On the day of the incense offering at Huguo Temple, since they were staying overnight, Lady Jiang the Younger specially prepared four carriages—two for the masters and two for bedding, quilts, and spare clothes.
Chu Ruoyan brought along Yulu and Nanny Zhou, and even called Uncle Liu back from the estate: "This is a rare chance to get away and relax. Uncle Liu, I’ve asked Father for leave on Liu Min’s behalf. You and your son should come along."
Liu Min had been serving in Chu Huaishan’s study, and the father and son hadn’t seen each other for a long time. Uncle Liu said gratefully, "Thank you, Miss!"
Nanny Zhou nudged Yulu with her elbow. "Hey, that Liu Min is a fine lad. You two should spend some time together."
Yulu flushed red. "Nanny! Why are you talking like the young mistress now?"
Back when Chu Ruoyan was about to marry into the Yan Family, she had said something similar. The girl couldn’t take the teasing and ran off, leaving the room filled with laughter.
"Woof!"
Fubao leaped onto her lap, seemingly eager to join them.
Chu Ruoyan rubbed its head. "I’m not sure if Huguo Temple allows dogs. Maybe next time?"
The puppy whined in protest, but she coaxed, "Two big bones and a bowl of goat’s milk?"
Fubao let out a satisfied yip and jumped down.
Nanny Zhou chuckled. "This little beast—it’s like it actually understands you..."
Once everything was arranged, they went to Old Madam Chu’s quarters. The old lady was unwell that day and, after a few half-hearted scoldings, shooed them out.
They set off at Chen hour in the morning.
Lady Jiang the Younger rode in one carriage with Chu Ruolan, while Chu Ruoyan had one to herself. Just as they reached the city gates, the carriage of the Nanping Earl’s family came into view.
"Sister Chu!" Xie Yaozhi, the Nanping Earl’s only daughter, leaned halfway out of the carriage. "Are you heading to Huguo Temple? I was just going to visit Sister Xue Ling. Why don’t we go together?"
Xie Yaozhi was close to Xue Ling, and with the Xue family facing such a major incident, it was only natural for her to pay a visit.
Chu Ruoyan nodded, and the group proceeded out of the city.
Huguo Temple wasn’t too far from the capital, but the mountain road was rugged, especially after the recent heavy rains, leaving the path muddy and treacherous.
When they reached a pavilion, Lady Jiang the Younger suggested a rest. Chu Ruoyan didn’t object, and they settled in the pavilion for a while.
Xie Yaozhi asked after Xue Ling’s condition and only relaxed once she confirmed her friend was fine.
Lady Jiang the Younger suddenly said, "Miss Xie, how is your mother’s health? I’ve been meaning to visit but never found the opportunity."
Xie Yaozhi was taken aback. "Thank you for your concern, Madam Chu. My mother is the same as always—sleeping most of the day. The physicians say there’s nothing to be done." It was common knowledge that the Nanping Countess suffered from a strange ailment that left her drowsy for most of the day.
Lady Jiang the Younger hummed in acknowledgment and pressed further, asking when the countess usually woke and other such details.
Though puzzled, Xie Yaozhi answered each question politely.
Once back in the carriage, she seized the chance to slip into Chu Ruoyan’s. "What was your mother getting at? Why the sudden interest in my family?"
Chu Ruoyan smiled faintly. "The drinker’s heart is not in the cup, Sister Xie. Your elder brother must be of marriageable age now, no?"
Xie Zhizhou, Xie Yaozhi’s brother, was twenty-one and had recently placed third in the imperial examinations.
With his striking looks and dignified bearing, he had stolen many a maiden’s heart during the celebratory procession.
"You mean… your mother wants to arrange a marriage between our families?" Xie Yaozhi waved her hands dismissively. "No, no, that can’t be. Your family is of the Duke’s Mansion, while we’re just a minor earl’s household. How could she possibly consider us?"
Chu Ruoyan countered, "Who says she wouldn’t? Your brother is a newly minted imperial scholar with a bright future ahead. And with your mother’s health keeping her from managing household affairs, whoever marries into your family would become the lady of the house—living a most comfortable life..."
Moreover, Lady Jiang the Younger only had two daughters. The younger one, Chu Ruolan, was destined for the palace, leaving only Chu Ruolan as an option.
The girl had been spoiled since childhood, her temper willful and capricious. If she didn’t marry into a family of lower status, how could she hope for a peaceful life?
Convinced by Chu Ruoyan’s reasoning, Xie Yaozhi was about to reply when a maid’s voice came from outside: "Miss, look—isn’t that the young master?"
Xie Yaozhi stuck her head out.
Well, speak of the devil!
There was Xie Zhizhou, trudging ahead with two servants in tow, his own carriage following behind. Strangely, he wasn’t riding in it but instead slogging through the mud, his boots caked in filth.
"Brother!" Xie Yaozhi called out.
Xie Zhizhou spotted her and sighed in relief. "Thank heavens, I’ve finally found someone. Yaozhi, is there anyone else in your carriage? Could you help escort three young ladies back to the city?"
"Three young ladies?"
Xie Yaozhi’s jaw dropped as she peered into his carriage and saw three familiar faces.
"Miss Gu? Miss Zou? And Sister Rong Su? What’s going on?"
Inside sat none other than Gu Feiyan, granddaughter of the Grand Chancellor; Zou Yue, cousin of the Kanghe County Princess; and Rong Su, daughter of the Grand Tutor Rong.
All three looked disheveled, especially Gu Feiyan, whose skirt was stained with mud—a far cry from her usual fastidious and haughty demeanor.
Rong Su explained awkwardly, "To be honest, Miss Xie, we were on our way to Huguo Temple to offer incense when our carriage got stuck. Fortunately, your brother came to our aid..."
Xie Yaozhi understood now why her brother was walking through the mire—he had yielded the carriage to them to preserve propriety.
Just then, Chu Ruoyan asked, "Miss Rong, were the three of you sharing a single carriage?"
Rong Su hesitated, but Gu Feiyan, who had clashed with Chu Ruoyan at Old Madam Cao’s birthday banquet, snapped, "Of course not! Do you think our families can’t afford separate carriages?"
"Sister Gu!" Chu Ruolan, who was close to Gu Feiyan, hurried over at the sound of her voice.
Seeing her, Gu Feiyan softened slightly. "Ruolan, let me tell you, today’s been cursed! On Ziyun Path, first Miss Zou’s carriage lost a wheel. Then mine got stuck trying to pull hers free. We thought we’d just ride in Sister Rong’s carriage, but before long, hers got mired too!"
Chu Ruoyan’s brow furrowed slightly.
Ziyun Path was the only route to Huguo Temple. Though the recent storms had left the roads rough, it was unusual for three carriages to get stuck in succession.
Could there be more to this?
Before she could ponder further, Chu Ruolan blurted, "You’re going to Huguo Temple too? So are we! Why don’t we squeeze in together? It’ll be dark by the time you get back to the city anyway!"
Gu Feiyan exchanged glances with Rong Su and Zou Yue before nodding. They disembarked from Xie Zhizhou’s carriage and transferred to the Chu family’s.
Xie Zhizhou bowed. "Ladies, I have urgent business to attend to and must take my leave. I entrust my sister to your care."
The women returned the courtesy as Xie Zhizhou had the carriage unhitched, mounted a horse, and galloped back toward the capital.
Chu Ruolan asked curiously, "Miss Xie, where is your brother off to in such a hurry?"
Recalling Chu Ruoyan’s earlier words, Xie Yaozhi wondered if this might be her future sister-in-law and answered amiably, "Probably official duties. After the earthquake, the rains have been relentless. My brother’s been inspecting the rivers in nearby counties..."
Inspecting the rivers?
A thought flickered in Chu Ruoyan’s mind, but the pieces refused to connect.
At the same moment, a carrier pigeon flew into the Pavilion of All-Knowing. The portly innkeeper untied the secret missive and unfolded it—his expression instantly changed dramatically!
