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  An An had been waiting eagerly at the inner gate for quite some time. No matter how Nanny Xu and Lianyi tried to coax her inside, she wouldn't budge an inch. Finally, after what felt like forever, Nanny Xu heard a servant woman joyfully shout, "Sixth Miss has arrived!"

  Holding An An's hand, Nanny Xu hurried forward a few steps. Sure enough, a carriage rumbled through the gates. Luyi stepped lightly down from the carriage behind, cheerfully calling "Mother!" before turning to help Song Chuyi descend.

  Breaking free from Nanny Xu’s grasp, An An dashed forward and threw herself around Song Chuyi's legs, looking up at her with rge, watery eyes. "Auntie, I thought you weren't coming!"

  Xiang Mingzi, wrapped in a snow-white rabbit fur cloak, knelt and pinched An An’s cheeks pyfully. "How could we not come? Since when have we missed your birthday, An An?"

  Ever since Xiang Mingzi learned of An An’s unfortunate past during her stopover in Tongzhou after returning from Qingzhou, she’d felt a special sympathy towards the little girl. From then on, she’d made it a point to attend An An’s birthday every year. An An had grown familiar with Xiang Mingzi and shyly buried her face in Song Chuyi's cloak.

  Song Chuyi smiled gently, bent down, and straightened An An's posture, gently flicking her red, chilled nose. "You're so young, but already overthinking things. How could Auntie not come? Of course, I'd always celebrate our An An’s birthday."

  Ziyun held an umbrel above them. The girls standing in the snowy ndscape, cloaked warmly, presented a picture-perfect scene. Standing not far away, Ye Jingchuan watched Song Chuyi smiling softly, and unknowingly, his own face lit up with happiness.

  He finally understood what it felt like to have someone special in his heart: even when unhappy, just a smile from her could instantly brighten his mood.

  Nanny Xu beckoned them towards the flower hall in the back courtyard. "Today, we've prepared longevity noodles. Let's warm ourselves with a bowl first. The banquet will be served at noon."

  It wasn't a grand birthday celebration. Every year, they would simply gather together for longevity noodles, give the servants an extra month's wages or waive a month's rent, and then host a lively feast at noon.

  Song Chuyi nodded with a smile. Just as she was about to speak, Uncle Zhang rushed in anxiously to report, "Miss, there's a monk outside who says he's from Huangjue Temple..."

  Everyone stopped in their tracks. Weren't the troublemakers who had attempted to burn down this vil previously also monks? Nanny Xu's face paled, and she gnced anxiously at Song Chuyi.

  Ye Jingchuan’s expression grew stern, and just as he was about to say they wouldn't see the visitor, there was suddenly a deafening crash, like an earthquake shaking the mountains.

  Startled, An An cried out, grabbing Song Chuyi’s hem tightly. Song Chuyi held her hand firmly, while a frightened servant woman rushed in, her face pale with fear. "That monk has kicked down our main gate!"

  Although the vil’s main gate wasn't as sturdy as those in the capital, it still weighed two or three hundred catties. How much strength must a man possess to destroy such a gate? Even Ye Jingchuan couldn't help but furrow his brows in concern.

  Song Chuyi gently released An An’s hand and reassured her with a calm smile, "An An, go to the back courtyard first with Aunt Mingzi and Nanny. I'll join you shortly, alright?"

  With the main gate broken, the icy wind from outside surged inward unchecked. Song Chuyi stumbled slightly from the powerful gust as she entered through the side door. Song Yan pressed his lips together, staying protectively by her side, and immediately spotted the rge monk standing imposingly in the hall. Though the monk had a kind expression, there was a hidden fierceness beneath.

  Who else but Yuan Hui, known in Fujian as the "Saintly Monk of Sughter," could have the strength to demolish that gate with one kick? Song Yan sneered coldly, confronting Yuan Hui. "Master Yuan Hui, you've just been released from prison. Instead of reflecting quietly before Buddha, you've come here kicking down doors. Are you looking to return to jail again?"

  Yuan Hui’s gaze lingered on Song Yan for a moment before he finally csped his hands and softly chanted, "Amitabha." He then turned his gaze, deep and meaningful, toward Song Chuyi. "This poor monk has come to thank Sixth Miss Song for returning my mother and sister, and also to deliver a message."

  Song Chuyi felt her right eyelid twitch involuntarily—she had never instructed Ma Changjiang or Ma Wangkun to return them to Yuan Hui. With deep-seated hatred already established, even if she begged for mercy, Yuan Hui would never spare her.

  Yet Yuan Hui had somehow discovered their hiding pce. Though worried inside, Song Chuyi didn't betray any emotion. She merely nodded lightly at Yuan Hui. "I'm listening."

  "When a person utters kind words or harbors good intentions, sunlight grows in their heart. When one speaks maliciously or entertains evil thoughts, darkness takes root instead. The merits of those who perform good deeds are like grass in a spring garden—its growth invisible yet steady each day. Conversely, the merits of the wicked are like a sharpening stone—they wear away unnoticed, diminishing daily." With his hands joined in prayer, Yuan Hui gazed at Song Chuyi with deceptive kindness. "Sixth Miss, you are already someone who defies the natural order by altering fate. You shouldn't persist in forcibly changing the destinies of others, or I'm afraid you won't meet a good end."

  Song Yan immediately erupted in fury, sharply rebuking him, "What nonsense are you spewing?! For a monk to utter such malicious words, aren't you afraid you'll end up in Avici Hell having your tongue torn out?!"

  "Whether my words are malicious curses or mere nonsense, Sixth Miss can easily verify herself." Yuan Hui's eyes gleamed sharply as they fixed onto Song Chuyi. "Why don't you unfold your palm and see for yourself—have your palm lines not become chaotic and disordered? One who is no longer protected by the Mandate of Heaven... brings misfortune not only upon herself, but upon all those around her."

  Song Chuyi felt his words were heavy with hidden implications. Ma Changjiang and Ma Wangkun instantly fshed through her mind, causing her heart to tighten with dread.

  Yuan Hui smiled slightly, his face seemingly gentle and benevolent, yet somehow terrifying in its serenity. "Even after a hundred thousand kalpas, one’s deeds do not vanish. When conditions align, the fruits of karma must be borne. Sixth Miss, we shall surely meet again."

  Under Yuan Hui's intense gaze, Song Yan felt a shiver crawl up his spine. For a brief moment, he felt Yuan Hui was looking at him as if he were already a dead man.

  Just as Yuan Hui turned to leave, a clear voice resounded from outside the door, "I've only heard it said that fortune and disaster have no gate; they are summoned only by oneself. Retribution for good and evil deeds follows like a shadow."

  Zhou Weizhao stood in the doorway, dressed in bck. His dark hair was neatly secured behind his head with a jade crown. His pale, jade-like face was marked by a pair of eyes that gleamed like polished obsidian as they stared unflinchingly at Yuan Hui. "Buddhism emphasizes karmic cause and effect in all things. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas watch the affairs of mortals from above, and they never allow people to suffer disasters without reason. Master, isn't that right?"

  Ye Jingchuan listened in confusion as these people exchanged cryptic Buddhist verses. Although he vaguely grasped the meaning, he found himself unable to fully comprehend their depth. Whenever he heard talk of such things, it always left him with a headache.