"Who are you? I don't think I've seen you before," Jikong asked cautiously, finding the young monk at his door unfamiliar.
The young monk, clearly working for General Hua, replied with a straight face and a steady heart, "New arrival. The Abbot said he had other tasks, so he sent me to help out."
"Other tasks?" Jikong looked confused.
After discreetly glancing at Lin Jin beside him, the young monk told Jikong, "While sweeping the courtyard today, someone found an oil fruit coated with carp powder. The Abbot felt something was amiss and sent him to investigate."
Hearing this, Zhong Li was startled. Wasn't this what she had discovered at noon? She had mentioned it in the letter she left for Lin Jin, and he had actually used it. However, saying this was a gamble. If it was an attempt to hide something, everyone's identities would be exposed.
Fortunately, Jikong believed him. He no longer suspected them and opened the door behind him, gesturing for Zhong Li and the others to enter.
The young monk bowed to Jikong and led Zhong Li and Lin Jin into the courtyard.
After about half a stick of incense's time, Zhong Li quietly glanced back. Seeing that Jikong was no longer there, she asked Lin Jin beside her, "Do you know you were taking a risk just now?"
Lin Jin nodded. He looked around to make sure there was no one else, then said, "Miss Zhong, to be honest, after receiving your letter, I went to see the Young Prince. He came up with this idea based on what you wrote. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare do something so risky."
Zhong Li was surprised to hear that the idea came from Lu Wuxie. She knew Lu Wuxie was deeply cunning, and his actions, while seeming unreasonable at first glance, would, in retrospect, reveal that he had planned every step carefully.
Although she didn't know how he was so sure this would dispel Jikong's suspicion, his contribution to their safe entry was undeniable, considering he was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice.
"My Lord is always very smart, and he's a perfect match for you, Miss Zhong," Lin Jin said quietly, looking at Zhong Li as if guessing her thoughts.
Zhong Li hadn't expected Lin Jin to say that at such a moment. She smiled at him and then lowered her head, walking forward.
After a while, she replied, "Yes, I think you're right."
Hearing this, Lin Jin's heart leaped, and even the hand pushing the vegetable cart gained strength.
He knew that ever since Zhong Li had fallen out with Lu Wuxie, he had felt guilty. If he hadn't spoken out of turn in the Qingliang Hall, his Lord wouldn't have suffered such heartache from lovesickness. Now that they were reconciling, his guilt vanished.
"Lin Jin," Zhong Li said as she walked, looking at everything around her. The scenery was all unfamiliar. She was certain they had taken another route into the area behind the moon gate. She then asked Lin Jin, "Do you remember what I analyzed for you last night?"
Lin Jin nodded.
"Do you notice anything unusual here?" Zhong Li asked.
Lin Jin shook his head.
"You said that this Beitian Temple always takes in many abandoned children. But since last night, I've only heard the cry of a child. Have you heard any child crying since we arrived?" Zhong Li asked.
Lin Jin's hand, pushing the cart, paused. He really hadn't noticed. Now, listening carefully as Zhong Li suggested, the surroundings were as quiet as if they were in Baolin Temple. They dared not even breathe loudly. Where were any crying sounds?
"So, Miss Zhong's meaning is..."
"Either there are no children here, or the children here have no chance to cry."
As Zhong Li finished speaking, the movements of the colleagues pushing carts all stopped. Their faces were almost all etched with anger.
Children were the last line of human decency. If, as Zhong Li suggested, these children had met with misfortune, it would mean this was no Beitian Temple, nor were any Bodhisattvas worshipped here. Under the guise of saving all beings, the most cruel deeds in the world were being committed.
"My Lord," they said to Zhong Li after exchanging glances, "we have decided that if you can solve this case and bring the mastermind to justice, we are willing to give our lives."
Zhong Li was deeply moved. After assuring them, she followed the young monk around a small room and into the kitchen.
Two people were already waiting for them in the kitchen.
Based on the style of the sea-blue robes they were wearing, Zhong Li determined that the older of the two was either Miaoyun or Miaohui.
Indeed, as they began busily unloading the vegetables, the older woman said to a young novice beside her, "Keep an eye on them while they unload, then leave quickly. Wang Girl took her medicine, and it should be about tonight. Don't delay, understand?"
The younger nun nodded repeatedly, "Understood, Aunt Miaohui."
Miaohui responded, her gaze lingering on Zhong Li and the others for a moment. Seeing no flaws, she turned and left quickly.
The young nun, being new, was cautious and timid. She stared with her wide, round eyes, afraid of making any mistakes and not relaxing for a moment.
Zhong Li placed the vegetables she was holding on the stove. She glanced inadvertently at the young nun and saw a hint of black peeking out from under her hat, giving her some ideas.
"Little master, you haven't eaten yet, have you?" she asked, walking over to the young nun.
The young nun swallowed a few times and said, "How did you know, madam?"
Zhong Li smiled and said, "The stove is clean, and there's no heat underneath. It's barely past the hour of You, any observant person could tell. I brought some fried cakes from outside. You look hungry, have some."
The young nun wanted to refuse, but when she saw the fried cakes in Zhong Li's hand and smelled a hint of meat aroma, she covered her mouth and forced herself to say, "Madam, the filling is made of meat..."
"Don't worry, it's filled with king oyster mushrooms," Zhong Li explained.
The young nun looked delighted, thanked her, took the fried cakes, and ate them in large bites, exclaiming, "Madam, these fried cakes are delicious."
Zhong Li smiled, then turned and walked outside, moving the cabbages from the cart.
In less than a quarter of an hour, a dull thud suddenly rang out from the kitchen.
Zhong Li paused in her actions and exchanged a glance with Lin Jin inside. Seeing Lin Jin nod at her, she put down the cabbage and went in.
The young nun was now lying on the ground, with only a small bite of the fried cake left in her hand, rolling to the side.
Zhong Li walked to the young nun's side and pulled her hat off.
As she had guessed, beneath her hat was indeed a head of dark, lustrous hair.
"Not a nun?" Lin Jin asked, surprised.
Zhong Li called out to the others who had come with them, asking them to help put the young nun into the vegetable barrel on the cart, and then explained, "Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have given her fried cakes filled with king oyster mushrooms."
Lin Jin still looked somewhat uncertain.
Zhong Li smiled, took the sea-blue robe that Lin Jin had prepared for her from the cart outside, and explained, "The stove was clean, and the place for making fire was cold, indicating that this kitchen hasn't been used for cooking since at least the afternoon. While moving vegetables, I noticed two issues: First, she's not very familiar with this place and acts timidly, blocking the path several times because she stood in the wrong spot. Second, she seems to have not eaten for a long time; every time we brought in vegetables, she would unconsciously swallow a few times. Remembering what you said on the way here, I confirmed one thing: this young nun is new, and it's very likely she didn't choose the path of becoming a nun willingly. So, I used the fried cakes with anesthetic to lure her. She took the bait. King oyster mushrooms, when cooked well, have a meat-like aroma if smelled closely. If she were truly a nun, she should know that we cannot bring any meat products into Baolin Temple, yet her first reaction was to meat. So, I played along. Her identity at Beitian Nunnery is simple, and not many people know her. It won't be noticed if one more or less is there. As for me, as you said, I can infiltrate them more quickly."
Zhong Li then squatted down, picked up the hat she had just taken off the young nun's head, and unfolded the brim for Lin Jin to see.
Lin Jin looked closely and saw two characters embroidered on it: Chang Qing.