Sister Sun’s words dispelled Tang Sihai’s reservations, so he asked her, “In your opinion, how should I approach Miss Xiao and tell her about these matters?”
Sister Sun said, “Jingqing will come to Qixia Temple the morning after tomorrow. Madam’s plan is to find a way to get Miss Xiao to visit Qixia Temple, then have Jingqing create an opportunity for you to talk safely.”
“Jingqing, eh…” Tang Sihai smiled faintly and asked, “Jingqing’s quite the renowned monk now, isn’t he?”
“Indeed,” Sister Sun nodded, sighing, “Jingqing has a natural aptitude, gifted in both Taoism and Buddhism. With Madam’s guidance, his progress has been remarkable. Though he’s taken monastic vows, he still follows Madam’s lead.”
Tang Sihai asked, “So how do we get Miss Xiao to come to Qixia Temple?”
Sister Sun chuckled, “You know Miss Xiao runs her own design company, don’t you?”
“Of course,” Tang Sihai nodded, “It was the young master who encouraged her to start her own design studio. At the opening, loads of big names in Jinling turned up with gifts.”
“Exactly,” Sister Sun said, “There’s a lass in her company, one of ours, quite capable and already trusted by Miss Xiao. Tomorrow morning, she’ll find a moment to mention it, and that should get Miss Xiao to make a trip to Qixia Temple.”
Tang Sihai was stunned speechless for a while, amazed that Madam, though never in the spotlight, had eyes everywhere.
After a long pause, he ventured, “Sister Sun, if I may be so bold to ask something I shouldn’t, besides me, are there others Madam has placed around the young master?”
Sister Sun looked at him, smiling, “You know it’s not a question to ask, yet you ask anyway.”
Still, she answered, “Madam didn’t want to interfere with the young master’s path. There’s no one else besides you. In fact, Madam’s always regretted that. If she’d meddled a bit with the Xiao family back then, perhaps the young master wouldn’t have married Miss Xiao.”
Tang Sihai sighed, “Seems Madam does have some reservations about Miss Xiao…”
Sister Sun smiled, “Reservations? Well, there’s something there, but it’s more about Miss Xiao’s parents than her. Back when the young master and the Xiao family were still in that old estate, Madam knew exactly what kind of life he led. The person living downstairs was one of Madam’s, you see. Ma Lan and Xiao Changkun bossed the young master about, mocked and berated him daily. How could Madam not feel for him?”
“Fair point,” Tang Sihai chuckled, “Sometimes, I wanted to give Ma Lan a piece of my mind myself.”
Sister Sun nodded, smiling, “But Ma Lan’s had her share of suffering since, so she’s had her lesson. That family, right or wrong, is too much of a distraction for the young master. If you can get them out of the picture, he’ll have room to spread his wings. I’m counting on you for this.”
Tang Sihai clasped his fists solemnly, “Rest assured, Sister Sun, I’ll give it my all!”
…
The next morning.
As usual, Xiao Churan rushed to the office early.
With Ye Chen away and her mum, Ma Lan, lacking the motivation to cook breakfast, Xiao Churan grabbed some food from downstairs to make do in the office.
