The scenic viewing that Fu Zhen mentioned was just an excuse. However, staying in the private room for too long was inevitably boring. So she told Nanny Li and took Cui Huan and Bi Yu with her to take a stroll around.
Before she knew it, she walked into the Taoist temple.
Baiyun Taoist Temple was built by the previous dynasty's emperor. The previous emperor was fond of seeking immortals and asking about the Tao, so the temple had prosperous incense. But the current emperor attached more importance to Buddhism, so Baiyun Taoist Temple inevitably became desolate. However, due to its long - standing heritage, it was not completely deserted.
The main hall was called the Jade Emperor Hall. Three statues were enshrined above, with solemn expressions and imposing looks. Two or three Taoist priests were sitting cross - legged on the futons below.
There was a large tripod in the courtyard, on which several incense sticks were burning. They were lit by Mrs. Bai and the others. Every time they came, they would light incense and leave some money for the temple.
There were side halls on both sides of the main hall. There was only one statue in each side hall. One of the side halls had its door tightly closed, as if trying to isolate others' prying eyes.
Fu Zhen couldn't help but feel curious. Cui Huan explained, "That's the place where the third young lady practices Taoism. The old Taoist priest said that her fate is special and she can't enter the main hall, so he specially vacated a side hall for her. The third young lady has a rather cold and eccentric personality and doesn't like to interact with others, so the door is often closed."
The three of them slowly walked to the door of the tightly - closed side hall.
Fu Zhen said, "In that case, let's leave quickly. We'd better not disturb her."
Just as she was speaking, the door of the side hall suddenly opened. Fu Zhen looked up and met a pair of upturned phoenix eyes.
Phoenix eyes usually look cold. Coupled with her ethereal temperament and snow - white skin, she was like the snow on the mountain peak, out of reach.
Fu Zhen couldn't help but be stunned. Chen Luobing glanced at her, opened the door wide, and motioned, "Come in."
Her voice was like melting ice and snow, adding a bit of warmth.
The two maids looked at each other. The third young lady had never invited anyone into this side hall before, so they didn't know how to react for a moment.
Fu Zhen came to her senses and ordered, "You two wait at the door."
Then she quickly walked into the side hall.
The door closed behind her. Fu Zhen looked around the hall. Since the doors and windows were tightly closed, it was rather dim. However, oil lamps and candles were lit everywhere. The dim yellow candlelight illuminated their eyebrows and eyes, creating a rather warm atmosphere for a moment.
While she was looking around, Chen Luobing was also quietly looking at her. Her eyes were like a great river under an iceberg, slowly flowing but seemingly containing countless undercurrents.
"Sister Luobing," Fu Zhen looked at her calm eyebrows and eyes and took the initiative to break the silence in the room. "My surname is Fu, and my given name is Zhen. You can just call me Zhen Zhen."
She couldn't figure out what Chen Luobing was thinking, so she had to start the conversation about herself.
The two of them sat cross - legged on the ground across a tea table. Chen Luobing poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Fu Zhen. "Okay, cousin."
Fu Zhen was rendered speechless.
For a moment, the two of them were silent again. Fu Zhen lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea. She didn't want the silence to continue, so she said directly, "I wonder why sister called me here?"
Chen Luobing shook her head. "I just wanted to meet you."
"Meet me?" Fu Zhen was puzzled, but she smiled apologetically on the surface. "It should have been me coming to see you. But when we came just now, you were still practicing Taoism, so I didn't want to disturb you. That's why I missed the opportunity to meet you."
"By the way," she said, "I heard from aunt that you don't like extravagance, so I didn't prepare very precious gifts. I only have the tassels I made with my own hands. I've asked aunt to give them to you. I hope you'll like them."
She originally wanted to give the greeting gift in person, but Mrs. Bai said that Chen Luobing would practice Taoism for a whole day, and besides, there was no need to be so polite among family members. It was okay to gather all the gifts and send them over.
Chen Luobing nodded. "I've received the gifts. Thank you."
She was really a woman of few words. No matter how hard Fu Zhen tried to start a conversation, she could end it in just a few words, which really bothered Fu Zhen.
After silently finishing a cup of tea, Fu Zhen got up to say goodbye. "It's getting late. I won't disturb your cultivation anymore. I'll take my leave first."
Chen Luobing also got up and sent her to the door. But just as Fu Zhen was about to go out, she said, "When falsehood is taken for truth, truth becomes false. Don't be too paranoid about certain things, lest you hurt others and yourself."
Fu Zhen suddenly turned around, her eyes full of shock. But she saw Chen Luobing lowering her eyes, avoiding her gaze. The door closed bit by bit, and she seemed to gradually blend into the dimness and disappear bit by bit.
The door was completely closed.
Fu Zhen felt as if her feet were rooted to the ground and she couldn't take another step.
When falsehood is taken for truth, truth becomes false... What exactly did Chen Luobing know?
They had never met before. Could it be that those who practiced Taoism could really see through the secrets of heaven?
Cui Huan supported her worriedly. "Miss?"
Fu Zhen closed her eyes tightly. "I'm fine."
She looked back at the closed side hall. For a moment, she was completely flustered. Her mind was like a ball of wool being played with by a cat, with various thoughts intertwined, making her feel extremely annoyed.
"Let's go back first."
As the sky gradually darkened, Mrs. Bai and the others packed their luggage and were ready to go down the mountain.
Concubine Su may have seen her daughter, so there was a bit of a smile on her face at the moment. She was whispering to her maid.
Mrs. Bai was standing in the courtyard. When she saw Fu Zhen coming back, she smiled. "You're finally back. If you hadn't come back, I would have asked your cousin to look for you."
Fu Zhen pulled herself together and hid her complicated thoughts. "It's my fault, aunt. I made you worry."
Mrs. Bai motioned for Cui Huan and the other maid to go to the private room to pack things. She then took Fu Zhen's hand and sat down in her own room. "It's nothing. But look at you, your face is so pale. Did the wind give you a headache?"
Fu Zhen pursed her lips. She didn't expect Mrs. Bai to be so perceptive. But she instinctively wanted to hide the fact that she had met Chen Luobing just now, so she just went along with her words. "A bit. The wind is strong in winter. I forgot the time while enjoying the scenery. Now I really have a headache."
"You're still so childish. If you like Qingcheng Mountain, aunt will bring you here more often later. These flowers, plants and trees aren't going to run away. Why be in such a hurry?" Mrs. Bai said with concern. She quickly asked the maid to bring the hand - warmer and stuffed it into Fu Zhen's hand. "Warm yourself up first. I'll ask the doctor to take a look at you when we get back to the mansion."
Fu Zhen quickly interrupted her. She didn't really have a headache from the wind. Why bother the doctor? "No need, aunt. I think I'll be fine after a good sleep. It's so cold. Don't bother the doctor to come all the way."
Mrs. Bai sensed her reluctance and had to go along with her. "All right then. But if you don't feel well anywhere, you must tell aunt. Don't hold it in. The Marquis's Mansion is big and wealthy. You don't need to save money."
Fu Zhen smiled and agreed. "Okay, I understand."
The servants were very efficient. Everyone went down the mountain while it was still light.
Fu Zhen glanced around and noticed that someone seemed to be missing. After a closer look, it was Chen Tingfeng who was nowhere to be seen.
The men's private rooms were a bit far from the courtyard. He hadn't shown up all afternoon. Maybe something had held him up and he had left early.
Fu Zhen didn't care either. She just followed the crowd down the mountain.