Sister Dawn’s words dispelled Stephen Thompson’s reservations, so he asked her, “In your opinion, how should I approach Miss Wilson and tell her about these matters?”
Sister Dawn said, “Jingqing will come to Qixia Temple the morning after tomorrow. Madam’s plan is to find a way to get Miss Wilson to visit Qixia Temple, then have Jingqing create an opportunity for you to talk safely.”
“Jingqing, eh…”Stephen Thompson smiled faintly and asked, “Jingqing’s quite the renowned monk now, isn’t he?”
“Indeed,” Sister Dawn nodded, sighing, “Jingqing has a natural aptitude, gifted in both Taoism and Buddhism. With Madam’s guidance, his progress has been remarkable. Though he’s taken monastic vows, he still follows Madam’s lead.”
Stephen Thompson asked, “So how do we get Miss Wilson to come to Qixia Temple?”
Sister Dawn chuckled, “You know Miss Wilson runs her own design company, don’t you?”
“Of course,”Stephen Thompson nodded, “It was the young master who encouraged her to start her own design studio. At the opening, loads of big names in Aurous Hill turned up with gifts.”
“Exactly,” Sister Dawn said, “There’s a lass in her company, one of ours, quite capable and already trusted by Miss Wilson. Tomorrow morning, she’ll find a moment to mention it, and that should get Miss Wilson to make a trip to Qixia Temple.”
Stephen Thompson was stunned speechless for a while, amazed that Madam, though never in the spotlight, had eyes everywhere.
After a long pause, he ventured, “Sister Dawn, if I may be so bold to ask something I shouldn’t, besides me, are there others Madam has placed around the young master?”
Sister Dawn looked at him, smiling, “You know it’s not a question to ask, yet you ask anyway.”
Still, she answered, “Madam didn’t want to interfere with the young master’s path. There’s no one else besides you. In fact, Madam’s always regretted that. If she’d meddled a bit with the Wilson family back then, perhaps the young master wouldn’t have married Miss Wilson.”
Stephen Thompson sighed, “Seems Madam does have some reservations about Miss Wilson…”
Sister Dawn smiled, “Reservations? Well, there’s something there, but it’s more about Miss Wilson’s parents than her. Back when the young master and the Wilson family were still in that old estate, Madam knew exactly what kind of life he led. The person living downstairs was one of Madam’s, you see. Elaine and Wilson Changkun bossed the young master about, mocked and berated him daily. How could Madam not feel for him?”
“Fair point,”Stephen Thompson chuckled, “Sometimes, I wanted to give Elaine a piece of my mind myself.”
Sister Dawn nodded, smiling, “But Elaine’s had her share of suffering since, so she’s had her lesson. That family, right or wrong, is too much of a distraction for the young master. If you can get them out of the picture, he’ll have room to spread his wings. I’m counting on you for this.”
Stephen Thompson clasped his fists solemnly, “Rest assured, Sister Dawn, I’ll give it my all!”
…
The next morning.
As usual, Claire Wilson rushed to the office early.
With Charlie wade away and her mum, Elaine, lacking the motivation to cook breakfast, Claire Wilson grabbed some food from downstairs to make do in the office.
She thought she’d be the first to arrive, but her star employee, Sun Mengmeng, was already there.
