And so the carriage rocked and swayed along the road, reaching the foot of the mountain below Baiyun Temple two hours later.
There were plenty of vendors at the foot of the mountain. Their overlapping cries instantly roused the drowsy Song Yaoyao.
Two paths had been built at the foot of the mountain. One was a flight of stone steps for people climbing on foot; the other was a road reserved for carriages traveling up and down.
A long queue had already formed on the carriage road.
At Baiyun Temple, no one received priority because of their official rank or family background. Everyone lined up to ascend in the order they arrived.
Monks were stationed along the carriage road to maintain order. Anyone who tried to cut in line or cause trouble would be permanently blacklisted by Baiyun Temple, so no one made a scene.
Song Yaoyao's party had several carriages, and they, too, had to join the queue.
Song Yaoyao looked at the long line of carriages, wondering when their turn to go up would come.
Song Yaoyao took her mother's hand and said:
"Mother, I want to climb up those stone steps. With such a long carriage queue, who knows when it'll be our turn!
I just want to get out, walk around, and browse. We hardly ever get to go out."
Madam Song leaned out to look at the carriage queue and agreed. Then she glanced at Song Qingling beside her and asked:
"Qingling, would you like to go with Yaoyao?"
"Yes."
Only then did Madam Song continue:
"All right. Have your eldest and second brothers go with you, and take a few guards along."
"All right."
Song Yaoyao answered, already pulling Song Qingling out of the carriage.
Song Yaoyao pulled Song Qingling straight toward the