Chương 299

Shen Yanchuan actually wanted to agree with the first half of that sentence, but the second half left him stuck in his throat; no matter what, he couldn’t utter a single “yes.”

Hmm, not only was no wine sent to him, but they didn’t even inform him in advance about the opening of the tavern.

Seeing that Shen Yanchuan didn’t say anything, Chen Songshi was taken aback.

“…Didn’t send any wine?”

Although it were just two short words, there was an incredulous tone to them that conveyed a lot.

Chen Songshi hesitated for a moment, then lowered his demands.

“If there’s no wine to drink in the snow, then… surely there’s Peach Blossom Brew, right? That’s not bad either!”

Shen Yanchuan still remained silent.

Chen Songshi became a bit anxious.

“Well, if that doesn’t work, then how about Chrysanthemum Wine?”

Shen Yanchuan fell into silence for a moment, then said softly, “It seems that Yunlai Tavern has a quite rich variety of drinks.”

Chen Songshi also fell silent.

He looked at Shen Yanchuan with a sense of frustration, “It’s a pity you went out of your way to invite me before, yet you yourself didn’t come?”

Without waiting for Shen Yanchuan to respond, Chen Songshi waved his hand and said, “Never mind, it’s better if you don’t come. There are already too many people there now; it’s impossible to get a table at all. One less person is one less to deal with!”

Shen Yanchuan: “…”

Chen Songshi stroked his beard, glanced at him, and quietly pulled the painting towards himself.

Shen Yanchuan asked coolly, “Wasn’t that painting meant for me?”

“Oh! Actually, upon closer inspection, the one you’re hanging now is quite good! There’s no need to replace it!” Chen Songshi regretted not asking clearly beforehand. Isn’t this a waste of time now?

It’s also Shen Yanchuan’s fault; who would have thought that amidst all the commotion, he couldn’t even make a good impression on Miss Ye?

If they had shown him any interest, would they not have even sent him a pot of good wine?

Chen Songshi put away the painting and decided to leave.

If only he had known this, he should have delivered it directly to Ye’s residence!

It was rare for Shen Yanchuan to feel such disdain; he was so speechless that he couldn’t help but laugh.

Just as Chen Songshi was about to take the painting and leave, Shen Yanchuan spoke up, “If you go now, I’m afraid it will be too late.”

Chen Songshi then stopped in his tracks and turned around, “What do you mean?”

Shen Yanchuan said, “Tomorrow is the Double Ninth Festival.”

……

Late at night, a crescent moon hung in the night sky, with a few stars twinkling.

Tomorrow should be overcast.

Ye Chutang finished copying the last scroll of Buddhist scriptures, put everything back in order, and then went to bed early with Xiao Wu.

The next day, just as dawn broke, Ye Chutang took Xiao Wu on their way to Jiuhua Mountain.

Also accompanying them were Master Shi Yuan and nine other monks.

Upon arriving at the foot of Jiuhua Mountain, Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng had already arrived there as well.

They were followed by the servants and maids from Ye’s residence.

“Sister.”

Ye Jingyan stepped forward and, upon seeing the somewhat familiar face beside her, bowed in respect.

“Master Shiyuan.”

There was no trace of surprise on his face; clearly, he had already guessed that Ye Chutang’s visit to Feiyun Temple was intended to invite them here.

Xiao Wu ran a few steps forward and was immediately picked up by Ye Yunfeng.

“It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Have you missed your fourth brother?”

Xiao Wu nodded vigorously.

Ye Yunfeng tickled her nose.

The weather today was perfect, and the forest was especially tranquil and peaceful.

The group continued up the mountain path until they finally reached halfway up.

Upon seeing the row of graves, Ye Jingyan fell silent, and Ye Yunfeng also set Xiao Wu down, his thin lips pursed in thought.

Between the young man’s still greenish brows and eyes lay an unmistakable, hopeless longing.

This was also their first time visiting here together.

Ye Chutang instructed her servants to set up the incense altar, then took three sticks of incense and held them in her hands before her chest.

Ye Jingyan, Ye Yunfeng, and Xiao Wu stood behind her.

The mountain breeze blew through the forest, causing the branches and leaves to sway gently.

“Daddy, Mommy, Big Brother.”

Ye Chutang spoke in a gentle tone, her dark, warm eyes gazing quietly ahead.

“On this Double Ninth Festival, I have brought Ayen, Feng, and Lingzhi here to protect you on your way home.”

She bowed three times in deep devotion.

Ayen and the others followed suit in silence. The maids and servants also remained quiet, only occasionally stealing glances at Master Shiyuan and the others, still hiding a hint of shock.

—The second young lady actually managed to invite Master Shiyuan to perform the ritual!

It was well known that it was extremely difficult to invite the abbot of Feiyun Temple; only the most prestigious families in the capital had such connections.

Who would have thought that the second young lady would manage to bring him here so quietly!

The mist lingered, seemingly obscuring their vision.

Master Shiyuan crossed his hands and recited a Buddhist mantra.

The sound of his chanting echoed, melodious and soothing, as if it too brought peace to people’s hearts.

Ye Chutang took one last look at the tombstones before saying,

“Let’s begin the ceremony.”

……

During the Double Ninth Festival, the capital was very lively.

The servants of the Princess’s mansion were busy from early on.

“Today, both the crown prince and the princess will be coming by; be extra careful with your work!”

Needless to say, Princess Qinyang would come three times a day if she could. Compared to her own mansion, this Princess’s mansion felt more like her home.

The Princess smiled and said, “Their visit today is no different from usual; we just need to prepare more pastries and tea.”

Although she said this, it was obvious that the princess was also looking forward to their arrival.

Zhu Xin covered her mouth with a smile and said, “Don’t worry, all the food is ready.”

Princess Qinyang, who had just arrived outside the door, heard this and immediately quickened her pace to rush in.

“Tôi biết mà, vẫn chỉ có chị là yêu thương tôi nhất!”

Công chúa cả nhìn cô ấy mỉm cười, trêu chọc: “Đâu phải là chuẩn bị cho em đâu, chỉ là hôm nay Tiểu Ngũ không đến, nên em được hưởng lợi thôi.”

Nghe vậy, Công chúa Quận Thanh Dương cũng cảm thấy hơi tiếc nuối.

“Đúng rồi, hôm nay họ ở núi Cửu Hoa…”

Ye Chutang hành xử kín đáo, chỉ cho hai anh em Ye Jingyan xin nghỉ, rồi dẫn những người hầu trong nhà đi cùng.

Công chúa cả cũng thở dài nhẹ nhõm.

“Thật là khó khăn cho cô ấy…”

Ở độ tuổi như vậy, lại phải lo lắng nhiều chuyện như vậy.

Công chúa Quận Thanh Dương ăn một miếng bánh hồng táo, mỉm cười hài lòng, nói: “Không sao đâu, sau này tôi sẽ đi gửi cho họ lại!”

Thấy vậy, Trúc Tâm vội vàng nói: “Công chúa hãy ăn từ từ nhé, còn có rượu hoa cúc đặc biệt được gửi đến từ quán rượu Vân Lai, cũng được giữ dành cho công chúa nữa.”

Công chúa Quận Thanh Dương lập tức mắt sáng lên.

“Thật sao? Tôi tưởng chỉ gửi cho tôi thôi! Đúng rồi, mối quan hệ giữa chúng ta và Chutang cũng không bình thường mà! Có đồ ngon, cô ấy tự nhiên sẽ giữ dành cho chúng ta!”

Shen Yanchuan, vừa mới đến bên ngoài cửa, dường như không có mối liên quan gì đến cô gái Ye thứ hai: “…”