As night deepened, snow began to fall.
Eunuch Wang walked out of the Sutra Repository with a sullen face.
It is unknown what Dao Ci said to him, but he flicked his sleeves and looked sinister.
“These days, we have sent people to keep a close watch on His Highness the Prince of Qishan. Since he wishes to cultivate in seclusion, I will grant his wish.”
.
Qi Su was unaware of Dao Ci's situation and didn't care much about it.
Her life has been much better lately. Since the secret rendezvous at night, Jingrou has not been so strict with her.
You can walk around Qingyun Nunnery and talk to the nuns.
Qi Su took the opportunity of making some desserts, and Guan Jingrou asked for a bunch of rice, flour, and dried fruit.
Whether the monk eats or not is unimportant; she has to eat. She's still very weak and needs a lot of nourishment.
After several days of recuperation, Qi Su's health has improved slightly.
I feel a bit better and am no longer sleepy all day.
Its skills have also recovered. It has evolved from not being able to kill even one chicken to being able to barely kill two chickens, which is truly gratifying.
Qingyun Nunnery is such a small place, but it houses twenty or thirty people.
But interpersonal relationships are no simpler than those outside.
Although both were women sent to nunneries by their families, Qi Su had a particularly bad reputation.
The young widow, who had just lost her husband and was already entangled with other men, was looked down upon even in the nunnery.
At first, no one paid any attention to Qi Su.
But she was shameless and always struck up conversations with a smile. She was also close to Jingrou, the abbess's disciple, and always had things that others didn't have.
Gradually, out of consideration for the rice, grain, oil, and charcoal, everyone became willing to tolerate her.
…
It's been snowing heavily these past few days, and the weather is getting colder, so Qi Su is too lazy to move. This time, her task is simply to make a batch of steamed buns.
She didn't do it herself, but asked the young nun Jinghe for help.
The freshly steamed white flour buns, with their rich wheat aroma and steam, made the little nun swallow hard.
Qi Su wrapped two steamed buns and handed them to her.
Jinghe looked around to make sure no one was watching, then quickly stuffed the steamed bun into her arms.
He said in a low voice, "I've already asked around about that monk Daoci you mentioned."
A native of the capital, he came to Huatan Temple two years ago.
He said he had a hidden illness and came here to learn medicine from the head monk of Huatan Temple.
In the warmer spring and summer months, he was often seen gathering herbs in the back mountains, and many nuns had bumped into him.
This man was very knowledgeable about Buddhist principles; none of the monks in the temple, young or old, could argue with him.
By the way, he's good-looking. Before the snow, young women and wives in Jincheng always liked to come here to have their fortunes interpreted.
Qi Su nodded after listening.
Seeking medical treatment for a hidden ailment is quite in line with Dao Ci's identity.
.
The security at Huatan Temple is tighter than before.
In the past, local residents would come to burn incense, but recently, not a single worshipper has been seen.
There were many unfamiliar faces and people whose demeanor did not resemble that of monks patrolling the temple.
After delivering the steamed buns, Qi Su did not go straight back.
Instead, they were led to the Guanyin Hall by the young novice monk.
"Please wait here for a moment, benefactor. Someone will come to see you soon."
Inside the Guanyin Hall of Huatan Temple, a Bodhisattva holding a lotus flower sits serenely on the altar, with a compassionate and solemn expression.
Qi Su lit an incense stick in front of the Buddha.
When the incense had burned halfway through, a middle-aged man with a fair complexion, no beard, a slightly plump build, and a string of Buddhist prayer beads wrapped around his wrist emerged from the back hall of the Guanyin Hall.
Jingrou followed silently behind that person.
"Third Sister Qi, are you getting used to the climate in Jincheng?"
Qi Su recognized him at a glance.
This guy must be from the capital. After all, it's not easy to find a man with such a distinctive voice and smooth, fair skin.
Qi Su lowered her eyes and replied obediently, "Thank you for your concern, sir. I'm adapting quite well."
Eunuch Wang laughed.
"Jincheng has barren land and a dry climate, so it's a pity for this beautiful young lady. I heard that you have been married in Jincheng for more than half a year now, and your family in the capital must be very worried about you."
Qi Su lowered her eyelashes, her voice carrying a perfectly measured sense of melancholy.
"I miss my aunt very much."
Eunuch Wang said, “Your aunt suffered quite a bit because of what you did before. Fortunately, Heaven has been kind to you. You lost your husband, and now a tremendous opportunity has fallen into your lap. If things go well, your aunt will not only be able to hold her head high in the Changping Marquis’s mansion, but she will also enjoy boundless prestige in the entire capital.”
Qi Su: "What is it you are referring to, sir?"
Eunuch Wang said, “King Qishan is currently practicing at Huatan Temple, as you have seen before. This opportunity has fallen on King Qishan. If you can persuade King Qishan to change his mind and leave the Buddhist order, you will surely be granted the title of a concubine.”
Oh ho, so this is the first thing they've offered as a bribe.
Qi Su: "I dare not think too much. I only wish to return to the capital as soon as possible and reunite with my family."
Eunuch Wang held his prayer beads, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
"Don't worry, your aunt is fine."
As he spoke, he waved his hand.
Jingrou handed a small wooden box she was holding to Qi Su.
"A letter from Aunt Ji to you."
Qi Su stared at the small wooden box for a moment before taking it.
Jingrou said expressionlessly, "Aunt Ji has already taken the Corpse Worm Pill. She needs to take the antidote every ten days. Otherwise, the corpse worms will devour her body, causing her unbearable pain."
Qi Su's face turned pale, and the wooden box in her hand clattered to the ground.
This wasn't an act; it was her genuine reaction to the excruciating pain in her chest.
Eunuch Wang was very pleased with her expression.
"Madam Qi, there is no need to worry. This is just a temporary measure. Once Madam Qi and the Prince of Qishan leave Jincheng and return to Ganjing, your aunt will be safe and sound."
Qi Su's nose was red and her eyes were glistening with tears.
"Sir, as long as my aunt doesn't suffer, I'm willing to do anything you ask."
Eunuch Wang patted her on the shoulder.
"Good child, then you must persuade the King of Qishan. In times of crisis, using some methods and medicines is not a big deal. Remember, the sooner the better. Although this Corpse Worm Pill is not life-threatening for the time being, taking too much will eventually be bad for your health."
Qi Su clicked her tongue in disbelief.
Oh, the wronged monk, it seems this is the will of Heaven.
I'm afraid I'll have to make do with this for now.
Don't worry, once your strength is restored, I will avenge you.
.
As we left Huatan Temple, the snow fell even heavier.
Qi Su was absent-minded and almost bumped into someone when she entered the back gate of Qingyun Temple.
Looking up, I saw it was a man.
The back gate of Qingyun Temple is secluded and rarely visited by people.
How come men can come to a nunnery?
The man was dressed in fine clothes, with a gold belt around his waist and a fox fur cloak, and stared intently at Qi Su.
A nun in blue robes hurriedly came out of the nunnery with a cold expression.
"Master Chen, it's time to pay the incense money for this month. Otherwise, those two young ladies inside won't have enough to eat."
Qi Su ignored the two and went straight into the nunnery.
The man in the fox fur coat was still staring at her retreating figure, mesmerized.
"That's the young widow from the Sun family in Jincheng, isn't it?"
…
Back in her room at Qingyun Temple, Qi Su dragged a wooden stool to the window and opened the wooden box in the daylight.
Inside, besides a letter, there was also a small packet of osmanthus sugar.
The faint, sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms filled the dimly lit nunnery.
A very familiar scent.
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