Jiang Lingzhen sat inside the carriage, peering through the slight gaps made by its gentle swaying.
Eldest Princess Wen Cheng was a devout follower of Buddhism, and this ti, her daughter had faced great adversity, leaving a knot in her heart. Seizing the opportunity when Jiang Lingzhen's health greatly improved, she imdiately took her daughter to the most famous temple of the Tianqi Dynasty—Qianlong Temple—to offer incense.
Gu Shengyin was naturally happy to go. Qianlong Temple was known for its beautiful scenery, and even on ordinary days, it was worthwhile to visit for leisure. What's more, on this visit, Gu Shengyin was set to et that legendary individual at Qianlong Temple.
Jiang Yunsan's carriage followed behind. Sohow, she had convinced the usually dismissive Eldest Princess Wen Cheng to accompany them to Qianlong Temple.
Jiang Yunsan certainly had her own motives. In the original story, it was precisely in Qianlong Temple where the Crown Prince and Jiang Lingzhen's romance was affird. Having finally gained a sliver of the Crown Prince's favor, she absolutely could not allow Jiang Lingzhen any opportunity to get close to the Crown Prince.
Feeling a cool touch to her index finger, Jiang Yunsan caressed the smooth Jade Vial hidden in her sleeve, her lips curling into a smile that spoke of her determination to succeed.
After paying respects to the Buddha with Eldest Princess Wen Cheng, Jiang Lingzhen, using the excuse of needing fresh air, inford Princess Wen Cheng and, accompanied by the maids Hu Zhu and Lin Lang, set off toward the back mountain.
She was well aware of the plot of this world and knew that there resided in Qianlong Temple a recluse of extraordinary status—the legitimate son born to Empress Yuen, the true eldest Prince, Ji Yu.
In terms of status, no other Prince could compare to the preciousness of Ji Yu.
However, shortly after Ji Yu was born, Empress Yuen passed away from an illness, and the Emperor, believing his son to bring misfortune to his kin, grew cold towards him. When Ji Yu was ten, the Emperor, under the guise of 'praying for blessings for all under heaven,' sent him to Qianlong Temple in a veiled exile.
In the original plot, this eldest legitimate Prince had very few scenes, and he indeed lived out his life in Qianlong Temple, just like a secluded mber of a religious order.
Gu Shengyin instructed Hu Zhu and Lin Lang to follow from a distance and slowly enjoyed the scenery of the temple's back courtyard.
Although she had the mories of Gu Shengyin's entire life, she could only be considered a spectator; she had not truly experienced what Gu Shengyin had seen or lived through. The scenery of Qianlong Temple's back mountain captivated her so much that she beca sowhat entranced.
Hu Zhu and Lin Lang watched from afar as their Commandery Princess, as if she had never ventured outside before, stopped here and looked there, and simply assud that after being cooped up for so long, their princess was more excited than usual to be out.
Curious as Gu Shengyin was, she had not forgotten her mission and slowly made her way toward her intended destination.
She rembered that Ji Yu's little courtyard was hidden within a secluded bamboo forest in the back mountain.
As she ventured deeper, the surroundings beca ever more serene. All Gu Shengyin could hear was the sound of the wind rustling through the bamboo leaves and the echo of her own footsteps.
Lin Lang tugged at Hu Zhu's sleeve, "Sister Hu Zhu, should we persuade the Commandery Princess to go back? This place is eerily quiet."
Hu Zhu, looking at the clearly excited figure of Gu Shengyin ahead, shook her head slightly. "It's rare for the Commandery Princess to be this happy. Let's not dampen her spirits. This Qianlong Temple is a sacred place of Buddhism; no miscreants would dare to cause trouble here."
As Gu Shengyin walked among the bamboo, she couldn't help but wonder: What kind of person would live in such a place for over a decade, day in and day out?
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