As Ji Fengyao boarded the carriage, one of the old women stepped forward to help her and took the opportunity to slip a small note into Ji Fengyao's hand: "This is from the Imperial Concubine, who asked this old servant to give to the Princess."

Ji Fengyao accepted the gifts and nodded slightly to the old woman.

Once in the car, Ji Fengyao unfolded the note, on which was written a sentence without any beginning or end:

Keep doors and windows tightly closed at night, and avoid going to secluded or quiet places in the woods.

In fact, Ji Fengyao had anticipated that the trip to Jin'an Temple would not be peaceful, but the fact that Consort Yin chose to warn her at this time was a timely help if she were an ordinary woman.

She accepted this favor.

Ji Fengyao held the note in her palm, burned it to ashes with extreme heat, and sprinkled it into the incense burner.

At this time, the carriage had already arrived at the east gate.

The Empress Dowager's carriage arrived just then.

According to custom, Ji Fengyao was to get out of the carriage and pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

But the people outside waited for a long time without any movement from inside the car.

“Miss, this princess…” one of the old women asked Xique with a puzzled look.

The magpie looked impatient: "Go to sleep, what are you doing? Aren't we in a hurry to get going? Aren't we going?"

The old nanny: "..."

The Empress Dowager, who was in the carriage ahead, knew Ji Fengyao's temper. After waiting for a long time without seeing her, she knew that the bandits would not come.

If we force her to come, she will definitely not be able to go to Jin'an Temple.

Damn bandit!

Once things are settled, we can deal with her slowly and thoroughly!

The Empress Dowager harbored resentment in her heart, but her voice remained calm and composed: "Alright, let's set off."

Jin'an Temple is located deep in the mountains more than ten miles east of Kyoto.

The surrounding mountains are vast and boundless, with a clear stream flowing down their slopes.

The secluded mountains are tranquil, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers; it's quite a scenic resort.

Jin'an Temple rarely receives outsiders; it exists almost exclusively for the imperial family.

Most of the expenses were covered by donations from the royal family, and occasionally "favors" were granted to the extremely wealthy and powerful.

After the carriage arrived, the Empress Dowager got off first.

Ji Fengyao, however, remained silent.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager had come down to wait, the old nanny became somewhat anxious and whispered into the carriage, "Princess Chonghe...?"

"If you disturb my young lady's sleep again, I'll tear your mouth off!" Magpie glared angrily.

The old nanny looked aggrieved: "Young lady, look, even the Empress Dowager has gotten out of the carriage..."

Xi Que glanced at the Empress Dowager dismissively, then hastily bowed to her from afar and said, "My young lady has been missing her husband since he went to war. She hasn't slept well for two nights, but she's sleeping soundly tonight, which is rare. Your Majesty, please don't wait for my young lady. You may make your own way!"

The old nanny: "..."

The group of eminent monks who came to greet them: "..."

Even the Emperor cannot allow the Empress Dowager to do as she pleases;

Who is this girl, that she dares to tell the Empress Dowager to do as she pleases?!

The Empress Dowager felt a stinging embarrassment and was furious, but she knew that these two bandits were quick to anger and would lose their temper at the slightest provocation. For the sake of her and the Emperor's grand plan, she would endure it!

"Then let her sleep first, Master Xuanci. Please leave a few young monks here to wait until Princess Chonghe wakes up, then take her to the meditation room to rest." The Empress Dowager smiled kindly, her face showing that of a kind and benevolent old lady.

Master Xuanci had a long face and drooping ears, the appearance and demeanor of a standard enlightened high monk. He spoke as if reciting scriptures, which had a pretentious effect: "I respectfully obey the Empress Dowager's decree. The Empress Dowager is kind and benevolent, and is kind to juniors and all living beings. It is truly a blessing for all the people of Dazhao. Empress Dowager, please come this way first. The meditation room has been cleaned and prepared for you."