After resting for half an hour until the Jatedihua incense burned out, Shen Xihe left Jianfu Temple.
She had just stepped onto her carriage when an urgent call came from behind: "Lady Benefactor, please wait."
Turning around, Shen Xihe followed the sunlight with her gaze to see a delicate-looking young monk of about fifteen or sixteen running up to her. He performed a Buddhist salute: "Lady Benefactor, our abbot and Master Xuqing from Huguo Temple request your audience."
"Master Xuqing?" Shen Xihe slightly raised her eyebrows.
The most renowned Buddhist temple in the dynasty was undoubtedly Huguo Temple, and Master Xuqing enjoyed exceptional fame. Even the Youning Emperor would fail to summon him eight out of ten times.
Though Shen Xihe didn't believe in Buddhism, she wanted to know why this famous Master Xuqing sought to meet her, so she turned back.
Both the abbot of Jianfu Temple and the legendary Xuqing wore simple kasaya robes. Had she passed them on the street, they would have appeared as ordinary monks.
Perhaps because of her lack of Buddhist faith, she couldn't perceive any divine aura or great wisdom about them.
"Venerable Abbot, Master Xuqing." Shen Xihe performed a junior's greeting.
Xuqing returned a Buddhist salute: "We apologize for the disturbance, Benefactor. While cleaning the meditation room where you rested, our monks noticed the exceptionally pure and noble fragrance of Jatedihua incense. Might this be your blending?"
"Indeed." So it was the incense that had attracted the eminent monk.
"Might the Benefactor light it once more?" Xuqing requested.
Shen Xihe nodded to Biyu, who still held the incense burner, while Ziyu carried remaining incense in her scented sachet.
As Biyu lit the incense, both masters gathered close, carefully appreciating the fragrance. Finally exchanging glances, they saw profound joy in each other's eyes.
"Benefactor, would you gift this incense formula to Huguo Temple?" Xuqing produced a string of Snow Chan Bodhi seeds. "This humble monk offers this in exchange."
The Snow Chan Bodhi seeds resembled lotus buds about to bloom, their jade-like warmth and serene coloration reminiscent of white jade. It was said wearing them could cool one's skin and purify the spirit.
"You flatter me, Master. It's but an ordinary formula." Shen Xihe didn't accept the offering.
"The Benefactor's Jatedihua incense possesses extraordinary tranquility and longevity, with exquisite smoothness that refreshes the mind and concentrates the spirit—far from ordinary," Xuqing persisted. "Huguo Temple seeks to recast the Buddha's sacred statue and has been searching for supreme Buddhist incense. We implore your assistance."
Shen Xihe knew most temples used Buddhist incense to anoint Buddha statues during casting, with more prosperous temples demanding higher quality incense.
"Master, I don't decline out of reluctance—this truly is the standard Jatedihua incense formula," Shen Xihe explained sincerely.
"Amitabha." Xuqing believed her. "The world holds extraordinary talents endowed by heaven. Thus, the Benefactor must possess remarkable intuition in incense crafting. Huguo Temple humbly requests you blend Buddhist incense for our Buddha statue."
"Master Xuqing..."
"Whenever the Benefactor requires assistance in future, this humble monk shall spare no effort." Xuqing continued before Shen Xihe could refuse.
Shen Xihe lacked noble virtues. Other young ladies would eagerly accept the honor of blending incense for Huguo Temple's Buddha statue, gaining prestige through the temple's reputation.
Such glory meant nothing to Shen Xihe, but Xuqing's personal favor struck her as worth the effort.
Only benefits could move her. Shen Xihe smiled faintly: "I'm honored by your esteem, Master. I shall contribute my humble efforts."
Xuqing performed another Buddhist salute and again offered the Snow Chan Bodhi seeds to Shen Xihe: "This object shares karma with the Benefactor. Please accept it."This time, Shen Xihe didn't stand on ceremony and accepted it with both hands: "Thank you, Master."
"Please leave an address, Benefactor. The fragrant spices needed for blending will be sent to you shortly by this humble monk," said Xu Qing, displaying the generosity expected of a high monk from the Guardian Temple.
"The Master has gifted me bodhi seeds—these mere fragrant spices are hardly worth mentioning," Shen Xihe responded with equal magnanimity. "When the Jatiphala incense is ready, I shall personally deliver it to the Guardian Temple."
This would be the perfect opportunity to use the Guardian Temple's reputation to promote her Living-Alone Pavilion.
"Amitabha. The Guardian Temple thanks the Benefactor for her generosity," Xu Qing replied without further ceremony.
With their business concluded, Shen Xihe had nothing more to discuss with the monk and took her leave.
She had just stepped out of the courtyard with Biyu, Ziyu, and others when someone rushed toward them. Biyu intercepted the person: "Watch where you're going!"
"This lowly one was reckless! Spare me, noble lady!" The man turned pale and begged repeatedly for mercy.
As he spoke, a peculiar scent wafted from him. Ziyu instinctively took a step back, her brow furrowing slightly though she showed no overt disgust.
"Let him go," Shen Xihe instructed.
The man had been running while looking behind him, which was why he hadn't seen them. Besides, he was clearly someone with little time left—why bother making an issue of it?
Biyu stepped aside, and the man bowed repeatedly before hurrying away.
"What was that smell from his mouth? So foul!" Ziyu whispered only after the man was far enough.
"It's Sacred Lily," Shen Xihe said.
The scent of Sacred Lily isn't actually foul, but those unaccustomed to it might perceive it as such.
"What is Sacred Lily?" Ziyu had never heard of it.
"It's a plant that only blooms in the southern regions—"
"Help! The Old Madam has fallen into the water! The Old Madam has fallen in!" Before Shen Xihe could finish, panicked shouts erupted in the distance.
Shen Xihe typically paid no mind to others' affairs and wasn't one to crowd around spectacles. She ignored the commotion and continued forward with Biyu and Ziyu.
However, their path led them past the pond, which was now surrounded by a thick crowd of onlookers. To proceed toward the exit, she would have to push through these people, so Shen Xihe paused with Biyu and Ziyu, waiting to the side.
They watched as a young woman, aided by two monks, pulled an elderly lady from the water. With her maid's assistance, the young woman climbed out as well, and servants immediately draped dry clothing over them.
As monks guided the group toward the meditation quarters, Shen Xihe—veiled by her curtained hat—and her maids subtly moved aside to let them pass.
"I heard that's the Old Madam of the Pingyao Marquis' household who fell in. The one who jumped in to save her seems to be the Marquis' illegitimate daughter, recently brought back from outside."
"Look at her attire—it's even plainer than mine. She must be treated terribly in the Marquis' household."
"Who can blame them? The Pingyao Marquis kept his mistress hidden for over a decade. Any proper wife would resent such a situation."
"That water is so deep, yet she jumped in without hesitation to save her. She must have a kind heart..."
The murmurs from the crowd reached Shen Xihe's ears, but she remained expressionless, her gaze fixed ahead. The Pingyao Marquis' Old Madam Yu and the young Miss Yu, supported by their servants, approached her direction.
Miss Yu had an exquisitely delicate, palm-sized face with slender eyebrows and large eyes. Even pale-faced, her striking beauty was undiminished, and the wet strands of hair clinging to her cheeks added a touch of fragile allure.
Yet, her seemingly clear, dewy eyes lacked the innocence and purity expected of a twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl. They were complex, profound orbs.Especially when she was supported and brushed past Shen Xihe, the muddy scent of the pond water could not mask the fragrance of sacred lotus on her.
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