Three days after Liu Sanqi ended her livestream, it happened to be the 75th birthday of Yin Ning's maternal grandfather, Xu Yexian. Since Empress Xu was not free to leave the palace, Yin Ning, wishing to fulfill her mother's filial duty, left the palace early in the morning to visit the Xu residence and celebrate the elder's birthday together. The Xu family had been a scholarly family for generations. By Xu Yexian's time, although he had never served as an official, he was a renowned Confucian scholar far and wide, having repeatedly declined the court's summons. The Shun'an Academy, which he founded in his early years with friends, recruited students regardless of their background, valuing only talent, and had now earned the reputation of being the "Number One Academy Under Heaven" in the Great Jing. When Emperor Jingming chose Empress Xu as the Crown Princess, it was precisely because of Xu Yexian's reputation. Xu Yexian's disciples and former subordinates were spread across the court and country, and Empress Xu was his only daughter. At that time, Emperor Jingming hoped to enhance his prestige among the scholar-officials but feared incurring the suspicion of his father, the late Emperor Jingjian. Thus, Empress Xu became his optimal choice for Crown Princess.
Xu Yexian now lived alone. Yin Ning's grandmother had passed away peacefully in her sleep four years prior, without illness. Xu Yexian lived a frugal and simple life, so whenever Yin Ning visited, she brought large bags and bundles, and this time was no exception. Although Xu Yexian did not crave luxury, he knew that the items Yin Ning brought were a heartfelt gesture from her and her daughter Xu Canjun, so he always accepted them with a smile, not wanting to dampen their spirits.
Though Xu Yexian was now seventy-five and advanced in age, he was still hale and hearty, walking steadily. Worried that Yin Ning, rarely out of the palace, might find his place boring, he proactively suggested that the plum blossoms at Huguo Temple were in full bloom and asked if she wanted to go for a stroll there. Yin Ning, thinking Xu Yexian wanted to enjoy the plum blossoms, cheerfully agreed.
Huguo Temple was not far from Xu Yexian's residence, only a few minutes' walk. It was a rare fine day in the twelfth month, with mild sunlight, so Yin Ning walked with Xu Yexian. Although Xu Yexian was a renowned scholar, he was on familiar terms with the local commoners. Along the way from home to the temple, Yin Ning saw passersby greeting Xu Yexian. Some elderly folks, unaware of her identity, smiled and chatted with her, saying she was beautiful and resembled her grandmother. Yin Ning enjoyed this ordinary daily life, her eyes curved in smiles as she chatted with everyone.
Standing beside Yin Ning, Xu Yexian, seeing her kind and loving demeanor, couldn't help cursing Emperor Jingming again. Although many had envied him for becoming the Emperor's father-in-law, Xu Yexian had strongly opposed the marriage when Emperor Jingming sought to marry Xu Canjun. If not for Emperor Jingming's fait accompli—having the late Emperor issue a betrothal edict—Xu Yexian would never have agreed to his daughter marrying into the royal family. The imperial family was the most heartless; outsiders saw it as glamorous and luxurious, but it was rife with intrigue and lack of freedom. Especially with Crown Prince Yin Lin's sudden death recently, Xu Yexian felt extremely uneasy and even fearful, hating Emperor Jingming for dragging his family into the power vortex.
However, despite his deep dissatisfaction with Emperor Jingming, Xu Yexian showed no sign of it in front of Yin Ning. It wasn't that he feared the Emperor—after all, when the Emperor came with the edict, Xu Yexian had cursed him to his face. Rather, he didn't want to put Yin Ning in a difficult position, since a son should not speak of a father's faults, and Emperor Jingming was, after all, her father. Now that he was old, with white hair and beard, Yin Ning would still need her father's support in the future.
Yin Ning was unaware of the many thoughts running through Xu Yexian's mind behind his cheerful appearance. Soon, they arrived outside Huguo Temple. Huguo Temple was the most popular Buddhist temple in Jingshi, bustling even today. Instead of taking Yin Ning through the main gate to mingle with the worshippers, Xu Yexian led her down a small path and entered through a remote side door he knew well. He was clearly acquainted with the monks; a few lively young novices even ran over to greet him, asking why he hadn't visited recently. When they learned Xu Yexian had brought Yin Ning to enjoy the plum blossoms, a round-faced little novice cheerfully offered to take them to his secret spot, where white plum blossoms were especially beautiful and less crowded.
When Yin Ning, Xu Yexian, and the others arrived, they were indeed amazed by the plum forest before them. Red walls contrasted with white plum blossoms; the cold fragrance intoxicated the heart. In the tranquil ancient temple, amid the lingering sound of Buddhist chanting, the elegant white blossoms on the branches were as pure and flawless as jade carvings, displaying a frosty, bone-like beauty. A gentle breeze passed, and the subtle fragrance wafted, lingering like moonlight, unforgettable, refreshing the spirit.
Just as Yin Ning and Xu Yexian were immersed in the beauty of the plum forest, Yin Ning, with her keen hearing, suddenly heard light footsteps behind her. She turned and saw Xuan Le holding prayer beads, looking at her with a smile in his eyes. Xu Yexian quickly noticed the arrival of the renowned monk and respectfully greeted him. Although Xu Yexian now appeared as an approachable old man, his repeated refusals of court summons and his dissatisfaction with Emperor Jingming revealed a defiant pride. His respectful attitude toward Xuan Le was partly because Xuan Le was much older—over a hundred years old—and partly because Xu Yexian knew Xuan Le possessed the power of divination.
Years ago, when Xu Yexian was newly married, he accompanied his wife to Huguo Temple to pray and burn incense, and they happened to meet Xuan Le. Xuan Le told them that their future daughter had an extraordinary destiny, noble beyond measure, and would one day occupy the highest rank among women. Xu Yexian and his wife didn't take it seriously, thinking it impossible—how could their powerless family have anything to do with the royal family? But later, when Xu Canjun became the Crown Princess, Xu Yexian realized Xuan Le's words had been true. Today, besides letting Yin Ning, who was often confined in the palace, relax by admiring the flowers, Xu Yexian also intended to ask Xuan Le to perform a divination. However, before Xu Yexian could figure out how to broach the subject, Yin Ning spoke first, her lips curved in a smile:
"Master Xuan Le, what a coincidence to meet you. Could it be that you had a premonition and knew Grandfather and I were coming today?"
Yin Ning teased him because Xuan Le was notoriously elusive, appearing and disappearing mysteriously. For years, there was a saying in Jingshi: Master Xuan Le only appears at the right time to the right person. Hearing Yin Ning's question, the compassionate, gaunt face of Xuan Le revealed a serene smile:
"Your Highness is exceptionally perceptive. Indeed, the poor monk came as fate led him, sensing a guest here lost on a divergent path, so I invited myself."
Yin Ning had only meant to jest, but upon hearing Xuan Le's affirmative answer, she raised an eyebrow with interest.
"Master Xuan Le, did you mistake someone? The elder Xu wasn't lost at all! I was guiding them the whole time!" the little novice said, baffled.
Xuan Le laughed and gently patted the novice's round head, speaking kindly: "In this world, there are paths visible underfoot, and there are ways unseen."
Before the novice could comprehend, Xu Yexian suddenly spoke: "Master truly knows all. I indeed have a matter as heavy as a thousand jun on my mind, and I wish to seek your guidance, hoping you can provide me with an answer to ease my distress!"
Xu Yexian said this, pressing his palms together in a Buddhist greeting. Yin Ning and the novice looked at him in confusion. Xuan Le did not immediately reply; instead, he waved gently at the novice: "This matter is of great importance, not for a child's ears. You are too young; go play."
The novice obediently left without fuss. Yin Ning signaled to Bai Ju, who followed her, and had her and the other attendants withdraw. Soon, only Yin Ning, Xu Yexian, and Xuan Le remained in the elegant plum forest.
Curious, Yin Ning looked at Xu Yexian, wondering what could trouble her grandfather so. But what he said next surprised and moved her deeply.
Xu Yexian looked at Xuan Le earnestly and said solemnly: "I assume the Master understands that a woman's most important matter in life is marriage. Lately, whenever I think of Her Highness's marriage, I am deeply worried, fearing that after she marries into the Su family, the union may not be harmonious, causing her daily distress and robbing her of joy. I beseech the Master to tell me truthfully: what will become of my worries?"
The marriage Xu Yexian referred to was an arrangement Emperor Jingming had made three months prior for Yin Ning. The chosen consort was Su Yu, who was still guarding the northwestern border. Su Yu was the eldest son of General Su Lei; the Su family had served in the military for generations and held high prestige in the army, now even risking overshadowing the emperor. Xu Yexian knew that Emperor Jingming gave Yin Ning to the Su family to win them over while tightening imperial control. When Emperor Jingming bestowed the marriage between Yin Ning and Su Yu, he had not consulted the Su family in advance but issued the edict directly to the northwestern border. Thus, since learning of the betrothal, Xu Yexian had been anxious, worrying that the Su family might make things difficult for Yin Ning because of it.