…”
Father watched from the side and waved for the nearby steward to go up the mountain first to inform the Second Master.
Ye Xian, however, coughed urgently several times, finally stopped gasping for breath, and gradually calmed down.
Jin Chao observed clearly that there was a moist tear gleam in his eyes. He sat up, and Fifth Madam embraced him worriedly, continuously patting his back, like soothing a child. But Ye Xian pushed her away and stood up, his face extremely pale, gleaming like polished jade. He walked out of the pavilion wordlessly and continued up the mountain.
Everyone looked toward Fifth Madam.
Fifth Madam shook her head to indicate that all was well, and only then did everyone follow.
Gu Lan walked to Fifth Madam’s side and quietly asked her: “Fifth Aunt, I didn’t know that Cousin’s illness was so dangerous…”
Fifth Madam smiled bitterly and shook her head: “This is nothing. There were several times when his breath faded, scaring me half to death. Because of this illness, he couldn’t run and jump with other children since he was young. When the son of General Fu Yuan next door went to exercise horses, he could only watch longingly from the side… He is particularly proud and dislikes others seeing him in a weak state…”
Gu Lan gazed at the figure walking ahead—a slender, thin young man whose black tassels and white robe edges fluttered in the sunlight. His back was straight, his bearing like jade, yet the sight made her somewhat distressed.
Upon reaching the residence at the mountaintop, Jin Chao and the others first paid their respects to the Second Master. The second Master looked more imposing and did not resemble Gu De Zhao.
Hearing that Ye Xian had fallen ill while climbing the mountain, he reprimanded Second Madam a few times, then asked Ye Xian to go to the resting area first. Ye Xian shook his head and said: “I want to visit Lingbi Temple.” The second Master then had Gu Jin Xian, two servants, and a steward accompany him to Lingbi Temple.
The remaining people walked toward the burial ground, with servants and maids behind them carrying paper money, spirit money, and sacrificial offerings of cooked meat. After paying respects to the ancestors, the Second Master personally took pruning tools to remove thorny weeds from the burial ground. Father and Fifth Master planted willows around, and after completing the tomb-sweeping, everyone returned to the residence. The young masters played cuju (ancient Chinese football), while the girls wanted to go for a spring outing, as they hadn’t properly enjoyed the scenery on their journey.
Gu Lan suggested: “Why not go to Lingbi Temple to pray to Buddha? We can enjoy the spring scenery as well!”
Gu Lian smiled, holding her hand, and said: “There are willow trees I planted at Lingbi Temple. I’ll take you to see them!”
Seeing their high spirits, Fifth Madam led them, surrounded by a large group of guards and servants, to Lingbi Temple.
From the residence to Lingbi Temple, they had to walk along a mountain path. One side of this path was a cliff, while the other side was a mountain wall covered with vines. Looking down, one could see endless rice fields and farmhouses, and further away, the Grand Canal of Tongzhou and Baodi was visible—the scenery was beautiful.
Though not particularly large, the temple was famous on Xicui Mountain and had prosperous incense offerings, surrounded by ancient cypress trees. The abbot came out especially to welcome them in. As soon as Gu Lian entered, she excitedly pulled Gu Lan to see the willow trees she had planted. Jin Chao glanced at the temple and caught sight of Gu Jin Xian standing beside the bell.
Fifth Madam went forward to speak with him, “…bringing your cousins to pray to Buddha. I see you haven’t eaten yet, it would be perfect to have a vegetarian meal at Lingbi Temple. Where is your uncle?”
Gu Jin Xian said: “I’m not sure… he should be in the Hall of Heavenly Kings.”
Fifth Madam asked them to explore the surroundings first, but insisted they be accompanied by female servants and guards, then went to arrange the vegetarian meal with the guest-receiving monk.
Jin Chao also wanted to burn incense for her mother, so she headed toward the Grand Hall with Qing Pu.
Outside the Grand Hall were planted arhat pines and flat pines. Inside, the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha was covered in gold leaf, with compassionate features, illuminated by candlelight, brilliantly shining. Jin Chao knelt on a cushion with palms joined in sincere prayer. Her snow-white embroidered skirt spread on the wooden floor, pure white like a lotus flower.
Ye Xian had just stepped in from outside. Qing Pu was about to say something, but he put his finger to his lips, signaling her to remain silent.
Jin Chao silently recited a few phrases, then took the incense from Qing Pu’s hand and offered it. Turning around, she discovered Ye Xian standing quietly with his hands behind his back, watching her. She was startled, having originally intended to avoid him, but ended up encountering him instead.
“Is Cousin also here to offer incense?” Jin Chao said with a smile. “Qing Pu, quickly light incense for Cousin.”
Ye Xian looked at Gu Jin Chao for a long time, his gaze almost cold. Then he softly asked her: “Do you pity me?”
Jin Chao found it bewildering: “What is there to pity about you? You are the legitimate son of the Marquis of Chang Xing, who will inherit the title in the future. Your maternal grandfather is the Director of the Hanlin Academy, highly respected with numerous disciples. You received the late Emperor’s favor and were granted the title of Young Master at birth. Others should envy you!”
Moreover, in the future, you will wield tremendous power in court, able to execute whomever you wish. Apart from Zhang Ju Lian, few would dare to oppose you. Who would dare pity you? That would be asking for death.
Ye Xian looked at Gu Jin Chao. Her beauty was extraordinary, the golden light of the hall making her exceptionally beautiful. Yet she seemed not to cherish it, dressed plainly, looking at him calmly, appearing completely composed.
His gaze softened, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile as he asked her: “What were you just telling Buddha?”
The Young Master was now chatting with her… Jin Chao wanted to leave; her original intention was to have as little contact with Ye Xian as possible. Let alone cultivating affection, she only hoped that in the future, he wouldn’t hold a grudge.
After thinking for a moment, feeling that what she had been thinking wasn’t problematic, Jin Chao said: “My mother is gravely ill; I was just praying for her recovery.” She wanted to pray for many things but felt she was too greedy and Buddha would surely despise her. So she had just this one wish—as long as her mother could live, she would be content, and other matters could be addressed gradually.
Ye Xian was silent for a moment, then asked her: “Your mother is seriously ill?”
Jin Chao nodded and said: “Doesn’t Cousin know? Fifth Aunt came this time to see my mother.”
Ye Xian frowned deeply: “Why didn’t you tell me earlier!”
Jin Chao’s forehead twitched. Everyone probably knew about this, so why should she specifically inform the Young Master of the Marquis of Chang Xing? She said softly: “My mistake, I should have notified Cousin first.”
Ye Xian felt that Gu Jin Chao was somewhat sarcastic toward him, but he didn’t mind and immediately responded: “You really should have told me first. Six months ago, my mentor Xiao Qi Shan was still in Yanjing. If you had him examine your mother, there certainly wouldn’t have been a problem!”
Jin Chao was shocked and quickly asked: “What did you say?”
Ye Xian rarely saw her lose composure, and his smile widened: “Master Xiao Qi Shan is from Pudding in Guizhou, with superb medical skills. However, he prefers to live in seclusion on high mountain peaks and dislikes entering the mundane world.”
Xiao Qi Shan? She had never heard of him! Jin Chao couldn’t help but get excited—as long as her mother’s illness could be cured, it didn’t matter whether she had heard of him or not.
“Is his medical skill good? Can he cure my mother’s illness? Where is he now?”
Ye Xian lightly patted Jin Chao’s shoulder once and said: “Listen to me.”
“When I was two years old, I nearly died from illness. The imperial physicians in the palace treated me but said I would not live beyond half a year. My grandfather personally went to Guizhou to find him. Years ago, my grandfather had saved his life, so he was willing to treat me, and that’s why I’ve lived for more than ten additional years.”
“I don’t know if he can cure your mother’s illness, but extending her life by several years shouldn’t be a problem. However, he’s now in the deep mountains of Guizhou, and I’d need to send someone to invite him. The mountain paths are difficult to travel, and a round trip would take at least a month at the shortest.”