Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 433: Da Xiangguo Temple, Temple Fair!
Generally, before and after a festival, large temple fairs are held, often hosted by the Chenghuang Temple. However, this year, the Da Xiangguo Temple also hosted a temple fair.
The reason is that the beginning of the year encountered a military disaster, which is somewhat ominous. Blessings are needed, and Da Xiangguo Temple, as the Royal National Temple, naturally needs to conduct rituals to pray for the nation.
Long Yue got in the carriage, accompanied by Ning Xiang, and proceeded slowly.
She had arranged to meet Chai Qiao’er and Yang Zhuoya near Da Xiangguo Temple.
The weather was pleasant, the sun was shining brightly, truly a wonderful day for a stroll.
"Yue’er, over here, over here!"
Yang Zhuoya was already waiting outside Xiangguo Temple with her close maid Yilan, and upon seeing Long Yue’s carriage, she quickly waved to her.
Chai Qiao’er was also there, gnawing on an apple with relish, well, she arrived last after all.
"Yue’er, you finally came, I thought you had forgotten! Come, there’s singing inside, juggling, and lots of food, let’s go!"
Though Yang Zhuoya was already a mother, she was still very young, not yet twenty, and loved to play. She pulled Long Yue towards the inside.
Outside Xiangguo Temple, people were bustling, very lively, people gathered together, someone was selling candy figurines on the left, someone was singing songs on the right, and further away a group of people gathered, occasionally bursting into laughter.
Long Yue, tempted by hunger, got a box of fragrant steamed cakes and two sesame balls, eating while watching.
Others said that pregnant women like sour foods, but she preferred sweets. She asked her master, who said it’s normal, every pregnant woman experiences different symptoms, which cannot be generalized.
"Oh, isn’t this Mrs. Su? And this is..."
A voice suddenly rang out from behind, Long Yue subconsciously turned her head and saw a noblewoman walking towards them gracefully.
"It’s Lady Xiang!" Yang Zhuoya was slightly startled, then smiled, "Lady Xiang, she’s the wife of Imperial Envoy Mr. Li. Yue’er, this is Lady Xiang from the Seventh Prince’s residence."
Lady Xiang?
Long Yue nodded; the Prince’s main wife is referred to as Princess Consort, while others are called Madam. Some maids can only earn the title of Talented. Looking at Lady Xiang’s attire and demeanor, she seemed to be well-favored by the Seventh Prince Qi Junchen.
Long Yue gave her a slight smile, "Greetings, Lady Xiang."
"No need for formalities. I’ve heard His Highness often mention Mr. Li, saying he’s a talented young man with unparalleled intelligence. I was curious about what his wife would be like. Now that I’ve seen you, as beautiful as a fairy and graceful in conduct, you indeed stand out."
Lady Xiang approached and scrutinized Long Yue carefully, expressing amazement.
Long Yue wasn’t very familiar with this Lady Xiang and didn’t know her temperament, just giving a gentle smile, "Madam flatters me."
"Oh, how can it be? I’ve heard of your deeds from His Highness, despite being trapped in a desperate situation, you managed to turn the situation around. Most importantly, Mrs. Li, you haven’t even met Mr. Li, yet you managed to bear such heavy blows as a vulnerable woman. Truly admirable!"
Long Yue slightly squinted, discerning from her words that Lady Xiang was trying to get closer to her. She recalled when Qi Junchen visited her home to discuss recruiting Li Qingmu.
At that time, Li Qingmu had just arrived in Shengjing City and needed a protector, so he agreed. During that period, they cooperated with Qi Junchen, but later various matters arose, and the Seventh Prince stopped interacting much with them.
Now, Li Qingmu has emerged successful, favored by the Emperor, and suddenly was promoted to Imperial Envoy. The Seventh Prince probably regrets it and wants to mend relations.
Long Yue was pondering some matters when she saw Lady Xiang step forward and took her small hand, "I really like your loyalty and righteousness. Mr. Li is indeed lucky to have a wife like you..."
Lady Xiang was incessantly praising, and Long Yue just occasionally smiled and responded.
"Come, there’s juggling ahead, let’s go take a look!"
Chai Qiao’er noticed Long Yue didn’t seem to want to talk to Lady Xiang. She glanced at Yang Zhuoya beside her, seeing her slightly embarrassed expression, she understood that Yang Zhuoya might know Lady Xiang and didn’t want to intervene directly, so she took it upon herself.
So, she grabbed Long Yue and led her towards the crowded place.
"Alright, alright!"
Someone ahead was loudly shouting, followed by a burst of applause.
Long Yue squeezed through the crowd and saw a performer leading a monkey, it was monkey tricks that delighted the crowd.
"Hey, this monkey is quite clever. See its eyes, why does it look a bit scared? Wow, I’ve never seen a monkey with fear, despite watching numerous monkey shows before!"
"Me too, this monkey is indeed agile. Bravo!"
"Clap clap clap..."
The applause was constant, Long Yue just joined the fun, also to escape Lady Xiang’s compliments.
Truth be told, the monkey show was quite exciting, she couldn’t help but shout "Bravo" and generously gave ten taels of silver.
People nearby either gave a few Copper Coins or one or two taels, but Long Yue’s generosity of ten taels highlighted her benevolence.
"Madam, why give so much? It’s wise not to flaunt wealth!"
Ning Xiang, also a small miser, seeing Long Yue gave so much silver felt a bit gloomy, wishing it was given to her instead.
Long Yue gently shook her head, offering no explanation for her actions.
"Wow, it smells so good! Yue’er, smell it, isn’t it particularly fragrant?"
Yang Zhuoya suddenly sniffed with her little nose, pulling Long Yue to walk towards another side.
"They’re selling incense over there."
Lady Xiang smiled softly, indifferent to Long Yue’s coldness, knowing well that the couple was proud and disdained forming alliances.
Yet such people, if you can win them over, will be loyal wholeheartedly.
Therefore, this "chance encounter" wasn’t truly by chance.
The fragrance wafting over, she had sensed it earlier and intended to take a look. But she knew her task well and couldn’t casually wander.
Just as Yang Zhuoya asked about the source of the fragrance, she decisively led them to the small stall.
"Is this the sachet used for incense?"
Long Yue approached, looking at the various incense boxes on the stall, especially captivated by a dazzling golden ball, unable to look away.
"Is this an incense sachet?"
Long Yue stepped forward and picked up a golden cloud-patterned sphere, shaking it gently.
The vendor, seeing a customer, instantly said, "Yes, this is a sachet, it’s a new variety recently obtained, quite expensive. Madam, open it to see."
Long Yue opened the sachet ball, letting out an exclamation.
The interior structure was too exquisite, too perfect.
In the middle was a small recess designed to hold incense powder, flanked by two overlapping circular rings. Since the rings kept rolling, regardless of how the outer golden ball rotated, the inner incense wouldn’t spill, nor would it burn anyone.
"How exquisite, this is too exquisite!"
Long Yue looked at the beautiful cloud-patterned golden ball, revealing a delighted smile, and the vendor quickly responded, "Yes, Madam, this item is a new treasure, quite expensive. Probably only nobles like you can afford it, haha!"
The vendor was adept at flattery, making Long Yue very delighted, and given her fondness for such sachets, she bought it.
Such a small item was indeed expensive, costing her fifty taels of silver in total!
"Madam, they have incense here, would you like to also buy some incidentally?"
