Volume One, Chapter Four: My Lord, Don’t You Agree?

Qin Xianxian clutched her lower back, gritting her teeth as she was helped off the carriage by her maid.

Anyone who didn’t know might have thought she was returning after having a child, making a vow in gratitude!

It was truly exhausting; how could her body be so fragile? After only an hour’s carriage ride, her bones felt as if they were about to fall apart.

This delicate and weak persona was indeed suffocatingly restrictive.

The long staircase led straight to the main gate of Guanyin Temple, with red walls and green tiles, solemn and majestic. The fallen leaves on the steps had been meticulously swept clean by the monks, and the stream of worshippers was continuous.

Although Qin Xianxian did not believe in gods or Buddha, a sense of reverence naturally arose in her heart at this moment.

“Xianxian, come quickly!” her “mother” called, beckoning her from ahead.

Once inside the temple, Qin Xianxian, like a puppet, was led by her “mother” through the motions—offering incense, kneeling, bowing…

Then she was taken to a side table and sat down, handed a bamboo tube full of sticks.

The tube rattled a few times…

Snap—

One stick fell to the ground. Someone nearby picked it up and, upon seeing it, immediately broke into a joyous smile.

“Oh, my good daughter has drawn the top fortune stick—good luck! Good luck!”

Then the stick was handed over to the master.

“Master, please help me see my daughter’s marriage fate.”

Marriage fate?

Qin Xianxian shivered involuntarily, frowning deeply.

So it wasn’t to ward off evil spirits that they came to Guanyin Temple, but to divine her marriage prospects?

“Fate is predestined; a perfect match is heaven-made…”

Qin Xianxian didn’t want to listen. Her marriage was already set in stone in the book—what was the point of hearing about it?

While the people around her were engrossed, Qin Xianxian seized the opportunity to slip away into the garden beside the temple.

The autumn wind was bleak, casting heavy shadows among the trees. This place was nowhere near as tidy as the temple itself; there were barely any people. Dry branches and fallen leaves were occasionally stirred by the wind, gently dropping back to the ground.

“Who’s this young lady? Such a striking beauty.”

“Come on, let’s have some fun with her…”

Two roguish men in dull gray robes swaggered toward her, their slick eyes roaming shamelessly over her, their manner frivolous and their expressions lascivious.

Such a cliché scene…

Was the author insane? Who would dare harass a woman in broad daylight in the garden of Guanyin Temple, not fearing divine retribution?

Qin Xianxian raised her eyes disdainfully and coldly said, “Get lost. I’m in a bad mood—be careful or I’ll crush your dog heads.”

“…”

“…”

The two men’s lecherous smiles faltered slightly.

Taking advantage of their momentary surprise, Qin Xianxian tried to leave. Unexpectedly, one of them stepped forward quickly to block her path. The two men flanked her, their gazes roaming with ill intent.

“You almost fooled us, woman. Walking alone and still daring to shout atI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.