Song Ci held a noble status, so her visit to Songshan Temple was announced well in advance. As soon as the carriage arrived at the mountain gate, a high monk from Songshan Temple was already waiting.
The person waiting was Master Ming Yuan, the abbot of Songshan Temple, a notable high monk.
Seeing that the abbot was waiting, Song Ci reluctantly said, "Today’s incense money will have to be doubled."
Otherwise, it wouldn’t match the status of the waiting abbot.
Master Ming Yuan approached with palms pressed together, bowed slightly to Song Ci, and greeted her kindly, "Benefactor Song, this old monk has been waiting for a long time; the meditation room is already prepared. Would you care for some tea first? There’s still an hour before Master Jinghui’s sermon."
"Thank you, Master Abbot." Facing such a revered monk, Song Ci dared not be disrespectful, and returned the greeting with palms pressed together.
Master Ming Yuan, smiling faintly, led Song Ci and her entourage through the courtyard gate, passed through the side hall, and arrived at several small courtyards belonging to the temple’s meditation rooms.
Song Ci inquired whether Madam Wei had arrived, and upon hearing she had, requested to be led to the small courtyard while asking Master Ming Yuan some trivial questions.
She learned that Jinghui was going on a pilgrimage with no set return date, and before his journey, he was to hold a sermon to benefit the masses.
It was clear—the local people were to receive some benefits first.
"Old sister, you’ve arrived." Madam Wei, upon hearing of her arrival, had come out early with her two granddaughters to wait.
Ming Yuan, after leading them there, left behind two young monks to assist, and busied himself elsewhere since many noble families had come for Jinghui’s sermon today, all not to be offended. Hmm, he still had to welcome Madam Fan.
Song Ci let Madam Wei hold her hand and asked with a smile, "Did you arrive so early?"
Behind Madam Wei, Wang Qiuman and Wei Wenyan greeted Song Ci with a bow.
Song Ci glanced at Wang Qiuman. Because they were at the temple, she hadn’t dressed extravagantly, but her attire was tastefully balanced, elegant, and composed.
To be honest, this image of Wang Qiuman would make her the type of daughter-in-law many madams would favor. If only she had wider hips, they would likely like her even more since that suggests good fertility.
However, what was it with the second Miss Wei, being so radiant?
Madam Wei: "I sleep lightly and came before dawn to catch the morning class. I thought you would come early too, old sister."
Song Ci thought to herself that she disliked early classes, let alone waking up early, and so she fibbed, "I went to bed late last night, so I woke up late today. Where are the other girls?"
Madam Wei pouted, "Don’t mention it, my third granddaughter overindulged in a few pieces of melon last night; her stomach was upset all night, and she’s still feeling unwell, so she didn’t come. My daughter-in-law stayed at the estate to look after them."
"Nothing serious, I hope? What about Man’er?"
"Luckily, this girl kept her company last night; otherwise, she’d have eaten too much too. Thank goodness... Amitabha." Madam Wei pressed her palms together.
Song Ci said meaningfully, "It seems today is Man’er’s lucky day; may she achieve everything she wishes and succeed in everything she does."
She and Madam Wei exchanged glances filled with an implicit yet ambiguous understanding.
Wang Qiuman understood, causing her cheeks to flush, and she bashfully lowered her head. On the other side, Wei family’s second Miss, Wei Wenyan, tightened her grip slightly on her handkerchief.
At the estate, Madam Wei frowned as she pinched her daughter Wei Wenfang’s cheek, "You glutton, why haven’t you eaten yourself into a plump girl!"
"Mother, how was I to know that eating a few pieces of melon would upset my stomach?" Wei Wenfang felt wronged, biting her lip, "It ended up benefiting second sister."
Madam Wei’s eyes flashed with a mysterious light, letting out a cold huff, deciding she must investigate; it was too much of a coincidence.