TCN: Mei Gongqing

Mei Gongqing 147-149

Chapter 147: People She Used to Know

Chen Rong lifted her head to meet his eyes.

He was looking at her eyebrows, her eyes, and her stubborn lips. At length he smiled and quietly called, "Ah Rong."

"Aye."

He leaned into her slightly, his handsome face brilliant in the golden light. When he saw the twinkle in her eyes, his lips curved to softly say: "I'm off."

He smiled at Chen Rong and slowly straightened up. A long time passed before he turned around, flapped his sleeves, and walked out the door. Even after he was long gone, the door was still swinging and his breath and scent were still lingering in the room, yet to disperse.

Chen Rong had not moved.

A long time later, the door opened to let Nurse Ping in.

She glanced outside, then came to Chen Rong and whispered, "Miss, a large number of people has come to the temple. They're all from the Wang House of Lang'ya." She carefully observed Chen Rong before gently adding: "I'm afraid to even imagine the outcome if Qilang hadn't come in time."

Chen Rong was still looking at the floor, her reply was a quiet hum.

Nurse Ping sighed. "It would be so much better if you weren't a nun. Based on how much Qilang loves you, the future lady of the house will have to treat you well."

Chen Rong had not lifted her gaze from the floor. She merely shook her head.

A while later, she got up and went outside.

Nurse Ping hurried after her. "Miss, Prince Ying really crossed the line this time. He completely disregarded His Majesty's words."

"Miss, you should report this matter to His Majesty. He will most certainly punish the prince."

Chen Rong did not look back amid Nurse Ping's constant nagging, but instead walked on ahead.

After several steps, a nun appeared in her sight. Chen Rong stopped when she saw that this woman was wearing a Daoist outfit like hers.

This nun was young and pretty. Seeing Chen Rong, she quickly accorded her ceremony, "Greetings, head priestess."

Chen Rong nodded, her eyes moving to the four approaching nuns behind them.

A little farther away was a group of servants busy at work. On the right, the same yellow Daoist robes fluttered among the trees.

Chen Rong blinked her eyes, unable to refrain from asking the girl in front of her: "How many of you are there?"

"Twenty-five in total, my lady," the young girl respectfully replied. She seemed to understand what Chen Rong was thinking when she saw her widened eyes, and thus added, "Thirteen are originally nuns from Xishan Temple, while the remaining twelve, including me, are sent by his lordship to serve you. Please allow me to accord you the disciple ceremony later." Seeing Chen Rong nod, she continued to explain, "Besides us, there are also fifty laborers, twenty servants, and three stewards. His Lordship says these men can also double as guards."

At this juncture, she asked, "Would you like to meet the stewards?"

Chen Rong nodded.

"Aye, I'll go to inform them."

"What's your name?" Chen Rong called after her.

"I was called Ying'gu at the Wang House," answered the nun with a bow.

"Ying'gu? Alright, you may go."

"Aye."

Ying'gu had just left by the time another nun came to Chen Rong. She bowed from the distance and said, "Head priestess, there are several guests surnamed Chen who ask to see you."