Master Changqing sat on the cushion, lost in thought for the time it takes to drink two or three cups of tea, while Xie Ming sat leisurely beside him, drinking tea without any hurry at all.

Finally, the Taoist priest's vacant gaze regained focus, and he asked Xie Ming, "Benefactor Xie, how confident are you in this matter?"

He still didn't want to get involved if it involved the royal family and he wasn't 100% sure.

"That formula can be used on anyone, and you can have someone test the medicine. However, the pills will have miraculous effects when given to the noble ladies in the palace."

"Is this really true!"

Master Changqing stepped forward, his gaze toward Xie Ming unusually sharp.

Xie Ming replied calmly, "Indeed, but Daoist Master, you must set off quickly. If you do not arrive in the capital before the Great Heat, you will miss the celestial maiden."

Seeing Xie Ming's confident assurances, Master Changqing's previous doubts lessened somewhat.

Furthermore, the journey from the town to the capital takes half a month, enough time to find someone to test the medicine. Xie Ming's offer was too tempting, and Daoist Changqing was hesitant.

He also thought that once he entered the capital, he could decide how to speak to the Empress, and as long as he spoke in a mysterious and profound way, who could criticize him?

He gently stroked the whisk in his hand, and suddenly a thought struck him: "Could I bring the Xie family's daughter along?"

Seeing that the other person had softened, Xie Ming immediately replied, "Okay!"

Master Changqing also realized that Xie Ming must have complete confidence, and guessed that he had other plans.

As for whether there was some conspiracy involved, Changqing stopped thinking about it. Fortune favors the bold, and if one is unwilling to take any risks, then he deserves to rot away in Peach Blossom Town. He had already made up his mind to give it a try.

Having reached this point in the conversation, both of them realized their feelings for each other and changed the subject, briefly discussing cultivation methods. They didn't part ways until dusk, reluctantly bidding each other farewell.

Before leaving, Xie Ming returned to the house where his sisters lived, gave them a thorough explanation, and then hurriedly left the Taoist temple.

Xie Lei's trap has been set; that guy will probably only be able to live his life as a little general in the underworld.

We could have waited until the enemy country went before making our move, but this is not in a good position for Wei.

For the sake of his daughter's luxurious life, he should get rid of Xie Lei and find someone else.

In the following days, Xie Ming visited Yunlai Temple three or four more times, and then Master Changqing took Xie Qiuniang to the capital.

With the abbot's protection, Xie Chunniang accepted the divorce papers and the "hush money" from the Li family, and settled down in the temple.

Xie Jiangshi and her two children all visited her, and seeing her gradually regaining her rosy complexion, they were relieved.

After settling his older sister in, Xie Ming settled down at home and started arguing. He was no longer the honest and taciturn man he used to be; he was constantly talking and slapping his hands, making the second wife's family jump around every day.

He subtly manipulated the second wife, leaving Old Lady Xie speechless with bitterness, while providing the otherwise dull villagers with plenty of entertainment.

The villagers were xenophobic to begin with and didn't treat the Xie family well. The women, who didn't care about making trouble, would even side with Xie Ming and stir up trouble, which really made Xie's mother age more than ten years.

Xie Ming didn't expect to attract so many "mommy fans," so he spared no effort in sending out big surprises and perks to his fans.

With the troublemaker around, everyone except Xie Jiangshi and her family was living in misery, thinking every day about dividing the family property as soon as possible.

But Xie Ming, who was having so much fun he forgot all about home, couldn't possibly agree to that. The little rascals weren't even born yet! He had to keep an eye on them!

He's such a scoundrel, only Xie Lei's wife is as steadfast as a rock.

Having only a vague understanding of her past life, she thought Xie Ming was just that "reckless" and that's why he kidnapped her.

Unfortunately, the unborn siblings were preoccupied with reminiscing about their wealth and luxury in the capital, and revealed nothing about how Xie Ming had tricked them.

To avoid being "fooled again," Li Xiaomei pretended that she was carrying twins and stayed in her room every day, refusing to go out. As a result, her already large belly grew even bigger.

The days passed by at a leisurely pace.

Two months later, at the Xuantian Temple in the capital.

Xie Qiuniang, who had settled here, was dressed as a fairy and appeared outside the tea garden gate today with half a basket of fresh tea leaves.

"Madam, you've dropped something."

Xie Qiuniang pretended to pick up the brocade pouch from the ground and hand it to the middle-aged noblewoman who was passing by.

This person was Xie Qiuniang's target—Lady Yao, wife of the Duke of Dingguo.

Madam Yao looked Xie Qiuniang up and down and said with a smile, "Fairy, isn't this me..."

Before she could finish speaking, she was surprised to find that the embroidery stitches on the brocade pouch were almost identical to her own.

If such an item fell into the hands of an outsider, it would surely cause a lot of trouble, but she was also certain that this brocade pouch was definitely not made by her.

After hesitating for a moment, to avoid troubling her, Madam Yao gestured for the nanny next to her to step forward and take it, saying, "I suppose you accidentally left it behind before. Thank you, Fairy."

After bowing to her, Xie Qiuniang carried the tea leaves and walked away.

As soon as the others left, the old woman approached and said, "Madam, there might be something fishy going on here. Should I send someone to investigate?"

"Send a clever one to go inside the temple and find out more."

After speaking, Madam Yao reached out and took the item from the nanny's hand, intending to open it and see what was inside. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't budge the string of the brocade pouch.

"Madam, this can't be..."

Madam Yao fell into deep thought. She knew, of course, that a highly accomplished person had come to the Taoist temple. However, the Taoist priest did not easily see people; even the emperor had to wait in line when he came.

She came today to request an audience, because her sons are going to the enemy country to rescue the third prince of this dynasty.

She had sent her visiting card several times, but the Taoist priest had refused each time. This time, she came to try her luck and see if she could get a peace charm.

Unexpectedly, she received a brocade pouch that resembled her own embroidery skills. Examining the patterns on it closely, she immediately realized it was for protection. Without a doubt, the item must have been given to her by the Taoist priest.

"Offer the temple a thousand taels for incense money, and we'll talk about the rest later!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!