Mo Xuetong brought Mo Lan, Mo Yu, and two other maids sent by Auntie Fang.

Shuang Ye was beautiful, while Qiu Ling was quiet and reserved. Mo Xuetong leaned against the carriage wall and closed her eyes, still exhausted from her restless night. Mo Lan was also dozing off against the window. Only Mo Yu looked energetic.

The maids spoke quietly, letting their mistress sleep.

"Mo Yu, why is Third Miss so tired? Is she feeling ill?" Shuang Ye asked softly, looking at Mo Xuetong's pale and haggard appearance.

"Miss has always been weak. She was tired and had a lot to prepare for before the journey to the Temple of Atonement so she did not sleep well," Mo Yu said lightly. She already didn't trust Shuang Ye.

"Oh, Big sister Mo Yu..." Shuang Ye still wanted to say more, but Mo Yu waved, gesturing for her to be silent.

Shuang Ye opened her mouth, and then shut again it helplessly.

They did not speak for the entire way there. When they reached the base of the mountain, Mo Yu helped Mo Xuetong off the carriage. It was still early and the temple was especially quiet. Not many people came to pray so early. There were only a few monks and nuns cleaning up the yard. Because they had notified the temple earlier, a young nun, about seven or eight years old, was waiting at the door. She walked up to them with a smile and welcomed them in.

Mo Lan brought Shuang Ye and Qiu Ling to set up the guest room. Mo Xuetong would be staying two nights at the temple.

Mo Xuetong brought Mo Yu to the great hall. The sun shone in, casting a red glow on all things. It was already late autumn and the wind chilled them to the bone. The rustle of a broom sweeping could be heard across the vast grounds. Some of the handful of early visitors chanted scriptures with the monks.

Mo Xuetong found a futon at the corner of the hall and sat down. She closed her eyes and listened to the head monk's recitation of the scripture...

When the lesson ended, the other visitors left. Mo Xuetong brought Mo Yu with her, and they left the hall slowly, taking a leisurely stroll to the rooms for female visitors . It was quiet and peaceful. Mo Yu relaxed and joined Mo Xuetong in admiring the scenery.

Without warning, somebody rushed out at the corner, almost knocking into Mo Xuetong.

Mo Xuetong took two steps back. Mo Yu stepped in front of her protectively.

"How dare you!"

The newcomer took a step back, righting himself.

"Third Miss Mo?"

Mo Xuetong shuddered and her face paled. Her hands, which were hidden in her sleeves, tightened into fists. She stared at the elegant man. The angles on his face were sharp and his dark eyes seemed to smile. He was attractive enough that most people would probably cheerful ignore his carelessness.

The man who'd nearly run into them was Sima Lingyun.

Auntie Fang appeared in her mind. No. Back then, her father had already married his consort. She'd been Madam Fang by then. She had smiled at her benevolently and said,

"Tong'er, His Excellency saved your life, and you two were in more intimate contact than an unmarried man and woman should be,” Madam Fang had said, smiling kindly. “Furthermore, he thinks you are a talented young woman and is willing to marry you. I have asked around, His Excellency has not taken a maid to bed. He is considered a good husband. He is also young and talented. You will be very happy as his wife."

Mo Xuemin had smiled like a radiant flower.

"Third sister, all the girls in the capital will be jealous that you get to marry His Excellency. You're so fortunate."

Their marriage had been one of endless bloodshed and hatred...

Mo Xuetong hid the fury in her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt warmth returning to her body. That hate had already seeped into her bones and blood. She had returned to this life for revenge, so what was there to be afraid of?

She took two more steps back and then curtsied from behind Mo Yu.

"So it is Your Excellency! Good morning." She pulled Mo Yu to the side, trying to avoid a long conversation. They were not far from the great hall. It would look bad if somebody saw an unmarried young lady speaking with a man for an extended period of time.

"We really are tied together by fate. What are you doing here? Is something the matter? Why don't you let me accompany you? If there's a problem, we can talk it through." Sima Lingyun looked at the young lady in front of him almost greedily. Her eyes looked as if they were filled with light. Her long lashes fluttered, giving off an indescribable beauty. Even though her face was a little pale, she was still a charming beauty. The autumn sun shone on her, giving her an aura of light.

Mo Xuetong saw that he had no intentions of leaving and curtsied indifferently

"I came to pray for my mother, so I won't trouble Your Excellency," she said. "I still have things to do, so I won't chat with Your Excellency anymore."

She went to walk past him, still using Mo Yu as a barrier. Sima Lingyun immediately backed away, politely allowing her to pass. A trace of satisfaction danced in his eyes. She was distant, but her beauty was enough to stir his heart regardless.

"Ah, Miss Mo, I'll be here if anything happens. You can let your maids know."

Beyond her looks, she had the power of the Fuguo's behind her. He needed that power.

"Miss..." Mo Yu wanted to speak up, but Mo Xuetong stopped her.

When she returned to her room, Mo Xuetong realized there was someone staying next to her. The doors were open, but she did not see anyone. She stopped, frowning at the open doors.

"Mo Lan, who's staying here?"

"I don't know either. The doors were already open when I arrived. I asked the young nun and she said that it was a noble and told us not to bother them in case they got angry." Mo Lan knew what Mo Xuetong was thinking.

Since it was a noble, it couldn't be Sima Lingyun. Even though he was the duke's son, everyone knew that the Zhenguo family was on the decline. Even though the old duke had passed away, Sima Lingyun was still using his status. It was said that because the old duke had once been implicated in the uprising of the King of Qin, which had upset the emperor, he had remained a duke in title only. Even Sima Lingyun's claim to that title was tenuous.

In her past life, Sima Lingyun had pleaded with her mother's family for a good title. It was probably why he tried so hard to charm her in this life. Of course, he wouldn't be happy with just a title. His appearance today was confirmation he was in on Auntie Fang's plots.

This time, she would not allow them to manipulate her.

She smiled coldly.

Mo Yu and Mo Lan went into Mo Xuetong's rooms.

She had just left when a monk entered the neighboring house. The monk hurried through the door of the room beside him. It was very relaxed outside, and there was no one guarding the entrance. However, the monk knew that there were secret guards everywhere. Two guards watched the entrance of the temple from the trees. Inside, many more watched and protected the grounds.

They would know even if a bird flew by, so no person escaped their notice.

The monk stood at the door to the spacious courtyard respectfully, not daring to enter.

"Greetings, Your Highness. I have something to report."

"Hold on," said a sharp voice.

Moments later, an armored guard stepped into the corridor.

"Enter."

The room was split by bamboo curtains. Behind them, one could just see a figure holding his hands behind his back.

"What's the matter?" asked the man lazily.

"Your Highness, the item you asked about has appeared. Please verify the symbol." the monk said respectfully.

He didn't dare draw things out. He could not be caught looking at the person behind the curtain.

"Where did you see it?" the man asked after a moment.

"On a pouch that Miss Mo is wearing. The symbol embroidered on it is the same. I noticed it when she went inside just now, so I came to report to Your Highness immediately after the morning scripture reading."

The monk asked a little nun to ask about the young woman. The nun had reported that the visitor was the young lady from the Mo Manor who had come to pray for her deceased mother. This matter was planned the day before yesterday, so there were records in the temple.

The man lifted the curtains. He wore wide purple robes with an exquisite dragon embroidered at the sleeves. He wore the fine clothes with easy charm, his lively black eyes glowing like diamonds.

"Which young miss of the Mo Manor?"

The monk had seen him before, but he still looked away. He was as beautiful as any woman, but he was not as radiant as he looked. He was a dangerous man.

"Your Highness,” he replied cautiously, “I'm not sure which daughter it is. Apparently, the booking once mentioned the First Miss of the Mo family, so it should be her."

The handsome man dropped the curtains and went back inside.

"The First Miss of the Mo family? The one that looks like a peacock and likes to get into trouble with men? That's so disgusting."

"Your Highness, then..." The monk did not dare to wipe away the sweat off his forehead.

"Just give her any random two guards. Since she had a pouch made, she expects protection. Get the guards to find out more about her and see where she found the information."

"Yes." The monk did not dare refuse the man. He bowed, then left with the guards at the door.

Once the monk was gone, one of the guards stepped back inside to report.

"Your Highness, since you have returned to the capital, the eldest princess would like to know when you're free to meet her at the palace if you are."

"Tell the princess that the scenery at the Temple of Atonement is decent. Ask her to invite Aunt here to visit. It's so crowded at the palace. I'm sure Aunt would prefer a quiet place to meet.”

"Yes, but where would the eldest princess stay? All the visitors' rooms in the temple have been booked for the next few days," the guard said awkwardly.

"Get the people next door to move out." The voice was light, but his orders could not be defied. "Get them to leave earlier."

"Yes!"