Chapter Nine: Private Affections

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The group of ladies and gentlemen standing behind Lady Liu were first stunned by her inexplicable words. The Second Miss Jiang was, after all, a girl accused of poisoning her stepmother—a grievous offense. Though she appeared pitiful, to openly aid her would be to stand against Ji Shuran. The Ji family, with its Deputy Censor-in-Chief, was favored by Emperor Hongxiao; moreover, the affairs of the Premier’s household were not for outsiders to meddle in. Thus, everyone intended to remain aloof.

Who could have foreseen that after just a few words exchanged with Lady Liu, she would immediately propose to take Jiang Li back to Yan Capital with her, risking the wrath of the Ji family for the sake of a young lady she barely knew?

Even more unexpected was that Second Miss Jiang refused her.

Everyone was astounded by Jiang Li’s reply; even Tong’er was quietly anxious. Lady Liu glanced at her inquiringly, asking, “Why is that, Second Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Li smiled and said, “Father sent me to this family temple to cultivate myself. Though it is bitter, it brings peace and health to the family. If I were to abandon this halfway, it would be disrespectful to the Buddha. Besides, Father has not yet sent for me to return; how could I presume to decide for myself?”

She did not mention the punishment for poisoning her stepmother, only that she was sent here for self-cultivation and to seek blessings for her family. To outsiders, it sounded like Second Miss Jiang was glossing over her faults, but to Lady Liu, it carried another meaning.

Lady Liu, a longtime friend of Ye Zhenzhen, knew her to be honest and kind, and naturally did not believe Ye Zhenzhen’s daughter could be so wicked. Yet when Jiang Li was disgraced, Lady Liu had not been in contact with the Jiang family for years, and Jiang Li had pushed Ji Shuran in front of many ladies, causing a miscarriage—a crime with undeniable evidence. Lady Liu, though doubtful, was powerless to help.

Now, seeing her old friend’s daughter bullied and appearing so gentle and pure, Lady Liu’s suspicions grew. Jiang Li avoided mentioning her crime; perhaps she was never at fault to begin with. The accusation of poisoning her stepmother might merely be a pretext, an excuse for someone with ulterior motives to send her away and torment her.

Listen to Jiang Li’s final words: she obeys Jiang Yuanbai in everything, but Jiang Yuanbai likely never thinks of this daughter!

Lady Liu’s heart smoldered with indignation. Jiang Li looked up at her, puzzled, and asked, “By the way, I still don’t know why you are here, Madam? And these others…” She glanced at the group behind Lady Liu. “Are you here to offer incense? Usually, few come here to pray; most go to Crane Forest Temple. And it’s rather late now—surely you aren’t here to pray.”

Her words brought a variety of expressions to the faces around her. Lady Liu, however, seemed to realize something, pondering for a moment before she said to Jiang Li, “This family temple is not a proper one. Since your father has sent you here, he ought to find a respectable temple. Very well—since you are unwilling to leave with me, I will depart for Yan Capital tomorrow. But I believe your father will soon send for you.”

Her words carried a clear implication.

Jiang Li seemed to understand, or perhaps not; she simply smiled and replied, “Thank you, Madam.”

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Lady Liu went on, “You need not be so devout, kneeling in the Buddha hall at midnight. Justice lives in the hearts of men; with sincerity, the Buddha will see. Yuxiang,” she turned to the maid beside her, “stay here these next few days and take good care of Second Miss Jiang. With only one maid, she may lack proper attention.” She then addressed Jiang Li, “Do not refuse, Second Miss Jiang. I am an old friend of your mother. Yuxiang is my personal attendant and knows some martial arts. With her by your side, I will feel at ease. When you return to Yan Capital, Yuxiang will come back to me.”

She even gave her personal maid to Jiang Li, showing how much she valued her. It also suggested that, perhaps before long, Jiang Li would return to the Jiang family in Yan Capital and resume her position as a proper young lady.

Jiang Li thanked Lady Liu, and Lady Liu, accompanied by the ladies and young misses, stayed at the nunnery. True to her word, Yuxiang followed Jiang Li, and Jiang Li and Tong’er moved to a comfortable room usually occupied by other nuns. None of the nuns were to be seen.

As Yuxiang left to fetch water, Tong’er quietly asked Jiang Li, “Miss, what is happening? Where have all the nuns gone? Why are there so many people here?”

Tong’er suspected it had something to do with Jiang Li, but did not know what Jiang Li had done. These days, Jiang Li had only asked her to feed the monkeys, and surely that could not have led to all this!

“Didn’t I tell you to feed the monkeys?” Jiang Li said calmly. “The abbot of Crane Forest Temple, Master Tongming, has a disciple, Liewu, who is entangled with our nunnery’s Master Jing’an. Every nineteenth day of the month, they meet secretly in the rear woods of Crane Forest Temple. The mountain monkeys, fed daily by you for half a month, now wait there every evening. Tonight is the nineteenth; the monkeys went as usual, saw Jing’an and Liewu, and approached them for food. The couple, already guilty at heart, must have been startled, making a commotion and alerting the ladies. With so many wealthy and noble ladies here, they would not tolerate such filth in a holy place. Inevitably, they would demand an explanation and round up all the nuns.”

Tong’er was shocked, murmuring, “How could this be…” Then she grew anxious. “But how did you know about such a secret matter, Miss?”

“I overheard it,” Jiang Li replied, sipping her tea. “Two young nuns gossiping—caught by me.”

Tong’er was still incredulous. “It’s terrifying.”

Jiang Li smiled. She understood well. When she was still Xue Fangfei, Princess Yongning made her drink medicine daily, trying to drain her life. She was confined, unable to leave her room, and the servants spoke freely, considering her as good as dead. She learned then that Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong met secretly at a temple not far from Yan Capital.

The servants also spoke of another secret: Liewu of Crane Forest Temple was a lustful monk, abusing many women—even the nuns of the neighboring nunnery were not spared. Princess Yongning got her idea from Liewu, meeting Shen Yurong at the temple.

After waking up as Second Miss Jiang, knowing Crane Forest Temple was nearby, she immediately recalled the secret. At her first sight of Master Jing’an, Jiang Li knew the nun must have a lover. Why else would a young, beautiful nun, if not for a lover, wear scented oils and adorn herself?

It was all for the one who delighted in her beauty.

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A complete plan took shape in Jiang Li’s mind, though it was not certain to succeed. Perhaps the servants’ gossip was false, perhaps Jing’an’s lover was not Liewu, or perhaps their rendezvous did not cause a stir; in any such case, the whole scheme would come to nothing.

If that happened, Jiang Li would have to find another way.

But her luck was not always so poor. By some twist of fate, everything worked out perfectly.

Tong’er pressed her hands together. “It’s all thanks to you overhearing their gossip and thinking up this plan. Otherwise, how could you have encountered Lady Liu? Perhaps it was the flower spirit we saw tonight… No, the flower fairy’s magic, punishing those wicked people!”

Flower fairy? Before Jiang Li’s eyes appeared the young man’s face atop the roof.

“He’s not a flower fairy,” Jiang Li smiled.

“He is the Duke of Su.”

—Extra—

Ah hey, happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! May you dream of your beloved every night~ (≧▽≦)/

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