Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 595 - 238 Years in the Mountains (Part 1)

Chapter 595: 238 Years in the Mountains (Part 1)

On the day Yueyao left for the mountains, Luo Mingzhu sent an invitation, asking Yueyao to attend the chrysanthemum appreciation event she was hosting at Marquis Jingning’s Residence half a month later.

Luo Mingzhu, upon hearing that Yueyao had gone to the mountains without even telling her, was very unhappy and muttered, "She really doesn’t consider me a friend, otherwise she wouldn’t have left for such a big matter without informing me." Luo Mingzhu felt somewhat hurt; she had treated Yueyao as a true friend, but now it seemed as though she was the only one enthusiastic about it.

Bai Yi said with a smile, "Miss, Miss Yueyao went to Zhaohua Temple, a place of hardship in the mountains, not exactly a pleasant destination. Moreover, I believe Miss Yueyao must have had her reasons for the urgency; otherwise, she wouldn’t have left without informing you." Although Bai Yi didn’t know the exact reason for her departure, he guessed it wasn’t for anything good.

Luo Mingzhu was no fool. After her anger subsided, suspicion arose: "Why would Yueyao suddenly go to the mountains? Could it be that the Ma Family can’t accommodate her? If that’s the case, I should take her in and have her live with me."

Bai Yi chuckled and responded, "What are you saying, Miss? The Eldest Young Madam of the Ma Family treats Miss Yueyao so well, how could she mistreat her? Besides, if you want to take Yueyao in, you also have to see if Yueyao agrees." Given Yueyao’s temperament, how could she agree to live at the Marquis’ household?

Luo Mingzhu pouted and said, "Who can be sure of that? One can know a person’s face but not their heart. A person may appear kind on the surface, but who knows if they are a devil in disguise. Therefore, truly understanding someone is not such a simple matter." Luo Mingzhu had grown to deeply dislike Zhao Yuner since learning of her vile intentions.

Not wanting Luo Mingzhu to get entangled in the conflicts of the Princely Heir’s inner courtyard, Bai Yi subtly changed the subject, smiling as he said, "Miss, after you celebrate your birthday, you can go to the mountains to visit Miss Yueyao." Many daughters of noble families in Capital City, aside from those who sought to ingratiate themselves and didn’t wish to gain favors from her master, couldn’t endure her master’s temper. Now that the Miss’s temper had improved, she had more social contacts. But the one who truly suited her Miss was still Yueyao. Bai Yi also hoped that Mingzhu would spend more time with Yueyao, as it would do her good.

Mingzhu said unhappily, "No, I won’t go. She didn’t even tell me about going to the mountains, why should I visit her!"

Bai Yi pursed her lips and chuckled. Her mistress was all bark but no bite; in fact, she was already quite moved, and it was likely that in a few days she would make the trip to the mountains.

Mr. Yu Shan had arranged a small courtyard for Yueyao. Though the courtyard was called small, it was two-tiered; however, both the inner and outer structures housed only two rooms each. The outer room was simply furnished, with an altar table on which sat a Bodhisattva, and plain meditation cushions on the floor. The inner room contained a small bed, a white mosquito net, and neatly folded white bedding. At the bedside was a petite vanity table bearing some years, upon which rested a small bronze mirror. In the middle of the room stood a round rosewood table adorned with a green oil lamp and writing materials, with no chairs set beneath the table.

Xi Yu was very surprised and couldn’t help but say, "Didn’t they say the small rooms in Zhaohua Temple are exquisitely and lavishly furnished? Why is it so austere?" This was completely different from the rumors!

Xiang Wei responded with a light laugh, "Not all the rumors are false. It’s just that those luxurious places are reserved for the noble ones from the imperial palace; ordinary people can’t even hope to see them, let alone live there. The other courtyards in the temple typically have this kind of furnishings unless someone who resides here long-term adds their own."

Yueyao found this place much more convenient, as she would no longer have to travel so far to the Scripture Pavilion to seek out scriptural texts. Though Yueyao didn’t mind climbing the mountain, it was indeed inconvenient.

After Xi Yu left, Yueyao asked Xiang Wei, "Have you been to Zhaohua Temple before?" The expression she had earlier could not be faked.

Xiang Wei nodded and replied, "Yes, I have been here before, and I stayed for a while." As for why she came to Zhaohua Temple, she couldn’t tell Yueyao.

Yueyao didn’t pry into why Xiang Wei was there; she was just concerned and asked, "Will anyone recognize you?" After seeing Xiang Wei shake her head to indicate no, Yueyao continued, "Xiang Wei, you’ve cut ties with your past, haven’t you?"

Xiang Wei asked, "What are you worried about, Miss?"

Yueyao was naturally worried—worried that Xiang Wei had not tied up loose ends regarding her past deeds, and if she were to be implicated, how unjust that would be!

Xiang Wei smiled and reassured her, "You can rest assured. If it were someone troublesome, the Princely Heir wouldn’t have sent me to you." Xiang Wei felt Yueyao was being overly cautious.