Chapter 25

At noon, the group arrived at Cold Mountain Temple, deep in the emerald haze, where the Buddha's shadow was serene and still.

Worshippers came one after another, an endless stream, some praying for marriage, others for wealth; though crowded, it was not noisy; on the contrary, it was reassuring.

The carriage was taken away by a young novice monk from the temple; several people climbed the steps, paid their respects to the Buddha, donated incense money, then found a spot to sit and rest.

Then a young novice monk came up to Shen Shuangning, recited a Buddhist chant, and handed her a bag of wild fruit.

"These mountain wild fruits are delightfully crisp and sweet, perfect for quenching thirst; benefactress, please don't stand on ceremony."

The monks in the temple are extremely kind; upon seeing someone with affinity, they give gifts. In her previous life, whenever Shen Shuangning came here, she always received these tasty fruits.

She felt fortunate in her heart and sincerely murmured a Buddhist chant.

She never hoarded tasty things; she shared the fruit with others, eating little herself, yet it stirred her craving.

It's a pity she didn't ask earlier where these wild fruits were picked; otherwise she could have gathered some to bring home for her parents, and wouldn't have to wonder when she might return next time.

Shen Shuangning felt it was a shame.

After sitting briefly, Su Ran grew impatient and pulled Shen Shuangning to the Myriad Bonds Treasure Pagoda to draw a marriage lot.

Seeing Shen Xiuci about to follow, Su Ran startled and hastily said, "You are not allowed to come along!"

Shen Shuangning knew Su Ran was shy; despite Shen Xiuci not thinking much of it, she still said, "Older brother, I still want to eat that fruit from earlier; could you pick some more for me?"

Shen Xiuci never refused her, so he agreed.

Thus, only Shen Er followed them from a distance.

Su Ran linked arms with her friend and whispered, "Will your second brother not tell anyone if he sees us?"

Shen Shuangning patted her hand, "Don't worry, he won't tell."

Who would have thought that upon arriving, they encountered Lin Wanrong walking back while crying.

Su Ran called out, "Lin younger sister?"

Lin Wanrong saw them, quickly turned her face and wiped her tears with her sleeve, then forced a smile as she greeted them; her almond eyes remained red, and she showed no injury, suggesting another cause.

Having met, it was natural to show concern; Shen Shuangning handed her own handkerchief and asked anxiously, "Lin elder sister, what's wrong?"

Lin Wanrong is one year older than her.

Initially, when they participated in the ladies' etiquette contest, the two were rivals; Lin Wanrong was confident of taking first place, but unexpectedly lost it to the younger Shen Shuangning; therefore, seeing her now, Lin Wanrong's expression is somewhat complex.

Shen Shuangning's handkerchief bears a fresh, elegant magnolia flower, which somewhat clashes with her gorgeous appearance.

Lin Wanrong did not refuse her kindness, concealed the hint of embarrassment, and softly said, "I'm fine, no need to worry."

She also asked whether they were going to draw a marriage lot.

Su Ran had no intention of hiding it from her and nodded.

Lin Wanrong offered a polite remark, "I wish you both a good marriage lot." She did not linger, hurried away, heading down the mountain.

Clearly, when they arrived, they had seen her smiling and chatting happily.

After she walked away, Su Ran softly said, "She cried like that; could it be that she drew an unlucky lot?"

Shen Shuangning guessed it might be related to Xie Lin, but she never expected to actually meet Young Marquis Xie under the pagoda's locust tree.

The youth leaned against the tree, eyes downcast on what he held, seeming very pleased, corners of his mouth upturned, not noticing someone approaching at first.

Only when Su Ran called "Young Marquis" did he lift his head.

Shen Shuangning was looking at him.

Upon seeing the person he longed for appear, the youth's eyes lit up instantly, he straightened his body, quickly tucked away what he held, and strode over.

"Ning cousin."

Shen Shuangning bowed slightly: "Young Marquis."

Sensing her distance, Xie Lin panicked, as if recalling something, and hastily explained, "I have nothing with Miss Lin!"

"Escorting her to Cold Mountain Temple was also a request from my family's elders, hard to refuse; and her feelings... I have already made that clear to Miss Lin just now."

He also intended to clarify things today, which is why he came to Cold Mountain Temple with Miss Lin; he did not want outside gossip to cause Shen Shuangning to misunderstand.

Xie Lin looked at her and said, "You believe me."

The youth's fervent gaze almost pierced Shen Shuangning; she felt a bit embarrassed and looked away, saying, "Your blunt rejection of her will make her feel terrible inside."

"I only consider your thoughts," Xie Lin replied without hesitation, his expression utterly sincere.

The youth's assault came like a tide, fervent and sincere; Shen Shuangning had never experienced such treatment and was momentarily unable to cope.

She dared not look into his eyes.

At this moment, Xie Lin raised his hand toward her; just as Shen Shuangning thought he would touch her face, the youth brushed over her head, and a fallen leaf drifted down from his periphery.

It turned out he was brushing away the leaf on her head.

Under the flower tree, the maiden had bright eyes and white teeth, her gaze clear and distinct, looking at him at a loss; Xie Lin lowered his eyes to gaze at her, unable to swallow his saliva, having not seen her for days, he felt near madness.

Earlier he had also drawn a marriage lot, thinking of Shen Shuangning, and thus he got an upper lot that read: "A match made in heaven, a perfect couple."

Su Ran stood aside, already stunned, her hand covering her mouth.

Xie Lin finally restrained himself, lowered his hand, and spoke gently, "Rest assured, I do not intend to force you to give me an answer now; I will give you time."

"You and I are a match made in heaven; no one can take us away."

Shen Shuangning's face was already slightly flushed; she regretted in her heart, "How could I have thrown away that sachet?"

"What are you doing? Stay away from my sister!"

A mood-spoiler arrived.

Shen Er rolled up his sleeves and rushed over angrily; seeing this, Xie Lin could only create distance, yet hastily shoved a trinket into her hand.

Shen Shuangning looked down and saw it was a Western pocket watch, a novel little gadget of the time, small and exquisite.

How did he know she liked these?

Xie Lin did not look at her, but bowed his hands to the furious Shen Er and smiled, "Greetings, Elder Brother Shen."

Shen Er felt his scalp tingle at being called "Elder Brother Shen," his fists clenched as he pondered which side of the face to strike.

Having learned from the previous incident, Xie Lin was unwilling to clash with Shen Er in front of Shen Shuangning, so he prepared to take his leave at once.

After walking a few steps, Shen Shuangning called out to him: "Young Marquis, there will be a lantern festival in a few days—do you happen to be free?"

Xie Lin paused, the corners of his mouth lifting high, and replied: "If Ningning seeks me, I am always free!"

"Is Ningning something you can call her?!"

Shen Shuangning hurriedly grabbed Shen Er: "Second brother!"

Xie Lin had already activated his lightness skill and departed.

"You brat, you got away fast!"

Shen Er ground his teeth, then glanced at his younger sister with a helpless expression: "He's no good person; you should listen to the eldest brother."

"Second brother, don't say that about him," Shen Shuangning said.

Is this the protection?

Shen Er immediately clutched his chest, staggered back two steps, looking anguished: "Forget it, forget it— a married daughter is not to be kept, a married daughter is not to be kept!"

Shen Er walked to one side, sat down boldly, and sighed repeatedly.

Su Ran, however, was different; she lightly bumped Shen Shuangning's arm with her shoulder and said: "I didn't expect the Young Marquis to seem unscrupulous, yet he handles affairs quite well—didn't disappoint you. Are you feeling even more moved?"

"You talk too much," Shen Shuangning retorted, annoyed.

Though her inner self was mature, she was also thin-skinned, and she stepped first into the Myriad Affinities Precious Pagoda.

The two drew lots one after another.

Su Ran looked at her lot slip, which read: "Wait quietly for the opportunity; fate will arrive."

She blinked, wondering what this meant—had her true love not yet appeared?

Meanwhile, the lot Shen Shuangning drew said: "Before fate arrives, one must guard oneself; when fate comes, do not hesitate."

Heaven did not cooperate; as they were about to return, a torrential downpour began.

Many pilgrims lifted their heads to gaze at the dreadful weather, muttering complaints.

At that moment, in the rear mountain, a person of unknown origin clutched a wound in his abdomen, braving the rain to sneak into Cold Mountain Temple amid the chaos, and even killed a young novice monk who had come to check on him with a single slash.

Afterwards, he changed into a monk's robe and blended in......

The path down the mountain was not smooth; for safety, Shen Xiuci decided to wait until the rain lessened before heading back.

Cold Mountain Temple is the largest temple nearby; many Buddhist ladies from noble families in Jingcheng often stay a few days, so there are many vacant guest rooms within the temple grounds for lodging.

The furnishings in the room were quite simple.

Upon seeing their fine attire and extraordinary bearing, the monks knew they were not ordinary folk, dared not slight them, properly arranged their lodging, and then sent over some vegetarian meals.

Su Ran, as always, welcomed the food and ate happily; Shen Shuangning, accustomed to delicacies, found she could not eat much, her thoughts turning to that bag of fruit, so she rose and walked outside.

Su Ran looked up and quickly asked: "Where are you going?"

Shen Shuangning did not turn back: "I'm going to find my elder brothers; I'll return shortly."

Su Ran gave an "oh": "Go early, return early."

A Heng hurriedly fetched a cloak and followed: "Miss, it's chilly in the rain—don't catch a cold."

Male and female guests are separated, though not far apart; Shen Shuangning roughly knew the direction.

After the rain, the sky darkened by a degree, as if a layer of gray had been smeared over it, hazy and indistinct.

Shen Shuangning took out her pocket watch and checked the time: three quarters past the Shen hour.

Her thoughts drifted; having not seen Xie Lin just now, she wondered whether he had already gone down the mountain.

A monk approached from ahead.

Seeing he wore his hair loose, Shen Shuangning thought he was a temple volunteer, not a monk, and still called out: "Little master."

The monk halted, his back to her, only slightly turning his head, saying nothing.

That monk had a pair of inverted-triangle eyes, somewhat gloomy, causing Shen Shuangning to feel an inexplicable chill down her spine, and she remained silent for a moment.

The "monk" keenly sensed something; his finger twitched slightly, and a flash of cold light slipped from his sleeve.

However, at that moment, a few people walked by not far away.

He could only suppress his killing intent.

Shen Shuangning quickly steadied herself and asked: "Little master, may I ask—are the male pilgrims headed this way?"

The other party nodded, said nothing more, and Shen Shuangning instinctively felt danger; she thanked him and hurried off.

The more she thought, the more uneasy she became, her carefully drawn brows knitting tightly.

"Miss!"

At that moment, A Heng behind her suddenly cried out in alarm, and Shen Shuangning stopped.

She glanced up; not far away, a pool of bright red blood stained the ground, and she was startled, retreating two steps in fright.

At the same time, A Heng pulled a dagger from his sleeve and placed it before her, saying in a low voice: "Miss, do not come closer; I'll go check."

Shen Shuangning's heart pounded; she stared intently at the glaring blood, which was seeping out from inside the room.

Someone had died in the room—more than one, all killed by a single throat-slash.

A Heng stepped back and said: "All their gold, silver, and valuables are still there; this isn't about robbery—likely revenge, or something else..."

A flash of insight struck Shen Shuangning's mind, recalling that person: "It's him!"

At that moment she remembered the detail she had overlooked earlier: the monk's robe he wore was ill-fitting, overly loose, both hands hidden within the sleeves—if he concealed a blade, it would be unseen. Moreover, the faint aura of danger about him all pointed to him being the killer!

Even more horrifying, he had headed toward the direction of the female pilgrims!

Su Ran was still over there!

Shen Shuangning's entire nervous system tensed; she dared not gamble, and made a swift decision: "Hurry, go find my elder brothers!"

After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped again: "No, it's too late!"

Suddenly, her gaze swept over the great bell standing in the courtyard.

Shen Shuangning's eyes lit up: "Got it!"