Chapter 36: The World’s Affairs Are Cause and Effect

“Prince, how much farther is it?” Jiang Huaiyue couldn’t help but ask.

At this moment, she was extremely grateful that she wasn’t prone to motion sickness. Otherwise, she would have thrown up a long time ago.

Pei Ji made a move in the game and raised his eyelids: “About half an hour.”

Hearing this, the beautiful woman in front of him immediately drooped her pretty eyebrows: “No way.”

Half an hour meant a whole hour! Oh my god, she felt like her butt was going to fall apart.

“Do you know how to play chess?” he asked.

Jiang Huaiyue looked at him incredulously, “Prince, are you asking me?”

“Is there anyone else here?” Pei Ji said indifferently.

Jiang Huaiyue glanced at him suspiciously, feeling that something was off about him.

She answered, “I don’t know how to play. But if the prince is willing to teach me, I’d be happy to learn.”

Pei Ji was momentarily stunned by her smile, then withdrew his gaze: “Come sit here.”

Jiang Huaiyue thought it would be better to do something else to pass the time, so just as she was about to divert her attention, she lifted her skirt and sat a little closer.

The chess pieces on the board were interwoven in such complexity that it was almost dizzying.

Pei Ji reached out and gathered the pieces one by one, and Jiang Huaiyue helped him.

During the rest of the journey, one taught while the other learned, and the atmosphere in the carriage became quite harmonious.

Half an hour later, the carriage stopped. Mo Ying jumped down, “Prince, we’ve arrived at Fayun Temple.”

Pei Ji put down the chess pieces and got up to leave.

Jiang Huaiyue sighed and quickly followed, finally having arrived.

It was springtime. Looking up, everything around was lush and green. Jiang Huaiyue felt it was very kind to her eyes, and her previously stuffy mood immediately brightened.

But when she saw the tall stone steps, she froze and couldn’t help but ask, “Do we have to climb up ourselves?”

Pei Ji turned his head, “Not climbing? Do you expect me to carry you on my back?”

Looking at him standing on the steps, Jiang Huaiyue gave a forced smile, “How could that be? The prince is far too noble, I couldn’t possibly accept that.”

She was afraid he’d drop her halfway up.

Watching Pei Ji already climbing, Jiang Huaiyue lifted her skirt and climbed step by step.

After a few steps, she was already panting heavily, “Too tiring.”

Qiuchan supported her, “Princess, shall I carry you?”

“No need.” Jiang Huaiyue looked at her small frame and shook her head.

After climbing the steps, Jiang Huaiyue’s fair forehead was covered with fine sweat, and her legs were so weak she could barely stand.

Looking over at Pei Ji who had already arrived, he stood upright under the Bodhi tree by the temple gate, attracting the attention of many passing women.

Jiang Huaiyue rested a moment, then looked up at Fayun Temple in front of her. Above the mountain gate hung a plaque, its gold paint chipped and weathered. Three large, simple, and vigorous characters were carved on it: “Fayun Temple.”

Following Pei Ji inside the temple, they saw smoke curling around from incense, and the sound of Buddhist chants lingering, creating a solemn and reverent atmosphere.

At this moment, a monk came forward, dressed in plain robes with a kasaya draped over his body, holding prayer beads. He had kind, benevolent eyebrows and eyes: “Amitabha, greetings, Prince.”

Pei Ji nodded, “Master Abbot, you’re too polite. Is the Third Master currently available?”

“The Third Master is meditating now. Prince, please have your lunch first and visit after noon,” the abbot replied slowly.

“Thank you, Master Abbot,” Pei Ji responded.

Seeing this, the abbot called a young novice monk, “Yuantong, take the prince to the bamboo hut in the back mountain.”

“Yes.” The young monk Yuantong smiled gently and nodded.

After the abbot left, Yuantong led the way: “Everyone, please follow me.”

Jiang Huaiyue and her group followed him around the front hall, walked along a short mountain path, then passed through a bamboo grove before arriving at the bamboo house the abbot mentioned.

It was a small bamboo building, built with exquisite elegance. Outside the courtyard, a fence surrounded it, with purple morning glories blooming perfectly. When the wind blew, the rustling of bamboo leaves could be heard softly.

“Here we are. The bamboo house was just cleaned yesterday. You all can settle in. I will have the monks bring vegetarian meals shortly,” Yuantong said softly, pressing his palms together.

“Thank you,” Mo Ying replied, then escorted the others away.

Jiang Huaiyue entered the house and found a chair to sit down; her legs were so weak she could barely stand.

Qiuchan saw this, put down her bundle, and poured a cup of tea: “Miss, have some tea.”

Jiang Huaiyue reached out, took it, and drank it all at once.

“Stay here, don’t run around,” Pei Ji stood up, said this as he left the room.

Once he left, Jiang Huaiyue got up from the chair, rushed to the bamboo bed inside, and lay down.

“I’m too tired,” she groaned, staring blankly at the pale green canopy above.

Qiuchan came over and massaged her legs: “Miss, let me massage you.”

Jiang Huaiyue closed her eyes and enjoyed Qiuchan’s care.

Meanwhile, Pei Ji left the bamboo house and went straight to Master Sanqiao’s residence.

As he entered the courtyard, the wind chime hanging under the eaves jingled, and a voice followed: “The prince still insists on taking the unconventional path as always.”

Pei Ji’s expression remained unchanged as he pushed open the door. The room was simply furnished, with just a couch and a small table. Master Sanqiao, dressed in monk robes, sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, and behind him on the wall was a large lotus flower decoration.

“Master Sanqiao’s ears are sharp,” Pei Ji said with a slight smile, lifting his robes as he sat down inside.

Sanqiao opened his eyes slowly and asked, “Prince, what brings you here today?”

They hadn’t met for several months. The hostility in his eyes was less intense than before — perhaps he had encountered something.

“I want to ask, if a person suddenly changes their nature completely, becoming the opposite of who they used to be, what could be the cause?”

Sanqiao stroked his graying beard and slowly said, “Does the prince know this person’s birth date and time?”

“Probably the third day of the first lunar month,” Pei Ji replied, recalling the investigation.

Sanqiao stood, took out tortoise shell divination tools, sat beside Pei Ji, gently shook them, and the coins fell on the table. Reading the divination, his eyes showed understanding.

“How is it?” Pei Ji asked.

Sanqiao put away the divination tools and said softly, “Everything in this world has cause and effect. I believe the prince already has an answer in his heart.”

A soul from another world, perhaps it was destined for them, able to change this world.

Pei Ji’s deep eyes showed curiosity. It seemed his guess was right, but he did not yet know where the restless spirit that had occupied Jiang Huaiyue’s body came from.

Regardless of who it was, at least the person was now in his hands.

“Thank you, Master. I have questions, so I must take my leave.”

Having gotten the answers he wanted, Pei Ji stood and left.

As he was about to exit, Master Sanqiao spoke again: “Prince, everything has its destiny. Don’t cling too much, lest you harm yourself and others.”

Pei Ji stepped out without replying.

He never believed in fate or gods; whatever he wanted, he had to hold firmly in his own hands.

Seeing his retreating back, Master Sanqiao whispered softly, “Amitabha.”