On the way back, unlike the journey here, the Lu family was relaxed, slowly riding in the mule carriage, yet moving faster than initially.
They didn’t need to rush to stay at courier stations this time; sometimes, when it was still early, they’d occasionally stop for a break, taking in the scenery or going mountain-herb-picking.
It was rare for the whole family to travel far from home together; it was like a sightseeing trip, broadening their experiences.
Halfway through, some of the food that had been prepared was consumed, and seeing some space freed up in the carriage, Shu Yu purchased two potted plants and planted sunflower seeds right there.
Now was the perfect season for sowing.
The sunflower Shu Yu had planted in Righteous Dao Village was already quite tall, though likely because it was planted in winter, it looked somewhat lackluster, but it had thankfully survived.
She couldn’t move this thing anymore, so before leaving, she had it transplanted at the Manor, instructing the people there to help look after it, for later when it would bear melon seeds to be eaten.
Anyway, sunflowers don’t need much care; letting them grow wildly on their own was fine.
The Lu family, though not hurrying, were traveling by carriage.
Thus, after more than twenty days of such leisurely travel, three carriages finally arrived at the gate of Dongan Province.
Originally, the Lu family didn’t plan to enter the city, but Shu Yu wanted to visit Dongqing Temple, so they simply decided to stay overnight in the city.
This was the first time the Lu family, apart from Lu Erbai and Shu Yu, had seen Dongan Province; last time they headed southwest, they were in a hurry to catch up with Shu Yu and only passed the city gate without entering.
Now, seeing the bustling and prosperous streets of the prefecture, they were all unusually excited.
They stopped at an inn not far from the city gate, asking the shopkeeper for four superior rooms.
It was still early, and after arranging the luggage in their rooms, Shu Yu was ready to go to Dongqing Temple.
The old lady also wanted to go; at her age, she was most keen on praying and worshipping for her family’s peace and safety.
However, Dongqing Temple was up in the mountains, and after traveling for such a long time, climbing hills seemed a bit too tough for her.
Shu Yu didn’t allow them to go, and it was not convenient for Meng Yunzheng and Zhao Xi to appear either.
Meng Yunzheng had visited Dongqing Temple a few times and was somewhat of a known face in Dongan Province, but it was not yet time to openly reveal oneself.
In the end, only Lu Erbai went with Shu Yu to the temple.
The first time Lu Erbai met Shu Yu was behind the mountain of the temple, and he had also recuperated for a while in Dongqing Temple; without Dongqing Temple and the temple master, their family wouldn’t have been able to reunite with Yu.
Now revisiting the old place, it was fitting to go and see, offer three incense sticks, and some incense money.
The father and daughter got ready, changed into fresh clothes, and then drove out of the inn, heading towards the outskirts of the city.
Shu Yu was familiar with Dongqing Temple; after arriving, they first offered three sticks of incense, then went to see the Daoist nun in the temple.
The Daoist nun was quite surprised to see Shu Yu.
"The younger lady, what brings you here?"
"Has Master been back recently?" Shu Yu asked her.
Since the thirtieth of the last Lunar Year, when she heard news of the temple master, there had been no more information about her whereabouts.
She had also paid attention to news of her master, but it seemed like the person had vanished, with no trace to be found.
It had been three or four months now, uncertain if she had returned.
Regrettably, the Daoist nun shook her head, "Since last year when the master left, she hasn’t returned."