Xu's behavior was indeed a bit abnormal when he suddenly decided to leave the city for Dongquan Temple and refused to take his two children with him.
Shen Zhonglei got the news during breakfast and came over to ask: "Mom is still at home, and Yuan Lin has just come back. What do you mean you want to go out suddenly?"
Since Mrs. Xu decided to go to the appointment, she had naturally thought of a countermeasure and said: "I suddenly had a nightmare last night, so I suddenly planned to go to the temple to pay homage and burn incense to feel at ease. I will try to go as early as possible and come back early." .”
"What nightmare?" Shen Zhonglei still looked unhappy.
Xu lied casually: "I suddenly dreamed yesterday that something happened to Yuan Lin. I was so flustered that I had to go and pay my respects!"
Shen Zhonglei saw the blue marks under Xu's eyes and knew that she had indeed not slept well last night. Considering how much she cared about Shen Yuanlin on weekdays, he believed this matter a little more.
"If that's the case, then go ahead. It's not stable outside now, so bring a few more people with you."
"Don't worry, sir, I will be careful."
Because of Shen Zhonglei's casual words of concern, a smile immediately appeared on Xu's face.
Shen Zhonglei's attention at this time fell on Hanqiao standing behind her.
Hanqiao winked at him, asking him to calm down.
Shen Zhonglei then coughed and said: "Those of you who are following you, please be more careful and serve your wife well. You must not neglect her."
Mrs. Xu hasn't enjoyed such treatment for a long time. Even though she was still very uneasy, the corners of her mouth always turned up uncontrollably, and she said coquettishly: "Oh, they are all experienced people, not new people. What are you doing, master?" ah!"
Hanqiao heard this and said hurriedly: "Isn't this because the master has a wife in his heart and is thinking about her!"
"Girl, why don't you hurry up and ask someone to prepare the car and prepare to set off? Why are you talking so much here?"
They were both an old couple, but Xu felt a little embarrassed when this happened suddenly.
When Shen Zhonglei saw Hanqiao leaving, he also stood up and said, "Then I wish you a happy journey, Madam. Go early and come back early. It's time for me to go back to the front office."
Mrs. Xu stood up and walked to Shen Zhonglei, helped him straighten his collar and belt, smoothed the hem of his clothes and said, "I've been busy with work lately, so I have to pay attention to my health."
"Yes." Shen Zhonglei hummed perfunctorily and walked out of the room quickly.
He caught up with Hanqiao who had just gone out, and when she was not prepared, he stuffed her with a purse full of silver coins and said, "It's a rare time to go out. If you see something you like, don't let it go."
Hanqiao quickly looked around and saw no one in front or behind, so she took the purse, stuffed it into her sleeve pocket, and said with a smile: "Thank you for the reward, sir. I will serve you well and repay the favor."
"You little girl, you did it on purpose, right?" Shen Zhonglei reached out and pinched Hanqiao's face, "I will settle the score with you when you come back!"
This scene happened to be caught by Hanzhu who was chasing him out of the house.
Hanzhu was so frightened that she quickly stopped, turned around and hid behind the moon door.
Shen Zhonglei joked with Hanqiao for a few words, then looked back and saw that there was no one in front and behind him, so he safely put his hands behind his back and went to the front office.
Hanzhu leaned against the wall, her heart pounding with fright, and she didn't come back to her senses for a long time.
She finally knew why Han Qiao didn't go out last night, but she searched the back house and couldn't find her.
He is with the master, how can she find him!
Hanzhu took a few deep breaths and calmed down for a while. He felt that Hanqiao would no longer be suspicious. Then he turned around and chased after her and said: "Sister Hanqiao, Madam said not to prepare a large double-driving car when going out today. Let's prepare for it." Don’t wear the Shen Mansion emblem on the oil-cleaning car, just keep a low profile and go there early and come back early.”
"Ah - you came out of nowhere and scared me to death!"
Hanqiao was still thinking about the intimacy with Shen Zhonglei just now, but she was startled by Hanzhu, and her pretty face turned pale.
"Sister, what's wrong?" Hanzhu asked knowingly.
"It's not you yet." Hanqiao said, "Suddenly calling me from behind, I was shocked."
After the oil cart was ready, Mrs. Xu got on the car dressed very low-key.
After the mule cart left the city, it went straight to Dongquan Temple.
Shen Tianshu stayed at home, but he had already arranged for Xie Yan to follow Xu.
Dongquan Temple is a famous ancient temple near Yongzhou Prefecture. It is named after a living spring in the temple.
The written history has been recorded for more than 300 years, and the incense has always been very prosperous.
Decades ago, the previous abbot renovated the temple with the incense money he had accumulated over the years. He included most of the mountain into the temple and built some separate Zen rooms for pilgrims to rest and stay.
Xu came here in a low-key manner this time. Even the maid only brought Hanqiao and Hanzhu. She did not disturb the monks in the temple, nor did she go to the Zen monastery where she usually lived. Instead, she had a small Zen room prepared.
Because it is a bit far away from Yongzhou Prefecture, it was almost evening when we arrived.
After Mrs. Xu used the vegetarian meal, she said she was tired and said: "I want to sleep for a while. You two don't have to watch me. It's a rare visit to the temple. You want to worship Buddha, ask for fortunes, or burn incense and make wishes, so take this opportunity." Go quickly, after I go burn incense and make a wish tomorrow, we will go back home, and I won’t have time for you by then!"
Hanqiao was thinking about asking for help from Guanyin, so she naturally agreed.
Although Hanzhu felt that Mrs. Xu was a little strange today, she came later and her relationship with Mrs. Xu was not as close as Hanqiao.
Secondly, she also wanted to go to the Buddha and ask the Bodhisattva to bless her parents and family for health and safety.
So when Hanqiao thanked Mrs. Xu very happily, Hanzhu didn't say anything, bowed and followed Hanqiao out.
Hanqiao said as soon as he went out: "When I went up the mountain just now, I saw a lot of people selling things on both sides of the road. I'm afraid the stalls will be closed when it gets dark soon. I'll go over and have a look. You go and worship the Buddha."
After she finished speaking, she didn't wait for Hanzhu's reply and left first.
Hanzhu stood at the door, looked at the door of the Zen room, then looked at the back of Hanqiao who left quickly, and shook her head helplessly.
What happened today? Ever since she discovered the secret between Shen Zhonglei and Hanqiao in the morning, why does she look weird to everyone now?
After sending Hanqiao and Hanzhu away, Mrs. Xu quickly put on a set of clothes she had secretly brought in her room, took off her jewelry, put on a curtain to cover her face, quietly slipped out of the back door, and headed east. The back hill of Quan Temple.
She looked around as she walked, feeling really nervous as she walked.
Fortunately, she didn't meet anyone and successfully arrived at the pavilion in the back mountain mentioned in the letter.
After arriving at the pavilion, seeing no one around, Mrs. Xu breathed a sigh of relief and thought to herself that she was very lucky today.
Little did they know that in order for her to meet the person who wrote the letter smoothly, Xie Yan specially dispatched several secret guards to "escort" her.
