Chapter 6: Lingyuan Temple

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was early the next morning.

Li Baojia was woken up early to dress and follow her mother to the carriage.

As soon as she got on the carriage, she called out in surprise, “Sister Jiaying!”

Li Jiaying looked at her little cousin lovingly and smiled gently. “You are up early today, little lazybones.”

Li Baojia was really surprised. Yesterday, she was confused and deep in thought, and her mind was a mess, so she hadn’t heard what her mother had said.

When she saw her cousin, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time, suddenly appear, she was so surprised that she didn’t know what to say.

When she was a child, she loved to play with her cousin, and her cousin also loved to have Baojia accompany her. At that time, Uncle Wei was not yet a salt commissioner in Su Province, and the two families still lived in the same house.

Although Li Jiaying had been married in Imperial City, she was already a wife, so she could not go around with Li Baojia like before.

When Li Baojia thought of her Uncle Wei, her eyes darkened again.

Li Jiaying intimately scratched Li Baojia’s nose with her hand. “Jiajia, are you worried about something today? Your face is full of sorrow at such a young age.”

Li Baojia was about to speak when she saw Li Jiaying’s belly—round and seemingly bulging.

She instantly forgot what she had just wanted to say and asked with some surprise, “Sister Jiaying, are you…pregnant?”

A little life was undoubtedly new to her. In her previous life, she had been in the imperial palace for five years and was favored almost every day, but she didn’t show any signs of pregnancy.

She initially thought she couldn’t give birth, but currently, she felt that it might be because the crown prince didn’t want her—a woman he didn’t love—to give birth to his child.

Li Jiaying smiled shyly and stroked her belly. “Yes, it’s only been three months and has just stabilized. I thought I’d come to Lingyuan Temple to ask for a peace charm for the baby.”

Li Baojia asked happily, “So I’ll have a little nephew or niece soon?”

Then she continued, “I have to prepare well and give my unborn nephew or niece a pair of lovely locks of longevity as a 100-year-old gift.”

Li Jiaying felt funny and said, “It’s still early.”

Madam Huang also laughed. “You little rogue, don’t bump into your sister. She’s pregnant now, so be careful.”

Li Baojia stuck out her tongue.

Then Madam Huang changed her topic. “A woman having a child is considered to have a firm footing in her husband’s family. Therefore, Jiajia, after you enter the imperial palace, you must seize the heart of His Highness and get pregnant with the royal grandson as soon as possible.”

Li Baojia did not like to hear this. “Mom! Sister Jiaying is still here. Why do you still say such things?”

Madam Huang did not think this was a problem and asked, “Your Sister Jiaying is not an outsider, so why can’t I say that?”

Li Baojia looked out the window and didn’t say anything. In fact, she didn’t like to hear her mother mention that, and she didn’t believe that a mother could be worthy because of her son. If there was a choice, who would want to share her husband with another woman?

It didn’t take long for the carriage to stop steadily at the foot of Lingyuan Temple, and through the woods in front of it was the temple.

Lingyuan Temple had a long history and was said to have been an imperial temple, which was very efficacious with many senior monks, so many people had come here over the years.

Madam Huang walked in front.

Li Baojia carefully helped Li Jiaying walk behind her mother.

When they arrived at the entrance of the temple, they were led to offer incense first. Madam Huang explained their intention, and then a monk led Madam Huang and Li Jiaying to the side entrance while Li Baojia waited in the lobby of the temple.

Another monk approached her and said, “Miss, why don’t you try to draw lots in our temple? It’s always very efficacious.”

Li Baojia initially did not believe in superstitions, but she had already started all over again, so she had to believe in them somewhat.

She bowed her head and stepped forward.

Kneeling on the mat with her eyes closed, she shook it three times and poured out a stick.

She picked it up and looked at it, but nothing was on it.

She thought, “What does this mean?”

The person who interpreted the sign today was an old monk. He was sitting there calmly.

Li Baojia handed the sign over. The monk took a look and said with some surprise, “Miss, I can’t interpret this sign of yours.”

Then he continued, “Master Mengshen will return from his travels in a few days, and he will interpret the sign for you.”

Li Baojia was a little nervous. “Master, is this sign good or bad?”

“My clerical name is Wujing, and I’m not yet a master. In the past, those who got the empty sign had both good and bad luck, so I don’t dare draw a conclusion.”

Li Baojia sighed and bowed. Then she turned around to leave.

She didn’t expect to bump into someone when she turned around. She was knocked backward, and the person in front of her reached out to grab her, holding on to her waist so that she would not fall.