The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Shen Hanyu didn't want to say anything to Liang Ruochu, but unexpectedly Liang Ruochu suddenly looked up and smiled at Shen Hanyu.

"Cousin, Aunt asked me to tell you that she's going to Hantai Temple to offer incense in a couple of days. She's not feeling well and might not be able to go. She asked you not to forget to offer an everlasting lamp for Uncle."

Shen Hanyu nodded: "I would have provided for it even if you hadn't asked. Is there anything else?"

Liang Ruochu couldn't find any flaws on Shen Hanyu's face, which made her somewhat dejected.

Shen Hanyu thought that she would be helpless and sad after losing Liang Fangrong's attention, but her cousin seemed to be a little different from what she had imagined.

"Nothing."

Liang Ruochu fled in a panic, looking quite disheveled.

Shen Hanyu was about to go back when she saw Xia come out from next door.

“Miss, the lady is not feeling well since she returned. She may not be able to go to Hantai Temple in a couple of days. She asked me to tell you so that you can help her offer an ever-burning lamp when she does.”

Hearing Jian Xia's words, Shen Hanyu nodded in agreement.

This Liang Ruochu's methods are truly underhanded. However, if it were her past life, she might have been secretly saddened by Liang Ruochu's words.

Shen Hanyu looked up at the sky; so much had happened today.

She recalled what the gatekeeper had said about the censor who was traveling with the eldest son of the Pei family on official business.

How could it be such a coincidence?

Shen Hanyu firmly believed that there were no coincidences in the world.

Back in her room, she stroked the token Pei Du had given her. It wasn't the right time to use it yet; Shen Hanyu really didn't want to use it unless absolutely necessary.

For the life-saving grace of the young master of the Founding Duke's Mansion, Shen Hanyu put away the token and hid it away.

Every spring, it is an old tradition of the Marquis of Anping’s mansion to go to Hantai Temple to offer incense. The old lady would also go to offer eternal lamps for the deceased Marquis and add some money for incense.

On the day they went, a light drizzle fell. Miao Cui held up an umbrella to shield Shen Hanyu from the wind and rain as the two walked on the bluestone steps.

Because it had rained and the weather was a bit cold, Shen Hanyu put on an outer robe.

Liang Ruoxue walked from behind to Shen Hanyu's side and then showed Shen Hanyu the crystal hairpin on her head.

She still remembered the expression on Liang Ruoyan's face when she saw the hairpin in her hair; she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

"Look, isn't my hairpin beautiful?"

Liang Ruoxue smiled smugly. Before she left for Hantai Temple today, Shen Hanyu told her that the Third Prince would be coming, so she specially wore it.

"nice."

Shen Hanyu coughed softly; she had caught a chill last night and her throat felt itchy today.

Liang Ruoxue smiled even more happily.

Before coming to Hantai Temple, Shen Hanyu changed Liang Ruoxue's usual makeup, making her look more gentle and graceful.

She investigated a lot about the Third Prince's Consort. Coincidentally, just as she was about to investigate, someone sent her a message. Shen Hanyu pondered and felt that the person was most likely Pei Du.

Only Pei Du knew that she was very concerned about the Third Prince's wife.

"Miss Shen."

A voice came from behind; it was Qi Jiaying.

Qi Jiaying smiled at Shen Hanyu, "When I saw the Marquis's carriage just now, I wondered if you would come over."

Qi Jiaying's closeness puzzled Shen Hanyu, but she didn't sense any malice, so she responded politely.

In front of Qi Jiaying, Liang Ruoxue didn't dare to be so arrogant anymore. She restrained herself and walked slowly to the side.

After exchanging pleasantries with Shen Hanyu, Qi Jiaying looked at Liang Ruoxue.

"Miss Liang looks quite different today."

To be honest, Qi Jiaying was also surprised to see Liang Ruoxue and Shen Hanyu walking together. She knew Liang Ruoxue's personality, which is why she found it strange.

Liang Ruoxue touched her face somewhat embarrassedly. She had other thoughts on her mind today, so she seemed quite guilty.

Shen Hanyu glanced at her and told Liang Ruoxue everything she needed to do. Liang Ruoxue wasn't hopelessly stupid; she just needed to control her temper.

A gust of wind blew by, and fine rain drifted under the umbrella. Shen Hanyu exhaled and looked at the gate of Hantai Temple, which was just a stone's throw away.

The host came out in person, and the old lady greeted him with a smile. Qiuyue handed over three packets of sesame oil money.

"Amitabha, please, gentlemen."

As the young novice monk led the way for the other pilgrims, Liang Ruoyan stared at Liang Ruoxue's back, feeling somewhat flustered and uneasy.

But when I saw Li Jun's figure appear over there, my heart immediately calmed down.

Perhaps it was just a coincidence; it was just a hairpin.

Xu Ying was unaware of her daughter's thoughts. Upon seeing Li Jun, she whispered to Liang Ruoyan, "Be a little more reserved and know your limits."

"I know all of that."

Liang Ruoyan silently made a note of it and followed Xu Ying inside.

In the distance, Wei Ming stood beside Yang Yueying and waved to Shen Hanyu, but did not linger and went inside first.

Miao Cui closed her umbrella, and a rich fragrance of incense wafted over. Shen Hanyu saw the peach tree in the temple. The peach blossoms on the tree were wet with rain, and the ribbons tied to it were stuck to the branches in a disheveled state.

"Does the young lady wish to make a wish?"

Miao Cui noticed Shen Hanyu's gaze and assumed that Shen Hanyu wanted to write down her wishes and hang them on the tree, just like the other pilgrims.

"Need not."

Shen Hanyu stepped inside, brushing past the two men. She glanced to the side and suddenly recognized the man as Crown Prince Li Jing.

Because of the difference in their status, Shen Hanyu quickly bowed, but Li Jing simply waved his hand gently and then left with the man beside him.

They came quietly, and they left quietly.

Shen Hanyu hadn't expected to meet the Crown Prince here, so she composed herself and went inside.

Li Jing quickened his pace and then glanced back.

Those around him knew he was looking at the woman from earlier.

"Does Your Highness know that person?"

Li Jing nodded and said, "She is Shen Yanzhi's daughter."

The man met Li Jing's gaze and then lowered his head.

"Oh, so it's the Shen family from Suzhou."

Shen Hanyu entered the main hall, took incense, knelt on the prayer mat and bowed, then offered a perpetual lamp to Shen Yanzhi.

After doing all that, Liang Ruoxue disappeared without a trace, and Liang Ruochu was nowhere to be found either. Qi Jiaying, on the other hand, was standing under the tree talking to Liang Siyu.

Xu Ying was pleased with the outcome and didn't send anyone to disturb them. She then glanced in Shen Hanyu's direction, but Shen Hanyu had already turned and left.

"Cough cough!"

Shen Hanyu coughed a few more times, realizing that she was probably catching a cold.

A short, novice monk approached and said, "If you are feeling unwell, please move to the side room to rest. It's quieter there and better than here."

Shen Hanyu nodded. The side rooms in the backyard were prepared for worshippers. She had nothing to do. The old lady probably wouldn't go back until the afternoon, so she decided to go and rest first.

As Shen Hanyu stepped onto the cobblestone ground, she wrapped her outer robe tighter around herself and saw a bald, blind monk sitting by the roadside, his grayish eyes staring at her.

Shen Hanyu withdrew her gaze and continued walking with the young novice monk, only to hear the bald-headed, blind monk's tone filled with amusement and mockery.

“Female benefactor, I see that your face is dark, which may indicate a bloody disaster. You should turn back before it’s too late.”