A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 167 Ancient Temple

On March 16th, the candidates gathered outside the palace gate.

Before dawn, a large crowd had already gathered in front of the palace gates, including Xiang He and others.

They accompanied He Sui to arrange the team. He Sui handed over his belongings to Xiang He, and he was not even allowed to bring his safety amulet inside.

Xiang He put his things into the cloth bag and patted it twice before feeling that it was in order.

They could only enter wearing plain clothes; anything with a pattern would be considered cheating—it was extremely strict.

We had already reached the palace gate when soldiers began searching us.

Xing Ji and Zhu Nan clasped their hands and nodded, "Wishing you success, young master."

Jiang Xinyue and the others also offered their blessings, while Xiang He simply raised her right hand and gave a thumbs-up.

Seeing her movements, He Sui'an raised her hand and pressed her thumb, "I will definitely do my best."

Withdrawing his hand, he smiled at He and said, "Go ahead, the two of them and I will wait here."

The two looked at each other and smiled. This scene was witnessed by Tang Yixue, who had just arrived, along with her eldest brother and sister-in-law.

Regardless of their intimacy, He Sui'an's eyes said it all.

But how could Tang Yixue be willing to accept this?

Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, she ran towards him with a smile, "Cousin, we're here!"

The sister-in-law came over carrying the baby, with Tang Suichong standing protectively beside her. "Grandpa was thinking of us, so we came to see. Just treat it with a calm mind and avoid being impatient."

"May you have a peaceful year."

After the group had been talking for a while, it was almost his turn in line, so they all moved a little further away.

Just as the soldiers were searching him, a middle-aged man walked over, causing Tang Suichong and the others to change their expressions.

Xiang He glanced at their expressions and could roughly guess who the person was.

“You still have a chance now,” He Maode said with a stern face. “If you go through this door, you will be challenging me.”

He Sui'an stood with his arms outstretched. The soldiers had already finished searching him. Without saying a word, he turned and walked towards the palace.

Xiang He wanted to give him a thumbs up for his carefree attitude.

Although she couldn't hear it, Xiang He felt relieved just by looking at Lord He's face!

A father who is willing to abandon his own son is not necessarily a good person, not to mention that he slammed the table quickly to save face when there were many ways to verify the facts.

We should just ignore him and deflate his arrogance!

Xiang He walked back to the carriage. Jiang Xinyue and the others still had things to do, so they left the food box and departed.

Tang Suichong and his wife exchanged a glance, then walked over to Xiang He and chatted casually.

“Miss Xiang, why don’t you come back with us? You can keep Grandpa company and talk to him; he often thinks of you.”

"No, I'll just wait here. I have nothing to do today anyway."

"But the imperial examination lasts all day. Are you planning to wait until sunset?"

Xiang He pointed at the carriage and said, "If I'm tired, I can get in the carriage to rest. You guys go back first, and please give my regards to Grandpa Tang."

Seeing that she was determined to stay, Tang Suichong didn't say anything more and called Tang Yixue to leave.

Just as they left, another carriage arrived. Ning Wanwan got off first and hurriedly helped Ning Chong down.

Ning Chong's complexion had improved considerably, but he was still very weak.

"Wow, they're so sick, and they still come to take the exam..."

Upon seeing Ning Chong, Zhu Nan shivered. The memories he had finally managed to forget resurfaced, and he turned his head away, not wanting to look anymore.

Xing Ji asked curiously, "What's wrong with you?"

"Don't mention it, it's not good."

Xiang He chuckled upon hearing this, "He was kissed by a female ghost and heard some indescribable things..."

"girl……"

Xiang He wisely shut up and sat cross-legged on the hood of the car. "From now on, if we see this family, we'll take a detour..."

"Miss Ning is here..."

Just as she feared, Xiang He was immediately at a loss, but she still smiled at the newcomer and said, "Miss Ning, what a coincidence, Young Master Ning is also here to participate in the palace examination?"

“Yes…” Ning Wanwan’s eyes filled with worry and bitterness, “My elder brother is so ill, yet Father still won’t let him go to court…”

Xiang He knew from that day that this Master Ning was very ambitious and utilitarian.

If Ning Wanwan hadn't brought up the palace examination that day, he definitely wouldn't have let Xiang He take action.

But he would accept any means necessary so that his son could enter high office.

The two fell silent for a moment. Ning Wanwan forced a smile and asked, "Are you here to see someone off, Miss?"

"Yes, they've already gone in."

"Is this for Brother Qi?"

"other people."

In short, Ning Wanwan didn't know how to start a conversation. He clearly didn't want to talk, and she was a little embarrassed.

Knowing her purpose, Xiang He turned around and lifted the carriage curtain. "Miss Ning, is there nothing else? I got up early today, so I'm going in to catch up on some sleep."

Before she could answer, Xiang He had already climbed into the carriage.

Ning Wanwan felt awkward standing alone, so she quietly said goodbye and turned to get into her own carriage.

"This girl is so distant, and my mother even told me to get closer to her... Sigh..."

As the carriage drove away, Zhu Nan lightly tapped the carriage floor, saying, "It's already far away."

Xiang He poked her head out and sat back down at the front of the carriage; she didn't want to be cooped up inside.

The three of them were either sitting or standing waiting when a dark figure flew over and stood on top of He.

Xiang He poked his head a little harder, "Where have you been gallivanting these past few days? I couldn't find you anywhere when I wanted to ask you something."

"Wander around."

As soon as he spoke, Xing Ji and Zhu Nan immediately turned to shield themselves to avoid being noticed anything amiss.

"Last September, it rained for three days in the capital. Crows flew low over the hill behind Cixi Temple and cried intermittently for three days. Did you know about this?"

Black Crow moved his head slightly. "I think I remember."

He frowned and moved his hand closer to He, "What has your species discovered?"

“An ominous sign…” The black crow’s eyes gradually changed color, a faint golden light shining through them in the sunlight. “The lonely mountain sees no sun, the shadows of time fall on both sides, the sky is broken, and lonely souls fall; the dead are not happy… the living are not joyful…”

Xiang He stared into his eyes, his voice echoing in her ears, lingering in her mind for a long time.

The sound grew louder and louder, and suddenly the gold in Black Crow's eyes flickered, darting into Xiang He's brow—

"girl!"

[In the mysterious deep mountains, there is an ancient and tranquil temple.]

Hidden in the mountains, surrounded by green trees and fragrant flowers, it appears as a secluded paradise amidst the vast mist, adding a touch of mystery.

As you walk up the moss-covered stone steps, the temple gates are wide open. Inside, the statues of the Three Pure Ones enshrined in the main hall are majestic and silently watch over the hustle and bustle of the world.

The dazzling morning light fell on the statues of the Three Pure Ones, and suddenly a beam of light spread out—

"drink!--"

"girl!"

Xiang He sat up with a start, her eyes wide and breathing heavily. Her vision cleared as she recognized the two people. She frantically looked around, "Where's Black Crow!"

Xing Ji held the carriage curtain in his hand, raised his hand and pointed inside the carriage. Xiang He turned her head and saw that Black Crow was asleep beside her.

She immediately reached out and touched it, "Black Crow, Black Crow, wake up."

No matter how much she tried to sway him, Black Crow remained motionless, as if he were fast asleep.

"Young lady, why did you suddenly faint?"

Xiang He raised her hand and pinched her brow. The image of the temple in her mind was clear, but she couldn't make out what the plaque said.

"I don't know, I just saw some strange sights..."

"Please rest well, young lady. I'll go to Miss Jiang's place and bring back some medicinal food."

Xiang He waved his hand casually, "It's to relieve fatigue and exhaustion. I've probably been too tired lately..."

"Yes."