Aunt Li said, "You, as a young lady, can come find me when you go into town in the future. Having me along provides company."

"After all, even monks are capable of murder, it’s not peaceful."

The first part was inconsequential, but the latter caught Ming Yan’s attention. She turned her head, lightly furrowing her delicate brows, and asked, "Monks murdering people? Who did they kill?"

"You might not know, but it’s the renowned monks from Longhua Temple in Capital City. Unexpectedly, one of them is an assassin, sent to assassinate the current Emperor. Well, he’s scheduled to be executed publicly on the second of February. Alas, think about it, what deep hatred could a monk have with the Emperor that he’d go that far? Why abandon being a proper monk and instead gamble his life away?"

It was Li Zhuangnian, Uncle Li, who spoke, his tone filled with regret.

Coachman Chen, though also aging with wrinkles spreading over his face, began his chatter: "Exactly, it is said they used torture but couldn’t extract anything. Even though Taiping Town is so far from Yangzhou City, the news has reached here, indicating how unusual the matter is."

The ox cart traveled at a leisurely pace towards Taiping Town.

As the morning sun rose in the east, it illuminated the country paths, while the azure sky blended with a faint orange hue.

The orange morning light shone on Ming Yan’s anxious face: "Uncle Chen, do you know the name of that monk?"

Meanwhile, she prayed internally: May it not be Master Zhi Chen, may it not be Master Zhi Chen, please...

But reality often contradicts one’s wishes.

Before Coachman Chen could reply,

Uncle Li, who knew the details, responded first: "It’s said that the monk’s name is Zhi Chen. Rumor has it he is quite dashing, a handsome monk. But unfortunate for him to fall into the hands of Prime Minister Shen, that’s a real blow." He had pursued education for a few years, and although now a farmer, his speech carried a literate tone.

The hand of the veiled woman resting on the ox cart’s armrest trembled slightly, and it continued to tremble without ceasing.

None of the other passengers noticed her strange behavior.

Her complexion was unkind, murmuring with a trembling voice: "Uncle Li, are you sure you heard right? Are you certain it’s a monk named Zhi Chen? Will they be executed on February second in Yangzhou City?"

Feeling challenged, Li Zhuangnian displayed an excited expression: "Yes, how could I deceive you? If you don’t trust me, just wait till we get to Taiping Town and inquire around yourself. The current Prime Minister Shen is personally overseeing it, and I heard from Old San in town that many people are going to watch, mainly to catch a glimpse of Prime Minister Shen’s features in person. After all, we common folk seldom get such a chance to see such a high-ranking official."

Ming Yan’s hands were trembling fiercely, forcing a smile: "No, I was just asking, didn’t mean anything else."

She didn’t speak further, instead listening to the elders’ gossip about household affairs.

After the burning of a stick of incense.

Once in town, Ming Yan’s first task was to gather information about Master Zhi Chen’s situation.

The more she inquired, the colder her heart became...

Originally hopeful, thinking the rural folk’s gossip might be incorrect. Yet, in the expansive town, merely asking around brought clear answers. Some of the locals mentioned they planned to gather and watch, eager to catch a glimpse of Prime Minister Shen’s features...

One or two could be misled, but the collective voices confirmed the truth was mostly accurate.

Typically, her town visits would involve leisure shopping and buying many items, but today, she hurriedly purchased some oil, salt, and a pound of pork. Soon she waited under the meeting tree for Uncle Li and Aunt Li.

Ming Yan returned via ox cart to her residence in Xinghua Village, sitting on her bed in a daze, expressionless, not even hearing Ye Zhi call her several times.

"Ming Yan, what’s wrong? You went to town and came back like this, could you be possessed?"