Chapter 17 Useless He Xinying lowered her gaze, concealing the fury blazing in her eyes. Hatred for Ma Ting grew heavier in her chest. Behind her, the etiquette instructor's mocking tone cut like a whip. "Concubine He, you should return with me. Master Han is in no mood today. It would be unwise to burden him further." The word 'concubine' made He Xinying's hand curl tightly within her sleeve. Yet she forced a serene and graceful smile upon her face and nodded with practiced courtesy. Seeing such composure, the woman's smirk sharpened into open scorn. A mere low concubine trying to act as if she were a primary wife? Bah, even an etiquette instructor such as I have a higher standing than her in this household. She's been driven mad with desire. "Concubine He," the instructor continued with deliberate cruelty, "remember your place. His Majesty appointed you a low concubine. Unless His Majesty himself shows leniency, even if Master Han cherishes you, you will never rise above that station. Do not squander thought on delusions beyond your reach." Every utterance of 'low concubine' pierced He Xinying's heart like a blade. Combined with Li Han's cold indifference just moments before, her bitterness deepened beyond measure. Still, her smile did not falter. She bowed with grace and dignity. "I understand. I am grateful for your instruction, Madam." Ma Ting. This is your doing. When you cross the threshold of the marquis' residence and become part of this family, I will see you pay dearly, she thought. Ma Ting remained at Greenpeak Temple for several extra days, hoping to encounter Master Tan. In that time, she learned from Ding Jie that Old Mrs. Li had humbled herself before the Eldest Princess, only to suffer humiliation and return with her face clouded. Ma Ting merely offered a faint smile at the tale. Three days had passed on the mountain. Today, she had no choice but to descend. "Ding Jie, begin packing. I shall burn one last stick of incense at Greenpeak Temple." She raised her eyes to the sky. The sun had already crossed its height. Before departing, she wished to try her fortune once more. "Please go, Ms. Ting. I shall join you once I have finished." Ma Ting nodded, pulled her cloak more tightly about her shoulders, and walked toward the temple. 1/4 Within the hall, she lit incense with reverence, then asked the abbot whether Master Tan had returned. When he shook his head, a quiet sigh escaped her. "Thank you, Abbot. I leave the mountain today. Please take care." After exchanging a few polite words, she turned and saw Ding Jie approaching. As the carriage had not yet arrived and the hour was still early, she led Ding Jie toward the temple's rear. That quarter was set aside for chants and prayers, its air heavy with incense. At its center stood an ancient ginkgo tree, its roots anchored through centuries. It was autumn, and golden leaves covered the ground in a bright carpet, dazzling under the sunlight. Ma Ting paused beneath the tree, watching prayer ribbons sway in the breeze. She reached out and caught a drifting leaf in her palm. "Young lady, it has been many years." The hearty voice of an elder sounded behind her. Ma Ting startled, for she had thought herself alone. She turned swiftly. A monk with snow-white brows and hair stood there, his robe flowing, his smile gentle. He bore the air of an immortal descended among men. "You know me?" she asked softly. The elder's smile deepened. He handed her three slender bamboo sticks. "Choose one, and I shall guide you." Recognizing the markings, Ma Ting's eyes brightened in surprise. She bowed deeply. "I greet you, Master Tan." "There is no need for such formality," he said warmly. "You once offered me tea when you were our fates. I know what lies within your heart, but your path must be chosen by you alone." She drew in a steady breath, closed her eyes, and drew a stick at random. "A favorable lot?" Relief washed over her. She handed it to Master Tan. "Please, Master Tan, I beseech your wisdom." child. That small kindness binds He studied the bamboo, then lifted his gaze. "Ms. Ma, you have escaped calamity, and in time you shall ascend to high station. Yet i you pursue the truth, your path leads to a deadly trial." Her eyes trembled. Within her sleeve, her hand clenched hard. "Is there no way to escape it?" Master Tan slowly tucked the bamboo into his robe. "There is, but only if a benefactor aids you. As for who that noble one may be, you must discover it yourself." A benefactor. The words lingered in her mind. When she looked up again, Master Tan had vanished like mist. She stood motionless for a long while before releasing a quiet sigh. "Ding Jie, let us return." 2/4 By the time they returned to the courtyard, the coachman had arrived. The carriage began its descent down the mountain. Ma Ting lifted the curtain and glanced out. Her gaze met a pair of dark, piercing eyes from a distance. Her breath caught, and she swiftly lowered the curtain. "Ms. Ting," Ding Jie whispered, "it seemed Lord Zhu also returns today. Strange, we did not see him these past days." Here is a rewritten version that follows your instructions closely: Ding Jie's words pulled Ma Ting into thought for a fleeting moment. She remembered the rumors whispered within the temple these past days. They claimed the emperor planned to arrange a marriage for Lord Zhu, which explained why Lord Zhu had been sent to Greenpeak Temple to seek his fate in romance. For some reason, Ma Ting felt their circumstances bore an uncanny resemblance. "Ding Jie; how are Dame Hong's preparations?" She forced those tangled thoughts aside and focused on the tasks she had arranged before leaving. The maid's eyes brightened as she lowered her voice with delight. "Dame Hong sent word this morning. The banquet has already been arranged. She is waiting only for your return to begin. "I heard Old Mrs. Li smashed furnishings when she learned how many families had delivered requests to us." Ma Ting released a cold laugh. "People are drawn to profit. They would never allow Marquis Sunfair's family to seize advantage so easily." As Ding Jie said, countless families had sent their requests to join the banquet. Yet after two days of endless matchmaking, even Ma Ting's patience wore thin, and her chest grew heavy with frustration. What worsened matters were the young heirs from noble households, who spoke only of rules and obedience that they expected from her. Their dull words left her with a pounding head. "How about Marquis Sunfair's Residence?" While waiting for the next guest, Ma Ting rubbed her temples and asked in a weary tone. "They have been silent these past days. I sent Tang to investigate. Master Han heard you were holding a banquet to pick out your next husband. He cursed you within his walls and even spread word to his connections, urging them not to attend." Upon hearing this, Ma Ting glanced at the guest's name soon to enter, Mr. Jin, and curved her lips in mockery. "He commanded them not to come, yet they arrive all the same." As her words fell, Mr. Jin's figure appeared beyond the screen. His speech was no different from all who had come before him. When Ma Ting watched him leave in anger, she motioned for Tang, her butler, to spread the news. It would prevent Li Han from watching her every step. 3 By dusk, Ma Ting returned to her chambers. She studied the list and struck out the only two names she had briefly considered. "None of them suited you, Ms. Ting?" Half-reclined upon a chaise lounge, Ma Ting closed her eyes and murmured, "No." "But Ms. Ting, time grows short. If we cannot find someone soon, the matter may grow troublesome." She knew very well that time was slipping away. Yet these men were unworthy. She could not allow herself to step out of the frying pan just to get into the fire. Then, a thought jolted her. A face surfaced within her mind, and she sat upright in sudden shock. "Ms. Ting?" Startled, Ding Jie froze. She saw her mistress frowning deeply in thought, and she withdrew without another word. A long time went by. By the wavering light of the candles, Ma Ting's eyes sharpened, gleaming with resolve. If none among them were right, then perhaps she should take the bold step and ask him herself. 4/