Qin Yining and Nanny Bao left the Garden of Filial Piety, hurrying out all the way. Thinking of Qin Huining’s mortified expression just now, her heart filled with satisfaction.

Ever since she returned home, Qin Huining had been jumping around like an agitated monkey, not allowing a single day of peace. She set traps for her, framed her, harmed the people around her. Even though she had never harbored any intention to harm others, Qin Huining still judged her by her own standards, convinced that she would certainly harm her. Since Qin Huining thought this way, if she did nothing at all, she would truly be at a disadvantage.

This was just the beginning.

The two left through the second gate, then headed toward the side gate where the carriage was parked, accompanied by a young servant.

Seeing the young servant was far away and there were no outsiders around them, Nanny Bao smiled and said, “Today, this old servant acted as such because I was following the Old Madam’s instructions. The Old Madam pities Miss’s hardships and knows you have suffered many grievances during this time. The Old Madam’s meaning is that some people need to be suppressed when they should be suppressed. Since the young madam cannot do it, the Old Madam doesn’t mind stepping forward to be the villain.”

“I understand Grandmother’s kind intentions in my heart, but this way, it will inevitably make Grandmother attract resentment from others.” Although Qin Yining knew that Duke Dingguo’s wife’s actions were not purely out of heartache for her, but also contained elements of hoping for mutual restraint between the two, she could still appreciate that goodwill.

Seeing her sensible appearance, Nanny Bao’s smile became several degrees more genuine.

“Miss need not worry. The Old Madam said that she has done many things in this lifetime, and it’s hard to say that every single thing has been entirely satisfactory. As long as one has no guilt in their heart, that’s enough. Moreover, Miss Huining’s thoughts have gone astray now. If she’s not suppressed, I’m afraid she might harm the young madam in the future. The Old Madam is also acting out of love for her daughter.”

Qin Yining nodded in understanding. Thinking of Sun Shi’s appearance, she couldn’t help but smile and say, “Mother is a blessed person.”

Nanny Bao also smiled. Compared to Qin Yining, wasn’t Sun Shi someone whose blessings reached the heavens? It’s just that she herself didn’t know how to cherish them, nor did she feel she was blessed, always feeling wronged instead.

“Miss, yesterday the Old Madam sent a formal invitation to ‘Immortal Maiden Temple’, explaining that we would be going to hold a ritual ceremony today. They replied that everything was already prepared. Just now, the Old Madam has already sent people to Stepping Cloud Inn to fetch Miss Tang. We can set off directly shortly.”

“Grandmother is still the most thoughtful.”

All the way out the door, Nanny Bao led Qin Yining toward the ornate and spacious large carriage in the center. Supporting Nanny Bao’s hand, she stepped on the red lacquered footstool and got into the carriage. As soon as she lifted the warm curtain, she saw Duke Dingguo’s wife wrapped in a dark blue cloak with winding branch patterns, sitting upright in the main seat, while Tang Meng was still dressed as a little Taoist nun, sitting beside Duke Dingguo’s wife.

“Grandmother, you came too.” Qin Yining sat down on the other side and pulled Nanny Bao along.

The carriage was spacious, and four people sitting in it didn’t feel crowded at all.

Nanny Bao instructed those outside to set off.

Duke Dingguo’s wife then took Qin Yining’s hand and said, “What, did you think I would wait for you at home? I wanted to set off directly to save you from having to make an extra trip. Since we have to pass by this area anyway, it’s convenient to just pick you up and go.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded. Understanding that it was inconvenient for Duke Dingguo’s wife to enter the Qin residence, she smiled and said, “However you arrange it is fine, as long as you’re willing to take me out to play often.”

“You little girl.” Duke Dingguo’s wife was amused by Qin Yining and laughed.

The journey to Immortal Maiden Temple by carriage took a full two hours. Although the weather was cold, fortunately there had been no snow for the past two days. Moreover, their Great Yan was located in the south, so winter was typically a mix of rain and snow. Today for their outing, the sun hung high, and the roads were clean and dry. During the two-hour journey, they only stopped once to rest. The rest of the time was spent talking and laughing, so it didn’t feel boring at all.

Both Qin Yining and Duke Dingguo’s wife knew that Tang Meng had suffered the tragedy of her entire family being wiped out, so she surely couldn’t bear to see others’ grandmother and granddaughter reunited, fearing it would touch her heartache. In their conversation, they took great care of Tang Meng and didn’t make her feel sad.

Throughout the journey’s conversation, Tang Meng greatly admired Duke Dingguo’s wife’s wisdom and became even closer to Qin Yining.

“Madam, we have arrived.”

The carriage slowly stopped, and the accompanying maidservants came to request them outside, while the guards stood far on both sides for protection.

Qin Yining and Tang Meng got out of the carriage first, then helped Duke Dingguo’s wife down. The coachman drove the carriage away from the mountain gate, while sturdy women carried the gifts up the steps first.

Qin Yining looked up and saw that not far ahead, there were steps about ten feet wide winding upward for several hundred levels. Trees on both sides had shed their leaves, and bamboo shadows stood in rows, making this place appear quiet and serene. At the end of the steps, the mountain gate could be vaguely seen.

Qin Yining said, “Grandmother, have them carry a sedan chair. You’ll be tired walking up so many steps.”

“It’s fine, just two hundred and eight steps, how tiring could it be? We’ll just walk up slowly.”

Duke Dingguo’s wife insisted on this. When Nanny Bao and others failed to persuade her, Qin Yining and Tang Meng had to carefully support her on the left and right as they went up the mountain.

After walking dozens of steps, Duke Dingguo’s wife began to pant. After walking most of the way, her face turned red and sweat appeared on her forehead. In contrast, Qin Yining showed no change in expression and her heart rate remained steady.

Duke Dingguo’s wife put her hands on her waist to catch her breath, smiling and saying, “Look at our Yi Jie’er, she probably could climb ten more sets of stairs like this without any problem. She’s put all of you to shame.”

The maidservants and women following behind were all panting heavily, chattering with praise for Qin Yining’s stamina.

Qin Yining said with amusement, “I’ve been walking mountain paths since I was small, so I’m used to it. Grandmother, despite your age, can still have such nimble legs and feet. If you take good care of yourself and don’t overexert, your health will certainly be even better.”

Duke Dingguo’s wife panted for a while longer. After catching her breath, she waved her hand, “Come, this time we’re going straight to the top!”

All the way to the mountaintop, Qin Yining’s face was only slightly flushed, while everyone around her was panting like oxen. Taking advantage of Duke Dingguo’s wife and others standing in place to catch their breath, Qin Yining looked around.

Pink walls extended on both sides of the mountain gate, surrounding a spacious courtyard. The flat area in front of the mountain gate was paved with blue stone bricks, and withered yellow grass could still be seen in the gaps between the stones.

On the golden plaque above the mountain gate were written three large characters: “Immortal Maiden Temple,” and behind the mountain gate, magnificent buildings and a pagoda in the corner could be vaguely seen.

Several Taoist nuns wearing deep blue robes came out to greet them, bowing with hands clasped upon seeing Duke Dingguo’s wife.

A thin Taoist nun of about thirty-something smiled and stepped forward, bowing with clasped hands: “Infinite blessings, Celestial Deity! Is the Old Madam well in all things? Having not seen you for many days, your complexion appears even more radiant.”

“Thanks to your blessings. Is Immortal Liu present?”

“Master has been waiting for a long time. Please follow this humble Taoist.”

Qin Yining and Tang Meng together helped Duke Dingguo’s wife as they led their large group through the mountain gate. Following the blue stone path, they turned toward the moon gate, went around the treasure hall, and came to the main room of the rear courtyard.

Nanny Bao waited outside with the maidservants, while Duke Dingguo’s wife only brought Qin Yining and Tang Meng into the room.

Upon entering, they saw a stout old Taoist nun in her fifties with a short, solid build sitting upright in the main seat. Not only were there Taoist nuns serving tea beside her, but a young gentleman was actually seated in the guest seat.

This gentleman had long eyebrows, phoenix eyes, a high nose, and thin lips. He wore an ivory-white straight robe with a gray squirrel fur cloak over it, truly a figure of incomparable handsomeness. When he saw Duke Dingguo’s wife’s group enter, he merely glanced once, then politely lowered his eyes.

Behind him stood a seventeen or eighteen-year-old attendant with a round, tiger-like face. This attendant, perhaps being young and lively, looked at Qin Yining’s face several times.

Duke Dingguo’s wife felt displeased, “Immortal Liu, did you receive yesterday’s invitation?” implying that since notice had already been given that ladies would be coming, why was an outside man still allowed in?

“Infinite Celestial Deity, has the Old Madam been well? The invitation was received yesterday, but this person is my major patron, so it shouldn’t matter, right?”