As if Hua Jinrong's surprise was too obvious, Leng Ningyue repeated herself:
"Take me to see him.
Also, send someone to clean this place up and don't cause her any trouble."
Hua Jinrong, understanding who both 'he's referred to, fanned herself and said,
"Madam Lin, rest assured, your student will arrange it right away~"
Meanwhile.
Lin Qingge, who had dreamed that her Ningyue sister and Mo'er were snatched away by an ugly, greasy-tongued, big-tailed wolf, woke up from her sleep.
Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, she changed her clothes as quickly as possible and headed straight for Murong Bai's courtyard.
Her Ningyue sister, whom she hadn't seen last night, was now in the west wing, urging Lin Zimo to study in the morning.
"Madam, I've missed you terribly!"
Lin Qingge, whose heart finally settled back in place, lunged forward and clung to Leng Ningyue.
Leng Ningyue, somewhat bewildered by Lin Qingge's overly dramatic reaction, hadn't spoken yet when Leng Shuang, who came in with breakfast, sarcastically said with a look of exasperation:
"Oh my, it's only been a day, is it that necessary?
Besides, Mo'er is still here, can you two be more mindful?"
Leng Ningyue's face could not be exposed to light.
Therefore, Lin Zimo, who was studying in the morning, and Leng Shuang, who was bringing breakfast, were both kicked out of the room.
Lin Zimo: ...
With no outsiders present, Leng Ningyue didn't rush to push away the sticky plaster that was clinging to her. Instead, she asked in a low voice,
"What happened?"
Lin Qingge then vividly recounted her dream from last night.
After hearing it, Leng Ningyue's raised hand froze in mid-air. After a pause, she tapped Lin Qingge's forehead, saying, "It's just a dream. You must be too tired lately."
"But..."
Lin Qingge wanted to say more, but Leng Ningyue interrupted her forcefully,
"It's just a wolf. If you don't want to see it, just kill it."
Lin Qingge heard this and rolled her eyes speechlessly, "Please, how can I kill it in a dream?
Can you, Ningyue sister, really be so almighty as to enter my dreams?"
"I may not be able to enter your dreams, but I know what you're worried about.
You just need to do your job as the Prefect. You don't need to worry about other things.
Also, no matter what happens, I will protect you and Mo'er."
Listening to the words that were firm yet carried a hint of ruthless determination, Lin Qingge straightened her body again and narrowed her eyes slightly,
"Ningyue sister, are you hiding something from me again?"
"Yes."
"Then can you tell me what it is, Ningyue sister?"
"No, because you likely wouldn't agree if you knew."
"Damn it!"
Hearing the overly frank answer, Lin Qingge pressed her tongue against her upper palate. Even with her eloquence, she could only curse and was at a loss for words for a moment.
After Lin Qingge left huffily with puffed-out cheeks, Murong Bai, who came to apply medicine to Leng Ningyue, curled his lips as if watching a good show:
"Yo, did Master Lin find out that Madam has a dog outside and is now throwing a tantrum?"
Leng Ningyue glanced at the sharp-tongued Murong Bai and remained silent.
Meanwhile, after the 'scholars and poets', the delegation from the Xile Kingdom also expressed their desire to visit the famous historical sites of the Great Xia Kingdom.
When it comes to which place in the capital has the longest history, it would undoubtedly be the Imperial Palace.
However, the heavily guarded Imperial Palace was clearly not a place that Lin Qingge and her companions could freely enter and exit.
Moreover, to be honest, Lin Qingge did not want to go to the Imperial Palace from the bottom of her heart.
But it was difficult to refuse the requests of the benefactor.
Just as Lin Qingge, who was not very familiar with the capital and its surroundings, was in a dilemma, Hua Jinrong strolled in from the entrance, fanning himself.
"My Lord, I heard that the envoy from the Xile Kingdom wishes to visit the historical sites of the Great Xia Kingdom. Your student happens to have a place to recommend~"
Since it was recommended by the knowledgeable Hua Jinrong, it was likely to be good.
Lin Qingge immediately waved her hand, asking Hua Jinrong to find several carriages. Besides the delegation from the Xile Kingdom, she also decided to bring along the two unlucky kids from the Qidan Kingdom.
The carriages drove out of the city, and after about an hour of wandering, they finally stopped.
Lin Qingge got out of the carriage and looked at the ancient temple before her, which exuded a sense of solemnity and grandeur. Her gaze fell upon the somewhat chipped plaque, and she softly read aloud:
"Putuo Temple?"
If she remembered correctly, this should be the temple where the Empress Dowager watched a group of fit young monks practicing naked in the courtyard, oh no, it was the temple where the Empress Dowager chanted scriptures and cultivated herself all year round, right?
"My Lord, this Putuo Temple was built in the third year of Yuanfeng in the previous dynasty and has existed for over two hundred years. It can be said to have a long history and should meet the requirements of Prince Andre and others~"
After speaking, Hua Jinrong took out a bag of silver and handed it to the young novice at the gate. The novice hurriedly went inside to call someone.
Before long, Abbot Xuanjing of Putuo Temple personally came out to welcome them.
...
Lin Qingge's mouth twitched fiercely. She sighed that money could indeed make the world go round, and then familiarly stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with Abbot Xuanjing.
Perhaps because Hua Jinrong had given quite a bit of incense money, Abbot Xuanjing specially arranged a courtyard for Lin Qingge and her party to rest.
Since Abbot Xuanjing took over the role of guide and patiently introduced Prince Andre and the others to every blade of grass and tree in the temple, Lin Qingge was free.
Since she had come all this way, and hearing that Putuo Temple was very effective at drawing lots, Lin Qingge, bored, took out three copper coins and drew a lot.
Lin Qingge was not wearing official attire while traveling. The monk who interpreted the lot saw her dressed like a scholar and smilingly asked,
"Amitabha, may I ask if the benefactor is seeking a marriage, or seeking official success?"
"I seek wealth."
The monk who interpreted the lot was stunned for a moment. He took the lot and looked at it, chanting,
"Amitabha, Benefactor, if you were seeking a marriage with this lot, it would be full of romantic opportunities; if you were seeking official success, it would also bring smooth sailing in your career.
However, if you seek wealth, although there is a disposition for great riches and honor, you are merely a passing god of wealth, and ultimately, the wealth will return to its rightful owner."
???
Lin Qingge instinctively clutched her money pouch, but then remembered that most of her wealth was with Ningyue sister, and only then did she slowly relax.
Thinking that feudal superstition was not to be believed, Lin Qingge did not inquire further. Instead, she turned and left the lot-interpreting room, walking up a rugged, winding path towards the pavilion in the back mountain of Putuo Temple.
When she reached the mountainside, she passed an unnamed small courtyard.
Feeling a bit thirsty, Lin Qingge craned her neck to peek inside and called out,
"Is anyone there? I'm passing by and would like to ask for a drink of water."
Not long after Lin Qingge finished speaking, the door of the house inside was pushed open.
However, looking at the man whose eyes had obvious wrinkles but who was still exceptionally elegant and handsome, Lin Qingge froze in place.
But what shocked Lin Qingge even more was that when the man saw her, he also froze for a moment, then smiled and greeted her,
"It's you?"
The monk-like man finished speaking, then furrowed his brow in confusion, "Strange, you seem different from the last time I saw you?"