Chan Juan coughed barely, and withdrew herself from the scene. She walked hastily towards the double tiered temple; ascending the last stair to the entrance, Chan Juan turned back and watched as Lan Shang pulled Ming Yue into a warm embrace, she does like her a lot.
Chan Juan narrowed her eyes, as she pondered further; this seems more difficult than it might appear to be. If what the female servants said from earlier was the truth, then why did they arrange the marriage between Shao Jinhai and Guo Daiyu?
The lady before her right now looked rich enough. If family background's riches or status were to be considered, she's actually the perfect pick.
Guo Daiyu obviously couldn't be compared to her, talk less of a small fry like herself. There was a salty expression on Chan Juan's face as she glanced dispiritedly at herself.
Such awful fate, fixing a flash marriage with that "bad egg" so called Guo Daiyu. Chan Juan scoffed at her thoughts; but then, strangely, she disappeared without a trace. An haze was beginning to rise in her head.
There's something going on that I don't know, I really need to do something, I need to find out what is going on.
With a deep frown of determination entrenching itself on her silk-like forehead. Chan Juan heaved heavily and rang the bell hanging from nowhere before going into the temple.
Chan Juan got inside the temple, standing before the big hall which was centred towards the sacred alter.
On each side of the hall stood three pillars, the alter was filled with murky smoke from the incense and monks dressed in red cloth, which was wrapped around from their waist over their shoulders; sitting round the burning flame situated in the centre of the alter.
Her eyes caught the old rickety and winter-white haired woman sitting restlessly on the wheel chair.
"Old Hee!" Chan Juan exclaimed and hurried to her with long strides.
"Why is she here?" Chan Juan uttered out, looking around for a place to keep her away from the chattering crowd.
Behind the pillars was the high walls of the temple. It will be safe there, Chan Juan concluded and pushed the wheelchair through the pillars next to the wall.
She squatted and helped Old Hee move the falling strands of her white hair behind her feeble ears. Chan Juan smiled and was about to leave when she heard her trembling voice call her that name.
"Qiuyue..."
Chan Juan creased the space between her brows, and sighed silently. She bent over to Old Hee to pacify her.
"It's okay Po Po, Qiuyue isn't going anywhere..." Chan Juan spoke in a low tone. Hearing this, Old Hee's previously pale and weak face beamed into a wrinkled yet enchanting smile. Reaching her hand for Chan Juan's face,
"Qiuyue... My Quiye..."
Chan Juan held back her weak hands, and smiled.
"Po Po, I will have to go now. I will come get you once the Thanksgiving prayer is over, until then be careful. Okay?" Chan Juan was all smiles before taking her leave.
Dai Meng continued to wander around,
"Why on earth hasn't it started yet, I am starving. I mean look at those dishes!"
She exclaimed pointing towards the long table behind the alter.
"So mouthwatering..." She muttered, gazing at the edibles with glassy eyes.
"Dai Meng?"
Dai Meng arched an eyebrow when she heard her name and turned around sharply to see who has uttered her sweet name.
She gaped with wide eyes, pointing at the man before her like she was trying to remember something of him.
"Li..Li Mengyao?"
Author's Note;
Po Po means Grandmother.
Translated from Chinese.