Xiao Huaijin raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Didn't your uncle tell you?"

Yesterday, he received a letter from the Prince of Runan, saying that he had chosen Xie Shuang, the eldest daughter of Grand Secretary Xie, as Shi Man's wife, and asked Xiao Huaijin to personally speak to Grand Tutor Xie on his behalf when he had time.

"Shiman, your uncle said you once said that your marriage was arranged by your parents and a matchmaker, and that he would handle the entire process."

Yan Shiman glanced at Bei Feng first, and seeing that he remained silent, gritted his teeth and refused, "I was just talking nonsense before. I don't want to get married right now."

"I have already asked Lord Xie, and he is willing to marry his daughter to the Prince of Runan. He also said that he would discuss the wedding date with his uncle in a few days." Xiao Huaijin pinched his brow with a hint of impatience, "Shiman, romantic love is not your concern. A man should prioritize serving his country with utmost loyalty."

"I don't want to repeat myself. I'm tired. You should eat quickly, and then return to the palace."

After Xiao Huaijin finished speaking, he walked out without looking back.

Yan Shiman wanted her cousin to help persuade her father, but her cousin seemed resistant and very impatient about matters of the heart.

Seeing that Xiao Huaijin was not there, Yan Shiman suddenly turned her head and looked at Beifeng with eager eyes, "Beifeng, I want to go find Yunjiao."

When Bei Feng heard that Yan Shiman was getting married, his mind went blank for a moment, and he still hasn't recovered.

He just stared blankly at the food in front of him.

"North wind?"

Yan Shiman cautiously called his name again and asked, "Are you... alright?"

Bei Feng snapped out of his daze and nodded, his dark eyes unfathomable, his handsome face tense. "Does Miss Chen have a solution?"

He suddenly asked.

"I don't know." Yan Shiman sighed somewhat melancholy, "But I also want to see Yun Jiao. Here's what we'll do: tell His Majesty I have a stomachache and need to go to the restroom, and tell him to go back to the palace first and not wait for me."

Bei Feng frowned slightly. "The Crown Prince is actually going to lie to His Majesty?"

"It's a white lie, besides,"

Yan Shiman turned to look at Beifeng, "Beifeng, I am now your master, and you must obey my orders."

"But what if—"

"Nothing's wrong, I'll be right back." After saying this, Yan Shiman saw a man in a Taoist robe walking towards her, and deliberately clutched her stomach, loudly proclaiming, "Ouch, my stomach hurts so much!"

He then grabbed the Taoist priest's sleeve and asked, "Excuse me, where can I use the restroom?"

"Ah, benefactor, please follow me."

Upon seeing that the inquirer was a distinguished guest whom the abbot had specifically emphasized, the Taoist priest immediately put down what he was holding and made a gesture of bowing to guide him.

Yan Shiman quickly gave Beifeng a look, then nodded and followed the Taoist priest outside.

"Master, are there any fun places around here? I heard that Xuanqing Temple has the oldest library in the capital. Where is it?" Yan Shiman asked as they walked.

"Esteemed benefactor, the library is behind the pond. I can take you there to have a look later," the Taoist priest replied humbly.

Yan Shiman smiled and shook his head, "I won't keep you from eating, Daoist. I'll go there myself later. Also, I heard there's a Qingxin Pavilion inside the temple, which is specifically for imprisoning women who have committed crimes. It shouldn't be around here, right?"

The Taoist priest looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Esteemed benefactor, why do you ask such a question?"

Seeing this young master's dashing appearance, could it be that he has taken a fancy to one of the ladies in Qingxin Pavilion?

Yan Shiman quickly laughed and said, "Daoist Master, please don't misunderstand. I just didn't want to accidentally wander into that troublesome place."

The Taoist priest breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, saying, "Don't worry, benefactor. Qingxin Pavilion is located at the top of the mountain, and it's usually locked. You won't be passing by there."

Yan Shi smiled and said, "Thank you, Daoist Master. You should go back now; I don't like having someone waiting outside when I need to use the restroom."

Upon hearing this, the Taoist priest immediately bowed and went back to have his meal.

Seeing him turn and leave, Yan Shiman hurriedly climbed over the high wall next to the latrine and went outside.

Looking out, there is a lush forest.

The main road up the mountain is impassable; you're very likely to encounter people from Xuanqing Temple.

The best way is to take unpaved roads.

Climbing up from this forest will take you to the mountaintop, where Qingxin Pavilion is located.

—

Just as Shen Yunjiao reached the top of the mountain, panting, and carried the empty basket back to Qingxin Pavilion, she looked up and found the Taoist nun who had opened the door for them yesterday waiting for her at the entrance.

Seeing her return, the Taoist nun immediately stepped forward and took down her basket. "Benefactor Chen, give me this basket. You won't need it anymore."

"What do you mean by that, Master?" Shen Yunjiao asked as she stepped into the courtyard.

Hearing the noise outside, Fu Xia, who had prepared a cup of tea, waited at the door. Just as she approached, she heard the Daoist nun say, "The abbot says that from now on, the women of Qingxin Pavilion will no longer need to chop firewood to exchange for breakfast."

"I see. Then please thank the Daoist Master on my behalf." Shen Yunjiao maintained a calm and serene smile.

Xie He, who had secretly overheard the conversation, came out overjoyed and exclaimed, "That's wonderful!"

It's summer now, so chopping firewood isn't too difficult.

But in winter, the mountaintop is extremely cold. Not only do your hands freeze stiff, but you also have to chop and carry firewood while dressed like a cotton ball. It's an unbearable ordeal.

Now that things are better, Xie He is naturally happy that she won't have to do this grueling work anymore.

She quickly ran to the Taoist nun, took her hand, and said, "Master Pingqing, please convey my thanks to the Abbot."

The nun forced a smile, but her eyes secretly sized up Shen Yunjiao, who was leisurely sipping her herbal tea.

I heard from a fellow Daoist that when this woman went down the mountain to deliver firewood, she was bullied by the cooks. A distinguished guest from the temple saw this and, in a fit of anger, went to the abbot and asked him to uphold justice. The abbot not only expelled the cooks from Xuanqing Temple but also ordered that the women of Qingxin Pavilion be forbidden from continuing to chop and deliver firewood.

The distinguished guest was said to be one of the most important figures in the capital. The fact that he made such a grand show of support for this lady showed how much he valued this matter.

This pure and beautiful woman is probably not someone to be underestimated, and she should not be treated poorly in the future either.

The Taoist nun patted Xie He on the shoulder and said, "If we encounter the abbot, this humble nun will convey Miss Xie's message."

After saying this, she bowed to Shen Yunjiao and the others, then left the courtyard and locked the door.

Shen Yunjiao smiled at Xie He, "From now on, you won't have to work so hard anymore."

Her face was pale, and she looked very frail, a true sickly beauty.

Xie He had originally intended to visit Shen Yunjiao's room, but seeing how exhausted she looked, she quickly said, "Yunjiao, why don't you go back to your room and rest? I'll come back to chat with you two after your afternoon nap."

Shen Yunjiao nodded and asked Fuxia to bring today's breakfast to the table. After washing her hands, she sat down and ate quietly.

Fu Xia watched the girl eat attentively from the side, feeling a sense of relief.

The girl is in a good mood today and is finally able to eat.