Time Travel: The Noble Family -
Chapter 599 - 240 Mingzhu Comes to Seek Refuge (Part 1)
Chapter 599: 240 Mingzhu Comes to Seek Refuge (Part 1)
Yueyao found peace and comfort on the mountain. Every morning, she attended morning classes and studied with Mr. Yu Shan; in the afternoon, she practiced calligraphy and read books, occasionally taking a stroll when she felt like it. The scenery of Zhaohua Temple was indeed beautiful.
Whenever Master Xuan Tian was available, Yueyao took the opportunity to listen to him lecture on the scriptural texts. Every time, she gained new insights.
That day, Yueyao performed her evening rituals as usual. She knelt on the cushion, tapping the wooden fish and gently reciting the scriptures as the curling smoke from the incense on the desk enveloped her.
Bai Yi brought Mingzhu along, and they waited in the courtyard for quite some time without Yueyao coming out. Impatient, Mingzhu complained, "Hurry up and call Yueyao out."
Xiang Wei was about to respond when Xi Yu refused before her, "That’s not possible. The young lady is currently engaged in evening class and cannot be disturbed. Miss Luo, please wait a while longer; it will be over soon."
Mingzhu was annoyed, even though she knew she couldn’t raise her voice loudly here, and complained discontentedly, "How soon is ’soon’? I’ve been waiting for ages."
Xiang Wei pressed her lips together, thinking that not even a quarter of a shichen had passed and yet Mingzhu was already exaggerating the wait, confirming that the Third Young Lady’s nature could never change.
Yueyao finished her evening class and came out from inside the house. Seeing Mingzhu, she was a bit surprised and inquired, "Why are you here so late?" It wasn’t strange for her to come visit, as Yueyao had received a message earlier knowing that Mingzhu would come over, but her late arrival was quite uncommon.
Mingzhu huffed, "I’ve been waiting half a day for you. Your maid was strictly guarding the door, not letting me in, saying I couldn’t disturb you during your readings. Why bother coming up to the mountain to read scriptures in the first place?" She truly couldn’t understand Yueyao; who would like to live in the mountains with nothing tasty to eat or fun to do, just utter boredom.
Bai Yi gave Yueyao a meaningful look.
Seeing his expression, Yueyao knew something must have happened at Marquis Jingning’s Residence and said with a smile, "I have to do my lessons in the morning and evening, and I cannot be disturbed while doing them. From now on, whether or not you join me, you cannot interrupt me."
Mingzhu grumbled, "Who said I’m going to stay? I’m leaving tomorrow."
Upon seeing the luggage outside, Yueyao chuckled softly. If it were only for one night, there was no need to bring the luggage along.
Yueyao did not dwell on Mingzhu’s words, instead she offered cheerfully, "Why don’t you stay with me?" In the past, Yueyao did not like staying with Yueying and Yuehuan because she was wary of them. But Mingzhu was simple-minded and someone she acknowledged, so Yueyao didn’t feel the need to guard against her.
Mingzhu called out to Zhi Qin and Zhi Hua who were outside, "Hurry up, bring the things inside." Mingzhu’s belongings weren’t too many—just eight large boxes full of clothing and jewelry.
Dinner was brought from outside at that moment. To save hassle, Yueyao did not cook but ate the vegetarian meals provided by the temple.
Mingzhu took a bite and immediately spat it out, her brows inverted sharply in displeasure. She scoffed at the little novice monk who brought the meal, "Who are you trying to fool with this? Such inedible food and you serve it."
Yueyao laughed and said, "The time you came here before isn’t like it is now. Try to eat a bit, or you’ll be hungry tonight. There are no snacks on this mountain in the late hours." The treatment Mingzhu received on her last visit was of the highest standard, not comparable to the communal meals that monks eat now; of course, the large pot rice would not be tasty.
Mingzhu hastened to say, "Then let’s cook!" She had decided that unless her father came to fetch her, she would not return and would stay on the mountain instead.
Yueyao had an idea in mind. Mingzhu had been pampered since childhood, unaware of the hardships of common life. Perhaps she could use this opportunity to let her experience what ordinary living was like. Thinking this, Yueyao firmly shook her head and declared, "That won’t be possible, my courtyard doesn’t have a kitchen."
Mingzhu’s eyes flickered, but she didn’t pursue the topic any further, resolving to come up with a plan herself. She could tell Yueyao once the matter was dealt with.
The night on the mountain was very cold. After practicing calligraphy with Yueyao for a shichen, Mingzhu snuggled into the quilt. However, even the quilt was cold, making Mingzhu long for the underfloor heating at home.
Xi Yu brought two warmed clay bottles—one for Mingzhu to put at her feet and the other for her to hold. Mingzhu muttered aggrievedly, "I’ve stayed at Zhaohua Temple before, and it wasn’t this bad!" The food was unbearably tasteless, the room freezing cold. She wondered why Yueyao had chosen such a terrible place, thinking she should’ve picked a better spot for Yueyao if she had known.
Mingzhu tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep; seeing Yueyao still reading, she couldn’t help but call out, "It’s so late, and it’s cold. You should go to sleep!"
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