Before one realizes it, April 20th had arrived. Throughout these days, mother had only sent rice paper, ink sticks, undergarments.
The elderly dowager of the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence visited the Huguo Temple twice under the escort of her two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren, including Dai Hanmi. Yun Jinnian had been taking her pulse, prescribing medicine.
Ruan Wanrong, Hu Shuiling, and Chen Danyan also came together to visit Yun Jinnian.
The period of 81 days for Yun Jinnian’s stay at Huguo Temple was almost at its end, and she had begun to pack her belongings. Abbot Wuxin was reluctant to see Yun Jinnian leave but knew that partings were inevitable. In the short span of a little over two months, Abbot Wuxin had truly grown fond of Yun Jinnian.
Neither humble nor arrogant, neither prideful nor impatient, she possessed great patience.
She could quietly transcribe scriptures and did not complain about the simple food. She would do everything she could on her own, and her copying skills were deceivingly genuine – no, as if they were penned by the original writers themselves, truly exceptional.
Master Wuwang also felt reluctant, but like Abbot Wuxin, she knew that all feasts must come to an end one day.
Mrs. Han personally came to Huguo Temple to pick up Yun Jinnian on April 21st.
"Mother!" Yun Jinnian exclaimed with joy as she threw herself into Mrs. Han’s arms, nestling against her.
In some days, Yun Jinnian had lost weight but had grown significantly taller, and her temperament had become even more gentle, with a touch of femininity.
"You’ve lost weight," Mrs. Han said while stroking Yun Jinnian’s head and added, "But you have grown taller!"
"And I missed Mother!"
Startled by those words, Mrs. Han held Yun Jinnian even tighter, "Mother missed you too!"
Any slight change in her own daughter, Mrs. Han could feel, causing her to embrace Yun Jinnian in her arms even more tightly.
Early on the 22nd, Mrs. Han, accompanied by Yun Jinnian, said their farewells to Abbot Wuxin and Master Wuwang, who gave Yun Jinnian a box of medical texts and Buddhist scriptures. Before leaving, Master Wuwang gently adjusted Yun Jinnian’s clothes, "All these are the insights I’ve gained over the years. When you have time, go through them. Do not neglect your martial arts. After a while, I’ll come to see you!"
"Yes," Yun Jinnian nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Go on. I will watch you leave for a while," Master Wuwang said softly.
Kneeling before Master Wuwang, Yun Jinnian bid farewell, "Master, your disciple is leaving!"
Leaving Huguo Temple, Yun Jinnian sat in the carriage, leaning against Mrs. Han.
"Mother, are we going straight back to the Capital City?"
"Not just yet. I’m taking you to treat someone!" Mrs. Han explained, then added, "Because your maternal grandfather in Sanzhou couldn’t make it back, he’s asked you to go."
Yun Jinnian did not inquire about the nature of the illness, only intending to go there with peace of mind.
This time the destination was a place called Xiaohe Village. Though it’s called a village, it’s actually a city, quite far from the Capital City—a two-day journey by carriage.
Mrs. Han briefly explained that the person they were going to treat was the City Lord Dongfang Jingtian, who had been poisoned by an arrow in his knee. No treatment had been successful in curing the poison, which had now spread to his bones. Dongfang Jingtian, after much effort, sought out Han Xuzi for help. Since Han Xuzi was in Sanzhou and could not come himself, the request had come to Mrs. Han. She was initially reluctant to interfere, but to pave the way for Yun Jinnian, Mrs. Han agreed to it.
"Jinnian, are you confident?"
"I do not know what poison the City Lord has encountered; I dare not make a hasty judgment!"
Mrs. Han nodded, "Just do your best when the time comes!"
On the journey from Huguo Temple to Xiaohe Village, there was a small town called Anhe Town. Since it was close to Huguo Temple, every household practiced Buddhism, and the inns, tea houses, and restaurants mainly offered vegetarian dishes. The livestock raised by the farms—pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens—were all sold elsewhere, with very few kept for the local people.
Facing a table full of vegetarian dishes, Mrs. Han found the taste bland. Seeing Yun Jinnian eating heartily, she also began to eat earnestly with a smile.
After lunch, they continued their journey by carriage towards Xiaohe Village.
At a crossroads, the carriage was stopped by some people. The leader was quite young, wearing a jade crown and looking extraordinary, with a charming elegance. He politely bowed to the carriage and asked, "Excuse me, are you from the Han Family of the Capital City?"