Chapter Sixty-Five: The Temple Rendezvous

Two days later.

Early in the morning, Yu Shensheng got up to wash and freshen up.

In truth, she had hardly slept a wink the entire previous night, consumed by a trembling excitement at the thought of finally seeing Qi Mubai again.

The young man who had grown up alongside her was now among the top scholars of the capital—how spirited and radiant he must be?

Yu Shensheng longed to know.

Every time she thought of it, hope for the future was reignited within her. She, too, had to struggle out of her adversity, to become better and truly extraordinary, so as to live up to the promise of their youth and the anticipation of today.

Without even touching her breakfast, she went straight to the Old Lady's courtyard to pay her respects.

Because of Kong Dezhao, after she returned to her courtyard that day, Nanny Zhao had already come to pass on the word that she should rest in ease, recover from her injuries, and skip her morning greetings for the next few days.

But today, she had to go.

When she arrived, both of the Su siblings were there, partaking in morning tea together.

Hearing the servant report her arrival, the Old Lady felt a flicker of suspicion.

Su Zhiyi smiled faintly: "Grandmother, since Younger Sister has come, we might as well set an extra pair of chopsticks."

The Old Lady was unwilling, but times were different now, and one extra mouth mattered little, so she nodded in consent.

As Yu Shensheng stepped into the room, Su Zhiyi greeted her with a smile.

"Many thanks to the Princess, but there is no need. I merely came to inform Grandmother that I wish to visit the Hongyuan Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings."

The Old Lady had no desire to let her go. Having waited two days without the imperial decree being issued, she had no idea what Kong Dezhao was busy with, or if he had perhaps changed his mind once more.

The Old Lady wanted Yu Shensheng to stay quietly in the estate—nay, to remain peacefully confined to her courtyard, going nowhere at all until she was safely married off to the Kong family.

"Such a notion, and out of nowhere. Why would you wish to go to the Hongyuan Temple?" The Old Lady's smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "You are not yet fully recovered, you should recuperate here in the mansion."

"It is precisely because I am not well that I wish to offer prayers. Yesterday, I dreamed of an immortal who guided me, telling me to go to the temple to worship the Buddha today. Firstly, so that my health might recover more swiftly; secondly, to pray for Grandmother's longevity and peace; and thirdly... to hope for a fortunate marriage."

The Old Lady's eyes lit up slightly. Hearing her speak thus, she realized the girl had finally come around. And it made sense—who would refuse a marriage into a Prince's estate?

Although Kong Dezhao was somewhat boorish, he was not bad-looking, and he had even declared publicly that he did not mind her humble birth.

Hmph, being able to climb up to the Kong family was a blessing accumulated over lifetimes and sheer good fortune.

Recovering her wits, the Old Lady said: "Very well, then..."

Su Zhiyi suddenly chimed in: "I heard that the scholars participating in the imperial examinations today will also be going to the Hongyuan Temple to listen to the Abbot expound on Buddhism and Zen. If Younger Sister goes today, might it cause... any inconvenience?"

She wore a half-smile, her gaze seeming to pierce straight through Yu Shensheng's thoughts.

Lowering her eyes, Yu Shensheng remained unperturbed and resolute: "What inconvenience could there be? The holy grounds of Buddhism; even the Buddha would not deem it inconvenient."

"I was unaware that the Abbot was expounding on Zen today. Put that way, it truly is an auspicious day, which proves that what the immortal in the dream said was no falsehood."

Su Zhiyi's smile deepened slightly, and just as she was about to speak further, Su Yanshu intervened: "Going out for a breath of fresh air is fine. However, what Zhiyi says also makes sense; safety must come first. As it happens, I have nothing pressing today, so Second Brother will accompany you."

Yu Shensheng had no desire for his company, but should she refuse, it would inevitably arouse their suspicion.

Su Zhiyi's smile grew deeper: "Younger Sister, surely you wouldn't..."

"Very well, then I must trouble the Second Young Master," Yu Shensheng curtsied. "I shall go and prepare my things at once."

With that, she turned and left. Watching her retreating figure, Su Zhiyi let out a cold, silent sneer.

Prayers, immortals in dreams—such ghost stories might fool the Old Lady, but wanting to fool her? In your dreams! Finding an opportunity to see Qi Mubai will not be so easy.

After finishing breakfast, Su Zhiyi gave Rujian a few low instructions.

Setting off for the Hongyuan Temple, Yu Shensheng took the scroll of paintings with her and handed it over to Jin Baobao.

"Don't worry, Miss, I will definitely deliver the painting to the Grand Commander."

"Baobao, this painting is of the utmost importance. Please be extremely careful."

"No problem!"

Yu Shensheng gently lifted the carriage curtain, peering out through the gap. It had been a full year since she last stepped outside the city walls.

At this hour, the sun was not yet too fierce. The trees lining both sides of the road were tall, casting cool shadows upon the earth, and even the breeze carried a hint of freshness.

Yu Shensheng's mood lifted with a rare lightness as a few birds darted through the treetops, chirping merrily as they flew away.

How wonderful.

If only she could be like a bird, able to fly freely wherever her heart desired.

Just as she was watching with delight, Su Yanshu urged his horse close to the carriage: "Are you hot? Once we reach the foot of the mountain, there will be vendors selling iced fermented milk. I'll buy some for you."

Without a word, Yu Shensheng dropped the curtain.

Su Yanshu lowered his voice, letting out a faint, lingering sigh: "Shensheng, Marquis Kong likes you so much, he will treat you well. Second Brother has some weight before the Crown Prince and will also stand as your backing. Rest assured, no matter when it is, I will never let you suffer any grievance."

Yu Shensheng closed her eyes and emptied her mind. She had no interest in listening to such empty words, let alone believing them.

After waiting a moment without receiving any reaction from Yu Shensheng, Su Yanshu slowed his pace slightly and rode to the back of the carriage.

So be it; he would not let himself get angry with her. Once the imperial decree bestowing the marriage was issued, he would prepare a generous dowry for her and marry her off as soon as possible, settling the matter once and for all.

Once the Southern Shun Prince's Estate learned to gauge their actions by his expressions in the future, Yu Shensheng would come to understand his painstaking efforts.

Today, the Hongyuan Temple was a bustling sea of people, filled not only with scholars but also countless other pilgrims.

Yu Shensheng alighted from the carriage, and Su Yanshu tethered his horse before walking over.

"Let's go," Yu Shensheng said.

Su Yanshu glanced at the carriage: "Where is that maid?"

"Baobao said she was feeling a bit dizzy, so I told her to rest in the carriage for a while."

Without changing her expression, Yu Shensheng added: "She doesn't care much for places like temples anyway, saying they are too solemn."

Su Yanshu smiled faintly: "You spoil her too much."

As Yu Shensheng walked ahead, Su Yanshu glanced back at the guards trailing behind. The guards nodded silently and fell back by a few paces.

The Hongyuan Temple was the largest and most frequented temple outside of the imperial temples. Many people came here to light eternal lamps, visiting to offer incense on the first and fifteenth days of every lunar month.

Today was a special day; not only were there numerous pilgrims, but many hawkers pushed small carts, crying out their wares, imbuing the place with a lively, earthly atmosphere.

Though outwardly calm, Yu Shensheng was tense with anticipation within, her palms lightly slicked with a film of sweat.

She had no idea how Hao Mengye had arranged things.

Hao Mengye had said he would arrange a meeting between her and Qi Mubai, but she alone knew that Qi Mubai was unaware of it.

Only thus could it be safest, revealing no flaws whatsoever and preventing Su Zhiyi from growing suspicious.

She remembered Hao Mengye's instruction: to act purely as if she had genuinely come to offer incense, without making any suspicious movements.

Su Yanshu, after all, was no simple character.

Following the flow of the crowd, Yu Shensheng entered the main hall. Although she had not truly come to offer incense, the statues possessed such solemn majesty that she knelt down anyway, paying her respects with a sincere heart.

"Bodhisattva, grant that all beings find everlasting peace, that you may look upon human suffering yet remain untouched by its afflictions."

She chanted silently in her heart—there was no need to beg the Buddhas; she would be the master of her own destiny.

Before she could rise, she heard the sound of weeping.

Looking toward the source, she saw the sound was coming from the adjoining Hall of Eternal Lamps.

As she stood up, intending to go take a look, Su Yanshu lowered his voice: "Shensheng, it has nothing to do with you. Do not go meddling in other people's affairs."