She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

Cui Jintang was overjoyed as she prepared for her coronation ceremony, believing that the throne was firmly in her grasp. Little did she know that a sudden storm would drag her into a vortex of overwhelming public resentment.

These days, the situation in the capital is changing rapidly, and many of the incidents are related to the Duke of Xingguo's mansion.

Since their parting on her birthday, Shen Han had never seen Cui Jinrong again. Now, seeing the Xingguo Duke's mansion experiencing one misfortune after another, she couldn't help but worry about Cui Jinrong's safety.

Considering that the two were not yet married, it would be inconvenient for her to visit in person, so she secretly instructed a clever servant to go to the Duke of Xingguo's mansion to find out the news.

Originally, she just wanted some peace of mind, but the news her servants brought back was like a heavy hammer blow to her heart.

The servants brought back news that Cui Jinrong had been seriously injured and was on the verge of death, but unexpectedly, he disappeared without warning a few days ago.

Upon hearing this news, Shen Han was struck dumb, frozen in place, her heart filled with fear and worry.

She was extremely anxious and wanted to find Cui Jinrong immediately, but in the vast sea of ​​people, she had no clue where to start.

In the days that followed, Shen Han lost her appetite and couldn't think about anything but Cui Jinrong.

In just a few days, she looked much more haggard and lost a lot of weight.

Her personal maid, Shuixian, seeing her mistress in such a state, couldn't help but advise, "Miss, it's not good for you to be so absent-minded all the time. Why don't you go to Tianqing Temple to draw a fortune stick and predict the fate of Young Master Cui? Maybe you can find some clues. What do you think?"

After listening, Shen Han hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "Tomorrow is the first day of the ninth month. I heard that on the first and fifteenth of each month, the eminent monk Huiming of Tianqing Temple will personally interpret the divination slips for everyone. Let's go tomorrow."

She thought that even the slightest hope of praying for Cui Jinrong or getting some news about him would be better than suffering in anxiety all day long.

So, early the next morning, Shen Han carefully prepared himself, took Shui Xian, and rode in a carriage to Tianqing Temple.

Throughout the journey, she gazed at the familiar yet unfamiliar street scenes outside the car window, her heart filled with longing for Cui Jinrong.

Upon arriving at Tianqing Temple, the air was filled with the fragrance of incense and the sounds of chanting, which immediately lifted Shen Han's spirits.

With a devout heart, Shen Han entered the main hall, knelt respectfully before the Buddha statue, clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and silently prayed for Cui Jinrong.

Her eyes were filled with worry and earnestness, hoping that the gods could give her some guidance.

After praying to Buddha, Shen Han went to the divination box, took a deep breath, and drew a divination stick.

She nervously unfolded the fortune slip, only to find some obscure and difficult-to-understand words written on it.

She couldn't understand the meaning of the fortune slip, and her anxiety grew.

Because they arrived early today, there were few people in the main hall, and even Master Huiming, who interprets the divination slips, had not yet arrived.

She stood up, intending to seek help from the young monks in the hall, when she saw an old monk in a gray robe with a kind face slowly walking over. This man was none other than Master Huiming.

Master Huiming looked at Shen Han with gentle eyes and asked, "Female benefactor, this humble monk sees that you look worried. May I ask what you have come to ask for today?"

Shen Han quickly stood up and respectfully replied, "Master, I've come to ask for a friend's fortune. But this divination slip..."

"This humble monk will interpret your fortune slip!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Han said gratefully, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Master."

Master Huiming took the divination slip, examined it carefully for a while, his expression changed slightly, and then he slowly said, "Female benefactor, according to the divination, this is a very auspicious divination. It indicates that the person you are seeking help from, although currently in a difficult situation and facing a bumpy road ahead, will also have the help of a benefactor, and will surely be able to turn misfortune into good fortune, and their future is limitless."

Upon hearing Master Huiming's words, a hint of surprise flashed in Shen Han's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by doubt.

She asked anxiously, "Master, is what you say true? His whereabouts are unknown, and his fate is uncertain. I am truly worried. I beg you, Master, to tell me who this benefactor is and how we can help him escape danger?"

Master Huiming shook his head slightly, clasped his hands together, and slowly said, "Female benefactor, heavenly secrets cannot be fully revealed. But you only need to firmly believe that everything is preordained. The person you seek is destined for this calamity, but it is also the turning point in their fate."

As for your benefactor, they may be far away or right before your eyes. As long as you have good intentions and follow your heart, you will meet them at the crucial moment.

Although Shen Han did not receive a definite answer, Master Huiming's words gave her some comfort.

She bowed deeply to Master Huiming and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I will remember it forever."

After leaving the main hall, Shen Han felt much more relaxed than when she arrived.

Narcissus smiled and said, "Miss, you see, I told you that coming to draw a fortune stick was the right thing to do. Young Master Cui is a lucky man, and he will surely be safe and sound."

Shen Han nodded with a smile, but in her heart she was still pondering what the master had said about "benefactors".

When she returned, Shen Han was in a much better mood. When she passed by Baiweizhai in Dongshi, she suddenly remembered that Cui Jinrong had secretly given her some snacks on her birthday.

Thinking of this, she stopped the carriage and said to Narcissus, "Narcissus, I want to eat pine nut and lily pastries from Baiweizhai. Could you go down and buy me two servings?"

"Yes, Miss, I'll go buy it for you right away!" Narcissus said, lifting the carriage curtain and getting off the carriage.

Shen Han sat alone in the carriage, looking out at the street through the drawn curtain, unaware that anyone was peering into his carriage.

"Look, that woman sitting in the carriage, she's so beautiful!"

A Japanese man shouted in broken Chinese, his eyes gleaming with lewdness.

Upon hearing this, the other Japanese all turned their gazes toward the carriage, revealing malicious smiles.

Completely disregarding the fact that they were in a bustling market town, and relying on the Empress Cui Jintang's backing, they swaggered towards the carriage.

Shen Han noticed something was amiss, withdrew her gaze, and looked warily at the uninvited guests.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Her eyebrows furrowed, her voice cold and aloof.

The Japanese leader, however, didn't care at all. He licked his lips and laughed, "Beauty, come with us, and we guarantee you endless riches and glory."

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Shen Han.

A surge of disgust and anger welled up in Shen Han's heart. She had practiced martial arts since childhood and would never allow herself to be treated lightly by others.

She swiftly dodged the Japanese man's groping hand and then kicked him in the chest.

The kick was so powerful that the Japanese man was sent flying, crashing to the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Seeing this, the other Japanese were immediately enraged and, once again itching for a fight, surrounded Shen Han.

Shen Han showed no fear and engaged in fierce combat with them. Her footwork was skillful, and after several rounds, several more Japanese soldiers were injured.

However, these Japanese, relying on their superior numbers, still refused to give up.

One of the Japanese seized the opportunity and attacked Shen Han from behind.

Hearing the sound of the wind, Shen Han dodged to the side and threw a backhand punch, striking the Japanese man directly in the throat.