She had previously heard that those Western Jin spies were hiding inside Chongyang Temple. Xique Pavilion, along with Huang Jing and the others, had been toyed with for days, yet they still achieved nothing.
Now that she was asked to go to Chongyang Temple, Yin Weiyin wasn't worried about her safety. However, acting a little more tenderly in front of him wouldn't be a bad idea.
Thus, she pretended to ask him to accompany her. This way, even though he might scold her, he would still guard her closely. This tug-and-pull between them would pull him deeper into the mire, and one day, she reckoned he'd willingly put on the guise of a fool and even call her "good elder sister."
With this thought brewing, Yin Weiyin made up her mind, her lips curling slightly, ready to speak.
At that mont, Lu Ying suddenly spoke, "Chen Yi, aren't you coming with ?"
Yin Weiyin paused in surprise.
That was supposed to be her line!
Even though accompanying her or Lu Ying amounted to the sa thing, the idea still felt off sohow. If it were the latter, it made her—the main lady—feel like she was being relegated to an accessory.
Thinking this, she glanced at Lu Ying again. Only to see the latter staring intently at Chen Yi, her gaze unwavering.
Was this an exchange of coded glances?
Yin Weiyin's heart jumped, her teeth gently biting her lip as she fixed her gaze on Chen Yi.
Chen Yi felt the weight of two gazes upon him. His scalp tingled slightly, and finally, he replied:
"No, I have sothing to take care of, sowhere else to go."
This was, in truth, sothing urgent—wrapping up matters in Shantong City.
However, to the two won listening, it carried a different aning.
Yin Weiyin's lips curved subtly as she silently shook her head, relieved he had ultimately declined Lu Ying, adhering to her wishes and understanding the boundaries.
Lu Ying, however, seed a bit forlorn, lowering her head and muttering softly, "If you won't go, then you won't go. You as a protector aren't exactly failing, but you're not exemplary either. Perhaps this is what Master ant by one's destiny being one's own responsibility. Fine, fine, I won't harp on it—lest you think I'm being harsh on you. I haven't really been harsh, you know."
This speech wasn't loud nor quiet, leaving Chen Yi to rely respond with a wry smile.
As Yin Weiyin listened, inwardly, she was deeply pleased.
Little flirt! Who couldn't see through your complaints?
He's mine—my cauldron!
Still savoring the mont, Yin Weiyin saw Chen Yi about to speak words of comfort. Not wanting to give the two a chance to grow closer, she promptly cut in:
"You'll co with to see that Peach Maiden. I've already inford senior uncle and senior master, but there are still so matters that need explaining to her."
Chen Yi, thinking nothing of it, nodded, stood, and followed her out.
Their departing figures faded from Lu Ying's line of sight. Though her heart was usually as still as a crane's, she found herself hanging her head low, quietly savoring her tea.
Yet the tea bowl had long since been emptied.
......
Peach Maiden and her maidservant had been temporarily housed in the Xuán Manor. Just monts ago, they were chatting and laughing in the room, but the mont the two entered, silence fell.
The reason was simple. It wasn't because of how they were dependent on others but rather the sheer presence of the Taichua Goddess accompanying Chen Yi.
Her celestial aura was utterly commanding.
Clad in snow-white robes, elegant and ethereal. Every glance and smile radiated transcendent grace. Peach Maiden, as soone who played feminine roles, had t nurous individuals who resembled heavenly beings. Yet, eting this one made her hesitant, even to speak aloud.
Yin Weiyin swayed her horsetail whisk lightly and spoke:
"I've already inford my senior uncle. Once you're able to move more freely while staying here in Xuán Manor, we'll escort you up the mountain."
Although Peach Maiden had anticipated this, hearing it now still brought her to tears almost involuntarily. To jump from the lowest rung of society to the pinnacle in a single night was a dream she never dared to fathom. Becoming part of the upper nine classes—one couldn't simply wish to join. Buddhist temples or Daoist sanctuaries chose their disciples by assessing their innate talent and understanding.
Even if they deed her worthy, official approval was required—via a Dudie issued by the governnt—to formally renounce secular life.
To a singer, a mber of the base-born class, this was as difficult as climbing to Heaven.
Peach Maiden's face was streaked with tears as she pressed herself into a bow from the edge of the bed. The maidservant beside her also knelt gracefully. Yin Weiyin raised an elegant hand, and an intangible energy lifted them both upright, so their prostration went unreceived.
"From now on, you will be fellow disciples. Among us Daoists, there is no distinction of superiority or inferiority, so today, I will not accept your bow."
Pausing montarily, her celestial presence like that of an immortal in a painting, Yin Weiyin smiled faintly:
"If you diligently pursue cultivation, there's no reason you cannot eventually enter the inner sect. At that ti, I'll personally crown you both."
"Thank you, Immortal Yin, for bestowing your kindness…"
Peach was already flooded with tears.
"If I truly achieve Dao, I swear to erect a plaque in mory of your benevolence, praying for your peace and prosperity, and abundant rain and harvests."
"There's no need for plaques, though one should indeed always bear gratitude in mind."
Having conveyed her words, Yin Weiyin led Chen Yi and departed.
Peach Maiden was still overwheld with grateful tears, and her maidservant also sobbed beside the bed. It seed they had finally seen their suffering co to an end. The lives of those who played feminine roles might seem glamorous on the surface, but how long could such glamour last? How many female perforrs found themselves discarded by twenty, their voices no longer as they once had been, forced to sink into the dust of life's hardships?
Peach Maiden grasped the maidservant's hand and muttered softly:
"Rember this—always be grateful. You and I, as sisters, have made it here, but never forget the kindness shown to us."
"I'll rember—I'll rember…"
"The thousand-household official Min, as well as Immortal Yin—these two, we must always rember. Along with Master Fang, don't forget him either. It was he who gave us a trade to live by. Don't forget that if it weren't for those three hundred silver taels, you and I would have starved to death in the streets…"
Peach Maiden, as though rembering her years as a singer, suddenly raised her voice and began to sing:
"Many Sutras read aloud, yet the Heart Sutra—
The Peacock Sutra remains elusive—
The Seven Volus of the Lotus Sutra—
Are the most difficult to master. Our master—
Taught us tirelessly, even in his dreams…"
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