The matter of going to Qixia Temple, Xiao Churan did not tell Ye Chen, nor did she tell her parents.
She felt that such a matter of praying for blessings for her family could be done quietly, without the need for grand publicity.
The next morning, Ma Lan and Xiao Changkun were still not up, so she drove out to Qixia Temple.
The weather in December was cold, with short days and long nights, and when she set out, the sky was only just beginning to lighten.
At this time at Qixia Temple, some devout worshippers were already waiting at the entrance. As the year-end approached, people came daily to Qixia Temple to compete for the first incense, though they were unaware that today, the renowned Master Jingqing was returning to Qixia Temple.
Master Jingqing was, at that moment, in a side room behind Wuliang Hall. The room was cold, but he sat cross-legged on a couch, quietly reciting scriptures while circulating spiritual energy within his body, making him feel warm as spring despite wearing only a thin monk’s robe.
Today, Wuliang Hall was closed. The monks of Qixia Temple had set up barriers starting from the courtyard in front of the hall, with signs indicating the closure.
Thereafter, all the monks retreated outside the courtyard, silently standing guard.
Tang Sihai and Sister Sun walked along the dew-covered stone path to the courtyard outside Wuliang Hall and said to a few monks, “Before the two female devotees enter later, remember to remove these signs, and put them back up after they’ve gone inside.”
“Understood, benefactor!”
The monks nodded respectfully, clasping their hands together and bowing slightly.
They were Master Jingqing’s closest disciples. Though unaware of Sister Sun’s identity, they knew their master always treated her with great respect, so they, too, showed her deference.
Sister Sun and Tang Sihai entered Wuliang Hall together, and Master Jingqing, sensing their arrival, came out early to greet them.
“Jingqing.”
Seeing him, Sister Sun greeted him with a smile.
Jingqing returned a smile, clasping his hands, “Good to see you, Sister Sun, and Mr Tang.”
Tang Sihai quickly clasped his hands and gave a slight bow, saying, “Greetings, Master Jingqing.”
Jingqing smiled and said, “Mr Tang need not call me master. In your presence, I am but a junior.”
Though Jingqing had a strong affinity for Buddhism and great insight, he was deeply grateful to An Chengqi and felt he had followed her relatively late, making him a junior before Tang Sihai.
Sister Sun also said to Tang Sihai, “I’ve always regarded Jingqing as my own child, so you needn’t be overly formal, Sihai.”
Tang Sihai nodded slightly.
Sister Sun then said to Jingqing, “Jingqing, Miss Xiao is already on her way to Qixia Temple. I’ve asked Sihai to wait in the rear hall. When the time is right, you should steer the conversation and tell Miss Xiao that someone wishes to meet her, but be careful not to startle her.”
Jingqing nodded, hands still clasped, and smiled, “Rest assured, Sister Sun, I’ll be mindful.”
Sister Sun, somewhat nervous, sighed, “Oh, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this apprehensive. You two must be careful with your attitude and words. There are two possible outcomes: one, Miss Xiao accepts our suggestion and quietly leaves the young master; or two, as soon as she leaves this place, she immediately calls the young master to verify. If it’s the former, our mission will be a complete success. If it’s the latter, it will be a total failure, and the young master will surely do everything in his power to track us down and get to the bottom of it.”
She paused, then continued, “And we three, firstly, cannot withstand the young master’s supernatural abilities; what we think and know in our minds will likely be known to him. Secondly, we must not reveal any information about Madam. So, if we fail this time, we can only leave China and head to the hiding place Madam has arranged overseas. Until Madam meets the young master, we must not set foot in China again. Understood?”
