The matter of the talent show had already begun, and Shi Anran was a little nervous in her heart. But after thinking about it, if she were to bring it up, Shi Yu might not even nod her head in agreement. She could only wait until the Imperial Palace came to deliver the news first.
Shi Anran had nothing to do today, so she told Shi Yu that she would be going to the temple to burn incense and worship Buddha.
It was still early in the morning, and the fog in the mountain had already retreated, leaving behind some sparkling dew. Even so, there were already quite a few people who came to burn incense and worship Buddha.
Shi Anran's palanquin could only stop at the foot of the mountain. The stone steps leading to the Han Mountain Temple had more than a thousand levels, so a person would need to quickly take a detour around the mountain and take a carriage.
Today, Shi Anran brought Lian Xing out, it was obvious that Lian Xing had never been to this kind of place before. She raised her head to look at the endless stone steps, swallowed her saliva and said, "Miss, do you really want to go up?" It would take at least four hours to get there. How could it be more convenient than sitting in a palanquin?
Shi Anran kowtowed three times at the foot of the mountain, and with a sincere expression on her face, she asked, "If you're not pious to Buddha, then why did you come to Hanshan Temple?"
Lian Xing understood and nodded, then said sternly: "I wish to pray for Madam as well!"
"It's spring rain, many passers-by …"
"What a great phrase …" The voice was very gentle.
Shi Anran did not seem to have expected that Third Prince would also come, and was about to turn around and bow when she heard Li Mu say, "There's no need to be so courteous outside!"
"Yes …" Shi Anran did not hesitate and agreed softly.
Li Mu looked at the basket that Lian Xing was carrying, and smilingly said, "Does Anran want to enjoy the incense too?"
"Anran came here to pray for mother's blessings, it was a coincidence that we met Third Prince together, it was Anran's fortune!" Shi Anran smiled charmingly.
Coincidence? Li Mu did not say anything, he raised his hand and gestured, "If that's the case, then let's go up together!"
Shi Anran nodded her head in agreement, who knew that before even walking half the distance, a misty spring rain would fall down from the mountain, Li Mu stood under the lush ancient trees, staring at the red silk cloth, in a daze, as though she did not understand what it was.
Shi Anran received the red oil umbrella from Lian Xing and walked over slowly. However, she placed the umbrella on him instead. Third Prince's tall stature also made it difficult for Shi Anran to move the umbrella.
Li Mu turned around and saw the petite girl in front of him. On her beautiful face were a pair of eyes that could captivate souls, staring straight at him.
"Let me do it!" Unexpectedly, Li Mu had covered her umbrella hand.
Feeling the faint warmth that came from those thick and broad palms, Shi Anran was surprised for a moment. Was such warmth really what she wanted in the future?
Li Mu stood by her side while holding up the umbrella, Shi Anran saw that he was curious about the ancient tree in front of them, and said: "Third Prince, this is a marriage tree that begs for marriage."
"Marriage Tree?" Li Mu muttered these three words indifferently.
At this moment, little Shamei walked over: "Are the two benefactors begging for marriage?"
Hearing this, Shi Anran's beautiful face flushed a little. Although she intentionally looked to the side to avoid Li Mu's gaze, it was still clear to him. Li Mu could not tell what kind of feeling Li Mu had, but he felt that this was a woman with means, and it would not be bad if he stayed by his side. Immediately, he agreed to Little Shamei's words and said with a nod: "Indeed!"
Two pieces of red silk were given to the two of them respectively. When Shi Anran finished writing, he inadvertently glanced at Li Mu with a gentle and shallow smile. I wonder if I've found such a person? "
"Never …" Facing Third Prince's burning hot gaze, Shi Anran pretended to be shy and lowered her eyes, she did not ask Third Prince what he had written. If she pushed it too hard, it would backfire.
reached out his hand. "Anran, if you don't mind, why don't you help me walk on!"
Shi Anran stared at his hand for a good while. Then, she took it and said: "In that case, Anran thanks Third Prince a lot!"
After walking and stopping, they met Buddha. The two of them ate some food in the small pavilion and arrived at Han Mountain Temple four hours later. It was actually much later than he had expected.
Shi Anran looked up at the Great Buddha in front of him who was kowtowing sincerely, she lit a incense and said to herself: Please protect my daughter, everything goes smoothly!
"Miss, what did you draw?" Lian Xing asked curiously.
Shi Anran opened it and smiled, "Sign it..." Hopefully, Li Mu will be her signature!
The old monk undid the lot and stroked his white beard. He looked at her seriously and said, "This lady's lot is really lucky. The unhappiness from the new year will also disappear with the rich.
What was this old monk doing?
Lian Xing did not really understand. Young miss was already rich now, it was said that Han Shan Temple's signing was very good, now it seemed that all of the rumors were not believable!
Shi Anran donated some incense money, thanked the old monk, and then slowly walked away. From afar, she saw Li Mu at the entrance of the temple, was he waiting for him?
Shi Anran thought for a moment, then went up to welcome him, and said happily, "Third Prince, Anran asked for your signature just now."
"Oh? But to sign on? " Seeing the smile on her face, Li Mu guessed boldly.
Hearing that, Shi Anran nodded her head and smiled: "Then Master said, Anran will have the help of a noble this year, Third Prince, do you know who the noble person is?"
A smile appeared on Li Mu's face, it was filled with warmth and gentleness: "I am looking for my benefactor, but unfortunately, she has never appeared."
It was unknown what was on Li Mu's mind. On the way down the mountain, the two were very silent.
"Third Prince still remembers that you accepted one of Anran's conditions during the Lantern Festival?" Her words broke the silence.
Li Mu retracted his deep and profound gaze, and looked at her seriously. His gentle voice sounded a little cold and clear: "What do you want?"
"Father wanted Anran to take care of the family's business, but this was not what Anran wanted. Now, I want to request for Third Prince's help, so that Anran can enter the palace to become my Consort Candidate!"
Hearing this, Li Mu looked at the woman in front of him with a slightly astonished expression. To a family like Shi Anran, inheriting a family business was much better than entering the palace.
He slowly took in a deep breath and put it down, then looked at Shi Anran and said seriously: "The life in the palace is not as simple as you think. Anran is so smart, there's no need for me to remind you about it, right? Do you understand what I mean? "
"Anran understands, but that is fate. Anran is not willing to follow the arrangements of fate."
Li Mu said somewhat helplessly, "Sometimes, a person's fate is already decided. Doing too much won't change anything."
Shi Ran didn't think much of it. Her eyes were determined as she said seriously, "Your Highness has heard of a saying: 'My life is mine and not the heavens'!" As long as it's something I want, I will definitely get a reward for my hard work. What I lack is only an opportunity, a chance, a time, a place, a person and … If Your Highness does not work hard, how will you know that you cannot escape this fate?