Chapter 16: Luoyun Temple

Banxia, go tell Zhang Ze that when we go up the mountain to pray later, I’ll ask him to follow us. Tell him to stay close to us.”

Zhang Ze was outside driving the carriage and couldn’t hear what was being said inside, so Bai Jinxi gave her instructions.

“Miss, are you worried…?”

Banxia was a little nervous when she heard this. She knew that Yun Moyi and her son were both malicious towards her mistress.

“Maybe I’m overthinking it. Just in case. Tell him to keep an eye on Lu Yi An. If anything’s wrong, restrain him!”

Hearing Banxia’s trembling voice, Bai Jinxi retracted her thoughts and looked up at her with an unprecedented seriousness.

“Miss, Zhang Ze is so dull. What if he’s not reliable… Should we just go back to the mansion?”

She wasn’t worried that he would leak Miss’s thoughts to Yun Moyi and the others. She was just afraid that he wouldn’t be able to protect Miss if something happened.

In Banxia’s eyes, Zhang Ze had always been a good person, a silly, wooden-headed one.

“It’s okay, I trust him. Just do as I say. You stay close to me too. That way, we can watch out for each other…”

Bai Jinxi was completely devoid of the excitement and anticipation she had felt before getting into the carriage. She no longer cared about maintaining the image of a child. Her eyes revealed a ferocity and ruthlessness that didn’t match her age.

There was no other reason, but that after the carriage started moving, she suddenly realized a fatal mistake…

She had made a big mistake, fallen into a trap!

In her previous life, when the bandit lair was destroyed, Yun Moyi and her son hadn’t taken her to Luoyun Temple!

Now that they were going to Luoyun Temple, would things still unfold as they did in her previous life?

Bai Jinxi knew that it wouldn’t!

So, Yun Moyi taking her to Luoyun Temple today, there must be some kind of scheme waiting for her!

But it was too late now. She could only take things one step at a time!

Because it was Qingming, there were many people visiting Luoyun Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings. The carriages were all parked not far from the foot of Luoyun Mountain.

Bai Jinxi jumped out of the carriage. Banxia pursed her lips, following closely behind her, her young face cautious as she looked around.

“Cough, Banxia, calm down… They’re coming soon. You can’t have this expression… Just pretend we’re here for a trip.”

Bai Jinxi saw this and felt a little helpless. If Yun Moyi saw this expression, it would inevitably cause unnecessary trouble.

“Miss, this servant thinks everyone looks like a bad guy now. I’m trying my best to calm down.”

Banxia mumbled in a mournful voice. She didn’t want to be like this, but after hearing Miss’s arrangements just now, she was really worried that something would happen…

Bai Jinxi sighed. Half of it was because she was really afraid that she would mess things up, and the other half was because she was deliberately provoking her. “If you’re like this, then don’t go up the mountain with me. I’ll have Zhang Ze follow me.”

Her personality was too soft. Even if she was smart, she wouldn’t be able to become a comprehensive help…

“No! Miss, this servant’s not afraid anymore! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

After saying that, she even laughed three times to give herself courage.

But it actually worked. After that distraction, she really relaxed.

Bai Jinxi looked at her sideways. This girl, she’s really something!

While they were joking around, Yun Mo Yi’s carriage arrived nearby. She and Lu Yian got out of the carriage slowly, with the help of the driver, and walked towards them…

“Let’s go, Sister Xi. It’s still early, and there aren’t many pilgrims yet. Let’s go up the mountain first.” Yun Moyi reached out to take Bai Jinxi’s hand, as if they were mother and daughter, and was about to take her up the mountain.

“Aunt Yun, wait a minute!” Bai Jinxi, as if she had thought of something, called out and pulled away from Yun Moyi’s hand, running back to the carriage.

She looked up at Zhang Ze, who was sitting on the carriage shaft, and said something. Zhang Ze seemed to shake his head at first, but then he nodded and followed her back.

“Sister Xi, what’s this?” Yun Moyi asked curiously.

“Aunt Yun, I want Zhang Ze to go up with us. We can just leave one driver to watch over the two carriages. After my parents passed away, Zhang Ze and Banxia have helped me a lot. I want everyone to relax a bit today, taking this opportunity.”

Bai Jinxi said innocently.

Yun Moyi glanced at Zhang Ze, who was following behind. He quickly bowed respectfully.

“This… but he’s a man after all…”

Yun Moyi was about to refuse. After all, she had made some preparations for today. She couldn’t let him ruin it!

“Aunt Yun, I told Zhang Ze to follow Brother An when we go up the mountain. After we get to the top, he can wander around freely. After lunch, he can go back down to the carriages and wait for us.”

Bai Jinxi tried her best to persuade her, as if she really wanted her people to come out and play.

Yun Moyi listened to her words and quickly considered it. She agreed, thinking that it shouldn’t affect her plans since her arrangements were after lunch.

All the way up the mountain, Bai Jinxi acted very excited about everything around her. She would excitedly pull Banxia to look at any little thing, acting like a little girl on a wild outing…

When they reached the temple, they were guided by the monk in charge of welcoming guests to the Great Hall of the Buddha to burn incense and pay respects.

Because it was Qingming Festival, they also went to the Ksitigarbha Hall to pray for Bai’s father and mother and offer them two perpetual lamps.

Then, the group walked towards the vegetarian hall.

Although everyone had their own thoughts, since they were at Luoyun Temple, they had to try the famous vegetarian chicken…

“Zhang Ze, you can wander around and then go back down the mountain. We’ll meet at the carriages at the foot of the mountain.”

In front of the guest hall specifically prepared for pilgrims at Luoyun Temple, Bai Jinxi turned around and instructed Zhang Ze.

If Zhang Ze stayed by her side openly, it would be much safer, but then Yun Moyi’s plans might not be carried out.

Then, it would be difficult for her to find some clues from her previous life.

Zhang Ze respectfully agreed and turned to leave the guest hall.

Yun Moyi pulled Bai Jinxi to drink a few cups of tea. Estimating that the time was right, she looked at Bai Jinxi with a smile. “Sister Xi, you must be bored. It’s rare for you to come out. Don’t stay here with me. I heard that the crabapple blossoms behind the mountain are very beautiful. I’ll ask An’er to accompany you to take a look.”

“Alright, Sister Xi will listen to Aunt Yun. Then… I’ll go out for a while. I won’t be long!”

Bai Jinxi’s eyes lit up for a moment when she heard this. She pretended to be reluctant, like a little adult who really wanted to stay here and keep her elder’s company.

“Okay, go ahead! An’er, you must take good care of Sister Xi. If anything happens, you must protect her!”

Yun Moyi said earnestly, emphasizing the words “if anything happens” and “protect her,” clearly implying something.

Lu Yian naturally knew his mother’s arrangements. He confidently agreed.