Yuebing’s eyes held disappointment.
Yueyao’s brows twitched slightly. Yuebing had hurried here; could it be that she came to see someone? Yueyao recalled the accusation of receiving bribes secretly made by Lady Mu years ago and felt a stir in her heart. Could it be...
Yueyao shook her head on her own, she might be overthinking it. Yuebing was only a few years old; she couldn’t possibly have such thoughts.
Yuebing entered a courtyard, which was empty. Yuebing was very disappointed, "Sister Mu isn’t here today!"
Yuehuan had never heard Yuebing mention her before, so she was somewhat surprised, "Second sister, who is Sister Mu?" Yuehuan thought that she must be a close friend.
Yuebing glanced at Yuehuan. Yuehuan had always followed her around; it was impossible for her not to know Mu Qinglian. She didn’t expect this fall to have indeed erased a lot of memories, "You’ll know later."
Yuebing turned and left the courtyard, only to see Yueyao not far away. Yuebing felt Yueyao walked as slow as a snail, "Third younger sister, why do you walk so slowly?"
Yueyao swept a glance at everyone, "I am digesting my meal. Why walk so fast? Moreover, it’s not even been an hour yet. If second sister has something to do, go back first. I’ll go back later."
Yuebing couldn’t leave Yueyao to go back alone, so the whole group wandered around the temple for almost half a circle.
Hualin Temple was frequented by women for offering incense and praying, men wouldn’t enter the inner courtyard. Several entrances were tightly guarded. There weren’t any young and handsome men meeting at the temple as the scriptural texts had described.
Nanny Wang looked up at the sun and reminded out loud so everyone could hear, "Second Young Lady, it’s about time. If we don’t go back now, Madam will send someone to look for us." Fourth Miss appeared to have something to say to Third Young Lady, but seeing Third Young Lady’s cold attitude, Nanny Wang thought Yuehuan was clever, wanting to make good both with Second Young Lady and Fourth Miss. However, Nanny Wang would not be satisfied.
The group hadn’t reached the courtyard when they heard voices inside, mingled with laughter. Yueyao’s memory was good; she frowned at the sound. What a small world, to have encountered someone from the Shen family by chance.
The people in the room were just as Yueyao had guessed, Lady Mu from the Shen family, and beside her stood her daughter Shen Pinlan. Lady Mu had borne two sons and two daughters, the eldest daughter had passed away young, so she was extremely fond of this younger daughter.
Sitting at the upper seat, Lady Mu wore a water-red brocade jacket embroidered with silver and gold, draped in an azurite velveteen jacket lined with silver rat fur, and wore a red coral pleated long skirt, her hair styled in the impeccably neat Chaoyang Five Phoenix Hairstyle, adorned with a slanting phoenix hairpin crafted from burnt blue, with a red coral and beeswax begonia pearl flower pressed against her temples. Her opulence was extraordinary.
Lady Mu and Lady Mu were of similar ages, but standing together, Lady Mu seemed much older. Yueyao, having lived through more, understood better; a person’s character could often be discerned from their attire. Generally, those who come to offer incense dressed modestly, like Lady Mu who wore a tan outfit.
Lady Mu frowned upon seeing Yueyao. Yueyao was too plainly dressed, in a Su Brocade white long skirt and a water-blue robe over it. Two simple silk flowers were tucked at her temples, no jewels in her hair or earrings, only a string of peach wood beads on her wrist. Anyone unaware might think she was in heavy mourning!
Yueyao, along with Yuebing, performed their greetings.
Lady Mu, already dissatisfied with Yueyao’s plain and lackluster appearance devoid of the vibrancy and energy of her age, now grew even more displeased with her perfunctory manners in greeting, worsening her disapproval of the marriage arrangement. Having a basis for comparison could distinguish good from bad; Lady Mu’s eldest son, Shen Congwen, was also betrothed, to the legitimate eldest daughter of the Minister of the Imperial Stud, Madam Lin. Madam Lin was always extremely respectful towards her, unlike Yueyao who acted as if she didn’t even see her.
By all accounts, Yueyao’s manners towards her future mother-in-law were indeed neglectful. However, Yueyao hadn’t even considered Lady Mu important, as she had no plans to marry into the Shen family and thus had no reason to try to ingratiate herself with Lady Mu. Yueyao also knew Lady Mu’s disposition well; people who couldn’t offer her any benefits, no matter how much they tried to please, would never be liked by her.
Yuebing could only admire Yueyao’s demeanor. What girl wouldn’t be respectful towards her future mother-in-law? Yet Yueyao maintained her cool and indifferent manner, seemingly unworried about disapproval from her mother-in-law. Yuebing was reassured; her previous worries were unnecessary, as losing both parents had turned Yueyao cold, it wasn’t directed at her.