With August nearing its end, only two months remained until the events of Jiang Si’s previous life would unfold. For her, time was of the essence.
In her letter, Jiang Si hadn’t inquired about whether Jiang Yi had saved anyone. Such matters were best-discussed face-to-face.
Shortly after sending the letter to the Zhu family, Jiang Si received a reply from Jiang Yi.
After reading the letter, Jiang Si rubbed the corners of her eyes. It seemed another outing was in order.
In her letter, Jiang Yi mentioned she would be visiting Baiyun Temple outside the city to offer incense in two days, and suggested they meet there.
Compared to visiting the Zhu family home, meeting at Baiyun Temple would afford the sisters more convenience and privacy.
Jiang Si quickly responded to Jiang Yi, patiently awaiting the appointed day.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Early in the morning, Amian went to request a carriage from the front of the estate but soon returned with a dejected look. “Miss, the large carriage has been taken by Second Madam, and Third Madam and Third Miss are using the small one. There are no carriages left.”
Jiang Si thought for a moment and said, “Ask Old Qin to hire a clean carriage from outside.”
Old Qin was reliable and quickly secured a horse-drawn carriage. Soon, he was transporting Jiang Si and her maid Amian towards Baiyun Temple outside the city.
The sky was high and clear. Once they left the city behind, the hustle and bustle of pedestrians faded away, and the world seemed to open up before them.
Amian lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, letting the cool autumn breeze caress her cheeks as she admired the scenery along the way. “Miss, look at that wheat field! It’s as golden as a pile of gold, even prettier than flowers.”
Jiang Si, who had been resting with her eyes closed in the carriage, opened them and peered out. Beside the road stretched an endless wheat field, ripe for harvest. The golden ears of wheat undulated in the wind like waves of gold, merging with the azure sky at the horizon. The sight was breathtaking, making one’s heart feel expansive. The farmers bending over and swinging their sickles in the field appeared particularly small in comparison.
Jiang Si could almost smell the fresh scent of wheat mingling with the sweat of the laborers. She loved such scenery.
“Miss, look at that carriage ahead! It looks like one from our estate,” Amian called out, her sharp eyes spotting a blue-curtained carriage not far ahead.
Jiang Si looked closely and indeed recognized it as the larger carriage from the Dong Ping Marquis’s estate.
“Where could Second Madam be going? It seems we’re on the same route,” Amian muttered, puzzled.
Jiang Si pondered for a moment before instructing Old Qin, “Drive faster. Let’s get to Baiyun Temple earlier.”
Considering the recent misfortunes of the second branch of the family, and the appearance of their carriage ahead, Jiang Si guessed that Madam Xiao was likely headed to Baiyun Temple to offer incense. If Madam Xiao arrived first and encountered her elder sister, it might interfere with their conversation. Thus, Jiang Si quickly decided to get ahead.
Once she met her elder sister and asked what she needed to do, it wouldn’t matter if Madam Xiao interrupted.
Hearing Jiang Si’s instructions, Old Qin raised his whip. “Hold on tight, Miss.”
The whip cracked in the air before landing on the horse’s back. Soon, their carriage picked up speed, overtaking Madam Xiao’s.
At that moment, Madam Xiao was looking out at the scenery when an unremarkable carriage sped past, kicking up a cloud of dust. She quickly lowered the curtain, her briefly improved mood instantly souring.
Recently, everything had been going wrong. She couldn’t even enjoy the scenery without eating a mouthful of dust. She wondered what kind of riffraff was in such a hurry.
Old Qin drove swiftly, and before long, they arrived at Baiyun Temple.
Amian peeked back and said with a smile, “Old Qin, you’re quite skilled at driving. That other carriage is nowhere in sight.”
Old Qin didn’t even lift an eyelid, calmly replying, “Driving isn’t my strong suit.”
“Then what are you best at?”
Old Qin sighed. This little girl was so forgetful. He had told her before – his specialty was killing.
“Amian, go inquire if the Zhu family’s carriage has arrived,” Jiang Si instructed.
Hearing Jiang Si’s order, Amian immediately set aside her curiosity and ran to ask the greeting monk for information. She quickly returned with news that Jiang Yi had already arrived.
For a lady from a prestigious family like Jiang Yi, visiting Baiyun Temple would certainly involve booking a guest room and staying for lunch.
At this time, Jiang Yi wouldn’t be in the guest room, so Jiang Si led Amian directly to the main hall. Sure enough, they saw a familiar graceful figure kneeling before the majestic Buddha statue.
To Jiang Si’s surprise, there was someone else with Jiang Yi – it was her brother-in-law, Zhu Ziyu.
Just then, Jiang Yi stood up and looked at Zhu Ziyu with a gentle smile.
Standing at a distance, Jiang Si watched the handsome couple side by side, feeling somewhat confused. Perhaps she had been mistaken, and there was nothing wrong with her brother-in-law Zhu Ziyu?
Jiang Si slightly shifted her gaze to Zhu Ziyu’s face.
Today, Zhu Ziyu wore a cyan-colored robe. His face was handsome, his posture upright, and his every movement exuded a strong scholarly air.
To be frank, Zhu Ziyu was the kind of man who could easily make a woman’s heart flutter.
What had happened to Zhu Ziyu after her elder sister died in her previous life?
Jiang Si clearly remembered that before she left the capital, Zhu Ziyu hadn’t remarried. Three years later, when she returned to the capital, she deliberately paid attention and learned that Zhu Ziyu had married a girl from an ordinary family a year before.
As if sensing Jiang Si’s gaze, Zhu Ziyu turned his head and met her eyes. He was startled for a moment before revealing a gentle smile. “Yi’niang, it’s Fourth Sister.”
Jiang Yi turned around suddenly, her eyes brimming with pleasant surprise. She quickly walked over and took Jiang Si’s hand. “Fourth Sister, you’re here.”
Jiang Si quickly set aside her various thoughts and smiled. “I didn’t expect to find Elder Sister here.”
Her words were deliberately ambiguous, as she wasn’t sure if Jiang Yi had mentioned to Zhu Ziyu that they had planned to meet.
After the sisters exchanged a few words, Zhu Ziyu tactfully said, “You two chat. I’ll go for a stroll up front.”
Jiang Si’s gaze followed Zhu Ziyu’s retreating figure, feeling for the first time how difficult it was to truly understand a person’s depths.
In terms of etiquette, Zhu Ziyu could be considered a perfect gentleman.
However, one thing was certain – doing a little more was better than doing nothing at all, even if it turned out to be in vain.
“Fourth Sister?” Jiang Yi asked, slightly puzzled.
Jiang Si took Jiang Yi’s arm. “Elder Sister, shall we take a walk as well?”
Jiang Yi pointed behind them. “Doesn’t Fourth Sister want to pay respects?”
Jiang Si thought for a moment, then walked to the prayer mat, knelt, and bowed sincerely, silently praying: Buddha, please bless my elder sister with peace and happiness, free from disasters and worries.
As Jiang Si stood up, Jiang Yi teased with a smile, “What did Fourth Sister pray for? Perhaps for a good marriage?”
“Elder Sister, don’t tease,” Jiang Si said, feigning embarrassment.
Jiang Yi was a gentle-natured person. Seeing her sister’s shyness, she refrained from further teasing and instead asked about the situation at the Marquis’s estate.
Ancient trees provided shade in the temple, and there was already a hint of coolness in the air. As they walked further, there were fewer and fewer worshippers.
Seeing that the time was right, Jiang Si casually remarked, “Had I known Brother-in-law would accompany you to offer incense, I wouldn’t have intruded.”
“Don’t say that,” Jiang Yi said, her face slightly flushed as she gave Jiang Si a gentle push. She explained, “I was originally coming alone, but your brother-in-law happened to be free today, so he accompanied me.”