Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Budding Feelings in the Dark
Because of the emotional bond formed over those few days, Qu Fulan was riding in the carriage with the three young ladies.
They enjoyed watching the scenery outside the window, chatting and laughing, creating quite a lively atmosphere. The journey was harmonious and pleasant.
When they grew tired of watching, everyone leaned back against the carriage wall to rest their eyes, as sleeping was impossible.
Even though they were traveling on the official road, there were some uneven places, causing the carriage to sway, leaving Qu Fulan feeling as though her bones might scatter.
Along the way, the Pei Family’s carriage suddenly came to a slow stop.
Because Qu Fulan’s carriage was just behind the old lady’s carriage, they could hear what was happening ahead from the guards’ voices.
The guard’s voice was steady and clear: "Madam, the Wen Family’s carriage is traveling ahead. Knowing that the old madam is near, they stopped and sent me to pay respects."
The Wen Family was also a prestigious family, with ancestors indebted to the Pei Family. Out of gratitude, they proactively maintained ties with the Pei Mansion during the holidays. Having met on the road, it was their intention to step out of the carriage and pay respects.
The old lady said to the person, "Please go back and tell your mistress that we thank her for thinking of us. This road has many inconveniences; we should meet properly once we reach the temple."
The carriage soon continued on its way.
The Wen Family was very humble, allowing the Pei Family’s carriage to go first.
The man riding a tall horse orderly instructed his family’s carriages and people to make way.
The old lady’s carriage went ahead, followed by the other carriages. The breeze stirred by the moving carriages lifted the curtains. A young lady inside the carriage glanced out casually and unexpectedly met the man’s gaze, both of them stunned.
Third Miss Pei Xiang quickly dropped her gaze, her cheeks flushing.
Fang Yuan’s view hadn’t caught this act but she did notice Third Miss’s reddening face, remarking, "Is the carriage too hot? Third Sister’s face has turned red!"
Pei Xiang, hearing this, felt even more embarrassed, blushing too much to speak.
Cheng Ru had seen it all clearly from her viewpoint and now chuckled, "Silly girl, there’s such a large basin of ice blocks here. How could it be hot?"
Fang Yuan was still puzzled, reaching out to touch Third Sister’s cheek. Pei Xiang couldn’t avoid it and was touched firmly.
"It is indeed very hot." Fang Yuan said.
Cheng Ru gently tapped Fang Yuan’s head with a fan, "You silly girl, are you truly that clueless?"
"What?" Fang Yuan was baffled, unable to get answers from Third Sister, and with Miss Cheng calling her silly, she instinctively looked at Qu Fulan, "Fulan Sister, are you hot?"
Qu Fulan laughed, "It’s not really hot inside the carriage. It’s just that Third Miss was sitting by the window and when the curtain blew open, a gust of hot air came in, creating a temperature difference. It’s normal to feel hot and blush."
She was making it up, otherwise how could they admit that Third Miss blushed because she saw a stranger?
A young lady’s reputation is quite important.
Fang Yuan finally understood after hearing this explanation and Pei Xiang felt a surge of gratitude.
Cheng Ru smiled at Qu Fulan, "You know a lot, don’t you? Besides being good at chess, you have such practical knowledge that you make Fang Yuan seem even more inferior."
Fang Yuan was not pleased and pounced on her to tickle her, "Naughty you, always teasing me! Watch how I handle you."
The two got into a playful tussle.
But Qu Fulan was unaffected, for the appearance of the Wen Family had reminded her of some storylines.
In the novel, Third Miss Pei Xiang had a life that was both happy and unhappy.
The happiness lay in meeting a good person she could rely on for life.
But unfortunately, she later died by swallowing gold.
As for why she swallowed gold, the original novel didn’t explain, leaving this plot point a perplexing mystery for Qu Fulan to this day.
Anyway, it wasn’t that the man was unfaithful or anything, because after Third Miss died, her husband never married another woman and raised their children alone.
Qu Fulan watched Third Miss quietly, having spent much time together, she felt that Pei Xiang was a strong person who wouldn’t seek death so easily.
Fang Yuan and Cheng Ru were still playfully fighting, getting tired and then resuming tea and conversation as time flew by until they reached Hanshan Temple.
Hanshan Temple was a grand temple bustling with people.
With the Pei Family’s status, a visit to Hanshan Temple could have closed the temple for private reception.
But the Pei Family had never used such privileges over the years.
This time was no different. The pilgrims who saw carriages arriving naturally made way, knowing these must be honored guests, not people to be trifled with.
There were three paths leading into Hanshan Temple.
One was directly at the center of the temple, a wide and long staircase; another path on the left was wide enough for carriages, which was the VIP route, usually closed to casual passersby; and the path on the right was wide enough for sedan chairs, for those who could afford to ride in and avoid walking.
Ordinary people with neither wealth nor power had to climb the stairs.
At this moment, the Pei Family’s carriage avoided the crowd and went to the left path.
Many were curious, eagerly observing the distinguished carriages and horses, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ladies in the carriage as a stroke of fortune.
Unfortunately, the young ladies rarely lifted the curtains, fearing offense.
The carriage arrived at a bamboo grove and stopped.
This was the area reserved for distinguished guests, divided into numerous courtyards for their stay.
With the old lady’s journey planned in advance, arrangements have been made at the temple, allowing for immediate residency.
However, the belongings from the carriage needed to be unloaded one by one and carried in.
Everyone disembarked from the carriage.
Third Miss was the first to alight, supported by maids and older women. No sooner had she landed and found her footing, a sound of horse hooves came from behind, accompanied by a woman’s alarmed shout.
"Ahhh, get out of the way!"
Qu Fulan could only see through the window that a woman was riding uncontrollably toward them.
The horse rarely crashes into carriages for no reason, but it was uncertain about the people near the carriage; Third Miss and the maids were petrified, standing still as though bound by fright, on the brink of being hit.
Right at that moment, a figure swiftly flew over, grabbed the reins, and the horse, lifting its front legs high, neighed twice and stopped.
The horse stopped mere inches from hitting someone.
It could be said Third Miss watched the horse raise its legs directly in front, the visual impact terrifying, causing the maids and older women to collapse. She remembered she was a daughter of the Pei Family and couldn’t disgrace them, standing upright despite trembling all over, biting her lip.
But now, with the crisis over, she instinctively stepped back, tripped by the maids and older women, nearly falling.
The man on the horse reacted swiftly, dismounting to support her, quickly withdrawing his hand, showing respect.
Yet just from this moment, they locked eyes again, recognizing each other from earlier on the road, both blushing to their ears.