The weather in midsummer was stuffy and sweltering, making people feel irritable for no reason. But when a torrential rain fell, it immediately cooled down the scorching earth.
The air was filled with the fragrance of the earth, and even the wind carried a bit of moisture and coolness.
Taking advantage of the cooler weather in the past two days, Shen Li thought of taking Jiaoyue and the other two girls to the temple to offer incense.
Shen Li didn't really believe in the blessing of gods and Buddhas. She just simply fulfilled her obligation. All the female relatives in the Shen Mansion were required to go to the temple to offer incense once a month.
Now, Mrs. Shen used the excuse of preparing a dowry for Shen Miao and pushed this task to Shen Li. Shen Li didn't decline and agreed.
On this day, the carriage was prepared early in the Shen Mansion. After having breakfast, Shen Li took the items for offering incense and was about to go out. Unexpectedly, as soon as she walked out of the courtyard, she saw Shen Miao and Shen Zhen coming towards her.
"Sister, are you going to Long'en Temple to offer incense today?" Shen Miao called out from a dozen steps away before she got closer.
Originally planning to pretend not to see her and slip away, Shen Li had no choice but to stop. "We are indeed going to Long'en Temple to offer incense today."
Shen Miao kept walking and said softly, "That's good. Since we have nothing to do today, we'll accompany you."
As if afraid that Shen Li would object, Shen Miao quickly added, "Mother agreed last night, and the servants have prepared the carriage in advance!"
Shen Li didn't react at all to Shen Miao's meaningful but seemingly innocent words. Her eyes were as calm as usual as she looked at Shen Miao.
"Alas, this may be the last time I go out with my sisters to offer incense and worship Buddha. I'm afraid I won't have such a chance again in the future!"
Shen Miao showed a look of pity. If one ignored the excitement in her eyes, her helpless look would really be convincing. But no matter what, a person's eyes can't lie.
If Shen Miao's words were heard by sisters with true feelings, they might shed a few tears. But Shen Li, Shen Miao, and Shen Zhen didn't seem like close sisters at all.
So as soon as Shen Miao finished speaking, Shen Zhen continued to lower her head and count the flowers on her embroidered dress, while Shen Li looked elsewhere expressionlessly. No one responded to Shen Miao's words.
Shen Miao could hardly maintain her expression when Shen Li finally started walking forward.
Holding Jiaoyue's hand, Shen Li got on the first carriage first. Just as she was about to sit in through the curtain lifted by the servant, she heard Shen Miao say with a smile outside the carriage, "Sister, we've been to Long'en Temple many times. Let's go to another temple today. How about Pufa Temple?"
Although Shen Miao seemed to be discussing with Shen Li, it was not hard to tell from her tone that she had made up her mind.
As soon as Shen Miao finished speaking, Shen Li walked into the carriage without any hesitation. The servant took the opportunity to put down the curtain, blocking the sight of the people outside.
"Then we'll listen to you, sister. It doesn't matter which Buddha we worship!" Then Shen Li's voice came from inside the carriage. "Let's set off!"
There was only one carriage left arranged by the Shen Mansion. Shen Miao and Shen Zhen got into it one after another. By this time, Shen Li's carriage had already turned into the next street.
Shen Miao and Shen Zhen felt crowded sitting in the carriage. Although the carriage was very spacious and could seat four people, Shen Miao felt stuffy when she saw Shen Zhen sitting in the corner like a quail, afraid to move.
She originally wanted Shen Zhen to take Shen Li's carriage, but unexpectedly, Shen Li didn't wait for them at all and directly told the coachman to leave, forcing her to squeeze into a carriage with Shen Zhen, a concubine's daughter.
Long'en Temple was a royal temple. It was large and received many pilgrims, including many high - ranking officials and nobles. Naturally, there was no shortage of incense money.
Although Pufa Temple was also in the capital, it couldn't be compared with Long'en Temple in terms of the scale of the temple, the number of monks, or the number of pilgrims.
As soon as Shen Li entered the temple gate, a young novice monk led her all the way into the temple. At this time, Shen Miao and Shen Zhen also arrived outside the temple. Without any pause, they continued to rush into the temple.
When they entered the main hall, they saw Shen Li kneeling on the cushion, with her hands clasped together, eyes closed, and sincerely worshipping the Buddha.
When Shen Li finished making her wish and opened her eyes, Mingyue and Jiaoyue helped her up from the ground.
"Sister, you're really too much. Why didn't you wait for us and just left by yourself? It's very dangerous on the outskirts of the capital! You should be more careful next time. Don't be hurt or kidnapped by some bad guys!"
Almost the moment Shen Li opened her eyes, Shen Miao couldn't hold back and stepped forward, saying in a sarcastic tone.
"Second Miss, watch your words! Our eldest miss is fine. Why are you cursing our miss?"
Jiaoyue had been feeling angry since the beginning. First, Shen Miao suddenly said she would also go out to offer incense, and the servants had prepared the carriage but only informed their miss at the last minute.
Then, with just a few words, Shen Miao changed the place of offering incense from Long'en Temple to Pufa Temple and directly informed their miss without any hint.
Jiaoyue had been holding back her anger because of these two things. Now seeing Shen Miao daring to bully their miss, she naturally wouldn't stand by and immediately retorted.
"I'm just worried about sister's safety. How can a low - level maid like you talk here?"
"Second Miss is right. We're just servants and shouldn't interfere in the conversation between the masters. But the servant's concern is all for the eldest miss. Unlike some people, who talk so grandly but secretly wish something bad would happen to our eldest miss!"
"You..." Shen Miao didn't expect Jiaoyue to be so bold as to expose her words directly. She originally thought that Shen Li's change in temperament was already amazing enough. Unexpectedly, all the girls around her were so sharp - tongued.
"Sister, you're too lenient with these maids and servants. It's okay for her to interrupt when the master is talking, but she even dares to slander the master to her face. Why do you still keep such a maid? How about I help you teach this maid a good lesson today?" Saying this, Shen Miao stood opposite Shen Li and motioned to the maids behind her.