Earlier than Shen Miao had expected, Mo Qing arrived at the Shen residence gatehouse the very next day to serve as a guard. Shen Miao had previously asked Shuangjiang to give some silver to the gatekeepers, claiming that Mo Qing was a distant cousin of hers. Since there were several ranks of guards, and Mo Qing would be working as one of the outermost guards, he was accepted without much scrutiny.

Time quickly passed until the third day arrived.

Early in the morning of the third day, Ren Wanyun had everything prepared and sent her maid Xianglan to inform Shen Miao of the arrangements. Before departing, everyone visited Rongjing Hall.

Old Madam Shen spoke with a serious expression, mostly instructing everyone to behave properly. Usually, they would not go to Wolong Temple for incense offering as it was somewhat remote. Although famous, its incense offerings couldn’t compare to the prosperity of temples near the city. It was unclear why this time they were choosing the farther option over the closer one.

Shen Qing appeared to be in high spirits, saying loudly that she would pray to Buddha on behalf of Old Madam Shen and Shen Yuanbai as well. Hearing this, Old Madam Shen was naturally pleased, and her attitude toward Shen Qing softened considerably.

For this journey, they brought along some personal guards to ensure the safety of the Shen family’s young ladies. Shen Miao stood in front of the carriage but didn’t move for a long time. Seeing this, Ren Wanyun frowned and asked, “Why isn’t Fifth Sister moving?”

“I just feel that the guards are too few. To prevent unexpected situations, Second Aunt might want to assign more guards to accompany us,” Shen Miao said.

Ren Wanyun frowned, not expecting Shen Miao to raise this issue at this moment. But everything had already been arranged for today. Ren Wanyun smiled and said, “Fifth Sister, we’re bringing quite a lot of people already. We can’t take all the guards from the Shen residence. Too many people would be inconvenient. Let’s leave it as is.”

However, Shen Miao stubbornly shook her head and refused to move.

Seeing this, Shen Yue said nothing, but Shen Qing was displeased and added, “Our Shen residence isn’t some royal household. How grand an entourage does Fifth Sister want? Even when Uncle goes out, he isn’t so picky.”

She had brought up Shen Xin again, and as soon as she finished speaking, Shen Miao glanced at her. That light glance nonetheless sent a chill through Shen Qing’s entire body.

“Let’s add two more,” Shen Miao pointed to two guards by the gatehouse in the distance. “Those two will do.”

Seeing that Shen Miao wasn’t asking for much, but only adding two people, Ren Wanyun felt relieved. She didn’t want to waste too much time on this matter. Two people wouldn’t affect the overall plan. Putting on a look of reluctance, Ren Wanyun said, “Fifth Sister, you are… Well, when has your Second Aunt ever not indulged you? Let it be your way.” She instructed Xianglan beside her, “Go call those two servants over to accompany us out of the city.”

“Thank you, Second Aunt,” Shen Miao’s lips curled into a smile.

Seeing that Ren Wanyun had ultimately yielded to Shen Miao’s request, Shen Yue just looked at Shen Miao somewhat strangely, while Shen Qing stomped her foot fiercely, glared at Shen Miao, and then turned to leave.

After boarding the carriage, Shen Qing deliberately avoided speaking to Shen Miao. Although Shen Yue conversed with Shen Miao, her words carried an element of probing. Shen Miao couldn’t be bothered to engage with her properly and responded perfunctorily. Ren Wanyun, however, was in high spirits throughout the journey, talking to Shen Miao about childhood matters, appearing very close. In the past, Shen Miao might have felt daughterly affection toward this seemingly kind second aunt, but now, looking at this woman, her every movement seemed full of affected ugliness. To someone like Shen Miao, who had seen all kinds of human interactions in the back palace, it was rather transparent.

They departed in the morning and finally reached their destination, Yangping Peak, by evening.

Wolong Temple was situated halfway up Yangping Peak. The mountains were tall and the valleys deep. Had it been spring, the place would have been filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, lush branches, and beautiful scenery. But now in early autumn, the vegetation was withering, adding a touch of desolation.

Since Yangping Peak was too far from the capital and the path to Wolong Temple was not easy to travel, not many people came to offer incense here except for those truly devout ladies and madams. When Shen Miao and her group got off the carriage and arrived at the entrance of Wolong Temple, they saw only a small novice monk sweeping outside the massive temple, making it appear quite deserted.

“It’s quite peaceful here,” Shen Yue chuckled softly.

Shen Qing wrinkled her nose, seeming to want to complain, but then thought of something and restrained herself.

Ren Wanyun said, “Despite how quiet it seems, I’ve heard that the Buddha here is very efficacious. When offering incense, you must be sincere.”

The young novice monk, seeing visitors, rose to welcome them. While the servants were unloading things from the carriages, Ren Wanyun and the others followed the novice monk who led the way into the temple.

The deeper they went into the temple, the more apparent it became that Wolong Temple was indeed sparsely populated. There weren’t many visitors, and even the monks were few. Yet the temple was spacious, which made it feel empty. Staying overnight here would likely be somewhat frightening.

After meeting the abbot, he assigned them separate courtyards. Young ladies were supposed to have one room each, situated close together. When it came to Shen Miao, a middle-aged monk beside the abbot, who was slightly younger, said, “I apologize, but in the southern pavilion, there is no more room for the young lady. If you don’t mind, how about staying in the northern pavilion?”

Everyone looked at her, and Shen Miao smiled, “I’m sorry, but I do mind.”

“Fifth Sister,” Ren Wanyun reprimanded in a low voice, “this is a sacred Buddhist place. How can you be so willful?”

“I just find it strange,” Shen Miao remained unmoved. “The temple doesn’t seem to have many visitors, so why would a pavilion be full?”

The middle-aged monk frowned slightly, probably having never encountered such a self-important young lady who would comment on the temple without hesitation. Yet Shen Miao wasn’t making a scene like those spoiled young ladies often did. This manner of reasoning made it difficult for others to respond.

“Young benefactor, what you don’t know is that although there aren’t many visitors, there are many monks in the temple,” the old abbot smiled slightly, explaining to Shen Miao.

“But I’d be scared staying alone. What should I do?” she asked.

“Well…” Ren Wanyun was still trying to comfort her: “Fifth Sister, just make do for one night. If you endure this night, Buddha will see your sincerity, and tomorrow when you offer incense, your wishes will surely come true.”

In the past, Shen Miao would have been persuaded by these words. After all, she was someone who responded to gentleness rather than force, and with Fu Xiuyi in her heart, she might have been willing to suffer this small grievance for the sake of Buddha fulfilling her wish to be with Fu Xiuyi.

But now, things were different.

Ren Wanyun was also getting a headache. For some reason, Shen Miao was becoming more and more difficult lately. Previously, Shen Miao would believe whatever she said and was easy to coax. But today there had been frequent mishaps. If Shen Miao wasn’t dealt with soon, there would be an even more troublesome presence in the Shen residence in the future.

“How about this,” Shen Miao said with a smile, “Aunt, why don’t you stay with me in the northern pavilion? Having someone with me would make me feel more at ease.”