Horizontal branches

  Yuanyi didn't go back, but stayed in the garden, leaning against a plum tree and lost in thought for a long time. When she estimated that it was about time, she went to meet up with the people from the mansion. Without needing to ask, seeing the satisfaction on Zhang's face and the shyness on Yuanyi's face, she already knew everything.

  Yuanyi saw her with a look that could kill, but Yuanyi just glanced at the pale-faced Lanzi and stepped onto the carriage silently, closing his eyes to rest along the way. After returning to Meixiangyuan, he didn't scold or punish her, seemingly unaware of the role Lanzi played in this matter.

  It was not that she was soft-hearted, but in a few days it would be the anniversary of her aunt Madame Pong's death, and she wanted to ask Zhang for a favor to let her go to Ci'en Temple to burn incense, and Lanzi was also Zhang's person, so she didn't want to cause any trouble.

  Thinking of Zhang's eyes full of disgust, yet still pretending to be gentle and agreeable, Yuan Yi couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth, revealing a mocking smile.

  "Miss, why didn't you bring Second Young Master out this time?" Su Mei gently blew away the flame and handed the fragrant sandalwood incense, which had already started to rise in a wisp of smoke, to Yuan Yi's hand, asking with doubt.

  Yuan Yi unfolded her skirt and knelt down on the cushion, took over the incense stick, and bowed respectfully to the Bodhisattva with a kind face several times. Then she got up and handed it to Su Mei, letting her insert it into the incense burner, before saying: "Ling Ge'er is going to school, so his mother didn't let him come."

  Su Mei couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the sight of her own daughter's expressionless face.

  Pang's wife was extremely favored before her death, which made many people jealous, and the lady of the house hated her to the bone. Unfortunately, she died soon after giving birth to the second young master Ling Ge due to postpartum weakness. The fourth daughter, Yuan Yi, had to raise her younger brother under the surveillance of her stepmother, and it's not necessary to mention the hardships she faced. What's more hateful is that the lady often used the excuse of the second young master studying to prevent the two from meeting, even when the girl was seriously ill and returned to the house, she didn't let the young master come to visit. Fortunately, the young master still remembered his sisterly love and secretly brought letters over, so as not to disappoint anyone.

  After adding the money for incense, and instructing Little Monk to carefully watch over Auntie Pang's memorial tablet, Su Mei saw that Yuan Yi's face still looked gloomy, so she helped her put on her hood and cloak, then suggested: "Miss isn't craving the vegetarian dishes from Ciren Temple? This time you can really indulge in some."

  Yuanyi glanced at Sumei, a hint of smile in his eyes, and nodded: "Alright."

  The two followed the little monk who received them and came to the Zen room that received incense guests. Inside, it was empty and clean, with a quiet and sandalwood smell unique to temples. Although simple, it had a different flavor.

  The little monk joined his palms together, bowed to Yuan and murmured a Buddhist mantra. "Please wait for a moment, Miss Tan Yue," he said. "Su Zhai will be here soon. I'll take my leave first." He slightly bowed his head and closed the door as he left.

  This time, Su Mei unexpectedly waited for a long time and couldn't bear it, so she went out to urge them on. However, when she returned, her face was full of panic, and without regard for etiquette, she grabbed Yuan Yi's hand and said urgently: "Miss, let's go quickly, the third young master of the Zhang family is coming this way."

  The third young master of the Zhang family was indeed Zhang Zhonghuan. He had been coveting Yuanyi's beauty for a long time, and Su Mei and others all avoided him like a snake or scorpion, but she never thought that this person would know about the girl's incense offering, and even understood the resting Zen room.

  Yuan Yi's face sank, and in the midst of her rapid thoughts, she had apparently already understood the cat's trick. Her dark, deep eyes were terrifying as she nodded slightly and left.