They said they were taking a detour around the outer corridor of the Grand View Garden.
The others were one thing, but since Jia Yingchun had returned to her maiden home, how could she possibly pass by the door without going in?
Besides, You Sanjie insisted on waiting for Liu Xianglian.
So Sun Shaozong simply entrusted the three women—mother and daughters—to Jia Yingchun and headed alone for Jia Baoyu's YiHong Courtyard to find Liu Xianglian.
As an old guest and a relative by marriage, he naturally had no need for one of the gatekeeping matrons to lead the way. He strolled freely across the stone bridge and, from far off, spotted half a hillside of maple leaves rustling in the cold wind, as though someone were holding up a blaze to set the heavens aflame.
Compared with the chaotic clamor outside, this scene was worlds apart. Even a rough man like Sun Shaozong could not help changing course to admire it carefully beneath the slope.
When he had had his fill and was about to set off again, he saw several graceful figures emerge from the maple grove. At their head was none other than Nun Miao Yu of Locust Green Nunnery.
Sun Shaozong's heart stirred, and he stopped once more, waiting for Miao Yu to approach.
Miao Yu was carrying a bamboo basket of maple leaves and walking silently along when she suddenly caught sight of that burly figure ahead. Her feet immediately stumbled.
After steadying herself, she stared intently at Sun Shaozong for a long while, then shook her head with a sigh and simply changed direction, going around him.
Sun Shaozong had waited beneath the hill because he meant to urge Miao Yu to leave this troublesome place while the capital was caught up in its worship