"By the way, there's one more thing. I'd trouble you to help me, Master. If anyone asks if I came to Gan Ye Temple to see you on the night of the fifteenth of March, please help me deal with it," Xiao Man stopped and instructed Wu You.
"A monk does not tell lies!" Master Wu You was furious. Was she asking him to help her deceive people?
"I'm not asking you to lie. You just need to tell them that I did indeed come to Gan Ye Temple. When did I ask you to lie?"
Wu You thought carefully and asked, "What bad thing did you do that you're afraid people will know?"
"It's not that I did something bad, but someone else did, and I don't want to cooperate," Xiao Man said slowly. "You know, my current situation isn't good. I'll take my leave now. When I get some good wine, I'll bring it to you."
"Wait." Master Wu You called out to Xiao Man. "There's a hot spring behind Gan Ye Temple. If you have time, you should go soak in it. It's a good place for self-cultivation."
Xiao Man heard this but did not reply. She pushed open the door and left, her figure disappearing around the corner.
Wu You sighed. He wanted to save people, but this person had returned from hell. How could he possibly save her!
He reached out and picked up the Nu Er Hong on the table. He opened the seal, and the rich aroma of wine wafted towards him. Wu You's mouth watered, and he quickly took a sip. "Thirty-year-old Nu Er Hong, it's truly fragrant! But this little fox's wine isn't very good. Oh well, oh well. This girl can't possibly scheme against me. Someone else is going to be unlucky."
As soon as Xiao Man returned, Qiu Tong hurried to meet her. "Miss, you're finally back. Madam Xu came over earlier and said that the Old Madam wasn't feeling well, so she wouldn't be joining us for the vegetarian meal. She asked the young monks to deliver the meals to each room."
"Mmm, I know. I'll go and see Grandmother later."
"Madam also sent word that everyone must attend the ceremony tomorrow, which Master Wu You will personally preside over," Qiu Tong said with some worry. "Miss, what does Madam want to do?"
"Whatever she wants to do, she'll have to restrain herself here at Gan Ye Temple. This is a sacred Buddhist site. If any trouble arises, Grandmother won't tolerate it. However, if I make any mistakes, Grandmother will likely punish me severely. So, keep a close eye on the room and make sure nothing is added or missing from inside."
"Your servant understands."
"You may go."
Xiao Man sat alone in her room, taking out the box she had received from Master Wu You. Her fingers moved rapidly, turning the box with a peculiar technique that made her movements impossible to follow.
The seemingly ordinary box contained a hidden mechanism. If it were opened incorrectly, its contents would self-destruct.
After a moment, there was a 'click,' and the box opened.
Inside lay a golden token, shimmering with light. It was the Golden Feather Token, which could command the secret forces of Empress Dowager Yun Qi!
Years ago, when Wu You was in Yun Qi, he had predicted that she would experience seven hardships.
From that moment on, she had made a backup plan for herself. Because Yun Qi and Yu Sheng were both powerful nations, she had transferred some of her secret forces to Yu Sheng, just in case!
However, she had never expected to die and start anew in such a way.
Even though she was currently powerless to contend with Yun Qi, she would not be discouraged. As long as she was alive, anything was possible. One day, she would return to Yun Qi, stand before Murong Sheng Rui, and take away everything he held dear, using his flesh and blood to avenge the hundreds of lives lost at Du Gu Mansion!
Footsteps sounded outside the door. Xiao Man quickly put away the Golden Feather Token and secured the box. A moment later, a knock came at the door, and Qiu Tong's voice was heard from outside.
"Miss, the young monk from the temple has brought the vegetarian meal. Would you like to have it now?"
"Bring it in," Xiao Man said, composing herself.
Qiu Tong pushed open the door, followed by a young monk carrying the food.
The young monk was plump and cute, with big, bright eyes that darted around. He put down the food and withdrew.
Xiao Man did not eat immediately. She instructed Qiu Tong to wait outside, then took out a silver needle and tested each dish for poison. Once she confirmed there were no issues, she picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.
All of this was done very discreetly. If anyone saw her testing her food for poison before eating, it would likely cause further unfounded speculation.
After the meal, Xiao Man went for a walk in the temple. For some reason, she found herself at the foot of the mountain behind the temple.
She had intended to return, but she suddenly remembered Master Wu You's words, saying that there was a hot spring in the back mountain, a good place to relax.
Her gaze fell upon the lush bamboo forest. The bamboo leaves rustled in the breeze, appearing ordinary but concealing secrets. No wonder Wu You dared to suggest she go inside.
The formation contained within was impassable for ordinary people. However, a formation that was difficult for others was no challenge for her.
Xiao Man stepped inside, her pace relaxed, making it seem as though she were merely strolling, not walking on the edge of danger with every step.
At this time.
Prime Minister Wen's wife came to Gan Ye Temple to offer incense and pray for a good marriage for her daughter, bringing Wen Mo Han along with her. Wen Mo Han thus also came to Gan Ye Temple.
Bored, he wandered around the temple alone and happened to see Xiao Man there.
He then remembered that the young monk in the temple had mentioned a distinguished guest coming to perform a ceremony, but had not revealed who it was. He assumed it must be from the Protector of the Nation's General's mansion.
Wen Mo Han hesitated for a moment, intending to go over and greet her, and also to thank Xiao Man for saving him that night. Although he disliked Xiao Man's overbearing behavior, apart from being overbearing and arrogant, she didn't seem to have any other flaws. However, before he could approach, he saw Xiao Man enter the forbidden area in the back mountain.
The forbidden area in the back mountain of Gan Ye Temple was not allowed for outsiders. He intended to call out and stop Xiao Man, but it was too late; she had already gone in.
After a moment's hesitation, he followed, but was blocked at the edge of the bamboo forest, unable to advance.
And Xiao Man had disappeared.
Wen Mo Han was worried. There must be a mechanism in this bamboo forest. Xiao Man had barged in so recklessly, wasn't she afraid of getting into trouble? He thought she had changed her ways, but seeing her reckless behavior, she was clearly still the same Xiao Man as before.
Wen Mo Han became increasingly anxious, but unfortunately, he couldn't get into the bamboo forest. No matter how he walked, he couldn't get in. He could only linger around the periphery.
The bamboo forest was dense, and the moonlight shone down, so it wasn't impossible to see the path.
Xiao Man continued forward, dimly sensing a light ahead. She quickened her pace and saw a hot spring in the center of the bamboo forest. Mist shrouded the water's surface, obscuring the view within.
"It truly is a good place."