In no time, Song Qi came back with a sedan chair and a few men to help him carry it.
Jinyao was quite excited because she thought that her brother-in-law would have to carry her up to the chair. She’s a young lady so it’s not appropriate for Song Qi to do it.
Her hopes were immediately crushed when Xia Chunyu spoke.
“Qiao Xi, help Third Young Lady up the chair with Song Qi,” Xia Chunyu ordered and immediately wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist.
“Be careful. Don’t drop her!” Ye Jiayao told them, her brows furrowed worriedly.
The men carrying the sedan chair responded energetically, “Don’t worry, Ma’am, we’ll take care of her.”
Jinyao lowered her eyes to hide her emotions. She could feel her heart breaking in half. Her brother-in-law really only has her sister in his heart.
Meanwhile, Helian Jing and Ah Ruan have long made it to the top of the mountain, where they were directed to a tranquil tea room with Reverend Ji Ren.
Reverend Ji Ren was sitting up straight and proper in a calm and composed manner. His movements were rhythmic and beautiful as he went through the complicated process of tea brewing.
It was Ah Ruan’s first time to witness someone go through so much trouble just to brew some tea. However, the solemn atmosphere brought about by the senior monk’s rapt attention to his work glued her to her seat. After all, their people were exceptionally pious. She could only hope that Sister Yaoyao arrives quickly.
Helian Jing discreetly elbowed her, whispering, “Focus. This tea being personally brewed by Reverend Ji Ren is hard to come by. It’s a blessing.”
Ah Ruan stuck her tongue out at him but sat up straight nonetheless and copied his movements. When he picked up the cup to smell the fragrance of the tea, she followed suit. When he picked up the teacup to enjoy the tea, she did the same. The teacup was very tiny and she finished the whole thing in a gulp. When she looked at Little Jing’s cup, however, she found that he only took a little sip. Embarrassed, she showed her empty cup to Reverend Ji Ren.
Reverend Ji Ren only chuckled and filled her cup up again.
A sudden bright laugh broke the silence as Xia Chunyu walked into the tea room with Yaoyao. “Ha! I smelled the fragrance of tea before I even entered the place.”
Reverend Ji Ren gave a Buddhist greeting and responded lightly, “Today, someone with affinity is here to visit me. The poor monk naturally should not be negligent.”
Xia Chunyu raised a brow. Although he and Little Jing have not been here many times, they could still be considered frequent visitors. Therefore, the person with affinity Reverend Ji Ren was referring to couldn’t be them. Could it be Princess Ah Ruan? Or perhaps Yaoyao?
“Oh, this is my wife, Ye Jinxuan,” Xia Chunyu introduced.
Ye Jiayao smiled as she greeted, “Reverend, it is an honor to meet you.”
Reverend Ji Ren looked her over. He has the ability to see through the spirit and his gaze encompasses boundless wisdom that all kinds of concealments seemed to vanish under it.
Ye Jiayao suppressed a shiver.
Everyone settled down to enjoy the tea.
Xia Chunyu said proudly, “These tea leaves were specially cooked by Reverend Ji Ren himself and have been processed thoroughly. This tea is exceptionally fragrant and cannot be found elsewhere.”
Ye Jiayao looked at the tea set and his art of tea brewing, growing increasingly unsettled. She remembered that the art of tea brewing took shape during the Tang Dynasty, developed during the Song Dynasty, revolutionized during the Ming Dynasty, and flourished during the Qing Dynasty. Reverend Ji Ren’s art of tea brewing was much advanced than it should be in this era.
A shocking idea popped in her head. Could this young senior monk be a reincarnated soul too?
She should be happy to find someone like her, but the only thing she could think about was the possibility of someone else like her walking around Jin Ling. How many were there?
The thought was a bit scary.
All her creation, the ice cream, the cakes… she could easily be exposed.
She started to feel distressed.
“There are many who loves tea but only a few who appreciate it. Some people drink tea to quench their thirst while others drink tea as an interest,” Reverend Ji Ren said.
Ah Ruan laughed and said, “I am the one who drinks tea to quench the thirst.”
Helian Jing snorted. “You don’t say. You gulped yours like a cow.”
Ah Ruan pouted. “What’s wrong with that? I’ve always been like this. I drink tea when I am thirsty.”
“The Princess’ straightforward personality is good,” Reverend Ji Ren commented with a smile.
Ye Jiayao drank her tea silently.
Ah Ruan was unable to stay still and insisted that Little Jing should accompany her to look around the temple. Little Jing has no choice but to give in to her pestering.
Reverend Ji Ren said, “Reverend Liao Ran from Wu Tai Mountains sent a set of Diamond Sutra over the day before. I will bring you guys to take a look.”
Xia Chunyu asked, “Is it hand-copied by Huai Song’s first calligraphy master, Reverend Liao Ran?”
Reverend Ji Ren nodded slightly.
“Then what are we waiting for?” Xia Chunyu demanded impatiently.
Everyone made their way to the library. The Sutra was kept at the top level and the old monk brought the book down carefully and respectfully.
Ye Jiayao didn’t know much about calligraphy, but seeing how Chunyu was entranced by it, she decided not to disturb him and began looking around the library.
In modern-day martial arts novels, the library that contains the sutras are always a mysterious place that commoners can’t reach. Only the senior monks in the temple have access to it. It was said to be home to many martial arts manuals and learning any few moves would make one undefeatable.
However, the library, in reality, was a normal library, carrying various sutras and Buddhist scriptures.
The interior decorations might be old, but there wasn’t even a speck of dust on them.
“Madame, may I invite you up at the front for a chat?” Reverend Ji Ren asked.
Ye Jiayao jumped at his voice. She wanted to decline but that would be rude, so she simply followed him out of the library and to an elevated area.
Reverend Ji Ren looked straight ahead, his gaze far away. “What is your wish, Madame?”
Ye Jiayao paused. Why’s he asking her this? What’s his angle?
“Promote the food and beverage industry and live a peaceful life,” she answered.
The reverend studied her for a long time, his eyes slowly softening. He then turned back to look at the mountains far ahead. “For the past years, I have personally settled four extremely ambitious guests from a foreign world. You are the fifth one I have met.”
That indifferent tone reverberated through Ye Jiayao like a clap of thunder. She looked at the reverend in disbelief. Indeed, there were other time travelers!
“The universe is boundless and full of mysteries that people do not know of. However, every time and space has its own set of laws for survival and cannot be changed or subverted easily. Madame’s wish is one that would benefit the people and heaven would definitely pity you.
“Madame, do not be unsettled and bewildered. I have said that you and I have an affinity and because of that, I would gift you a word of advice to tide you over a distressful calamity.
“For the next few days, please stay away from the villains of your life. Do not pay attention to nor meet them. Do not listen to nor show interest in them.”
Ye Jiayao was extremely stunned. With a trembling voice, she asked, “Reverend, can you please make yourself clear?”
He replied calmly, “With your intelligence, you are sure to avert the misfortune headed your way.”
The whole way back from Puji Temple, Ye Jiayao has been in a quiet, anxious state.
Jinyao said considerately, “Big Sister, you do not have to worry about my injury. It will recover in a couple of days.”
Ye Jiayao smiled at her lightly. She has actually forgotten all about her sister’s injury. In any case, it was just a minor sprain. What she was thinking about was the monk’s warning. She’s scared shitless.
He ordered her to stay away from villains. That would include Zhou and Liu Li. She’s also quite suspicious of Jinyao. How would she avoid them? They live under the same roof!
When Ye Jiayao got to the mansion, she was informed of Qiao’s pregnancy. Now, everyone’s pregnant except her.
Xia Chunyu seemed to have read her mind, and told her in a gentle voice, “Don’t worry. We will have ours sooner or later.”
Ye Jiayao remained silent. When exactly was sooner or later? Her normal attitude towards matters like this was to let nature and fate take over. However, in this kind of environment, it’s difficult for her to leave everything up to fate.
Despite her feelings though, she still headed over to Qiao’s room to congratulate her. She also brought a gift to celebrate the good news.
Xia You also happened to be at Qiao’s room too and when she saw Jinxuan, she asked casually, “Have you eaten yet?”
Ye Jiayao shook her head. “Not yet. I came over to congratulate Big Sister-in-law as soon as I heard the news. I will make some food after this.”
Qiao frowned, her face souring. “Second Sister-in-law, I beg of you, do not mention food. The mere mention of it churns my stomach.”
“I won’t talk about it anymore,” Ye Jiayao quickly assured her. “Congratulations, Big Sister-in-law.”
You told Qiao calmly, “Rest well. The vomiting medicine that Imperial Physician Li prescribed should be very effective. Remember to take it on time.”
The thought of drinking medicine had Qiao vomiting again.
Seeing her sorry state, Ye Jiayao said, “Since you’re unwell, I’m going to take my leave. I will come over to visit you another day.”
You also rose and left with her Second Daughter-in-law.
At the door, You told her, “Liu Li has been feeling unwell too. You should visit her if you have the time.”
“Third Sister-in-law is feeling unwell? Is she alright? What did Imperial Physician Li say?”
You sighed, her expression becoming grave. “Imperial Physician Li says that it is due to the stuffy weather and that she should be alright after a few days. However, I am always worried about Liu Li. She’s so pale.”
Ye Jiayao comforted, “Since Imperial Physician Li says that it is fine, there should be no problem. Mother, please do not worry.”
You sighed again. “You should return soon. Look at the time, Chunyu must be hungry already.”
