Leaving the luggage to the two maids to unpack, Dai Li proposed taking a walk around, with Xiuniang accompanying her.
Without pausing for a breath, Dai Li wandered through numerous areas, exploring the entire ground level of Ganquan Temple.
The traditional Chinese concept of symmetry was brought to its fullest expression in Ganquan Temple. At the very center was the Eight Immortals Shrine; flanking it on both sides were halls and pavilions of varying sizes, along with an equal number of pagodas.
A vast open space stretched out in front of the Eight Immortals Shrine. The front courtyard was exceptionally expansive, with a massive bronze tripod cauldron sitting squarely in the middle for the presiding monks to burn incense.
Standing before the cauldron and looking up, Dai Li saw the towering temple buildings on either side, noticing that the upper levels had windows. If a large crowd of believers were to gather here tomorrow, one could observe the entire scene from up there.
Dai Li withdrew her gaze and continued her stroll elsewhere.
Her small courtyard was on the west side, while the east side housed the guest rooms for pilgrims. The temple couldn't compare to the high-end inns in the city; the guest rooms were packed closely together, and the space inside was quite small.
However, looking at the pilgrims who had checked in early, they all wore bright smiles, clearly thoroughly satisfied.
"Xiuniang, will you also be attending the ceremony tomorrow?" Dai Li asked.
"Generally speaking, all believers are required to attend." Xiuniang didn't immediately state whether she was going or not; instead, she asked Dai Li, "Would you like to attend, Madam?"
Dai Li hesitated before saying, "I'm a bit interested, but my novelty wears off quickly. Even if I attend, I won't stay for long. Would it be inappropriate to leave halfway through?"
Xiuniang thought to herself that it would indeed be inappropriate.
If someone suddenly left when the atmosphere was at its peak, it could easily ruin the believers' mood and provoke their dissatisfaction.
"It's still early, let's wait and see." Dai Li pointed upstairs. "May I go up?"
Xiuniang replied, "Please, Madam."
Dai Li went all the way up to the highest floor of the Eight Immortals Shrine in one breath. Looking out from the window here, she could see parts of the temple, the lush green mountains, and the road they had taken to get here.
Fortunately, the dense foliage in the mountains provided plenty of cover, making the path they came from only faintly visible.
Dai Li withdrew her gaze, a plan forming in her mind. When the time came, she would stick to the edges and walk under the trees where they couldn't see her. "I'm a little hungry. Let's go back."
They had left the city in the afternoon. After the carriage ride and the temple tour, by the time Dai Li returned to the western courtyard, dusk had fallen. Brilliant evening clouds spread across the sky like an oil painting.
The practitioners of the Green Lotus Sect did not shave their heads, nor were they required to be vegetarians. Tonight's dinner consisted of millet rice and roasted mutton.
Dai Li didn't like mutton, but she knew she wouldn't have any strength without eating meat. To prepare for the tough battle tomorrow, she ate the small plate of mutton clean.
"By the way, with so many strangers in the temple and this western courtyard being quite secluded, will there be anyone keeping watch at night?" Dai Li asked.
Xiuniang nodded. "Of course. There are two guards stationed at the entrance connecting the western courtyard to the outside all day long. You can rest assured, Madam."
The small house Dai Li was currently staying in, together with the adjacent courtyards, formed a layout resembling the Chinese character Pin, shaped like a triangle of three squares. The entrance Xiuniang mentioned was the intersecting path between the top courtyard and the two bottom ones.
"Very well, then I can be at ease," Dai Li nodded.
Dai Li went to bed exceptionally early that night, but perhaps due to nerves, she felt completely sleepless after lying on the bed.
She only had three small pills. If Xiuniang and the other two maids were watching her together, even with the medicine in hand, it would be difficult to use.
Dai Li hugged her quilt and rolled over on the bed.
"Generally speaking, all believers are required to attend." Xiuniang was also a believer. She had to find a way to distract her tomorrow.
After tossing and turning for half the night, Dai Li finally fell asleep.
With things on her mind, she woke up exceptionally early the next day, but someone was even earlier. Dai Li didn't see Xiuniang when she woke up; upon asking, she learned that the other woman had gone to help with the preparations.
Dai Li sought out Caoxiang and the others to chat. "How many times have you attended the ceremony?"
One said she had attended once, while the other said she had never attended, adding that the ceremony was unusual and would only be held when something major happened.
Dai Li figured that the two girls had probably only joined the sect a few years ago and were still at the most basic outer level, not yet reaching the rank of handling actual affairs.
"I've never seen believers making a pilgrimage before. Come out with me to have a look." Dai Li's eyes darted around thoughtfully.
The two maids naturally obeyed.
Dai Li deliberately led them out through the courtyard entrance, and sure enough, saw two men standing guard.
They were clad in armor and armed with swords, looking quite imposing.
When Dai Li went out, she was questioned briefly by them. Upon learning that she wanted to see the main gate of Ganquan Temple from the outside, the guards didn't stop her and let her pass.
As she gradually walked further away, Dai Li heard someone whispering behind her:
"Speaking of which, the divine medicine that is distributed once every half a year should be handed out soon, right? I've been waiting for so long."
"Soon, soon. It'll be distributed next month. I'm really looking forward to it. Every time I take it, I feel exceptionally cheerful and my physical strength doubles."
"I really envy those who have been promoted to Divine Envoys. They can get even more of the divine medicine..."
As Dai Li walked further away, the discussion behind her became inaudible.
After walking for a while, Dai Li saw the main gate of Ganquan Temple.
The mountain gate stood high. Many commoners in plain clothes passed through on their knees. The stream of people entering the temple was endless; they wore different clothes and came in all shapes and sizes. The only thing they shared in common was the devotion on their faces.
After strolling around outside, Dai Li headed back about an hour before the ceremony was set to begin.
When she returned, Xiuniang was already in the room.
"Madam, where did you go?" Xiuniang asked.
"Just took a casual stroll," Dai Li fanned herself with her hand, pretending to be unbearably hot. "Summer heat is a yang evil, scorching by nature—it truly doesn't deceive. Caoxiang, take some codonopsis, poria, schisandra berries, and ophiopogon tuber, add a few pieces of meat, and boil them for an hour. Stew a small pot of Shen Ling Sheng Mai Soup for me. A pot the size of the one we used for dinner yesterday will do."
Seeing Dai Li sit down, looking so exhausted that she didn't want to move another inch, Xiuniang stayed silent for a moment before finally asking, "Madam, are you still attending the ceremony?"
Dai Li waved her hand. "No, I'm exhausted. If I go, it'll take another four hours. I won't be able to endure it; I'd rather rest in the room. You go ahead by yourself and don't worry about me. I'll just stay in the room with the two of them."
Xiuniang hesitated, a conflicted expression on her face. "I'll stay in the room and keep you company."
Dai Li quickly replied, "No need. When I was walking around outside just now, I heard that this ceremony is quite important. Attending more of these grand events will be beneficial for raising your status in the sect. Besides, I don't need you to keep me company. I'm just going to take a nap in the room. If you stay here, I'll only find you too noisy and it'll keep me from sleeping."
"This..." Xiuniang was clearly tempted.
As a devout follower, she genuinely wanted to attend the ceremony.
Dai Li continued, "What do you have to worry about? Caoxiang and the others are in the courtyard, and there are guards outside. If I need anything, I can just call out; there are plenty of people around, so we won't be short of you. It's good for you to go take a look. When you come back, you can briefly tell me about the ceremony, and it'll be just as if I had experienced it myself."
Xiuniang was persuaded by her words. "I will go and observe the ceremony. Caoxiang and Mei Xiang will stay behind to serve you. If you need anything, Madam, feel free to call them."
Dai Li nodded. "Of course."
The Ginseng and Poria Pulse-Generating Soup took an hour to stew. Dai Li had timed her return perfectly, meaning that right when this pot of soup was done, the ceremony over there would begin.
Xiuniang had left more than fifteen minutes before the ceremony started.
Caoxiang returned carrying the steaming pot. The soup pot was about the size of a grown man's splayed hand, and about ten centimeters deep. It held more than enough to stuff two people, let alone one.
Dai Li heard the tolling of a bell.
Dong, dong, dong. The intervals between each toll were identical. The bell chimes of the ancient temple were distant and lingering.
With these tolls, Dai Li felt as if an invisible string was winding around her heart, loop by loop. With every passing second, her heart was hoisted a little higher.
The ceremony had begun, and so had her countdown.
Four hours. Every second used was a second lost, and there was no telling if any other accidents would occur along the way.
"Madam, the heat-relief soup is ready," Caoxiang said.
The Ginseng and Poria Pulse-Generating Soup was fresh off the stove and still piping hot. Dai Li looked at it with distaste and said, "This is too hot, how am I supposed to drink it? Go fetch a basin of cold water."
Mei Xiang did as she was told.
The water was quickly brought in, and the small pot was set inside to soak.
Once it had cooled to a warm temperature, Dai Li ordered Caoxiang to take the pot out. Then, right in front of the two girls, she scooped a bowl of soup for herself and downed it in one breath.
After finishing that bowl, she drank another.
Only after drinking two consecutive bowls did Dai Li stop. At this point, more than half of the soup still remained in the small pot.
"Go fetch two more bowls," Dai Li instructed.
When the new bowls were brought over, she scooped out two bowls full to the brim, adding plenty of meat to them. "The two of you, take this soup out to the two guards outside. It's a sweltering day, let's reward them a little. Oh, right, wait by their side and bring the bowls and chopsticks back after they finish eating, so they won't have to leave their posts."
The bowls were very full and contained meat, making chopsticks indispensable. It would be difficult for one person to carry everything steadily, so Mei Xiang and Caoxiang went together.
Seeing the two leave the room, Dai Li hurriedly took out a small pouch and poured its contents into her palm. She had slightly processed these small pills last night, slicing each one perfectly in half.
Dai Li originally wanted to pour them all in, but she hesitated as many thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.
She couldn't put them all in!
She didn't know if this drug would react negatively with the codonopsis root and poria mushrooms. If they counteracted each other and the drug lost its efficacy, the girls wouldn't be affected by drinking it, and she would lose her only chance.
She had to keep a backup plan.
Dai Li picked out two halves, which equaled one whole small black pill. The remaining four halves she poured entirely into the pot.
She had just drank two bowls of soup and served out another two bowls with lots of meat, so there wasn't much soup left now. The soup was warm, which was better for dissolving the medicine than cold water, but not as fast as hot water.
Dai Li quickly stirred with the spoon, using the bottom of the wooden spoon to crush the pills and dissolve the medicine as much as possible.
After a flurry of activity, there was finally no obvious residue visible in the pot. Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside.
The two girls entered the small courtyard holding the bowls and chopsticks.
Before they even entered the room, Dai Li said to them, "Go wash the bowls and chopsticks, and I'll serve you a bowl of soup too. There's a little bit left, just enough to split between the two of you."
It would be a lie to say Mei Xiang and Caoxiang weren't craving it. Earlier, however long Dai Li had walked outside under the blazing sun, they had accompanied her for just as long. Upon returning, they had been ordered to work without even a sip of water.
"It seems a bit too much codonopsis was added; it's slightly bitter. Next time, we can put in a little less," Dai Li remarked casually at this moment.
The two held their bowls and thanked Dai Li, then drank the soup together.
Dai Li sat in her chair. As they tilted their heads back, her hands resting on her knees couldn't help but slowly clench into fists.
The medicine had a bitter taste, but it couldn't be said to be exactly the same as the bitterness of codonopsis. If these two had taken that kind of pill before, or had been involved in its making, she would definitely be exposed.
Dai Li watched the two unblinkingly, a thin layer of sweat breaking out on her palms.
With her nerves stretched to their absolute limit, scenes seemed to flash before her eyes:
The two girls took only one sip before sharply lifting their heads, stating bluntly that something was wrong with the soup. One stepped forward to subdue her, while the other shouted to the guards outside.
Consequently, the pot was taken away to be kept as evidence. Xiuniang and Diting arrived later upon hearing the commotion and searched her, finding the remaining pills on her person.
It was over, everything was over.
"Clack." The ceramic bowl was placed on the table, emitting a soft sound.
This sound seemed to turn into a heavy punch, smashing the various illusions in front of Dai Li to pieces. Those terrifying images all turned into fragments scattered on the ground, only to be swept away by a sudden gust of wind.
"Thank you for the reward, Madam," the two girls said in unison.
Dai Li snapped back to reality, a layer of cold sweat breaking out on her back. She paused for a moment before revealing a relaxed smile. "It's just a small matter. Don't just stand there, take a seat. I'm going back to my room for a short nap."
With that, she rose from her seat and headed straight back to her room, looking as though she didn't intend to bother with them anymore.
Only after Dai Li was out of sight did the two girls sit down.
Not long after sitting down, Caoxiang began to rub her eyes repeatedly.
For some reason, she felt exceptionally sleepy today. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Finally, the chirping of birds outside the window faded away, her vision went black, and she fell asleep leaning against the soft chair.
About ten minutes later, Dai Li tiptoed out from the inner room. Seeing both of them slumped over in their chairs, she was instantly overjoyed.
It worked!
Dai Li hurried out and took out the remaining two halves of the black pill. Just to be safe, she fed them to the two girls respectively.
After waiting a moment, Dai Li carried Caoxiang, whose physique was closer to hers, into the inner chamber and began to take off her clothes.
Caoxiang's clothes were made of linen, in a completely unremarkable unbleached color. Dai Li swiftly changed into them, then took out the remaining bit of black ointment to apply simple makeup on herself. Once everything was done, she also tucked Caoxiang's money pouch into her pocket.
She didn't just take hers; she didn't spare the one outside either.
Dai Li pushed open the window, took a deep breath, and propped her hands on the windowsill, using the momentum to kick off the ground and climb out the window.
As soon as her feet hit the ground, before she could even steady herself, Dai Li immediately dashed toward a nearby tree and ducked into its cover.
Walking beneath the trees with the canopy as a shield, no one would be able to see her unless they ran into her on the same level.
Dai Li broke into a jog, not daring to waste a single second.
From the moment the bell chimed to signal the start of the ceremony until now, about twenty minutes had already passed. Every remaining minute and second was exceptionally precious.
After running for a distance, Dai Li stopped, panting heavily.
This wouldn't do. Winding her way down the mountain was too slow, and taking the usual path carried the risk of exposure.
She turned to look at the other side. There was no trodden path here; branches and leaves grew wildly, and the vegetation was extremely dense. Heading straight down from here would be more difficult, but it would save a lot of time.
Dai Li picked up a branch to use as a walking stick. Then, she subconsciously reached for her waist, belatedly realizing that the short dagger Qin Shaozong had given her had been taken away.
Without a knife to whittle the branch, she could only make do with it as it was.
Afraid there might be snakes in the dense undergrowth, Dai Li beat the thick patches of grass and leaves with her stick as she descended the mountain. Moving swiftly all the way, she encountered a few minor hiccups, but she ultimately managed to make it down the mountain successfully.
The journey took nearly half the time she had anticipated.
Yet, as she pushed her way out of the thicket, Daili's heart suddenly plummeted, because—
At the foot of the mountain, there was not a single passenger cart in sight.
She had previously assumed that visitors would take donkey carts to Ganquan Temple, and that the carts would wait at the bottom of the mountain for passengers. That way, she could simply hire one to take her to the ferry crossing.
But looking out at the completely deserted expanse, Daili's heart turned ice-cold.
She suddenly realized something. Since Ganquan Temple was only a little over a quarter of an hour's ride from the north city gate, it was entirely possible that the drivers had simply headed back to the city after dropping off their fares.
After all, the trip out of the city was quick; they only needed to head back out a little early when it was time to pick up their passengers.