Chapter 41: Banquet (3)
In everyone's memory, Jiang Ruting was the most beautiful woman in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Although Zhang Yinyin had the title of dancer, her appearance was slightly inferior to Jiang Ruting. But in fact, if they really compared, perhaps Yinyin would be on par with Jiang Ruting. It's just that Yinyin had never shown her face in front of the public. Only officials who could enter and leave the palace and people who had dealings with the prime minister had seen her. Compared with Jiang Ruting who , of course no one would notice her. Therefore, when it comes to beauties with outstanding looks, the only ones that people can think of are Jiang Ruting and Zhou Xinxin. Although Zhou Xinxin had never appeared in front of the public, with the death of Jiang Ruting and the accident with Zhang Yinyin, rumors about Zhou Xinxin spread unknowingly. Over time, she was recognized as the most beautiful woman by everyone because she was confirmed by people who often entered and left the palace and saw her true face.
"So that's why there are so many imperial guards coming? And General Shan is personally escorting them—"
"Ah, there must be something wrong—"
No matter how the people speculate, it is in vain.
The Prime Minister's wife and Yin Yin entered Tai'an Temple together.
In front of the main hall of Tai'an Temple, a group of monks came out, and the one in the lead, wearing a cassock, seemed to be the abbot of the temple...
"Amitabha, we respectfully welcome the Prime Minister's wife and Miss Zhang to come—"
"Master Fang, please stop being polite!"
The monks, led by Master Fang, bowed to the Prime Minister's wife and Yin Yin. "The incense is ready, Madam and Miss, please..."
"Um!"
Under the guidance of Master Fang, the Prime Minister's wife and Yin Yin walked into the hall together. There was no one else in the huge hall except some monks. This was because of the prior preparations. During the time when the Prime Minister's wife and Yin Yin were offering incense, no one was allowed to disturb them. That was why so many people were waiting outside, waiting for Yin Yin and the others to finish offering incense before coming in.
After burning incense, the prime minister's wife would recite scriptures and chant Buddha's name with the help of the monks. Yinyin would definitely not be able to sit still. People were allowed to enter and leave the main hall to burn incense, but the backyard and other places were still blocked, so Yinyin was free to move around. Lei'er had to help with some things, so Yinyin was alone...
Temples are different from the palace gardens and the courtyards of the Prime Minister's Mansion which are full of flowers, but the courtyards of the temples are only full of trees, which is inevitably a bit boring.
"I am bored--"
After wandering around, Yinyin was so bored that she sat down beside the stone table and fell asleep without realizing it? Shan Zhen, who came to inspect, found Yinyin sleeping on the stone table and could not help but approach. Although it was sunny and windy in this season, it would still be a little cold if she fell asleep, especially for Yinyin's unhealed body. Shan Zhen took off his cloak and gently covered Yinyin's body...
"Well?"
Although Shan Zhen was very careful, Yin Yin was a light sleeper so she quickly responded and opened her eyes...
"Ah, General Shan——"
Yinyin's address as General Shan made Shan Zhen feel distant. When did she ever call him that like others? Was the woman who used to call him Brother Shan no longer in existence?
"You'll catch a cold if you sleep here—"
"No, I just closed my eyes for a while--"
"Are you tired?"
"How come? How do I look tired?"
As she spoke, Yin Yin suddenly stood up, revealing a full of energy. Shan Zhen smiled faintly...
"You laughed?"
Hearing Yin Yin's words, Dan Zhen unconsciously put on an expressionless face and turned his head away. Laugh? How long has it been since he laughed?
“Don’t be like that. This is the first time I’ve seen you smile. Why do you always have an expressionless face when you have such a gentle smile? You look much more beautiful when you smile—”
Feeling the joy of a new discovery, Yinyin walked up to Shan Zhen and raised her hands to straighten his face. This bold behavior made Shan Zhen feel a little shy. When did Yinyin become so bold?
"I like your smile more than your expressionless face. In the future, you should smile more in front of me, no, even in front of other people. If you smile, you won't be unhappy even if something unhappy happens, right?"
Facing Yin Yin's face so close to him, Dan Zhen turned his head away again. For the first time, being so close made him feel as if his face was burning.
"What's wrong?"
How would Dan Zhen answer this question? Was he shy because he saw her face so close to him?
"Excuse me—"
A monk came behind Yin Yin at some point.
"Well?"
Yin Yin let go of Shan Zhen and turned to face the monk.
"Miss Zhang, the abbot wants to see you!"
"Abbot?"
"Yes, he is already waiting— "
"Oh, I see. Let's go—"
"please!"
Yinyin followed the monk and prepared to leave, when suddenly...
"Oh, I almost forgot—"
Yinyin took off the cloak she was wearing and turned to Shan Zhen: "Thank you——"
Yinyin handed the cloak to Shan Zhen, left with a smile and left with the monk. Shan Zhen looked at the cloak in his hand, then looked at Yinyin's back as she left. After Yinyin completely disappeared from his sight, Shan Zhen's eyes fell on the cloak in his hand again. He picked up the cloak to feel the remaining fragrance. Yinyin's fragrance remained faintly on the cloak, and the smell made Shan Zhen feel indescribable nostalgia...
[The Zen room of the abbot].
"You should leave——"
"yes!"
After the monk brought Yin Yin here, the abbot left, leaving Yin Yin and the abbot alone in the meditation room.
"Ms. Zhang, please take a seat—"
Yinyin followed the host's instructions and sat down at the table where tea was already prepared. "I wonder what the host wants me to do?"
"Uh, should I call you Princess Zhaoren? Or Prince Jing's Consort Yuan?"
"...Prince Jing's concubine?"
Yin Yin was stunned by the host's words.
"Remember this is the second time we've met? The first time was about a year ago. On that day, Prince Jing's Mansion sent someone to ask me and other senior monks in the temple to prepare to welcome a distinguished guest. At that time, I learned from the messenger that this distinguished guest was Prince Jing's new concubine, Concubine Yuan. Although I don't know when Prince Jing took in a new concubine, from the situation at that time, it seemed that Prince Jing valued Concubine Yuan very much."
"That's me?"
"right!"
Yinyin was confused. What did this mean? Did it mean that she was once the concubine of Prince Jing?
