Chapter 23: Little Sister Bao

Ever since Chu Mingxi left the house early that morning, Qi Xiaolong had been on pins and needles. One moment she had someone check the front gate, and the next she was pressing her palms together, praying for the Bodhisattva’s protection. Chu Mingyu worried about her sister while trying to soothe her mother. The two of them waited until noon, but still saw no sign of her return.

Qi Xiaolong couldn’t sit still any longer. She ordered the servants to ready the carriage, intending to go to the temple to pray to the Bodhisattva.

Chu Mingyu pulled her back down and consoled her, “The Li Family Residence isn’t exactly close, but it’s not far either. Going there and back naturally takes time. With Her Highness the Grand Princess protecting her, Sister wouldn’t be bullied. Don’t be so anxious.”

“I’m just worried. Your sister hasn’t even married into the Wei family yet and they’ve already stirred up this mess. Who knows what the Grand General’s Mansion thinks of us now.” Qi Xiaolong stomped her foot hatefully. “Your sister must have been crossed by some vile person. I need to go to the temple, light incense for the Bodhisattva, and have a good talk with them!”

As if the Bodhisattva were a relative of our family?

Chu Mingyu found it amusing. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, but she quickly suppressed it. “You’re thinking of going to Treasure Splendor Temple outside the city, aren’t you? Look at the time, it’s already past noon. If you take the carriage, you won’t be back for ages. If Sister returns soon and doesn’t see you, she’ll be frantic. Why don’t I go? I can ride a horse. It’s only an hour or two to Treasure Splendor Temple. I’ll be back before dark.”

Qi Xiaolong furrowed her brows, thinking for a moment. Chu Mingyu hugged her arm. “Sister’s matter is important. I won’t cause any delays.”

“It’s not that I fear you’ll delay things. It’s that you’re a young girl going out alone. I can’t feel at ease.” Qi Xiaolong patted her hand as she spoke. “Your sister’s matter is important, but so are you. In a mother’s heart, there’s no difference.”

Mother and daughter rarely spoke such words. Chu Mingyu rested her forehead on her mother’s shoulder, feeling warmth in her heart.

“Then I’ll have Uncle Zhong assign a boy to accompany me. That will be fine, right?”

“Then take a household attendant. Someone older and more reliable.”

“Alright.”

When Head Steward Chu Zhong heard that the Second Young Miss wanted to go out riding, even if just to the temple outside the city to offer incense for her mother, it was still dozens of li away. And the Second Young Miss had said she would only bring one person. After much deliberation, Chu Zhong sent his own son, giving him countless instructions to ensure the Second Young Miss’s complete safety.

Chu Cheng was the eldest son of the family. In his early twenties, he was already married with a wife. Unlike Lei Min and the others, Chu Cheng’s family had been hereditary servants of the Imperial Medicine Hall’s Chu family for three generations. His grandfather had been the manor’s steward.

So from a young age, his father had trained him in the ways of a steward, hoping he would succeed him. Chu Cheng himself had that same wish, but seeing the old Master Chu pass away, leaving the Chu family with only two young misses… once the young misses married in the future, would the Chu family still be the Chu family?

He sighed inwardly, and when he looked up—hey! The Second Young Miss’s mount had already vanished from sight!

“Aiyo! Wait for me!” Chu Cheng chased after her at full speed.

They say that daughters of great houses are refined and daughters of humble homes are charming. Yet the Second Young Miss is nearing her coming-of-age, so how could her spirit still be like a child’s, utterly unlike the Eldest Young Miss!

Riding fast proved efficient. In just over half an hour, they indeed reached Treasure Splendor Temple. Chu Mingyu handed her mount to Chu Cheng, instructing him to take it to the rear courtyard. She walked to the front of Guanyin Hall, dusted off the dust clinging to her robe, and straightened her attire before entering the hall. She knelt reverently, kowtowed a few times, lit incense, and even had a little chat in her heart with Sister Guanyin.

It was neither a holiday nor a festival day, and the sun was already slanting westward. There weren’t many worshippers. Chu Mingyu placed a donation in the merit box, and a guest-receiving monk approached, inviting her to wash her hands in the corridor before resting in the rear courtyard.

Chu Cheng had already fed the horses. Seeing the Second Young Miss approaching from the front, he quickly went to meet her.

In the meditation courtyard stood an old Bodhi tree. Beneath it were arranged a few stone tables, encircled by stone stools.

“Would the Second Young Miss like to rest in a side room?”

“No need to trouble them. A short rest here will suffice.”

Chu Cheng nodded in agreement, then added, “I just got a pot of hot tea from the kitchen. The tea leaves were harvested by the temple monks. Please have a cup, Second Young Miss, to quench your thirst.”

The mountain spring water was pure, and the tea leaves were very fresh. Chu Mingyu drank two cups and couldn’t help feeling a little hungry. Just then, a young novice monk came over holding a small plate of vegetarian pastries and placed it on the stone table in front of Chu Mingyu.

Chu Cheng fished out some loose silver to offer, but the young novice shook his head, pressed his palms together, and said “Amitabha.” Chu Mingyu expressed her thanks, and the novice returned the courtesy before turning and leaving.

The vegetarian meals at Treasure Splendor Temple were excellent, so the pastries were naturally good too. Chu Mingyu picked up a thousand-layer roll and had just taken a bite when she heard a tiny “Ehhh~~” from the doorway.

Pursing her lips, she turned her head. A beautiful little girl stood at the courtyard gate, about three or four years old, as dainty as a porcelain doll, chewing on her finger as she stared at her.

“Little Sister Bao… Little Sister Bao, how did you run off here?”

Two adults followed behind her. The one speaking looked like the wet nurse. Little Sister Bao turned her head at the sound, then started running on her short, chubby legs! The wet nurse chased her all over the yard, but didn’t dare chase too fiercely for fear of frightening her.

Chu Mingyu watched and burst out laughing. Little Sister Bao looked at her as she ran, not noticing she had tripped herself up. The wet nurse and maid behind her both cried out in alarm. Chu Mingyu was closest. She reached out—and caught her!

The wet nurse was so frightened she clutched her chest. “Heavens be praised, heavens be praised.”

Little Sister Bao nestled in Chu Mingyu’s arms, her eyes curving into crescents. “Ehhh~~”

“What happened here?”

A bright, melodious voice accompanied by fragrant wind drifted over, like pearls and jade falling onto an emerald plate.

Chu Mingyu looked towards the sound and saw a young woman standing gracefully, dressed in fine silks, with gorgeous, luminous eyes.

“Ma… ma…” The beautiful little doll in her arms stretched out her two tiny hands towards the young married woman.

Mm. Looking closely, they really did look alike!

Chu Mingyu put Little Sister Bao down. The moment the little one hit the ground, she toddled towards her mother, swaying like a little duck. Chu Mingyu watched, startled, her hand moving faster than her thoughts. She reached out and scooped her back up!

The woman who had just reached out her hands was clearly taken aback too, looking at her somewhat blankly.

Chu Mingyu stared wide-eyed at the little doll in her arms, who stared back. Then she started laughing herself.

“My apologies. I saw her wobbling and was afraid she might fall.” She set Little Sister Bao on the ground and stood up, sticking out her tongue sheepishly. “Forgive me for making a spectacle, Elder Sister.”

“No harm done.” The young woman stepped forward and took Little Sister Bao’s hand, smiling. “It is I who should thank you. This child is usually very afraid of strangers. It’s rare that she’s so fond of you, Miss.”

Chu Mingyu looked down. Little Sister Bao leaned against her mother, a tiny dimple showing on her delicate, adorable face.

The wet nurse stepped forward to take Little Sister Bao and gently coaxed her. The servants said the carriage was ready outside. The young woman thanked Chu Mingyu once more and led her people away.

The mountain breeze blew gently by. Once everyone had gone, Chu Mingyu picked up the thousand-layer cake from before and realized the pastry had already gone cold. Chu Cheng bowed and asked if she wanted him to have another serving brought over. She shook her head and said, “Go to the kitchen and see if there are any more refined pastries. Wrap up two boxes to take back for Mother and Sister to try.”

Chu Cheng accepted the order and left.

By the time the pastries were packed, master and servant led their horses down the mountain. The horses were swift, so it wasn’t late in the day yet.

As they passed through a mountain col, the sound of commotion suddenly came from up ahead. Chu Mingyu focused her gaze. Through the overlapping forest shadows, she saw two carriages stopped one behind the other. Even from half a bowshot away, she could hear the drivers shouting.

Chu Mingyu frowned, wanting to go forward and look, but Chu Cheng stopped her and urged his horse ahead himself. He returned a moment later to report that a family’s carriage wheel had gotten stuck in a rut. Seeing the sun starting to set in the west, the driver was frantic and whipping the horse until it panted heavily.

Chu Mingyu’s frown deepened. She dismounted and walked closer to examine the situation carefully. She asked the driver if anyone was still inside the carriage.

The driver saw she was young, sincere, and carried herself with an extraordinary air. He replied politely that the master and family had already moved to the carriage behind. This carriage was now empty.

Chu Mingyu glanced towards the rear carriage and instructed, “This rut is too deep. The horse can’t pull it out. You and your brother should first remove the bridle. The two of us, with one of you on each end, the four of us can lift this empty carriage, move it forward a couple of steps, and it will be fine.”

Hearing this, the driver thanked her profusely. He first reported to the master through the carriage window, then called the other driver over to unhitch the horse together.

From within the rear carriage, someone lifted the curtain slightly. After a moment, it fell shut again.

Chu Cheng tied up their own two horses and stepped forward to dissuade her. The Young Miss was of precious status; how could she handle moving a carriage? He and one man would lift from the front, and the other driver could push from the back from the side. With some effort, they could lift the carriage out.

Chu Mingyu rapped the carriage panels. They weren’t too thick. Three grown men could probably handle it. Besides, as a young woman, it truly wasn’t appropriate for her to lend a hand. She let them go ahead.

When they actually lifted the carriage out, Chu Cheng was covered head to toe in mud, even sporting a patch on his face. Chu Mingyu burst out laughing and teased him, saying she’d have the kitchen add a chicken leg to his dinner tonight. A bright, melodious voice suddenly emerged from the rear carriage. Chu Mingyu was slightly startled. Could it be…

She tilted her head to look, but the carriage door was closed. A maid stood beside it, listening to someone speaking inside.

The carriage door slowly opened. The young woman she had seen earlier at the temple was sitting inside, smiling warmly. Beside her, the wet nurse held Little Sister Bao.

The woman supported herself on her maid’s shoulder as she disembarked. Chu Mingyu naturally walked forward. The woman curtsied gracefully, and Chu Mingyu quickly helped her up, not letting her bow completely.

“I didn’t expect to receive your help twice in half a day, young sister. May I ask what noble house you reside in, so I might pay a visit to thank you properly someday?” The woman’s voice was soft as she spoke, like a lively bird in the mountain forest.

“It was a small matter.” Chu Mingyu waved her hand in dismissal. After a few polite words, she didn’t tarry further. She called for Chu Cheng, and the two of them mounted their horses and took their leave, quickly disappearing from the mountain forest.

When the two carriages returned to the Grand General’s Mansion, the estate was already lit with lanterns. Little Sister Bao was fast asleep in her wet nurse’s arms. Qin Nuannuan personally went to the Grand Princess’s courtyard to pay her respects, then went to her mother-in-law, Madam Jiang, to explain the reason for her late return.

When she returned to her room, Wei Chengxian was already there, reading his military strategy book at his desk while a maid attended him. Qin Nuannuan sat down at her dressing table and instructed a maid to fetch simple dishes. The maid acknowledged the order and left. Wei Chengxian lifted his eyelids and glanced at her but said nothing.

“I met someone at the temple today,” Qin Nuannuan said.

“Who?”

“The Heir Apparent’s future sister-in-law. The younger sister of the Head Proprietor of the Imperial Medicine Hall.” Wei Chengxian’s hand didn’t even pause in turning the page. He seemed to feel this matter had nothing to do with him and said casually, “Oh? What kind of person is she?”

“A young girl unversed in the ways of the world, without much guile. Little Sister Bao liked her.” As she spoke, Qin Nuannuan removed her jade earrings, the corner of her mouth curling into a smile. “Showing her a small kindness today might prove useful someday.”