Chapter 956: Chapter 954: A Relationship That Cannot See the Light of Day
After some bargaining, Jiang Yifan bravely insisted on going to the Marquis to receive his punishment, leaving Ye Xinyan to take care of Madam Yin.
On this day, Ye Xinyan did not return to her own home but stayed to accompany Madam Yin.
As expected, Jiang Yifan was severely scolded by Marquis Zhongyong. After he emerged from the Marquis’ room, several cousins took him off for a lavish meal and drink. After eating and drinking his fill, he was arranged to rest in a guest room at the Hou Mansion for the night, not returning to the Jiang Mansion.
The next morning, Ye Xinyan completely ignored Madam Yin’s tangled and awkward expression and boldly served Madam Yin her medicine. As they ate breakfast, Ye Xinyan casually suggested Madam Yin visit Cien Temple to pray and offer incense for Zhao Gang’s safety.
"Although Uncle Zhao is indeed out of life-threatening danger now, the situation was extremely perilous that day. Let’s go to the temple and burn some incense, sincerely make a wish to the Buddha. When Uncle Zhao returns safely, we’ll go to fulfill our vow and donate some oil money. How good would that be, and how reassuring it would feel. What do you say, Mother?"
The people serving in the room, be it Nanny Huang, Cui Bai, Cui Zhu, or those who followed Ye Xinyan like Song Ping’s Household and Jiu Yu, couldn’t quite grasp what Ye Xinyan was saying.
Still influenced by Madam Yin’s awkward demeanor, they spoke and acted with utmost caution, fearfully restraining their movements, afraid that large gestures might lead Madam Yin to overthink.
But their young mistress’s manner was such that not only did yesterday’s matter become a thing of the past, but listening to her tone, it seemed the young mistress had already decided on Aunt Madam and Master Zhao’s matter...
Many eyes were wide open, finding it incomprehensible that things could actually be handled this way?
Frowning, Madam Yin was deeply conflicted, hesitating on whether to clarify to her daughter and family that her reactions yesterday were due to thinking Zhao Gang had met with an accident. Naturally, one would be saddened and shocked at the misfortune of a family member, with no other intentions behind it.
However, praying to Buddha was different, and Madam Yin felt a bit uneasy. Ordinarily, she had no reason to burn incense and make a vow for Zhao Gang, but the issue was Zhao Gang had no other relatives in this world, aside from their mother and daughter, to perform this task.
The first person Madam Yin thought of was Ye Xinyan, who had been greatly cared for by Zhao Gang since childhood and could rightfully pray for Zhao Gang’s safety.
Just as she turned her gaze over, Ye Xinyan said in a sorrowful tone: "Uncle Zhao has no other relatives in this world, and only you can pray for his safety. If you won’t go, then isn’t it true that no one in this world wishes for Uncle Zhao’s safe return?"
What’s this child talking about? How could it be that no one wishes for Zhao Gang’s safe return? Madam Yin stared at her daughter speechlessly; it wasn’t that she was unwilling, just that it wasn’t appropriate or her place to go, wasn’t it?
"Don’t talk nonsense!" No matter how much she thought, all Madam Yin could say was these three words.
Even with all her worries, she feared the Buddha might forget to watch over Zhao Gang’s safety without someone to pray. Especially since her daughter’s words just now... As they say, good wishes fail, ill ones prevail; if she rejected her daughter’s suggestion, wouldn’t it be equivalent to admitting she didn’t want Zhao Gang to return safely?
Then, Madam Yin was coaxed by Ye Xinyan into agreeing to go to Cien Temple the next day to offer incense and ask Buddha to look after Zhao Gang.
That day, although Madam Yin appeared fine, Ye Xinyan, thinking of their plan to visit Cien Temple the next day, decided to stay another night, accompanying Madam Yin and solidifying her resolve.
The next morning, after the mother and daughter finished breakfast, the carriage and guards sent by the Zhongyong Marquis Mansion were already waiting outside the Second Gate.
Upon hearing that Madam Yin was going to Cien Temple to offer incense, everyone in the Marquis Mansion tacitly refrained from asking for details or reasons, simply agreeing and promising to arrange everything properly.
After being frightened by her daughter the other day, it was Madam Yin’s first time going out, and recalling the embarrassing scene of that day, she genuinely felt she had no face to meet people.
Ye Xinyan, however, ignored all concerns, holding onto Madam Yin’s arm, cheerfully supporting her mother onto the carriage heading towards Cien Temple in the suburb.
It was already late August, with a desolate and bleak feel among the mountains and fields, and few pedestrians on the road to Cien Temple. The Zhongyong Marquis Mansion’s carriage traveled smoothly, reaching Cien Temple in no time.
The carriage stopped outside the temple gate, and Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan, along with their maids and servants, walked into the temple on foot.
Cien Temple was one of the most prestigious Buddhist temples in the capital, hosting countless nobles from the capital each year. While the monks who received guests might not remember every noble family lady in the capital, they could recognize a few.
The welcoming monk was very enthusiastic towards Madam Yin and her daughter, as usual, specifically assigning a young novice monk to lead Madam Yin’s group forward.
The two, accompanied by their maids and servants, offered incense respectively at the front and back halls and donated some oil money. After hearing from the young monk that the abbot was lecturing in a side hall, Madam Yin felt inclined to listen to the abbots teachings.
By the time mother and daughter returned to the front hall, the time had already reached Si Hour. Madam Yin looked at the sky, hesitated her steps, and said hesitantly: "It’s getting late, but we haven’t yet prayed for the peace charm."
Ye Xinyan immediately agreed: "Yes, yes, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten. We must obtain the peace charm; I’ll pray for one on behalf of Uncle Zhao, the more blessings the better."
She spoke with intent, hoping Madam Yin would be more concerned about Zhao Gang, but then saw Nanny Huang smiling and bowing to someone behind Madam Yin.
Had they encountered an acquaintance? Ye Xinyan turned her head to look.
Isn’t this what they call ’enemies meeting on a narrow road’?
Not far from them stood Madam Zhou of the Ji Family and another richly dressed woman, the wife of Vice Minister Sun of the Ministry of Rites, Lady Li, also the mother of Jinrong’s concubine, Sun Shumin.
Each had younger relatives accompanying them; Madam Zhou had her two daughters-in-law behind her, one of whom was unexpectedly Ye Xinyi.
Madam Yin had also turned around and greeted Madam Zhou.
These two were both ladies of status, whereas Madam Yin, after Ye Hongyang was stripped of his heir status, could only be called the Eldest Lady of Duke An’s Mansion. Now, having divorced and returned to her family, she became a real divorcee.
Even before, people like Madam Zhou, who prided themselves on being from scholarly families, tended to look down on those enjoying wealth due to their ancestors’ meritorious deeds.
However, many such noble and prestigious families were hereditary and had, after several generations, built a profound and stable foundation in the Imperial Court. Families engaged in scholarly pursuits and those entering officialdom through examinations had to maintain some superficial appeasement towards them.
Originally the daughter of a military general, Madam Yin, apart from her status as a legitimate daughter of the Marquis Mansion, did not particularly excel in the virtues and decorum expected of women. She used to have the status of a princely heir’s wife, but now...
When Madam Zhou and Madam Li saw that Madam Yin had turned to greet them, they rushed to return the greeting.
Madam Zhou had a past family connection with Madam Yin, making their current meeting somewhat awkward, prompting her to make some small talk: "I haven’t seen Mrs. Yin for so long, here to offer incense as well today."
As soon as she finished speaking, she regretted it, having vaguely overheard Ye Xinyan mentioning something about Uncle Zhao and blessings earlier. Clearly, the mother and daughter were here to pray to Buddha for this Uncle Zhao.
This mother and daughter were terribly unpresentable; given that they called him Uncle Zhao, he must be an older person. It’s absurd to have Ye Xinyan mention it in front of Madam Yin, with Madam Yin not stopping her. Who knew what kind of unspeakable relationship they had.
What people wish to do is not her concern. Madam Zhou shouldn’t have engaged further; after greeting, she should have left immediately.