Chapter 255 Seeking the Master

Chapter 255: Searching for the Master

On the morning of the sixth day, Qiu Heng was summoned to Thousand Pine Hall.

“Grandmother, you called for me?”

The old lady tapped the invitation in her hand. “Xue Han has invited you to visit the markets; the invitation came to me.”

After welcoming the God of Wealth on the fifth day, most shops on the streets opened for business on the sixth day of the new year, and many people would go out for a stroll and do some shopping.

Qiu Heng guessed the old lady was secretly suspicious that they’d planned this on the fourth day, so she looked puzzled. “He invited me to visit the markets, but he sent the invitation to you? It would’ve been much more convenient to write directly to me.”

The old lady was so annoyed her mouth twitched. “Do you think everyone is like you, so ill-mannered? Xue Han is a proper young man.”

“Then I’ll head out, Grandmother?”

The old lady was torn.

If she agreed, she worried something else might happen. If she refused, this seemed to be the first time Xue Han had formally invited Sixth Girl out.

If the first invitation was rejected, there might not be a second…

Originally, the old lady cared greatly about reputation, but after the trip to Western Jiang, everyone in the capital had already decided Qiu Heng and Xue Han were a pair. If they didn’t end up married, that would be the real loss of face.

“Is that guard sent by the Heir of Prince Kang going to drive your carriage?”

Qiu Heng smiled. “Xue Han invited me to visit the markets; we can just walk, no need for a carriage.”

Not taking a carriage was good—then there wouldn’t be any risk of the horse getting spooked.

The old lady relaxed a little. “Then go ahead, but come back early.”

Qiu Heng brought Fang Zhou and Wu Qingzhou with her and met Xue Han at their agreed spot.

Xue Han came alone. As he walked toward Qiu Heng, he glanced at the two people following her.

“Are they coming with us?”

“They won’t come along. Having them here reassures my grandmother.”

Qiu Heng turned to Fang Zhou and said, “Xue Han and I have some business to attend to. You two just wander around. If it gets near dusk and we haven’t returned, go back and tell the old lady that Xue Han and I have gone to the night market and will be back later.”

Beside her, Xue Han’s expression darkened, and his mood grew heavy.

If the first time he took her out, they came back only after visiting the night market, wouldn’t the old lady whack him with her cane the next time they met?

Fang Zhou didn’t question Qiu Heng’s instructions at all and asked considerately, “And what if it’s past the night market’s closing time before you’re back?”

“Then go to the old lady again and tell the senior maid at Thousand Pine Hall that I was out too late and got tired, so I went straight back to Cold Fragrance Pavilion to rest. I’ll pay respects to Grandmother tomorrow morning.”

Xue Han’s expression turned not just serious but heavy.

Out too late… tired…

Fang Zhou continued, “And what if you’re out all night and can’t come to pay respects?”

After all, the young lady had climbed over the mansion walls countless times; they had to think through every scenario to avoid panic.

Xue Han couldn’t stand it anymore and said solemnly to Fang Zhou, “We will definitely return today.”

Even if the sky fell, there would be no staying out all night.

But Qiu Heng wasn’t so certain. After a brief thought she said, “Then just say I’m sick.”

Fang Zhou agreed without hesitation, then smiled at Wu Qingzhou. “Brother Wu, let’s go check out some eateries.”

Wu Qingzhou hesitated, looking at Qiu Heng.

His responsibility was to protect the sixth young lady.

“Don’t worry, Official Xue is here.”

Wu Qingzhou glanced at Xue Han, then cupped his hands. “Understood.”

After parting with Fang Zhou and Wu Qingzhou, Qiu Heng and Xue Han hired a carriage and left the city.

“Young master, why don’t you sit inside with your wife? It’s cold out here,” the chatty driver said.

Xue Han didn’t find him annoying and replied casually, “I’m sitting out here to get familiar with the road.”

After leaving the city, the carriage traveled for over an hour before stopping at the foot of a mountain.

Xue Han helped Qiu Heng get down.

“Are you sure you two really don’t want me to wait here?” The driver, after receiving a generous tip much larger than the rental fee, was reluctant to leave.

“No need. We’re visiting relatives; can’t say when we’ll be back.”

Looking around, there were scattered houses at the foot of the mountain, so the driver didn’t question it and drove off.

The mountain peaks were covered in snow, the trees bare and desolate. The road grew harder to travel, but for two people skilled in qinggong, it wasn’t too difficult.

“You actually found such a remote temple hidden in the mountains,” Qiu Heng remarked when they spotted a Taoist temple in the distance.

These unregistered temples weren’t on any official list.

“The Imperial City Bureau often has business outside the city, and sometimes we come across things like this.”

Soon they stood before the temple gate.

It was small and dilapidated, with a weathered wooden door bearing the marks of time.

Xue Han knocked.

After quite a while, the door opened to reveal a thin young Taoist. “May I ask what business you two have here?”

Xue Han bowed to the young Taoist. “We wish to visit Taoist Master Changqing. Please inform him of our arrival.”

The young Taoist’s expression shifted slightly. “You want to see my master?”

“Yes.”

“May I ask why you wish to see him?”

Qiu Heng spoke up. “I used to live in the south and had the fortune of receiving instruction from Taoist Master Changqing. When he left, he said he would come to the capital. After arriving, I kept an ear out for word of him and happened to hear that there is a Taoist Master Changqing at this temple—”

Before she could finish, the young Taoist tried to close the door, but Xue Han held it open.

“Please leave. My master has never set foot in the south. He’s not who you’re looking for.”

"We’ve come a long way into the mountains; please do us a favor and let us meet your master in person. We’d also like to donate some incense money to help build the shrine."

Upon hearing Xue Han mention incense money, the young Taoist hesitated for a moment before stepping aside. "Please come in, you two."

The interior of the temple was even more shabby; the incense burner in front of the hall was rusted, and a faint scent of cypress wafted from within.

Qiu Heng and Xue Han respectfully offered incense.

Having received a generous donation, the young Taoist asked, "Is it enough for you to simply see my master?"

Sensing that the young Taoist’s reaction was somewhat strange, Qiu Heng nodded. "Just meeting him once is enough."

"Very well. Please follow me."

They passed through the rear courtyard, exited through the back gate, and arrived at a vegetable garden.

The young Taoist led them across the garden and stopped in front of a mound of earth.

It was a solitary grave, with a stone tablet clearly inscribed: "The tomb of the late Master Changqing."

Qiu Heng slowly turned her gaze to the young Taoist.

His eyes slightly reddened, he explained, "My master passed away last year."

Qiu Heng stood still for a moment, then said softly, "Sorry for the intrusion."

The young Taoist escorted them to the temple gate. Perhaps because of the generous donation, or perhaps because they had bowed respectfully before his master’s grave, he added, "You two should head down the mountain as soon as possible. The path is slippery in winter, and it’s unsafe once it gets dark."

"Thank you, Master."

Hearing the door close behind them, Qiu Heng trudged forward in silence.

A hand reached out and quietly took hers.

Qiu Heng turned her head to look at Xue Han walking beside her.

"A Heng, are you disappointed?"

"Not very disappointed." After walking in silence for a while, Qiu Heng looked back at the dilapidated temple. "If he really were my master, I’d think it was too easy. Now that I haven’t found him, I just feel a bit lost."

It was already the twenty-seventh year of the Jingping era. Had her master been in seclusion all along, only to emerge when Great Xia was in turmoil?

"A Heng, they say it's all about fate between people. I'll go with you and we'll take our time searching; perhaps one day fate will bring you together."

Qiu Heng tightened her grip on Xue Han’s hand. "Mm. Let’s just treat it as a sightseeing trip."

Half an hour later, staring at the section of the road blocked by a landslide, Qiu Heng put a hand to her forehead. "Xue Han, do you think we’ll make it back today?"