Before dawn broke, Qin Yining awakened to the sound of morning bells. In her breathing, aside from Pang Xiao’s familiar scent, was the omnipresent sandalwood fragrance of Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple.

After rising, Qin Yining first went to the meditation room where the Empress was staying to pay her respects.

“In response to the Princess Consort, Her Majesty the Empress encountered the abbot’s old friend—a highly accomplished monk. Last night they discussed Buddhist teachings until the third watch before returning. This morning at dawn, she went again with that learned monk to worship Buddha. Her Majesty knows the Princess Consort is one who observes proprieties thoroughly and would certainly come to pay respects. Her Majesty instructed that during these days, worldly courtesies may be dispensed with—the Princess Consort may act as she pleases.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining couldn’t help but sigh: “Her Majesty is truly devout in serving the people. Compared to Her Majesty, this subject’s wife is truly ashamed.”

Nanny Sun smiled: “Why does the Princess Consort say such things? The Princess Consort is also someone who has always practiced good deeds and accumulated virtue, with an extremely sincere heart for worshipping Buddha. Her Majesty often mentions the Princess Consort’s accompaniment in Buddhist worship, frequently praising your steady temperament and devout heart.”

Qin Yining knew the Empress might not necessarily praise her—suspecting her would be more likely—but still exchanged pleasantries with Nanny Sun before returning to her meditation room.

By this time, a young novice had brought vegetarian meals. Pang Xiao was in the room practicing a boxing routine out of boredom. Seeing Qin Yining push the door open, he smoothly finished his movements and smiled: “I was just waiting for you. Let’s wander around Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple today.”

Qin Yining nodded with a smile and sat facing Pang Xiao to eat the simple vegetarian dishes.

After finishing the meal shortly after, Qin Yining said: “Her Majesty the Empress truly cares for the common people. Nanny Sun said Her Majesty worshipped Buddha until the third watch last night and went again early this morning. It seems a learned monk has come to Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple—supposedly the abbot’s good friend. Perhaps the monk’s Buddhist teachings are extremely good, as Her Majesty’s thoughts are entirely off the beautiful scenery.”

Pang Xiao smiled: “I heard the guest master mention it yesterday. The abbot of Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple is already a learned monk himself. As birds of a feather flock together, the learned monk’s friend must also be someone thoroughly versed in Buddhist teachings.” Sitting on the edge of the kang and sighing, Pang Xiao smiled: “Unfortunately, I’m just a rough fellow who doesn’t understand much about Buddhist teachings.”

Qin Yining smiled gracefully: “How are you a rough fellow? Besides, though you can’t recite Buddhist principles, you act with a kind heart and never harm innocent people.”

“But I’m still stained with blood on my hands.” Pang Xiao looked down at his slender hands. His palms were full of calluses, his fingers slightly deformed—clearly belonging to someone who had gripped weapons for years.

Pang Xiao’s downcast appearance reminded Qin Yining of a helpless child. She couldn’t help but say gently: “Everyone is born with different missions. Moreover, Buddha also said, ‘If I don’t enter hell, who will?’ Since you have this ability, you must bear this responsibility. This isn’t your fault—it’s all heavenly will and destiny.”

Hearing Qin Yining’s gentle, soft voice, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but laugh heartily: “I never expected Yining to believe in heavenly will and destiny too.”

“Sometimes after exhausting human effort, one understands heavenly will. There’s nothing wrong with believing in it.”

Pang Xiao stood up, stretched his arms, and smiled: “Since Her Majesty the Empress doesn’t need your company, why don’t we spend today wandering Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple and visit the ancient tree to make wishes? How about it?”

“That would naturally be wonderful.” Qin Yining nodded readily.

The two didn’t disturb others or call for company. Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple had many meditation rooms, and after climbing the mountain yesterday, everyone had dispersed to rest. With the terrain being treacherous and the Buddhist temple serene, both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining wanted to let everyone enjoy their leisure. She wasn’t someone who necessarily needed to be served.

The two left their room. Mindful that this was a Buddhist temple, they didn’t hold hands but walked side by side through the spacious courtyard paved with square bricks. Resilient small grass stubbornly extended from the cracks between stone bricks. Passing around the tall Buddha statue, they encountered several young novices. Both couples stopped to press their palms together, exchanged bows, then walked in different directions.

Following along the courtyard wall, they soon saw three magnificent great halls. Passing through the courtyard where the great halls stood and walking through a moon gate for several hundred steps, they arrived at the back courtyard.

A seven-story pagoda stood silently behind a bodhi tree, overlooking the vast earth from atop Juhuan Mountain. The sound of rushing water came from behind the pagoda.

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao walked one after the other toward the sound of water. Soon they reached a spacious open area. Here flowers and trees grew luxuriantly, and an ancient tree requiring four people to embrace lay split in two on the ground. The wood was covered in charred black, yet new shoots stubbornly grew from the middle of the originally blackened trunk.

Qin Yining joyfully stepped forward, looking at that touch of new green atop the charred black. In her breathing, the fresh grass fragrance mixed with sandalwood, and listening to the sound of the waterfall’s rushing water behind her, it seemed her restless heart instantly became peaceful.

Under such conditions, even an old tree could sprout new buds—so vibrant with life it was moving, making her feel as if nothing in this world was impossible.

Pang Xiao stood beside Qin Yining, and without prior arrangement, both pressed their palms together, closed their eyes, and prayed sincerely.

Neither voiced their individual thoughts. After making their wishes, Qin Yining looked up at Pang Xiao, only to discover he was also looking down at her.

She felt that perhaps they had wished for the same thing.

The two turned around and walked slowly toward the cliff edge.

Five or six zhang below the cliff was rushing water. The flying waterfall splashed up large amounts of spray, and white mist like clouds rose from the water’s surface. A suspension bridge extended from their feet toward the opposite shore, but standing here, they couldn’t see the other side of the bridge or the scenery on the opposite bank. Everything seemed hidden in mist, and that bridge appeared to extend directly from the cliff, leading to the horizon beyond.

Qin Yining smiled: “No wonder this place with such treacherous terrain can still become a famous scenic spot that many people flock to. The scenery here is truly beautiful—high sky and distant clouds, broad water with rippling waves. Standing here is like standing in clouds and mist.”

“Indeed.” Pang Xiao took a deep breath and slowly exhaled: “It seems like nothing can’t be overcome.”

Qin Yining nodded in agreement.

Standing at this height, overlooking the peaks and ridges shrouded in clouds and mist below, her thoughts seemed to broaden as well.

“Yining, look.” Pang Xiao pointed eastward.

Brilliant morning clouds gradually filled the horizon, and a red sun slowly climbed over the mountain peak, driving away the stars. Sunlight shot directly through gaps in the clouds, falling upon the mountains and water. The water’s reflection and sky’s light connected into a dazzling expanse of golden red.

Those who hadn’t stood in this place at this time to watch the sunrise wouldn’t understand Qin Yining’s feelings at this moment.

She and Pang Xiao stood silently side by side, neither speaking, enjoying this moment of tranquility.

After a long while, hearing footsteps behind them, Qin Yining turned around.

Bingtang and Ji Yun walked hand in hand at the front, with Huzi and Tang Xiu following behind. Perhaps not expecting Pang Xiao and Qin Yining to be here so early, all four were slightly stunned.

Both Bingtang and Ji Yun had somewhat red faces—whether from embarrassment or being dyed red by the morning glow was unclear.

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining exchanged glances, tactfully saying nothing more.

Bingtang smiled: “No wonder the Princess Consort wasn’t in her room—this servant just went and found it empty. So you found such a wonderful place to watch the sunrise.”

“Yes, unfortunately you came a bit late. The scenery here is really quite good—you few can come earlier tomorrow.”

Both Ji Yun and Bingtang nodded and agreed with smiles.

Huzi walked to the suspension bridge and curiously stepped onto it, only to be pulled back by Bingtang: “What are you doing? That side is shrouded in clouds and mist—who knows how far it actually is, much less what’s on the other side? You’re planning to go to the opposite shore?”

Based on the rushing intensity below, this water area shouldn’t be narrow. The mountain mist was too thick—they could only see the water flow but couldn’t make out what the opposite shore looked like below.

Huzi chuckled: “Alright, alright. Since you won’t let me go, I won’t. I was just curious.”

Bingtang snorted: “If you’re curious, you can first ask the monks of Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple before acting. What if the suspension bridge isn’t sturdy?”

“I understand. I won’t do it again.” Huzi obediently agreed.

Pang Xiao nearby couldn’t help but chuckle.

Huzi’s face immediately reddened, and he coughed while looking elsewhere.

Pang Xiao felt that seeing Huzi like this was like seeing himself from years past, trying every way to get close to Qin Yining. Though six years had passed since their reunion and Qin Yining was already twenty years old, those initial memories remained particularly vivid in his mind.

The group chatted and laughed as they walked back to the rear courtyard of Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. Just as they stepped through the courtyard gate, they saw Jingzhe, Liao Zhibing, and Mu Jinghu approaching with grave expressions.

Qin Yining’s expression instantly tensed: “What has happened?”

Jingzhe said: “Princess Consort, Manager Zhong asked Azure Sky Alliance brothers to deliver a message.”

Liao Zhibing cupped his hands: “Alliance Leader, a letter from Manager Zhong for you.”

Qin Yining took the letter and opened it, casually asking: “Do you know what happened in the south?”

Manager Zhong had implemented the terraced field development project in all of Qin Yining’s properties around Huichuan County and in the south. Qin Yining had originally bought some terraced fields before Da Yan was conquered, and already had experienced stewards and tenant farmers who could teach others. Manager Zhong’s trip south had been going smoothly.

Qin Yining didn’t know why one letter would make these three men look so grave.

Liao Zhibing said: “Princess Consort, everything else is fine, but the brothers from the south say the rains continue incessantly there, rivers along the banks are running high and urgent. Additionally, Boss Qiu seems to have contracted some illness—reportedly quite serious.”

Qin Yining frowned upon hearing this, glanced at Mu Jinghu who was pressing his lips together, and carefully read the letter’s contents.

The letter detailed the development situation of Qin Yining’s properties, other business operations, the southern rains and water conditions, and finally mentioned Qiu Feishan’s illness.

When Qin Yining and Pang Xiao left, Qiu Feishan had just given birth not long before. Afterward, she had to toil over business matters and contend with Qiu Yuanqing, plus the south was naturally humid. This year heaven wasn’t cooperative—Qiu Feishan, overworked and weakened after childbirth, caught a cold. When the cold hadn’t healed, mosquito bites gave her malaria.

Qin Yining was shocked upon reading this. Not caring that the letter’s contents involved business secrets, she thrust it at Mu Jinghu.

Mu Jinghu’s face turned green, and looking at the final paragraph, his hands began to tremble.

Pang Xiao leaned in to read the contents, put his arm around Mu Jinghu’s shoulder and said: “Stay calm. I’ll immediately have people accompany you back—we’ll definitely cure her illness!”