Chapter 299: Chapter 299: His and Her Relationship
Shen Yanchuan wanted to agree with the first part, but the latter half felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat. He simply couldn’t utter a "yes."
’Right, not only did she not send him any wine, but she hadn’t even told him about the tavern’s opening beforehand.’
When Chen Songshi saw he wasn’t speaking, he was taken aback.
"...She didn’t send you any?"
Though it was just a few words, the incredulous and disbelieving tone said more than enough.
Chen Songshi hesitated for a moment before lowering his expectations.
"If there’s no Snow Drink, then... surely you got some Peach Blossom Brew? That one’s good too!"
Shen Yanchuan remained silent.
Chen Songshi started to get anxious.
"Then... then if that’s not an option, Chrysanthemum Drink will have to do!"
After a moment of silence, Shen Yanchuan said darkly, "It seems the Yunlai Tavern has quite a wide variety of drinks."
Chen Songshi fell silent as well.
He gave Shen Yanchuan a look that was hard to put into words, full of disappointment. "And to think you went out of your way to invite me. Don’t tell me you didn’t even go yourself?"
Before Shen Yanchuan could reply, he waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind, never mind. It’s actually a good thing you didn’t go. It’s so crowded now you can’t even get a booking. The fewer people, the better!"
Shen Yanchuan was speechless.
Chen Songshi stroked his beard, shot him a glance, and quietly began to pull the painting back toward his side.
Shen Yanchuan asked coolly, "That painting of yours... weren’t you planning on giving it to me?"
"Oh! Actually, now that I take a closer look, the painting you have hanging up is perfectly fine! No need to replace it!" Chen Songshi was kicking himself. ’I really should have asked first!’
’What a complete waste of time this was.’
’It was Yanchuan’s fault, too. Who would have guessed that after all this, he’d completely failed to make an impression on Miss Ye!’
’If she cared about him even a little, wouldn’t she have sent him at least one jug of fine wine?’
As Chen Songshi began to roll up the painting, he prepared to take his leave.
’If I’d known, I would have just sent it directly to the Ye Mansion!’
Shen Yanchuan was rarely treated with such disdain. He was so speechless that he let out an amused laugh.
Just as Chen Songshi was about to roll up the painting and leave, Shen Yanchuan finally spoke. "I’m afraid it’s too late for you to go now."
Chen Songshi stopped and turned back. "What do you mean?"
Shen Yanchuan said, "Tomorrow is the Chongyang Festival."
...
The night was still and deep. A crescent moon hung in the sky, accompanied by a few twinkling stars.
Tomorrow would likely be overcast.
After Ye Chutang finished copying the final scroll of Buddhist sutras, she tidied everything away and went to bed early with Xiao Wu.
At the crack of dawn the next day, Ye Chutang took Xiao Wu and set out for Jiuhua Mountain.
Accompanying them were Master Shiyuan and nine other monks.
When they reached the foot of Jiuhua Mountain, Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng had already arrived.
They had brought servants and maids from the Ye Mansion with them.
"Sister."
Ye Jingyan stepped forward. Seeing the familiar face beside her, he nodded in greeting.
"Master Shiyuan."
There was no surprise on his face. He had clearly already guessed that Ye Chutang’s visit to Feiyun Temple was to invite them for this very purpose.
Xiao Wu scurried forward and was swept into Ye Yunfeng’s arms.
"It’s been so long. Did you miss your fourth brother?"
Xiao Wu nodded vigorously.
Ye Yunfeng playfully tapped her on the nose.
The weather was pleasant today, and the forest was quiet and serene.
The group followed the mountain path upward, eventually reaching a spot halfway up the slope.
Seeing the cluster of graves, Ye Jingyan fell silent. Ye Yunfeng put Xiao Wu down, his thin lips pressed into a line.
In the young man’s still-boyish features, a hopeless longing could no longer be concealed.
This was the first time either of them had been here.
Ye Chutang instructed the servants to set up the incense table. She then took three sticks of incense, holding them in both hands, clasped before her chest.
Ye Jingyan, Ye Yunfeng, and Xiao Wu stood behind her.
The mountain wind rustled through the forest, making the leaves and branches sway gently.
"Father, Mother, Brother."
Ye Chutang’s voice was soft and gentle, her dark, warm eyes gazing steadily forward.
"It is the Chongyang Festival. I have brought Yan, A Feng, and Ling Zhi here to escort you home."
She kowtowed three times in pious reverence.
Yan and the others followed suit. The servants and maids fell silent, though they occasionally stole glances at Master Shiyuan and his contingent, their expressions still holding a trace of unconcealed shock.
’Second Miss Ye actually managed to persuade Master Shiyuan to perform the rites!’
’It was well known that the abbot of Feiyun Temple was notoriously difficult to invite. Only the most powerful families in the capital had enough prestige to succeed.’
’Who would have thought Second Miss Ye could invite him from Feiyun Temple so quietly and without any fuss!’
The incense smoke curled upward, seeming to veil their vision.
Master Shiyuan placed his palms together and recited a Buddhist mantra.
The sound of chanting filled the air, as clear and mellow as jade, seeming to bring peace to everyone’s hearts.
Ye Chutang gave the gravestones one last look, then said:
"Begin the exhumation."
...
On the joyous Chongyang Festival, the capital was bustling with activity.
The servants of the Long Princess Mansion had been bustling about since early morning.
"The Young Master Heir and the Commandery Princess are both visiting today, so be extra meticulous with your duties!"
Shen Yanchuan’s visit was a given, but Princess Qingyang was so fond of the place she would have visited three times a day if she could. The Long Princess Mansion felt more like her home than her own Commandery Princess Mansion.
The Eldest Princess smiled. "Their visit today is no different from any other. Just prepare some extra pastries and tea."
Though she said as much, it was clear the Eldest Princess was also looking forward to their visit.
Zhuxin stifled a laugh behind her hand. "Rest assured, Your Highness. All the refreshments have been prepared."
Princess Qingyang, who had just reached the door, heard this and immediately quickened her pace, bursting inside.
"I knew you dote on me the most!"
The Eldest Princess beamed at her, feigning reproach. "These weren’t prepared for you. It’s just that Xiao Wu isn’t coming today, so you get to benefit."
Hearing this, Princess Qingyang felt a pang of disappointment as well.
"Oh, that’s right. They’re at Jiuhua Mountain today..."
Ye Chutang preferred to keep a low profile, so she only had Ye Jingyan and his brother ask for leave from their duties and brought along servants from the mansion.
The Eldest Princess let out a soft sigh as well.
"It must be so difficult for her... to have to worry about so many things at her age."
Princess Qingyang took a bite of a jujube cloud cake and, with a satisfied smile, said reassuringly:
"It’s alright. I’ll take some over to them later!"
Seeing this, Zhuxin quickly added, "Your Highness, please eat slowly. We also have some Chrysanthemum Drink that was specially delivered from the Yunlai Tavern. We saved some for you."
Princess Qingyang’s eyes instantly lit up.
"Really? I thought she had only sent some for me! Then again, it makes sense. Our relationship with Chutang is special! Of course she’d save the good stuff for us!"
Shen Yanchuan, who had just arrived at the door and apparently had no special relationship with Second Miss Ye whatsoever, was speechless.
