Chapter 30: Discovery 

The next morning, before the sky had even begun to brighten, Xu Xiaoxiao was already awake, eagerly calling out, “Mother, Mother, wake up! I want to wash my face!”

“Mother, Mother, I want the new training outfit you made, the one like my senior brother’s!”

“Mother, hurry, hurry! It’s late, we’ll be late!”

Summer Qingfeng, half-dazed, looked outside where the sky was still dark. It was probably not even four in the morning yet. Despite the early dawns of summer, the sky was still shrouded in darkness.

As she glanced over at Xia He, who was busily running around preparing things, Summer Qingfeng couldn’t help but laugh. It was rare to see her usually calm daughter so full of energy. This was more like the behavior of a child, and it made Xia He happy to see.

After getting Xu Xiaoxiao ready, they headed to the back mountain. Summer Qingfeng was a little surprised to see Ling Xiaoyu already waiting there, standing next to a rather resigned-looking Master Yuan Yin.

Had these two agreed to meet early and not sleep at all?

After a light breakfast, Summer Qingfeng made her way to the Dharma Hall, as per Master Kongzhi’s arrangement, where she took a seat in the front row, among the lay practitioners. The temple was already filled with many pilgrims.

Master Kongzhi frequently traveled, rarely staying in Chongfu Temple for long periods, and it was even rarer for him to give a public sermon.

Inside the Dharma Hall, there were already rows of people kneeling, and the courtyard outside was orderly as well, with more kneeling pilgrims. Among the crowd, there were some high-ranking nobility as well.

Everyone couldn’t help but notice the woman in white sitting in the front row, with skin as fair as jade, and brows as soft as mist—an ethereal beauty. She had a graceful, unapproachable elegance, sitting with impeccable posture on a meditation cushion while quietly conversing with the elderly lady from the Wu Ting Marquis House.

“Who is this young lady? She has such a dignified air about her and is friendly with the First-Rank Marquess’s wife. She must be from a noble family,” some of the ladies whispered among themselves. “But wait, I don’t recall hearing about anyone like her in the capital…”

The noblewomen continued to gossip quietly until the doors opened again, and a young lady entered the hall. She was around fifteen or sixteen, wearing a white dress adorned with delicate orchid embroidery. A gold and jade headpiece rested at an angle atop her head, and her ears were decorated with large pearl earrings, each the size of a thumb. She exuded an air of elegance and nobility. This young lady was none other than Xu Jinyao, the fifth miss of the West Ping Marquis House, and the newly favored concubine of the Third Prince.

Xu Jinyao had not been out since her marriage into the Third Prince’s household, as the Third Prince’s wife was pregnant and unable to leave the palace. But with Master Kongzhi’s sermon being such a rare opportunity, the Third Prince’s household had to send someone to represent them and offer incense money. So, Xu Jinyao was chosen, as she had been particularly favored recently.

She had spent considerable time on her appearance today, expecting to be the center of attention, but when she entered, the crowd barely glanced at her before turning their attention elsewhere. The whispers continued, focused on a different figure entirely.

As Xu Jinyao tried to move closer, she overheard the whispers about the woman in white at the front. Curiously, she glanced up and felt a sudden shock — the woman’s face was unmistakable. *Isn’t this the sister-in-law who had been missing for half a year?* But there was something different about her now. Her aura had changed completely. Her every gesture was filled with newfound confidence and composure, and the subtle scholarly grace in her eyes and demeanor drew everyone’s attention toward her.

Xu Jinyao, however, could only feel the bitterness of jealousy rise in her chest. *How dare that abandoned woman return with such confidence?* She couldn’t bear to see it, especially as she was trying to regain her position in the Third Prince’s household. *I have to expose her identity, ruin her reputation, and make sure those noblewomen see her for what she really is. She’ll be kicked out for sure.*

Just as she was about to move forward to confront Summer Qingfeng, a monk entered the hall. The atmosphere in the Dharma Hall immediately quieted, and all the worshipers clasped their hands together in greeting, chanting, “Amitabha Buddha.” It was none other than Master Kongzhi, the great monk known for his wisdom. Xu Jinyao had no choice but to bow her head in respect.

But when she lifted her gaze again, she was stunned to see that Master Kongzhi walked directly up to Summer Qingfeng and began a conversation with her. Summer Qingfeng responded with a smile in her eyes, speaking naturally and without hesitation. *What’s going on?* Xu Jinyao thought, bewildered.

The other people in the hall were equally astonished. *This is Master Kongzhi, a highly respected monk,* they thought. *It’s a rare honor to hear him speak, but for him to approach and converse so familiarly with this woman… She must possess great virtue to deserve such treatment.*

Xu Jinyao’s mind raced. *What on earth happened to that woman during the past six months?* Before she could think too deeply, her attention was diverted again by a new sight.

The young Emperor’s grandson, *Ling Xiaoyu*, entered the hall, holding the hand of a little girl dressed identically to Summer Qingfeng. They walked toward Summer Qingfeng, and the crowd immediately dropped to their knees, paying respects as protocol demanded. To Xu Jinyao’s astonishment, not only did Summer Qingfeng remain seated and exempted from the bowing, but the little girl was also holding Ling Xiaoyu’s hand, walking very closely with Summer Qingfeng.

*This girl… is her daughter?* Xu Jinyao’s mind couldn’t process it. *And why is she so familiar with the Emperor’s grandson?* The implications were enormous. How had this woman gone from an abandoned wife to mingling with such high-ranking figures? *I must tell the Third Prince. And I need to inform my brother.* Xu Jinyao’s jealousy and anger reached new heights. *How dare this woman climb so high? She used to be so weak and timid… She’s now entangled with all these important people! I must have her locked away when I return to the mansion.*

With her thoughts in turmoil, Xu Jinyao barely noticed the passage of time. Her eyes remained locked on Summer Qingfeng throughout the entire sermon, her posture perfect, her face serene, while Xu Jinyao’s legs grew sore from kneeling for so long. Despite the discomfort, she couldn’t tear her gaze away. *How does she do it?* she wondered. *How can she kneel for so long without even shifting?*

Finally, by noon, Xu Jinyao couldn’t take it anymore. She hadn’t even eaten lunch and rushed out of the Dharma Hall in a hurry.

Back in her room at the temple, Summer Qingfeng collapsed onto the bed without any care for her usual elegance. The morning had been exhausting, and she was glad it was finally over. Xia He quickly approached and began massaging her legs. As someone skilled in martial arts, Xia He knew exactly where to apply pressure to relieve the fatigue. Within a few minutes, Summer Qingfeng felt a lot better.

Soon, news of her presence in Chongfu Temple would spread, and she knew it was just a matter of time before someone from the West Ping Marquis House would come to fetch her. For now, she would wait.

Meanwhile, Xu Jinyao was already on her way back to the West Ping Marquis House, eager to relay everything she had witnessed. When she arrived at the mansion, she rushed to the study to find the Third Prince.

However, as she approached the study, the guards stopped her. “The master is busy. Please wait, Side Consort Xu.”

“I have urgent news for His Highness,” Xu Jinyao replied, trying to push past them. “Please go inside and inform him!”

“The master specifically instructed that no one is to disturb him right now,” the guard insisted.

Xu Jinyao’s frustration boiled over, but she could only stand there, waiting. She was eager to get her information across, but she also knew she couldn’t afford to anger the Third Prince. So she was left in a state of restless anticipation, unable to contain her growing sense of urgency.

Xu Jinyao was about to speak, but suddenly, from within the study, came a series of sounds that made her face flush with embarrassment. *What… what is this?* she thought, irritated and uncomfortable. The Third Prince, Ling Haoxuan, was known for his notorious flirtations. He had many women in his harem, some brought in from outside, others, servants or maids he’d whimsically favored and then promoted to concubines or minor wives.

Xu Jinyao’s anger and impatience grew, but she dared not interrupt. She reluctantly stepped back and waited off to the side, feeling her frustration simmering as time dragged on.

It was already past noon, and Xu Jinyao had skipped her lunch to be here. The summer heat made her feel dizzy from standing so long, and she could barely keep her composure as she anxiously awaited a chance to speak.

After what felt like an eternity, the study door finally opened. A maid came out, carrying a tray with water, and soon after, Ling Haoxuan emerged, his arm around a shy and demure maid.

Seeing this, Xu Jinyao felt her stomach churn, disgusted by the scene, but she had no choice but to hold her tongue and maintain a pleasant appearance. She couldn’t afford to let her feelings show now, especially with so much at stake.

Ling Haoxuan was not the least bit concerned by Xu Jinyao’s discomfort. He calmly greeted her, as if nothing had happened, and waved for her to enter the study.

As soon as Xu Jinyao entered, she was assaulted by the lingering scent in the air — the unmistakable aroma of a moment just passed. Her stomach turned, but she kept her face neutral, forcing herself to sit. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, she began to speak, recounting everything she had seen at Chongfu Temple that morning.

“Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake? Was it really your sister-in-law?” Ling Haoxuan asked, his brow furrowing with curiosity.

Xu Jinyao nodded firmly. “I swear, it was definitely her. And she was with a child. It’s my brother’s child.”

Ling Haoxuan leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. “Hmm, I see.”

He then summoned one of his attendants, instructing, “Go and bring Xu Jingtian to me.”

Xu Jinyao sat there, her nerves on edge. The Third Prince’s mind was already at work, plotting the next steps, while she could only wait to see how this situation would unfold.