The Ye Guo Temple was in the eastern suburbs. The carriage ambled along, and it was almost noon.
Xiao Yun, worried about ambushes in the temple, assigned a squad of secret guards to pose as drivers and servants to escort the carriage.
None of the maids in the manor who didn't know martial arts were brought along. Wang Qingyao was accompanied only by maids who were skilled in combat. In addition to Zhenzhu, three unfamiliar maids and a seemingly benevolent old nun were added.
This entourage was sufficient for a caravan escort.
As expected, Ye Guo Temple was a small temple with little incense.
The people from the Ding'an Prince's manor had arrived earlier to clear the area. When Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun arrived, the abbot, along with all the monks in the temple, were waiting outside to greet them.
Wang Qingyao counted them; including the abbot, there were only twelve monks in total, nowhere near comparable to the Grand Xiangguo Temple.
Wang Qingyao estimated that even without clearing the area, there wouldn't have been many worshippers.
The abbot, however, had the demeanor of a venerable monk. He was around forty or fifty years old, maintained a well-proportioned physique, had kind eyes, and wore a yellow and white kasaya, exuding the ethereal aura of a reclusive master.
However, given that the last person Wang Qingyao had perceived as having an ethereal aura was the Grand Tutor Feng Fu, Wang Qingyao was hesitant to make such a quick judgment about this abbot.
Judging a person by their appearance leads to great loss.
The abbot led them through the main gate.
Wang Qingyao was extremely cautious. Her clairvoyant eyes had never been heard of before, like X-rays, scanning everyone, every room, and every object.
Strangely, there was nothing unusual.
She shook her head gently at Xiao Yun, who also looked puzzled.
How could Consort Wei be so kind as to genuinely recommend a proper temple to them?
Then, what was their true objective?
With their hearts filled with doubt, Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun paid their respects to the temple's deities.
Because the temple was small, not all deities were present, and they finished their devotions quickly.
The abbot then invited the two to sit in the meditation room.
Wang Qingyao scanned the room; there were no hidden people or weapons.
She and Xiao Yun entered and sat down cross-legged.
The abbot sat opposite them, looked at Xiao Yun, then at Wang Qingyao, and said, "I have heard that the Grand Tutor once divined the Princess Consort's fate, stating that she had a noble destiny and could break the Xiao family's curse. Today, observing the Princess Consort's countenance, it indeed aligns with the Grand Tutor's words."
"Oh?" Wang Qingyao raised an eyebrow. "The abbot can also read faces?"
"A little, nothing worth mentioning."
Wang Qingyao smiled and didn't respond.
The abbot continued, "In truth, all things in the world, all human affairs, are a cycle of cause and effect. Everything has a traceable origin and a solution. Those who are powerless are those who have not met the destined person, or the method is cruel and no one is willing to follow it. Your Highness is very fortunate; the Princess Consort is indeed your destined person, and therefore, the curse on Your Highness can be broken."
The abbot's initial words were profound and obscure, mostly in classical Chinese, making them difficult to understand. The last sentence, however, was in plain language, as if he feared Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun wouldn't comprehend.
A smile flickered across Xiao Yun's lips, and he followed up, "How can it be broken? I beg the abbot to impart your wisdom."
The abbot, at this point, showed a troubled expression.
Wang Qingyao sneered inwardly.
He had clearly spoken at length, waiting for Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun to inquire, and now that they had, he was stammering and appearing hesitant.
What a nuisance!
Xiao Yun said, "Abbot, please speak freely."
The abbot sighed, "Alas, it is also fate. However, I can only tell this method to the Princess Consort alone. Your Highness and others, please..."
The abbot glanced towards the doorway.
This indicated he wished to speak with Wang Qingyao privately.
Xiao Yun immediately became vigilant, his sharp gaze sweeping over the abbot.
Wang Qingyao was certain there was no danger in the room. If the abbot intended to kill her himself, unless he was a martial arts master, he would have to kill her instantly without weapons.
However, Zhenzhu had quietly told her earlier that this abbot had no martial arts skills.
With this in mind, Wang Qingyao gave Xiao Yun a look.
Xiao Yun hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly withdrew to the doorway with his men.
The door remained open, and even if the abbot were to make a move, their skills would allow them to subdue him immediately.
"Abbot, you can speak now," Wang Qingyao said, looking at the compassionate face.
The abbot lowered his voice and said in a tone audible only to them, "All things in the world, cause and effect, are destined by heaven. If one wishes to forcibly change fate, it can only be done by exchanging one life for another."
Wang Qingyao understood immediately.
Exchanging one life for another.
Her life for Xiao Yun's life.
She was beginning to grasp what Consort Wei intended to do.
"Abbot, please explain more clearly, how does one life get exchanged for another?"
The abbot sighed again, "Exchanging one life for another, I truly cannot bear it. However, seeing the Princess Consort's piety, I will make an exception this once."
Wang Qingyao suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "Heh, which eye of yours saw me being pious?"
The abbot stood up. The men by the door suddenly held their breath and looked at him. He was startled and weakly explained, "I'm getting something."
On a nearby shelf sat a box. He took the box, opened it, and inside were two ordinary, dark mud figures, barely recognizable as a man and a woman.
"Princess Consort only needs to take these mud figures back and pray diligently day and night."
"That's it?"
"That's it. Sincerity moves the spirits."