Huangjue Temple was as prosperous as ever with its incense offerings. We disembarked from the carriage a hundred meters away and walked towards the temple. As we neared, my mother suddenly quickened her pace and walked up to a distinguished lady. "My deepest apologies, to keep Madam Gu Er waiting for us juniors."
Madam Gu Er waved her hands repeatedly. "Not at all, I only just arrived. Is this Nan Nan? You've grown so beautiful."
I was a little dazed, and it was only after my mother tugged me that I remembered to bow and greet her. "Greetings, Madam Gu Er."
"You may call me Aunt-Grandmother. Come, let's go offer incense first."
I swallowed my confusion and obediently followed, even adjusting my posture to be more ladylike. It was no wonder, for Madam Gu Er's husband was the renowned scholar Gu Li of the Hanlin Academy, known for his uprightness.
He was also the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor.
Back in the day, when he tutored the Crown Prince, he also taught the Second Prince and Sui Sui.
Those who truly pursued knowledge never differentiated based on status, and I, as a companion reader, was no exception. To this day, I subconsciously maintained proper decorum in his presence and dared not be unruly before his wife.
However, wasn't it the Li family?
The son-in-law of scholar Gu wasn't surnamed Li, was he?
Wealthy families had a habit of donating incense money, and both my mother and Madam Gu Er were considered major patrons of the temple. After we finished offering incense, a young novice monk led us to a side room to rest. Huangjue Temple was built in the mountains, far from the hustle and bustle of the main hall, exuding a tranquil Zen atmosphere in its rear.
The wisps of Zen incense wafted to my nose, and my restless heart unconsciously calmed.
After passing through two courtyards, Madam Gu Er said, "I've arranged to discuss Buddhist scriptures with the abbot. Youngsters might not be able to sit still, why don't you stroll in that peach garden ahead?"
Spring had not yet arrived, and the peach trees were bare, leaving only people to be seen.
However, the purpose of today's visit was to meet someone. I nodded and did as she suggested, leading A Xiu towards the direction Madam Gu Er pointed. Accompanying us were A Xiu and Madam Gu Er's Nanny Jiang, likely to prevent me from mistaking the person.
The mountain air was a few degrees colder than the bustling city, but today the weather was good, with bright sunshine illuminating the land and revealing a few newly sprouted buds on the peach trees.
A Xiu held up a paper umbrella. "Miss, after all the effort to maintain your fair skin, you mustn't get tanned again."
"Not at all, not at all. It snowed for so long, and now there's such good weather, it would be a waste to use an umbrella." The sunlight felt so warm on my skin, it was incredibly comfortable.
After turning two bends, a solitary pavilion appeared ahead.
Nanny Jiang smiled. "Miss Wang, you must be tired after walking for so long. Why not rest your feet in the pavilion ahead?"
A young man was brewing tea in the pavilion, presumably Li Yuan Ning.
Tsk, this method of meeting was truly subtle. I nodded and entered the pavilion with Nanny Jiang, then sat down on the side opposite Li Yuan Ning. Hmm, my father's judgment was unusually spot on, the young man was handsome, refined, and exuded an scholarly aura.
Indeed, in the past, he would have been my type.
Pah, what past? He's still my type now. I raised an eyebrow and offered him a genuine smile.
Li Yuan Ning had probably never encountered a girl like me before; he was momentarily stunned, his cheeks gradually flushing, and he returned an exceptionally shy smile.
No way, this pure?
It made me feel like a lecher.
Nanny Jiang exclaimed, "Oh dear, Miss, I was so rushed coming here that I forgot to fetch your cloak. Please wait here, I'll be right back."
Saying that, she walked out, taking A Xiu with her.
This was to give us space to talk. However, it was impossible to leave the man and woman meeting for the first time alone. They wouldn't truly go back for a cloak, but would hide in the shadows, ready to serve.
This time, Li Yuan Ning was the first to rise and bow to me. "I am Li Yuan Ning. May I have the honor of inviting Miss for a cup of tea?"
"Thank you, Young Master Li."
"Miss Wang, please."
The tea was clear, but it was just average to me. After all, I'd had my fill of tribute teas; ordinary teas held little appeal. However, I still gave him face. I knew he was a poor scholar before coming here, and the Hanlin Academy was famously a modest office. To be able to offer this kind of tea was not stingy at all.
"Young Master Li, did you come with Madam Gu Er today?"
"Yes, she is my师娘 (shī niáng - teacher's wife)."
I was immediately astonished. "Your master is scholar Gu?"
"I am honored that my master does not discard me and has accepted me as his final disciple."
"Then you are truly fortunate. Scholar Gu is very particular about his reputation and rarely accepts disciples. To my knowledge, the only one who can be called scholar Gu's disciple is the current Crown Prince."
To be recognized by scholar Gu, this person was probably also a bookworm.
I grew restless. Bookworms weren't scary; what was scary was that the bookworm's master was scholar Gu. The memory of being tutored by him resurfaced, and I shivered involuntarily.
Li Yuan Ning asked, "Miss, are you cold?"
I shook my head. It wasn't cold; it was fright.