"Here, this was sent over by Uncle Aguang. She said the believers at the Guanyin Temple gave it to her. She didn't know how she found out you liked this, so she sent some over," Qi Qiao'er said with a smile. Because of Zhu Yanyi’s presence as the Medical Buddha Girl, the Guanyin Temple had gained a reputation. Many wealthy people came to draw lots and pray for peace. Aguang, the temple’s manager, now held some influence in town. Some people, wanting to connect with Zhu Yanyi but lacking a direct path, flattered her. Over time, this became normal.
"So Uncle Aguang sent it? I’ve been busy with school lately and haven’t had time to visit the temple. Has everything been okay?" Zhu Yanyi asked.
"Everything is fine. But from Aguang’s tone, he hopes you’ll come sit in for the first incense offering on the first day of the Lunar New Year," Qi Qiao'er said, smiling.
The Guanyin Temple’s incense had been thriving for years, especially during the first hour of the first day of the Lunar New Year, when many people came to offer incense. Aguang always hoped Zhu Yanyi would act as a mascot, but she had never agreed. It was the Zi hour—midnight—and very cold. Besides, if she had time to be a mascot, she would rather enter the Ruyi Space to study medicine and herbs.
"She’s bringing it up again? It’s not even the eighth lunar month yet, and she’s already thinking about next year’s New Year," Zhu Yanyi said with a helpless smile.
Qi Qiao'er chuckled lightly. "He just wanted to hint at it early. But I think your grandfather also hopes you’ll go once. Since you’re going to Yao City for school, you’ll spend less time in Sicheng Town. You probably won’t be able to appear for the Guanyin Birthday every year. So, your grandfather thinks it would be good if you appeared at midnight on the first day of the Lunar New Year each year."
Zhu Yanyi paused slightly. "I’ll think about it. There’s still plenty of time. We’ll see then."
"Okay." Qi Qiao'er usually didn’t interfere in such matters. She only mentioned it casually to Zhu Yanyi.
Zhu Yanyi and her two siblings began helping Qi Qiao'er with tasks they could manage. When Xie Zhong returned, the three siblings were fighting over pumpkin cakes. These were Qi Qiao'er’s reward for helping with chores. The pumpkins were grown and harvested by their own family, and the flour was made from glutinous rice they also grew themselves, making the pumpkin cakes especially delicious.
"I could hear you three from far away," Xie Zhong said with a smile. Behind her stood another person. Zhu Yanyi looked at her and was slightly surprised. "Aren’t you the owner from last time? Or the person behind Director Liu?" Indeed, the man standing behind Xie Zhong was the one she had met twice before.
The man smiled at Zhu Yanyi. "Yes, my name is Zhao Jingcheng. I didn’t expect you to be the Medical Buddha Girl. If I had known it was you, I wouldn’t have needed to come here."
Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Don’t tell me you came just to find me. I don’t really believe that." Basically, anyone who actively sought her out usually had a health problem.
"I did come to find you," Zhao Jingcheng said, looking at Zhu Yanyi. "I really have something to ask you." She then took out a letter and handed it to Zhu Yanyi.
Zhu Yanyi looked at Zhao Jingcheng suspiciously, then took the letter and began to read. The letter was written jointly by Elder Yao and Elder Chun. The Zhao Jingcheng in front of her was the younger brother of Zhao Guangzong, Elder Chun’s direct eldest disciple. Zhao Guangzong had been ambushed during a martial arts competition and was now paralyzed in bed. Zhao Jingcheng had gone to the capital to seek Elder Yao’s help, but Elder Yao could not leave the capital. Zhao Jingcheng wanted to take Zhao Guangzong to the capital, but unexpectedly, someone attempted to assassinate Zhao Guangzong. Elder Chun had to step in to suppress the situation, but Zhao Guangzong’s condition worsened, making her unable to move, and thus unable to travel to the capital.