Bang! The teacup smashed to the floor, shattering into pieces, tea splashing everywhere.
“Shen Lichu! How could Shiji marry Shen Lichu?!”
Song Qinghe’s voice was sharp, trembling with rage, her hands shaking uncontrollably.
“Miss, be careful.”
“How can Shiji marry her? Has he forgotten? Forgotten who killed Aunt? Forgotten the Wang family’s blood feud?!”
Her eyes were red, jealousy filling her chest, her face twisting with anger.
“There’s no way the heir has forgotten. This marriage—it’s clearly forced by the Madam of the State Duke! She whispered in the Duke’s ear, insisting that Shen Lichu be married to him!” Hua Shan explained quickly.
Song Qinghe gripped her palm so tightly her nails dug into her flesh, but she didn’t even notice, teeth clenched.
“It’s her! Shen Shi is cunning, and Shen Lichu—shamelessly seducing Shiji—I won’t let that despicable girl succeed!”
Hua Shan hesitated. “But… this marriage is about to be confirmed…”
“Shen Lichu worthy?!”
Song Qinghe muttered to herself, “I can’t just watch Shiji be tricked by them. I can’t! I have to make him see her true face. He must never marry that kind of woman.”
…
Outside Fahua Temple, a grand carriage slowly came to a stop.
The door opened, and Lichu bent gracefully to step out, holding Chunxing’s hand as she descended the stairs. Her lake-blue skirt lightly brushed the steps, the sheer fabric fluttering in the wind.
She lifted her face toward the towering temple, eyes bright and sparkling.
“Let’s go.”
She lifted her skirt and walked lightly up the stone steps, entering the temple.
Fahua Temple was the largest in Yanjing; even the Empress Dowager visited every year to pray and make offerings.
A massive bronze incense burner stood at the entrance, smoke curling upward from the burning incense.
Lichu took a deep breath. The scent of sandalwood made her feel grounded, as if it could finally drive away the evil spirits that had been troubling her.
“Miss, why would you dream about divorcing the heir? That’s just absurd,” Chunxing said, unable to hide her surprise.
This marriage was what Miss had been hoping for and working toward, spending days trying to win the heir’s heart. How could she suddenly talk about divorce?
“I know it’s strange, but it’s better to pray—get rid of any bad luck,” Lichu said, still shaken by the dream.
She knelt on the meditation mat, facing the golden statue inside the main hall, holding incense with both hands, bowing three times with sincerity.
Silently, she prayed, “I hope everything goes smoothly, that my marriage with my cousin is successful, that we grow old together, and that evil spirits and misfortune stay far away.”
Chunxing placed three hundred taels of silver as an offering for the incense.
Lichu put her incense sticks into the burner, then picked up a bamboo lot tube. She shook it, and one stick fell.
She picked it up and frowned.
“How is it, Miss?” Chunxing leaned in eagerly.
The lot was neutral—not good, not bad.
Lichu took the slip to Master Huineng for interpretation.
“Master, what does this mean?” she asked, worried.
Huineng looked at the slip and smiled. “Amitabha, what do you wish for, devotee?”
“I hope for everything to go well, for my marriage to succeed, and for evil spirits to stay away from me.”
“Have you been troubled by spirits recently?”
“I had a frightening dream recently… I think I was touched by some bad energy. That’s why I came to the temple—to pray and remove misfortune.”
Huineng smiled. “You’ve come to a pure place with sincerity. That alone will help drive away evil spirits.”
He glanced at the slip. “As for this lot… your wishes will only be half granted.”
Lichu looked puzzled. “Which half?”
The master smiled mysteriously. “That is uncertain. It depends on your own destiny.”
Lichu placed another three hundred taels of silver on the table.
Huineng stroked his beard and handed her a small incense sachet. “If you’re worried about nightmares, keep this by your pillow—it will drive away evil spirits.”
Lichu took it gratefully. “Thank you, Master!”
She left the temple, her heart lighter than it had been in days.
Huineng watched her skip away and murmured, “Amitabha. The spirits are gone, but some attachments remain… fortune and misfortune alike.”
Lichu stepped out of the meditation hall, carefully hanging the sachet at her waist, patting it gently. Instantly, she felt calmer.
“I heard Fahua Temple works wonders. Now with this sachet, Miss, you can feel safe—those spirits won’t bother you again!” Chunxing said excitedly.
Lichu’s steps became lighter. “I should’ve come sooner. I shouldn’t have waited so long.”
“Maybe your energy was too weak, Miss, that’s why those spirits could disturb you. But once you marry the heir, his strong energy will protect you, and the spirits won’t dare approach!”
Lichu smiled brightly. “Exactly!”
She began to descend the stone steps, feeling free and relieved.
“Miss Shen.”
Lichu turned around and froze for a moment. “Rongyu, why are you here?”
Zhang Rongyu stopped a few steps away, smiling as he cupped his hands politely. “I was helping my family’s matriarch deliver some copied scriptures. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
He had just arrived in the capital and hadn’t officially started his government duties yet, so he had a bit of free time these past two days.
Lichu quickly looked around. “Has Shushu come?”
“No, she doesn’t like coming to temples much.”
“That makes sense. Temples are quiet, and Jing Shu would probably get bored. I wouldn’t come either if I weren’t trying to get rid of some bad energy attached to me recently.”
Zhang Rongyu paused. “Bad energy?”
“Probably evil spirits. I’ve been having nightmares lately, but fortunately, Master Huineng gave me a way to deal with it.”
Zhang Rongyu smiled. “Then maybe it’s just overthinking. Before bed, drink a bowl of jujube tea and massage the inner wrist point—it might help.”
He used two fingers of his right hand to press the inner wrist of his left, showing her how.
“You know medicine too?” Lichu asked, curious.
“I just read a few medical books in my free time. I understand a little, but I’m no expert.”
Lichu suddenly remembered something and laughed. “Rongyu, you’ve always loved reading since you were little.”
Zhang Rongyu was momentarily taken aback by her bright smile. His lips twitched, and he muttered softly, “You still remember that.”
“Remember what?” Lichu didn’t catch his words.
“Nothing,” he said, pressing his lips together, lowering his gaze politely. “I should take my leave…”
Before he could finish, a voice called out: “Lichu.”
Surprised, Lichu turned and saw Lu Shiji walking up the steps. He wore a red official robe with a double-winged hat. His tall, straight posture, highlighted by the crimson robe, made him look even more imposing—like a proud pine tree standing firm.
It was the first time Lichu saw him in such a bright robe. As the rumors in the capital had said, he truly stood out.
“Lichu, why are you at Fahua Temple?” His expression was calm and gentle as he approached.
Lichu finally came back to her senses, still dizzy from seeing him in that robe, not noticing the faint shadow in his eyes. “I… came to offer incense and pray…”
She remembered something and introduced Zhang Rongyu politely. “I happened to meet Mr. Zhang. He is the son of Minister Zhang.”
Hearing her familiar introduction, a hint of coolness entered Lu Shiji’s smile. “Mr. Zhang.”
Zhang Rongyu immediately felt an invisible pressure, like a silent warning. He cupped his hands in respect. “Heir Shiji.”
Lu Shiji’s gaze swept past him and returned to Lichu. “Lichu, let’s go home.”
Lichu nodded, but hesitated. His words felt… strange.
He grasped her wrist and helped her down the stone steps, then guided her into the carriage.
Zhang Rongyu stayed frozen in place, watching them leave. Only then did he realize what had happened, and a cold sweat formed in his palms.
Once Lichu was seated, Lu Shiji leaned in after her.
Lichu hesitated for a moment, then realized—it was fine. They were about to be officially engaged, so sharing a carriage wasn’t inappropriate.
Yet she couldn’t help wondering: her cousin was so proper and principled, valuing rules above all. They weren’t officially engaged yet—so why would he agree to share a carriage with her?
“Lichu, why did you come to Fahua Temple today?” Lu Shiji asked.
Snapping back to herself, Lichu replied, “I… came to pray. But why are you here?”
He was even in his official robe. He should be attending business at the Censorate.
He looked at her gently. “I was passing by after finishing work and heard you came to pray. I thought I’d accompany you back home.”
A thought flashed in Lichu’s mind—who told him she was here?
Then Lu Shiji asked casually, “How did you happen to meet Mr. Zhang?”
Lichu explained honestly, “I ran into him on my way out, so I just greeted him.”
Noticing a bit of incense ash on her fingers, Lu Shiji naturally took her right hand and carefully wiped it with a silk handkerchief.
“Next time, tell me if you’re coming here. I’ll come with you. Fahua Temple is crowded and unpredictable—I don’t want you going alone.”
Lichu watched her hand in his palm as he gently wiped away the ash. It felt so natural, as if they had been together for years.
Holding her hand a moment longer, she felt the warmth from his slightly cool palm. It reminded her of the terrifying man from her dream, though Lu Shiji’s presence was very different—warm, alive, undeniable.
She shivered, curling her fingers instinctively, wanting to pull back.
But she didn’t.
Her hand stayed in his grasp. His long fingers wrapped around hers. His clear, deep eyes met hers, calm and gentle. “What’s wrong?”
Her gaze flickered. “We… aren’t officially engaged yet. Isn’t this… improper?”
Their birth charts hadn’t even been checked for compatibility yet.
He looked at her quietly. His dark eyes seemed endless, able to see straight into her heart.
Though his expression was gentle, Lichu felt the carriage’s atmosphere tighten around them, making it hard to breathe.
After two heartbeats, he spoke softly. “But I like you, Lichu. I want to be close to you.”
He looked at her, voice steady, sincere, and honest.
Lichu froze, heart skipping a beat, unsure how to respond.
He curled his fingers, completely enveloping her small hand in his warm palm. “Lichu… do you not like me?”