Back in the days of the Ning and Rong Mansions, Jia Jing had passed the imperial examinations, but the old man had eventually turned to Taoism due to affairs within the imperial household. Jia Zheng had considered himself a scholar, yet he never managed to pass the exams. Were it not for the plea the Duke of Rong made on his behalf on his deathbed, he likely never would have attained the position of Vice Director in the Ministry of Works.
This outing was planned for two reasons: first, to keep a promise to several good friends for an excursion; and second, because several of the young ladies, hearing that Jia Yu was preparing for the imperial examinations, had specifically requested to visit a temple to burn incense and pray for his safety. Everyone was in high spirits at the prospect of finally getting out.
Jia Yu had personally arranged for them a magnificent four-wheeled carriage. Accompanying them, besides Xuewu, were three young women—Li Hanyi, Qingniao, and Digua—as well as two shadow guards, Luoxue and Meiying, to ensure the safety of Daiyu and the others.
Chapter 410