Zhengguo Temple was located ten li outside the capital.
A carriage carved from rosewood and draped with gauzy pearl curtains arrived slowly at the temple gates, the soft chiming of phoenix bells mingling with fragrant breezes.
A slender hand lifted the pale moon-white curtain first, revealing a young woman dressed in a lotus-pink skirt embroidered with twin lotus blossoms.
A maid immediately stepped forward to support her.
Her golden silk embroidered shoes landed gently upon the footstool covered in blue satin, while the pearl hairpins in her hair swayed lightly with her movements.
Yun Zhiyue stepped down from the carriage after her.
As for Xiao Zhaoning, she needed no assistance at all. Lifting the curtain, she simply jumped down and landed steadily on the ground.
“So this is Zhengguo Temple.”
Yun Zhiyue looked up.
Golden rooftops pierced into the clouds, crimson walls nestled among greenery, solemn and majestic.
The group slowly climbed the stone steps.
For some reason, there were unusually many people today, though the answer soon became apparent.
“I heard Master Kongming is at the temple today. I wonder if anyone will be fortunate enough to meet him.”
“Master Kongming only meets those destined to meet him.”
“Difficult indeed. He’ll only remain at the temple for half an hour today.”
Near the incense burner—
Lüliu handed a lit incense stick to the young woman beside her. “Miss, the incense is ready.”
Yun Zhiyue accepted it with both hands and bowed solemnly three times.
It had already been over a month since she arrived in this ancient world.
At first there had only been confusion and uncertainty.
But now, there was resolve.
Because she had parents she cared about.
Friends she cared about.
No matter what the future held, she only hoped not to betray these encounters fate had given her.
Gathering her thoughts, Yun Zhiyue inserted the incense into the burner.
Beside her, Liu Tinglan spoke softly, “Miss Yun, Your Highness, I heard there is a forest behind Zhengguo Temple. The flowers are supposedly blooming beautifully this season, their fragrance perfuming the green woods.”
“Shall we go take a look?”
Xiao Zhaoning nodded immediately. “Alright, let’s go.”
Halfway there, Yun Zhiyue suddenly felt a faint stabbing pain in her abdomen.
She frowned. “Miss Liu, Zhaoning, you two go ahead first. My stomach feels a bit uncomfortable. I need to wash up first—I’ll come find you shortly.”
After speaking, she allowed Lüliu to support her toward a nearby side courtyard.
Liu Tinglan’s eyes revealed concern. “Miss Yun, are you alright?”
Xiao Zhaoning looked uncertain. “I don’t know either. She should be fine, though.”
Meditation courtyard.
Looking down at herself, Yun Zhiyue felt utterly helpless.
Of all times for her period to arrive…
What kind of luck was this?
Lüliu’s voice sounded from outside the door.
“Miss, are you alright?”
“Lüliu, my monthly cycle came.”
“Miss, wait a moment. I’ll find something for you.”
After a moment’s thought, Lüliu hurried away.
Not long afterward, she returned and passed a strip of cotton cloth to the young woman inside.
Yun Zhiyue stared at the cloth strip in her hand and frowned.
Forget it.
She’d just make do for now.
After the two left the side courtyard, they looked at each other blankly, neither of them knowing how to reach the forest.
After walking for some distance without arriving, Yun Zhiyue, perhaps weakened from her period, began feeling tired.
Seeing this, Lüliu said, “Miss, wait here for a moment. This servant will ask for directions.”
Yun Zhiyue nodded and sat down on a nearby bench, rubbing her stomach.
Suddenly, voices drifted from a corner not far away.
“Yuyao greets Your Highness the Second Prince.”
“Yao’er, rise quickly. I’ve already told you there’s no need for formalities when we meet in the future.”
Hearing the voice, Yun Zhiyue froze and instinctively turned her head to look.
It really was Li Yuyao… together with the Second Prince.
“Many thanks, Your Highness, but etiquette must not be neglected.”
“Yao’er, ever since we parted in haste that day, this prince has thought of you day and night. Seeing you again now fills me with joy.”
The man’s eyes brimmed with delight as he strode forward and grasped the woman’s hand.
The woman lowered her gaze shyly, her voice soft and sweet. “Your Highness, please don’t…”
Yun Zhiyue was slightly surprised.
Didn’t the Second Prince already have an official wife?
“Once this prince returns to the palace, I’ll request Father Emperor to decree you as my secondary consort. How does that sound?”
Li Yuyao lowered her head slightly and bit her lip, disdain flashing briefly through her eyes. “Your Highness is a dragon among men. Yuyao’s status is humble—how could I possibly be worthy?”
What use did she have for the position of secondary consort?
She wanted to become Crown Princess.
She wanted to become Empress, ruler of the six palaces.
He was merely a stepping stone for her ascent.
“Yao’er, you mustn’t belittle yourself. You are beautiful and intelligent, far superior to that stiff-faced Xue Linlang. She’s dull, crude, and always lecturing people. If Mother Consort hadn’t forced this prince, I never would have married her.”
“Yao’er, only after meeting you did this prince finally understand what it means to fall in love.”
The more the man spoke, the more emotional he became, eventually reaching out to embrace her.
The woman struggled lightly. “Your Highness, no… this is improper.”
Yun Zhiyue felt disgusted.
What kind of trash was this? Criticizing his own lawful wife behind her back.
And he still hadn’t noticed the disdain all over Li Yuyao’s face?
She clearly didn’t care for him at all—she only wanted to use him.
Why did this Second Prince seem so foolish?
Good thing he wasn’t Crown Prince.
She really couldn’t keep watching this eye-burning spectacle.
Yun Zhiyue stood up.
Suddenly, a cat darted over, and she nearly stepped on it.
“Ah!”
The Second Prince turned sharply. “Who’s there?”
Yun Zhiyue inwardly cursed her bad luck.
Not caring whether her stomach still hurt, she lifted her skirts and ran.
A guard immediately chased after her.
Seeing him closing in behind her, Yun Zhiyue panicked. Spotting a dog hole in the wall nearby, she crouched down, squeezed through into another courtyard, and rushed straight into the main room.
Shutting the door and locking it happened in one fluid motion.
Inside the room sat a man dressed in moon-white robes with wide sleeves.
Hearing someone enter, he raised his head.
Their eyes met.
Just as he was about to speak, the young woman hurried over and covered his mouth.
“Shh.”
Their hair tangled together.
The man was visibly startled. His thick eyelashes trembled slightly as he glanced upward at the woman leaning over him, his phoenix-like eyes shimmering as though stars flowed within them.
A faint, delicate fragrance drifted into his senses.
Warmth seeped through his palm where her hand pressed against him.
Yun Zhiyue felt utterly embarrassed.
Her heart pounded wildly as though it might leap from her chest, and she had no idea where to look.
Thinking the guard had probably left, she hurriedly climbed off him.
“Um… sorry about that.”
Only then did she finally get a clear look at his face.
His eyes were like fallen stars, his features carved from flawless jade.
Absolutely stunning.
Yet at the moment, his brows were tightly furrowed.
“That was only an emergency, so I had no choice. Please forgive me, Young Master. I’m the owner of Jade Delicacies Tea House. How about I compensate you with a VIP card? From now on, whenever you visit the teahouse, all food and drinks will be free. Does that sound alright?”
The man replied calmly, “There’s no need. Since the young lady is unharmed, you may leave on your own.”
“Alright.”
Staying any longer would only make things more awkward.
Yun Zhiyue immediately slipped away.
“Miss, where did you run off to just now? This servant was worried sick. Is your body alright?” Lüliu asked anxiously.
Yun Zhiyue patted her shoulder lightly. “Good Lüliu, I’m fine.”
“Come on. Let’s go find the other two.”
In the forest—
Xiao Zhaoning pouted. “Why hasn’t Zhiyue arrived yet?”
Liu Tinglan spoke gently, “Your Highness, should we send someone to check on Miss Yun?”
“No need. I’m here.”
Yun Zhiyue walked over gracefully with Lüliu.
A pink flower petal drifted onto her shoulder in the breeze, adding a lively touch to her beauty.
The group wandered through the woods for a while.
Eventually, Xiao Zhaoning rubbed her stomach. “Walking around has made me hungry.”
Liu Tinglan laughed softly. “Then let’s head back.”
“Alright.”
Inside the carriage—
After eating a few pastries, Xiao Zhaoning quickly lost interest.
“Sigh. These pastries fill the stomach, but they’re so bland.”
She suddenly missed instant noodles.
Yun Zhiyue knew exactly what she meant and chuckled softly. “Then let me treat you all to malatang.”
Xiao Zhaoning’s eyes lit up instantly. “Yes! Yes!”
Liu Tinglan looked puzzled. “What is malatang?”
“You’ll find out later.”
“Who was it?!”
The man’s face was filled with fury.
Someone had actually overheard their conversation.
“Your Highness, it was a woman wearing a light green dress. This subordinate couldn’t see her face clearly. She fled into Master Kongming’s courtyard, and this subordinate didn’t dare enter rashly.” A black-clothed guard knelt with clasped fists.
“Useless fool. Why aren’t you investigating already?”