Unfortunately, it seemed that he was the only one who had kept his promise.
The Eminent Monk didn't beat around the bush.
He said directly, "I encountered a wedding procession in the street today."
"It was quite lively."
"Everyone was watching the spectacle."
"I followed along with the crowd."
"Then I realized we had arrived somewhere familiar..."
Fifth Madam lowered her eyes.
So that was what had happened.
"What a coincidence..."
The Eminent Monk's lips curved slightly.
"Yes."
"What a coincidence."
"...I remembered that Sixth Miss was also of marriageable age..."
"So I asked the people around me whether they knew which young lady from the residence was getting married today."
Fifth Madam raised a hand and rubbed her forehead.
"Then I learned it was Seventh Miss."
The Eminent Monk looked at Fifth Madam.
The expression on Fifth Madam's face gradually faded.
"I also learned, to my surprise, that the one who was supposed to be married today was Sixth Miss..."
The Eminent Monk paused briefly, then continued, "Unfortunately, Sixth Miss..."
"She is gone," Fifth Madam finished.
Her expression was indifferent.
She didn't look like a mother who had just lost her daughter.
It was as if the one who had passed away wasn't her own flesh and blood,
but some unrelated passerby.
The Eminent Monk lowered his eyes.
Then he looked up.
"May I ask..."
"What caused Sixth Miss's passing?"
Although the Eminent Monk had already heard what others had told him, he still wanted to hear the truth from Fifth Madam herself.
"At our last meeting, Sixth Miss seemed perfectly fine."
"You call that perfectly fine?"
A hint of exaggerated surprise crept into Fifth Madam's tone.
Before the Eminent Monk could ask, Fifth Madam continued, "She slipped