齐蓁蓁 did not linger with the Qin family and then went to see Song Mingyue.
Upon entering, she put on a stern, angry face.
Song Mingyue, not understanding why, assumed Gu Sinian had done something to upset her.
"Oh dear, you're carrying a child, you mustn't get angry. Otherwise, the baby won't be pretty!" Song Mingyue quickly tried to placate her.
Qi Zhenzhen continued to stare at Song Mingyue without a word.
Song Mingyue felt a prickle of unease under the stare. Had she done something to offend her?
She had left the clothes, hadn't she?
"Zhenzhen, what's wrong?" Song Mingyue asked cautiously.
Qi Zhenzhen, having played her part, broke character and burst into laughter.
"Didn't Xiao Niu go to suppress bandits? Hmm? And he's learned to keep secrets from me now? Afraid I couldn't handle the shock while pregnant? Do you think I'm that fragile?"
Song Mingyue was mortified. So, her secret was out.
"When Yi Ge'er went to find Xiao Niu, he made it sound very serious. How could I dare tell you?" Song Mingyue sighed in relief. Seeing Zhenzhen like this, she knew the person was fine, and that was good. The worry that had been weighing on her heart could finally be lifted.
"Mingyue, thank you." Qi Zhenzhen clasped Song Mingyue's hand.
Originally, Xiao Niu could have been by Song Mingyue's side when she gave birth. Instead, for her and Gu Sinian, Zhang Xiaoniu had left his wife in labor to go to the border, heading into danger without hesitation. To avoid causing her worry, he had chosen to keep it a secret. It was understandable that Song Mingyue had been anxious from the moment she went up the mountain until now.
This sentiment moved her to tears.
"Don't say that." Song Mingyue glared at Qi Zhenzhen dismissively. "Last time you went to the border, Xiao Niu was able to return thanks to your Gu Sinian. Besides, Xiao Niu is the Crown Prince's subordinate. If the Crown Prince is in trouble, how can he stand aside? Also, this time, the credit should go to Master Yuan Jue and Yi Ge'er. It was the Master who alerted Yi Ge'er, and Yi Ge'er then rushed over with his men in time."
Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "I remember it all. Xiao Niu isn't here now, but you and his son are. It's only right that I express my gratitude to you. As for Yi Ge'er, he's my brother. When he returns, we'll have plenty of time to sit down and discuss this. As for the Master, I'll go thank him shortly."
Song Mingyue found her serious demeanor both amusing and exasperating. "After spending these days together, I've found the Master to be quite fond of food. You know, I always thought people like the Master were beyond worldly concerns."
Qi Zhenzhen chided her with a glance. "You really can imagine things. If they were beyond worldly concerns, wouldn't they starve to death?"
Song Mingyue chuckled. "So, it broke my previous perception."
Qi Zhenzhen chatted with Song Mingyue for a few more moments before getting up to go to Yuan Jue's residence.
Upon arriving at the courtyard where Yuan Jue stayed, Qi Zhenzhen found that Yuan Jue, who usually drank tea in the courtyard, was not there. A young novice monk was guarding the door of a room.
"Where is the Master?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"Amitabha, Madam Gu, the Master entered seclusion seven days ago," the young novice replied politely, clasping his hands together in prayer.
"Did the Master say how long?" Qi Zhenzhen inquired.
The young novice shook his head. "This humble monk cannot say for sure. Sometimes it's just a few days, sometimes a few months."
The matter of expressing her thanks would have to wait until Yuan Jue emerged from his seclusion.
Unbeknownst to Qi Zhenzhen, Yuan Jue, just one door away, sat on a meditation cushion with a face like pale gold paper, his eyes tightly closed. Beside him, also in meditation, was the abbot of Taihe Temple. After hearing that Qi Zhenzhen had left, the abbot opened his eyes. "This was Gu Sinian's tribulation of life and death. By intervening, you have altered his fate! Why would you do such a thing?"