Chapter 201 - Plum Blossom Forest (1/2)

Chapter 201: Plum Blossom Forest

This was Sang Wan’s last vegetarian meal when Liu Ya suddenly asked if there was any pretty scenery around the temple. The nun who delivered the food smiled and said, “I was thinking of letting you know about it even without you asking! This temple is called Plum Blossom Temple, the plum blossom trees here are a must see! There are a few hectares of plum blossom trees right behind the temple. The weather here is cooling and it allows the flowers to bloom splendidly to form a sea of flowers; it would be a pity if Young Mistress did not visit it! Why don’t you follow me to have a look later?”

“Well…” Sang Wan hesitated for a while before refusing with a smile, “I think I’ll pass. I will visit it next time if I have the chance!”

Her mother-in-law was praying for blessings; although she did not need Sang Wan to accompany her, it would be inappropriate for her to be out having fun.

The nun smiled and persuaded, “You’ll have to wait an entire year for the next chance to come by. That will be a very long wait! Even the Shi family’s eldest missy who visited yesterday said it was worth the visit! Everyone in Qingzhou loves the plum blossom flowers here! They say the flowers blooming here are better and vibrant than those outside!”

Upon hearing so, Liu Ya became tempted and could not help but join hands with the nun to persuade Sang Wan. With their combined effort, Sang Wan got talked into it, and they followed the nun once the dishes were cleared away.

“Look, Young Mistress, that’s the place!” After a short walk, the nun pointed to an indistinct cloud of red which began to come into sight.

The master and servant look towards the direction. True enough, the scene before them deserved praise.

When they were nearly there, a little nun suddenly came up to them from out of nowhere. While panting, she leaned towards the nun who was leading the way and whispered something into her ear. Taken aback by her words, the nun, who led the way, smiled apologetically to Sang Wan and Liu Ya, “Because something happened at the temple, I’ll have to make a trip back. Young Mistress, you’ll arrive at the spot after taking a turn around this corner and past the back gate! Then I’ll have to bid farewell to you here!”

“Thank you for your trouble!” Sang Wan nodded and smiled before going ahead with Liu Ya.

Once they stepped out of the back gate, the sea of plum blossom flowers were right before their eyes. A sweet fragrance filled their noses as the boundless sea of flowers bloomed in red, pink, and white.

“Young Mistress, these plum blossom flowers do indeed bloom nicely!” Liu Ya smiled and complimented.

“Maybe it’s because they are growing near the temple which has a spiritual influence on the area!” Sang Wan joked.

“Xixi, those were some wonderful words, Big Sister-in-law! I feel as if I somewhat understand!” A young maiden dressed in bright yellow approached from the side while holding two stalks of plum blossom flowers. Beside her was her servant, Cai Yun, who was wearing a turquoise uniform coat and a white long skirt.

That maiden was Shi Lian.

“Third Sister!” Sang Wan was fond of her and hurriedly went up to her, “You’re here as well!”

“En, I wanted to have a walk around here since we are going back tomorrow. I didn’t think I’d see Big Sister Sang Wan here as well! How careless of me, I should have asked you out!” Shi Lian smiled and held Sang Wan’s arm.

“No worries, we did end up meeting here in the end, didn’t we?” Their eyes met and they giggled as they walked into the plum blossom forest while complimenting the flowers.

The plum blossom flowers near the temple lived up to their name and the two enjoyed their time around the flowers. “Young Mistress!” Suddenly, they heard Zhide calling out as she headed towards the plum blossom forest to search for Sang Wan.

Liu Ya quickly ran ahead towards Zhide to bring her over.

“Young Mistress! Oh, Third Missy is here as well!” Zhide ran up to them before bowing as he panted.

“Why are you so flustered? Calm yourself and speak slowly!” Sang Wang smiled and said.

Zhide looked at Shi Lian and hesitated. Sang Wan noticed her hesitation and gently chided, “What are you worrying about? Third Missy isn’t an outsider! Is my mother-in-law looking for me?”

“No,” Zhide shook her head before she smiled and said, “It’s that, Young Master is back…”

Blood rushed to Sang Wan’s face, who became somewhat embarrassed. Shi Lian could not help but chuckle as she nudged Sang Wan and smiled, “Sister Sang Wan, you should hurry since Big Brother is back! He must be waiting for you!”

“We should go together too!” Sang Wan smiled.

“I still want to have a look around the area. Big Sister Sang Wan, you should hurry, don’t make Big Brother wait too long for you!”

Sang Wan stopped insisting. She smiled and parted ways with Shi Lian together with Zhide and Liu Ya.

The temple did not allow male pilgrims to enter, hence, Shi Fengju had to wait at the back of the mountain. Sang Wan followed Zhide and exited the plum blossom forest. Not long after, she saw a smiling Shi Fengju who was waiting for her under a cluster of bamboo.

Zhide and Liu Ya read the atmosphere and retreated away from them as Sang Wan approached him with a smile, “Why are you here? I was with Third Sister in the plum blossom forest; you should have went in to find us instead of asking Zhide to bring me out!”

“I only wanted to see you,” Shi Fengju led her by her hand to the back of the cluster of bamboo, where he hugged her tightly and kissed her on her forehead. “Did you miss me?”

“Don’t tease me!” Sang Wan pushed him away, embarrassed, before smiling, “There’s a time and place for everything!”

“Don’t worry, nobody will see us here!” Shi Fengju laughed, “we are being blocked by the bamboo, and Zhan Huan is guarding the slope!”

Sang Wan was speechless: this person really is …