Time Is Slow - Chapter 45

Dafu Temple was nestled at the far end of the western city, on Mount Luoxia.

Mount Luoxia was covered in maple trees, and every autumn the leaves turned crimson like sunset clouds stretching endlessly across the mountain, which is how it earned its name.

At dawn, Dafu Temple was awakened by the sound of long, deep bells, ready to welcome the wave of pilgrims soon to arrive.

But today’s pilgrims were no ordinary crowd. They were the most distinguished individuals in the capital.

On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the temple was reserved only for government officials and members of noble or imperial families. The general public would be allowed to attend the temple fair only after this day, for a span of half a month.

By the time the Li family arrived, the base of Mount Luoxia was already packed with carriages. 

Old Madam Jiang from the Eastern Residence disembarked, leading everyone up the stairs on foot.

It was the liveliest season for blooming flowers. The mountain path was lined with vibrant greenery and blossoms, dazzlingly beautiful. Groups of pilgrims walked from the foot of the mountain all the way to its peak, forming a continuous stream.

Surrounded by such scenery and lively atmosphere, the young ladies of the Li family were both excited and reserved, discreetly observing the surroundings—just like all the other noble daughters ascending the mountain.

Li Jiao walked beside her cousin Li Jiaoo and softly asked, “Does your foot still hurt, Second Sister?”

A flicker of displeasure flashed across Li Jiaoo’s eyes.

Seriously, of all things, you just had to bring that up!

Still, Li Jiaoo saw the sincere concern on Li Jiao’s face, and recalling her grandmother’s recent warnings, she curved her lips into a graceful smile and replied gently, “Thank you for your concern, Eldest Sister. It still hurts a bit, but today is Buddha’s birthday. How could I not come to offer prayers for our family?”

Li Jiao smiled on the surface, but found it amusing inside.

It must be hard for Second Sister. She’s naturally loud and brash, yet she’s being forced by the Xiangjun to act like a refined noble lady. On normal days she can just about keep up the act, but at the first sign of trouble, her true colors show. It’s like trying to draw a tiger and ending up with a dog.

Li Jiaoo didn’t know what Li Jiao was thinking. She recalled how her cousin had helped her that day, and although things hadn’t gone well for either of them, she felt it only proper to show some gratitude.

So, with some concern, she asked, “After we returned that day, did you get into any trouble?”

“Oh, that day…” Li Jiao lowered her gaze, her tone long and wistful, tinged with sorrow. “I kowtowed and apologized to Grandmother and the others. Thankfully, Grandmother is generous and didn’t hold it against me. But don’t worry about me, Second Sister. After all these years, I’m used to it. It’s nothing.”

Hearing this, Li Jiaoo suddenly felt a little guilty.

Among the Western Residence girls, she looked down on Li Zhao the most. But this cousin of hers always kept her on edge. She was afraid that if she relaxed even a bit, she’d be outshone. Still, now that she thought about it, her cousin had lost her mother early and had to share a courtyard with someone like Li Zhao. In a way, she was pitiful too.

Softening, Li Jiaoo took Li Jiao’s hand and promised, “Don’t worry, Eldest Sister. One day, I’ll teach Li Zhao a good lesson and get justice for you!”

Li Jiao kept her gaze lowered, her eyes landing on Li Jiaoo’s soft, fair hand, and felt a wave of disgust.

Get justice for her? That day she was clearly just collateral damage. If it weren’t for Li Jiaoo’s own stupidity, she wouldn’t have been dragged into it at all. Now she’s acting like she’s doing me a favor?

Even as these thoughts swirled in her mind, her face remained calm. 

She lightly squeezed Li Jiaoo’s hand. “I really appreciate your thoughtfulness, Second Sister. But these past days, I’ve been observing. Third Sister seems different than before. Maybe we should avoid provoking her, just in case—”

Li Jiaoo snorted and interrupted, “What’s there to be afraid of? She just got lucky that day. We’ll see what happens next time!”

Li Jiao didn’t agree or argue—she simply smiled.

Just then, a cheerful girl’s voice called from behind, “Cousin Jiao—!”

Both Li Jiao and Li Jiaoo turned their heads.

A girl in a green blouse was waving excitedly at Li Jiao from a distance.

Li Jiao paused.

“That’s the girl from the Duke Guchang’s household, right?” Li Jiaoo asked, her tone lukewarm.

“It is,” Li Jiao said, already stepping down the stairs to greet her. She took the girl’s hand. 

“Feixue, I was just wondering if we’d run into each other at the temple, and here you are already!”

The girl in green was none other than Du Feixue, Li Jiao’s cousin from her mother’s side.

Du Feiyang and Du Feixue were the legitimate twins of Duke Guchang. Being boy and girl twins, they had been close with Li Jiao since childhood.

“Where’s Cousin Feiyang?” Li Jiao asked.

“He went to Marquis Taining’s to see Cousin Zhu,” Feixue replied.

“You mean the heir, Young Lord Zhu?” A flicker of envy stirred in Li Jiao’s heart.

Marquis Taining’s family was even more prestigious than her own maternal family, Duke Guchang. She’d met that Young Lord Zhu once.

He was refined and gentle like a jade carved by heaven.

Li Jiao subtly sized up Du Feixue.

Today, Du Feixue wore a spring green blouse made of rare bìshuǐ silk, delicately tailored. But unfortunately, her skin was on the darker side, so the outfit didn’t make her stand out.

Bitterness welled up in Li Jiao’s heart.

In looks and talent, she surpassed this cousin in every way, but because she had no mother, she was excluded from the circles of noble young ladies. She had to rely on the nitpicky old madam from the Eastern Residence just to attend a few social gatherings.

Life really isn’t fair.

“Of course it’s Young Lord Zhu. Who else would it be?” At the mention of her cousin Zhu Yan, Du Feixue’s eyes sparkled, and even her dusky skin seemed to glow.

She didn’t like to talk about her beloved with other young girls—even if it was her cousin—so she quickly changed the subject:

“Cousin Jiao, I heard that the third young lady from your household has returned?”

“You’ve heard about it too, Feixue?”

Du Feixue gave a sarcastic laugh.

“Who in the capital hasn’t heard? You wouldn’t believe it, but the day Grandmother found out your engagement was broken off, she was so angry she didn’t eat a single bite. Grandfather even smashed his chopsticks, and my father had a grim face for days.”

“Really? I’ve caused the elders a lot of worry,” Li Jiao replied, her voice calm.

No doubt Grandfather and the others were upset because that broken engagement severed their connection with the Earl Changchun’s family, she thought coolly.

“You can’t blame yourself—it was all that Third Miss’s fault!” Du Feixue looked around before scoffing.

“She’s not here today, is she? Of course not. After something like that, how could she still have the face to show up?”

Du Feixue linked arms with Li Jiao, beaming. 

“Cousin Jiao, just the thought of never having to see that disgusting girl again makes me happy. Let’s go tie prayer beans together later, okay?”

From farther up the steps, Li Jiaoo finally lost her patience and called down, “Elder Sister, Cousin Feixue, if you don’t hurry up, the elders are going to start nagging!”

“We’re coming.”

The mountain path leading to the Great Buddha Temple was wide and gentle, making the climb easy.

The temple gates were wide open. The steady sound of bells and drums echoed continuously. Monks in saffron robes moved slowly across the open stone courtyard. The stone lions in front of the temple stood tall and solemn, and the water prepared for the Buddha bathing ceremony gave off a distinctive, sacred fragrance.

The girls weren’t particularly interested in the Buddha bathing ritual held once a year. What really appealed to them was the freedom to stroll and chat in the open air atop Mount Luoxia.

What did make them willingly return to their elders’ sides was the recitation of Buddhist scriptures donated by each household.

In front of so many noble ladies, if a family’s donated scripture earned praise from the Grand Princess of Shuying Nunnery, the daughters of that household would gain considerable prestige.

After finishing the vegetarian meal, the madams and young ladies from the various households silently scattered into the temple’s many halls. They were waiting, each with their own expectations.