Chapter 7: Threat

Chapter 7: The Threat

Ciyun Temple stood on the mountain outside Qingyuan County.

It was autumn, and the landscape was a vibrant tapestry of red, yellow, and green. After traversing the winding mountain path, one could look up and see Ciyun Temple nestled deep within the forest.

Ancient trees, reaching for the sky, partially obscured the temple, while wisps of incense smoke curled upward. The deep, resonant tolling of the bell startled countless birds into flight from the mountains.

Wei Mingjin had sent someone ahead to inform the abbot of Ciyun Temple. When their group arrived at the temple gate, monks were already waiting.

Wei Mingjin addressed one of the monks, "I am here to see the abbot. Please arrange for the womenfolk to rest for a while."

Ciyun Temple was a popular site for incense offerings, frequently visited by wealthy families from Qingyuan County. Thus, the temple had specially built courtyards for pilgrims to rest.

The monk chanted a Buddhist verse and instructed his disciples to escort the women to their quarters. He then led Wei Mingjin to see the abbot.

All four concubines remaining in the Wei household had come today, including Fang Xu.

Since that day in the garden when she had provoked Xin He, Fang Xu had made no further moves. Today, during the ascent up the mountain, she walked only with the other concubines, not even sparing a glance at Xin He.

Since Fang Xu caused no trouble, Xin He saw no reason to provoke her, especially as she had important matters to attend to today.

The group of women followed a young monk. Along the way, they saw many monks setting up the main hall. Someone asked curiously, "What is happening here?"

The guiding monk replied, "The annual Buddha Prayer Festival is at the end of the month, and this year it will be held at our temple."

The Buddha Prayer Festival was one of Qingyuan County’s major annual events.

Organized by the Qingyuan County Chamber of Commerce and hosted in rotation by the county’s major temples, the festival prayed for national peace, prosperity, and a bountiful harvest. Everyone in Qingyuan County would participate in this grand event.

On that day, the hosting temple would release fish and turtles as a pious act and distribute lucky bags to visitors. A temple fair would also be held outside, always bustling with excitement. Xin He had attended several times in the past.

The young monk led them to the guest courtyard where they could rest and then departed.

Since Xin He was pregnant, she had a room to herself, while the other three concubines shared one.

Qiong Hua poured a cup of tea and handed it to Xin He: "My lady, let’s rest for a while and then go see what's going on."

Although they were here today to hold the Water-Land Dharma Service for Master Wei, these matters were handled by the temple monks. The women like Xin He only needed to offer incense before leaving.

Xin He was looking for an opportunity to send Qiong Hua away and said, "You go ahead. I’m tired and want to rest."

Qiong Hua loved excitement more than anything, but today Xin He had brought only her as a maid. If she went to see the festivities, no one would be left to attend to Xin He.

Because of Xin He’s pregnancy, she was treated with extra importance, and Qiong Hua, as her personal maid, her status rose accordingly.

Now, within the household, everyone warmly and respectfully called her "Sister Qiong Hua," and she was showered with flattery wherever she went. Even her former colleagues from the flower room would privately slip her money, begging her to recommend them if any vacancies opened in Cuiwei Courtyard.

Qiong Hua was a grateful person and knew that everything she had now was thanks to Xin He, so she prioritized Xin He above all else.

"If My lady is tired, then I will stay here with you."

Xin He showed little reaction and simply said, "As you wish."

Qiong Hua was young and loved fun and excitement. Since she had already set her mind on seeing the festivities, Xin He doubted she would give up so easily.

Sure enough, after a short while, Qiong Hua came to pester her again: "My lady, I heard it’s really lively!"

"No," Xin He refused firmly.

Qiong Hua looked dejected, but she truly wanted to go.

"My lady doesn’t even know what the excitement is about, so why refuse so outright?" Qiong Hua tried again.

Xin He couldn’t be bothered to respond. She had no interest in any excitement—she only wanted to send Qiong Hua away.

But before she could speak, Qiong Hua chattered on: "I heard that the Buddha’s revelation showed this year’s Prayer Leader is a woman, one with a red mole on the left side of her back, near the shoulder blade. The Buddha Prayer Festival has been held for so many years, and this is the first time the Prayer Leader is a woman!"

"Clatter—"

Xin He’s teacup tipped over.

Qiong Hua was startled and hurried to check: "My lady, are you all right? Did you get burned?"

"What did you just say?" Xin He stared intently at Qiong Hua.

"This year, the Buddha revealed that the Prayer Leader is a woman, one with a red mole on the left side of her back, near the shoulder blade."

Every year, before the Buddha Prayer Festival, the senior monks of the hosting temple would seek the Buddha’s guidance to select a Prayer Leader—a commoner deeply connected to the Buddha’s blessings.

This was one of the customs of the Buddha Prayer Festival, and Xin He had heard of it.

But this year, the Prayer Leader was a woman with a red mole on the left side of her back? Wasn’t that too much of a coincidence?

For a moment, Xin He felt that the red mole on her left shoulder blade was not a mole but a sharp thorn, piercing her with a chill throughout her body.

"My lady, what’s wrong?" Qiong Hua’s worried voice brought her back.

Xin He collected herself, masking her earlier shock, and stood up: "It’s my first time hearing that the Prayer Leader is a woman. In that case, let’s go take a look."

"Great, great!" Qiong Hua beamed with joy. As she accompanied Xin He out, she chattered incessantly: "I heard that since Ciyun Temple announced the Buddha’s revelation, many people have been coming to the temple every day, but it seems they’re all imposters. Still, in all the years the Buddha Prayer Festival has been held, the Buddha’s revelation about the Prayer Leader has never been wrong. That’s why I’m even more curious about this year’s Prayer Leader."

From officials to commoners, everyone in Qingyuan County valued the Buddha Prayer Festival highly. Being chosen by the Buddha as the Prayer Leader was an opportunity to gain face before officials and wealthy merchants.

Therefore, since Ciyun Temple announced the Buddha’s revelation, many had resorted to deceitful means to impersonate the chosen one. To avoid disturbing other visitors, the temple had designated a quiet area to receive these people.

Qiong Hua led Xin He there, and from a distance, they could see a long line stretching outside the courtyard gate.

The line included everyone from three-year-old girls to elderly women, leaving Qiong Hua stunned.

Under the eaves nearby, two figures leaned casually.

Feng Mo lifted his chin proudly and said, "So? Isn’t my idea brilliant?"

Becoming the Prayer Leader for the Buddha Prayer Festival was a glorious honor that would bring pride to one’s ancestors.

Even if the woman herself refused to come, how could her family allow her to pass up such an opportunity?

Chi Yan nodded eagerly: "Brilliant! Thanks, brother. I’ll treat you to drinks at Qingfeng Tower later."

"Besides the drinks, you also owe me the silver I used to bribe that bald-headed Huikong."

Monk Huikong was a senior monk at Ciyun Temple, and the revelation about the Prayer Leader had been obtained through his inquiry to the Buddha.

"Of course, of course. It wouldn’t be right to have you help and still spend your own money. I’ll pay you back later."

The two were chatting happily when Xin He, not far away, saw this scene and her face suddenly turned pale.

She knew it—it was no coincidence at all.

So it really was a trap set by Wei Mingjin, just waiting for her to walk straight into it.

Xin He whipped around and hurried away.

Qiong Hua had been totally caught up in listening to the gossip of the two people nearby, and by the time she snapped out of it, Xin He was no longer by her side.

Qiong Hua, startled, cried out "Yiniang!" and frantically rushed off to look for her.

Feng Mo, who had been talking with Chi Yan, heard someone call "Yiniang!" and looked over, only to see Qiong Hua rushing off in a hurry.

Feng Mo frowned.

Noticing this, Chi Yan also followed his gaze: "Isn't that Yiniang Xin’s maid?"

"Probably just here to watch the excitement," Feng Mo didn’t think much of it.

Xin He’s mind went blank, her only thought to escape. By the time she snapped out of it, she was somewhere unfamiliar.

Surrounded by red walls, black tiles, and ancient towering trees, it looked peaceful and secluded, with a pavilion up ahead.

Dragging her tired feet, Xin He entered the pavilion, her heart still racing in her chest.

Wei Mingjin hadn’t recognized her back at the Wei house; she thought he had forgotten everything. Yet, it turned out he still remembered the red mole on her left scapula.

And now, by using the Prayer Leader role as bait, Wei Mingjin was clearly searching for her.

Fortunately, she disliked having anyone around while bathing, so no one knew about the red mole on her left scapula.

Xin He didn’t know what Wei Mingjin’s purpose was in looking for her.

But now, as his nominal stepmother, if Wei Mingjin were to discover that she was the one from that night, she wouldn’t make it out alive.

No! She couldn’t let Wei Mingjin find out.

She had to lose this child and leave the Wei family as soon as possible.

Once she left the Wei family, she would get out of Qingyuan County right away. That way, even if Wei Mingjin eventually learned she was the one from that night, he wouldn’t be able to find her.

Having made up her mind, Xin He made her way to a steep slope.

The doctor had warned her that the first three months were unstable for the pregnancy, and she should avoid any bumps or falls to prevent the risk of miscarriage. If she were to fall from here, the child would certainly not survive.

Xin He put a hand on her stomach, took another step forward, and took a deep breath. Just as she was about to act, a man’s voice suddenly called out from behind: "Xin He?"

Xin He instinctively turned around and saw a shady figure stepping out from behind an ancient tree.

When she recognized the person’s face, she was filled with intense disgust: "Zhou Shuisheng, what are you doing here?"

"I heard you’re carrying Master Wei’s posthumous child. I came by to congratulate you."

The sight of Zhou Shuisheng’s face filled Xin He with nausea and revulsion. She turned to leave.

"Xin He, now that you’ve secured your place in the Wei family with this posthumous child, you look down on me, your fellow villager?"

Xin He ignored him and kept walking.

Zhou Shuisheng didn’t follow but stood where he was, smirking maliciously: "Since you refuse to catch up with me, I’ll have to go have a chat with Young Master Wei instead. I’m sure he’d be very interested to hear about what you were doing at Drunken Moon Pavilion on the seventh day of the seventh month."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xin He, who had been walking swiftly, froze in place instantly.

Zhou Shuisheng laughed triumphantly.