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  Chapter 29

  The next morning, Lin Xue got up and went to An Tai Yuan to bid farewell to Old Lady Zhu.

  Although she knew that after more than half a year, her dear granddaughter would be able to stay with her in the mansion for a long time, but when it came to parting, Madam Zhu still couldnt bear to let go. She grasped Lin Yues small hand and repeatedly instructed her, "I know the west is slightly warmer than Shengjing, but on the road, you absolutely cannot casually remove your clothes. Ive heard that there are refugees fleeing in the five cities of Xijiang, if you encounter them, even if you want to do good deeds, you must be extremely vigilant."

  She suddenly became worried, "Twenty years ago, the war broke out in the north, and there were many refugees at that time. I still remember that a family of Mr. Shen from the imperial court was on their way to Beijing, passing through those places, just because they kindly gave out a few taels of silver and some pastries, but it aroused the greed of those refugees, and the whole family was robbed and killed..."

  In the face of hunger, conscience will be extinguished. Although Longxi did not suffer from war disasters, most people who withdrew from the five cities in the western border escaped to that place, which is very worrying.

  Ming Xuan hurriedly held onto Old Lady Zhus arm to comfort her, "Grandmother is worrying too much, Lin Yue isnt going back alone, she has Big Brother to protect her, and our estate also sent out a guard team. With so many people following her, what are you afraid of? Besides, those refugees mostly gathered in the west of Longxi, even if Lin Yue encounters them on her way back, theyre just scattered small groups, nothing will happen."

  Her voice was soft and gentle, as if it had a soothing effect on peoples hearts. Old Lady Zhu felt slightly more at ease after hearing her words, and seeing Linxiao nodding in agreement, she finally let out a sigh of relief. "Yuanhao is reliable, hell send him back, Im at peace."

  The luggage cart was already prepared, Lin Xue solemnly gave a bow to Old Lady Zhu, bid farewell to Ming Xuan, and then followed Gu Yuanhao onto the soft sedan chair to return to Longxi.

  Madam Zhu was a bit reluctant to part with her, but still managed to muster up the energy to order Yiniang to harness the carriage.

  The old lady of Yongning Hou Mansion personally went out, and this array was naturally different from the last time Ming Xuan went to Qingliang Temple. There were three or four carriages alone, with a large number of maidservants following, and the guards who followed also increased to twenty-four people. The old lady sat in the front carriage with Yan Qie and Hong Tao, while Ming Xuan took Xue Su, Dan Hong and sat in the middle carriage, and the rest of the women and maids all sat in the back carriage.

  On the carriage, Ming Xuan asked Xue Su, "Have you got everything?"

  Xue Su took out a small package from the lower layer of the food box, "The pearls and gems are all here."

  She took out another handkerchief from her cloak, "I think those broken gold bars can be exchanged anywhere, its better for Miss to wait and directly give these to Qian San, so he can prepare in the next few days. When He Gui finishes the procedures at the money house, he can set off immediately."

  Ming Xuan nodded and asked Dan Hong, "Have you made an appointment with your brother?"

  Dan Hong lifted the curtain and looked at the current location of the house, "Hmm, after leaving the inner city for a while, there is a stone monument. Its desolate and rarely visited by people. Next to it is a forest, but its a must-pass place to go to Qingliang Temple. My brother should be waiting there now. Lets pay attention to see him, and then tell the coachman that I want to relieve myself, letting the carriage behind us go first."

  She paused for a moment, "At that time, as long as I can lure the cart driver to the other side, Ill be able to take the things away."

  This plan was rehearsed with Xue Su a thousand times last night and will not go wrong.

  Ming Xuan nodded slightly, "Then lets just watch them."

  As soon as they exited the inner city, Dan Hong really did stop the carriage driver. Xue Su again made an excuse that she had something to ask and led the driver aside. Before long, Dan Hong returned.

  Ming Xuan saw that she was relaxed, and immediately knew that the matter had been settled. She felt a slight relief in her heart, and now there was only one thing left to do today. As long as she met Qian San, she believed he would be convinced by her, and then Gu Yuanjings news would have a result. From now on, she just hoped that the heavens would have mercy, not cutting off the last hope of the three houses of the Gu family, allowing him to live in peace.

  As long as he is safe!

  He arrived at Qingliang Temple, because he had posted a notice earlier saying that the old lady of Yongning Hou Mansion was coming, so the abbot personally waited for her and welcomed Zhu Lao Furen to the Chan room. He called out "Amitabha" and then said, "The Buddhist ceremony for the three madams of your mansion is set up in the Jinglian Hall, and it will be presided over by my senior disciple, Yuan Tong. However, the incense oil on the lotus seat needs to be added personally by Seventh Miss."

  "Thank you for your trouble, Master," said Mrs. Zhu hurriedly.

  She raised her head and said to Ming Huan, "Sister Xuan, quickly go and kowtow to Mother and add incense for me. Im afraid that if I see her, my heart will be distressed, so I wont go. Please tell Mother on my behalf that I have not let her down from what she entrusted to me back then, as I have chosen a good husbands family for myself, and may her spirit in heaven rest at ease."

  Ming Xuan bowed and followed a young monk to the Jinglian Hall.

  Because Master Fangzhang saw Mrs. Zhus furrowed brow, he dismissed the little monks who were waiting on him and asked, "Does the old lady have something to say to me?"

  Madam Zhu nodded, "This matter originally had nothing to do with our Hou Mansion, but if we dont get to the bottom of it, Ill always feel like theres a fishbone stuck in my throat. Abbot Fangzhang, I must ask you, when my daughter Xiang came to retrieve that golden Buddha for me some days ago, did Master Pei also visit Qingliang Temple on that day?"

  She sent someone to the Zhen Guo Gong Fu to gather information, and the person who returned said that Mr. Pei broke his leg when he startled his horse on Qingliang Mountain. Although the Pei family did not explicitly say where it happened, she was able to guess some things because of what had almost happened to Xiang Jie.

  She felt uncertain in her heart, as Mother Qin had clearly told her that after Xiangs carriage lost a wheel, the kind-hearted child had all the stones cleared away. If Master Peis carriage had encountered an accident ahead of time, it would have been impossible for the stones on the mountain path to remain so neatly arranged; and if he had been behind Xiang on the mountain, how could there still be a case of a startled horse throwing its rider?

  The matter of the Pei familys master, Madam Zhu could guess with her toes that it was definitely caused by his stepmothers misdeeds. But even if so, what does it have to do with her? However, between the two families of Pei and Gu, since the current emperor ascended to the throne and made Madame Pei the empress, there has been a knot in their hearts. Everyone in the court who is wise to the situation knows how things are with the third sons matter. Although it was the emperors injustice, if not for the Pei familys wild ambition pressing him, it wouldnt have come to this point. Now that Concubine Gu is pregnant with the imperial eldest son, their relationship has become even more tense.

  There is no evidence of the evil deeds of the wife of the heir to the title of Marquis, but Xuan Jie was indeed present on that mountain path. It must be known that since Xuan Jies parents and siblings were involved in the incident, the Pei family cannot escape responsibility. In the eyes of the world, Xuan Jie also has a motive for revenge. If someone in the Pei family maliciously wants to frame Xuan Jie for Pei Dages leg injury, what can be done? Making a big deal out of this and using it as an excuse to attack the Gu family is something that Pei Xiang, such a person, can do.

  Xiangs sister has had a tumultuous fate, and now that she is finally about to settle down, she mustnt suffer any more unjust harm.

  In the past, Gu Lan Niang was friends with Yongjia Countys mistress, and Old Lady Zhu also knew that Xiangchu Wang had a long history with Qingliang Temple.

  Because Fang Zhangs junior brother was proficient in medicine, the master of the Pei family had been going in and out of Qingliang Temple for many years under the pretext of treating illnesses. It is likely that he was seeking medical treatment, but also seeking protection. After all, Qingliang Temple is a famous temple with countless high-ranking officials coming and going. If the current wife of the Crown Princes son had really gone too far and caused the death of Master Pei, as long as the temple leaked out even half a word, the reputation of the Crown Princes son forcing his first wife to death would be set in stone.

  Harming in secret and killing openly are two different things. Even if everyone in the capital knows that Mr. Pei is not on good terms with his stepmother, and secretly suspects that theres something fishy about his illness over the years, as long as theres no concrete evidence to prove it, its just a private understanding between them. But if such a vicious rumor were to spread, the reputation of the Pei family would also be ruined.

  Madam Zhu was certain that Abbot Yuan and Master Pei were old acquaintances, so she opened the door and asked directly, "I heard he got a leg injury, did it happen on the mountain path? How severe is the injury?"

  Because the abbot didnt look around and speak, his face was as calm as an ancient well without any ripples. He just nodded, "That day was the birthday ceremony of Princess Yongjia, and Master Pei indeed came. To be honest, he is still recuperating in the temple. If Old Lady has any doubts, she might as well ask him herself."

  He is a monk who only cares about saving people and does not want to get involved in worldly disputes.

  Madam Zhu hesitated for a moment before saying, "Very well, I shall meet this young Mr. Sun then."

  A quiet Zen room, with sandalwood incense sticks lit, creating a contemplative atmosphere.

  Madam Zhu quietly gazed at the young man in purple clothes before her, who was extremely handsome. The shape of his eyebrows and eyes had a 70-80% resemblance to the late Princess Yongjia, but the princesss extremely beautiful and delicate features on his face did not show any weakness or femininity. Perhaps due to being bedridden for many years, his complexion looked somewhat pale, but in his occasionally shifting gaze, there was a clear and firm flow.

  He was carried in on the back of a servant, with heavy wooden boards still tied to his legs, as if he had really broken his leg.

  Madam Zhu was still hesitant in her heart, but a benevolent smile appeared on her face. "Is it Jingzhen? You came to our house when you were young, do you still remember who I am?"

  Pei Jingchen smiled weakly at her, "Its Gus grandmother, how could Jingchen forget?"

  He glanced at the wooden board on his leg with some embarrassment and said apologetically, "This will not allow me to kowtow to you, elder. Please forgive your nephews disrespect, Grandmother Gu."

  "Ah, this is terrible! How did you end up hurting your leg? Was it serious? I was just talking to the abbot and heard that you were here, so I wanted to see you. Who would have thought that youd be injured..."

  She sighed softly, "When the county master was still around, she and my daughter Ling were extremely close, and with my late third daughter-in-law, they were also bosom friends. The county master would often come to our mansion to stay, and they got along like one family. Although the county master is no longer here, my wife still remembers her kindness from time to time. Good child, for your mothers peace of mind, you must take good care of yourself in the future!"

  Although this statement sounds somewhat incoherent and excited at first glance, it actually contains profound meaning upon closer examination.

  Pei Jingchens eyelashes slightly moved, and he said in a low voice, "It was actually the grandmother of the Gu family who worried about her nephew. My leg was injured on the day my mother gave birth to me when I fell off a horse on the Qingliang Mountain Road. It is said that on that day, there was a sister of the Gu family who happened to be walking on this mountain road and also got frightened. It wasnt Jingchens fault. The servants were in a hurry to send me up to ask Master Can to treat my leg, but they didnt have time to clean up those broken stones."

  His face had a hint of guilt, "Fortunately, I heard that Gus sister is unharmed, otherwise Jing Xuan would have committed a great fault..."

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