The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain after half a day's journey.
Taihe Temple was located halfway up the mountain. The ascent was a steep staircase, impassable for carriages. Even soft sedan chairs would struggle, so the group had to walk up.
Qi Zhenzhen had good stamina; a few hundred steps were easy for her. Ever since Qi Zhenzhen rescued Qi Xuanxuan from her small courtyard, she had been making her do laps around the yard after meals. Over time, it became a habit, and her physical fitness improved considerably. At least she wouldn't pant like those pampered young ladies after a short walk.
Mrs. Da Qin, on the other hand, was someone who panted after a few extra steps and needed to rest after a few dozen. Fortunately, most of the women climbing the mountain were like her, so no one laughed.
Walking and resting, the few hundred steps took a full half hour.
Welcoming monks at the temple's mountain gate greeted and saw off guests, quickly leading Qi Zhenzhen and her party to the rear courtyard rooms specifically for female guests.
Qi Zhenzhen directed the servants to help Mrs. Da Qin settle down.
This was Qi Zhenzhen's first time at Taihe Temple. Her impression of the place was deeply tied to Master Yuanjue, because Gu Sinian had said that this Master Yuanjue knew the past and understood the future, hailed as the most deeply karmically connected Buddhist in centuries. Qi Zhenzhen was very curious if this Master Yuanjue had three heads and six arms.
"Madam Gu, this way please." As Qi Zhenzhen and Er Xi stepped out of the guest room, a young monk, small and thin, appearing to be only seven or eight years old, walked towards them.
"Little master, where are you taking me?" Qi Zhenzhen had intended to wander around and familiarize herself with Taihe Temple.
"My master sent me to invite Madam Gu," the little monk said, clasping his hands together, his voice clear and crisp. "My master's Dharma name is Yuanjue."
She had just settled in, and Master Yuanjue had already sent for her. Could he truly predict the future? After all, they hadn't informed Taihe Temple in advance of their arrival.
Furthermore, they hadn't revealed their identities upon entering the temple.
"Please lead the way, little master."
Master Yuanjue's residence was in the rear courtyard of Taihe Temple, a quiet small courtyard backed by a large expanse of mountain forest.
The little monk led Qi Zhenzhen into the courtyard. Sitting in a thatched shed was a young man wearing a coarse linen robe.
How young was he? Qi Zhenzhen felt that judging by his face, he was about Gu Sinian's age.
Such a young master? It wasn't that Qi Zhenzhen was ageist, but generally, when people spoke of masters, they instinctively thought of someone very old.
So, such a young master...
"Little master, did you bring me to the wrong place?" Qi Zhenzhen quietly asked the little monk.
The little monk shook his head. "No, this is the courtyard where my master lives."
"Madam Gu, please come in," Master Yuanjue called out in a clear voice.
Qi Zhenzhen felt a bit embarrassed. This master must have overheard her question to the little monk.
"I didn't expect the master to be so young." Qi Zhenzhen adjusted her expression and entered the courtyard with grace.
"Sit," Master Yuanjue gestured casually. "Would Madam Gu like to try some green tea that I roasted myself?"
A faint fragrance emanated from it, and the brewed tea was a pale color, very soothing to the senses. The unfurled tea leaves floating in the liquor were also a pleasing sight.
"Thank you, Master," Qi Zhenzhen replied calmly.
After a cup of clear tea, much of the heat in her body dissipated.
"May I ask why the master summoned me?" Qi Zhenzhen inquired.
"Naturally, it is because Madam Gu has a karmic affinity with Buddhism, and also because there is a connection between Madam Gu and this humble monk," Master Yuanjue said with a serene expression.
Karmic affinity? Connection? They had never met before, so how could there be a connection?
"Madam Gu's birth characters are very peculiar. Originally, she was destined for an early demise," Yuanjue said slowly.
Qi Zhenzhen was greatly startled. The birth characters belonged to the original inhabitant of this body, and the original inhabitant had indeed died young. She hadn't expected this monk to be able to see through that.