Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 730 - 725: Back Mountain Date

In the first two days after returning to Mao County, Lin Wanwan first went to see her own Red Face Smile and the Silk Shop, and then, together with Xiao Yixun, reviewed the account receipts of both shops for the past few months.

The Store Manager of Red Face Smile was hired by Lin Wanwan from outside, while the Shopkeeper was Lin Mengli. The two supervised each other, and with independent bookkeeping by the accountant, nothing went amiss, and everything was developing steadily.

As for the Silk Shop, it was still managed by the original owner as the Shopkeeper, with the accountant appointed by Lin Wanwan and the Steward He Momo from the Embroidery Workshop supervising each other, also without major mistakes.

After checking on her two businesses, Lin Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief. Being away from Mao County for more than half a year without any uncontrollable events occurring was rather fortunate.

Next, she looked at the gift list handed over by Yun Shang, which recorded her interpersonal exchanges within the Great Wall.

Several gifts related to Xiao Chong needed to be returned, such as the set of Mutton Fat Jade jewelry that Empress Xiao gifted, originally given by Empress Dugu in the past, and the ring representing the leader of the Starfall Organization of strategists.

This day marked Lin Wanwan’s third day back in Mao County, on the solar calendar, November 8th. For the people of the Great Tang, following the lunar calendar, it was the 15th day of the 10th month, the Lower Yuan Festival.

In ancient times, there were three festivals: the Upper Yuan Festival on the 15th day of the first month, namely the Lantern Festival; the Middle Yuan Festival on the 15th day of the seventh month, also known as the Ghost Festival; and the Lower Yuan Festival on the 15th day of the tenth month, a time to honor ancestors.

The Lower Yuan Festival originated from Taoism, which has three officials: Heaven, Earth, and Water. On the 15th day of the first month, the Heavenly Official bestows blessings; on the 15th day of the seventh month, the Earthly Official pardons sins; on the 15th day of the tenth month, the Water Official resolves tribulations.

On this day, Daoist Temples held rituals, and people honored their ancestors, creating a lively atmosphere everywhere.

In the modern era, Lin Wanwan bought some marinated dishes, and after sending little Qingyu to the Wang Family’s private school, she asked Xiao Yixun if he wanted to accompany her into the mountains to join the activities at the Daoist Temple. He declined.

Consequently, Lin Wanwan took along several maids, Kun Lun, and four Armed Department guards, heading into the temple in the mountains.

With the Armed Department now accompanying her, Lin Wanwan’s travel entourage naturally included them as bodyguards, which gradually became more grandiose in the Great Tang.

The temple wasn’t as bustling as a Buddhist temple, but given that today was the Lower Yuan Festival, the Taoist ritual to resolve tribulations was much busier than usual.

Lin Wanwan’s actual intention in going up the mountain wasn’t to attend the ritual, but she contributed her share of incense money — a pound of pepper.

Because of her generosity, after the ritual, the Daoists placed her in a secluded room on the temple’s back mountainside for rest.

Leading out from the back door of the room was a scenic spot most easily overlooked in the entire Daoist Temple, a steep slope lined with maple trees.

The maple leaves in November were vividly red, brilliantly colorful, offering a splendid view like a picture of autumn.

Lin Wanwan set up a curtain on the only flat area amidst the woods and arranged for a picnic, keeping only Hua Nong and Kun Lun, her most trusted confidantes, by her side, while the others remained outside the curtain.

The autumn wind rose, gently swaying the white gauze curtain, with the silhouette of a beauty brewing wine faintly visible inside.

Lin Wanwan had just warmed the wine to seventy percent when Xiao Chong, who had bathed just now and tied his hair into a Daoist bun, strode into the maple woods.

Two maids whom Lin Wanwan had never seen before followed behind him, while Shu Qi stayed far behind, seemingly guarding the entrance to the woods, preventing anyone from entering by mistake.

Today, Xiao Chong was dressed in a white outfit from head to toe, including his boots and socks.

To take part in today’s ritual, he burned incense and bathed, fasting for a whole day in preparation, only his sword seemed out of place with the atmosphere of compassion.

Xiao Chong’s grandfather was a famously devout Buddhist, and even his aunt became a nun because of it, yet he treated both Buddhism and Taoism equally, unaffected by family influence.

Interestingly, although he had no devout faith, both Buddhism and Taoism regarded him as though he were their most pious follower, unwilling to lose such a noble worshipper.

Standing outside the curtain, clad in white, Xiao Chong halted, with only the thin, semi-transparent white gauze separating him from Lin Wanwan within.

The two maids accompanying him quickly set up a small table and a cushion in front of him, bringing their own picnic gear to the gathering.

"Cousin, what matter do you need me for?" Xiao Chong kneeled neatly on the cushion, directly getting to the point.

Notorious for his love of alcohol, he remained unmoved by the aroma of the wine inside.

He was more adherent to etiquette than ever, practically a paragon of virtue.

Common cousins in the Great Tang would hardly be this formal, dining separately with a curtain between them, clearly a precaution to avoid rumors.

Having made the decision, regardless of the heartache, Xiao Chong wouldn’t hesitate and drag things out, causing undue trouble for either of them. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Meeting in the maple woods at the Daoist Temple’s rear mountain wasn’t a coincidence but a planned encounter.

Lin Wanwan didn’t know if she should feel relieved, but it was perhaps for the best.

"Serve this pot of wine and these cold dishes to cousin," Lin Wanwan instructed Hua Nong.

"Yes." Hua Nong responded, suddenly becoming quick-witted.

Once Xiao Chong arrived at the spot, the atmosphere shifted to seriousness, causing those around to unconsciously lighten their breaths by two degrees, fearing any mistakes might originate from them.

Looking at the unfamiliar marinated dishes before him, Xiao Chong laughed freely: "Cousin, is this another delicacy from your place?"

Lin Wanwan smiled back: "Yes, duck neck, duck tongue, and Tang Dynasty chestnuts. Try them, cousin."

"Thank you, cousin, let me have a taste."

As a foodie, Xiao Chong naturally wouldn’t refuse the lure of delicious food and wine.

The two conversed lightly over the curtain while enjoying the meal.

After a few glasses of wine, Lin Wanwan signaled Hua Nong to present a small wooden box before Xiao Chong.

"Cousin, contained here are gifts from Empress Xiao and others, which I feel unworthy of. I return them to you today," Lin Wanwan explained.

"Additionally, there’s a ring that I cannot accept, which I also return to you. The women related to the ring are now staying at an inn in the town of Xiaoxi, and surely you have already been informed.

Well, thanks to your arrangements, cousin, they have indeed helped me a lot along the way from Chang’an to Qiantang."

Without interrupting or engaging in pleasantries, Xiao Chong listened quietly to Lin Wanwan. When she finished, he merely replied with a faint "Alright."

His ever-composed face revealed no emotion, even without the white gauze curtain between them. Lin Wanwan couldn’t read him, let alone with the curtain separating them now.

Listening to his voice, she couldn’t discern his moods, only feeling he was becoming more unfathomable.

After a pause, seeing Lin Wanwan had nothing more to say, Xiao Chong smiled freely: "Since the matter is settled and the good food and wine enjoyed, thank you, cousin, for your hospitality. I shall take my leave."

"Wait!" Lin Wanwan stopped Xiao Chong, taking an item wrapped in oil paper, handing it to Hua Nong to deliver, "Cousin, these items should be of use to you, please accept them."

Xiao Chong took it, curious about the contents but refrained from asking, merely rising to give a clasp-fist salute.

The west wind whistled past, causing a few maple leaves to flutter down. Just as elegantly as he had come, Xiao Chong departed, melding into the evening glow.

Lin Wanwan lifted the curtain, watching his charming and upright figure casually disappear into the sunset.