Han Yan smiled and said, “New Year’s Eve marks the beginning of a new year, so a change in appearance brings good fortune. Besides, Han Yan is a year older now and no longer a child, so naturally can’t dress like one anymore.”

These words were filled with childlike innocence, and Madam Zhou naturally didn’t believe them. However, feeling she might be overly suspicious, she cast a doubtful glance at Han Yan, who seemed carelessly examining the carriage nearby, which somewhat eased her mind. Zhuang Shi Yang said, “In that case, quickly get into the carriage. It’s a long journey, so the sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll return.”

Han Yan tilted her head to look at Zhuang Shi Yang, stretched out her hand, and pointed toward the two carriages: “Father, aren’t Han Yan and Sister Yu Shan riding in the same carriage?”

Madam Zhou glanced at Zhuang Shi Yang and said softly, “Fourth Young Miss mentioned during the last palace banquet that she’s not comfortable sharing a carriage with others. Besides, Fourth Young Miss will bring her maids, and one carriage might be too cramped. Two carriages would be much more spacious.”

This reference to the palace banquet carriage incident was deliberately made so others would think Han Yan was arrogant, preferring to ride with servants rather than share with the family’s concubine’s daughter, showing boundless pride and bullying the illegitimate daughter.

Sure enough, after hearing these words, Zhuang Shi Yang’s face darkened slightly, and he coldly said to Han Yan, “Weren’t you the one who preferred riding alone? Why are you making a fuss now!” Then turning to Zhuang Yu Shan, his tone became incredibly gentle: “Yu’er, be careful. It’s a long journey. Later, you’ll join Father to enjoy the city’s fireworks feast.”

Zhuang Yu Shan smiled and said, “Yu’er will surely pray to Buddha for Father’s success in all matters and Aunt’s good health.”

After they finished their instructions, Han Yan stepped into one of the carriages.

Inside the carriage, Ji Lan leaned close to Han Yan’s ear and whispered, “Young Miss, the manor has assigned many guards.”

Han Yan lifted the curtain to look, and indeed, each carriage was surrounded by six guards in fitted attire. She gave a cold laugh, lowered the curtain, and leaned back against the carriage’s soft cushions.

These guards had likely all been bought by Madam Zhou. In her previous life, she couldn’t understand how twelve of the manor’s most skilled guards couldn’t handle a group of scattered bandits. Moreover, thinking back, those bandits weren’t particularly skilled fighters, merely using wild punches and kicks. These guards weren’t there to save her but to monitor her and ensure everything went according to plan.

Shu Hong helped Han Yan undo the ties of her cloak. The carriage had a warming stove, making it considerably warmer than outside. Han Yan’s cheeks were flushed from the heat under her heavy cloak.

Ji Lan whispered, “Young Miss, can you now tell us servants why you wanted us to dress this way?”

The night before, Han Yan had instructed Ji Lan and Shu Hong to wear light green blouses when accompanying her up the mountain to pray. Though puzzled, they complied. Having served Han Yan for years, these two had developed an unmatched understanding of her. They knew Han Yan must be planning something for this temple visit, but what exactly?

Han Yan glanced at the carriage curtain, took Ji Lan’s hand, turned her palm upward, and wrote several characters with her finger.

Ji Lan and Shu Hong watched intently, and when they understood the characters, they both gasped.

The characters read: “Zhou plots against me, aims to ruin my reputation.”

Shu Hong suddenly looked up, worriedly gazing at Han Yan, who continued writing: “Conspiring with mountain bandits to kidnap me, then falsely report to officials.”

Both maids were dumbfounded. Though they had seen much during their years in the manor, such a vicious scheme against their young miss was beyond belief, leaving them panicked and helpless. Shu Hong recovered first and, after a pause, looked at Han Yan and silently mouthed: “What—do—we—do?”

Han Yan gave them a reassuring smile and firmly wrote four characters: “Switch places in secret.”

Feng Di Temple was a famous temple in the capital, yet few came to worship. The reason was simple: while Feng Di Temple was renowned for Master Qing Feng, he rarely received visitors. The mountain path to Feng Di Temple was difficult to traverse, and when devotees came but couldn’t see Master Qing Feng, they left disappointed and gradually stopped coming.

Although few came to worship, Feng Di Temple hadn’t become a desolate shrine. Even the offerings of fruits were fresh and rare. Han Yan calculated that Feng Di Temple must have powerful backing to afford such lavish incense money.

Han Yan had an extremely poor impression of Feng Di Temple, even detesting it deeply. In her previous life, she was kidnapped by bandits because of visiting this place—perhaps she was transferring her anger. In this life, standing before the temple gates, looking at the building identical to her memories, Han Yan felt a surge of emotions. From past to future, it seemed she had walked this path for thousands of years.

Zhuang Yu Shan had already instructed servants to move the donations—grain, and blankets for the temple. These were what the monks needed most; other items weren’t necessary.

A middle-aged monk led Han Yan and Yu-Shan into the temple hall, where a golden Buddha statue stood in the center. Han Yan inwardly sneered—for a remote mountain temple to afford a golden Buddha showed extraordinary wealth.

Zhuang Yu Shan knelt on the prayer mat, and Han Yan followed suit, staring directly into the central Buddha’s eyes. She didn’t believe in Buddha because her mother, who believed in heaven, earth, and Buddha, ended up being murdered. In her previous life, despite living peacefully, someone had plotted against her marriage and took her life.

Wasn’t Buddha supposed to save those suffering? Why then, when she was struggling in the sea of suffering, did no Buddha come to save her? But… did she truly not believe? Wasn’t her reincarnation a result of fate’s reversal? Perhaps Buddha, disapproving of her torment by evil people, granted her this chance to change everything and start anew.

Han Yan bent down for a deep bow, closing her eyes as her head touched the prayer mat, silently praying: “Buddha, if you truly have spirit, please bless me to strike down my enemies, let evil people receive evil returns, let Brother Ming and those around Han Yan live well. Even if it costs Han Yan’s life in exchange, Han Yan is willing.”

After respectfully kowtowing three times, Zhuang Yu Shan was already shyly drawing love fortune lots beside her. Han Yan glanced over, waiting until she got her desired “very auspicious” lot before joining her outside. The monk who had guided them earlier came to invite them to stay for a meal at the temple.

Since the Zhuang manor had brought many supplies to the temple, Han Yan wasn’t worried about their hospitality and called in the guards and maids from outside. With the temple short-staffed, the maids helped out.

The temple’s vegetarian meal was extremely simple, just porridge and small dishes, but Han Yan found it particularly flavorful. Zhuang Yu Shan, however, could barely swallow it. Seeing Han Yan eating naturally, she felt even more contemptuous. She reluctantly moved her chopsticks, took a few bites, and set them aside.

After finishing the meal, Han Yan naturally bid farewell to the temple monks and got into her carriage. Leaning against the soft blankets, she began to doze off. After an unknown time, the carriage suddenly stopped, the compartment lurching forward. Han Yan almost flew out, her eyes snapping open, completely alert, with not a trace of sleepiness remaining.