Ming Shu was clearly bewildered.
Meanwhile, Yan Wei, who was calmly sipping tea nearby, wore a cold sneer at the corner of his mouth.
“You half-baked monk, how could such a man be worthy of my cousin?”
The half-baked monk, Wanyangzi, was not offended. Instead, he smiled with narrowed eyes. “This humble Daoist has spoken out of turn.”
Yet Ming Shu couldn’t help but take it to heart. How could she be remembered by someone?
Yan Wei scoffed lightly.
Wanyangzi glanced between the two of them once more and nodded. He hadn’t been mistaken.
They were truly a couple destined by fate. Even before marriage, their features already bore the resemblance of husband and wife.
Wanyangzi merely smiled without speaking further.
Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.
Ming Shu’s eyes, clear as spring water, looked at Wanyangzi with anticipation, hoping to learn more.
Wanyangzi shook his head and took a seat opposite Yan Wei.
“Pour me a cup of tea.”
Yan Wei glanced at him coldly and made no move.
However, a fair, slender hand reached for the teapot on the table and eagerly poured a cup of tea for Wanyangzi.
“Master Daoist, please.”
Wanyangzi laughed heartily. “Then this humble Daoist won’t stand on ceremony. When it comes to matters of fate, knowing too much in advance may invite unforeseen changes. It’s better to let things take their natural course. Don’t you think so, young lady?”
That seemed to make sense.
“The Daoist master speaks wisely.”
Still, Ming Shu felt content. At least she wouldn’t have to go to Qingyu Nunnery.
Just then, Duan Cang and Yuan Rong entered. “Young Master, the matter has been dealt with.”
“Who have you disposed of in the Daoist temple this time?” Wanyangzi glared.
Every time Yan Wei visited, many people would die in the temple. Wanyangzi had thought that since Yan Wei brought a young lady this time, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to witness bloodshed.
Who would have thought!
Wanyangzi fumed, his beard fluttering with his breath.
“Just a few worthless scoundrels. Why do you care so much? It won’t affect the temple’s incense offerings.”
Was it really about the temple’s incense offerings that he cared?
Wanyangzi continued to glare at him.
Yan Wei replied indifferently, “Matters of karma are too elusive. If they could truly take me away, so be it.”
Wanyangzi was about to speak when he suddenly caught sight of Ming Shu.
He sighed. “But you should at least consider your wife.”
Accumulating too much sin would also affect the other half of the couple.
Yan Wei remained nonchalant.
“What? Are you going to divine a fortune for me too?”
Wanyangzi choked.
Did he even need to divine further? Wasn’t the person right here?
“I wouldn’t dare. Since General Yan dislikes mystical arts, this humble Daoist won’t embarrass himself.”
Ming Shu discreetly glanced at Yan Wei.
But she was caught in the act.
The smile on Ming Shu’s lips stiffened slightly.
“Cousin and the Daoist master have important matters to discuss. I’ll go find Yuan Rong.”
Yan Wei indeed had important matters to discuss with Wanyangzi.
He nodded in agreement. “Don’t go too far.”
Ming Shu replied, “Yes.”
But then she heard the Daoist master teasing from behind, “You, as a cousin, are even more attentive than most.”
Ming Shu inexplicably recalled Wanyangzi’s earlier words when he entered: “Your wife is beautiful…”
Her ears flushed slightly, and she quickened her pace.
Meanwhile, Guan Wan was nearly frantic searching for her, especially after learning that several guards had been killed. Her heart trembled with fear.
A maid returned after searching around, and Guan Wan eagerly approached her. “Any news?”
“A lady saw someone who looked like Miss Ming heading toward the east side of Shanyu Temple.”
The maid’s face was pale. How could Miss Ming, a delicate young woman, escape the pursuit of those guards?
For now, they could only hope that Miss Ming had been rescued by someone.
Guan Wan led her people along the path the maid mentioned, searching as they went.
Ming Shu dared not leave the courtyard. Thinking of Guan Wan, and with Yuan Rong injured, it wasn’t appropriate to venture far.
She then looked toward Duan Cang. “Are there any other guards here?”
Duan Cang placed his fingertip to his lips and whistled.
A hidden guard immediately appeared.
Ming Shu’s eyes brightened. “Do you recognize Guan Wan, the legitimate daughter of the Guan family?”
“I do.”
“Go find her. Tell her I am safe and sound, and that she need not worry.”
“Yes.”
The hidden guard had not gone far when he encountered someone.
Upon hearing the news that Ming Shu was unharmed, Guan Wan’s anxious heart finally settled.
“Where is your young lady?”
The hidden guard replied honestly, “At Master Wanyangzi’s place.”
Wanyangzi?
Guan Wan had heard of this Taoist master’s name before, but she was somewhat surprised that Wanyangzi would step in to offer protection.
“Can you take me there?”
The hidden guard silently led the way.
Ming Shu was holding Yuan Rong’s hand. Blood had soaked through the white cloth, making the injury look quite severe.
“This wound only appears serious. It should heal within a month or so.”
“I didn’t want to say much, but if you accumulate too many injuries like this and don’t take proper care of them, you’ll suffer in the future.”
“This servant can endure it.”
Ming Shu released Yuan Rong’s hand, her gaze distant. “Perhaps you don’t realize—I care.”
The injury was sustained while protecting her, and Ming Shu felt uneasy about it.
Yuan Rong scratched her head. “But protecting the young lady is this servant’s duty.”
The young lady was kind-hearted and treated them all very well.
Looking at the cloth on her palm, now a glaring red, Yuan Rong tentatively asked, “Then… this servant will be more careful in the future?”
Ming Shu gave a haughty nod. “That’s how it should be.”
A smile spread across Yuan Rong’s face.
Guan Wan arrived at just the right moment. As soon as Ming Shu saw her, she lifted her skirt and hurried over.
“Sister Guan.”
Guan Wan opened her arms, and Ming Shu nestled into her embrace.
“It’s good to see you’re all right. It’s also my fault. If I hadn’t left, perhaps none of this would have happened.”
Ming Shu looked up. “Don’t say that, Sister Guan. Who could have imagined they would dare to act within Shanyu Temple?”
Those people were accustomed to acting recklessly, likely believing no one would dare oppose them, which was why they were so brazen.
“Do you know who that person was?” Guan Wan’s tone was gentle.
Ming Shu did not know, but her cousin did.
“No.”
Guan Wan thought Ming Shu probably wouldn’t know. “Can you describe his appearance?”
This meant she intended to seek justice on Ming Shu’s behalf.
Ming Shu linked arms with Guan Wan. “The General’s Manor will handle this matter.”
“I want to see who that person is, so I can avoid him when going out in the future.”
Is that so?
Ming Shu wasn’t entirely convinced.
But it made sense. Someone who dared to act so boldly likely had significant backing, so avoiding him was wise.
Ming Shu nodded. “Alright. I’ll send someone to deliver it after returning to the manor.”
Having been frightened, Guan Wan had no desire to stay longer.
Ming Shu glanced toward the room and said, “Then I’ll go say goodbye.”
“That’s fine.” Guan Wan did not stop her, as it was the proper courtesy.
Ming Shu soon emerged, her cheeks slightly flushed.
After hearing Ming Shu’s words, Master Wanyangzi asked Yan Wei, “Aren’t you going to escort her back personally?”
Ming Shu hadn’t dared to think of such a thing and quickly glanced at Yan Wei.
Unexpectedly, Yan Wei was looking right at her. “What? Does my cousin want me to escort you?”
Wanyangzi facepalmed. No wonder you’re still single.
Ming Shu shook her head rapidly. “I’ll go with Sister Guan.”
Yan Wei had already heard the commotion in the courtyard and replied indifferently, “I’ll send a few people to protect you discreetly.”
What more could Ming Shu ask for? “Thank you, Cousin.”
Ming Shu felt that the phrase she said most often to this cousin was these four words.
Wanyangzi watched from the side, amused: “As a cousin, one should still be somewhat considerate.”
Yan Wei placed a piece on the chessboard.
“I feel I have been considerate enough. What do you think, cousin?”
Ming Shu twisted her handkerchief in her hands: “Yes.”