Chapter 2601: Going to Tiantai Temple
“This servant pays her respects to Fourth Miss,” Lu Zhen said casually, bending her knee only slightly before quickly standing up again. Her gesture completely lacked sincerity.
Lu Yujing’s face turned red with embarrassment as she waved her hand dismissively. “No need, no need.”
“Tsk…” Lu Zhen let out a slight sneer that further embarrassed Lu Yujing.
Feeling uncomfortable, Lu Yujing hurriedly left the scene with her belongings.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhen entered the house with an air of disdain.
Ning Shu asked Lu Zhen, “What does Madam want from me?”
Mistress Yun was summoning her quite a lot. What could be the reason this time?
After tidying herself up, Ning Shu followed Lu Zhen to see Mistress Yun.
“You’re already thirteen years old. It’s time for you to go out and see the world. In two days’ time, we’ll be going to Tiantai Temple for a Buddhist ceremony where Master Liao Ran will give a sermon. You should come along,” condescended Mistress Yun.
Tiantai Temple was renowned in their country and attracted wealthy officials, celebrities, and merchants who loved visiting there.
As for Master Liao Ran, he was a highly respected monk known for his profound knowledge of Buddhism.
Why would they allow her to attend? As a non-legitimate daughter, these activities were typically beyond her reach.
“Go back and get ready. Don’t embarrass our family name. Many distinguished guests will be present including young ladies and gentlemen from various families… make sure to pay attention to your manners; don’t do anything that would tarnish our reputation,” sternly warned Mistress Yun.
Ning Shu curtsied respectfully in response: “I understand.”
“You may leave now,” dismissed Mistress Yun with a wave of her hand.
Once they were out of the main courtyard, Yuan Xiang spoke up excitedly, “Miss! This is great! Now you can meet other noble women!”
So what if she met them? Her own sisters fought with such venomous rivalry, so how could outsiders possibly help her?
Everyone treated each other based on their relative status.
For her to be invited to such an event… It was also possible that they were sizing each other up.
Wow, they even arranged marriages within temples?
Upon hearing that Ning Shu would be accompanying Mistress Yun to Tiantai Temple for the Buddhist ceremony, Mistress Liu started buying clothes and jewelry for Ning Shu.
Mistress Liu hoped that Ning Shu would make a good impression on those madams and perhaps attract marriage proposals in the future.
Mistress Liu seemed more nervous than Ning Shu herself as she constantly advised her on proper behavior and manners to avoid any potential missteps.
Like an ant on a hot pan, Mistress Liu ran back and forth until she made herself dizzy with worry. Ning Shu humored her because she knew that Mistress Liu was only concerned about her well-being.
“Third Sister, are you going to the temple?” Lu Yujing asked enviously while feeling slightly awkward. They were both daughters of the same father, yet Lu Yujing had been completely forgotten.
It was because she didn’t have a birth mother protecting her.
Ning Shu replied calmly, “Once you become as old as me, you’ll have opportunities to attend various banquets too.”
As girls grew older, they needed to be presented publicly in order to promote themselves and let people know that they were ready for marriage.
Lu Yujing gave an unusually disappointed ‘oh’ before walking away.
On the night before their departure to Tiantai Temple, Mistress Liu incessantly reminded Ning Shu about what to be cautious of. It became so overwhelming that Ning Shu started getting the mistaken impression that she was getting married the next day.
“This is your first time going out. Don’t pick fights with anyone. Endure a little and things will pass. Speak less and consult with the madam on every matter,” Mistress Liu warned Ning Shu repeatedly.
Ning Shu listened attentively and nodded in acknowledgment. “I understand.”
The following morning, Ning Shu adorned herself with the clothes and jewelry prepared by Mistress Liu.
She kept a vial of medicinal powder on her since things could easily go wrong in places with a large number of people.
Things were especially dangerous since those visiting Tiantai Temple all belonged to high-ranking families. If any mishap occurred, it would become fodder for gossip among high society – their reputation would never be able to recover!
Ning Shu had to be prepared.
Accompanied by Yuan Xiang, Ning Shu arrived at the gate where several sedan chairs were waiting outside.
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