The Guanyin Chan Temple sat on Qingxiu Mountain, built halfway up the slope.

Whether it was Li Buyan’s superior skill or Third Master Xie simply having no interest in seeking marital fortune, in any case, Li Buyan was first to reach the mountain’s base.

The other three arrived one after another.

No one had the energy to speak. They lay sprawled on the grass, all thinking the same thing: exhausted to death.

“Third Master!”

“Master!”

Two figures rushed over frantically—one throwing themselves beside Xie Zhifei, the other beside Pei Xiao.

Zhu Qing, whose face usually resembled a coffin lid, finally showed a hint of a smile. “Third Master, I guessed you’d arrive these past couple days.”

Huang Qi eagerly added, “Master, we’ve already located Old Madam Ji’s maternal family.”

Pei Xiao’s throat was parched. He asked hoarsely, “Where? How many hours’ journey?”

Huang Qi: “In Dongxing County, downstream along the Beicang River. A few hours won’t get you there—at minimum five days and nights.”

“Still five days and nights?” Pei Xiao’s head lolled to the side.

Just consider me dead!

“Yan Sanhe.”

Xie Zhifei turned his head, seeing the fine downy hair on Yan Sanhe’s pale ear—so soft, completely unlike the person herself.

His throat tightened. He quickly straightened his head. “You decide.”

Yan Sanhe’s stomach was already beginning to ache steadily, yet she said firmly, “Rest one night. Depart early tomorrow morning.”

At the mere words “depart,” Pei Xiao’s legs went weak. “I can’t walk another step. Call some of those bald monks from the mountain to carry their Magistrate Pei!”

“Master, no need to carry. The carriage is ready—half an hour’s journey.”

Huang Qi said obsequiously, “Third Master, Miss Yan, Miss Li—please board together. The carriage is quite spacious. Everything at the temple has been prepared.”

…

Spacious?

Still had to curl up your legs. Four people, eight eyes staring at each other.

But half an hour really was half an hour.

The Guanyin Temple’s abbot was an old monk with the dharma name Changqing.

By rights, anyone who could become an abbot should possess an immortal bearing, shouldn’t they?

Not this one.

The old monk Changqing had a fat head and huge ears, his face shining with oil. His entire body was round as a ball—the spitting image of a country landlord.

Seeing Magistrate Pei, the landlord smiled until his eyes nearly disappeared.

“Magistrate Pei graces us with his presence—the Guanyin Temple is honored. This humble monk—”

“Skip the formalities. Magistrate Pei only has half his life left. Right now I need to bathe, change clothes, eat, drink wine, eat meat, and sleep.”

Pei Xiao said shamelessly, “Best if there could be one or two nuns who can sing ditties and look pretty to liven things up.”

The landlord frowned anxiously.

Nuns?

Where would a monks’ temple get nuns?

“What are you frowning about? Don’t need nuns—want everything else.”

Pei Xiao pointed at him. “Don’t think I don’t know about your temple’s tricks. Once I’ve recovered, I’ll have a good talk with you about it.”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

The landlord kept nodding while his eyes darted behind Pei Xiao.

Pei Xiao stepped aside halfway. “This is my good brother. Those two are my brother’s good sisters.”

The good brother and good sisters bowed together.

“Dragons and phoenixes among men—all dragons and phoenixes!”

The landlord praised while respectfully gesturing. “Magistrate Pei, please!”

Pei Xiao arrogantly waved his hand. “Lead the way.”

Dozens of monks called out “Amitabha” in unison, surrounding Magistrate Pei as they slowly entered the temple.

Li Buyan stared somewhat dumbstruck, nudging Yan Sanhe with her elbow: Magistrate Pei has such official authority!

Yan Sanhe, however, glanced at Xie Zhifei from the corner of her eye.

One Five District Military Command, one Registry of Monks and Daoists—these two men’s positions seemed insignificant, yet there appeared to be hidden depths!

“Third Master Xie?” she called.

“Mm?”

“Do all the monks in Great Hua fall under the Registry of Monks’ jurisdiction?”

“Yes.”

“All monks receive court stipends?”

Xie Zhifei raised an eyebrow. “Only monks who receive court stipends are considered true monks.”

Yan Sanhe nodded, looking thoughtful.

Seeing her expression, Xie Zhifei suddenly felt goosebumps rising all over.

The positions at the Northern District Military Command and Registry of Monks—the real power behind them was Zhao Huairen.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered becoming familiar with a bunch of beggars, and Mingting wouldn’t spend all day facing a group of bald monks unable to find even a trace of oil in his meals.

The ins and outs here were extremely complex—not something a clever person could easily see or figure out. But this girl…

Xie Zhifei smiled bitterly.

It seemed from now on when speaking with her, he’d need to be even more careful.

…

Thanks to Magistrate Pei’s influence, the old monk Changqing had cleared out the quietest, coolest courtyard in Guanyin Temple for them.

As soon as Yan Sanhe walked in, she felt a refreshing breeze on her face.

“Which room do Buyan and I stay in?”

Zhu Qing quickly said, “The two young ladies stay in the east courtyard. Clothes, shoes, and socks are all prepared. Does the young lady wish to eat first or bathe first?”

Yan Sanhe: “Bathe, eat, sleep. Depart at the usual time—one quarter past the hour of Yin.”

Zhu Qing: “Yes, I’ll prepare immediately.”

Yan Sanhe pulled Li Buyan into the meditation room.

The room was even cooler. Several men’s robes hung on a clothing rack. Touching the fabric—smooth as silk.

Below the rack sat two pairs of embroidered shoes.

She tried them—the size fit perfectly too.

Only now did Yan Sanhe understand why Xie Zhifei always brought Zhu Qing wherever he went. This person didn’t talk much, but he was observant and handled everything properly.

Suddenly something flowed out below.

Yan Sanhe’s face changed. “Buyan, my moon water has come.”

Li Buyan untied her bundle. “You bathe quickly. I’ll have someone boil you brown sugar ginger water. After eating, you sleep.”

After barely eating a few bites, Yan Sanhe had already collapsed on the bed in pain.

Li Buyan carefully dried her hair for her.

“Next life let’s be reborn as men—won’t suffer this torment.”

…

“Next life be reborn as a woman—won’t suffer this torment.”

This was Magistrate Pei’s current sentiment.

Once men entered officialdom, social obligations couldn’t be casually brushed off.

Even if your rank was higher, when you needed something from someone, the required pleasantries, flattery, and obsequious smiles—not one could be spared.

Having Magistrate Pei curse someone was simple. Having him wear an obsequious smile…

I’ll endure!

Once the atmosphere reached a certain point, Magistrate Pei could restrain himself no longer and presented his requirements.

Though Abbot Changqing’s face showed surprise, he asked not a single question. Six horses, four martial monks, several days’ provisions—all immediately arranged.

Really knew the ropes!

Looking at the man’s layers of fat, Magistrate Pei sighed inwardly.

After seeing off the abbot, Zhu Qing and Huang Qi attended to the two masters’ bathing and dining.

Seeing no movement from the east courtyard opposite, Xie Zhifei felt somewhat uneasy and shot Zhu Qing a look.

Zhu Qing seemed to anticipate Third Master’s question. He said quietly, “Miss Li had someone brew a bowl of thick brown sugar ginger soup. Miss Yan seems to be feeling unwell.”

“Then quickly fetch a doctor!”

“What doctor!”

Pei Xiao wore an expression that said “Are you stupid?” “Doesn’t your sister also have to drink this soup every month?”

Only then did Xie Zhifei realize what it was. His face flushed slightly. “Don’t drag my sister into this. You’ve listened to too many songs at pleasure houses.”

“Need pleasure houses?”

Pei Xiao was so angry he wanted to curse again. “I come from a medical family. At five I understood women’s matters. Not like you, completely clueless.”

“Lower your voice, ancestor!”

Xie Zhifei tried to cover his mouth. “Don’t let them hear from across the way.”

Pei Xiao’s face changed in fright, then he sleazily leaned over, saying softly, “Tell me—a girl like the spirit medium, who would marry her in the future?”

“You still have the mind to worry about that? Think about your Ji family first!”

Xie Zhifei irritably pushed him aside.

Marry her?

First she’d have to get past me, Third Master Xie!