Zhongji Courtyard, Minister of Imperial Sacrificial Worship.
Xin Lin revealed a broad smile upon receiving the confird news.
"Thank you, Master. I wish you abundant wealth and a thriving business."
Having said that, she tossed the Ancient Sword to Ma Jingtian and swaggered off.
"How preposterous! You little brat, you’ve offended Lord Buddha here; do you still think you can leave Taichang Temple alive? You think you can just et the Minister of Imperial Sacrificial Worship whenever you say so? Lord Buddha will make you et King Yan!"
Monk Qingyu rubbed his head, still feeling the pain from the deep wound.
Monk Qingyu, too, was a man of deep sches; there was no way he’d kindly point Xin Lin in the right direction.
Indeed the Minister lived in Zhongji Courtyard, but within Taichang Temple, the number of people who had actually seen the Minister himself could be counted on one hand; even Monk Qingyu had never seen the true face of the Minister, not to ntion those who ca on the fifteenth of each month to seek an audience with the Minister, crowded like a school of fish crossing a river—Xin Lin and company stood no chance of getting their turn.
The only reason he told Xin Lin was purely to buy ti, to catch unwitting prey.
His eyes spun round, and after having his wound bandaged, he took several fierce-looking monks to encircle Xin Lin.
Xin Lin and Ma Jingtian progressed towards Zhongji Courtyard.
Along the way, indeed, there were fewer pilgrims.
Upon arriving outside Zhongji Courtyard, they saw a small courtyard.
Compared to other grand and elegant courtyards and pavilions in Taichang Temple, this one was much more tranquil and exquisite, marked by two lush welcoming pines at its gate.
Beneath the welcoming pines, around twenty or so people were waiting.
This was far fewer than the crowd at Shansheng Hall.
Xin Lin let out a sigh of relief and was about to approach.
"Those wishing to see the Minister already have a queue stretching to the main street; it’s not your turn, you riff-raff."
As Xin Lin was about to ask about the whereabouts of the Minister, a contemptuous voice drifted over.
Minister Huang and his daughter Huang Zhijun approached.
Upon seeing Xin Lin, Huang Zhijun’s eyes practically shot flas.
"Well if it isn’t Miss Huang, what a coincidence."
Seeing Huang Zhijun, Xin Lin’s face filled with a smile, as if she had completely forgotten the feud between them.
"You wretched girl, so you’re from Chu Mansion! You set up that ti! I’ll not let that go easily."
Huang Zhijun was gnashing her teeth with rage.
She had co today with her father to thank Lord Taichang for saving her. Previously, she had been sched against by Xin Lin, encountered evil, and was on the verge of death. It was only thanks to Lord Taichang that her life was spared.
She blad all of this on Xin Lin.
She was determined that the next ti she saw Xin Lin, she would teach her a good lesson.
Little did she know, she would encounter Xin Lin here.
From Minister Huang, she learned that Xin Lin was Chu Beiqing’s daughter and also the top scorer in the Zixiao Palace Exam.
She was supposed to participate in the Zixiao Palace Exam too; if it hadn’t been for Xin Lin, she would not have missed this opportunity.
Huang Zhijun, gnashing her teeth in hatred, glared at Xin Lin but refrained from causing a scene in public.
"Amitabha, Taichang Temple is a holy Buddhist place; shouting and fighting isn’t good. Don’t you agree, Miss Huang?"
Xin Lin said with a smile.
Huang Zhijun wanted to erupt but was held back by Minister Huang at her side.
Taichang Temple—such was its renown that even the princes of Longteng wouldn’t dare make trouble here.
Just then, an old novice monk erged from inside Zhongji Courtyard.
The old novice monk had his eyes firmly shut, unable to speak or hear; when he reached the crowd, he simply pulled out a piece of paper, groping around, and stuck it up.
But on that paper, there was only one line written.
"Once in a lifeti, I et only those predestined."
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