On the day of the Autumn Equinox, the osmanthus trees at the Marquis's Mansion shed their first blooms. Jiang Wan crouched under the corridor, gathering the fallen petals. The sweet scent clinging to her fingertips mingled with the agarwood fragrance from Lu Jingyuan's sleeves, feeling unexpectedly warmer than usual. He leaned against a pillar, watching the tiny petals caught in her hair, and suddenly reached out to brush them away. "Have you thought over the plan for going to Cien Temple tomorrow?"
"Yes," Jiang Wan said, placing the petals into a silk pouch. "I will have Xiaotao intentionally mention at the market that I am going to pray for blessings, and then let the secret guards leak the news that you will be accompanying me." She looked up at him. "It’s just that the back hill of Cien Temple is secluded; I worry about endangering the pilgrims."
"Don't worry," Lu Jingyuan chuckled softly. "I have already had people clear the back hill, leaving only the front hall open. Besides..." He pulled a bronze whistle from his sleeve. "The secret guards will be disguised as pilgrims, stationed in every corner of the temple."
Chapter 199