Chapter 73 Escape from Death?
Dai Li handed her luggage to two maids to pack, and suggested that she wander around, with the embroiderer accompanying her.
Dai Li walked through many places without stopping, exploring the entire ground floor of Ganquan Temple.
The Chinese symmetry is fully demonstrated in Ganquan Temple. At the very center is the Baxian Nunnery, with halls and pavilions of varying sizes on both sides, as well as an equal number of pagodas.
A large open space was set up in front of the Eight Immortals Temple, with a very spacious front courtyard where a huge precious cauldron sat for the abbot to burn incense.
Dai Li stood before the precious cauldron, looking up at the towering temples on either side. She even noticed windows on the upper floors. If a large number of believers gathered here tomorrow, they could observe the entire scene from the windows.
Dai Li withdrew her gaze and continued walking to other places.
Her courtyard was on the west side, while the east side was for the pilgrims' rooms. The temple was not like the upscale inns in the city; the rooms were densely packed together, one next to the other, and the interior space was small.
However, judging from the smiles on the faces of the pilgrims who checked in early, they were clearly very satisfied.
"Embroiderer, will you also attend the ceremony tomorrow?" Dai Li asked.
“Generally speaking, all believers are expected to attend.” The embroiderer didn’t immediately say whether she would go or not, but instead asked Dai Li, “Would Madam like to attend?”
Dai Li hesitated and said, "I'm somewhat interested, but I'm the type of person whose interest fades quickly. Even if I participate, I won't stay for long. Wouldn't it be a bad idea to leave halfway through?"
The embroiderer felt uneasy.
When the atmosphere is at its most intense, if someone suddenly leaves, it can easily disrupt the believers' mood and cause them to become dissatisfied.
"It's still early, let's look around some more." Dai Li pointed upstairs. "Can I go up?"
Embroiderer: "Please, go ahead."
Dai Li climbed to the top floor of the Baxian Temple in one breath. Looking out the window, she saw part of the temple, the verdant mountains, and the road she had come from.
Fortunately, the mountain forest was lush and dense, providing much cover, so the path we came by was only partially visible.
Dai Li withdrew her gaze, having made up her mind. She would walk close to the edge, under the trees so they couldn't see her. "I'm a little hungry, let's go back."
They left the city in the afternoon. After traveling by car and visiting temples, by the time Dai Li returned to the western courtyard, dusk had fallen, and the brilliant sunset spread across the sky like an oil painting.
Practitioners of the Qinglian Sect do not shave their heads and are not required to be vegetarian. Tonight's evening meal consists of rice and roasted mutton.
Dai Li didn't like eating lamb, but she needed to have the strength to do so. In preparation for tomorrow's tough battle, she ate the entire small plate of lamb.
“By the way, with so many strangers coming to the temple, and my West Garden being quite remote, will there be anyone keeping watch at night?” Dai Li asked.
The embroiderer nodded. "Of course. There are two guards at the entrance to the West Garden all day long, so please rest assured, Madam."
The small house where Dai Li now lives, together with the courtyard next to it, forms a "品" (pin) shaped area, while the "courtyard entrance" mentioned by the embroiderer is the horizontal passage between the "upper entrance" and the two "lower entrances".
“Very good, then I can rest assured.” Dai Li nodded.
Dai Li went to bed unusually early tonight, but perhaps due to nervousness, she couldn't fall asleep at all after lying down on the couch.
She only had three small pills. If the embroiderer and two other people were watching her, even if she had the medicine, it wouldn't be effective.
Dai Li turned over on the couch, clutching the blanket.
"Generally speaking, all believers are required to attend." The embroiderer is also a believer, so we need to find a way to get her out of the way tomorrow.
After tossing and turning for half the night, Dai Li finally fell asleep.
With something on her mind, she woke up exceptionally early the next day, but someone else had woken up even earlier. When Dai Li woke up, she didn't see the embroiderer and asked, only to find out that the embroiderer had gone to help with the preparations.
Dai Li chatted with Cao Xiang and the others, "How many times have you participated in the celebration?"
One person said they had attended once, while the other said they had never attended, adding that the ceremony was unusual and was only held when something big happened.
Dai Li estimated that the two women had only been in the church for a few years and were still at the very basic level, not yet capable of doing anything.
“I have never seen a pilgrim on pilgrimage before. Come with me and take a look.” Dai Li’s eyes darted around.
Both women obeyed.
Dai Li led her people out through the courtyard entrance and indeed found two guards there.
Clad in armor and wielding a sword, he exuded an imposing aura.
When Dai Li went out, they questioned her a couple of times. After learning that she wanted to see the gate of Ganquan Temple from the outside, the guards did not stop her and let her go out.
As she walked further away, Dai Li heard someone whispering behind her:
"Speaking of which, the miracle drug that comes out every six months should be ready by now, I've been waiting for it for so long."
"It'll be ready soon, next month. I'm really looking forward to it. Every time I take it, I feel exceptionally cheerful and have a lot of energy."
"I really envy those who have already been promoted to divine messengers; they can obtain far more divine medicines..."
As Dai Li walked away, the discussions behind her faded into the distance.
After walking for a while, Dai Li saw the gate of Ganquan Temple.
The mountain gate was erected high, and many people in plain clothes knelt and prayed as they passed through. People entered the temple in an endless stream, dressed in various styles and of different heights and builds. The only thing they had in common was the piety on their faces.
After wandering around outside, Dai Li returned home half an hour before the ceremony was scheduled to begin.
When they returned, the embroiderer was already in the house.
"Madam, where have you gone?" the embroiderer asked.
"Just taking a stroll." Dai Li fanned herself with her hand, pretending to be unbearably hot. "Summer heat is a yang evil, and its nature is hot, which is absolutely true. Cao Xiang, take some Codonopsis, Poria, Schisandra, and Ophiopogon japonicus, and add a few pieces of meat to cook together for half an hour. Make me a small pot of Ginseng and Poria Shengmai Soup, using the same pot as yesterday's dinner."
Seeing Dai Li sit down, looking too tired to move, the embroiderer remained silent for a moment before finally asking, "Madam, will you still attend the ceremony?"
Dai Li waved her hand, "No, I'm very tired. It will take another two hours, and I can't stay up. I'd rather rest in my room. You go ahead and don't worry about me. I'll stay in the room with the two of them."
The embroiderer hesitated, a conflicted look on her face. "I'll stay inside with you."
Dai Li replied, "No, I just took a walk outside and heard that this ceremony is quite important. Attending more of these ceremonies will help improve your status in the church. Besides, I don't need you to accompany me. I'll just take a nap inside. I find you too noisy here and can't sleep."
“This…” The embroiderer was clearly tempted.
As a devout believer, she really wanted to attend the ceremony.
Dai Li continued, "What do you have to worry about? There are Cao Xiang and the others in the courtyard, and guards outside. I can just call out if I need anything. There are plenty of people, and we don't need you. It's good for you to go and take a look. When you come back, just tell me briefly about the ceremony, and it will be as if I've seen it all."
The embroiderer was persuaded. "I will go to the ceremony. Caoxiang and Meixiang will stay and serve you. Please feel free to call them if you need anything, Madam."
Dai Li nodded: "Of course."
The Ginseng and Poria Cocos Decoction needs to be simmered for half an hour. Dai Li returned just in time, which meant that the ceremony started as soon as the soup was ready.
The embroiderer left more than a quarter of an hour before the ceremony began.
Cao Xiang returned carrying a steaming pot. The pot was about the size of an adult man's outstretched hand and about ten centimeters deep. It was enough to fill two people up, let alone one.
Dai Li heard the sound of the bell.
Dong dong dong, each note equally spaced, the ancient temple bell tolls, its sound distant and lingering.
With each chime of the bell, Dai Li felt as if an invisible string was coiling around her heart, and with each passing second, her heart was lifted a little higher.
The ceremony began, and so did her countdown.
Four hours, every bit counts, and there's no telling what other unexpected things might happen along the way.
"Madam, the cooling soup is ready," Cao Xiang said.
The Ginseng and Poria Cocos Decoction was freshly made and still very hot. Dai Li complained, "It's too hot, how can I drink it? Go and get a basin of cold water."
Meixiang did as she was told.
The water was brought in quickly, and the small pot was placed in it to soak.
Once the soup had warmed up, Dai Li ordered Cao Xiang to bring the pot out. Then, in front of the two women, she scooped up a bowl of soup and drank it all in one go.
After finishing this bowl, drink another one.
After drinking two bowls, Dai Li stopped, but there was still more than half a pot of soup left in the small pot. "Go and get two more bowls," Dai Li instructed.
After the new bowls were brought over, she ladled two bowls full of soup and added a lot of meat to them. "You two take the soup out to the two guards outside. It's so hot, it's a treat for them. Oh, and you two wait over there until they finish eating, then bring the bowls and chopsticks back so they don't leave their posts."
The soup was plentiful, with meat added, so chopsticks were essential. It was difficult for one person to hold it steady, so Meixiang and Caoxiang went together.
After the two left, Dai Li quickly took out a small bag and poured the contents into her palm. She had slightly processed the dumplings the night before, cutting each one in half.
Dai Li initially intended to pour it all in, but then hesitated, a flurry of thoughts flashing through her mind.
You can't put it all in!
She didn't know if this medicine would interact with Codonopsis pilosula and Poria cocos. If it did, and the medicine was ineffective, she would have no chance at all.
We must keep something in reserve.
Dai Li picked out two small halves, which were the whole little black pills. She poured the remaining four halves into the pot.
She had just drunk two bowls of soup, and then ladled out two more bowls and a lot of meat. Now there wasn't much soup left. The soup was warm, which helped dissolve the medicine better than cold water, but not as quickly as hot water.
Dai Li stirred the medicine quickly with a spoon, and even used the bottom of the wooden spoon to crush the pills, trying to dissolve the medicine as much as possible.
After a lot of work, there were finally no obvious dregs left in the pot. Just then, footsteps could be heard outside.
The two women carried bowls and chopsticks into the courtyard.
Before they even entered the house, Dai Li said to them, "Go wash the dishes and chopsticks, and I'll also serve you a bowl of soup. There's a little left, which will be just right for you two to share."
It would be a lie for Meixiang and Caoxiang to say they weren't tempted. They had walked with Daili for as long as she had walked in the sun, and when they came back, they were ordered to work without even having a sip of water.
"It seems we used a bit too much Codonopsis pilosula; it's slightly bitter. We can use less next time," Dai Li said casually.
The two women held up their bowls and thanked Dai Li, then drank the soup together.
As Dai Li sat in the chair, her hands, resting on her knees, slowly clenched into fists as they looked up.
The medicine had a bitter taste, but it wasn't exactly the same as the bitterness of ginseng. If these two had taken those pills before, or even participated in their manufacture, she would definitely have been exposed.
Dai Li stared intently at the two of them, her palms sweating.
With her nerves stretched to the limit, she saw scenes flashing before her eyes:
The two men took only one sip before suddenly looking up and saying that something was wrong with the soup. One of them stepped forward to subdue her, while the other shouted to the guards outside.
So the pot was taken away as evidence, and the embroiderer and Di Ting came from behind after hearing the noise and searched her body for the remaining pills.
It's over, it's all over.
"Clatter." The earthenware bowl made a soft sound as it was placed on the table.
This sound seemed to transform into a powerful punch, shattering the illusions before Dai Li into dust. The terrifying images crumbled into fragments scattered on the ground, only to be swept away by a sudden gust of wind.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Madam," the two women said in unison.
Dai Li snapped back to reality, a layer of sweat breaking out on her back. She paused for a moment, then gave a relaxed smile. "It's nothing. Don't stand, you guys sit down. I'm going back to my room for a nap."
After saying that, she got up from her seat and went straight back to her room, as if she didn't intend to care about them anymore.
Only after Dai Li was out of sight did the two women sit down.
Not long after sitting down, Cao Xiang started rubbing her eyes frequently.
For some reason, she felt particularly sleepy today. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and finally, as the birdsong outside the window faded into the distance, everything went black before her eyes, and she fell asleep leaning against the soft chair.
About fifteen minutes later, Dai Li tiptoed out of the inner room and was overjoyed to see the two of them slumped in their chairs.
It's done!
Dai Li quickly came out, took out the remaining two small halves of the black pill, and, just to be on the safe side, fed them to the two of them respectively.
After waiting a moment, Dai Li carried Cao Xiang, whose size was closer to hers, into the inner room, and then began to undress her.
Cao Xiang's clothes were made of linen and were a plain, unremarkable color. Dai Li quickly changed into them, then took out the remaining small amount of black ointment and did a simple makeup. Once she was done, she put Cao Xiang's money pouch into her pocket as well.
Not only did they take hers, they didn't spare the other one either.
Dai Li pushed open the window, took a deep breath, braced her hands on the windowsill, and used the momentum to climb out of the window.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, before she could even steady herself, Dai Li immediately ran to a tree not far away and hid in a concealed spot.
Walking under the trees, with the canopy providing cover, no one can see her unless they meet on the same plane.
Dai Li started jogging, not daring to waste a single moment.
Twenty minutes have passed since the celebration began with the ringing of the bells, making every remaining minute and second especially precious.
After running for a while, Dai Li stopped, panting heavily.
No, circling down is too slow, and taking the usual route also carries the risk of being exposed.
She turned to look at the other side, where the path hadn't been trodden out; branches and leaves grew wildly, and the vegetation was lush. Going straight down from here would be more difficult, but it would save a lot of time.
Dai Li picked up a tree branch to use as a hiking stick, and then subconsciously reached out to touch her waist, only to realize belatedly that the short knife Qin Shaozong had given her had been taken away.
Without a knife to cut the branches, I had to make do.
Fearing snakes might lurk in the dense undergrowth, Dai Li used a stick to tap on areas of thick grass as she descended the mountain. She hurried along, encountering a few minor setbacks along the way, but managed to reach the bottom successfully.
The time was shortened by a little more than she had expected.
As Dai Li emerged from the bushes, her heart skipped a beat, because—
At the foot of the mountain, there were no vehicles carrying passengers.
She had previously guessed that someone would take a donkey cart to Ganquan Temple, and then the donkey cart would wait for passengers at the foot of the mountain, at which point she could take the donkey cart to the ferry.
But looking at this empty space, Dai Li felt a chill run through her heart.
She suddenly realized something: since Ganquan Temple and the North Gate were only a little over a quarter of an hour's drive apart, it was not impossible for these rickshaw drivers to return to the city after finishing their business.
Anyway, it's quick to leave the city, so we can just come out early to pick them up.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Here I am, please give me some nutrient solution! [heart emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
