Lü Shi had barely returned to the medicine shop when he was summoned. He entered to find a room full of senior managers, and among them sat a young woman of striking beauty — delicate and vivid in a way that defied easy description.

He guessed with reasonable certainty that this young woman must be the owner of these several medicine shops: the Seventh Young Madam of the Shi Mansion.

Lü Shi walked over, offered a respectful bow to the assembled group, and then stood there without moving, displaying not the slightest hint of nervousness or agitation even in the presence of Yan Qing and so many senior managers. There was no trace of servility or flattery about him either.

“Young Madam, this is Lü Shi,” Manager Xu said, making the introduction.

Yan Qing gave a slight nod, her gaze calm and gentle as she looked at him. Lü Shi met her eyes with an equally steady look and politely bowed once more.

“Lü Shi, if the management of all four shops were handed to you, what would you do first?”

It was a startling question from Yan Qing — even the composed Lü Shi was briefly taken aback. But he recovered quickly and said with equanimity: “First, I would establish a complete management framework — clearly defined responsibilities from top to bottom, along with a system of rewards and penalties.”

Yan Qing raised her eyebrows in surprised admiration. This kind of management strategy was highly sophisticated, something virtually unheard of in Xin Guo, which still lagged considerably behind the times. And yet Lü Shi’s thinking aligned precisely with her own — thinking that had come to her from the modern world.

“Second, the medicine industry is a rather particular one, and the quality of medicines is paramount. The management structure must also include dedicated oversight personnel — first, to conduct regular inspections of medicine quality, and second, to maintain strict control over the sourcing of medicines and serve as a rigorous gatekeeping function.” As Lü Shi spoke of these things, his manner became even more natural and assured, carrying the air of someone who had thought deeply on these matters.

This side of Lü Shi made Yan Qing’s eyes light up. She felt, without question, as though she had unearthed a rare treasure.

When Lü Shi finished speaking, the senior managers who had been seated around him were all wide-eyed. They had not imagined that a young man could have so many unconventional ideas in his head — ideas that they themselves would never have dared to think.

Yan Qing smiled and said: “Since I was the one who set the rules of the contest, I am now appointing Manager Xu as head manager of the flagship store, and Lü Shi as the head manager’s assistant. I trust no one has any objections?”

Manager Xu hastily said: “The credit for all of this belongs to Lü Shi. I dare not accept it for myself.”

Yan Qing said: “Lü Shi was only an assistant until now. Elevating him directly to manager would make it difficult to command respect. Manager Xu, on the other hand, is sharp in judgment and, more rarely, possessed of a generous spirit that does not covet recognition — you are the most suitable person for the manager’s position. From now on, you lead and Lü Shi supports you. The other three managers will all fall under your direction.”

Manager Xu rose at once and bowed deeply. “I humbly accept, and thank the Young Madam.”

Yan Qing said: “As for the other three, there is no need to be discouraged. The results you achieved may not have been as outstanding as Manager Xu’s, but you all showed considerable improvement over the same period last year. So I propose that each of you begin cultivating new manager candidates. Once a suitable person is found, they may enter the flagship store’s management team and help manage it alongside Manager Xu. What does everyone think of this arrangement?”

The other three managers, who had been feeling somewhat deflated, felt a sudden lift of spirits at hearing Yan Qing say this. The three of them quickly rose and bowed. “We thank the Young Madam.”

With this matter settled, Yan Qing went into the inner room to find Shi Ting.

He was sitting in a chair with a book in his hand — how much of it had actually gone in, she could not say. At the sound of her footsteps, he set the book down.

“All arranged?”

“Yes, though I still need to go back and write up a proper plan.” Yan Qing picked up the book he had been reading and teased him. “Could you actually understand this?”

“With my lady around, I have no need to understand it.”

He stood, took her hand, and drew her into his arms. “Where would you like to go next? Your husband will see you through it all.”

“I’d like to make a trip to Baiyun Nunnery.”

Shi Ting teased her. “Is my lady thinking of burning incense and praying?”

Yan Qing shot him a reproving look. “Are you coming or not?”

“Yes, yes, I’m coming,” Shi Ting laughed. “My lady could lead me through a mountain of blades or a sea of flames and I wouldn’t hesitate.”

“A mountain of blades and a sea of flames — I’ll be skipping that, thank you. Director Shi is welcome to go by himself.” Yan Qing tapped him on the nose. “Are you not the silliest man alive?”

“If my lady says I’m silly, then silly I shall be.”

Yan Qing laughed. “Then let’s go, my silly husband.”

The two went outside and hired a carriage — one with an elegantly appointed cab, the kind typically favored by ladies of wealthy households.

The temples near Shun Cheng were mostly built along narrow and rugged mountain paths, too steep and uneven for automobiles to navigate. A horse-drawn carriage was therefore the most practical means of transport to and from these outlying temples.

Seeing a profitable opportunity in this, some enterprising souls had taken to raising fine horses and constructing luxurious carriages expressly for hire to the ladies and young misses of wealthy families.

Now Yan Qing sat inside this lavishly appointed carriage, glancing here and there with curious eyes.

In the era she had come from, horses and carriages had long vanished from city life. But in this time, the horse-drawn carriage was still a primary mode of transport.

She lifted the curtain on one side and looked out. The roadsides were canopied with dense green shade, lovely to behold.

“Shi Ting, look — there seems to be an orchard over there.”

Shi Ting sat beside her and looked out alongside her. Sure enough, not far away was an orchard filled with apple trees, their branches heavy with ripe red apples that looked wonderfully inviting.

“We’ll buy some on the way back,” Shi Ting said, seeing her delight. “We can stop and spend a little time in the orchard.”

“All right.” Yan Qing smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “It’s so peaceful out here.”

Shi Ting could not help taking her hand in his. “I know you love peace and quiet. In time, I will make sure you have a life just like this.”

“Silly,” Yan Qing said, touching his face gently. “It’s true that I love peace and quiet — but as long as I’m with you, whatever kind of life it is, I can live it happily. A quiet life has its own way, and a life on the move has its own way too. In the end, all that matters is that you’re there.”

Shi Ting’s gaze lingered on the curve of her lips. Her words were soft as a tender hand, gently plucking at his heartstrings, composing a beautiful melody on the very tip of his heart.

She was so wonderful like this, so irresistible. He only wanted to cherish and protect her for the rest of his life.

Unable to help himself, he cupped her chin and pressed his lips softly, gently, against her warm mouth.

Until the carriage jolted over an uneven patch of road, and Yan Qing’s forehead bumped forward into Shi Ting’s with the momentum. It was not a heavy knock, but it was enough to interrupt the kiss.

Even so, both of them ended up laughing.

“Attempting such things inside a carriage is a little dangerous,” Shi Ting said, pulling her close. “Let’s not take the risk.”

Yan Qing settled her head against his chest and breathed in his familiar scent. Even as the carriage bumped and swayed, she felt that this was a rare and precious time.

The carriage finally came to a stop at the foot of Baiyun Mountain. The driver called out respectfully from outside: “Guests, we have arrived at Baiyun Mountain.”

Shi Ting was first to push aside the curtain and step out, then he lifted Yan Qing down from the carriage.

“I’ll wait here for the two of you,” the driver said with a smile.

At the foot of the mountain there were sheltered rest areas that also provided fodder and refreshments — facilities for the horses and drivers to rest.

Shi Ting and Yan Qing made their way up the stone steps that had been built along the mountain, walking for about half an hour before reaching a level clearing midway up. On this clearing stood a nunnery of considerable size — a sprawling complex of layered structures that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The two arrived at the nunnery gate, where a young novice nun stood with her palms pressed together. “Have the two patrons come to offer incense?”

“Yes, to offer incense — and to make a small donation of oil money,” Yan Qing said with a smile. “Is your abbess in?”

The young novice saw that both visitors were dressed and carried themselves with unmistakable distinction, and recognized that they must be people of high standing. She pressed her palms together once more and hurried off to find the head of Baiyun Nunnery.

The head of Baiyun Nunnery bore the dharma name Hui An. She was a nun of around forty years of age.

Hui An welcomed the two guests inside, and as she walked and conversed with Yan Qing, she came to learn that her visitors were the Seventh Young Master and Seventh Young Madam of the Shi Mansion.

Yan Qing went to offer her incense, and upon returning joined Shi Ting in the private sitting room Hui An had arranged for them.

Hui An sat fingering her prayer beads while Shi Ting and Yan Qing drank their tea.

“Reverend Abbess,” Yan Qing said, “the truth is, I’ve come today to ask about a particular person. I was told that the venerable Hui Yuan once practiced here at this nunnery.”

At the mention of Hui Yuan, a shadow of sorrow crossed Hui An’s face. “Hui Yuan practiced here for several years. She and I were very close — and yet, what a pity, what a tragedy.”

“Reverend Abbess, when Venerable Hui Yuan took her own life all those years ago, were you present at the time?”

Hui An shook her head. “It happened so suddenly. By the time word reached me and I rushed there, Hui Yuan was already… Ah, how swiftly time passes. That was already more than ten years ago.”

“Did Venerable Hui Yuan leave any words before she died?”

“She passed so suddenly, without leaving so much as a single word behind.”

“And her belongings?”

Hui An looked at Yan Qing with a puzzled expression. “May I ask what the patron’s intention is?”

“My apologies — I have no wish to disturb Venerable Hui Yuan’s rest. I simply ask out of curiosity.”

“Hui Yuan’s belongings were burned together with her body.”

Yan Qing said: “Could we trouble the abbess to show us the courtyard where Venerable Hui Yuan once lived? To be candid with you, our visit today was also prompted by the Marshal. He has been dreaming of Venerable Hui Yuan lately and asked us to come and light incense for her. Only, as the Marshal has recently taken a new wife, we hope the abbess can help keep this matter in confidence.”

Only now did Hui An’s expression take on an air of understanding. She naturally knew the full story of Hui Yuan and the Marshal.

“Very well. I’ll take you both to see the courtyard.”

—