Waaah, I'm being forced into loving my yandere wife's brain.

Lin Zhiyao only received confirmation half an hour before departure. Xiao Tao ran back from the front and whispered to her, "Miss, I heard from the servants in the front courtyard that the eldest young master has been invited by the Ministry of Personnel to a meeting, and we don't know how long it will take, so he won't be able to make it to Jin Guang Temple today."

Lin Zhiyao loosened her grip on her sleeve, finally letting out the breath she had been holding for several days.

She didn't speak, she just nodded.

Lin Zhiyao stared at herself getting ready in the mirror, her heart pounding. She wondered if she would ever have any peace and quiet again. Success or failure hinged on this moment.

When Lin Zhiyao came out, the carriage was already waiting in front of the mansion gate.

Shen Jin was indeed not there.

Aunt got into the first carriage with the blue curtains, while Lin Zhiyao and Xiao Tao got into the second carriage.

It took more than an hour for the car to arrive.

Upon arriving at the temple gate, a nun greeted them and led them to the main hall.

Today, my aunt wore a light purple floral jacket and a mutton-fat jade ruyi hairpin in her hair. Her dignified and beautiful face appeared particularly serene in the candlelight before the Buddha.

She lit three incense sticks, knelt down on the prayer mat, closed her eyes and prayed softly. Lin Zhiyao knelt behind her and heard a few intermittent words, vaguely recognizing the words "May the Bodhisattva protect my son."

Lin Zhiyao lowered her eyelashes and stared at the worn-out edge of the old futon in front of her.

She waited until her aunt finished worshiping and added incense money before finding a moment to quietly call out "Aunt" on her way to the meditation room.

Her aunt stopped in her tracks, turned her head to look at her, and looked at her with a questioning gaze.

Lin Zhiyao tightened her grip on the handkerchief, took a deep breath, and finally spoke the words that had been lingering in her mind for half a day: "Aunt, I wish to stay at the temple for a few more days to pray for His Majesty's well-being."

She paused, lowering her voice even further, "His Majesty is unwell, and my niece is about to enter the palace; it is only right that I do my part to show my respect."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head, her heart pounding rapidly, her knees slightly weak, and her knuckles turning white as she gripped the handkerchief, afraid of being rejected.

My aunt did not answer immediately.

The sunlight outside the corridor shone brightly on the bluestone bricks, and I had no idea what time it was. The faint sound of a bell came from the distant mountains of the temple.

Lin Zhiyao didn't dare to look up, only staring at the tips of the shoes embroidered with auspicious patterns under her aunt's skirt, her palms sweating.

After a couple of breaths, her aunt's calm voice finally came down from above: "It's a good thing that you have this idea."

Lin Zhiyao suddenly raised her eyes, her almond-shaped eyes reflecting a hint of disbelief. She had thought she would have to put in more effort.

My aunt raised her hand and adjusted the jade bracelet on her wrist. Her expression was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger. "I will spread your name in the capital. It will be good for you in the future. If you want, you can stay here. I will leave two old women to serve you outside. I will come to pick you up in a month or so."

Lin Zhiyao was stunned for a moment, then curtsied, her voice suppressing the barely contained joy: "Thank you, Aunt."

The aunt didn't say anything more, just waved her hand, and then, supported by Chunlan, went to the meditation room.

Chunlan turned her head and glanced at her.

But Lin Zhiyao didn't notice.

She stood there, watching her aunt's back as she turned the corner of the corridor, without retracting her decision.

He finally exhaled the breath he had been holding, and even his shoulders relaxed a bit.

Xiao Tao leaned closer and whispered, "Miss, are we really going to stay at the temple for a month?"

"Mmm." Lin Zhiyao nodded, the slight smile on her lips impossible to suppress.

She turned and looked at the courtyard outside the palace, which was brightly lit by the sunlight. The shadows of the ancient cypress trees were spread diagonally on the ground, and the mountain breeze carrying the scent of sandalwood brushed against her face, cool and peaceful.

Lin Zhiyao spent the next half day in a particularly comfortable manner.

After lunch, my aunt led her people down the mountain, leaving only the two of them, the mistress and servant, along with two rough-working women left behind by my aunt, resting in the outermost room of the monks' quarters in the vast Jin Guang Temple.

Lin Zhiyao and Xiao Tao tidied up the small meditation room behind the East Annex Hall, feeling relaxed.

*

Night falls exceptionally early in the mountain temple.

Dinner was a simple vegetarian meal sent from the temple, but Lin Zhiyao ate more than she had in all the days combined.

Xiao Tao served her food and said with a smile that Miss's appetite was much better today. Lin Zhiyao did not answer, but just smiled and took another sip of porridge, feeling that the rice grains were sweeter than usual.