Chapter 17

Although there were many servants in the Rong-an Wang-fu and Ye Xiang is quite wild outside, but when inside the manor he liked it quiet, and so, the servants in the manor knew not to be loud and cause commotions, each doing their own things. Most of the times, the large Wang-fu was very quiet.

After the servant left, Ye Xiang did not leave the room. He rested on the mattress. The robe on the table was also not stored away.

The sunray came through the window and onto the bright red brocade clothing reflecting flashes of bright reflections, making the already bright room more gleaming. Even the color of Ye Xiang’s outfit became brighter.

After an hour, the housekeeper came to ask, “Shi-zi, the Jingyang-Hou-Manor’s 3rd Gong-si sent someone to ask if the Lion is better? Asked if you can return to Guo-yue Tower yet?”

Ye Xiang turned his glance towards outside, lazily said, “You go return words, the lion is still not well, I’m in no mood, so will not be going back, tell them to have fun by themselves.”

The housekeeper nodded and turned to leave.

Ye Xiang turned towards the robe on the table, holding a look of concentration for a moment before calling towards outside, “Qian Han.”

“Shi-zi.” Qian Han pushed open the door and stepped in.

Ye Xiang pointed to the table, “Put it away.”

Qian Han nodded, carefully folding up the robe and paying careful attention while wrapping it side the parcel. Put it into the closet and putting on a gold lock.

Ye Xiang rubbed the center of his eyebrow, “These few days have the Palace been action packed?”

Qian Han shook his head, saying quietly, “Since the Su Manor Young Lady went to the Palace, the Queen is still being locked up for reflection by the Emperor. The Empress Dowager also did not help the Queen this time and just let the Emperor punish her. The Crown Prince is sick again and Consort Yue has been taking care of him day and night, not daring to rest. Since the Emperor came to our manor that day, after returning to the Palace has not went to see the Crown Prince. Only instructing the Imperial Doctors to diagnosis and use prepare medicine. These ten some days the Palace has been very peaceful.

Ye Xiang put down his hand, “How about Xu Yun Chu? What has he been doing these few days?”

Qian Han glanced at him and said, “Yesterday Lady Xu’s old symptoms surfaced again, Xiao Guo-jiu brought her to Lingyun Temple. It seems today they have not arrived yet.”

“Oh?” Ye Xiang squinted his eyes.

Qian Han stared at him, lowering his voice, “I heard that the Guo-zhang Manor’s Camwood1 are all used up. Xiao Guo-jiu had no options so can only take her to ask help from Lingyun Da-shi2.”

Ye Xiang’s expression was ordinary, “Lingyun3 can find a solution?”

Qian Han said, “These years, Lingyun Da-shi has been closing off himself isolating himself behind lose doors to study the skills of healing. He has come out from isolation just not too long ago. Shi-zi has not been to Lingyun Temple for a year already, so perhaps Lingyun Da-shi already found a solution.”

Ye Xiang laughed, unable to hear his emotions from it.

Qian Han watched him, testing, “It’s almost the Duke and Duchess’ memorial, when is Shi-zi planning to go to Lingyun Temple? Each year Shi-zi goes with Mo-Mo, but this year Mo-Mo has gone with the Wang Manor’s Madam and the Su Manor’s Young Lady.”

Ye Xiang stiffened his eyebrow, “I actually forgot, they also went to Lingyun Temple today.

Qian Han nodded, “They left not too long ago. I have checked, only Madam Wang, Mo-Mo, Lady Su, and also bringing along some guards. No one else, even Madam Su did not follow.”

Ye Xiang took a look outside the window and instructed, “Prepare the carriage, bring the Xiao-Shi4. We are heading for Lingyun Temple immediately.”

Qian Han nodded and then said, “How about over at Gua-yue Tower…..?”

“If they send someone to ask, say that Xiao Shi is very sick, only Lingyun Da-shi can save him.” Ye Xiang gestured him off.

Qian Han nodded and quickly went off to prepare the carriage.

After half an hour, Ye Xiang brought with him, Xiao Shi, Da Bai5, Qian Han, and some guards, and left the Rong-an Wang-fu and out the Imperial City.

Up in the Gua-yue Tower, Qi Shu casually turned around and saw, exclaiming, “Hey, you all come see quickly, that’s the Rong-an Wang-fu carriage right?”

Ten some people turned to look out the window at the same time.

Shen Qi thought it strange and said, “It seems they are heading out the city? Isn’t Xiao Shi sick? Where is Ye Xiang going?”

“Come! Quickly go downstairs and chase up to him and ask.” Qi Shu quickly ordered someone.

A servant quickly ran downstairs and chase after the Rong-an Wang-fu’s carriage.

The carriage in front did not stop because there was someone chasing after them. A guard with the group answered them.

That person quickly went back upstairs to report back, “Gong-zi, they say that Ye Shi-zi’s lion is very sick, only Lingyun Da-shi of Lingyun Temple can heal it. Ye Shi-zi is in a rush to take the lion to Lingyun Temple.

Everyone finally understood what it was about.

Qi Shu sighed, “Lingyun Temple is 50 miles always from the Imperial City. Can’t say it’s far or close. Ye Xiang is also a lazy person, bringing the lion there now likely he would not be coming back to the Imperial City before his parent’s memorial.”

Shen Qi sighed, “Today is my birthday, really human is less than an animal, he is not spending my birthday with me, but accompanying an animal to see the doctor.”

Qi Shu laughed, “You really are less than an animal.”

Shen Qi reached out to give him a fist, turned back to say to the rest, “He goes his way, we continue our fun. I’m telling you all, no ends until we finish up all the good alcohols today.”

Qi Shu nodded, “Alright, we’ve got nothing to lose, sacrificing for a noble man6. No leaving until we’re all drunk! It’s Ye Xiang’s loss.”

Everyone continued bustling up.

Although Lingyun Temple was not the largest temple in Southern Qi, but since there had been a time that monk armies that fought and protected the country, so they been graced with title. They were also close to the Southern Qi Imperial City so attendance we high with many Buddhist followers and those who liked to offer. Moreover during this generation, there was a Monk from this temple who was knowledgeable in healing skills, that those whom the Court Doctors could not help, under Lingyun Da-Shi’s hands would be able to recover, and so, royalties, officials all hold highly of this place and the Lingyun Temple became temple of Southern Qi with the highest reputation.

There were tens of thousands of manuscripts kept in the temple, only monks whose six roots of sensations are pure and clean7 can go pass their doors. They were extremely selective, so there was not many monks in the temple, only about 100 and so, but each were risen above the common crowd’s. The Lingyun Temple’s guard is very strict, no one dares to pick up problem on the temple ground.

Royalties, court men and their families, officials, and commoners were all willing to go the extra mile to offer incense at Lingyun Temple. However, most of the time it is mostly the aristocrats that come often. The commoners usually avoid times when the aristocrats would come to offer incense.

Su Feng Nuan once on the carriage fell fast asleep and was soundly asleep. Madam Wang felt sorry for her oldest granddaughter. Not wanting to jolt her awake, she specially ordered the group to slow down in pace, as long as they arrived before sundown would be fine.

After going about an hour, a carriage group came approaching them quickly.

Someone reported to Madam Wang, “Madam, it is Rong-an Wang-fu’s carriage behind us.”

Madam Wang was stunned and questioned, “It is Ye Shi-zi in the carriage?”

The person shook their head, “Still not sure.”

Liu Mo-Mo quickly said, “Quickly go ask, is it Xiao Xiang?”

That person went off quickly.

Not too long after the person came back to report, “Mo-Mo, it is Ye Shi-zi.”

Madam Wang thought it strange, “Ye Shi-zi is also going to Lingyun Temple?”

“Halt the carriage first, go ask him.” Liu Mo-Mo said happily.

Madam Wang nodded, instructing to have the carriage halted.

Not long, the Rong-an Wang-fu carriage came close. The carriage in front stopped, Ye Xiang drew the curtain aside, casually greeted Madam Wang and Liu Mo-Mo. “Greetings Madam. Greetings Mo-Mo.”

Madam Wang smiled and nodded.

Liu Mo-Mo endearingly asked, “Xiao Xiang, are you going to Lingyun Temple?”

Ye Xiang nodded, “Xiao Shi is sick, only Lingyun Da-shi can help.”

“Who is Xiao Shi?” Liu Mo-Mo questioned.

“It’s a lion that I had just tamed.” Ye Xiang said.

Liu Mo-Mo was shocked, “When have you tamed a lion?”

“Just a few days ago.” Ye Xiang replied.

Liu Mo-Mo nodded and waved him off, “Is it very sick? Go off quickly then! We are not in a rush.”

Ye Xiang lifted his glance to the sky and said, “Lingyun Temple have not renovated for many years, but because this year they are hosting a big ceremony, so it’s been told that some days ago they have started large renovations. Not sure if it is completed by now. If they are not done yet, I’m afraid there will not be boarding in the temple.”

Liu Mo-Mo was blank for a moment.

Ye Xiang looked towards Madam Wang, “Madam has brought quite some servants along, have you notified the temple chief ahead of time?

Madam Wang nodded, “Yes I’ve notified them, but indeed have brought a little too many servants along, I have overlooked the Lingyun Temple’s situation of renovation. If there is no place to stay….,” She looked at the color of the sky. finding it to be difficult situation.

Ye Xiang suggested, “I heard that Madam have a farmhouse in Lingyun Town. Why don’t you stop at the farmhouse first today? Since I have to go to the Lingyun Temple for Xiao Shi’s sickness, when I go there I will check, if the renovations are finished and can take in this many servant to stay, I will send someone to let Madam know, how is that?”

“This….,” Madam Wang was a little hesitant, “It’s too troubling for Ye Shi-zi.”

Before Ye Xiang said anything, Liu Mo-Mo was quick to respond smiling, “No problem at all. No problem at all. I watched Xiao Xiang grow up, Madam does not need to be too modest with him.”

Madam Wang also smiled when hearing so, “If so, then we will first head to Lingyun Town. I have not been to the farmhouse for a long time. Lingyun Town is just on the foot of Lingyun Mountain, to go up the mountain is very convenient as well.”

“Exactly.” Liu Mo-Mo smiled while nodding.

Ye Xiang said that the two had decided and did not say anything else, letting down the curtain.

Rong-an Wang-fu’s carriage passed by the Wang Manor’s carriage and headed quickly towards the direction of Lingyun Temple. Not long, was out of sight.

Thank you Chika, Faa, and Kimberley for your comments! Both feedbacks and the story picking up on it’s pace both helps me greatly in translating faster. If anyone has suggestions on my translations feel free to let me know anytime!

Will Ye Xiang and Su Feng Nuan finally meet in our next chapter? See everyone again this Friday!