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Passing by Dragon Yin Mountain, the two of them spent a night at Qingyan Temple.

The temple still housed only one master and one disciple, with its two dilapidated thatched cottages remaining unchanged. The young Taoist, Baoshan, was delighted to see Rong Shu and Gu Changjin, exclaiming excitedly, "After you left, I never returned to this cottage. Master said you would come back."

He had assumed his master was just comforting him, but it turned out to be true.

Pushing open the door to the cottage, he continued speaking.

Rong Shu glanced inside and confirmed that the place was exactly as she and Gu Changjin had left it, even her hair ribbon from that day was still in its original spot on the bed.

"Venerable Daoist Baoshan has been thoughtful," she said with a smile.

Out of their entire group, only she and Gu Changjin had come to Qingyan Temple; the others were resting at an inn at the foot of the mountain.

Rong Shu had brought along some wine and fine food purchased on the way, which they enjoyed with Daoist Qingmiao at a pavilion outside the main hall.

After the meal, Daoist Qingmiao brushed aside his long white brows and addressed Gu Changjin, "Your Highness, may I have a private word?"

Gu Changjin looked at Qingmiao and nodded slightly before telling Rong Shu, "Zhaozhao, please accompany Venerable Daoist Baoshan to the main hall to pay respects to the Three Pure Ones. After my conversation with the temple master, I will come find you."

Their impromptu visit to Qingyan Temple today was driven by Rong Shu's desire to meet Daoist Qingmiao and his disciple, while also paying respects to the Three Pure Ones enshrined in the main hall.

At Gu Changjin's suggestion, she replied with a smile, "Very well, there's no need for you to rush over. I'll finish my prayers and return to the cottage to wait for you."

With that, she and Baoshan made their way to the grand hall.

The hall was just a short distance from the pavilion, and within a quarter of an hour, the young acolyte and Rong Shu entered.

No sooner had they stepped inside than Baoshan tugged on Rong Shu's sleeve, asking, "Can the Crown Princess wait here for a moment, please?"

Noticing the boy's flushed face, Rong Shu assumed he needed to attend to nature's call and promptly reassured him, "Go ahead and take care of your business. You don't have to stay with me."

Baoshan quickly left through a side door of the hall.

There was a path leading to Daoist Qingmiao's hut from this side entrance. A few days ago, for reasons unknown, his master had unexpectedly asked if he wished to go to the capital. He told Baoshan that he couldn't spend his entire life at Qingyan Temple and would eventually need to descend the mountain for some real-world experience.

Upon hearing that Daoist Qingmiao wanted to speak with the Crown Prince, Baoshan feared that his master might entrust him to the prince.

That's why he had stealthily approached, hoping to overhear the conversation between Daoist Qingmiao and His Highness the Crown Prince.

Baoshan concealed himself behind the cottage's window, holding his breath in anticipation. He had taken a small path and arrived earlier than Qing Miao Daoist and Gu Changjin.

After about a quarter of an hour, a creaking sound of the door opening echoed from inside.

Soon, Qing Miao Daoist's voice filtered through the window:

"Your Highness has come to Green Rock Temple. Does your visit have something to do with an inquiry for the old Daoist?"

"Yes," Gu Changjin answered candidly from within the cottage. "This time, I've come to ask if this prince will have the fate of having offspring in this life."

Qing Miao Daoist raised his bushy brows. He had guessed that the Crown Prince's visit was no casual one; it seemed to be about the matter of offspring.

Qing Miao Daoist gazed steadily at Gu Changjin.

Could someone who had exhausted all their good karma, and might not even have a future life, still have the fate of having children? This man must already have an answer in his heart when he asked this question.

"I don't know," Qing Miao Daoist said, shaking the palm leaf fan in his hand slowly. "If I were to speculate, it's likely not to be the case. However, Your Highness, you once didn't believe that people could truly come back to life. Therefore, nothing is impossible in this world. No matter how slim the hope, it remains hope."

Gu Changjin's expression remained calm, as if he had already anticipated Qing Miao Daoist's response. Intuitively, he sensed that he would probably not have the fate of having offspring in this lifetime.

Yet Zhaozhao yearned for an offspring from their union.

A glimmer of hope lingered in his heart, prompting him to visit Qing Miao at Green Rock Temple.

Now, after hearing the Daoist's words, he was not surprised.

"Many thanks, Daoist, for clarifying my doubts," Gu Changjin said.

"Why should Your Highness thank an old Daoist like me?" Qing Miao laughed. "Your Highness and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess happened to arrive at the right time. I have a favor to ask."

"What is it? Daoist, please speak freely."

Qing Miao continued, "My days are numbered, and I have no regrets in this life. The only thing that worries me is my foolish disciple, Baoshan. If possible, when you return to the capital from Da Tong, I hope you can come to Dragon Yin Mountain and take Baoshan away. As for where he goes next, that's up to Your Highness to decide."

Gu Changjin was slightly taken aback, instinctively looking at Qing Miao.

This old Daoist with his ruddy cheeks and white hair had aged significantly in just one year, appearing even more aged than he would be in forty years.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Gu Changjin realized that the one who set up that heaven-defying array was not only him but also Qing Miao. Hence, the price paid was not borne solely by him.

"Priest Qing Miao—" He frowned slightly.

"Your Highness, there's no need to say anything," Priest Qing Miao said, holding up his palm fan nonchalantly. "Do you know how many people have spent their entire lives without experiencing what this old priest has? This old priest is fortunate! And without regrets!"

Gu Changjin fell silent for a long while.

After a moment, he said, "Your servant Baoshan, I'll send him to the Board of Astronomy. Once he reaches adulthood, if he wishes to leave the Board, I will send someone to escort him."

Priest Qing Miao gave a Taoist salute. "Your Highness has given it much thought." Implicit in his words was his satisfaction with Gu Changjin's arrangement.

At the window, the young acolyte, having heard Priest Qing Miao's words, stumbled back to the main hall, his delicate white face streaked with tears.

In the humble abode, the old priest listened to the fading footsteps of the young one and sighed. Addressing Gu Changjin, he said, "My young disciple must have embarrassed Your Highness. As for the Crown Princess…."

"It doesn't matter. I never intended to hide it from her," Gu Changjin said, rising calmly. "I should go fetch her now."

The humble abode wasn't far from the main hall, but he walked slowly. His dark boots left deep footprints in the snow, and he didn't even bother to put on his cloak, allowing the wind and snow to cover him.

When he arrived at the main hall, Rong Shu was the only one inside.