Chapter 55 Temple Romance, Sinister Undercurrents

Chapter 55: Temple Tryst: A Web of Deceit

The wind stirred the bells under the eaves of the Qin residence, and the night breeze carried their chime as the Prime Minister’s carriage gradually faded into the distance.

Just as the carriage disappeared around the corner, a delicate figure slipped out from behind the osmanthus tree at the gate of the Qin estate.

It was Cong Shuang.

When Cong Shuang returned to Mushan Residence, Qin Jiao was just about to have a late-night snack.

“Young master! That Lin Wen scoundrel actually...”

As soon as she entered, Cong Shuang couldn’t help but launch into a rapid barrage of signing, her fingers flying up and down as she recounted what she had just witnessed at the gate.

After listening to Cong Shuang’s account, a strange emotion stirred within Qin Jiao.

He had originally sent Cong Shuang to find out how Qin Yuanshan and Yu Shuhan’s visit to the Lin residence for the birthday feast had gone. Having just returned to the capital, Qin Jiao needed to know both his friends and foes if he didn’t want to be easily manipulated. But unexpectedly, instead of details about the feast, Cong Shuang had stumbled upon Lin Wen’s secret.

He took out the “lost” White Jade Seal from his sleeve, his slender fingers caressing it as he gazed thoughtfully at the dark sky outside the window.

Lin Wen had come to break off the engagement secretly?

Something was off. This was suspicious.

—

In a dimly lit room, the shadow of a man loomed faintly, and beside him knelt a slender young man.

Not far away, a monk softly tapped a wooden fish, and the sound of chanting filled the air. The young man’s robes were half slipped off, his eyes full of springtime allure.

Doing such a thing under the very eyes of the Bodhisattva made the young man nervous, and in his anxiety, his touch faltered.

“Hiss!”

The man drew in a sharp breath, then *smack*—a walking cane lashed fiercely across the young man’s back.

“Useless! Can’t even do this right?”

The man’s voice was thick with rage. The young man’s whole body trembled from the blow, but he dared not resist. After striking once, the man stopped, and the young man redoubled his efforts to please him.

Before long, the man’s eyes suddenly reddened, and he grabbed the young man by the hair!

“Mm...” The young man winced in pain and struggled frantically. Enraged, the man slammed his cane repeatedly against the young man’s body. “Stop, master, don’t hit my face—people will notice.”

The young man begged, sobbing and hiccupping, but the man did not cease his beating.

After a moment, the man’s expression shifted abruptly, and he shoved the young man away viciously. “Useless! Get dressed and get out!”

The young man did not dare disobey. Enduring the pain, he dressed himself, smoothed down his disheveled hair, then opened the door and left the dark room.

Outside, the daylight was bright and beautiful.

Glancing down at his own wretched state, the young man curled his lips into a mocking smile.

“Master, but you’re just as useless.”

—

“Young master, there you are!”

The East Shao Temple had many branching paths, and Qin Jiao was just wondering which way to go when he heard Steward Wen calling him.

Accompanying Steward Wen was Cong Shuang, dressed all in white.

“The prayer ceremony in the front hall is ready. Let’s hurry over,” Steward Wen said with a smile.

Qin Jiao nodded. “Alright.”

Today marked half a month since Qin Jiao’s return to the capital. Because he had been “disobedient and disrespectful” to his elders on the first day back, he had been confined to the estate for the past two weeks, ostensibly to reflect on his behavior.

Today, the Qin family made their annual pre-New Year pilgrimage to the East Shao Temple to pray for blessings, so Qin Jiao finally had a chance to leave the house.

And precisely because he had been confined to the estate all this time, Qin Jiao had missed the grand scene of the Prince of Lingnan’s return to the city.

According to the younger maids in the household, when the Prince of Lingnan returned to the capital, the emperor had led all the civil and military officials to welcome him. The roadside welcoming flowers bloomed in clusters as if spring had arrived. Countless young ladies and gentlemen threw handkerchiefs and fresh flowers toward the prince’s carriage. The spectacle was nothing short of a sea of people and a flurry of activity.

After welcoming the Prince of Lingnan back to the palace, the emperor hosted a victory banquet, inviting all officials to celebrate the return of the “God of War.” The festivities continued for over half a month before the fervor of the capital’s subjects began to subside.

“This East Shao Temple really draws a crowd. Being so close to the Imperial Taiyu Temple certainly helps,” Steward Wen remarked. He hadn’t been out in a long time and felt a sense of novelty.

Qin Jiao agreed.

He had visited this temple many times before, and it was always packed. It wasn’t because the temple was exceptionally efficacious, but because it stood right next to the imperial Taiyu Temple, separated by just one street.

Most of the people who came to pray and offer sacrifices here were capital officials and their relatives. They made the arduous journey from the capital simply to be near the imperial temple, hoping to soak up some of the royal aura and boost their official careers.

Besides participating in the prayer ceremony with the rest of the Qin family, Qin Jiao also planned to seek a simple peace knot. The East Shao Temple offered a kind of peace knot; if offered before a spirit tablet, it could bring blessings to the departed. Qin Jiao wanted to get one for Xiao Ning Shi.

Qin Jiao, Steward Wen, and Cong Shuang hurried along the path. By the time they reached the front hall, Qin Yuanshan and Yu Shuhan were already waiting.

Earlier, when they had first arrived at the temple, the items needed for the ceremony had not been fully prepared, so Yu Shuhan had told everyone to look around. When Qin Jiao arrived, Qin Chaole also appeared, and soon afterward, Qin Ji and Qin Han returned, laughing.

“Greetings, elder brother,” Qin Han said, bowing gently to Qin Jiao, her voice soft and warm.

Qin Jiao returned a faint smile. “Greetings, second younger sister.”

Qin Ji, ignoring whether Qin Han bowed or not, still had no good expression for Qin Jiao. He gave a dismissive “hmph,” and Qin Jiao paid him no mind.

In truth, three years ago, before Xiao Ning Shi had passed away, Qin Jiao’s relationship with Qin Ji and Qin Han had been very good. The three of them often played together.

But later, after Yu Shuhan had sent Qin Jiao away, their relationship naturally cooled. Add to that the earlier proposal of an exchange marriage, and the three siblings’ bond had become even more awkward.

Qin Chaole stood beside Concubine Yin, offering Qin Jiao a gentle smile. “Brother, please come stand closer. The prayer ceremony is about to begin.”

“Mm.”

Qin Jiao gave a slight nod and unobtrusively glanced at Qin Chaole.

For some reason, when Qin Chaole had just spoken, his voice sounded a bit hoarse, and his face was slightly red. Qin Jiao thought it might be because of the strong winter wind; he had caught a chill, so he did not pay it much mind.

Qin Yuanshan glared at Qin Jiao and Qin Chaole. “What are you dawdling for? Come here!” Qin Chaole did not dare argue and hurriedly stepped forward. Qin Jiao, however, simply ignored Qin Yuanshan’s anger and went to stand behind Yu Shuhan.

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