Chapter 8

“Madam, how can you go to the temple to pray without taking me along?” Cui Cui grumbled while packing the bundle. “Just leave Ling Zi to watch the house. It’s not right for you to travel so far without anyone to attend to you.”

“It’s not far, just outside the city. Sister-in-law Ji is coming with me, so I’ll be looked after. Ling Zi is too young, and things outside are still unsettled. If anything happens, she wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

As Lan Yi replied, Ling Zi was huddled nearby munching on fruits, her cheeks stuffed full. Hearing her name, she giggled foolishly.

Before her were several plates of snacks, all sent over in turns by Aunt Zhou and Consort Jiang. Lan Yi’s stomach was still weak, so she dared not eat much, leaving the little maid to enjoy the treats.

Cui Cui shot a glance and pursed her lips. “None of them mean well. You’re right not to pay them any mind.”

Yang Wen Xu had previously forced Master Yang to back down with strong measures. But in practice, Aunt Zhou had her own delaying tactics. Handing over the accounts had dragged on for over ten days—sometimes needing recalculation, sometimes claiming illness, sometimes some mishap with the servants. Yang Wen Xu couldn’t press his pregnant stepmother too harshly, so Consort Jiang had no choice but to play along. Both sides vied to exert influence over Lan Yi—one wanting her to stay out of the way behind closed doors, the other using her name to add weight to their cause. Each showed their own tricks in this contest.

Amid such chaos, the main household indeed needed careful guarding. After some thought, Cui Cui reluctantly gave in. “Then let Ling Zi accompany you, Madam. At home, she just eats and plays mindlessly anyway.”

Ling Zi nodded between bites, signaling her willingness.

“We’ll have to climb the mountain. With her little arms and legs, how could she make it up? We’d need an extra sedan chair, and even then, she wouldn’t be much help. Better not trouble with it.”

Lan Yi’s voice was soft but firm as she refused again.

Cui Cui paused. “So you’re going alone, Madam? I’m uneasy about that.”

“It’s fine. Sister-in-law Ji and I will leave in the morning and return by afternoon.”

Sitting under the lamplight, the warm glow outlined Lan Yi’s features. Compared to her time in the capital, her complexion had brightened somewhat, but she remained slender, exuding fragility while paradoxically carrying a hint of sharpness.

Cui Cui hesitated. “You do seem more spirited lately—but you’ll truly return the same day?”

Lan Yi nodded firmly.

“Well… alright then.”

**

The next day was the thirteenth of April, five days before the ritual at Reverence Heaven Temple—the day Lan Yi and Sister-in-law Ji had agreed to set out.

Yang Wen Xu could have accompanied them. It wasn’t that he was unwilling, but Lan Yi had inadvertently revealed their plans when Consort Jiang brought over the fruit platter. Soon after, Rui Ge’er’s “recurring” travel sickness flared up again. While Lan Yi’s prayers for her health were important, seeking divine blessings was ultimately intangible, whereas their young son’s well-being was immediate. After some minor setbacks, Lan Yi set out alone.

When they met, Sister-in-law Ji was visibly disappointed. She’d hoped Yang Wen Xu might join them. “That brother-in-law of mine—what’s the use of him staying home? He’s no physician.” Her irritation made her picky. “Couldn’t he even spare a maid for you?”

Lan Yi half-closed her eyes, offering no explanation.

Not daring to push further, Sister-in-law Ji fell silent.

They left early. By sunrise, the sedan chairs had jolted their way to the city gates. Another seven or eight li beyond the walls brought them to the foot of Reverence Heaven Mountain.

The Reverence Heaven Temple was nestled halfway up the mountainside. From the foot of the mountain, one could faintly glimpse its grand architecture peeking through the dense green foliage.  

By now, the sun had risen high, casting its early summer light across the mountain slopes. A small green-curtained sedan chair swayed precariously as it ascended the stone steps carved into the path. Along the way, leisurely sightseers, pilgrims heading to the temple, and vendors selling incense, candles, and refreshments bustled about, weaving a lively scene.  

“Reverence Heaven Temple is the most famous and efficacious Taoist temple in Qingzhou,” Sister-in-law Ji remarked, bored from the slow climb. She lifted the sedan curtain and resumed her chatter. “Once we’re inside, you should go pray to the Azure Cloud Goddess for a fertility talisman. If you conceive, that child would be the Yang family’s legitimate heir. No matter how many brats that Jiang Ru woman pops out, they’d all have to step aside.”  

Lan Yi replied, “No need.”  

Her voice, muffled by the sedan curtain, was soft and cold.  

Truthfully, she didn’t need Sister-in-law Ji to explain the temple’s reputation. As a local, she had visited before—back when she hadn’t yet followed Yang Wen Xu to the capital. She had burned incense here and even drunk the so-called “mystic talisman” fertility water. Its bizarre, unforgettable taste lingered in her memory even now, across two lifetimes.  

Sister-in-law Ji, rebuffed again, scowled. She was about to retort when she suddenly slapped her thigh—she remembered. In her recollection, it hadn’t been that long ago. She had accompanied Lan Yi here back then, and Lan Yi had been so sick she could barely descend the mountain. By the time they made it home, she fell ill again. When Sister-in-law Ji visited, she witnessed Madam Yang—still alive at the time—berating Lan Yi, calling her useless, a delicate beauty always bedridden yet unable to produce an heir.  

Back then, Yang Wen Xu had just passed the provincial exams. Madam Yang, triumphant, repaid the grievances she’d suffered from her in-laws—who had disapproved of her forcing Jiang Ru into her son’s household as a concubine—with even harsher words. The Lu family, powerless to fight back, could only resort to desperate measures like forcing Lan Yi to drink talisman water.  

“That wicked mother-in-law of yours—good riddance she’s dead,” Sister-in-law Ji grumbled. “I say she got what she deserved. You were away, so you wouldn’t know, but when your father-in-law insisted on buying Mei Hong’s freedom, your mother-in-law was furious. She even dragged her relatives from the countryside into the city—what good did that do? Mei Hong still entered the household. That brothel woman was something else—within a couple of years, she’d driven your mother-in-law to her grave. Ha! She always accused our family of being petty and intolerant, but when it was her turn, where was her magnanimity?”  

Lan Yi listened quietly, offering no agreement. In her memory, Madam Yang had already died twice. Whatever grudges existed between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, death extinguished them—it was all in the past now.  

But some were still alive, thriving even, untouched by the retribution they deserved.  

She would be that retribution.  

**  

As they neared the temple gates, the crowd thinned. The Reverence Heaven Temple, preparing for an upcoming ritual venue in a few days, had stopped admitting ordinary pilgrims. However, exceptions could be made for big spenders like Sister-in-law Ji, who had secured the first incense for several consecutive days.  

Sister-in-law Ji stepped out of the sedan chair and strode ahead, exchanging a few words with the Taoist priest stationed at the entrance. The priest nodded respectfully and stepped aside to let them pass.  

The sedan bearers and chair were not permitted inside, left to wait outside. Sister-in-law Ji led the way in, followed by her maid and Lan Yi.

The temple was much quieter than usual, lacking the usual bustling atmosphere of heavy incense offerings, which instead highlighted the grandeur and mystery of its architecture. Sister-in-law Ji, a frequent visitor, was very familiar with the route. As they passed the left hall dedicated to the Azure Cloud Primordial Goddess—whose ritual venue was originally on Mount Tai—she couldn’t resist urging Lan Yi again: “Sister, why not burn an incense stick? Perhaps the Goddess, seeing your sincerity, might grant you a miracle.”

Lan Yi still shook her head.

Having experienced death and rebirth, she couldn’t claim disbelief in the supernatural, but her heart was far from sincere. She no longer wished to pray for a child. If she were to fall back into the same trap, what was the point of this second chance?

Unable to persuade her, Sister-in-law Ji gave up and continued forward. They reached the main hall, where Taoist priests greeted visitors. Under their guidance, they paid respects to the Three Pure Ones, donated incense money into the alms box, and burned the Three Treasures Incense. A few other pilgrims, all dressed in fine attire, were also present. After finishing her prayers, Sister-in-law Ji avoided them and signaled to one of the priests, leading him to a secluded corner near the hall’s entrance.

“Daoshi Zhengyuan, is His Highness still in the temple?” Sister-in-law Ji asked eagerly.

Zhengyuan Daoshi, a man in his thirties with a flowing beard and an air of detachment, replied with apparent righteousness: “Shh, kind benefactress, please lower your voice. His Highness is of noble status—how could this humble priest casually disclose his whereabouts?”

Sister-in-law Ji rolled her eyes and discreetly handed him a plain silk pouch. “Daoshi, do us this favor. We’re just two weak women who couldn’t even kill a chicken—we’d never dare harm His Highness.”

Zhengyuan’s hand darted out from beneath his tilted horsetail whisk, and the pouch vanished in a flash. His voice dropped to a whisper: “Kind benefactresses, please follow me.”

Sister-in-law Ji excitedly pulled Lan Yi along as they left the hall. Along the way, Zhengyuan asked nervously, “Might I ask why you seek His Highness? Let me be clear—I can only guide you to his secluded chamber. How you gain an audience is beyond my help. His Highness usually secludes himself for quiet cultivation and receives no outsiders. If any trouble arises, I cannot be held responsible.”

“Understood, understood. We won’t implicate you,” Sister-in-law Ji assured him. “Haven’t I already told you? We just need His Highness’s help with a matter. If he refuses, we’ll naturally let it go—how could we force him? Rest assured, we’re respectable figures in Qingzhou City. Even if we cared nothing for our own lives, we’d still consider our families.”

Sister-in-law Ji was naturally talkative, but her rambling now effectively reassured Zhengyuan. He nodded. “If I didn’t know you were the madam of the Lu family, I wouldn’t dare take this risk. And this benefactress is—?” He gestured to Lan Yi.

Sister-in-law Ji replied casually, “She’s my younger sister.”

This address was based on her husband’s seniority, leading Zhengyuan to mistake it for a blood relation. Regardless, they were indeed two women, and Lan Yi appeared frail, her face obscured by a veil but her weak constitution evident in her gait. He asked no further.

Passing through a side door beside the main hall and crossing a courtyard, then past the dining hall, further back, the left side housed the Taoist priests’ quarters while the right had a gate. Proceeding inward led to the Secluded Chamber.

At this time, most priests were rehearsing rituals at the square inside the mountain gate, while others were busy with external purchases. The rear sections of the temple, which served as private areas, stood empty. Zhengyuan Daoshi thus smoothly led them to the gate but dared go no further.

“If you wish to see His Highness, proceed yourselves. Just don’t mention my involvement.”

Sister-in-law Ji nodded and moved to enter, but Lan Yi, suspicious, held her back: “Aren’t there any guards by His Highness’s quarters?”

Sister-in-law Ji had claimed meeting Prince Yi at the temple would be easy, but this seemed too easy.

“His Highness naturally has accompanying eunuchs. However, Prince Yi differs from other princes—he lives simply, travels incognito, and never interferes with pilgrims’ movements while residing here. Those who accidentally intrude are merely escorted out without punishment or blame.”

Zhengyuan explained in detail. It was precisely because of Prince Yi’s indifferent nature that he dared exploit this loophole. Otherwise, no matter how wealthy the devotees were, he wouldn’t risk his life to overstep boundaries.

Recalling how Prince Yi had left the city accompanied by just one eunuch that day, Lan Yi nodded silently.

“This humble priest has duties in the main hall and must take leave. Please proceed carefully, ladies. No matter how approachable His Highness may seem, he remains a prince. His wrath, though rare, strikes like thunder—something beyond people like us to bear.”

After this final cautious warning, Zhengyuan finally departed.

Repeatedly cautioned, Sister-in-law Ji hesitated at the threshold: “Shall we just enter like this? Are there really no guards inside? What if we’re mistaken for assassins?”

With the arrow already nocked, Lan Yi wouldn’t retreat: “Then wait here while I scout ahead.”

What she intended to do would be more convenient alone.

To Sister-in-law Ji, as an official’s wife, Lan Yi’s decision carried authority. After some hesitation, she complied: “Alright then. I’ll keep watch here and intercept anyone approaching.”

As for whether Lan Yi should enter alone or how to proceed inside, she hadn’t considered—her plans weren’t that meticulous. She’d simply come eagerly when Lan Yi offered to help connect with Prince Yi, fearing only that Lan Yi might back out.

Lan Yi glanced at her, paused, then added: “Don’t intercept anyone or warn me. Just hide yourself if needed. I have ways to escape.”

Sister-in-law Ji exclaimed in surprise: “Truly?” then quickly rationalized, “Of course! You’re the Hanlin Academician’s Wife. Since Prince Yi sent gifts to your household, he won’t punish you over this small matter. At worst, he’ll just expel you angrily.”

Lan Yi didn’t refute, appearing to acquiesce.

But in truth, she never intended to escape.

Entering meant fully committing to gravely offending Prince Yi.

Making Yang Wen Xu incur Prince Yi’s displeasure was difficult—one observing mourning at home, the other cultivating tranquility at the temple—their paths wouldn’t cross. So she would bridge that gap herself.

Nominally, she remained the Yang family’s eldest daughter-in-law, Yang Wen Xu’s wife. Whatever she did, he couldn’t disentangle himself.

Even if Yang Wen Xu thought her mad, he’d still be dragged down by this madwoman.

…

Lan Yi entered.

Sister-in-law Ji, accompanied by her maid, took shelter behind a large tree with a dense canopy by the roadside, eagerly gazing in the direction of the wooden gate.

Neither she nor Lan Yi noticed that behind another massive tree not far away, another pair of eyes had been watching all along.

**

“Master, should I still go in?”

“Wait.” The man’s voice fell silent for a moment as he observed. “That woman who was talking to the Taoist priests earlier—do you recognize her?”

“Hehe, with so many people in Qingzhou Prefecture, if you asked about anyone else, I might not know. But this lady, I’ve seen her before. She’s the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family in the city. The Lu family is related by marriage to the Yang family. Master Yang fell in love with our Mei Hong from the brothel, but his wife is a fierce one. The madam has come to make a scene several times. Once, Eldest Daughter-in-law Lu happened to witness it and stood outside watching the commotion. When Madam Yang spotted her, she felt humiliated and started scolding her. That’s how I know they’re relatives—”

“Enough.” The man’s voice grew impatient as he cut her off. “Is she a respectable woman?”

“Of course! You can tell just by her attire.”

“Then why would a respectable woman bribe Taoist priests to come here? Burning incense and praying to the gods won’t lead her to the one inside.”

“That, I don’t know.”

“What about the woman who went inside? Do you recognize her?”

“Master, you overestimate me. She was wearing a veil—how would I know? But judging by her demeanor, she seemed even more distinguished than Eldest Daughter-in-law Lu. Lu isn’t exactly meek-tempered; she’s even quarreled with her in-laws. For her to humble herself and flatter someone like that, in my opinion—”

“Stop beating around the bush. Speak plainly.”

“Don’t rush me, Master. I’m not entirely sure either. As I mentioned earlier, the Lu family has a daughter who married into the Yang family. Her husband is a man of great promise—he passed the imperial exams and became an official in the capital. Master Yang used to be a penniless country bumpkin. The only reason he could afford to redeem our top courtesan was thanks to his son’s influence—”

“You’re saying,” the man interrupted again, his voice now tense yet tinged with excitement, “that woman is the one who married into the Yang family—an official’s wife? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”

“Ah, I told you, I don’t recognize her. It’s just a guess. That woman was dressed plainly, even more modestly than Eldest Daughter-in-law Lu. Why would Lu lower herself to please her? I suspect—it’s because she’s in mourning. Madam Yang recently passed away after a long illness. The brothel’s madam told us all to learn from Mei Hong’s methods.”

The man fell silent for a while.

The other person grew impatient. “Master, give the order. Should I go in or not? We can’t keep hiding here forever. If the Taoist priests return or Eldest Daughter-in-law Lu spots us, it’ll be hard to explain.”

“…No.” The man made up his mind. “You may leave.”

“Are you serious, Master? Then… the silver won’t be refunded.”

“Enough chatter. Just keep your mouth shut.”

“No need to remind me, Master. I’m not stupid. Honestly, I’d love to catch a glimpse of the prince’s majesty. He’s been widowed for years—who knows, maybe I’ll have Mei Hong’s luck—”

“Get lost.”

“…”

Light footsteps faded into the distance.

“Hmph, you crazy outsider, full of wicked ideas. I hope the prince finds out and skins you alive.”

The grumbling woman’s voice faded into the distance.