After leaving Lingqing Temple, Su Xuening took a carriage back to the Holy King's Mansion.
When they arrived at the city gate, Su Xuening subconsciously lifted the curtain, but she did not see Xuan Yuanzhan today.
A wave of disappointment washed over her, and Su Xuening gave a bitter smile.
I told myself to keep my distance from him, isn't that good enough? Why am I still feeling disappointed?
Su Xuening gently lowered the curtain, closed her eyes, and leaned against the carriage wall, not wanting to think about anything anymore.
There are only two more days left; she probably only has these two days of peace and quiet.
Upon returning to the Holy King's Mansion, Su Xuening did not see Xuan Yuanzhan, but she did not inquire about it and went directly back to the main house to wash up.
When Xuan Yuanzhan returned from Mu Lingchen's place, he saw that the main house was lit up.
She's back?
Xuan Yuanzhan instinctively wanted to knock on the door, but upon hearing the sound of water inside, he withdrew his outstretched hand.
Is she taking a bath?
Thinking of something, Xuan Yuanzhan ultimately didn't disturb Su Xuening and tactfully went back to his room first.
Xuanyuan Zhan went back to his room to change his clothes. When he came out again to look for Su Xuening, the lights in the room went out again.
Is this a break?
Xuan Yuanzhan sighed, thinking that she must be exhausted from traveling to various temples for days, so he decided not to go in and disturb her.
Xuan Yuanzhan was curious about what Su Xuening did at the temple every day, making him so tired, so he went to the study and called Ye Xue.
"Your Highness." Ye Xue appeared and bowed to Xuan Yuanzhan.
"Have you been with the Princess these past few days?" Xuan Yuanzhan asked, looking at her.
"Yes," Ye Xue replied with a bow.
"Ahem~" Xuan Yuanzhan coughed lightly, as if embarrassed, and asked in a low voice, "Do you know why the Princess goes to the temple every day?"
Ye Xue looked at Xuan Yuanzhan in astonishment, as if she couldn't understand why he would knowingly commit such a crime.
Xuanyuan Zhan felt even more guilty under Ye Xue's gaze and explained, "I was just curious, I didn't mean anything by it."
"I don't know," Ye Xue replied expressionlessly.
Even if she knew, she couldn't say it.
Although he had long guessed that Ye Xue wouldn't say, it seemed that he couldn't give up until he asked her this question.
Now that's alright, he can finally give up.
Xuanyuan Zhan waved his hand at Ye Xue: "Alright, you may leave. Recently, the Princess Consort has been going out without Ye Yu. Please pay attention and make sure to protect the Princess Consort."
"Yes," Ye Xue replied, and then left gracefully.
Not getting the answer he wanted, Xuan Yuanzhan pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
How about I follow her for a whole day tomorrow?
Pooh!
The idea had barely formed when Xuan Yuanzhan rejected it himself.
How could he do something so tasteless!
Didn't she already say she'd tell him in three days? One day has already passed, there are only two days left, what's there to be impatient about?
Long Jiaojiao arrived in Dongchu, and the matter of the Love Flower Gu resurfaced, along with Su Xuening's situation. Xuan Yuanzhan had many worries on his mind, and since he was a bit light-sleeping, he tossed and turned in the side room, unable to sleep.
He didn't know how he finally fell asleep, but when he woke up again, Su Xuening had already left the mansion.
Frustrated at missing it again, Xuan Yuanzhan asked Ye Yun at the door, "Which temple did the Princess visit today?"
"This..." This question really stumped Ye Yun: "This subordinate doesn't know either. Should this subordinate go and inquire?"
The princess hasn't informed the dowager princess about her outings these past two days, so he hasn't received any news from her.
"never mind."
Xuan Yuanzhan thought of what he had talked to Su Xuening before, and how he had agreed to give her two more days. He shouldn't have pushed her too hard.
Bailong Temple.
It took Su Xuening two hours to travel by carriage to reach Bailong Temple. Looking at the pilgrims coming and going, Su Xuening was somewhat stunned.
As expected, it is the largest temple in Kyoto, and its incense is truly thriving.
She should have come earlier, but she started by checking the temples around Longya Mountain. Because Bailong Temple is a bit far from Longya Mountain, Longya Mountain was not her turn until now.
The young novice's words yesterday gave her a glimmer of hope, so she made an exception today and came to investigate Hakuryu-ji Temple first.
As usual, Su Xuening first went to the main hall to offer incense and donate some money for incense oil before going to find Master Daoyi, the abbot of Bailong Temple.
There were many pilgrims who came to listen to Master Daoyi's sermon, so Su Xuening waited outside for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before it was her turn to go in.
"Master." When Su Xuening entered the room, Master Daoyi was striking a wooden fish.
From the moment she went outside to wait, the sound of the wooden fish drum inside the room never stopped.
"Amitabha, what troubles you, benefactor?" Sure enough, Master Daoyi did not even raise his eyes, nor did he stop playing the wooden fish in his hand.
Knowing that there were still many people who wanted to hear Master Daoyi preach, Su Xuening no longer held back and took out the Buddhist beads from her purse.
"I wonder if the master has ever seen these prayer beads?"
Fearing that Master Daoyi wouldn't look up, Su Xuening directly handed the Buddhist beads to Master Daoyi.
Upon seeing the Buddhist prayer beads, Master Daoyi abruptly stopped the sound of his wooden fish.
He stared at the prayer beads for a few seconds, then immediately put down the ginseng and took the prayer beads from it.
Master Daoyi carefully examined the Buddhist beads.
Su Xuening saw Master Daoyi's expression and knew that he must have seen the prayer beads before. She asked excitedly, "Master, do you recognize these prayer beads?"
Master Daoyi had already recognized the prayer beads and returned them to Su Xuening: "May I ask how you obtained these prayer beads?"
"This..." Su Xuening held the prayer beads, feeling somewhat embarrassed, especially in the meditation room, facing such a master. She said with shame, "I'm sorry, it's not convenient for me to say."
Although Su Xuening did not answer directly, judging from her expression, Master Daoyi already understood everything: "Why does the benefactor ask about this Buddhist rosary?"
“I have something important to discuss with Master Daoyi. If you know the owner of this prayer bead, please let me know.” Su Xuening immediately stood up and knelt down before Master Daoyi.
Master Daoyi was startled by her and quickly raised his hand to help her up: "Please rise, benefactor. This humble monk did indeed see this Buddhist rosary at the home of a nobleman."
Upon hearing this, Su Xuening became instantly agitated and asked urgently, "Who is he?"
Master Daoyi bowed to Su Xuening in Buddhist homage: "Amitabha, this humble monk is not at liberty to say more, I hope you will forgive me."
Seeing that Master Daoyi refused to speak, Su Xuening was somewhat disappointed and continued to kneel and beg him: "This person is really important to me, Master, could you..."
"Amitabha……"
Before Su Xuening could finish speaking, Master Daoyi picked up the jianzhi again and began to strike the wooden fish.
Seeing that Master Daoyi was determined not to say, Su Xuening could only change the subject: "Then where should I look for him? I hope the master can give me some guidance."
"Searching for him among the crowd, the lights are dim. Your fate with him is ordained by heaven, and you will meet again in the future!" Master Daoyi did not look up again, and continued to strike the wooden fish, which was already a sign that he was seeing the guest out.
Su Xuening knew she wouldn't get an answer today, and got up in utter disappointment.
"Thank you, Master."
Su Xuening bowed to Master Daoyi in Buddhist salutation and then left.
After Su Xuening left, the sound of the wooden fish stopped again.
Master Daoyi got up and wrote a letter.
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