Ling Mo looked at Jiang Huaiyu, sighed, and said softly, "Sister Jiang, I was quite uneasy when I heard that you and Bai Yujing had divorced. Seeing you safe and sound today, I can finally rest assured."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly, but a trace of weariness could not be hidden in her eyes. She said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Sister Ling. I have indeed gone through a rather difficult time. But now, I have found solace in the Taoist temple."
A hint of curiosity flashed in Ling Mo's eyes. She walked over to Jiang Huaiyu, sat down, and asked softly, "Sister Jiang, now that your marriage with Bai Yujing has ended, what are your plans for the future?"
Jiang Huaiyu lowered his head slightly, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "Actually, I have been thinking about this question for a long time. Ever since my divorce from Bai Yujing, I have been looking for a place where my mind can find peace. This place is this Taoist temple."
Ling Mo nodded slightly and said, "I understand. A Taoist temple is indeed a place where one can purify the soul and escape the troubles of the world. But Sister Jiang, you are still a woman after all. Can you really adapt to living in a Taoist temple for a long time?"
Jiang Huaiyu raised her head, looking at Ling Mo with a firm gaze, and said, "Sister Ling, do you know? In this Taoist temple, I have found inner peace. I have decided to cultivate here and seek spiritual liberation. As for the future, I think I will become a Taoist nun and spend the rest of my life comprehending the true meaning of Taoism."
Ling Mo was somewhat moved by what she heard. She looked at Jiang Huaiyu with respect in her eyes and asked, "Sister Jiang, is there any possibility that you and Bai Yujing can get back together?"
Jiang Huaiyu shook her head gently, a bitter smile flashing across her face: "There's no going back between us. Divorce might be a relief for us. And he has a new life now. I wish him well and hope he can find his own happiness."
Ling Mo listened silently, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Just then, Master Qiu suddenly poked his head out of the window, pointed at Jiang Huaiyu's eyebrows, and said in a serious tone, "Miss Jiang, there is a sickly look between your eyebrows, it looks like you have suffered."
Upon hearing this, Ling Mo immediately looked at Jiang Huaiyu with concern and asked, "Huaiyu, are you alright?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly, trying to hide her discomfort, and said softly, "I'm fine, I'm just a little weak, you don't need to worry about me."
Master Qiu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Huaiyu with keen eyes, and said with concern, "In that case, I will examine you to see if you are truly alright."
In the Taoist temple's reception room, Ling Mo, Jiang Huaiyu, and Master Qiu sat facing each other. Master Qiu took out a silver needle and gently inserted it into Jiang Huaiyu's pulse, carefully examining her.
After a moment, Master Qiu put away the silver needles and said with a serious expression, "Miss Jiang, your illness is quite serious. There is evil energy lingering in your body. If you do not treat it in time, it may leave hidden dangers."
Jiang Huaiyu was pale, but still forced a smile and said, "Master Qiu, I know I am not feeling well, but I don't want to trouble you."
Ling Mo couldn't help but interject, "Huaiyu, why are you forcing yourself? Master Qiu is an expert in this field, and his medical skills are superb. Why don't you let him help with the treatment?"
Master Qiu looked at Jiang Huaiyu and said firmly, "Miss Jiang, I am willing to treat you for free until you are fully recovered."
Jiang Huaiyu looked at Master Qiu with emotion, tears glistening in her eyes.
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and said, "In that case, I will return to Fushun Town first to take care of the affairs of the academy. The matters in the capital should also be settled."
Upon hearing this, Ling Mo's eyes flashed with gratitude. He then bowed deeply and said, "Miss Jiang's trip has truly benefited the region. With the academy nearing completion and your oversight, I can finally rest assured."
Jiang Huaiyu waved his hand gently and said with a smile, "Young Master Ling, you flatter me. I was merely doing my best to contribute my meager strength to the academy. By the way, Daoist Qiu, what do you think?"
Master Qiu smiled slightly, his eyes revealing approval, and said, "Miss Jiang's trip has truly won the hearts of the people. With you in charge of the academy's affairs, I can rest assured."
As the three were talking, Yingxiang and Deng Shen walked in. Upon seeing Jiang Huaiyu, they both smiled happily. Jiang Huaiyu smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Master Qiu, you see, Yingxiang and Deng Shen are both here. Their cooking skills are much better than mine. Why don't we let them take charge?"
Master Qiu smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Miss Jiang is right. I'll have them go and cook right away."
Looking at Jiang Huaiyu, Ling Mo couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. He recalled the scene when he first met Jiang Huaiyu in the capital. Back then, she was a frail scholar, but now she had become so resilient and independent.
Jiang Huaiyu seemed to see through Ling Mo's thoughts and smiled, "Young Master Ling, are you lamenting the passage of time and how things have changed?"
Ling Mo was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Miss Jiang is indeed very perceptive. I was thinking about those things. However, no matter how time changes, my respect for you will never change."
Ling Mo took a sip of tea and said with a relaxed expression, "Miss Jiang, do you remember what I mentioned to you last time?"
Jiang Huaiyu nodded slightly, a hint of doubt in her eyes: "You mean, the thing you told me about keeping my whereabouts a secret last time?"
Ling Mo smiled slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "Exactly. Although I've taken some of it to heart, I haven't completely believed it. That's why I received an invitation from Princess Linchuan's residence not long after I arrived in the capital."
Jiang Huaiyu was slightly surprised, her brows furrowing: "Are you telling the truth? An invitation from Princess Linchuan's residence is not so easy to obtain."
At this moment, the two were sitting in a quiet side room of the Taoist temple. Inside, there was an eight-immortal table with several simple tea sets on it. Outside the window, the temple bells rang melodiously, giving a sense of tranquility.
Ling Mo chuckled and said, "Of course it's true. The reason I was exposed and received the princess's invitation was because I rallied the people to plead for Miss Jiang last time."
A look of understanding flashed in Jiang Huaiyu's eyes, and she sighed softly: "I understand now. So it was your call to action by the common people that caught the attention of Princess Linchuan."
Ling Mo nodded seriously: "Yes. The power of the common people is an undeniable force for the imperial power. Princess Linchuan naturally wants to understand the situation among the common people through me."
Jiang Huaiyu nodded slightly, looking at Ling Mo with a hint of gratitude in her eyes: "Thank you, Ling Mo. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have known that I had already attracted the attention of Princess Linchuan."
Ling Mo shook his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips: "Miss Jiang, you're too kind. There's no need for thanks between us. However, how do you plan to deal with the Princess's invitation this time?"
Jiang Huaiyu was silent for a moment. She looked at the sky outside the window with a firm gaze: "Now that I have attracted the attention of Princess Linchuan, I naturally cannot avoid it. I will attend the banquet at the princess's residence and personally pay my respects to the princess."
A hint of admiration flashed in Ling Mo's eyes. He said softly, "Miss Jiang is indeed courageous. However, this banquet is no small matter, so you must be careful."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly, a hint of confidence in her eyes: "Don't worry, Ling Mo. Since I dare to go, I naturally have a plan."
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