Chapter 159: Offering Incense

"This old servant does not know what the Old Madam wishes to ask. The eldest young miss appears to be of good character," Mother Hua replied cautiously, terrified lest she inadvertently displease Old Madam Su.

"Forget it, I won't make things difficult for you. It's just that she is far too disobedient, and I cannot keep her in check," Old Madam Su sighed, her brows and eyes etched with sorrow. Mother Hua opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately kept her lips sealed, swallowing the words in her heart.

"The Old Madam should set her mind at ease. You are the supreme matriarch of this Prime Minister's estate; who would dare not respect you? The eldest young miss merely possesses a childish temperament; she will grow wiser as she gets older." Without uttering a single superfluous word, Mother Hua only wished to coax Old Madam Su into moving past this topic.

"Indeed, let us hope so. She constantly dwells on her late mother—whether that is truly a dream visit or merely a convenient excuse, but since I have already consented, I cannot be bothered to dwell on it." Lying on the couch, Old Madam Su casually twirled the Buddhist prayer beads around her wrist. The chill underlying her words made Mother Hua tremble slightly. She plumped the bolster behind the old woman's back, and seeing that Old Madam Su had closed her eyes in slumber, she tiptoed silently out of the room.

Su Liluo arrived at Su Baihan's quarters to find her gazing infatuatedly at a painting laid out on the table, a besotted smile playing on her lips. To Su Liluo's eyes, this sight was intensely grating. "Fourth Younger Sister, what fine treasure are you admiring with such fascination?"

Seeing her arrive, Su Baihan immediately instructed her maids to put the painting away. Smoothing her hair bun, she said with feigned nonchalance, "What treasure could there be? It is merely a painting the Heir Apparent gifted to me previously. It gladdens my heart, so I frequently take it out to look at it. I am afraid I am making a fool of myself before Elder Sister."

Observing the arrogance etched in her brows and eyes—clearly an attempt to provoke envy—Su Liluo followed her lead and praised, "Since Younger Sister is so knowledgeable about art, you must have much in common with the Heir Apparent, and studying his works together is entirely fitting. The reason I came today is to discuss something with you. I begged Grandmother for permission to visit the temple to burn incense for my late mother, and Grandmother wishes for Fourth Younger Sister to accompany me as a companion. I wonder if you would be willing?"

"Did Grandmother say this in person?" Su Baihan muttered inwardly. Now that she had established a connection with the Heir Apparent through calligraphy and painting, why should she suffer hardship by accompanying Su Liluo to a temple? It would be far better to devise a way to pass this burden onto someone else. Having made up her mind, she suddenly warmed up considerably toward Su Liluo.

"Naturally. If Younger Sister is willing, I shall immediately send someone to report back to Grandmother so that we may set off early." No sooner had Su Liluo finished speaking than Su Baihan affectionately pulled her to the table and seated her. Pouring a cup of tea for Su Liluo with her own hands, she pushed it across and said in a soft, gentle voice, "Elder Sister, there is no rush; drink a cup of hot tea to warm yourself."

Su Liluo looked at her suspiciously. Would she truly be so kind-hearted? She held the teacup for a long time without taking a sip. Su Baihan rolled her eyes twice, hitting upon a brilliant idea. "Elder Sister's filial piety in praying for the Great General is truly admirable, but my health has been somewhat poor these past few days, and I fear I might drag Elder Sister down and prevent you from attending to your own affairs. Why not let Fifth Younger Sister go with you instead? That way, you will still have a companion. If Elder Sister agrees, I will immediately dispatch someone to report this to Grandmother."

To make the excuse more convincing, Su Baihan even gave a couple of soft coughs. Watching her act, Su Liluo thought it would actually be quite nice not to have her tagging along—it would spare her from having Su Baihan pry into or meddle with other matters she needed to handle. However, she had no intention of letting Su Baihan have her way so easily, so she purposely questioned, "Would that be proper? Grandmother specifically asked Fourth Younger Sister to accompany me. If we suddenly swap people, what shall we do if Grandmother places the blame on us?"

Su Baihan mentally cursed Su Liluo for her lack of spine; usually so arrogant, she turned out to be nothing more than a timid coward afraid of trouble. Patting her own chest, Su Baihan assured her, "Rest assured on that score; Grandmother certainly will not say anything. Since Elder Sister agrees, then the matter is settled. Shouldn't Elder Sister hurry off to prepare so as not to miss the auspicious hour? I shall not keep you any longer."

Su Baihan dismissed her personal maid to report the change to Old Madam Su. Seeing that the matter was settled, Su Liluo assessed the time, instructed someone to notify the fifth young miss, and returned to her own courtyard to pack her belongings. Before leaving, she did not take even a single sip of the tea on the table.

Humming a tune, Su Baihan ordered the painting to be brought out once more. As her fingers traced the ink and pigments, the thought that this had been a gift from the Heir Apparent brought a bashful flush and a shy smile to her face.

With the traveling companions finalized, Su Liluo and Su Dongxuan set off in a carriage. Along the way, they conversed with apparent warmth. Su Dongxuan rarely had the opportunity to venture out; although she was not allowed to lift the carriage curtains to gaze at the sceneries outside, simply hearing the bustling clamor of the streets filled her heart with joy.

Su Liluo's ostensible purpose of burning incense for her deceased mother was merely a cover; locating the senior nun was her true objective. Upon being led into the temple by a young novice monk, she inquired after the nun's whereabouts. "Little Master, the last time I spoke with the senior nun, we found ourselves in deep agreement. I wonder where in the temple she might be found, as I wish to converse with her once more."

"You are truly out of luck, patron Su. The senior nun descended the mountain yesterday to lecture on the scriptures and is unlikely to return for several days. If the patron is not in a great hurry, you may wait a few days. Once the senior nun returns, this poor monk will immediately send someone to notify you."

Disappointment washed over Su Liluo, but she could not afford to show it before so many people. Keeping her expression entirely unperturbed, she whispered in gratitude, "I have put you to trouble, Little Master."

Guest chambers had been prepared for the two of them within the temple. Since Su Dongxuan was merely accompanying her, she deferred to Su Liluo in all things. Once their luggage was properly stored, Su Liluo sent a message to her. "Tell the fifth young miss to rest for an hour; we shall go to burn incense for my mother afterward."

Unable to settle her mind, Su Liluo gently pushed open the window. "It appears I have no choice but to stay in the temple for a few days." Her sole purpose in coming here was the matter of the military tally; how could she possibly be willing to leave without seeing the senior nun? She simply had to exercise patience and wait.

Though anxious and burdened with matters, Su Liluo found herself helpless to rush the process. Since the trip was ostensibly for praying for her late mother, she led Su Dongxuan to the main hall every day to chant scriptures and pray, and sat in meditation before the Buddha statues guided by the monks. After several days of this routine, the restless turmoil within her heart subsided considerably. The resulting peace of mind felt quite miraculous to her. Su Dongxuan, for her part, did not find it dull in the least; she remained by Su Liluo's side every day, quietly keeping her company.

On this particular day, Su Liluo asked out of curiosity, "Fifth Younger Sister, as you follow me in chanting scriptures and practicing Buddhism every day, do you find it tedious?"

Su Dongxuan shook her head and replied placidly, "This life is as good as it gets—far better than the life back at the estate. Younger Sister is accustomed to a quiet existence."

These words pierced Su Liluo's heart with a pang of sorrow. How could a young girl in the prime of her youth naturally be accustomed to silence? It was merely because she had never been cherished or doted upon. Su Liluo could only pat her shoulder and say, "In a couple of days, Elder Sister will take you for a walk around the temple grounds to clear your mind."

"Thank you, Elder Sister." Su Dongxuan beamed with joy upon hearing this. After all, she was still a young girl; no matter how much she tried to put on a mature facade, a touch of childish innocence inevitably revealed itself.

Just as the two were speaking, a young novice monk hurried into the hall. Catching sight of Su Liluo, a smile broke across his face as he lowered his voice and said, "Patron Su, the senior nun has returned."

"Really? Younger Sister, go back and rest first; Elder Sister is going to see the senior nun." Leaving behind only these brief instructions, Su Liluo hurried away, her figure vanishing in an instant. Su Dongxuan sat alone in the hall for a short while longer before returning to her own guest room.

Following the novice monk, Su Liluo arrived at the senior nun's courtyard. "Patron Su, the senior nun resides in this courtyard."

Folding her hands together in a salute, Su Liluo said softly, "Thank you for guiding me, Little Master. I can go in by myself; if you have other duties, please attend to them."

"Very well, patron, please feel free." Returning the bow and mindful of the abbot's instructions, the novice monk quickly strode away.

No sooner had she stepped into the courtyard than a young nun blocked her path. "May I ask what business brings the patron here?"

"Greetings, Little Master. I have come to seek an audience with the senior nun. Is she currently in the courtyard?" Su Liluo asked gently. Noticing that the doors of the main dwelling were tightly shut, could the senior nun perhaps be out?

Upon learning that she was here to see the senior nun, the young nun's expression lost its chill. "Please wait a moment, patron. The senior nun currently has a guest in her rooms. Please go to the guest chamber on the right to rest."

The young nun escorted her to the guest room, served her a cup of hot tea, and then departed to attend to her own chores. Su Liluo waited inside the room, her fingers tapping impatiently against the tabletop.

Unable to sit still for long, she lifted the hem of her skirt and stepped out of the guest chamber. Not knowing precisely which room the senior nun occupied, she began searching room by room. She had not walked far when she heard the sound of a man's voice coming from one of the rooms—a voice that sounded somewhat familiar.