Having broken the life borrowing spell for Zao Qingman and treated Mrs. Zha’s coughing and asthma, Qin Liuxi then led them to the main hall, where they placed the Seven-star lamp before the Grandmaster’s offering table.
Mrs. Zha was also very adept at handling things—she gave a signal to the servant beside her and added two thousand taels of incense oil, which made Qin Liuxi smile with delight, her eyebrows dancing with joy.
Indeed, she had accomplished real, tangible feats; it seemed even the Grandmaster’s statue was grinning a bit more widely.
Once everything was done, Mrs. Zha, along with Zao Qingman, took their leave. She still had to make a trip to Prefecture City to gather some news and also to inquire of her elder sister how things had come to pass.
As the two were leaving, someone entered the hall. Upon seeing Qin Liuxi, they halted, then quickly approached.
"Is it the young master, you?"
Mrs. Zha paused for a moment and looked over.
Qin Liuxi, too, was slightly taken aback, looking up at the woman approaching with some surprise: "It’s you, Miss Xie, what brings you here?"
The woman before her was none other than Xie Qikang’s wife, whom she had not helped back in August; unexpectedly, they met here.
The woman gave a bitter smile: "Don’t address me as Miss Xie anymore, my family name is actually Zhou."
Mrs. Zhou bowed to her: "I came to Li City to discuss business and heard that Qingping Temple’s peace charms are quite effective, so I came to offer incense. I never expected to run into the young master here, truly what fate."
"I am a Daoist of Qingping Temple, my Daoist name is Buqiu."
Mrs. Zhou was surprised, then realized: "So that’s it. No wonder the young master could speak right through the vile deeds of that wretched man. You had already seen through the Heavenly Secret."
Qin Liuxi raised her eyebrows: "Could it be that his concubine and illegitimate child from outside have come knocking?"
Mrs. Zhou sneered: "Exactly so. Since you had already seen through the Heavenly Secret, I won’t hide it from you. I had taken that wretched man back to his hometown when the people from the county government came looking for him, and only then did I learn of his inhuman deeds. It’s a pity my father and I were blind, mistaking a wolf for a decent man. After he died, the case was swiftly closed. I arranged for the burials of that Ling girl and her father, setting up steles and burning paper money as offering. From now on, I will send people to visit their graves and pay respects during Qingming—it’s the least I can offer as an apology."
After listening, Qin Liuxi nodded: "Lady Zhou is kind-hearted; blessings will come your way."
Mrs. Zhou sighed: "I do what I can. After the death news of that wretch spread, that woman came with her son, seeking to claim a share of the inheritance, ha."
When those two approached her, she finally understood what Qin Liuxi had meant. Being a businesswoman herself, from a merchant background and possessing enterprise, she naturally wouldn’t gratify their wishes. Declaring there was no proof in death and having long cut ties with Xie Qikang, she threw them out.
"It’s all in the past. Lady Zhou, do more charitable deeds, accumulate more yin de, and you will eventually meet a good man and enjoy your later years," Qin Liuxi said with a smile.
Perhaps it was the act of helping to establish graves for the Ling father and daughter, but Mrs. Zhou’s countenance seemed to have changed, suggesting that accumulating yin de will ensure that her descendants will care for her in old age.
Mrs. Zhou, hearing this, was greatly pleased and said: "Then I accept your auspicious words, and I will add more incense oil."
"Blessings to the Infinite Heavenly Venerate, well-done good deeds are most virtuous. Please proceed as you wish," Qin Liuxi handed her a Peace Amulet and signaled the Daoist boys to lead the incense offering before leaving the main hall.
Mrs. Zha came over and chatted with Mrs. Zhou for a while, learning that Qin Liuxi had made a Divine Decision for her as well and couldn’t help but express deep admiration.
"The Master Buqiu of Qingping Temple, despite her young age, excelling in both Daoism and medical skills, is truly of profound cultivation."
After the two ladies left Qingping Temple, whenever they met others, they highly praised Qin Liuxi. In no time, the temple gained a great reputation for having a master named Buqiu, renowned for profound Daoism and medical skills, spreading her fame far and wide.