The Aloof Prince Chapter 29 - Go to the Temple
Translated by: Rize
Edited by: Larkspur
Zi Xiang was somewhat taken aback by Mu Yunjin’s words. But she quickly recovered and prepared to support Aunt Li. Her hands had yet to touch Aunt Li when she was brushed off.
“I can do it on my own.”
Aunt Li stood up and took a moment. She then quickly sucked her breath, pulled a long face and spoke to Mu Yunjin.
“We will go over the rules and etiquettes. Asking Third Miss to carefully learn from this slave. This slave is specially a.s.signed because, in the future, Third Miss will enter the Prince"s Residence. Your actions and manners should not be criticized. Third Miss, please understand Madam’s intention.”
“Are you saying Mother is thinking that my actions are improper and not adhering to the rules? Therefore, you are here to teach me?”
Mu Yunjin lazily leaned on her chair while fiddling with her fingernails. Aunt Li was baffled, recovering quickly, she smiled.
“It is not true. It is just that the Madam knows that the Third Miss lacks in guidance. She also fears that in the future Miss may suffer at the Prince"s residence. Now she’s asked this slave to teach Third Miss the rules. Asking Third Miss to accept the Master and Madam"s kind intention.”
As Mu Yunjin listened to Aunt Li’s flowery words, she had a good understanding of why Su Biqing had sent her. After all, old ginger is spicier than young ginger. But, Su Biqing suddenly sending her confidante Aunt Li to her, it was highly unlikely that it was only as simple as learning rules and etiquettes. She was actually curious to know what tricks they’re hiding.
“Third Miss, the matter should not be delayed, we should start now.” Aunt Li said.
“Wait a minute.” Mu Yunjin interrupted loudly, leaned her head to look at Zi Xiang. “Zi Xiang, I just got out of bed and haven’t eaten yet. I am a little hungry.”
Zi Xiang immediately replied, “It is this slave’s negligence. This slave will bring your meal right away.”
“Okay.”
Zi Xiang left in a hurry. Mu Yunjin smiled at Aunt Li.
“Wait for me to finish eating.”
Aunt Li gritted her teeth and forced her lips to move.
“Yes, Third Miss.”
...........
Inside the small garden of the Listening Flower Pavilion, Mu Yunjin was unhurriedly eating a small bowl of red bean porridge. From time to time she would engage in idle gossip with Zi Xiang. The small bowl of Red bean porridge was yet to disappear even after 30 minutes. Aunt Li who was standing at the side looked up and saw that it was almost noon. She stared at Mu Yunjin, in her heart she’d cursed her a thousand times already.
“I am done eating.” Mu Yunjin said as she pushed the small bowl aside.
“Third Miss, may we begin?”
Aunt Li saw Mu Yunjin had finished eating, so she stepped forward.
Mu Yunjin nodded and smiled at Aunt Li.
“You may begin. Aunt Li give me a demonstration first, I should study the details.”
“Okay.” Aunt Li said, then stepped back, and began to demonstrate.
“This old slave will start from the bow of Confucian Code of Ethics. Within the palace, there are numerous n.o.bilities; even the ceremonial bows are divided into three ranks. Third Miss must learn them carefully.”
Mu Yunjin indulgently looked at Aunt Li"s demonstration. Aunt Li showed a small ceremonial bow. She just lightly moved her body. Her waist didn’t even bend a little. Soon after, she looked at Mu Yunjin.
“This kind of ceremonial bow is shown to people of the same age, or to sisters and brothers.”
Mu Yunjin propped her head, looking at the scene before her, she smelt something fishy.
It turned out that Aunt Li was meant to teach her the wrong rules ah. Although she did not learn any palace etiquette, it was foolish to bow perfunctorily like that. Then, Aunt Li demonstrated another bow, a big ceremonial bow.
“This kind of ceremonial bow is suited before some Imperial Concubines, they are the princes’ mothers. So, you should conduct a big ceremony.”
“Yes.” Mu Yunjin nodded but silently rolled her eyes, and lazily yawned.
“Next...”
“Miss, it is already lunchtime.” Not waiting for Aunt Li to finish, Zi Xiang suddenly interjected.
Mu Yunjin faintly raised her eyebrows and looked at Aunt Li whose face was on the verge of collapsing, she faintly hooked up her lips.
“Good, let’s eat lunch first.”
“Third Miss, didn"t you just have your meal?” Aunt Li asked while trying to restrain her anger.
“Yes, I just ate my morning meal, and now I am going to eat my lunch. Don"t tell me you will not let me eat?” Mu Yunjin asked, as she picked up her chopsticks and started eating leisurely.
Zi Xiang stood at the side trying to hide her smile. When she glanced at Aunt Li and saw her ashen face, her heart was particularly glad. In the past, Aunt Li had relied on being the First Madam"s person and did many bad things. Today, with her being here, there surely would be an incident.
As she was about to take a bite, Mu Yunjin paused and spoke, “Aunt Li, you can continue to demonstrate, I will watch you. In this way, we would save some time.”
Aunt Li, although hadn’t grasped before, hearing her words now, finally realized, This little s.l.u.t is deliberately making fun of me!
“I guess, after lunch, Third Miss would want to take a nap. After waking up, Miss would probably have her evening meal. Looks like this old slave did not come at an appropriate time. This slave will take her leave now.”
Mu Yunjin smiled sardonically, “Aunt Li actually understands me. That being the case, take care. I will not send you out!”
Aunt Li walked off in a huff.
Mu Yunjin laid down her chopsticks. A light flickered in her eyes, as she gave an impa.s.sive smile, “In these two months, I"m afraid that Listening Flower Pavilion will not be peaceful.”
“I heard that the Fourth Miss has admired the Sixth Prince since childhood. Now that the Sixth Prince wants to marry Miss as his Imperial Princess, Fourth Miss is surely unhappy.” Zi Xiang sighed.
“Unhappy, hah! Because she is unhappy, I am happy.” Mu Yunjin felt smug.
..........
Three days pa.s.sed, Mu Yunjin stayed inside the Listening Flower Pavilion and did not go out. She’d thought Aunt Li would pay visit to Listening Flower Pavilion again. Who would have guessed that after she’d angrily walked out that day she wouldn’t step in again?
Mu Yunjin idly listened to Zi Xiang talking about a temple fair that was being held today. Soon she prepared to take Zi Xiang out of the Prime Minister’s Residence. Pa.s.sing through the Front Hall, Mu Yunjin saw the housekeeper enter holding a lot of gift boxes, then he placed them on the table with the pile of other gift boxes.
“w.a.n.g Bo, where did these gifts come from?”
Zi Xiang looked at the table full of gifts curiously. w.a.n.g Bo wiped his sweat, bowed towards Mu Yunjin and spoke.
“Since the announcement of the bestowal of Miss’ marriage to the Sixth Prince has spread, these were sent by other people to the residence. There are so many, that they reach up to the doorstep. The whole capital has sent gifts to congratulate Miss. It has been three days now, but there are still people who are sending presents.”
“Where are the previously sent gifts?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow.
“This old slave is not very clear about it, but it should all be with the First Madam.” w.a.n.g Bo replied.
Mu Yunjin crossed her arms and swept her eyes across those gift boxes. As far as her eyes could see, almost all of them were very precious medicines, tonics, antiques and so on.
“Since it is to congratulate me, these gift boxes should be sent to my Listening Flower Pavilion. Conveniently have Mother send over those gift boxes that she previously took.”
Mu Yunjin flashed a smile then led Zi Xiang out of the Residence. The housekeeper stood dumbfounded in his place, for a moment he felt awkward. After leaving the Prime Minister’s Residence, Zi Xiang walked alongside Mu Yunjin.
“Miss, if we ask for those gift boxes back, won"t the First Madam be unhappy?” She worriedly asked.
“What right does she have to be unhappy? Those presents are mine, to begin with, I am just taking what is mine.” She paused before adding, “Actually, I really don"t care about those gifts. I just really hate her so much that I want to infuriate her, that’s all.”
“Miss...” Zi Xiang got scared and immediately reached out her hands to cover Mu Yunjin"s mouth. She looked around for people. If those words were heard by others, there would be a huge racket.
Mu Yunjin crossed her arms, and leisurely walked along the street, she looked around until the end of the street, but she couldn’t catch sight of a temple fair in the area.
“You said something about a temple fair, where is it?”
“Miss, temples are generally built outside of a city, this is the street market, how can there be a fair?” Zi Xiang said as she covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. Mu Yunjin twitched her mouth, and they went all the way out of the city.
..........
When they’d arrived at the temple that Zi Xiang had mentioned, Mu Yunjin looked around. The temple was bustling with the comings and goings of people who had come to attend the temple fair.
“Miss, I heard that inside the temple there exists an Ancient Millennium Tree. It is said that everyone who has made a sincere wish to the Ancient Millennium Tree, has had the wish come true.” Zi Xiang eagerly apprised her mistress.
Mu Yunjin glanced at Zi Xiang, “You also believe in this kind of hoax?”
“Miss, since we have come, we might as well take a look. Anyway, there are so many people inside right now, let us not crowd in.” Zi Xiang replied.
Mu Yunjin sighed then nodded.
She followed Zi Xiang to look for the Ancient Millennium Tree. After walking a few steps, Mu Yunjin came upon a shade at the side of a tree, she also saw a few carriages stopped there. Among them was a red sandalwood carriage that she instantly recognized. It seems Mu Lingzhu has also come. Along the way, they asked a few Buddhist monks for directions until they reached the location of the Ancient Millennium Tree.
The Millennium Tree stood inside a huge courtyard, and to get into that courtyard, one had to give the abbot a token. Seeing this, Zi Xiang felt a little sad.
Mu Yunjin cared a naught about this Ancient Millennium Tree. But as she gazed at it from afar, she felt something strange in her heart, as though something had mysteriously wrapped around and was pulling her.
Mu Yunjin stirred and said, “Zi Xiang, let us find the abbot.”
Two people made their way to the Buddhist Hall to ask the few abbots staying there. Mu Yunjin had barely walked on the steps leading to the Buddhist Hall when she saw some people ahead. She saw the Third Prince Chu Qing and the Eighth Prince Chu Xin. There was yet another man wearing magnificent clothes walking beside them. With the trio were Mu Lingzhu, Yan Ling Chang and Wen Ru Han. There were also a few other young ladies who didn’t recognize. Those people spotted Mu Yunjin as they walked towards her, for a moment everyone had different reactions. Mu Yunjin silently cursed herself for having bad luck, Zi Xiang tugged at Mu Yunjin"s sleeves and whispered.
“Miss, how about we turn around?”
“Why turn around? It won"t do to fear them.” Mu Yunjin declared aloud and took long strides forward.
When they stood face to face, Chu Qing"s voice sounded, “Is this not the Third Miss? Why are you alone?”
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Hi guys~
Oh my! I sense trouble.. again... I still don`t know what`s Chu Qing`s role in all this, is he just another idiot who likes to create trouble for the MC or will he be an ally sooner or later....
Lingzhu always spell trouble so there is nothing new...
See you guys tomorrow! I really need my zzzzzz
Good night!