Five thousand taels of silver was a huge sum. Even for a high official like Qin Huaiyuan, his monthly salary was only eighty shi. If five thousand taels of silver were given to commoners for living expenses, they probably couldn’t spend it all in a lifetime.
It was unknown how Manager Zhong managed it, but in less than half an hour he hurried back with silver notes from Baotong Bank, all of which could be immediately exchanged in both Great Yan and Great Zhou. The smallest denomination was one hundred taels, the largest was one thousand taels—a thick stack indeed.
Qin Yining put away the silver notes, saying: “Put this on my personal account as well. Calculating privately, I’ve spent quite a bit like this. We’ll think of other ways to make money later, but getting through this crisis is most important now.”
“Yes, owner needn’t worry. As long as life remains, everything else is trivial. Moreover, Zhaoyun Company is originally owner’s enterprise—isn’t it up to owner to decide?” Manager Zhong smiled magnanimously.
Qin Yining smiled and nodded approvingly. Manager Zhong’s ability to shrewdly accumulate wealth was first-rate, yet he wasn’t a stingy, petty person. This showed Duke Dingguo’s manor’s skill in recognizing and employing talent.
When her maternal grandmother gave her Zhaoyun Company that day, although it caused her trouble with the Cao family over Tang Meng’s matter, it also gained her so much assistance. Otherwise, as just an ordinary young lady now, facing a demon empress who wanted to eat her flesh, she would probably only have fleeing as her option for survival.
Qin Yining sighed, gathered her spirits, and said: “There’s one more matter. Manager Zhong, please immediately have people handle it.” She then whispered a few words in Manager Zhong’s ear.
Upon hearing this, Manager Zhong’s face immediately brightened as he clapped his hands: “Excellent! Owner’s strategy is brilliant! This way, no matter what the demon empress says, His Majesty won’t be able to find a suitable excuse to act against you!”
“Exactly so. I entrust this matter entirely to Manager Zhong. I must leave the city now to go to Immortal Maiden Temple—there are some other matters I need to arrange.”
Manager Zhong’s eyes sparkled with admiration as he looked at Qin Yining: “Owner intends to… good, good! Owner’s strategies are truly unparalleled. Following owner is truly my honor!”
“Not at all. Having someone as capable as you by my side is my blessing.”
Manager Zhong beamed with joy, humbly bowing before saying: “I’ll immediately order a carriage prepared. Owner should depart at once—this matter shouldn’t be delayed, the sooner the better. Owner, rest assured. The task you’ve assigned me will be deployed by the time you return from Immortal Maiden Temple.”
“Then I entrust it to you.”
After thanking Manager Zhong, Qin Yining hurriedly took Bingtang and Ji Yun into the carriage, racing out of the city at full speed toward Immortal Maiden Temple.
In the carriage, Qin Yining kept her eyes closed to rest.
Ji Yun and Bingtang had already learned that the demon empress wanted to eat Qin Yining’s flesh. Both were anxious and angry, their faces grim.
Bingtang gritted her teeth: “That bitch Cao Yurou! May she die a horrible death! I curse her ancestors for eighteen generations! I’ll make a voodoo doll to stab her to death later! Stab her to death!”
Ji Yun pulled out a whistle from her collar and blew it hard several times.
The whistle made a clear, sharp sound like bird calls.
Qin Yining opened her eyes and looked at Ji Yun curiously. Soon a gray carrier pigeon perched on the open window frame.
Ji Yun had already written a message with her eyebrow pencil and carefully tied it to the pigeon’s leg. With a shake of her hand, the pigeon flapped its wings and soared into the sky.
Qin Yining asked: “Is Ji Yun reporting this matter to the prince?”
“Yes. The prince ordered that if anything major happens to miss, I must inform him promptly. Although miss is resourceful and wise, there are times when one’s strength falls short. Though my martial arts aren’t weak, I fear when others harbor malicious intent, it’s hard to guard against everything.”
Ji Yun answered carefully, as if afraid Qin Yining would be angry about this.
But Qin Yining nodded in understanding.
Pang Xiao was also doing this for her good.
Moreover, Ji Yun was ultimately Pang Xiao’s subordinate. Even given to her, she was just carrying out a mission. Her task was to protect her safety—she couldn’t expect Ji Yun to listen to her completely.
Qin Yining closed her eyes again and rested against the carriage wall. The two-hour journey passed with this alternating between sleeping and waking as they jolted along.
When they reached Immortal Maiden Temple, it was already late afternoon. Bright sunlight shone on the verdant mountains, making the temple hidden among the greenery seem even more ethereal and otherworldly.
Qin Yining instructed the coachman to park the carriage properly, then took Bingtang’s hand as they climbed the steps.
Ji Yun had originally worried that Qin Yining, a pampered young lady, might lack stamina, but unexpectedly Qin Yining climbed to the mountaintop without showing any signs of breathlessness or flushed face. Instead, it was Bingtang who was exhausted, hands on her waist and breathing heavily.
At the mountain gate, a young Taoist nun was holding a wooden bucket and gourd ladle, sprinkling water on the blue stone brick ground. Seeing people approaching, she looked intently in their direction. Upon spotting Bingtang, she immediately called out in surprise: “Infinite Celestial Worthy! Isn’t this Master-Uncle Jingzhen!”
Bingtang smiled: “It’s me. Is master present?”
“Yes, yes.” The young nun glanced at Qin Yining and Ji Yun, then quickly gestured for them to follow: “Please follow this humble Taoist.”
Compared to the desolate winter scene, Immortal Maiden Temple was now full of greenery. The meditation halls seemed to have been renovated as well—a thriving scene everywhere.
Qin Yining’s group reached the side courtyard and waited only briefly before the young nun smiled and led them to where Immortal Liu was located.
Qin Yining was extremely familiar with this courtyard—it was here that Pang Xiao had been shot through the shoulder with an arrow while rescuing her.
Seeing those familiar steps and courtyard walls, she inevitably thought of Pang Xiao’s handsome face.
Immortal Liu stood in the corridor, already bowing with hands clasped: “Infinite Celestial Worthy. Miss Qin honors us with your presence. This humble Taoist failed to welcome you properly—Miss Qin won’t blame me, will you?”
“Immortal Liu speaks too kindly. Not having seen you for many days, you remain as vigorous as ever.” Qin Yining smiled and returned the courtesy.
Immortal Liu smiled: “Thanks to miss’s blessing, this humble Taoist is doing very well.” Her gaze swept over Qin Yining’s features before saying: “However, Miss Qin seems to face a bloody disaster in recent days.”
Bingtang and Ji Yun’s faces changed dramatically upon hearing this.
Bingtang hurried forward, grasping Immortal Liu’s hand: “Master, you’re the most capable! Please save miss!”
Immortal Liu smiled and patted Bingtang’s head: “Jingzhen, why are you still so impetuous? Since Miss Qin has come to Immortal Maiden Temple, she has already formed a karmic connection with this humble Taoist.”
She stepped aside with a smile: “This humble Taoist has prepared clear tea. Would Miss Qin like to taste it together?”
“Thank you, Immortal.” Turning back, she instructed Bingtang and Ji Yun: “You both guard outside.”
Bingtang and Ji Yun immediately nodded.
Immortal Liu also smiled knowingly and dismissed the people around her.
Qin Yining entered the room with Immortal Liu and sat at the square table. Immortal Liu picked up a purple clay teapot and personally poured a cup of tea for Qin Yining, smiling: “Miss Qin’s visit today must be for some matter. Please speak directly.”
Qin Yining smiled slightly: “No need for roundabout words with a perceptive person. Immortal Liu has divine calculation abilities—even if I don’t speak, you know that if I don’t fight this once, my life will probably be forfeit.” She then placed the thick stack of silver notes on the table.
The thick stack of silver notes lay before her eyes, the Baotong Bank seal so conspicuous. Immortal Liu’s eyes widened.
“What does Miss Qin mean by this?”
“Immortal Liu, from now on, you are ‘Tianji Zi.'” She slowly pushed the silver notes toward Immortal Liu.