Seeing that Qin Wan wanted to meet the abbot of Fahua Temple, Yue Ning immediately said, “I know the way, I’ll take you there. Is this about your earlier wish to light eternal lamps for your parents at Fahua Temple?”

Qin Wan nodded, and Yue Ning smiled, “Let’s see if they’re finished talking.”

Yue Ning led Qin Wan out of the flower hall, walking west along the path in front. Prince Yi’s mansion had a similar layout to Prince Rui’s mansion, though the scenery was different. They soon arrived at a moon gate, where the servant who had come to announce them earlier was about to return. He was startled to see Qin Wan and Yue Ning approaching.

“Why have the two Princesses come here? The Young Master has received word and will be here shortly.”

Just as he finished speaking, two people emerged from the corridor behind him. The one in front was Yan Ze, without his medicinal patches over his eyes.

Behind Yan Ze was a man in his thirties wearing a black short robe. The man had been following Yan Ze but hadn’t expected Qin Wan and Yue Ning to come. He halted his steps, his expression slightly stiffening as he instinctively glanced at Yan Ze walking ahead.

Yan Ze’s lifeless eyes fell on a spot in the distance. The servant, seeing Yan Ze emerge, hurriedly turned back to greet him, “Your Highness, the two Princesses have arrived.”

Yue Ning also stepped forward, “Third Brother, have you finished your business?”

As she spoke, Yue Ning glanced at the man in black following Yan Ze, but he lowered his head.

Yan Ze reached out his hand, and Yue Ning quickly moved to support him. Yan Ze said softly, “Yes, we’re finished.”

Then Yan Ze said, “Master Song, you may go.”

The man in black nodded, cupped his hands in a salute to Yan Ze, and turned to walk toward the side gate of the mansion.

Watching his retreating figure, Yue Ning asked, “Who was that?”

Yan Ze replied, “The master craftsman casting the golden Buddha.”

Yue Ning’s brow furrowed slightly but she said nothing more. Qin Wan stepped forward and said, “I heard from the servants that the abbot of Fahua Temple was also in the mansion. I told Yue Ning I wanted to meet him. Would Your Highness be able to arrange that?”

Yan Ze had been about to ask why Yue Ning had come, but hearing this, he smiled and said, “It’s not the head abbot, but Master Huixin from Fahua Temple. He’s still speaking with my father. Since you’re here, I’ll take you to meet Master Huixin.”

After Yan Ze finished speaking and turned around, Yue Ning supported him as they headed toward the west wing courtyard. Just as they reached the entrance, they saw Prince Yi Yan Xiang and a monk in red kasaya walking out. Seeing Qin Wan and Yue Ning approach, Prince Yi smiled, “I just heard you had come. Why didn’t you wait in the flower hall? It’s very cold outside.”

Qin Wan and Yue Ning bowed, and Yan Ze smiled, “Princess Yongci wants to light eternal lamps at Fahua Temple. When she heard Master Huixin was here, she wanted to come ask about it.”

Standing beside Yan Xiang was indeed Huixin, who upon hearing this clasped his hands and said “Amitabha,” then stepped forward and asked, “For whom does the patron wish to light eternal lamps?”

Qin Wan stepped forward and explained her intentions. Master Huixin smiled kindly and said, “This matter is quite simple. The patron need only come to the temple and say so.”

Qin Wan thought for a moment, then asked about various ceremonial matters. She was determined to light eternal lamps for her parents and the Second Master’s couple of the Qin family, so her questions were very practical. Master Huixin answered each one in detail. When finished, Master Huixin clasped his hands toward Prince Yi and said, “If that’s all, this humble monk will take his leave. On the tenth day of the twelfth month, I will bring people into the city to welcome the Buddha statue.”

Prince Yi nodded with a smile and instructed a servant to escort Huixin. After Huixin left, Yue Ning said, “The date has been set? The tenth day of the twelfth month is Qin Wan’s wedding day.”

Prince Yi smiled, “That day is auspicious, so we’ve set the Buddha welcoming ceremony for then as well.”

The west wing courtyard was very close to Prince Yi’s quarters. The Prince asked Yan Ze to entertain Qin Wan and Yue Ning while he returned to his study first.

As the three walked back to the flower hall, Yue Ning asked, “Third Brother, can your eyes feel anything now? Today when I left the palace after paying respects to Grandmother, she mentioned your eye condition, so I asked her to come take a look…”

Yan Ze smiled, “I don’t feel much anymore, but don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with my eyes.”

Qin Wan pressed her lips together without speaking. Yue Ning glanced at Qin Wan, feeling something was off about her. When they reached the flower hall and sat down, Yan Ze’s nostrils twitched slightly and he said, “I almost forgot, my orchid hasn’t been brought back…”

Yue Ning quickly asked, “Was it taken to the front courtyard again?”

Yan Ze nodded, “There was sun today, so it was taken to the front courtyard for some light.”

Yue Ning stood up, “Then I’ll go bring it back. I know it’s your treasure.”

Yan Ze smiled and said, “Tanxiang, accompany the Princess…”

The attending Tanxiang responded, and Yue Ning told Qin Wan “Wait here” before heading to the front courtyard.

As soon as Yue Ning left, Qin Wan fixed a particularly sharp gaze on Yan Ze. Sitting across from Qin Wan, Yan Ze said, “Princess, you came here because you have something to say to me, right?”

Qin Wan’s lips were pressed tightly together, “The Empress Dowager had another disagreement with His Majesty this morning, about His Majesty’s sword practice in previous years. His Majesty couldn’t remember the name of that great sword master.”

Yan Ze raised an eyebrow, “Oh? His Majesty is busy with state affairs, so he must have forgotten. The Empress Dowager shouldn’t develop a rift with His Majesty over this.”

Hearing this, Qin Wan laughed coldly, “Since several months ago, Young Master has frequently visited the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager. Yet on the other hand, Young Master seems to love bringing up old matters with her, especially things from before His Majesty ascended the throne – playing chess, injuries, martial arts practice… There are probably many more things I don’t know about.”

Yan Ze smiled very gently, his voice as soft as a spring breeze, “What’s wrong with that? I’ve been away from the capital for ten years, so naturally, I can only talk about things from the past.”

Qin Wan looked at Yan Ze as if trying to see through his gentle facade what he was thinking. But after looking for a long while, Qin Wan found that Yan Ze’s exterior was like a flawless painting without any cracks or weak points. Qin Wan pressed her lips together tightly and said, “The Empress Dowager’s health is poor. If she experiences shock or anger, even the gods couldn’t save her.”

Though Qin Wan had no blood ties to the Empress Dowager, since treating her illness at the beginning of the year, the Empress Dowager had treated her with warmth and care. Her wedding to Yan Chi was also thanks to the Empress Dowager’s help. This care was enough to make Qin Wan concerned for her life, yet what Yan Ze planned to do was like hanging a sword over the Empress Dowager’s head.

After Qin Wan spoke these words, Yan Ze also remained silent for a moment. The flower hall was completely quiet, yet there seemed to be undercurrents of tension.

Soon, faint voices could be heard from outside the courtyard gate – Yue Ning was returning.

Yan Ze suddenly spoke, “Does the Princess have time tomorrow?”

Qin Wan raised an eyebrow, not knowing Yan Ze’s intentions. Yan Ze smiled slowly, “I have a favor to ask of the Princess.”

Not knowing what Yan Ze wanted her to do, Qin Wan thought for a moment and said, “I’ll visit the Empress Dowager in the palace in the morning, but I’ll have time after noon.”

Yan Ze considered briefly, “Very well, tomorrow at noon, I’ll have someone wait for the Princess outside the palace.” After a pause, he added, “There’s no need to let Ning’er know about this.”

Qin Wan was about to speak when Yue Ning returned, carrying an orchid and taking large strides. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she said, “Third Brother, this orchid shouldn’t be in the sun anymore. It’s better to keep it in the flower hall for the next few days.”

Yan Ze turned his body toward Yue Ning’s direction and smiled, nodding, “Alright.”

Qin Wan sat distractedly with Yue Ning in the flower hall for a while. Seeing it was getting late, Yue Ning didn’t want to keep Qin Wan any longer and suggested they leave. Yue Ning had been wearing a bright, open smile, but as soon as they walked out of the flower hall’s main door, her smile froze. She remained silent the entire way out of the mansion. Only after they left Prince Yi’s mansion and boarded the carriage did Yue Ning suddenly say, “That man just now wasn’t an ordinary master craftsman.”

Qin Wan had been somewhat lost in thought, but hearing this, she looked at Yue Ning in surprise. Yue Ning narrowed her eyes and said, “I’ve never seen that man before, but he couldn’t have been an ordinary craftsman. His footsteps were extremely light, and when he cupped his hands in salute, there were obvious calluses at the tiger’s mouth of his palm – the kind that only comes from years of martial arts practice.”

Qin Wan slowly sat up straight. Would a craftsman practice martial arts for years?

Such craftsmen were extremely rare…

And Qin Wan had also noticed the man’s demeanor.

He was a very alert man who trusted Yan Ze completely. When he saw her and Yue Ning, he instinctively looked to Yan Ze, showing there was a closer relationship between them. And his alertness was more like the wariness of someone in a dangerous environment. If he was a craftsman or even Yan Ze’s secret guard, why would he be so wary of outsiders in Prince Yi’s mansion?

Qin Wan glanced at Yue Ning again but didn’t mention Yan Ze’s request for help.

Tomorrow might be an opportunity to find out exactly what Yan Ze intended to do.