In fact, Qin Su already knew, so she could only try to make amends.

"I mentioned to my brother that the official examinations would be conducted ahead of schedule this year. Even if we don't test Mengde today, it won't have any impact."

Qin Su: "..."

Okay, so this is the downside of the two people not sharing information.

Moreover, since she was going to the yamen to beat the drum, a petition was inevitable, and she overlooked this point.

Qin Su couldn't help but feel annoyed. She collapsed onto the bed, "This is so troublesome, my brain is about to explode."

Yu Shuo dried the water droplets on her feet with a handkerchief and said to her, "Take your time."

Qin Su covered her face with the blanket, but quickly stopped feeling annoyed. Annoyance was the most useless emotion. She got up and asked Yu Shuo, "When are we going back to the capital?"

Yu Shuo let Chongyang come in and pour out the water, then sat down and said, "Let's do it in a few days. According to custom, the hunting in the Western Hills lasts for half a month. It shouldn't be too far off."

"The first seven days are spent hunting in the Western Hills, and the next seven days are spent praying at the Western Hills Temple. This has always been the custom."

Qin Su raised an eyebrow. Did this mean that the first seven days were for killing animals, and the next seven days for performing rituals to help them pass on?

Time passed quickly afterward, and nothing unexpected happened. It seemed the events of the past two days had no impact whatsoever. Xue Huai'an hadn't appeared, presumably recuperating from his injuries, and Qin Su hadn't visited him. She spent most of her time with the Empress Dowager.

Seven days later, the large group headed to Xishan Temple.

Qin Su learned about the temple from the Empress Dowager. It is said that emperors throughout history have highly praised Xishan Temple. The monks in Xishan Temple are particularly accurate in fortune telling. They generally do not leave the world, but they will come down the mountain if the country encounters any major danger.

Legend has it that three hundred years ago, there was a tyrannical and dissolute emperor who caused great suffering to the people. At that time, the emperor changed hands and invaded. The monks of Xishan Temple went down the mountain to support democracy and resist the barbarians.

After the internal and external troubles were quelled, these monks refused the new emperor's rewards and returned to Xishan Temple wearing only their monk's robes.

If any major problems arise later, the monks of Xishan Temple will come down the mountain, but they will come down very rarely.

Qin Su had no interest in Buddhism or Taoism, but she was quite fond of Taoism.

When Emperor Mingyang went to see the abbot, he also invited Qin Su and Yu Shuo along, saying that he wanted the abbot to recognize them.

Qin Su felt completely bewildered. Did she really need a monk to recognize her face? But since the emperor had spoken, Qin Su had no choice but to comply.

The host was very tall and, despite his age, was still very energetic. His eyes, in particular, were calm and kind, but made people hesitant to look into them for long.

Qin Su made eye contact with the host out of curiosity, but as time went on, she felt flustered and at a loss.

The host smiled at Emperor Mingyang and said, "Princess Consort Chen is a woman of great fortune."

Emperor Mingyang took it as a compliment and didn't mind. "I feel a little guilty for bothering you again."

These are just empty words. How could the Emperor of Da'an feel guilty about something like this?

The abbot said, "Your Majesty is too kind to this humble monk. The meditation room has been arranged; please come this way, Your Majesty."

He personally escorted Emperor Mingyang back to his meditation room, chatting about interesting things that had happened in the past few years along the way. He always appeared gentle and indifferent, making it impossible for anyone to feel any ill will towards him.

After circling around, Qin Su was surprised to find that the person walking towards her looked very familiar. Upon closer inspection, she realized that it could be anyone but Tao Rong.

She was also holding the hand of a young child who looked timid.

Tao Rong seemed surprised to encounter Emperor Mingyang as well. She pulled the child aside and bowed silently. This action was unassuming, as if she did not want to attract Emperor Mingyang's attention.

But her appearance at Xishan Temple at this time was already strange.

When emperors traveled, the area was cleared out, so no one else would stay there.

Why is she here?

"Are there other pilgrims here?" Emperor Mingyang glanced at Tao Rong, who had already walked past, and asked the abbot beside him.

The abbot smiled and said, "This female benefactor is on good terms with me. She also has a connection with Xishan Temple, so she often comes to the temple."

That's what they say, but that doesn't justify staying here when the emperor is traveling.

The abbot seemed to have seen through Emperor Mingyang's thoughts and smiled calmly, "This woman is destined to be with you all, so this humble monk did not stop her."

Qin Su: "..." If you drive people away, how can there be any chance of fate? If you can't even see this person, then there's no such thing as fate.

As she was thinking, the host's gaze fell on her.

"The connections between people are truly wondrous. We may not meet today, but we will always bump into each other for various reasons tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or even in the future."

Qin Su: "..." Can this old man read her mind?

Emperor Mingyang told the abbot about what had happened at the hunting grounds a few days ago, but the abbot seemed not to have expected it and only said that fate was wonderful.

Because of the host's words, Emperor Mingyang actually took notice of the woman who unexpectedly appeared at the hunting ground. In terms of appearance, she was indeed outstanding. However, Emperor Mingyang was not the kind of person who would bring someone into his harem just because of their appearance.

The abbot of Xishan Temple has never been wrong in his judgment; this woman is truly destined for him.

Without giving it much thought, Emperor Mingyang didn't take the matter too seriously.

He summoned Deng Quan to inquire about the Empress's condition.

He brought the Empress along when he came to Xishan for the hunt, but she caught a cold there and hasn't fully recovered yet, so she hasn't gone out much during that time.

...

Qin Su and Yu Shuo returned to the meditation room, and she couldn't help but complain about the abbot of Xishan Temple again, "Do you think that old man might also be in contact with Xue Huai'an?"

Otherwise, why would they speak up for Xue Huai'an?

Qin Su had never heard of this in her previous life, but she heard that Xue Huai'an often went to Xishan Temple in the year she died, but she didn't know what he was doing there.

Yu Shuo straightened her legs, preventing her from sitting cross-legged, and explained gently, "What the princess said is impossible. Xishan Temple has never favored anyone."

They did it all for the sake of the country and its people.

One person alone doesn't have that much face.

Qin Su believed Yu Shuo's words, but...

"Don't you think it's strange that Tao Rong is here? That's not quite right. To be precise, it's strange that Tao Rong can stay here. To ensure His Majesty's safety, other worshippers shouldn't be allowed in the temple."

Yu Shuo responded, not denying Qin Su's words.

But why are things different again?

"Perhaps this person has a very good personal relationship with the host, and as he said, this person is destined to be with us, so we let him stay."

This is the only explanation; for more details, you'll have to ask the host privately.

As long as the abbot isn't on Xue Huai'an's side, it's fine. She doesn't want to target Xishan Temple; it's a temple that can protect the country and its people, so it's best to keep it.

A soft knock came from outside. It was Chongyang's voice: "Your Highness, Your Highness, a monk has come to invite Your Highness. He says the abbot has invited you."

Qin Su and Yu Shuo, who were in the inner room, looked at each other, feeling puzzled by this sudden occurrence.

Why invite Qin Su? And why wasn't Yu Shuo mentioned?