Volume 1: The Hou Gate of Jinghua Chapter 27: A Forced Meeting

  The Bhodi Temple is located in the southwest of the temple, next to a Bodhi tree planted during the Taizu period and carefully cultivated afterwards. Now it has already covered the shade, so there is a commonly used name - Bodhi Temple. Several houses are hidden among the flowers, grass and trees, making them look more elegant. Although it is winter now, the grass and trees are withered and yellow, but the red plum blossoms behind are in full bloom, adding some spirit to this bleak winter.

  Zhike monk accompanied Chen Lan and her brother to this place, Chen Lan found an excuse to send them away. After sitting down and drinking a cup of tea, she finally thought clearly in her mind, so she took the opportunity when Chen Yan went to the toilet to call all three big girls over.

  "Yuner, you said you were familiar with the magpies beside Luo Niang's side. After returning, go and ask about San Fu Ren's illness."

  Yuner was always sensitive and quick to react, at this moment her little brain spun rapidly, thinking she understood Chen Lan's meaning, so she nodded hastily: "Don't worry, Miss, I'll bring a box of pastries for Xi Que, and she'll spill everything."

  That day, Yun'er went out in the afternoon and didn't return until evening. She reported that it was indeed someone from the third house who had gone to find the old family of Chu Si's house. Chen Lan naturally trusted her abilities, but still couldn't help reminding her: "Don't reveal any traces, be careful. Yesterday, the commotion in my room about changing people has become known to everyone. I think you went to tell Ji Kuai your troubles, and even if Luo Niang saw it, she wouldn't make things difficult for you."

  Qinfang, who was standing beside her, was shocked by what she heard and was just about to ask questions when Chen Lan turned his head again to look at Hongluo: "You are a person from the Lianxiang Institute, so you should visit there more often when you have time. Flatter the old lady in front of her. After all, compared to Sumu Hujiang, the old lady still believes in you somewhat. Don't let people think that once you came to my place, you forgot your former master. You are not a born child of this family, and if someone grabs onto this excuse and makes a scene, it will be your greatest fault."

  Hongluo nodded, and then Chen Lan said to Qinfang: "You are honest by nature, you get along well with everyone above and below. Go and ask if there is a cousin named Su in the family, what did the old master say when he was alive? Also, ask carefully about the marriages of the brothers and sisters at home, whether they were betrothed since childhood."

  She had just finished dealing with three people when she suddenly heard three knocks on the door outside, followed by Su Mu's voice: "Miss, there is an old monk accompanied by many people coming to Jing She's side, it seems like they are from some family!"

  Qinfang had accompanied Chen Lan here twice before, and upon hearing the noise, she was taken aback for a moment before hastily reminding her: "Miss, in the past when we came to offer incense and sacrifices, the Abbot of Huguo Temple, Master Zhiyong, would always come out to greet us. This time, however, he didn't even show his face. I had thought it was because our household had encountered some trouble, but now that he's accompanied someone here, the status of those people absolutely cannot be lower than ours in the manor!"

  "Don't panic, my fourth brother and I are here to pay respects to our deceased mother, not to have fun. Besides, there's something going on at home, whoever it is can make an excuse for not seeing us, we'll just wait here until they leave. Xianfang, you and Hongluo go to the front gate and keep watch, if it's someone we know, just say hello, if not, report the name of the Hou Mansion. Also, let Su Mu Hu Jiao sneak out from the other side and take a look at whether our family servants have arrived."

  As everyone left, Chen Lan couldn't help but feel that today's events were likely to be leaked out. Otherwise, how could they have encountered people so coincidentally? But if it wasn't a coincidence, what was the purpose of others designing this encounter?

  In a moment, Chen Yan came out of the clean room and washed his hands in the copper basin. He saw that there were only two people left in the house, Chen Lan and Yun'er. Suddenly, he asked strangely: "Sister, where are the others?"

  Just as Chen Lan was about to answer, a voice came from outside, and she hastily gestured to Chen Yun to sit down on the opposite side of the kang. However, Chen Yun furrowed his brow and said irritably, "Is it that poor scholar again?"

  "Don't be so harsh with your words." Chen Lan stood up and pulled Chen Yan to sit down beside him, then said in a low voice, "Although that Su young master was indeed overbearing with his words at the Guardian Temple mountain gate earlier, you were too impatient. Some people, the more you argue with them, the more they'll get worked up, it's better to just ignore them coldly, that way they'll lose interest."

  "Sister, you're getting more and more preachy these days, always going on and on with your lectures!" Chen Yan didn't nod or shake his head, but looked at Chen Lan thoughtfully for a moment before asking, "However, if people like this aren't taught a lesson, it's likely that in the future someone will still try to take advantage of us, just like those slaves in our household who get above themselves when we give them an inch!"

  "Before, you were so fierce at home, scolding whoever didn't please your eyes. What was the result?" Chen Lan saw that Chen Yan was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself that he had indeed been too anxious and preachy these past few days. So he smiled and said, "You're not young anymore, take some time to reflect on these things yourself. I won't say anything more, lest you think I'm nagging!"

  "Sister, I was just joking!"

  The sister and brother were talking, when suddenly a loud noise came from outside. First, a sharp voice loudly dispatched people to guard the surroundings, followed by the voices of several young men speaking, interspersed with a loud scolding. As the sound got closer and closer, Chen Lan finally heard a voice at the door, which was the same sharp voice as before.

  "Are you people from the Yangning Marquis Manor?"

  Is it eunuch?

  Chen Lan suddenly had an idea, and his eyebrows furrowed instantly. He then saw Chen Yan jump down from the kang and hastily grabbed him, shaking his head and saying: "Don't panic, listen to what he has to say."

  Outside the door, Qinfang and Hongluo looked at the tall and thin man in his forties in front of them, both feeling a little nervous. The two were maids from the Hou Mansion, and judging by the voice and demeanor, they knew that the visitor was likely a eunuch. Therefore, after exchanging a glance with each other, they hastily curtsied and Qinfang replied with her head bowed: "Reporting to Your Excellency, we are people from the Yangning Marquis's mansion."

  Jin Wen was the chief eunuch of the Jin Wang Fu, and wherever he went, people would show him respect. At this moment, he nodded slightly with a hint of arrogance, then asked again: "Which member of the Hou Fu is in that house?"

  This is what Hong Luo meant, and she glanced at the abbot of Huguo Temple, Zhiyong, who was not far away. She quickly answered before Qin Fang: "Sir, in the house are the third miss and fourth young master of the Hou Mansion. Today they came to Huguo Temple to offer incense and sacrifices for the late madam. My mistress is unwell and is resting inside now, with the fourth young master accompanying her."

  "Ah, I see." Jin He recalled the rumors outside and naturally believed them. He smiled and said, "Today, my family's King of Jin invited the Crown Prince of Wei to bring people to play at the Temple of National Protection. It was a coincidence that we met, and it was also fate. So, my family's King of Jin asked the young master and miss of the Hou Mansion to come over and chat. We are relatives, not outsiders. Moreover, Yang Zhihuai, the commander of the Brocade Guard, is also here, so you can ask about your father's affairs. This is a win-win situation, let the young master and miss hurry up and meet them."

  After saying this, he didn't wait for Qinfang and Hongluo to respond at all, and turned around and left. As soon as he walked away, Qinfang's heart was in a mess, but Hongluo hesitated for a moment before quickly pulling Qinfang to turn around and push the door into the house.

  PS: I know this book is slow, and I've been wanting to update more, but unfortunately, it's been so cold lately that my brain has frozen. Plus, I still have a two-day hot spring trip booked for January, which means I need to stockpile four chapters' worth of drafts... what can you do?