Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Shocked (2)
Chunyan nodded her head and said, "The days are long, you’ll see plenty more."
Xiqiu watched the two laughing together and couldn’t help but smile faintly. The carriage slowed down and then stopped. Outside, a servant from the Tong Mansion gave the nameplate to the guard at the gate. After asking one by one, the carriage started moving again, followed by a slight jolt...
Xiqiu wondered if it was just her imagination, but after that jolt, it seemed the air was suddenly filled with the fragrance of grass and wildflowers.
Once they were out of the city, Chunliu grew bolder. She leaned out the window to look outside. Soon, the carriage started climbing a slope, slowing down again. The servant outside the carriage said through the curtain, "Miss, we’ve arrived!"
Chunliu was the first to jump off the carriage, followed closely by Chunyan. The two placed a footstool by the carriage and assisted Xiqiu in alighting. This was the front courtyard of Puji Temple. Xiqiu remembered that the Tong Mansion’s carriage also stopped here the last time she came with the Lady.
In the distance, Master Puning was speaking with a young nun. After a moment, the young nun glanced at Xiqiu, then turned and headed to the back courtyard, returning shortly with a few servants. Master Puning approached Xiqiu as she turned and respectfully greeted her, "Master!"
Master Puning nodded slightly, smiling as she said, "The journey must have been tiring. Later, you’ll rest in the back courtyard!"
Xiqiu smiled and nodded. She was familiar with Master Puning through Madam Xia. Back then, when Madam Xia was still in Suzhou, Master Puning was a newly ordained nun. They met by chance and, being of similar age, often played together. Madam Xia frequently sneaked food to her from the mansion. Their friendship, formed in youth, was quite special. Later, when Madam Xia married in the Capital, they lost contact. It wasn’t until over a decade later they met again in the Capital, unexpectedly discovering that Master Puning had also come to the Capital with her master.
However, for some unknown reason, Master Puning had changed her name and place of origin, so even when she and Madam Xia met, they only nodded in acknowledgment. And because of this, even when Xiqiu encountered her, they pretended not to recognize each other!
If not for this bond, how could she have helped her so?
"Yesterday, I was quite surprised when Chunyan came looking for me. I thought Miss had another reason, only to find that she wishes to stay at the temple..." She paused and continued, "This is a temple, life here is quite modest. If you want anything to eat or use, just have someone tell the servants to buy it!"
"Thank you." Xiqiu smiled and said, "I’m afraid I might be troubling you for some time." The Master smiled and replied, "Where is there any trouble? Sixth Miss being here makes me happy!" With that, she led Xiqiu to the back courtyard. Behind her, Chunliu, a few young nuns, and servants moved her luggage to the back courtyard. The servant who accompanied her from the carriage bid farewell to Xiqiu, "Sixth Miss, this maid shall return!"
"Thank you, Mama!" Xiqiu smiled slightly and had Chunliu give pouches to each of the four servants. After receiving thanks, they rode the carriage back to the Tong Mansion.
In the back courtyard, the east housed the master’s and the abbot’s places in rows of separate courtyard houses. The north consisted of two large courtyards for the nuns. Opposite the large courtyard was a covered corridor and a backward-facing house prepared for incoming pilgrims, where Master Puning arranged for Xiqiu. Although small, it was next to the masters’ courtyards, which provided better safety.
"Every morning at 5 a.m. and evening at 3 p.m. is the time for lessons. Meals will be delivered to the courtyard. If you wish to go outside, stroll around the back courtyard, as there are many people in the front courtyard." Xiqiu nodded in response, "Got it!"
The Master nodded and smiled, "Then Sixth Miss, rest early. If you need anything, just have someone inform me." With that, she returned to her courtyard with the young nun.
Xiqiu settled into the room with Chunliu and Chunyan. She began writing a letter to Madam Xia. After a few days, Madam Xia replied, keeping it simple, only mentioning not to worry, as she felt assured with Xiqiu being with Master Puning. Although Tong Minzhi wrote much, it was indirect and evasive, leaving Xiqiu more perplexed the more she read.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather gradually became hotter. With no news from Madam Xia, she felt at ease, allowing Chunyan to light a Long-lasting Lamp for Sixing. Daily, she listened to Master Puning’s teachings in her room and spent her spare time embroidering items for Tong Xiyang.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the rain started to drizzle intermittently for several days, leaving the sky overcast. After the rainy season ended, she wrote to Madam Xia again. However, Madam Xia was busy with something and didn’t respond promptly. When a reply finally came at the end of June, Xiqiu replied again, but this time Madam Xia did not respond at all. She grew increasingly uneasy and was about to send Chunliu back to inquire when a letter from the First Master arrived, stating he would return to the Capital in July after dealing with business in hand. Xiqiu was quietly pleased and intended for Chunliu to convey this to Madam Xia, but then Tong Shen Zhi arrived. Surprised, Xiqiu asked, "Big brother, why are you here? Is there something at home?"
Tong Shen Zhi looked uneasy, his expression serious as he said, "Madam Xia and Seventh Brother...went out five days ago and haven’t returned!" It was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Xiqiu dizzy. Supported by Chunyan, she exclaimed in disbelief, "Five days ago, they went out and haven’t returned?" Except for her hometown in Suzhou, Madam Xia had nowhere to go. Plus, she had mentioned once there was a flood there a year, causing her family to move, and they hadn’t been in contact for years. It’s impossible for Madam Xia to head to Suzhou now!
Where could she have gone?
"Big brother, have you searched thoroughly?" Tong Shen Zhi was known for his meticulousness, and with so many days passed, if they hadn’t searched carefully, he wouldn’t be here looking for her. True to expectations, Tong Shen Zhi nodded, "We’ve searched in and around the Capital. Manager Lai also sent people out of town, but all we found was Madam Xia rented a carriage in the city, with no further clues."
Supported by Chunyan, Xiqiu sat in a chair, her heart pounding with fear. Madam Xia had never traveled far alone, and Seventh Brother was so young—where could they have gone?
Suddenly, she thought of the First Master!
Could Madam Xia have gone to see the First Master? Could her evasive behavior recently have been preparation for finding the First Master? The thought of what Madam Xia had relayed through Xiuzhi before leaving, not seeing her off when she left the mansion, and assuring her safety with Master Puning, now all made sense, indicating her intentions all along.
"Big brother, quickly write to Father. Madam Xia might have gone to Yongzhou!" Tong Shen Zhi furrowed his brow tightly and looked at Xiqiu, "I thought of this possibility too. A few days ago, I had Manager Lai send people to stand guard in Tongzhou and inquire around, but there was no sight of Madam Xia and Seventh Brother, so I came here, thinking she might miss her sister and come here!" Though he suspected, Xiqiu’s reaction confirmed she was unaware. This matter couldn’t be publicized or reported to the authorities, so only servants could discreetly inquire, which inevitably limited the investigation!