The Great Buddha Hall stood beneath a particularly large ancient scholar tree, its canopy lush and verdant, keeping the hall interior quite cool. There were quite a few visitors—looking around, most were women, including ladies from official families as well as women from common households.

Amid the curling green smoke, incense burned vigorously. Princess Yongjia queued up with the crowd, showing no signs of impatience whatsoever. She told Qin Shuying in a low voice, her tone carrying some excitement, “I used to come here often with Yongxing before.”

“Does Yongxing… also like Buddhist philosophy?”

“She’s not like you—young yet acting like an old man, crafty and shrewd. She comes here just to play, you’ll understand soon enough. I heard you recited prayers for your parents for three years—truly a good child. Among the young ladies I’ve met, those who recite prayers do it just for show. Who would genuinely have such patience?”

“…Miaozhen, you flatter me. If that’s the case, why does Yongxing burn incense?”

“Since we’re already here, what harm is there in burning a stick of incense? It’s our turn.”

The two burned incense and drew divination sticks. Princess Yongjia looked at the divination text and smiled, “Each time it says something different, sometimes even completely contradictory. Tell me, can I believe in this?”

Qin Shuying found it somewhat amusing. Princess Yongjia was already forty years old—her ability to say such things, she wondered if it was childlike innocence or having seen through all worldly matters.

However, she herself didn’t believe in it either.

The former Qin Yaoyao had greatly believed in fate and gods and Buddhas, yet the gods and Buddhas hadn’t protected her.

Ziteng and Ziyuan followed behind and also burned incense.

Exiting the Great Buddha Hall, Princess Yongjia led Qin Shuying to that amusing place. They followed winding paths all the way to the back mountain, where the trees grew increasingly lush but people became fewer and fewer.

Having walked so long, Princess Yongjia showed no signs of being out of breath. She was energetic and laughing continuously, clearly in high spirits.

The higher they climbed, the fewer people they encountered, until they could hardly see anyone at all.

Qin Shuying occasionally exchanged glances with Ziteng. Though puzzled in her heart, she never opened her mouth to ask Princess Yongjia where they were going.

Things having reached this point, fear and worry would serve no purpose.

Since Princess Yongjia walked with vigorous steps, she obviously exercised regularly and was certainly in good physical condition. Even if she had arranged people to deal with them, and even if she hadn’t arranged anyone, she and Ziteng might not necessarily be able to defeat Princess Yongjia and Ziyuan.

Turning onto a secluded path, after walking briefly, seven or eight women in black clothing were waiting in the dense tree shadows, holding several tall horses.

Princess Yongjia lifted her veil and handed it to Ziyuan. Her eyes sparkled brilliantly as she looked at Qin Shuying, her lips curved with a trace of excitement, saying, “Qin Qi, mount up!”

Qin Shuying looked into Princess Yongjia’s eyes, where lay the light of joy and yearning for freedom, fervent and earnest.

After a moment’s hesitation, Qin Shuying gritted her teeth, grabbed the reins, and mounted the horse.

After the steed walked slowly on the path for half a quarter-hour, they entered a broad route. Princess Yongjia spurred her horse, and the steed galloped, with scenery on both sides rushing backward.

Qin Shuying followed closely behind Yongjia, clearly hearing Yongjia’s unrestrained joyful laughter, full of delight and happiness.

Gradually, her tense mood began to change.

Wind howling, birds singing in secluded mountains, scenery like a painting, spirits soaring.

Qin Shuying couldn’t help but break into smiles. In this lifetime, she had never experienced such carefree and unrestrained moments.

Only in distant memories, when Qin Yongzhou had taken young Qin Shuying galloping on horseback, their laughter ringing clear.

Since occupying this cousin’s body, the kindness Qin Yongzhou and his wife showed to Qin Shuying, the happy life of that family of three, had all been deliberately suppressed by her and rarely echoed in her mind.

And in her life as Qin Yaoyao, she had never been carefree and joyful.

So this pure happiness and relaxation came so intensely, giving her a blissful feeling of riding the wind and wanting to fly, an unrestrained joy.

At this moment, she thought of nothing and worried about nothing.

Horse hooves flying, soon they ascended an even more secluded mountain path, quickly arriving before a mountain waterfall.

Here was not only level ground but also constructed buildings.

People were already waiting here—a row of capable women in short clothing, arranged in two rows on either side, standing with hands clasped behind their backs, all smiling.

Princess Yongjia dismounted and tossed the reins. Someone came forward to lead the horse away, and a woman bowed, saying, “Miaozhen, we’ve prepared everything.”

Princess Yongjia made a satisfied “mm” sound. Qin Shuying also dismounted, and Princess Yongjia introduced, “Qin Qi, this is the amusing place I told you about—she discovered it. Just wait, I’ll give you a great surprise.”

Speaking thus, she led the way into the house. Upon entering was a spacious inner hall with doors and passages on all four sides.

Following Princess Yongjia, they turned to a room entrance where someone was waiting. Pushing the door open, it was a changing room with two women standing with hands at their sides, awaiting instructions.

Yongjia ordered, “Qin Qi, go with them to change clothes. I’ll change on this side. What’s your maid’s name? She should change too.”

Qin Shuying and Ziteng responded and went to change clothes quickly.

They all changed into the same short clothing as those women from before, exposing most of their arms and legs, wearing straw rope shoes, with their hair piled high according to the maidservants’ guidance.

Princess Yongjia then led the uncomfortable Qin Shuying up a staircase in the house. Climbing step by step, they actually stood at the edge of that waterfall.

Though there was a row of stairs as a barrier, the sight still made Qin Shuying somewhat dizzy—this waterfall cascaded straight down. Though only as high as a three-story building, the “whooshing” sound of water and the deep emerald pool below all reminded her this was a dangerous place.

Princess Yongjia chuckled, “You’re far inferior to Yongxing. However, you’re much better than I was initially. Compared to them, you’re also much better. They wouldn’t even dare mount my horse. I said you were bold—apart from Yongxing, I’ve never seen another young lady of good family like you. I hope you won’t disappoint me later. Come with me!”

Her words were intimate, her expression frank.

Ziteng’s worried heart settled down.

It seemed that though Princess Yongjia had such peculiar interests, she ultimately had her own pride.

This was good.

After walking along the river for a while, Qin Shuying’s view suddenly opened up—here, she could actually see vast fields and rolling mountain peaks.

She was actually standing atop a high mountain!

Before her eyes, there were no more visual obstructions.

A view of all smaller mountains.

She had once memorized such verses but could never comprehend their meaning.

Now, she understood.

Looking down upon the world, clouds spreading and gathering.

Her chest opened with sudden clarity, all gloom dispersing in an instant.

“Ah—I’m here!”

Princess Yongjia’s shouts reached her ears. Looking over, Qin Shuying saw Princess Yongjia facing that ten-thousand-foot precipice, shouting loudly as if wanting to expel all the depression in her heart.