Liao Liao originally refused to believe Gan Qiongying, after all, Gan Qiongying had a bad reputation. The young lady from a high-class family who tore the sleeve of the monk Dingzhen might be easy to deal with, but the princess of the current dynasty was really difficult to deal with.

Gan Qiongying repeatedly assured that she definitely did not have any evil intentions towards Dingzhen. She said, "I just think he chants the sutras quite well, which can refresh people's minds and calm their hearts. I will give him some money, and he can chant the sutras for me when I come again in the future."

Liao Liao initially refused to believe it, so Gan Qiongying pinched his cheek with her fingers and looked him straight in the eye, saying, "Look into my eyes. Do you believe those rumors outside? Would someone like me be a lewd person?"

Gan Qiongying's eyes were indeed... clear and bright as long as she wasn't looking at Li Hua, without any lewdness or evil in them, with distinct black and white, as clear as autumn water.

Moreover, she truly had no impure thoughts towards Dingzhen, and Gan Qiongying knew that Princess Duanrong did not either; Princess Duanrong must have been interested in other aspects of Dingzhen.

Liao Liao was quite wary and very protective of her senior brother. Gan Qiongying tried to reason with her, saying, "Your senior brother is so short of money right now. If he weren't so short of money, he wouldn't have had his sleeve tugged by the young lady, would he?"

Liao Liao's eyelids twitched; Gan Qiongying had indeed guessed correctly.

Previously, my senior brother never cared about donations from worshippers, but recently a large number of refugees have been taken in from the back mountain of the temple, and the abbot of the temple is no longer willing to contribute money. That's why my senior brother Dingzhen personally stepped forward to accept the incense offerings.

Unexpectedly, the young lady's intention was not to make a donation, but to elope with Dingzhen.

"Don't worry, would I, a princess, deceive a mere novice monk like you?"

"Lead the way."

Liao Liao eventually led the way. They went down the path behind the mountain and walked for about fifteen minutes. After passing through a densely wooded area, Gan Qiongying saw the gathering place of the refugees.

This place should also belong to Qingshan Temple, but it has been abandoned. There are ruins everywhere, and even the roofs are open to the elements, but many refugees still gather here.

It looks like a refugee camp.

Meanwhile, the monk Dingzhen was moving among these people, carrying a huge bucket in one hand and a long-handled spoon in the other. He would walk up to the people and, whenever someone brought out a bowl, Dingzhen would scoop a spoonful of porridge from the bucket and carefully put it into the bowl.

Sometimes they would receive a thank you, but other times the group of refugees wouldn't even glance at Dingzhen. Numbness, hunger, and the hardships of wandering had worn away all their spirit.

Dingzhen didn't mind at all. She spoke softly to everyone, and the same mouth that could calm people when she asked, "Is this enough?" brought the same peace of mind.

Gan Qiongying did not barge directly into the refugee camp. Although her attire was simple, it was still elegant.

She wouldn't cause trouble for herself, and she knew that people are capable of anything when they're in dire straits; human nature is the most vulnerable thing to temptation.

Liao Liao clearly understood this principle, and he was afraid that Gan Qiongying would insist on going over there regardless of the consequences.

Some young ladies and gentlemen who had wanted to donate earlier entered the camp and had their jade pendants snatched from their waists. Some were terrified, while others angrily turned and left on the spot, never to return.

After Gan Qiongying stopped, Liao Liao hurriedly said, "I'll go help the noble lady... help the princess call me, my senior brother."

"Just pretend you don't know my identity. There's no need to stammer. What use is it for a monk to know court etiquette?"

Liao Liao was relieved, worried that he might be offended if he didn't know how to address someone properly.

Gan Qiongying stood behind a hillside waiting. There was a long-abandoned pavilion there. It was drafty on all sides and no refugees lived there. However, the stones were clean and there was a pot of tea on it, so people used to live there.

Liao Liao returned quickly after a short while.

Gan Qiongying stood up and looked behind him, and sure enough, Dingzhen had followed.

Gan Qiongying turned to Manyue and said, "I have something to tell the little monk Dingzhen. Go and keep an eye on things for me."

"What are you looking at?" Manyue asked, confused. "This servant cannot leave the princess here alone!"

"What could possibly happen here? Besides, you know I have bodyguards with me."

"I'm asking you to keep an eye on those two maids who are in charge of watching over the prince consort. They absolutely mustn't find out that I'm meeting with Dingzhen in private, understand?"

Gan Qiongying's expression was particularly serious, partly because she really couldn't let Li Hua know, and partly to scare Manyue into going further away.

These words must not be heard by Manyue, because Gan Qiongying never intended to take Manyue with her through her wanderings.

Nineteen years old might be considered a bit old in this era, but in Gan Qiongying's eyes, she was as beautiful as a flower in full bloom.

At such a young age, she decided not to delay her any longer. Moreover, this time she was taking the emperor with her, their fates unknown and uncertain. Gan Qiongying was very grateful to Manyue for taking care of her.

Letting Full Moon leave her is the best compensation.

Seeing how serious Gan Qiongying was, and considering that Gan Qiongying did indeed have shadow guards by her side, and that the area was open and there was no danger except for those refugees, Man Yue realized that there was no danger.

Manyue then retreated far away as Gan Qiongying had instructed. When Gan Qiongying estimated that Manyue could no longer hear, she nodded to her. Manyue stood there, keeping a watchful eye on everything around her.

At this moment, Liao Liao also brought the young monk Ding Zhen to the dilapidated pavilion. Ding Zhen put his palms together in front of Gan Qiongying, bowed steadily, and said, "This humble monk greets the princess."

"Go on, the porridge hasn't been distributed yet."

Liao Liao was a little worried that Gan Qiongying might also pull on Zhen's sleeve, but she wouldn't go against her senior brother's wishes, so she quickly ran away.

Inside the dilapidated pavilion, only Gan Qiongying and Dingzhen remained.

Gan Qiongying looked at Dingzhen, and before she could figure out how to express her meaning accurately and concisely, the monk Dingzhen spoke first.

"The princess has already found her destined one, and this humble monk has nothing more to help her. May I ask why the princess has come today?"