Night falls.

The monk walked through the flower grove.

There were no lights on in the vast garden.

He was all alone, silently facing the garden full of flowers and trees.

He walked slowly along the white stone path through the woods.

The shadows of the trees swayed nearby, making a rustling sound.

The monk turned his head to look and saw a figure emerging from the shadows of the trees.

"Master, it has been confirmed that all the Northern Court's secret outposts in the city have been eliminated. Judging from the method, it should be the work of Xiu Yi."

"The number of people in Song Garden has been verified. In addition to the maid who died in the library that day, two other people were infected with the Black Water Gu. One was saved, and the other died."

"As ordered by the master, we have searched the entire city together with the Jincheng constables. We found traces of other Gu worms, but they can all be removed using the method provided by Lady Qi."

After listening, the monk said, "I understand."

He stood under a pear tree, and a gust of wind blew, making the white blossoms on the tree look like birds flapping their wings.

A faint fragrance wafted in the cool night air.

He seemed to suddenly remember something and gave instructions to the Black Bird Guards.

"Go and investigate Qi San Niang's experiences after she married into Jincheng."

In the capital, for some reason, he once sent people to investigate her past.

There is indeed information suggesting that she has some medical knowledge.

But the naive and foolish young girl back then is quite different from the somewhat eccentric and mysterious young lady she is now.

A person suddenly becomes proficient in the art of healing and poisoning.

Either he was hiding his true abilities before, or this person is no longer the same person.

…

A slender crescent moon rises from the horizon.

Qi Su sat on the steps outside Dao Ci's guest room, waiting.

A lantern was placed beside her, its cool glow illuminating the flowers and trees in the courtyard.

"Come here, Mimi, shake hands—"

Qi Su pinched a piece of dried fish and teased Buddha's heart.

The yellow and white cat listened to her very well and showed no signs of being hurt.

He is proficient in all eighteen martial arts.

"Hey, Master, you're back." After feeding him the last piece of dried fish, Dao Ci walked up to the steps.

"Why are you so late? I've been waiting for you for so long."

Amidst her soft, gentle complaints, Qi Su rubbed the fish oil from her hands onto Buddha's heart.

Pretending nothing had happened, she picked up the lantern and stood up to greet him.

The young monk pushed open the door.

"What is it?" He turned around and his eyes were dark and cold.

This was the question Qi Su asked the monk this morning. And now it's been returned to her verbatim.

Qi Su handed the lunchbox in her hand to him.

"I brought you some delicious food especially."

The lunchbox contained goose breast with osmanthus flowers, lotus root with osmanthus flowers, pork with green plums, and mushroom soup with diced mushrooms.

He glanced down at it and said in a low voice, "Dishes from Wangyuelou?"

Oh, how did he know?

He stayed in his room all day and almost never went out. He also knew about the Moon Gazing Tower.

Here it comes, that inexplicable, fuzzy feeling.

He doesn't have a dog's nose; he can't smell the perfume on her body.

Qi Su smiled broadly.

"Yes, Wangyuelou is a very famous restaurant in Jincheng. They make excellent snacks and dishes. I specially packed one for you."

The young man sat down upright, his expression cold and aloof.

They did not speak.

Qi Su placed the things on the table, but then moved closer to Dao Ci, staring at him with her round eyes.

one two three……

As she counted to ten, the young man next to her turned to look at her.

He asked with his eyes: What are you doing?

His pupils were very dark, and he always seemed stern and cold. But up close, Qi Su's figure was reflected in them.

It somehow has a warm feel to it.

Qi Su laughed and moved a little further away from him.

She drew out her words in a long, drawn-out tone.

"I'm watching. My Gu worms are really powerful. The master is loving me more and more. One day, you'll be begging me not to leave."

Dao Ci:......

The master naturally wouldn't pay any attention to such ramblings.

Qi Su continued, "What do you think, Hei Xiao Er?"

The night outside the window was quiet.

No sound came from it.

Qi Su didn't mind and continued to ask.

"Then what about you, Buddha Heart? He definitely likes me more, right? Usually, if I bring meat into the room, he would scold me!"

The yellow and white cat opened its big eyes, tilted its head, and meowed.

Dao Ci:......

Qi Su sat down next to him.

“Master, the capital is prosperous and wealthy. I think there are some things I should tell you sooner rather than later.”

The monk beside him remained silent.

Qi Su's voice was soft and melancholy.

"Alas, my life is so miserable. My first husband treated me badly and died young. Master is my second husband, so please do not let me down."

Dao Ci raised his eyes and asked, "What? Are you going to stuff me into a coffin too?"

Qi Su smiled and said, "It's not impossible."

She lightly placed her fingers around his neck.

“I’m not some delicate young lady; I have plenty of strength and skill. If you’re not convinced, Holy Monk, come and try me.”

.

Although Eunuch Wang is dead, the imperial envoy team he brought is still here.

Preparations for returning to Beijing began again.

I have all the items I packed last time. I'll just need to add some food and supplies for the journey, and that should be about it.

It is unknown how the Qin merchants reported back to the capital.

Eunuch Wang was, after all, someone close to the emperor; he could just kill him without warning.

In such a short time, it was as if this person had never appeared in Jincheng.

It's already December.

With the weather freezing cold and the roads icy, it was not a good time to travel.

But the emperor was pressing for an answer.

The thought of returning to Ganjing to see her aunt stirred up the emotions that had been calming down within Qi Su for so long.

As for Dao Ci, he should be happy too.

Because Qingyan from Huatan Temple has returned.

“I thought about it, and it’s not good for the monk to be without anyone to serve him. I’m clumsy and might displease the monk. So, I sent someone to bring this young novice monk over.”

The Qin merchant, who had already set off for the Pingxi Governor's Office, delivered the message, saying the following.

The young monk, disregarding all human schemes and plots, shed two streams of tears upon seeing Dao Ci.

"Senior brother—"

Dao Ci glanced over him and saw that although he was somewhat listless, he was still intact, which put his mind at ease.

Oh well. Since we're here, we might as well make the best of it.

…

Two days later, the snow along the roadside had melted slightly.

A large convoy of carriages departed from Jincheng, heading northeast.

Because the Western Rong bandits had recently invaded Dayan, the garrison commander of Jincheng was ordered to dispatch three hundred soldiers to escort Zen Master Daoci along the way for his safety.

Once we arrive safely in Liangzhou, the people of Liangzhou will take over.

Once Jin Cheng's guard duty is complete, he can return.

Qi Su rested her chin on her hand and sat with Hei Xiao Er, a simple-looking driver of a cart, who was driving the carts behind the horse team.

The sunlight shone through the clouds, slightly dazzling.

She dozed off with her eyes half-closed.

Hei Xiao Er asked, "Why aren't you with your master?"

Qi Su let out a sigh.

"You don't understand the art of pursuing men. It's about playing hard to get, like wanting to say something but holding back, like wanting to refuse but also wanting to accept."

The horse caravan swayed and staggered as it made its way from Jincheng to the capital.

Twenty-odd days later, they were about to leave Yongzhou and arrive in Liangzhou.

The weather suddenly became much warmer, and the roads were easier to walk on.

That evening, the group rested at the Qingyuan Post Station in Liangzhou.