She was really scared last time.
"Ninth Sister, what's wrong?" Yunfang noticed her unusual behavior and asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"
An Ran snapped out of her daze and quickly shook her head.
"I'm fine, it's just..." An Ran smiled shyly, "I'm just a little nervous."
Yunfang immediately thought of the time a few days ago when she was nearly injured in the frightened carriage. Her eyes were full of understanding and sympathy, and she asked softly, "Are you alright? If you're not feeling well, don't push yourself."
Hearing the commotion, Third Sister, who was about to get into the carriage, turned around and silently questioned with her eyes.
An Ran quickly pulled Yun Fang into the carriage.
The carriage traveled smoothly. It was still early, and there weren't many people on the street, so the carriage moved quickly. Despite An Ran's forced composure, a hint of paleness still lingered on her face.
Yunfang, understanding and considerate, talked to Anran to ease her tension, and Anran cooperated by responding to her questions.
"Have you been to Qixia Temple before?" An Ran asked casually. "I've heard that Qixia Temple is a famous scenic spot in the capital, but I haven't had the chance to visit it since I came to the capital."
Yunfang said, "I've been there before. My fourth sister and I went twice. Rui Niang went when she was younger, but she's forgotten about it. That's why my second sister-in-law brought us here. Rui Niang insisted on coming."
“Even if a distinguished guest visits Qixia Temple, the temple will not be closed off, nor will it affect ordinary worshippers from coming to worship Buddha,” Yunfang explained. “While it is true that the temple is very popular, it is also because of this that noble families and imperial relatives do not often go there for Buddhist ceremonies.”
An Ran looked enlightened.
Perhaps she felt that having too many people mixed together would be inconvenient for the unmarried girls. As soon as An Ran got into the carriage, she noticed that there were two veiled hats on it. It seemed that Third Sister had thought of everything and made thorough preparations for them.
As the sister-in-law, Third Sister also had the responsibility of educating her three illegitimate daughters.
"Can you tell me what unique scenery there is in Qixia Temple?" An Ran turned her head slightly to look at Yun Fang and smiled, "I'm afraid I'll be clueless and have no idea what to do."
Yunfang readily agreed.
She recounted everything she had seen and heard to Anran. Finally, she added, "Fourth Sister knows it better; she came several times with Eldest Sister-in-law."
This was the first time An Ran had heard about the former Crown Prince's wife.
Yunlan actually had a good relationship with the former Crown Prince's wife, but her relationship with Third Sister wasn't as good. Anran could tell that Third Sister still preferred Yunfang and Yunrui.
An Ran understood San Niang's temperament; she wouldn't think Yun Fang and Yun Rui were better just because they were slightly more favored. If San Niang were so calculating, An Ran herself would have no reason to exist in the Prince's mansion. Perhaps it was because they were compatible in temperament; Yun Fang was straightforward, and Yun Rui was still young and naive, only Yun Lan—
An Ran thought of the gentle, virtuous, chaste, and obedient Yun Lan, but she always felt that behind those calm eyes lay something unfathomable.
Especially after learning that she had a good relationship with Consort Li, An Ran could hardly say she liked her.
An Ran herself is not a scheming person. Towards such a person, one would not only keep one's distance but also maintain a superficial relationship.
After about an hour's journey, the carriage finally stopped at the temple gate. Qixia Temple was situated on high ground and its incense was very strong, so the carriage couldn't go inside. Anran and Yunfang picked up their veils, carefully put them on, and then got out.
After they came down, Anran noticed that Yunlan and Yunrui had also put on their veils, but Sanniang didn't need to wear one and was breathing in the fresh air down the mountain with ease.
This is one of the benefits of getting married!
An Ran couldn't help but smile. But once she returned to Yangzhou, she would be completely at ease.
I had already received word that the Princess Consort of Prince Yi's Mansion was bringing the young ladies of the manor to offer incense, and the familiar guest master was already waiting at the door.
Third Sister exchanged a few pleasantries with him, while An Ran and the others followed behind.
When they arrived at the place of worship, they removed their veils, each took incense, and respectfully bowed to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas before putting their veils back on and going to the backyard of the temple.
Although Buddhism teaches that all beings are saved and that all beings are equal, there are still different classes in this world. High-ranking families in the capital, like the Prince's Mansion, naturally receive different treatment because they donate more money.
There was a small courtyard for the women to rest in. In the courtyard stood two towering trees, their branches intertwined, casting a dense canopy overhead, and they looked very old. The courtyard was clean and tidy, and the shade provided a refreshing coolness.
Third Sister gave a few words of advice in the courtyard.
"You can rest here for a while. You can wander around the back of the temple at your leisure. I heard that the lady of the Qingxiang Marquis's mansion brought her daughters to offer incense today. Men are not allowed to enter the back courtyard."
"When you go out, you must take your maids and servants with you. If anything happens, just send a maid to find me at the front."
Third Sister's main purpose today is to meet Madam Wang and facilitate the marriage between Commandant Wang and his wife. She will be going to the front to speak with Madam Wang soon, so naturally she won't be bringing Ninth Sister and the others with her.
The four of them quickly and obediently agreed.
Third Sister smiled and nodded, then went inside first. Anran and the three sisters, Yunlan and her sister, went to the east wing to rest for a while.
Although Anran was very interested in the scenery of the temple, she had a bad feeling for no reason, as if something bad was about to happen.
Yunrui was the most enthusiastic among them.
"My second sister-in-law just sent someone out to buy various snacks and candied fruits." Yunrui said with a satisfied expression, "And soup too. The lotus seed soup here is absolutely amazing."
Yunfang chuckled and pointed at Yunrui's face. "I think you'd rather have snacks and treats than come here to sightsee!"
Yun Rui raised her chin, and said smugly, "So what if it is?"
“You should learn from Fourth Sister. She comes here much more often than you, but every time she comes, she likes to go to the back of the temple to see the stele forest and admire the works of famous artists. Unlike you, you’re practically a little pig.” Yunfang said, then made a face at Yunrui.
“Who said I didn’t go see it?” Yunrui said matter-of-factly, “I even went with my sister-in-law and fourth sister before… but, but—”
Before she could finish her stammering explanation, Yunfang revealed her secret. "It's just that someone got tired of watching and fell asleep on the big rock. It's not easy to pretend to be cultured!"
"Fourth Sister!" Yunrui jumped up, insisting on pulling Yunfang to uphold justice: "Fourth Sister, she won't listen unless you speak up! Look at what she's saying about me!"
An Ran and Yun Lan quickly suppressed their laughter and separated them.
Yunlan sighed and said with a helpless smile, "Ninth Sister is still here, you should at least have some self-respect!"