Night, like a piece of black silk, tightly enveloped the Temple of Sacred Sound.
All was silent, save for a few flickering candle flames swaying gently in the breeze within the temple.
Yet, this tranquility was abruptly torn apart by the sudden clash of blades and weapons, the sound jarringly out of place in the silent night.
But the commotion came and went as quickly as it had arrived.
In the blink of an eye, silence returned once more.
Quan Minghe wore a terrifying mask, his expression hidden behind it dark and dreadful.
He returned to the room arranged for him by the temple.
Today, he had deliberately concealed his identity, entering the Temple of Sacred Sound in disguise, never expecting to encounter an assassination attempt.
It seemed there must be a traitor close to him!
“Master, are you unharmed?”
Zhao Cong, standing nearby, looked tense, beads of sweat the size of beans rolling down his forehead.
“Fine.”
Quan Minghe coldly uttered these two words, his gaze fixed on the shallow knife wound on his own arm.
Without hesitation, he deftly tore off a piece of his robe and swiftly, skillfully bandaged his arm, his eyes still as cold as frost.
“What have you found?”
“Master, tonight’s assassins may be remnants of the former Jinlin Kingdom.”
“Somehow, they learned of your visit to the Temple of Sacred Sound tonight and laid in ambush here early.”
The exposure of his master’s whereabouts was a responsibility he could not shirk.
He had thought this trip was perfectly arranged, with every precaution taken, yet such a blunder still occurred.
Who could be so bold as to leak his master’s whereabouts?!
Zhao Cong gritted his teeth in secret.
In the flickering candlelight, Quan Minghe’s eyes gleamed uncertainly, like cold stars appearing and disappearing in the night sky.
In the silent space, only his and Zhao Cong’s slightly heavy breaths could be heard, the oppressive atmosphere making Zhao Cong’s heart tremble with fear.
After today’s assassination attempt, he was bound to face punishment.
But more than that, the traitor who leaked his master’s whereabouts truly deserved death.
Once they returned to the palace, he would thoroughly investigate everyone around his master.
Before Quan Minghe could ponder further, he suddenly felt his body begin to heat up.
A strange, restless heat rapidly surged from deep within, instantly spreading throughout his entire being.
“Damn it!”
Quan Minghe couldn’t help but curse under his breath, his brow tightly furrowed.
“Master, what’s wrong?”
Quan Minghe sensed the rapidly rising desire within his body.
He clenched his jaw.
A thought flashed through his mind.
Something he had been unable to understand now seemed to hint at an idea.
“Find a woman.”
Quan Minghe forced himself to endure the unbearable heat within.
Zhao Cong’s pupils contracted sharply.
He instinctively glanced at the wound on his master’s arm.
Could there be an aphrodisiac on the blade?!
What kind of despicable assassin would smear an aphrodisiac on their weapon?!
Could it be… someone from the inner palace?
Numerous conjectures flashed through Zhao Cong’s mind, but there was no time to dwell on them now.
“Master, I will send someone to find one immediately.”
Zhao Cong dared not delay in the slightest, turning to leave the room.
At the door, he quickly gathered a few subordinates and urgently led them to search for a woman.
But the Temple of Sacred Sound was, after all, a place of Buddhist purity—there wasn’t even a single nun. Where could he possibly find a woman for his master at such short notice!
Moonlight cascaded down, illuminating the Temple of Sacred Sound nestled on the mountain.
Two young women made their way up the narrow path, knowing that outside the Temple of Sacred Sound stood a marriage tree, and they wished to go there to pray.
During the day, this place was bustling with people, but now, under the cover of night, only the two of them remained.
“Miss, why have you come to the Temple of Sacred Sound so late at night?”
A young woman dressed in yellow, her hair styled in a maid’s bun, wore a face full of concern.
Xi Tong had grown up by her young mistress’s side. This time, her mistress had come to Qian Capital to marry, yet she insisted on visiting the Temple of Sacred Sound late at night, and no amount of persuasion could dissuade her.
Fortunately, they had not yet entered the city and were still in the outskirts, where no one could restrain her, allowing the young mistress to act so recklessly.
Shen Yuling lifted her gaze slightly, looking toward the Temple of Sacred Sound, which appeared even more solemn and majestic under the moonlight. Then, she turned her eyes to the marriage tree.
Her expression was filled with longing.
“It’s just that I’m about to get married, and I haven’t even met my future husband yet. So, I thought of coming to the Temple of Sacred Sound to pray. I have so many, many wishes!”
Shen Yuling adjusted her light pink straight-collared shenyi.
She clasped her hands together, facing the marriage tree.
Her attire, with its crossed collar and right lapel, should have appeared somewhat old-fashioned.
Yet, on her, the perfectly tailored garment accentuated her slender neck and snow-white skin.
Under the moonlight, she seemed to glow with a soft radiance, as beautiful as a dream.
Around her waist, she wore a light purple silk belt, from which hung a circular jade pendant, warm and translucent in texture.
When it swayed gently, it emitted a clear, melodious sound.
She was truly an exceptionally beautiful woman.
Xi Tong, standing behind her, was momentarily stunned by her young mistress’s beauty.
Who could resist such loveliness?
Shen Yuling touched her own radiant face.
“Am I beautiful?”
Xi Tong nodded without hesitation.
If her young mistress wasn’t beautiful, then no one in this world could be called beautiful.
Shen Yuling smiled and said, “So my first wish is—”
She closed her eyes slightly, her expression devout.
“First, I wish for my Liangren to be handsome, with starry eyes and sword-like brows, radiant in demeanor, and as lovely as fine jade.”
After all, her father and mother were both exceptionally good-looking, and she herself was beautiful, so her future husband naturally had to be a handsome man with outstanding looks.
Xi Tong couldn’t help but stifle a giggle.
Her young mistress’s thoughts were so straightforward and adorable.
Shen Yuling opened her eyes and touched her own ink-black hair.
“Second, I wish for my own beauty to last forever, my flower-like face and moon-like features to remain forever charming, and my dark hair to stay as black as ink, with time passing slowly.”
At her age, she was naturally fond of beauty, and of course, she hoped her appearance would remain youthful and beautiful forever.
Thinking of her third wish, a hint of shyness appeared in her eyes, and her longing grew even stronger, her voice softening further.
“Third, I wish for our love to never fade, to accompany you without resentment, and to share joy together morning and night.”
Xi Tong teased with a smile.
“Miss, your wishes are truly wonderful. I’m sure the heavens will hear your prayers and grant each one of them.”
Shen Yuling lightly tapped Xi Tong’s arm.
Chiding her, she said, “You always know just what to say.”
But though she spoke this way, her heart was filled with anticipation.
Then, with renewed enthusiasm, she continued making wishes.
“My fourth wish…”
“My fifth wish…”
Though Shen Yuling deliberately lowered her voice, the excitement and anticipation in her tone were impossible to conceal.
Filled with boundless longing, she whispered her hopes for the future into the tranquil night of the Temple of Sacred Sound.