Chapter 41: Encounter with Princess Yaoguang

Ling'en Temple is more than 20 miles away from the capital. The temple is built on the mountain. Although it is not as famous as Phoenix Mountain, its layout is also ingenious. A peach blossom forest is planted behind the temple, and the environment is quite quiet and elegant.

In spring, many people come to visit the temple and see the peach blossoms. A luxurious carriage stopped in front of the mountain gate, and the personal Nanny Wang helped a beautiful girl out.

Behind him were a group of servants and maids.

You can tell from the situation that he is not an ordinary person.

The monk in charge of reception had already been waiting at the temple gate to welcome them. When he saw everyone, he stepped forward, performed Buddhist rituals, and welcomed the distinguished guests in.

Chu Yao burned incense and kowtowed at the tablet where her parents were enshrined.

After everything was done, they followed the monk who was welcoming guests to the flower hall next door to rest.

"Princess, I'll go tidy up the yard. You can take a rest here." Nanny Wang said respectfully.

The princess came here to burn incense and would stay for a few days, so she had to pack her things.

"Madame Wang, go ahead!"

As soon as the strict nanny left, the two personal maids could no longer stay.

"Princess, the peach blossoms on the back hill are in full bloom. It's a rare opportunity to come out, why don't we go take a look!"

"Yes, princess, it is already April now, and it will be gone in a while."

The maid Zhishu Zhihua hurriedly persuaded her master to go to the mountain to enjoy the scenery.

Seeing the two maids trying to relax her in various ways, she didn't want to refuse them, so she nodded and said, "Okay, Zhishu, come with me, Zhihua, wait here, so that the nanny won't come looking for you."

"Okay, I understand." Zhihua was not unhappy. She still had to stay in the temple for a few days, so she had plenty of time.

The master and servant went up the mountain, and they were naturally happy to see the peach forest everywhere.

But not long after the two of them walked away, they noticed someone in front of them.

The peach blossoms in the whole peach forest were blown up one by one by the wind, and the petals were floating like rain. In the pink rain of flowers, the golden sunlight shone through the mottled leaves and hit the man in white.

The man who was admiring the peach blossoms seemed to notice someone approaching, and turned around to look. Under the faint sunlight, at first glance, the man had a dignified and reserved temperament, a face as handsome as a poem or a painting, cold and noble, and a bright and arrogant look, as if he had walked down from an ancient painting.

Chu Yao and his servant subconsciously held their breath, fearing that they would disturb the banished immortal.

He didn't seem to expect anyone to show up, and as soon as he saw the two women's clothes, he knew they were master and servant.

Among them, the women dressed in luxurious clothes have facial features as delicate as sculptures, and their temperaments are dignified and elegant. Their every frown and smile are beautiful yet elegant, enough to captivate everyone.

"Master, the host invites you over!" The servant Huai Mo ran over in a hurry and found the stranger: "Master, they..."

Lu Zhanyan stopped his questioning with his eyes, and bowed to Chu Yao and his servant before saying to Shu Huai, "Let's go. Don't keep the master waiting for too long."

The two men walked away.

Chu Yao only felt that this person's cold voice lingered in her ears, as pleasant as a clear spring.

I couldn't help but take a deep breath, my heart beat like a war drum, my chest felt hot and trembling, and I even had difficulty breathing.

Who is he?

As soon as the man left, Zhishu patted his chest and said, "Oh my God, who is this young man? How come he is so handsome, like a banished immortal."

Chu Yao's pretty face flushed, and she couldn't help but say, "Zhishu, go and find out who the pilgrims are today."

"Princess, you..." Zhishu was startled, and suddenly saw the red face of his master, and understood what was going on. He smiled and said, "Our princess is finally moved?"

"Don't talk nonsense. If he is married, then we have no chance." She was indeed moved.

I thought I would wait until I was eighteen to remind Emperor Qian to arrange a marriage for me. Now, I have found a man I like. If he is not married, I can always try to get him a wife.

Judging from the man's extraordinary temperament, he must be no ordinary young man.

The master and servant had already admired the most beautiful scenery and had no interest in the peach blossoms, so they hurried back to the courtyard arranged by the temple.

Zhishu soon found out the news.

"My Lady, I have found out that the man is Lu Zhanyan, the eldest grandson of the Duke of Anguo, and this year's top scholar. He is currently working as a sixth-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy."

"It's him!"

Although Chu Yao did not go to watch the parade of the top scholar, she had heard of Lu Zhanyan's reputation.

He was of noble birth, talented, and very successful. Unfortunately, he was already engaged to the daughter of the Prime Minister at that time, which made countless women in the capital cry.

But later, the person she married turned out to be the second son of the Lu family.

She was delighted and asked again, "What is he doing here?"

"I just inquired about it. Mr. Lu will go to Yizhou to deal with the locust plague tomorrow. This time he came here to pray for the old Duke. Please preside over the interpretation of the divination for him."

Hearing this, Chu Yao couldn't help but worry about him.

"Princess, such a good man cannot be left to others. We must strike first."

Chu Yao felt the same way: "He may not be interested in me, so it would be safer to ask His Majesty to grant us the marriage. Send the message to the palace and ask them to help."

"Yes, county lord."

Although the princess has outstanding personal abilities, she is an orphan after all. A powerful mansion like the Duke of Anguo may not necessarily choose a down-and-out princess, so it is better to take the initiative.

Lu Zhanyan, who was sitting in the carriage heading home, already knew that Chu Yao had been secretly inquiring about his situation. It seemed that this time the matter was settled.

All he had to do was wait. If the princess had no feelings for him, he would come back from Yizhou and take the initiative to propose to her, so as to avoid losing such an outstanding woman as Princess Yaoguang.

After returning home, Lu Zhanyan gave some instructions to his second uncle and second aunt, asking them to take good care of their grandfather.

"Brother, please go and come back soon. The locust plague is rampant and cannot be solved by ordinary methods. Please remind the fifth prince to bring two imperial physicians with him. Also, after arriving in Yizhou, summon all the doctors with excellent medical skills and have them work together to develop an anthelmintic that can kill locusts without harming the human body."

After a pause, Lu Zhanxing's face was heavy: "Grandfather may not be able to bear it for too long. If you miss this marriage, you will have to wait another three years. You..."

Lu Zhanyan knew her worries and could only say, "Brother Xing, I will urge the Fifth Prince to deal with the locust plague as soon as possible and make sure he returns before January. You must ensure that Grandfather lives a few more months. I'm leaving everything at home in your hands."

"Don't worry, big brother. I will visit my grandfather often, but you must be careful. I'm afraid that man will not behave well even if he is under house arrest."

Lu Zhanxing was really worried that the Fourth Prince would send someone to assassinate his eldest brother.

"Don't worry, I will take good care of myself."

The two brothers reluctantly talked to each other, and their brotherhood deepened.

On the second day, Lu Zhanxing and his parents saw Lu Zhanyan off at the door.

"Yan'er, take care of yourself when you are away from home!" Lu Jin is the elder after all, so naturally he would give some advice.

Luo's eyes showed worry: "Yan'er, go early and come back early. Don't force yourself if you can't do it. Your health is more important."

Lu Zhanxing had explained everything he needed to explain yesterday, and could only look at Xiao Lanjue who had gone with him: "Mr. Xiao, please make sure you keep an eye on my eldest brother. You all should take care of yourselves."

"Don't worry, Second Young Master, I will take good care of the First Young Master."

They rode to the palace to meet the fifth prince.