After resting for half a shichen, when the aloe incense had burned out completely, Shen Xihe prepared to leave Jianfu Temple.

Just as she stepped onto her carriage, an urgent cry came from behind: “Female benefactor, please wait!”

Turning around, Shen Xihe’s gaze followed the sunlight back to see a delicate-looking young novice monk, about fifteen or sixteen years old, running up to her. He performed a Buddhist greeting: “Female benefactor, the Abbot and Master Xiqing from Huguo Temple request an audience with you.”

“Master Xiqing?” Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows slightly.

In the current dynasty, no Buddhist temple was more renowned than the Huguo Temple, and Master Xiqing’s reputation was especially distinguished. Even when summoned by Emperor Youning, he would be absent eight times out of ten.

Though Shen Xihe didn’t believe in Buddhism, she was curious why Master Xiqing wanted to meet her, so she turned back.

Both the Abbot of Jianfu Temple and the legendary Xiqing wore simple cassocks – if one passed them on the street, they would appear as ordinary monks.

Perhaps because of her lack of faith in Buddhism, she couldn’t see any Buddhist light or great wisdom about them.

“Venerable Abbot, Master Xiqing,” Shen Xihe performed a junior’s greeting.

Xiqing returned a Buddhist greeting: “Pardon our intrusion, benefactor. When monks were cleaning the meditation room where you rested, they noticed the aloe’s incense was pure and elegant. Was it blended by you?”

“It was.” So it was the fragrance that had attracted these high monks.

“Would the benefactor mind lighting it once more?” Xiqing asked.

Shen Xihe nodded to Biyu. The incense burner was still in Biyu’s hands, and Ziyu’s waist pouch still contained the remaining incense.

As Biyu lit it, both masters gathered around, carefully savoring the fragrance. Finally, they exchanged glances, both seeing intense joy in each other’s eyes.

“Benefactor, would you be willing to gift the incense formula to Huguo Temple?” Xiqing took out a string of Snow Zen Bodhi beads. “This humble monk offers these in exchange.”

The Snow Zen Bodhi beads resembled unopened lotus buds, smooth as white jade with a deep, tranquil luster. It was said wearing them could make one’s skin cool as ice and purify the spirit.

“Master is too kind. It’s just an ordinary formula,” Shen Xihe didn’t accept.

“The benefactor’s aloes incense is serene and lasting, delicate and moistening, refreshing to the mind and focusing to the spirit – far from ordinary,” Xiqing continued. “Huguo Temple needs to recast the Buddha statue and has been searching for superior Buddhist incense. We hope the benefactor will lend us aid.”

Shen Xihe knew that most temples would apply Buddhist incense when casting Buddha statues, and the more prosperous the temple, the higher their requirements for the incense.

“Master, I’m not being modest – it truly is an ordinary aloes incense formula,” Shen Xihe said sincerely.

“Amitabha,” Xiqing believed Shen Xihe’s words. “There are extraordinary people in this world, blessed by heaven. If this is so, the benefactor must have a special affinity with the art of incense making. Huguo Temple humbly requests the benefactor to blend Buddhist incense for our Buddha statue.”

“Master Xiqing…”

“Should the benefactor ever need anything in the future, this humble monk will assist with all his might,” Xiqing added before Shen Xihe could refuse.

Shen Xihe wasn’t a person of particularly noble character. Other young ladies would have gladly accepted the opportunity to blend incense for Huguo Temple, using its reputation to add to their glory.

Such glory didn’t interest Shen Xihe, but she felt Xiqing’s favor was worth some effort on her part.

Only benefits could move her, and so Shen Xihe smiled slightly: “Master honors me. I am willing to contribute my efforts.”

Xiqing performed another Buddhist greeting and offered the Snow Zen Bodhi beads to Shen Xihe again: “These beads have an affinity with the benefactor. Please accept them.”

This time, Shen Xihe didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted with both hands: “Thank you, Master.”

“Please leave an address. This humble monk will have someone deliver the necessary incense materials later,” Xiqing, as a high monk of Huguo Temple, was quite generous.

“Master has gifted me the Bodhi beads – some mere incense materials are hardly worth mentioning,” Shen Xihe was equally magnanimous. “When the aloes incense is ready, I will personally deliver it to Huguo Temple.”

It would be a perfect opportunity to establish her Independent Tower’s reputation through Huguo Temple.

“Amitabha, Huguo Temple thanks the benefactor for this gift,” Xiqing didn’t stand on ceremony with Shen Xihe either.

With business concluded and nothing more to discuss with the monks, Shen Xihe took her leave.

Just as she led Biyu, Ziyu, and the others out of the courtyard, someone rushed toward them from the front. Biyu blocked him: “Watch where you’re going.”

“This lowly one was careless, please spare me, noble one.” The man’s face paled as he repeatedly begged forgiveness.

As soon as he spoke, a certain aura spread out. Ziyu unconsciously stepped back. Though she didn’t show disgust, her brows knotted.

“Let him pass,” Shen Xihe instructed.

This person had been looking backward while running, which was why he hadn’t seen them, and moreover, he was someone whose life was nearly at its end – why bother with him?

Biyu let him through. The man bowed repeatedly before leaving.

“What was that smell in his mouth? So foul!” Ziyu said in a low voice once the man was far away.

Shen Xihe: “It’s Sacred Lotus.”

The Sacred Lotus’s scent wasn’t foul, but those unaccustomed to it would find it unpleasant.

“What is Sacred Lotus?” Ziyu had never heard of it.

“It’s something that only blooms in the south…”

“Emergency! The Old Madam has fallen into the water! The Old Madam has fallen in!” Before Shen Xihe could finish speaking, shouts of alarm came from the distance.

Shen Xihe typically didn’t concern herself with others’ affairs, nor was she one to join in the excitement. She continued forward with Biyu and Ziyu, paying no attention.

However, she had to pass by the pond, which was now surrounded by crowds of people drawn to the commotion. To get out, she would need to push through these people, so Shen Xihe stopped with Biyu and Ziyu to wait at the side.

They watched as a young lady, with the help of two monks, pulled an elderly woman from the water. Then the young lady, pulled by her maids, climbed out as well. Servants and maids immediately wrapped them in clothes.

Some monks led them toward the meditation rooms. Shen Xihe, wearing her veil, stepped slightly aside with Biyu and the others to make way.

“I heard that’s the Old Madam of the Pingyao Marquis Manor who fell in, and the one who jumped in to save her seems to be the illegitimate daughter recently brought back to the manor.”

“Look at how poorly dressed that illegitimate daughter is, even worse than me. Who knows how badly she’s treated in the manor?”

“Who can blame them? The Pingyao Marquis kept his concubine hidden for over ten years – any proper wife would be displeased upon finding out.”

“Such deep water and this illegitimate daughter jumped in without hesitation to save someone. She must have a kind heart…”

The discussions from the crowd reached Shen Xihe’s ears. She kept her gaze straight ahead as the Pingyao Marquis Manor’s Old Madam Yu and Miss Yu approached, supported by servants.

This Miss Yu had a delicate face as small as a palm, with fine eyebrows and large eyes. Even with her pallid complexion, it didn’t diminish her exceptional beauty. The wet hair clinging to her cheeks added a touch of delicate allure.

Her eyes, though seemingly bright and clear, lacked the innocence and purity typical of a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl – they were very complex eyes.

Especially when she passed by Shen Xihe, supported by others, the muddy smell of pond water hadn’t masked the scent of Sacred Lotus about her.