After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 737 Spring Outing in the Suburbs, The Destined One

"That's what the Empress Dowager said? She said it herself?!"

"That's right, these are the Empress Dowager's exact words, there's no way to fake it."

The Ouyang family's steward brought back the Empress Dowager's instructions from the palace, which were not exactly imperial edicts.

In other words, it can be considered as advice and instructions to one's own descendants.

The Ouyang couple naturally held the Empress Dowager in high esteem, as she was both a ruler and an elder, and naturally listened to whatever she said.

"A spring outing in the countryside? A destined person? What does all this mean?"

"Father, Mother, the Empress Dowager isn't joking, is she?"

"Don't talk nonsense! The Empress Dowager is an elder; how could she joke with you!"

"But, the concept of a destined person... it sounds a bit... far-fetched."

Ouyang Yan certainly dared not say it aloud, as that would be extremely disrespectful and disrespectful to her elders.

"Alright, let's listen to the Empress Dowager. We're going on a spring outing anyway, it's just a matter of changing the time and place, it won't take much trouble."

The Ouyang couple made the decision directly, and Ouyang Yan naturally couldn't openly disobey her parents' orders.

"Alright then, let's listen to our great-aunt, father, and mother and go to Nanshan Temple for a spring outing and to enjoy the flowers."

"My dear~ I'll prepare some clothes for you to wear on your spring outing right away. I guarantee you'll look even more beautiful than the spring scenery."

"Um, Mother, there's no need for that..."

Before Ouyang Yan could finish speaking, the Ouyang couple left like the wind, and when she looked up again, their figures had already disappeared into the corridor.

"Fine~ whatever~, sigh~"

Ouyang Yan sighed. Although she had agreed, deep down she still didn't believe in any destined person.

Haha, do you think you're an idiot?

The so-called destined person was nothing more than an arrangement made by the Empress Dowager and her family.

They want someone to be their destined one, and that person becomes their destined one.

After all, they set the time and place. At the same time and place, it would be easy for them to make someone appear where they should.

"Is the storyteller sent by the Fifth Prince still in the manor?"

"Yes, miss, would you like to listen to a story?"

"Forget it, I'm not in the mood. Let him stay in the manor. Since he's here, he can listen whenever he wants. There's no need to rush."

"Yes, he lives in the same courtyard as the opera troupe. If the young lady is interested, she can listen to and watch the opera at the same time."

"Well, it's just something to pass the time anyway, and now I don't find it that interesting anymore."

"Then this servant will accompany Miss out for a stroll, to see if there are any new and interesting things to pass the time."

"Forget it, I'm too lazy to move. It's not that warm right now anyway. I'll just go for a stroll in a few days when I'm out enjoying the spring scenery."

Otherwise, I'd have to ask my mother and grandmother for permission, which would be a real hassle.

The back mountain of Nanshan Temple —

Several young men, dressed in neat short hunting clothes and carrying bows and arrows, had already climbed halfway up the mountain.

"Huh? No, who told you there were sika deer behind Nanshan Temple? We've been here all morning, where are the deer?"

The slightly overweight young man in purple robes was panting heavily, somewhat reluctant to continue climbing.

"Didn't see any deer, but there were plenty of bare plum trees! Hahahaha~"

The tall, thin young man in a blue robe was leaning against a plum tree, slightly out of breath, and seemed to be tired.

"Alright, alright, stop making sarcastic remarks. My information is absolutely reliable. Can't you be a little more patient?" The young man in blue concealed his anxiety and stubbornly retorted.

"Alright, alright, let's trust Yan Qing this once. Let's go up a bit more. The sika deer are smart; they won't wait for us in the middle of the road."

"Hmph, Lin Qi is indeed knowledgeable. People have hunted sika deer at Nanshan Temple before, and not just once!"

"Alright, alright, I'll believe you this time. We've already climbed this far, one last push won't hurt."

The group wiped their sweat and continued uphill. It was only because the sun wasn't strong enough in spring that their clothes were soaked through.

The mountain behind Nanshan Temple is quite high. Although there is no danger, climbing it is indeed time-consuming and strenuous.

Generally, only physically fit young people will attempt to climb to the top; the elderly, weak, women, and children are unlikely to be so foolish as to try.

Of course, if you really want to "see all the mountains from a high vantage point" but can't climb up, you can spend a little money to hire someone to carry you up in a sedan chair.

After all, there is nothing that money cannot solve, and there is no labor that money cannot buy.

If so, it means the money wasn't paid properly.

"Although the mountain around Nanshan Temple is difficult to climb, its scenery is unparalleled in the suburbs of Beijing."

"The old lady is right, the scenery here is much more vibrant than in autumn."

"The sprouting of all things is the beginning of life; the withering of all things is the end of life."

"The old lady is right. They are all beautiful sights and should not be compared."

The old nanny always felt that her mistress wasn't just talking about the scenery of Nanshan Temple, but more like she was talking about people.

After all, they weren't out for a spring outing today; the young ladies in the family were all of marriageable age and waiting for their matriarch to approve their marriage proposals.

The reason why Nanshan Temple has a constant stream of worshippers is debatable, whether it is truly effective or not. Just consider its location: it is far from the capital but not outside the capital's jurisdiction.

The area is safe and the scenery is beautiful. Few people come to the back mountain, so it is very quiet and peaceful.

How can it not be a good place to look for a child?

Moreover, they spent a lot of money to hire people to carry them to the sheltered pavilion on the mountaintop, where there was no way anyone could be found.

After all, the view from the top of the mountain is no different from that from halfway up, and most people won't spend a lot of money to go up there just to see the majestic mountains.

Even if someone else thinks the same way and goes up the mountain, it doesn't matter. When you're out and about, if you don't tell others what you're doing there, how will they know?

It's a bit cold and windy at the top of the mountain, and it must have been quite tough for these old folks to climb up there.