The Protector of the Nation Temple!
In the pavilion on the back mountain, Xie Fengran and the abbot were sitting opposite each other. On the stone table in the middle was a deadlocked game of Go.
The abbot was holding a black piece, deep in thought and reluctant to make a move.
In contrast, Xie Fengran looked calm and composed. She reminded the abbot, "There are some things, Master, that you should make a decision on earlier. Otherwise, hesitation will lead to trouble. It would be bad if it affects you!"
"Amitabha!" The abbot pinched the piece and was about to place it.
Xie Fengran glanced at the spot where the abbot intended to place the piece, curled her lips slightly, and said indifferently, "The century - old reputation of the Protector of the Nation Temple lies entirely in the Master's hands."
The abbot's hand paused. Finally, he didn't place the piece. He threw it down and sighed deeply, "Fine! I've lost this game. Miss Xie has good tactics."
"I can't accept such praise, Master. Some people are too much. Am I supposed to just let them bully me?"
Xie Fengran reached out to pick up the pieces one by one. Her voice was cold, "Does the Master think I've done something wrong?"
"Vengeance breeds more vengeance. If Miss Xie wants to clear her name, our temple can step forward. Why does the girl have to be so extreme?"
"Extreme?" Xie Fengran straightened up. Her phoenix - like eyes swept over the abbot, who shifted his gaze uncomfortably, with a hint of guilt.
"Master, I don't have such a good temper. Zhang Yao wanted to ruin my reputation. She should be prepared for my counter - attack. Moreover, I haven't done anything extreme. All this is just the Zhang family getting what they deserve. Compared to her, I've been quite lenient."
After saying this, Xie Fengran felt disgusted.
People claim this is a place beyond the mundane world, but in fact, it's just a den of vulgar people who cover up their filth with a veneer.
"Master has lost. I hope the Master will honor the bet. I want to hear the temple clarify what happened that day word for word."
After saying that, she took two steps back, bowed slightly to the abbot, "I've troubled you these days. Thank you, Master."
"Amitabha."
The abbot put his hands together and chanted the Buddhist invocation. He watched as Xie Fengran and her maid disappeared into the temple.
He couldn't help but shake his head and mutter, "Her personality is really the same."
After coming down from the mountain, Xie Fengran didn't return to the courtyard. Everything was packed up, and the people from the Marquis Mansion were waiting at the main gate.
Jingxin, Jinghe and a group of monks were waiting for Xie Fengran at the gate.
"Amitabha. We've been neglectful these days. Please forgive us, Miss Xie."
Jingxin was a fat monk. One didn't know if it was because he was influenced by the worldly atmosphere, but when he spoke, there was always a hint of a smile, which made people want to get close to him.
The Protector of the Nation Temple had prosperous incense. Apart from the contribution of Master Yuanning, most of the credit went to Jingxin.
Even though Xie Fengran was a bit dissatisfied with the abbot's words, it was hard for her to take her anger out on Jingxin. She nodded with a smile, "I should be the one thanking all the masters for their care. Farewell!"
"Take care, Miss Xie."
The old Madam Xie from the Marquis Mansion sent Nanny He to pick up Xie Fengran.
Nanny He helped Xie Fengran into the carriage and was about to go to the next carriage.
"Nanny, I haven't seen Grandmother for a long time. Come and tell me something about Grandmother."
"Yes, Miss."
Lanfang leaned out of the carriage, "Nanny, please."
She invited Nanny He into the carriage and got off to go to the back carriage.
"I didn't expect Grandmother to send Nanny. You've troubled yourself, Nanny."
"What are you saying, Miss? Nanny Su also wanted to come. I snatched this job."
Xie Fengran covered her mouth and laughed, "Both nannies love me. I know it in my heart."
Nanny He also laughed and sighed, "Nanny Su and I watched Miss grow up. In the blink of an eye, Miss has become a young lady."
Xie Fengran smiled and asked, "Nanny, has there been any progress on the matter I asked you to investigate?"
When it came to business, Nanny He immediately became serious, "You were right, Miss. The rumors about you in the capital originated from the estate and the mansion."
"Have you found out who was involved? Do you have any evidence?"
Speaking of this, Nanny He was filled with anger, "The maid beside Concubine Yuan often sent things to the Second Miss. They colluded and spread the rumors. Coincidentally, there were other high - ranking families' estates around ours. The servants communicated with each other, and the rumors spread."
"Oh, and..." Nanny He paused, glanced at Xie Fengran, and lowered her voice, "There's also the nanny beside the Madam who was sold by the old Madam."
"Hmm?" Xie Fengran's eyes flashed. After a moment, she regained her composure and asked, "I remember that the steward nanny was sent by Father?"
"Yes, I've also investigated. Although the nanny was sent by the Marquis, the personnel management in the mansion has always been in the hands of the Second Mistress from the Western Courtyard."
"So, does this matter involve the Western Courtyard?"
Xie Fengran gritted her teeth. The only son of the Western Courtyard was older than her. Was Uncle already impatient?
Nanny He caught a glimpse of Xie Fengran's expression and quickly lowered her head, "I don't dare to make wild guesses."
"Thank you, Nanny, for this matter. How is my grandmother?"
Nanny He let out a sigh of relief and smiled again, "She's fine, fine. The old Madam is all well. She just misses the Eldest Miss very much."
"I miss Grandmother very much too. I wonder how Mother is..."
Xie Fengran hesitated for a moment. Nanny He quickly took over, "The Madam is also well. She pays respects to the elders every morning and evening. The Marquis hasn't been out of the mansion recently, and their relationship has improved a lot."
"Father probably thinks I'm a disgrace."
Xie Fengran showed a sarcastic smile. She didn't care that the person was her father.
Nanny He felt a bit embarrassed. The Eldest Miss's personality was really like the old Madam's.
In the study in the front yard of the Marquis Mansion, Xie Yi was holding the memorial returned by the emperor, worrying for three days.
The emperor asked him to defend himself. How could he defend?
He had given the power of the mansion to his daughter. What could he, as a father, do to defend?
At this time, the servant boy Wu'er knocked on the door, "My Lord Marquis, Concubine Yuan is here!"
Concubine Yuan had been having a hard time in the mansion these days.
Since she was punished by the old Madam to kneel at the gate of the Green Pine Courtyard for a day, she was no longer allowed to pay respects to the old Madam.
As for the Marquis, although he was in the mansion every day, he always went to pay respects to the old Madam and would always meet the Madam.
Gradually, he spent more time in the Madam's room.
Sometimes he would stay in the rooms of other concubines.
The people in the mansion saw that she had fallen out of favor and began to neglect her. It was even inconvenient for her to spread news.
Concubine Yuan felt that she couldn't just sit around and do nothing. So, when she heard that Xie Yi was in the outer study, she dressed up specially and came to block his way.
Xie Yi was annoyed because of the memorial. He didn't want to see Concubine Yuan at first.
But thinking that he hadn't seen her for some time, he finally let her in.
Concubine Yuan was wearing a water - red gauze dress. A white jade hairpin was slantingly inserted in her hair. When she saw Xie Yi, she bowed gracefully, "Greetings to my Lord Marquis!"
When she looked up again, her eyes were full of tenderness, making her even more charming.
Xie Yi couldn't think of anything at this moment. He pulled her up.
"My darling, you're so beautiful!"