Qingping Temple.
Yu Qiucai stood in front of the back hall, occasionally glancing at the young couple inside and slightly shaking his head.
Old Xiao was really confused to have sent for Qin Liuxi’s consultation this late, especially after the trusted won of his household had already witnessed her abilities.
If it was of such importance, either he could have co himself if he truly couldn’t leave the Prefecture City, or at least his wife should have, to show sincerity. Why not visit the esteed one in person as a mother?
Instead, days had passed, yet only his son and daughter-in-law were sent. Tsk.
Yu Qiucai thought to himself that Qin Liuxi was a proud person; not soone to tolerate such treatnt lightly. That child was probably going to suffer for it.
As he was thinking this, a figure caught his eye. Yu Qiucai quickly stepped forward and greeted with cupped hands, "Master Buqiu."
"You’re here early too," Qin Liuxi perford a Taoist ceremony.
Yu Qiucai sighed, "I’m just fulfilling a request from an old friend... Alas, I hope you can overlook the hardships of being a young lady and treat her considerately."
With that, he gave another respectful bow.
Qin Liuxi’s eyebrows raised slightly, "The official indeed has a kind heart."
"It’s just that the child used to call ’uncle’ when she was small, very sweet." Yu Qiucai smiled and added, "She’s the sa age as my daughter, and the two kids are really close. Oh, right."
He took out a package from his sleeve and handed it to her, "This is a little snack made by my daughter, specially for you to try. She made it herself."
Qin Liuxi was surprised, opened the package to find so roasted jerky. She tasted a piece, her eyes curving in delight, "Delicious."
The half-dried jerky was seasoned well, fragrant and yet still juicy, making for a very flavorful snack, indeed a fine provision.
Hearing this made Yu Qiucai as happy as a child, "As long as you say it’s good, that’s enough. My daughter insisted on seeing your reaction, I must tell her when I get back. She wouldn’t even let have a piece."
"It’s very well made, Miss Yu has quite a skill here."
"The young girl has no other talents, just enjoys fussing over food. If she makes so fresh ones, shall I have them brought over to you?" Yu Qiucai ventured.
Qin Liuxi said, "No need to trouble yourself for the Daoist Temple. I have a shop at Shouxi Square, and once I return from the Prefecture City, it will open. By then, bring the children over to familiarize themselves."
"Really?" Yu Qiucai was overjoyed, eagerly asking for the shop’s location, "I’ll certainly bring my family to patronize."
Qin Liuxi said with a aningful tone, "I hope you actually won’t need to."
Yu Qiucai: "???"
Later, when he took his wife and children to the shop nad Feichang Dao, they were imdiately greeted with, "Dear custor, are you looking to expel evil, hunt ghosts, or cure so peculiar and intricate ailnt?"
"Senior brother." Qing Yuan erged from the back hall, followed by the young couple.
Qin Liuxi turned around, glanced at the two, and remained silent.
Yu Qiucai then introduced, "Esteed nephew, this is Master Buqiu whom I’ve told you about. Master, this is my relative by blood, of the Xiao surna."
Xiao Zhanrui, surprised by Qin Liuxi’s youthful appearance yet seeing her standing with her hands behind her back and a calm deanor, stepped forward and greeted with cupped hands, "Xiao Zhanrui has the pleasure of eting the master; this is my wife, Mrs. Cheng."
"Mrs. Xiao Cheng pays her respects to the master."
Mrs. Xiao Cheng was a woman of beautiful appearance, but her brows bore a trace of light sorrow, and her face could not hide the fatigue. It was unclear whether it was the fatigue from traveling or from her own troubling matters.
Qin Liuxi glanced at the couple’s faces; the lines in the couple palace of the young husband and wife were tangled, and the husband was born with peach blossom eyes and a mole in his couple palace—a sign of a passionate nature. Evidently, he had his fair share of romantic encounters, and his wife was not the only one by his side.
"No need for formalities," said Qin Liuxi. "You shouldn’t have co."
The couple was shocked, Xiao Zhanrui even more so. Confused, he asked, "Why would the master say such a thing? We ca here sincerely, seeking the master’s help to solve my sister’s plight."
Uncle Yu said that he had already paved the way and pulled in favors. However, Qin Liuxi’s attitude clearly showed that he was not keen on making the trip.
Xiao Zhanrui could not help but look towards Yu Qiucai, who was also sowhat puzzled and cautiously inquired, "Master, is there sothing inappropriate?"
Qin Liuxi said, "It is said that one should not trouble two masters with the sa problem. Since they’ve already sought a master, why bother making the long journey to my Qingping Temple? The Taoist Sect has its rules, and as for , I do not like competing over rites."
This ant that seeking another surreptitiously was a different matter!
Yu Qiucai was stunned and blurted out without thinking, "You’ve sought another master?"
Mrs. Xiao Cheng was shocked but dared not speak out ahead of her husband; she only looked towards Xiao Zhanrui.
Xiao Zhanrui was also startled; he had not expected Qin Liuxi to openly address the issue without them having said anything.
He was a man accustod to grand scenes and maintain composure. Adjusting his attitude, he stepped forward with a salute and a flattering tone, "The master is truly insightful, with foresight akin to that of a sage. To be honest, after the nanny returned ho and reported what she saw and heard at Qingping Temple, my mother had intended to co imdiately. However, my sister’s illness suddenly intensified, and at that ti, an esteed elder recomnded a Fang Dao, so we invited him in."
Qin Liuxi listened silently.
Xiao Zhanrui continued, "That Fang Dao perford a ritual, and my sister got better for two days. Yet unexpectedly, her old illness relapsed, worse than before, and by the ti my wife and I left, she no longer recognized anyone. Out of fear, my mother fell ill, and my father, in his alarm, sent to invite the master."
Yu Qiucai, seeing Qin Liuxi’s silent response, feigned reproach, "Your parents are foolish. I’ve already written to them about Master Buqiu being a true sage, but you insisted on inviting a Fang Dao instead, making Han’er’s illness even worse. Truly senseless."
"It’s our fault."
Yu Qiucai snorted, "Of course, it’s your fault. You mistook the false for the true and aggravated Han’er’s condition. I even spoke up for you, and now I’ve lost face in front of the master."
Saying this, he looked towards Qin Liuxi, saluting again, "Master Buqiu, regardless of their anxious parental love, what they did was inappropriate. Whether or not to take on this matter is entirely up to you, and you do not have to consider my feelings."
He stepped back and out of Qin Liuxi’s view, he threw Xiao Zhanrui a side glance and gestured as if counting money.
Xiao Zhanrui quickly said, "Master, it’s our oversight to have believed in the Fang Dao when distant waters cannot quench a nearby fire. We ask for your magnanimity to not fuss over this with us. If you can save my sister, the Xiao Family is willing to donate incense oil for the repair of your temple’s golden roof."
Upon finishing his words, he and his wife both gave Qin Liuxi a prolonged, deep bow.
To repair the golden roof!
Qing Yuan, standing at the back hall corridor, nearly lost his footing, signaling Qin Liuxi frantically with his eyes, "That’s enough, little ancestor. That is a golden roof!"
Qing Yuan had caught Qin Liuxi’s eye, who replied by lightly pulling a face, "No need for you to run around, definitely go all out for it."
But a golden roof! Thinking of the golden-colored roof of Qinglan Temple, not of real gold, but the dazzling golden glazed tiles, it exuded wealth!
With his aloof deanor in full display, Qin Liuxi finally spoke in a profoundly mysterious tone, "Blessings to the Infinite Heavenly Venerate, since you are so earnest, then I shall make the trip!"
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