When they went out again, Changbai had already gone far away; He was watching him leave.

Seeing Madam Feng come out, she smiled particularly attentively, "Second Aunt, who is that person?"

Madam Feng glanced at her and said, "You don't recognize me."

Lotus rolled her eyes. "You told me, and now we know each other. If I marry him in the future, you'll be able to enjoy a life of luxury, won't you?"

Feng ignored her, went into the courtyard and closed the door. Hehua was about to kick it open when Feng pointed it at her neck and said, "You dare to kick it and try!"

Lotus left in anger, recalling what had just happened.

Madam Feng went inside and took out the silver ingots that Changbai had brought. She then called the eldest boy to the next room.

"Da Mao, this is twenty taels of silver from your sister's employer. I won't lie to you, I'll take half to save for your wedding, and keep the rest to repair the house and send you to school. What do you think?"

Da Mao shook his head: "No need. I'll earn the money to get married myself. You can keep this money and use it for whatever you want."

Madam Feng clutched the silver in her hand and smiled, "Okay, I understand."

Changbai returned and reported the matter directly to Liu Huan. Liu Huan sighed, "I really can't believe that this stepmother can treat everyone equally."

Some things shouldn't be judged by preconceived notions, though this only applies to a small number of cases.

However, Liu Huan did not let Qiu Rong know about this. She only wanted to do good deeds for Xiao Shi and not to make Qiu Rong grateful to her.

Just as her foot injury had almost healed, Su Yi finally brought back good news: caravans would be going to the border every month, and if you wanted to send a message, you only needed to pay them, and they would deliver it.

But this month is over, so we'll have to wait until next month.

Upon hearing this, Liu Huan immediately made a decision: to go to the famous Huguo Temple to ask for a peace charm for Xiao Shi, as it was said to be very effective.

Su Yi had no objection upon hearing this, "I'll take another day off next time I have a day off and go with you."

The weather was sunny that day. At dawn, Liu Huan was woken up groggily, changed her clothes, and went out. Everyone else was ready.

Su Wan didn't want to bring the child, as it was too much trouble. While the child was sleeping, the group quietly left.

When Guan Yi and her younger brother got up and saw that no one was around, they burst into tears. It took them a long time to calm them down. They pouted and said, "They really went too far."

The nanny found it amusing. "Yes, yes, if they come back without bringing anything, our young master won't talk to them."

Meanwhile, the group he was thinking about had already arrived at the foot of the mountain.

Because of the heat, we left early. However, the sun rose quickly, and by noon it was high in the sky, making people feel like they were being roasted alive.

The group got off the carriage and stared in disbelief at the long flight of steps. "So long?"

An elderly woman climbing the mountain explained, "Young lady, you don't know, do you? Buddha helps those who are destined to receive his teachings; sincerity is key."

After saying that, he picked up the basket and walked up step by step.

Liu Huan looked at her foot, which had just been healed, then at the steps, and said to Su Wan beside her, "I think... the Bodhisattva should be able to forgive people like us who have extenuating circumstances."

Su Wan was also thinking about this: "I think it's possible. If I donate more money for incense oil later and do good deeds, I'm sure the Bodhisattva won't blame me."

Liu Huan thought it made sense, so the two of them called over a sedan chair from the side. It cost 100 coins for a child, 150 for a woman, and 200 for a man.

Without saying a word, Liu Huan hired several sedan chairs and arranged for maids to accompany them. The sedan chairs had sunshades, and sitting in them, one could feel the gentle breeze – that was true enjoyment.

Upon reaching the mountaintop, the sedan chair bearers were drenched in sweat. Liu Huan gave each of them a small reward, as this job was truly inhuman.

Actually, there were still more than a dozen steps to the main gate. The sedan chair bearers said that the rest of the way had to be walked by themselves so that Buddha wouldn't be angry.

The temple gate prominently displays the three large, gold-rimmed characters "Huguo Temple".

It is said to have been written by our ancestral emperor.

The place was bustling with incense smoke, and there were signs indicating which Bodhisattva was enshrined in each hall. You could worship whichever one you wanted.

Since Liu Huan was already there, she figured it wouldn't hurt to be polite, so she bowed to each of the Bodhisattvas and made a request.

When they reached the third gate, Liu Huan knelt down, and a young monk beside him said, "It only works here if two benefactors are together."

Without saying a word, Su Yi knelt down and bowed three times with Liu Huan. Liu Huan felt that something was strange.

Then I heard an old lady nearby say enviously, "This newlywed couple is such a perfect match. Seeing how young and loving you are, I'm sure this child will be born into your family soon."

Liu Huan was completely confused when she heard this. A child? What child?

Su Yi smiled and thanked the aunt.

When Liu Huan got up, she saw the words "Goddess of Mercy Who Grants Children" written next to her.

No wonder the monk said it was necessary for two people to go together.

Liu Huan remembered what the aunt had said and glared fiercely at the person next to her.

He hurriedly put the incense sticks in the burner and went inside, while Su Wan and Guan Chang secretly laughed to themselves.

After all the incense in the halls had burned out, the group was drenched in sweat. Su Yi asked with a question, "You've prayed to so many Bodhisattvas, do they remember your wishes?"

Liu Huan shushed him, "Don't talk nonsense, that's disrespectful to the Bodhisattva."

They took him to donate money for incense oil. They had originally donated 1,000 taels, but because of what he had just said, they added another 100 taels.

Liu Huan wrote Su Cheng, Xiao Shi's name, in the book of good deeds.

Liu Huan asked, "Little master, I have something I'd like to have blessed by a master. Where can I find one?"

The young monk asked, "May I ask what you wish to have consecrated?"

Liu Huan took out an exquisitely crafted dagger: "Is this alright?"

The young monk immediately bowed his head upon seeing this: "Amitabha, benefactor, the Buddha is compassionate and protects all living beings. What you hold in your hand is the source of calamity, and the Buddha will not protect you. Please exchange it for something else."

Liu Huan felt embarrassed; she had forgotten that this wasn't a place where you could have your blessings consecrated simply by paying money.

"May I ask for a blessing on a good luck charm?"

The young monk nodded, "This way, please, benefactor."

Because she donated a lot of money for incense oil, the person who wrote the peace charm for her was an old monk with a white beard who was over fifty years old.

Upon seeing Liu Huan, he smiled knowingly: "Which kind of peace charm does the benefactor wish to request?"

Liu Huan said tactfully, "It's for my eldest brother at home, to pray for his safety at the border."

The old monk closed his eyes and muttered a few words, then opened them and said, "I am destined to meet you, benefactor. I will tell your fortune for free."

Liu Huan didn't actually want to have her fortune told because she had learned from her own experience. She believed in metaphysics and was afraid that it would disturb her peace of mind.

Just as he was about to refuse, the old monk said again, "Let me tell your fortune. It just so happens that you've been having bad luck with Tai Sui lately. Let me help you break this curse."

Upon hearing this, Liu Huan was greatly shocked. This kind of eminent monk was indeed no ordinary person. Then what about his own background...?

She glanced at Su Yi instinctively; she always did this when she was undecided.

Su Yi bowed to the old monk and said, "If the elder can resolve this crisis, I will definitely come back every year to fulfill my vow."

The old monk smiled mysteriously, "Young benefactor, you went missing a few years ago, didn't you? A wolf saved you."

Liu Huan became increasingly afraid of what he was about to say, but fortunately Su Wan and her husband had already left.

She nodded, waiting to hear what the old monk would say next...