Chapter 8: A Turning Point in the Future

Mother Xu and Tantai Jing sat quietly in the carriage, speaking in hushed tones. “Third Miss, are you truly confident? What if Master—”

Mother Xu had been worried all night without sleep. Originally, Tantai Jing wanted her to rest at Liruo Courtyard, but Mother Xu simply could not bear to stay behind and insisted on accompanying her.

When had Master ever been so concerned about matters in the inner residence? Today, with a carriage arranged, saying that Master and Third Miss were going together to the Great Buddha Temple to offer incense to the late Madam, the entire household seemed as if it had been turned upside down. Watching everyone’s expressions, they treated Third Miss with ever-growing respect. But if today’s visit yielded no results, what would become of Third Miss in the future?

Just because of today’s affair, Madam Ye, the Fifth and Sixth Misses would surely harbor deep resentment towards Third Miss!

Tantai Jing nodded with a gentle smile, reassuring Mother Xu. “If I weren’t confident, how could I have brought Tantai Shanchang along with me?”

She vaguely recalled that it was the trip to the Great Buddha Temple that changed Tantai Shanchang’s disposition. He no longer lived a life of drunken revelry and seemed preoccupied with something, though he never went to the government office. Madam Ye had initially suspected he had taken a concubine outside, but after many inquiries found nothing.

A month later, Tantai Shanchang happily returned to the government office to resume his duties, apparently unconcerned with his prior performance.

He stayed in Ze City and served as prefect for two years before suddenly receiving an imperial decree transferring him to serve in the capital.

Tantai Jing knew all these twists and turns stemmed from that trip to the Great Buddha Temple. Though she did not know exactly what had happened there, she was sure Tantai Shanchang had gained something important. She did not worry about her own ignorance this lifetime. As long as he encountered something unusual today, he would tell her, and then she could continue to “dream” and foresee his future.

The carriage came to a halt. Tantai Jing knew they had arrived.

In truth, she need not have accompanied Tantai Shanchang. Even if he came alone, he would gain something. Her choice to come was deliberate. Since Madam Dong’s death three years ago, she had paid little attention to the household affairs and had not realized she was becoming invisible to those in the inner residence.

She insisted on coming with Tantai Shanchang to send a clear message to the maids and servants: the winds of the inner residence were shifting. A concubine elevated to madam was nothing compared to her, the legitimate eldest daughter. It was time to realign loyalties. With Tantai Shanchang as her backing, Tantai Jing intended to suppress Madam Ye so thoroughly she would never recover.

Tantai Jing and Tantai Shanchang parted ways. She followed the usual path reserved for madams and young ladies: offering incense, praying to the Buddha, eating vegetarian food. Tantai Shanchang went straight toward the back mountain.

After the meal, due to the heat and fear of sunstroke, they planned to rest briefly and take a nap before departing at dusk.

Tantai Jing, having been sternly raised by Prince Yu’s mother, her mother-in-law in a previous life, no longer had the habit of napping. She let Mother Xu, who had not slept all night, rest a while and went alone to stroll in the back mountain.

Curiosity stirred within her. What kind of person or event had met Tantai Shanchang that propelled him swiftly upward in his official career?

The afternoon sun was scorching. Concerned, Mother Xu wanted to follow, but Tantai Jing worried she might faint in the heat and refused wholeheartedly. Since the local people in Dali were open-minded—women could study and appear publicly—and since they were in a temple, Mother Xu finally agreed.

Tantai Jing carried an ink-blue oil-paper umbrella and stepped out gracefully.

The heat was intense. Having just recovered from a serious illness, she soon broke into a sweat, but fortunately wore a dress of silk and thin gauze, light and breathable.

She glanced around and spotted a large stone in the shade, carefully making her way toward it.

Perhaps due to experiences from her previous life, she walked slowly and lightly, her pale lotus-green dress floating as if she were a delicate spirit who had accidentally descended into the mortal realm.

When Dong Junhao emerged from behind the stone, he saw this scene and felt that the young lady before him did not seem of this world. He unconsciously pressed his lips into a faint smile. His wife was about to give birth, and if she truly bore a daughter as ethereal as this, it would be a blessing.

Another figure stepped out from behind the stone and frowned upon seeing Tantai Jing. They were discussing important matters, and if overheard by others…

“Shall we silence her?” Liu Linquan stepped forward and whispered into Dong Junhao’s ear.

Dong Junhao shook his head repeatedly. His thin lips moved slightly as he lowered his voice, replying, “The Third Prince told us to act cautiously. Judging by her attire, she is not an ordinary girl. She’s probably the daughter of an official. You leave first; I’ll test her. If she hears nothing, we’ll let it go.”

Liu Linquan was frustrated. The plan had failed, and the Third Prince would surely scold him upon return. If not for this unexpected interference, today’s mission would not have been lost.

As Liu Linquan left, he grumbled to himself about a prefect wandering around a temple for no good reason—truly infuriating!

Tantai Jing, unaware of what had transpired, lowered her umbrella to shield herself from the harsh sun but still felt the heat. Approaching the shaded area, she looked up and suddenly met a pair of dark, profound eyes. Startled, she stepped back a few paces.

Dong Junhao now noticed the young lady before him: her hair styled with side locks and a neat bun, delicate eyebrows, slightly small eyes—a refined beauty. Yet upon seeing him, she instinctively guarded herself.

Dong Junhao bowed and spoke solemnly, “Please forgive my rudeness. Might I ask, young lady, do you know the way to the Dong family of Ze City?”

Tantai Jing was momentarily taken aback. Looking at Dong Junhao, a man in his twenties with slightly dark skin who did not appear malevolent, she realized that aside from her maternal family, there was likely no other Dong family in Ze City!

She stepped aside, picked up a nearby twig, and wrote on the ground: “Why do you seek the Dong family?” Her previous life had taught her to be wary of everyone; caution was a necessary virtue she only truly understood this lifetime.

Seeing her reaction, Dong Junhao understood that this young lady was connected to the Dong family. This made him even less inclined to harm her. Moreover, she did not speak but wrote instead, indicating she might be mute. There was nothing to fear.

Dong Junhao bowed again. “I did not realize you were unable to speak. I shall inquire elsewhere.”

He smiled faintly and, turning away, glanced at the writing on the ground. For a girl of about ten, the handwriting was remarkably elegant and bold—a rarity.

Tantai Jing did not know who he really was or why he left so abruptly. She was still pondering when someone called her. Looking up, it was not her father, Tantai Shanchang—so who could it be?