The young novice monk pondered for a moment, then turned and left. He returned shortly afterward, bowing and leading the way: "My master is in the Zen temple on the back mountain. Please follow me."

Xin Jiuwei followed him inside, wondering what Jue Ming was thinking. She was clearly working for him, carrying the life-or-death antidote, yet he didn't even look at her.

Does that mean he won't let her enter openly through the front door? After all, she's now part of his secret.

The Zen temple is hidden deep in the bamboo forest, with white walls and black tiles. In front of the gate, an ancient plum tree has not yet reached its flowering season, and its branches are as hard as iron.

Xin Jiuwei straightened her clothes outside the door and deliberately turned her left cheek to the bright light—although the red mark left by Xue Yingxue's slap had faded most of its length, a faint trace could still be seen in the sunlight.

"Come in." A cold voice came from inside the door.

The meditation room was dimly lit. Jueming sat cross-legged on a futon, still dressed in his plain white monk's robe, his features handsome yet cold as ice. Before him lay a game of chess, the black and white pieces locked in a life-or-death struggle.

Xin Jiuwei bowed gracefully: "Master."

Jueming didn't even raise his head, gently dropping a black stone between his fingers.

Xin Jiuwei took out a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Jiuwei has not failed in her mission."

The chess piece landed on the chessboard with a "thud," but Jueming did not respond. A figure silently landed in front of Xin Jiuwei and reached out to take the porcelain bottle.

Xin Jiuwei glanced at the person; it was Liu Ya.

Liu Ya poured the antidote into his palm, smelled it himself first, and then handed it to Jue Ming.

Jueming finally raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife: "All of them?"

“Half.” Xin Jiuwei looked directly into his eyes, her voice soft yet firm. “The divine physician said that taking half of it would suppress the poison in the body for at least six months. Your Highness is intelligent and wise; these six months will allow Your Highness to do many things without distraction.”

The air in the meditation room suddenly froze. Jueming tapped the chessboard lightly with his fingers: "You've even learned the art of restraint. Everyone underestimated you."

"Just trying to survive." Xin Jiuwei lowered her eyes and smiled bitterly. "I have nothing to lose, and my life is entirely in Your Highness's hands. I have to think of some way to save my life."

As she spoke, she deliberately turned her face to the side so that Jueming could see the slap mark on her face. "I am not as invincible as Your Highness, but even if it is difficult, even if others think I am useless, I still want to live."

"As Your Highness can see, I am now surrounded by enemies on all sides. How can I not have some means to save my life?"

"If Your Highness were in my situation, you could understand."

Jueming finally turned his face, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before quickly returning to the chessboard.

Xin Jiuwei immediately saw his sleeve move slightly, even his waving gesture was slight, but the divination stick container in front of the Buddhist shrine fell to her by itself.