The news that the Divine Physician Young Mistress of the Dingxi Marquis Estate was no longer the Young Mistress had spread even among the common folk. Why would the respectable Dingxi Marquis Estate cast her out?

The people chattered amongst themselves. “...What else could it be?

She’s a woman, surely she was unfaithful...” “...I heard this Young Mistress was always running around outside, mixing with men...” As soon as the speaker finished, he received a heavy kick from behind. “Ow!

Which bastard…” The man tumbled to the ground, scrambling up furiously to curse whoever it was. Standing behind him were three tall men, carrying blades, spears, and bows, with wild pheasants and rabbits slung over their waists and shoulders.

Though of varying ages, their similar features suggested they were brothers by blood. At that moment, the three brothers stared at the man before them with eyes like a leopard’s.

“...Brother Dashan,” the man immediately bowed low, forcing a smile. “What did you just say?” the elder man in the center asked in a deep voice.

“N-nothing…” the man forced a smile, twitching his mouth. “Madam Qi is a divine physician, the savior of our family.

If I ever hear anyone speak ill of her again…” The hunter slammed the iron fork in his hand onto the ground, its sharp tines immediately sinking into the earth. The idlers nearby shivered.

The hunters from Mount Mao, relying on their numerous brothers and their strength, had always been powerful figures in this region; people usually fled from them, let alone dared to provoke trouble. The man in the rear quickly shrank his neck and slipped away.

“Yes, yes, Madam Qi is a divine physician, how could we dare speak ill of her…” The man nodded and bowed subserviently, laughing. “It’s good that you know.” Another, younger hunter glared and snapped, “Why does Madam Qi walk the world?

Isn't it to treat people? She has the heart of a Bodhisattva!

Clean up your thoughts! Be careful of retribution!” “Brother, let the Bodhisattva worry about retribution, I’ll handle it myself…” The youngest one immediately rolled up his sleeves and grumbled.

The man turned pale with fright. “Brother Xiaoshan, please don't misunderstand…” he quickly called out.

Luckily, the Dashan hunter stopped his younger brother and shot the man a stern look. “Let’s go,” he said, pulling out the iron fork and walking away.

“Brother, is it true that Madam Qi was dismissed?” the youngest brother followed, unable to keep his voice down. “Not dismissed.” Dashan glared back at him, “I asked the scholar in town.

They said it was a heli (mutual separation), do you know what that means?” “What’s the difference?” the youngest brother argued, “Isn’t it all just being kicked out…” The second brother spat. “Truly stupid, you don't even understand that.

Didn't the old scholar say that ‘dismissal’ is the man driving the woman away, while heli is the woman abandoning the man? Got it?” Ershan glared at him.

The youngest brother mumbled an "Oh," finally understanding. “So it means Madam Qi didn’t want the Dingxi Marquis Estate anymore,” he chuckled, “Then I’m relieved.” Qi Yue sneezed.

“Who’s talking about me?” she muttered, then laughed to herself, “I imagine everyone is talking about me now…” Hu San, not far away, overheard. “Mistress, the mountain wind is cool, you should take shelter,” he hurried over to say.

Looking behind, the maid called Cui, or something, was only just catching up, panting heavily. Hu San adjusted the medicine basket on his back higher up.

Really, how could one be a maid? So far behind A’Ru.

Thinking of A’Ru, Hu San couldn't help but feel a sting of sadness; he probably wouldn’t see her again... His relationship with A’Ru was purely platonic; just thinking about her made him want to cry.

If Madam Qi thought of what the Heir-Prince said, wouldn’t she cry every night... It was truly miserable...

By the time Hu San snapped back to reality, Qi Yue had already walked off, the maid trailing behind her. Qi Yue, having gathered half a basket of pine branches mimicking her disciples, sat down on a rock to rest, when she saw someone hurrying up the mountain path.

“Madam Qi…” Seeing her, he shouted immediately. Qi Yue looked over and was very surprised to see Coffin Boy.

“Little Coffin, why are you here too?” She stood up and smiled. Coffin Boy rushed closer, his face flushed, dense sweat on his forehead, clearly having run the whole way.

“Are, are you alright?” he gasped out. Qi Yue paused.

“Me?” she said, then realized something, “You know too?” Coffin Boy swallowed hard to moisten his dry throat and nodded. “Yes, is it because of me?” he asked.

Cuizhi, standing nearby, widened her eyes. What?

This man... her face turned pale.

Qi Yue knew Coffin Boy was referring to the body dissection. She smiled.

“No,” she said. Though she said no, Coffin Boy hadn’t expected her to elaborate.

But Qi Yue continued. “It’s because our concepts differ, so we couldn't continue.

That’s nothing. Isn’t there that saying?

Those whose paths diverge do not plot together. When it suits, we unite; when it doesn't, we separate,” she said.

It was about taking a second wife in equal standing. Coffin Boy breathed a sigh of relief.

Realizing she was being so candid just to set his mind at ease, he felt even more sorrowful. “You, don’t be sad,” he managed after a long pause, concluding with only those words.

Qi Yue smiled. “I’m not sad,” she said, patting the basket behind her.

“Teacher said to collect pine branches, something about pine needles dew-soaked, to be used as a medicinal guide. It’s a strange prescription, so I followed along to help.” Coffin Boy mumbled an “Oh.” “Then I shall take my leave,” he stated directly.

Just then, Hu San and the others returned. “We were just about to leave too, let’s go together,” Qi Yue said.

The group bustled down the mountain, where the foot of the mountain held a temple shrouded in curling incense smoke. “What is that?” Qi Yue asked.

“That is the Great Buddha Temple,” Coffin Boy replied. This was the Great Buddha Temple.

Qi Yue stopped, looking at the complex. “I’ve never been,” Coffin Boy said, with a hint of self-mockery.

“Then let’s go take a look,” Qi Yue suggested. In the main Buddha Hall, Chang Yuncheng received a sutra from the Abbot.

“It has been offered before the Buddha for three days,” the old monk said with a smile, cupping his hands towards Chang Yuncheng. “The Heir-Prince’s filial piety is evident; the Buddha will surely bless the Marquis’s Lady with good health.” Chang Yuncheng nodded slightly.

“This is a string of prayer beads. I heard the Heir-Prince is setting off soon; this is a small token of my regard,” the Abbot continued, removing a string from his wrist.

“Please, Heir-Prince, accept it.” Chang Yuncheng quickly reached out and took them. “Thank you,” he said, his voice low.

The Abbot looked at him, sighed, and though he seemed about to say something, he ultimately did not. “I shall see the Heir-Prince out,” he said, gesturing for him to proceed.

Chang Yuncheng returned the gesture and was about to step out when he heard voices near the main hall door. As the voices carried inside, Chang Yuncheng froze abruptly.

“...Is this the largest hall here? What deity do they enshrine?” Qi Yue asked.

“...I’ve never been inside either,” Coffin Boy answered, looking up towards the interior. “This is the Hall of the Heavenly Kings,” Cuizhi said.

“It enshrines Maitreya Bodhisattva.” Qi Yue and Coffin Boy both murmured an “Oh.” “Where are Hu San and the others?” Qi Yue asked again. Hu San and the others came running from the side.

“Here, here! The pine branches in this temple grow even better than those on the mountain,” Hu San whispered.

“Stop having bad ideas. This is a sacred Buddhist ground, don't be reckless,” Qi Yue glared at him.

Hu San chuckled and said he understood. “Let’s go inside and look,” Qi Yue stepped forward.

Coffin Boy remained standing. “I won’t go in,” he said.

“Lest I defile this pure Buddhist ground.” Qi Yue turned back to look at him. “All beings are equal before the Buddha; what kind of special treatment are you playing at?” she laughed.

Coffin Boy was momentarily stunned by her words, then he smiled, said nothing more, and stepped inside. With so many people entering the main hall, it suddenly became crowded and lively.

Through the window, Chang Yuncheng watched the woman devoutly bowing before the Buddha image. “...What’s behind that?” she asked upon standing up.

A strange maid smilingly held her hand, while several unfamiliar men guided her towards the back. “...That’s the Hall of the Celestial Masters...” “...I heard there’s also a Stele Forest; many people come here to make rubbings...” The group laughed and chatted as they rounded the Buddha statue and exited through the back door.

Quiet returned to the main hall, the sacred incense continuing to curl. “Heir-Prince...” the Abbot murmured quietly.

Chang Yuncheng withdrew his gaze. “Master, I wish to look around by myself,” he said.

The Abbot nodded, not asking a single question. “The Heir-Prince is welcome to do as he pleases.” He cupped his hands in farewell.

Chang Yuncheng returned the courtesy and stepped out of the incense pavilion. “This is the Mani Hall...” Cuizhi, being the maid to the Old Madam, took on the role of guide, leading them all the way.

“Madam Qi...” “Oh, I know this one. Does it enshrine Shakyamuni?” Qi Yue interjected.

“Yes,” Cuizhi smiled and nodded. “The wall paintings inside are beautiful; there’s the Guanyin, the Colorful Sea Guanyin,” one disciple added from the side.

Qi Yue became even more interested and stepped in first. Only after the Mani Hall quieted down did Chang Yuncheng step inside.

He walked slowly, examining everything carefully, pausing from time to time. His unusual demeanor caused other visitors to cast curious glances at him.

“Which person who comes to worship isn’t carrying an unsolvable sorrow?” an elderly woman sighed. “Even the noble young masters cannot escape it.” After walking past the last pavilion, the Great Compassion Hall, it was already noon.

“It truly lives up to its reputation,” Qi Yue stood on the steps of the Great Compassion Hall, looking back over the entire temple complex. There are many modern Great Buddha Temples, but which one of the future generations would this be?

She didn't know if she had been here before, but if she had, she surely wouldn't recognize it. After a thousand years, how could people and things remain the same?

“Is the vegetarian cuisine here famous?” she turned and asked. Cuizhi nodded.

“Yes, my Old Madam comes to eat here once every month,” she said with a smile. “Then let’s go eat too,” Qi Yue suggested.

Hu San suddenly stood forward, thinking of something. “No, no, we’re not used to it…” he said casually.

A disciple behind him heard this and looked confused. “Senior Brother, we haven’t eaten there yet, how do we know we won’t like it?” he couldn't help but murmur.

He was kicked by another disciple who reacted more quickly. “It’s very expensive...” the quick-witted disciple whispered.

The first disciple finally understood. Indeed, the Great Buddha Temple's vegetarian fare was famous far and wide, naturally not affordable for everyone.

If they ate, Madam Qi would surely have to pay the temple fees for them... Madam Qi was no longer the Young Mistress of the Dingxi Marquis Estate; living alone would be difficult for a woman, how could they let her pay?

They all shook their heads, agreeing, saying they would eat back home instead. Qi Yue understood their intentions perfectly and smiled faintly.

If she insisted, these disciples would not enjoy the meal peacefully, which would ruin the fun. “Then it probably isn't that good,” she waved her hand.

“The main beam of the shop is being raised today, and Teacher must have prepared a lavish meal. Let’s go back and eat there.” Everyone nodded, and the group was about to leave in a clamor when a monk emerged from the Great Compassion Hall just as they stepped out.

“Benefactors, please wait,” he said, gesturing with a bow. “Today, a noble guest sponsored a vegetarian feast as part of their blessing.

Would the benefactors be willing to partake, to help this kind person fulfill their vow?” Some wealthy people made vows and repaid them, much like handing out porridge outside the temple grounds; thus, sponsoring a vegetarian meal should be normal too. Qi Yue and her group’s eyes lit up.

“Yes, yes, that sounds wonderful,” she quickly nodded, calling to everyone. “This is a good thing for everyone!” Hearing that they could eat for free, Hu San and the others naturally had no objections, so the monk happily led them away.

In the vegetarian dining hall, dishes were continually brought out, accompanied by introductions and Qi Yue and her group’s chaotic praises; the rule of ‘no talking while eating’ was completely ignored here. “Madam Qi, try this, guess what it’s made of?” Cuizhi asked.

“...Pumpkin!” Laughter and chatter drifted in from the window. In a small quiet room adjacent to the main hall, Chang Yuncheng sat alone at a low table.

In front of him was a full set of vegetarian dishes. Hearing the laughter from the other side, he slowly picked up one item.

“You guessed right, it’s made of pumpkin,” he murmured with a slight smile, looking up as if someone were sitting opposite him, then he slowly chewed the small piece of vegetable dish. One still, one moving; one joy, one sorrow; one separating window, two worlds.

The Abbot, standing silently in the corner, lowered his head and murmured an Amitabha. I am terribly afraid of being called long-winded...

Feeling uneasy, I’m adding an extra chapter. I don’t know why this time it sounds so conversational.

I will try my best to revise it, please bear with me. RS