The rain stopped the next day.

Taking advantage of the sunshine, Yin Zheng took the damp bedding to the small courtyard to dry. A thick rope was strung under the eaves, and the half-worn rose-colored thin blanket with pinched edges was hung up, covered in a layer of sunlight, adding some warmth to the small courtyard.

Du Changqing peered through the small window from outside and said, “Miss Yin Zheng, the courtyard is full of bedding, you should leave some space to dry the herbs.”

Yin Zheng, smoothing a wrinkle in the corner of the bedding, replied, “The herbs are dried every day, but these quilts will get moldy if we don’t dry them now. Besides, Manager Du,” she glanced at Du Changqing, “you pay Miss and A-Cheng monthly wages, but not me, so drying herbs isn’t my responsibility.”

Du Changqing choked, unable to refute Yin Zheng’s words, and sullenly went out.

When he entered the outer shop, A-Cheng was wiping tables, and Lu Tong was organizing the medicine cabinet.

In half a month, it would be the Beginning of Summer. There had been a lot of rain lately, and with fewer willow catkins in the air than before, fewer people came to buy nasal congestion medicinal tea. After the previous busy period, Du Changqing was now idle again, flopping onto the long chair to read leisure books.

Lu Tong stood before the medicine cabinet, pulling open drawers to check the herbs one by one while asking Du Changqing, “Manager Du, are there any festivities worth seeing in the capital lately?”

Du Changqing was startled and looked at Lu Tong suspiciously: “Why do you ask?”

Lu Tong didn’t look at him: “I see fewer people coming to buy medicine lately, and rarely any patients seeking treatment, so I thought of asking for a couple of days’ leave. Yin Zheng and I are new to the capital and unfamiliar with the surroundings, so I’m asking if there are any festivals or temple fairs recently where we could broaden our horizons.”

At this mention, Du Changqing instantly became interested, sitting up straight with a smile: “Doctor Lu, you’ve asked the right person. This young master used to wander all over the capital, there’s no festivity I don’t know about. As for festivals or temple fairs…” He pondered for a moment before speaking: “The nearest one would be the Blue Lotus Festival on the first day of the fourth month.”

Lu Tong paused in her inventory of medicines: “Blue Lotus Festival?”

“You know,” Du Changqing spread his hands, “those popular temples hold several gatherings each year, whether it’s the Guanyin Assembly or the Ksitigarbha Assembly, all to collect money for incense and candles.”

“Wanen Temple’s most lively event is the Blue Lotus Festival on the first of the fourth month. They say on that day, the Buddha opens his eyes, and those burdened with heavy sins can go release animals to cleanse their karmic obstacles. Those with unfulfilled wishes can light lamps and pray sincerely, and the Buddha will bless kind-hearted people with success and help evil-doers accumulate merit.”

“I don’t believe in these things, but many people do, especially merchants. On the first of the fourth month, they all rush to Wanen Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings.”

“When my father was still alive, he would drag me there every year, insisting I burn the first incense, donating oil and rice, asking the Buddha to bless me with success. In the end, I’m still useless, so you can see these Buddhas aren’t reliable – they take money but don’t deliver, not good merchandise at all.”

He spoke without any reverence, just saying: “Although the Buddha isn’t much, you can still go see the Blue Lotus Festival. On the first of the fourth month, they light the Great Dharma Lamps in the Blue Lotus Pool. After the ceremony, Wanen Temple has many vendors selling snacks and Buddha statues. The mountain scenery is quite nice too, with lots of visitors, as lively as the New Year’s temple fair. You’ve missed the New Year’s fair, but you can still squeeze into the Blue Lotus Festival.”

Seeing Lu Tong listening attentively, seemingly very interested in the festival he described, Du Changqing became even more enthusiastic, explaining in detail: “That Wanen Temple is quite large, with several halls enshrining different Buddhas. I can’t tell which is which anymore. I just know the East Hall is for seeking marriage, the West Hall for academic success, the South Hall for wealth, and the North Hall for health. You should ask around before you go, don’t pray to the wrong deity. If you meant to pray for wealth but accidentally worship the Fertility Goddess, with children in tow, the medical shop wouldn’t have room.”

“…The Dharma Lamps need to be lit on the ceremonial boats. Once when I was young, I secretly climbed onto a ceremonial boat and fell off, nearly drowning. My father beat me so badly I couldn’t get out of bed for three days, but you probably wouldn’t sneak onto the ceremonial boat.”

“…During the ceremony, there’s also a life-release ritual. Those merchants and officials buy thousands of baskets of turtles and loaches to dump into the pond. I heard the monks catch and stir-fry those loaches to eat after the ceremony, don’t know if it’s true.”

“…Anyway, once when I went, I secretly entered their back hall where they kept the released loaches, just take the small path past the grove to get there. That back hall was deserted, and the water vats were huge. I caught the fattest one and grilled it – it was a bit fishy, probably because I didn’t add salt.” He was lost in pleasant memories, his expression somewhat intoxicated.

A-Cheng couldn’t help interrupting: “Boss, maybe it’s because you disrespected the Buddha and ate their release-life loaches that the Buddha won’t bless you with success.”

“Nonsense!” Du Changqing scolded him: “What’s wrong with me eating two loaches? I even kowtowed to the Buddha after eating them, so that the matter should be settled. How can you keep bringing it up? Could Buddha be that petty?”

A-Cheng could only keep quiet.

Du Changqing’s description was detailed and trivial. Yin Zheng went out for a while, and when she returned, Du Changqing was still talking, so she waited another half hour.

Only when Du Changqing’s mouth was dry and he had nothing more to say did he finally conclude: “In short, outsiders coming to the capital should at least take a look at the Blue Lotus Festival. You’ve listened to me for so long today, it must be hard not to be interested. I think I’ll give you a day off on the first of the fourth month, go take a look, but the mountain path is long, better to set out half a day early. Remember to bring me back some preserved apricots from Wanen Temple…”

Lu Tong smiled and agreed, finished organizing the medicine cabinet, and walked to the inner shop with Yin Zheng.

As soon as they entered the room, Yin Zheng came close and whispered: “Miss, word came from Kuaihuo House saying Wan Fu went there early this morning, only sending a message saying he agrees to what Miss said.”

Lu Tong gave a light “mm” in response.

It wasn’t surprising that Wan Fu agreed to work for her. Ke Chengxing was just a master, but Wan Quan shared Wan Fu’s blood. The choice between the two was obvious.

Moreover, with Wan Fu’s intelligence, he should have realized that if Ke Chengxing could silence other servants who knew about Lu Rou back then, he might well silence the Wan family too.

People are always selfish; avoiding harm and seeking benefit is human nature.

Yin Zheng asked: “Now that Wan Fu has agreed to work for Miss, things will be much easier. What does Miss plan to do now?”

Lu Tong didn’t speak, walked to the medicine box at the foot of the table, crouched down, opened the lid, and took out a cloth bag.

“The first of the fourth month is Wanen Temple’s Blue Lotus Festival.”

She took out what was in the cloth bag and gripped it tightly in her hand.

“At the Blue Lotus Festival, the Buddha opens his eyes.”

Lu Tong looked out the window, speaking word by word: “On such an auspicious day, those who commit extreme evil should receive prison karma.”