The nunnery was quiet at this moment, filled with the faint scent of incense. A few young nuns were meditating, and not a sound could be heard.
As Liu Liu and Dai Mei walked in, a young nun approached them and asked respectfully, "Benefactors, are you here to offer incense or to draw lots?"
"I'm looking for someone. Is Master Ming Hui here?" Liu Liu anxiously reached out and grabbed the young nun's hand. She had forgotten she was disguised as a man. The action made the young nun's face flush. Annoyed, she said, "Young master, please conduct yourself with decorum!"
Liu Liu came to her senses. These nuns had no idea she was their master's disciple, and with her current male disguise, it was understandable that she was misunderstood. She quickly withdrew her hand and spoke respectfully again, "I wish to see Master Ming Hui. I am her..."
Before Liu Liu could finish, a cold snort was heard: "Why are you here?"
Liu Liu turned around and saw her senior disciple sister, Qing Feng, dressed in an elegant daoist robe, glaring at her with unconcealed anger. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes.
"Why are you here?"
Seeing her expression, Liu Liu knew that her senior disciple sister had been among the black-clad assailants that day. But why would her senior sister want to kill the emperor? Could it be that those assassins were the young nuns from this very temple? Yet, they usually seemed so demure, nothing like the bloodthirsty individuals seen during combat.
"Senior Disciple Sister, I've come to see Master."
Liu Liu knew the source of her senior sister's hostility, but she hadn't intended any harm. She believed that Master would be alright.
The people in the nunnery, hearing their conversation, looked up. Fearing she would disturb their meditation, Senior Disciple Sister Qing Feng led them to the courtyard behind.
The setting sun cast long shadows. Lush green grass carpeted the courtyard, and the branches swayed in the gentle breeze, resembling thousands of golden threads. Willow catkins drifted down, falling through the open window. Liu Liu saw her master lying on a simple couch. As she moved to slip inside, her senior sister swiftly blocked her path.
"What right do you have to see Master? It's all because of you that Master is like this."
Liu Liu's face fell, and a wry smile touched her lips. Yes, if it weren't for her, Master would be unharmed. But if time could be turned back, she would still act the same way.
She couldn't stand idly by and watch the world descend into chaos, with its people displaced and suffering. Perhaps her master harbored resentment towards the emperor, but that was a personal grievance. She would confess her fault to her master, and if her master refused to forgive her, she would kneel until she was pardoned.
"Senior Disciple Sister, I didn't mean to," Liu Liu's eyes flickered with pain, but her resolve was unyielding and landed directly on Qing Feng.
Qing Feng sensed a killing intent in her gaze. Despite being just a young girl, she possessed a unique dominance that often made Qing Feng feel disoriented, and at times, enraged. Why did Master treat her so well? Even her own disciple, who stayed by her side, couldn't compare to this little girl. Master gave her the best of everything, yet she colluded with outsiders and harmed her master. How could Qing Feng not be filled with resentment?
"Go back," Qing Feng said softly, unmoved. She didn't want her to see Master again. If this continued, Master would surely die at her hands eventually.
"Senior Disciple Sister?" Liu Liu called out, her voice clear and cool. She wasn't angry or upset, but her demeanor carried an air of authority, which was precisely what angered Qing Feng. At all times, this junior disciple sister maintained an aloof posture.
"I will not let you see Master," Qing Feng stated with finality.
As Liu Liu was about to speak, her master's weak voice echoed from the bedroom: "Qing Feng, what are you doing? Let Liu'er come in."
With that, Qing Feng grudgingly moved aside. Liu Liu cupped her fists and said, "Thank you, Senior Disciple Sister." Qing Feng pursed her lips, remaining silent, her eyes clouding over.
She felt heartache for her master, who was like a mother to her. Today, her spirit was scattered, and she was terrified that her master would pass away. And all of this was caused by this accursed girl. Qing Feng glared hatefully at Liu Liu's retreating back.
The bedroom was simple and unadorned, containing only the essential furniture of a bed, table, and chairs, nothing more. As Liu Liu entered, she saw her master struggling to sit up. She quickly took three steps forward and pressed down on her master's body.
"Master, what are you doing? Lie down quickly. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Master Ming Hui shook her head, gazing at Liu Liu with a gentle expression, devoid of any blame. Liu Liu, who had prepared a long speech of apology, found herself unable to utter a single word. Choked with emotion, she finally managed, "Master, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to harm you."
"It's alright, Master doesn't blame you. As long as you are well, Master is at ease." Master Ming Hui coughed, which only intensified Liu Liu's self-reproach.
Master treated her so well; besides her parents, she was the one who cared about her the most. How could she have sided with outsiders and harmed her master? But could she stand by and watch Feng Xie be assassinated? It was not a matter of affection, but simply because he was the emperor, and she did not want innocent people to suffer the ravages of war. If the emperor were to die, the realm would be without a ruler, leading to widespread turmoil. Warlords would rise, and the land would be carved up. How many years of unrest would it take for peace to be restored to the innocent populace?
"Master, why did you want to kill the emperor?"
Liu Liu sat by the couch, eager to understand why her master had intended to kill Feng Xie. Feng Xie had only just ascended the throne, and there shouldn't be any deep-seated hatred between them.
Master Ming Hui trembled, recalling the words spoken by someone who had held her hand tightly: "Ling'er, never let my daughter know the deep-seated hatred that stains her blood. I only wish for her to live safely. Nothing else matters. I will be grateful to you from the netherworld." How could she tell Liu'er the whole truth? She raised her head with a bitter smile, her eyes weary from weakness. "Liu'er, it's because you are Master's beloved disciple, and that man didn't know how to cherish you. So Master was furious and had to teach him a lesson for Liu'er."
After speaking, Master leaned her head onto the pillow, breathing heavily. Liu Liu knew she couldn't agitate her master at this moment; she had sustained internal injuries and needed rest.
"Master, don't worry. Liu'er will be fine. Please rest and don't overexert yourself." Liu Liu wasn't foolish enough to believe her master's explanation. She would investigate, but for now, it was best to let her master rest.
"Alright," Ming Hui closed her eyes. She was indeed tired. Having sustained internal injuries, she had just managed to regulate her body when Liu'er arrived. After speaking for a while, she drifted into a deep sleep.
Liu Liu knelt by the couch, her small, jade-like hand gently stroking her master's face. Master had grown thin, and streaks of white had appeared at her temples. When had her beautiful and gentle master become old? Tears welled up in her eyes. What had made her live such a weary life?
"Boss, let's go. It's getting late, and you need to return to the palace." Dai Mei stood by, reminding Liu Liu. Liu Liu looked up. The sun had set, the last trace of red had faded, and the moon's soft glow shone through the window.
She should indeed be going back. She stood up and walked towards the door. Outside, her senior disciple sister Qing Feng stood rigidly, having remained there until now. Seeing Liu Liu emerge, a flash of anger crossed her pale face, and a cold smile played on her lips.
Liu Liu knew she was angry. Because her senior disciple sister and Master shared a bond akin to that of mother and son, her master's injuries must have caused her great distress, and her anger was understandable.
"Senior Disciple Sister, I'm sorry. Please take good care of Master."
Qing Feng paused for a moment, let out a soft snort, and walked into the bedroom. Liu Liu sighed helplessly at the moon and led Dai Mei out of the nunnery. They returned to the city together, parting ways at the crossroads. Liu Liu headed back to the imperial palace, and Dai Mei returned to Feng Tian Pavilion.
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The full moon hung in the sky like a disc, its cool, silver radiance reflecting off the glazed tiles, emitting a dazzling, hazy, and beautiful gleam.