The group slowly made their way up the mountain.
In the capital, more families believed in Buddhism, but there were also those who were more inclined towards Taoism. Moreover, the White Cloud Temple was located on the outskirts of the capital, so there were always people coming.
The mountain path was paved with stone bricks. The snow on it had just been swept away, and the stone steps were still wet, but it didn't affect walking.
Previously, Fu Zhen had accompanied Mrs. Bai. However, as they walked, the group gradually dispersed. Before she knew it, Chen Tingfeng appeared beside her.
He had walked for a long time without showing any signs of fatigue. He didn't even catch his breath once and looked extremely relaxed.
Fu Zhen had once done farm work, so her physical strength wasn't too bad. However, compared to a man who exercised regularly, she was still a bit lacking.
Just then, she didn't want to walk with Chen Tingfeng either. So she deliberately stopped, took a light breath, and said, "I walk slowly, cousin. You don't have to wait for me. Why don't you go ahead?"
Chen Tingfeng pretended not to hear her words. When she stopped, he stopped too. He gave her a nonchalant glance and then looked around, as if he was really appreciating the snow scene in the mountains.
Fu Zhen couldn't figure out what he was thinking, so she simply ignored him.
Mrs. Bai and the others had already gone ahead. The surroundings fell silent, with only the sound of a few flying birds passing over the treetops.
Chen Tingfeng's eyes roamed around and finally landed on Fu Zhen again.
After a while, he said, "Cousin, sometimes your actions are really unexpected."
Fu Zhen's movements paused. Why had Chen Tingfeng been giving her a hard time recently?
"Now that there are only you and me here, cousin, you might as well speak your mind."
Chen Tingfeng thought she was feigning ignorance. "With just a bit of clever talk, you got rid of a maid. Who wouldn't praise cousin for her intelligence?"
He must have known about the matter of He Miao.
Fu Zhen admitted that when she found out that He Miao had the intention of becoming a concubine, she had deliberately let her try to get into Chen Tingfeng's courtyard. Otherwise, how could she have entered his courtyard so easily?
However, he was the only heir of the Marquis Mansion. Where else could she try to get into if not his courtyard? Should she try to get into the marquis' courtyard, who lived in the military camp all year round?
She showed a confused look. "What clever talk? What maid? I don't understand what cousin is saying today."
"Don't understand, or understand but pretend not to?" Chen Tingfeng raised his eyebrows.
"If cousin only came here to say such ambiguous things, then I'm afraid I can't accompany you any longer. I'll go ahead." Fu Zhen didn't want to entangle with him. She bowed and was about to leave, but Chen Tingfeng stepped in front of her and blocked her way.
"Cousin's temper has grown." He said calmly.
He couldn't explain why he didn't want to let her go. Maybe it was because he didn't see the angry expression he expected on her face after being exposed, which made him feel bored.
The faint smile on Fu Zhen's face disappeared completely. She looked directly into Chen Tingfeng's eyes. "What exactly do you want to do, cousin?"
Chen Tingfeng looked at those beautiful eyes and took a few steps closer. "I just want to figure out what kind of person cousin is."
"And what kind of person are you, cousin?" she asked. "A lofty and upright gentleman?"
There was a hint of sarcasm in her words.
Chen Tingfeng's eyes darkened for a moment, like a wolf eyeing its prey. The fierce light flashed by, and after a moment, he returned to his usual calm appearance.
"Lofty?"
"Isn't it?" Fu Zhen didn't give in at all. Since they had already fallen out, why bother to maintain a little bit of face? It's better to have a head-on confrontation.
Chen Tingfeng stared at her for a while and then slowly showed a smile. "So what?"
So what.
He was born as the heir of the Marquis Mansion. His parents doted on him, and he had many friends. His playmates were all from noble families. He had grown up smoothly all the way. Even if he was a bit arrogant and presumptuous, so what?
That faint smile made him look extremely handsome. It instantly冲淡了 the indifferent aura on him and even showed a bit of arrogance.
Fu Zhen's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly had a bad feeling that things were getting out of her control.
In her dream, she had only seen Chen Tingfeng with a cold face. Every time she faced him, he was always cold. She didn't know that he had such a side.
His personality had changed too much, and Fu Zhen suddenly felt it was a tough problem.
"Cousin is noble, so you can be arrogant. But I'm not like you. Everything I do is for self-preservation," she lowered her eyes. "If cousin doesn't like it, you can go and complain to aunt."
After saying that, she quickly left this place of trouble with Cui Huan.
"Complain, complain..." Chen Tingfeng murmured a few times, as if he had just understood what she said. He looked at her back and showed a cold smile. "She's scolding me."
Yuan Bao looked left and right but didn't look at his master, who was so angry that he was smiling coldly.
Complaining was something only three-year-old kids did.
He thought to himself, wasn't it you who insisted on going up and asking for scolding?
You suddenly targeted the second young lady for no reason. When the second young lady wanted to leave, you insisted on blocking her way. Now, the second young lady is angry and sarcastic, and you're not happy...
Fu Zhen took a short rest. Seeing that they were already halfway up the mountain, she decided to make a final effort and climb directly to the Taoist temple.
She looked up and saw that the main gate of the Taoist temple was wide open. There was a plaque hanging on it, with three elegant and misty characters engraved on it - White Cloud Temple.
For some reason, she felt that it was a bit familiar.
Just then, Nanny Li came out from inside and interrupted her thoughts. Nanny Li said, "Greetings to the second young lady. The madam said that the third young lady is cultivating and cannot be disturbed. She is currently leading Concubine Su to ask for a fortune stick from the old Taoist priest. If the second young lady is interested, you can also ask for one. If not, the old servant will take the second young lady to the side room in the backyard to rest for a while."
Fu Zhen nodded and smiled. "I'm really a bit tired after climbing the stairs for so long. I'd better go and rest for a while first."
After having that dream of the previous life, she naturally believed a bit in the theory of ghosts and gods. However, this old Taoist priest could support Chen Luobing. Maybe he really had some skills. And she had a secret on her. If it was really seen through and exposed in front of others, it would definitely be very unfavorable to her.
Nanny Li bowed and then pointed in a direction, leading Fu Zhen to the side room in the backyard.
It was cold in the mountains. Fortunately, Mrs. Bai had reminded them in the morning to bring a few thick cloaks.
After entering the side room, Cui Huan quickly untied the clothes bag and took out a white fox fur cloak for her to put on.
"It's really much colder on the mountain than at the foot of the mountain." Bi Yu rubbed her hands and went out to borrow a bamboo tea stove from a young Taoist priest and started boiling water.
Fu Zhen let out a long breath and sat on the clean couch. "I originally thought that the White Cloud Temple was only built halfway up the mountain. Who would have thought that it was built on the top of the mountain? It really tired me out."
Cui Huan laughed when she heard this. "It's also the servant's fault for not explaining clearly to the young lady. Fortunately, Qingcheng Mountain is not too high. Otherwise, we really couldn't have climbed it."
Bi Yu lifted the lid to check the water and nodded in agreement. "That's right. Even though we servants run around outside all day, we're a bit out of breath after climbing such a long way."
"Then sit down and rest for a while. Let the water boil by itself. There's no need to keep staring at it." Fu Zhen said.
Cui Huan pulled Bi Yu up and joked, "Good sister, take a rest quickly. These days, you've been like a wound-up clock, never having a moment of leisure. Be careful not to get sick from overwork before the New Year. Otherwise, you won't be able to eat any good food."
Bi Yu pushed her shyly and then looked at Fu Zhen. Seeing that she was smiling, she knew that her matter was over and she could finally relax. She followed Cui Huan's movement and sat down with her.
The wind was strong on the top of the mountain. The side room was not very delicate. There were occasional gaps, and the cold wind would blow in through the gaps, making a "whining" sound.
The few of them were chatting in a low voice in this quiet atmosphere, feeling quite comfortable. Suddenly, there was a loud sound of something heavy hitting the ground outside!
The three of them were startled and looked towards the door at the same time.