Chapter 389

**Chapter 394: Offering Incense (Part 1)**

Upon hearing that Elder Madam would be visiting Huguo Temple on the fourth day of the eighth month, with all the gentlemen, ladies, and young mistresses from each household accompanying her, the maids and matrons grew quite excited.

Such an opportunity was truly rare.

At first, everyone vied to be chosen for the trip. Once the list was finalized, those selected were overjoyed, rummaging through their trunks for clothes and discussing what hairstyles to wear and which jewelry to don. Those not chosen couldn’t help but feel dispirited, making snide comments on the sidelines.

In Lady Eleven’s quarters, Yanrong volunteered to stay behind.

“Those left behind are just a few inexperienced young maids—someone has to keep an eye on them!” she said, though her gaze drifted toward the eastern courtyard.

Lady Eleven was moved.

This Yanrong was no common servant.

Whenever faced with tasks that were unrewarding and unpopular, she never shied away but instead met the challenge head-on. Among the senior maids in her quarters, everyone regarded Amber as formidable, Zhuxiang as amiable, Lüyun as dependable, Hongxiu as timid, and Yanrong as reserved. But now, Lady Eleven began to understand Yanrong’s intentions.

Originally a retainer of Eldest Miss, Yanrong had no influential backing—she had simply remained by Lady Eleven’s side by chance. She lacked the bond that Amber and Zhuxiang shared with her, nor did she have the advantage of being first like Lüyun and Hongxiu. To stand out, she had no choice but to carve her own path.

Yanrong had sharpened herself into a tool—one that Lady Eleven found perfectly suited to her hand.

“Then you may stay behind,” Lady Eleven said, her gaze tinged with admiration.

To thrive against the odds—this was something not everyone could achieve in courtly life.

Yanrong showed neither surprise nor joy, merely bowing respectfully before stepping aside in silence.

Lady Eleven then went to see Xu Sijie.

“The mornings and evenings are chilly—did you pack a cloak?” She inspected the travel preparations made by Mrs. Nanyong.

“Yes,” Mrs. Nanyong replied, following two paces behind with downcast eyes. “Tea sets, lidded bowls, scented handkerchiefs—everything was prepared as Song Mama instructed.”

Lady Eleven nodded with a smile. “Take Niuer too! It’s rare to have an outing like this.”

Mrs. Nanyong froze, her honest face lighting up with joy before quickly sobering. Hesitantly, she said, “Thank you, madam. But Niuer is still so young…”

“It’s fine,” Lady Eleven reassured her. “Shuangyu and Xiu’er can help!”

Xiu’er, daughter of Chang Jiuhe’s household, had been assigned to Xu Sijie’s quarters after learning the household rules.

Mrs. Nanyong wavered, torn, but ultimately unable to resist the temptation of the outing, she agreed after a brief hesitation.

On the day of departure, the gates of the Yongping Marquisate were thrown wide open. Elder Madam, attended by Madam Du, took the lead carriage, while her senior maids Gejin and Yuban, along with a few other personal attendants, followed in a smaller carriage. Behind them came Lady Eleven’s carriage, followed by Second Lady’s and Fifth Lady’s. Lord Xu, Xu Lingkuan, and Mr. Zhao rode alongside on horseback, dressed in casual attire. Guards encircled the procession in multiple layers, with an honor guard leading the way as the grand entourage set off for Huguo Temple.

The Xu family had sent stewards ahead to make arrangements at Huguo Temple the day before. Before dawn, the temple stationed burly monks at the mountain gate to bar entry. The abbot, clad in a gold-embroidered black monastic robe, wielded a gold-inlaid staff as he waited with the Xu family stewards before the temple’s archway. When the advance scouts reported that the carriages were about to arrive, the abbot stroked his silver-white beard and stepped forward with the stewards to greet them.

After alighting and exchanging greetings, they paid homage to the statue of the Buddha, Shakyamuni, in the main hall and made offerings. As the sun rose higher, its rays grew increasingly harsh.

The abbot personally escorted Elder Madam and her party to rest in the abbot’s guest quarters in the rear courtyard, leaving two novice monks, no older than seven or eight, to attend to them. He then accompanied Lord Xu, Xu Lingkuan, Mr. Zhao, and the others for tea.

Though Elder Madam showed signs of weariness from age, the children grew even more lively, chattering excitedly about their journey and the tales of the Heavenly Guardians and Ananda.

Lady Eleven, while instructing Zhenjie to keep an eye on her younger siblings and prevent them from running off, busied herself with Madam Du in helping Elder Madam freshen up, overwhelmed with activity.

Fifth Lady, also visibly fatigued, hesitated before speaking softly, “Fourth Sister-in-law, perhaps I could take the children to the pavilion by the Mercy Pond? Huguo Temple only has water near the pond.”

Lady Eleven, surprised, offered her a grateful smile. “Then I’ll trouble you, Fifth Lady!”

"It's no trouble!" Fifth Madame relaxed with a smile. "I was just about to take Xin Jieer out for a walk too."

Lady Eleven looked at the squirming Xin Jieer in the nurse's arms and gave an "understanding" smile.

The second madam, who had been peeling an orange for the elder madam by the daybed, smiled faintly at her. The elder madam's eyes crinkled into crescent moons.

After resting and having a vegetarian meal, the ladies of the Xu household prepared to go to the mercy pond courtyard to release captive creatures.

A young servant rushed in: "His Lordship asks the young gentlemen to come out and greet some guests."

"Oh?" the elder madam asked curiously, "Which officials are visiting?"

"Assistant Prefect Liu from the Western Mountain Camp and several colleagues," the servant replied cheerfully. "They heard His Lordship was here and came specifically to pay their regards."

Lady Eleven promptly summoned Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie, inspecting them from head to toe. Satisfied that both were neatly dressed with clean hands and faces, she had them escorted to Lord Xu. Then she instructed a maid to inform the accompanying steward to prepare for the release ceremony.

Meanwhile, the second and fifth madams assisted the elder madam with her toilette.

Once everyone was ready, they waited for about a quarter hour before Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie returned, their arms laden with gifts.

"Mother, mother!" Xu Sijie threw himself into Lady Eleven's arms, showing off gold lockets and jade plaques. "Assistant Prefect Liu praised me for being clever!"

Xu Sizhun quickly pulled him back. "Grace in victory, calm in defeat. Must you be so boastful? This isn't how a proper young scholar behaves! If you must say it, wait until there's no one around."

This drew laughter from all present. Xu Sijie blushed and hung his head.

The elder madam asked Xu Sizhun, "Were there many people with your father?"

Xu Sizhun nodded, puzzled. "They all spoke very loudly. But when Father spoke to them, they immediately softened their voices, as if afraid of him."

The elder madam sighed quietly at this.

The second madam quickly comforted her: "His Lordship has lived quietly these past two years, making visits rare. These are old subordinates—it wouldn't do to slight them."

"I know," the elder madam said wistfully. "It just pains me that even during moments of leisure, he finds no peace."

Lady Eleven deftly changed the subject: "Mother, it's getting late—shall we make our way to the mercy pond?" To the children, she added, "There are four little red carp prepared just for you. Remember to release them into the pond with your own hands!"

At this, Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie brightened, joined hands, and scampered outside.

Zhenjie, remembering Lady Eleven's instruction to watch over her brothers, hurried after them, hitching up her skirts: "Zhun'er, Jie'er, slow down! Mind your steps!"

Their attending maids and older women hastened after them, leaving the room noticeably quieter.

Xin Jieer, still in her nurse's arms, set up a wail, crying toward Xu Sizhun's retreating figure: "Brother! Brother...!"

The nurse cooed to her: "We'll go find the young masters and miss right away..." Quickening her pace, she followed the others.

The elder madam chuckled. "These children are even more rambunctious than their father was at their age!"

Though her words sounded reproachful, her tone brimmed with fondness, her face radiating satisfaction.

The second madam moved to assist the elder madam as the group escorted her to the mercy pond courtyard.

The children had already gathered around the bucket containing the red carp, chattering excitedly. Upon seeing the adults approach, they called out—some crying "Grandmother!", others "Mother!"—creating such a lively atmosphere that everyone's hearts lightened.

The servants carried the buckets and released the fish into the mercy pond.

The splashing water and lively, leaping fish sent the children into another round of excited squealing.

After the release, the group strolled leisurely back to the guest quarters.

The Elder Madam reclined against the bolster on the daybed, chatting with everyone: "When I first thought of coming out, I was eager to leave home. But now that I'm here, it doesn’t feel as comfortable as staying at home. Is it because I’m too old to handle the exertion, or is it just that nothing seems appealing anymore in old age?"

The Fifth Madame and Madam Du looked after the children, serving them tea and snacks.

"Most things in this world fall short of their reputation," the Second Madame added with a smile. "But if you don’t see them for yourself, you’ll always wonder. So, nothing in this world is ever perfect!"

Meanwhile, a young maid entered to refill the tea and discreetly signaled to Eleven Miss.

Eleven Miss remained composed, sipping her tea before rising. "Please excuse me for a moment."

As the lady of the house, managing such a large family outing naturally involved many trivial matters.

The others acknowledged her casually.

Eleven Miss left the guest quarters and spotted Lord Xu’s servant standing beneath a large tree.

Upon seeing her, the servant hurried over.

"Madam," he whispered, "His Lordship asks to see you at the memorial pagoda."

"The memorial pagoda?" Someone had once discovered a stele from the former dynasty in the vegetable fields near Huguo Temple, prompting the temple to construct a pagoda in the bamboo grove of the rear courtyard, which had since become a scenic attraction. Eleven Miss mused, "Did His Lordship say anything else?"

"Nothing more," the servant replied respectfully.

Eleven Miss fell silent for a moment. "Have His Lordship’s guests dispersed yet?"

"The Capital Garrison commander and Assistant Prefect Liu are still there."

Eleven Miss couldn’t understand why Lord Xu wanted her at the memorial pagoda.

She asked Song Mama and Amber to accompany her and headed toward the pagoda.

The autumn bamboo stood tall and verdant, swaying gracefully in the breeze, rustling softly as if dancing. Walking through it felt like traversing an oasis, refreshing to the spirit.

Upon reaching the pagoda with its upturned eaves, there was no one in sight.

The servant who led them was equally puzzled and repeatedly insisted, "Madam, His Lordship truly sent me to relay the message..."

"Understood," Eleven Miss replied with a smile. "Just stand guard nearby."

The servant bowed and stepped back to the side.

Eleven Miss reflected that the stele at Huguo Temple was usually crowded with visitors, yet she had never had the chance to examine it properly. Now, she took her time studying the ancient stele from the former dynasty.