The next day, before the sun even rose, the Lotus Fragrance Courtyard sent servants to notify participants of their entourage of their coming departure and to meet at the front gate at two to head to the temple together. Qi Yue and Qi Xuan both ridiculed and voiced their dissatisfaction but Shen Liang himself, didn't say anything. He was even in the mood to play with his little nephew for a while before heading back to his room to change.
It wasn't appropriate to head to the temple with too ostentatious of an entourage. It would prove to be a great disrespect to the Heavens and Shen Liang had no choice but to consider and cherish his reputation amongst the public. He deliberately chose a set of pure white attire with black edges and embroidery to wear and another spare light blue attire. His hair was also tied into an elegant, but simple style with a gold inlaid jade crown matched with the blood jade hairpin Pei Yuanxian had gifted him. His belt was also a simple black accessory with auspicious clouds embroidered on the surface which served to make his already slender waist seem like one could wrap his arms entirely around it.
"That's what being beautiful is. No matter what you wear, you're still beautiful. I'm afraid today's Liangliang will astonish everyone once again today," Yaoguang looked at him up and down and couldn't help but marvel at their Princess Consort. When he donned an elegant red, he was the focus of attention wherever he went. It was as though red was a color crafted for him. But when Shen Liang wore a single white attire, supplemented by black, the attire accentuated his cold and noble temperament. Shen Liang was like a snow lotus perched at the top of a snow mountain. He was like a banished immortal, sacred and profane, and one who should not be tarnished.
"You're exaggerating. Have what I asked for been prepared?" Shen Liang placed the blood jade bracelet around his wrist as he shook his head in amusement. perhaps it was strange to see a man wear such an accessory but Shen Liang had the beauty to justify it. His figure was slender and his wrist was thin. The bracelet looked better on him than it would on many women.
"Everything's been prepared for. Say, why did you have me make so many steamed buns for?"
At the time of Yin (3-5am), he had been called up. Even the Nether Guards weren't spared as they were all arranged to knead dough and the smoke from the smokestack in the kitchen never ceased to stop coming out since. Baskets filled with steamed buns, which should amount to thousands, were loaded into a carriage.
"Naturally, because they'll have their uses." Shen Liang gave him a mysterious smile. Already dressed, he pushed open the door and headed out. Qi Yue and Qi Xuan were waiting for outside but Fu Ying was nowhere to be seen. He should have taken the child back into the room to prevent him from crying when he sees Shen Liang leave. The child was already seven months old but still trailed after Shen Liang like a tiny tail. As long as Shen Liang was present, then it had to be Shen Liang who carried him. Otherwise, the child would cry and scream to the point it made others doubt their life.
"Liangliang, please be careful. Return safe."
"En, I know."
The moment Qi Yue and Qi Xuan saw him, their series of warnings and instructions didn't cease. Shen Liang nodded his head and gave the two of them a comforting smile. The moment Lei Zhen appeared, he gave the man a nod and prepared to depart, "Let's go."
The three of them stepped out of the courtyard together. Qi Yue and Qi Xuan sent them out the courtyard before returning with worrisome expressions.
Compared to the schemes they came up with last time, the women this time didn't do anything to the entourage this time. Perhaps they were afraid Shen Liang would back out of the trip but currently, Shen Liang was simply an existence who knew no bounds. There wasn't anything he wouldn't dare to do. On the surface, they called him little b*stard and scolded him, but in their hearts, they were all afraid.
"Fifth Young Master," Sun Jing, the temporary head of the back courtyard saw Shen Liang figure from a distance and called out a warm greeting. Those from the second and third family immediately curled their lips simultaneously as they called her a sycophant in their heart.
"Auntie Sun," Shen Liang smiled and gave her a nod. The greeting was neither overly enthusiastic nor was it particularly cold.
"Is everyone here?" Shen Liang swept a gaze over the entourage as he inquired. There were seven to eight carriages lined up outside the manor with occupants in each of them. It was still early morning. Were they that impatient to deal with him?
"The Madame, second Young Master, and the fourth Young Master won't be attending due to health reason. The Old Madame, second Madame, and third Madame as well as the other young masters and misses have already arrived." Sun Jing shook her head. Shen Liang immediately captured the underlying meaning in her words. No wonder he felt as though the group was particularly large today. It turned out that even the children from the second and third family had come.
"En. We'll have to bother Auntie Sun to take care and look after manor today." After politely addressing her, Shen Liang stepped past her. Sun Jing didn't say much either. She simply returned a bow.
Soon after, Yaoguang pulled up with a carriage behind the already present line of carriages. Zhao Lan and the others couldn't help but recall what happened previously as the smiles on their faces became hard to maintain. However, they were evidently thinking too much this time as Shen Liang didn't get into the carriage Yaoguang pulled up. Instead, he climbed into the carriage Sun Jing had prepared. Lei Zhen was in charge of driving it and the carriage Yaoguang controlled trailed closely behind them.
"Depart!" the Old Madame's hoarse voice called out from one of the carriages lined up in the middle. Nearly ten carriages pulled out, one following another in perfect order as they departed from the Marquis Donglin Manor. Sun Jing and her maid stood at the entrance and watched the carriages disappear around the corner. Only when they were nowhere in sight anymore did she return back into the courtyard.
Xiangguo Temple was one of the largest temples in the empire. It was located on Fengming Mountain, 20 miles west of the Imperial City. The smell of incense was particularly strong and prosperous there. The noble and affluent families of the Imperial City would frequently head there to pray and worship. Even the concubines and ladies from the Imperial Palace would come here at times. For the sake of reputation, the emperor also specifically ordered the Ministry of Industry to maintain and repair the official road leading from the Imperial City to Xiangguo Temple every year. However, with the large influx of refugees, the Marquis Donglin Manor entourage had only jest left the Imperial City when it became crowded with the cries and sound of refugees begging everywhere outside the carriage.
...
"Go, send an invitation to all of the nine Imperial Princes saying that this lord is inviting them for a visit to Xiangguo Temple," as the carriages passed by Luofeng Residence, Pei Yuanxian, who had been waiting there, leaned against the window on the third floor and looked down on the line of carriages from the Marquis Dongling Manor. He then returned back into the room with a bored expression.
"Yes," Tianshu took the order and left.
Chu Li, who had been woken up bright and early in the morning was dissatisfied and voiced, "Third brother, say, if you want to go to Xiangguo Temple, then just go. Why bother running over here just to do that? I had a pleasant time with the Shuanghua beauty last night and it was already the time of Yin when I was finally able to grab some sleep. Couldn't you just let me sleep more a bit longer? What if I fall ill one day from lack of sleep? Who will help you manage Luofeng Residence then?"
"Third Brother, the way I see it, why don't we send him back to Eldest Brother? What other use besides drinking and having a pleasant time will he serve here?" Xiao Muchen ruthlessly suggested on the side.
Chu Li's fur instantly spiked, "What do you mean no other use other than drinking and having a pleasant time. That's my job. My job, understand? Besides, life should be filled with joy and fun. If I don't take advantage of my youth now, should I wait to regret it when I'm old and can't move in my deathbed?"
"Right. Your work just always has you end up in a courtesan's bed. Take advantage of your youth now. Just be careful you run out of energy and youth before you're supposed to."
"I know you're just jealous of me. I'll be the bigger person and be magnanimous. Third brother, are you still not leaving? I still want to return to my nest and sleep." The severe sleep deprivation also deprived Chu Li of the energy to argue with Xiao Muchen. He simply displayed an aggrieved and pitiful expression to Pei Yuanxian
"Don't forget and neglect business," towards them, Pei Yuanxian's tolerance has always been high.
He made the motion of preparing to stand, but Xiao Muchen was still dissatisfied and continued deliberately, "Third brother, are you sure you don't want to send him away?"
"Xiao Muchen...."
"No. Leave him for now. When the time comes, he won't be a bad living target for others to get off our heads.
"Haha..."
Chi Li, who was originally furious, was instantly dumbfounded. Xiao Muchen laughed with glee. Once Chu Li returned to his senses and wanted to protest, Pei Yuanxian's figure was already nowhere in sight.
Fourth Imperial Prince Manor
"Pei Yuanxian's invitation?" Qin Yunshen, who had received Pei Yuanxian's invitation was stunned. Although he and Pei Yuanxian were considered cousins, due to a series of reasons and because of Pei Yuanxian's domineering and arrogant attitude, especially towards the Imperial Princes, the two of them could not be considered close. Why would the man suddenly send him an invitation, and one to invite him to Xiangguo Temple at that? Did Pei Yuanxian look like someone who worships obediently? They'd be lucky if he doesn't tear the temple down.
"I heard that Shen Liang will also be heading there to offer incense with the old Madame of the Marquis Donglin Manor today. Perhaps it's because the duke wants to see him and was afraid of attracting too much unwanted attention and hence, decided to invite your highnesses."
It was no secret that the Marquis Dongling Manor would be heading to Xiangguo Temple to offer incense today. Ye Tian had heard from the Shen Ruiqing brother pair early yesterday. Throughout this period's number of interactions with the two brothers, Ye Tian had successfully aroused their interests in a potential cooperation and partnership. However, the two brothers were greedy and actually requested that the Fourth Imperial Prince reserve a position of concubine for them before they allied with the Fourth Imperial Prince. But with their daughters' reputation? Why don't they ask themselves whether they were worthy or not? Even giving the position of side concubines would be flattering them.
"Your highnesses?" Qin Yunshen's brows furrowed. It can't be that there were others?
"I heard the other Imperial Princes have all received an invitation as well. The third Imperial Prince has already enthusiastically dragged the third Imperial Prince Consort to accept and attend the invitation." Ye Tian sighed helplessly. The Duke of Qingping did not leave them any room for rejection. He held military power in his hands. Whichever prince gained his support would have a much greater opportunity winning the throne. Even if the princes weren't willing to go, to prevent the other Imperial Princes from gaining the Duke's support, they had no choice but to attend.
"How are things going along with Shen Da?" Qin Yunshen placed the scriptures down and wasn't in any hurry to leave.
Ye Tian hurriedly responded, "Our people have already been in contact with him. But he refused our proposal quite vehemently. I don't believe it will work."
"This person is too stubborn. I'm afraid it will prove difficult to make him work for us," hearing Ye Tian's reply, Qin Yunshen lowered his gaze as a cold light saturated in his eyes. He had his sights set on Shen Da the moment Shen Liang returned to the Imperial City and had his people who were stationed in the Northwest Army to approach the man to lure him into their ranks. However, although Shen Da was young, he was much shrewder than Shen Ruiting and soon saw through Qin Yunshen's men's identities. Thereafter, Shen Da found an excuse to drive them out of the Northwest Army. Qin Yunshen had also deliberated over potential ways to approach Shen Liang but his first attempt was met with a drastic failure. The emperor then conferred Shen Liang marriage with the Duke of Qingping and ruined their plans. After deliberation with his strategist, Qin Yunshen's faction then decided to persuade Shen Da again. They heard that the man doted on Shen Liang. As long as he drafted a proposal to the emperor, requesting the dissolvement of the marriage conferred, adding on that the emperor regrets conferring Shen Liang marriage in the first place, it was not impossible for Shen Liang to regain his freedom. But he never expected Shen Da to refuse him again. People Qin Yunshen could not utilize, leaving them alive would only lead to endless troubles in the future.
"The Fourth Master means to..." Ye Tian was an intelligent man. He immediately grasped Qin Yunshen's underlying intentions. Indeed, if Shen Da could not be persuaded to be a part of their faction, then leaving the man alive would not garner the slightest benefits. If by chance, he was tamed by another Imperial Prince, then they would very likely also gain Shen Liang's approval as well. This would prove to be a great disadvantage to them.
"Go make the proper preparations. Let's head to Xiangguo Temple," Qin Yunshen never responded to Ye Tian. He straightened his attire and stood up.
Ye Tian asked, "What about guarding the Empress's spirit?"
It was still not yet time to lie the Empress down for eternal rest. He still needed to guard her spirit.
"It will suffice to hurry back before nightfall," Qin Yunshen stated lightly. He only needed to be present during the night. During the day, everyone else was busy. Since Pei Yuanxian had sent him his invitation, he couldn't not attend. Even though he was aware he could not gain the man's support, he couldn't let his other brothers do so either. If he wasn't mistaken, his other brothers should share the same rationale as him.