"Duan Hongzhuo? What was he doing here?"
The same question rose unbidden in both Jiang Zhizhou's and Yang Qing's minds.
But they had barely glanced his way before Duan Hongzhuo lingered briefly outside the temple, then disappeared through its gates.
Only Jiang Zhizhou and Yang Qing recognized him. Everyone else looked perfectly unperturbed, plainly unaware of the identity of the man who had just entered the temple.
"Every year on the Laba Festival, visiting a temple to pray for blessings is an important occasion, whether for royalty or commoners."
After accompanying Yang Qing back into the carriage, Jiang Zhizhou said, "But the imperial family has its own temples. Members of the royal household would never come to a temple for commoners like this."
"If he wished to come here, there would be nothing to stop him," Yang Qing interjected. "Did you not notice that Duan Hongzhuo's carriage was not one reserved for his princely residence?"
Although Yang Qing had only glanced toward Duan Hongzhuo a few times, he had already taken in every detail of the scene.
"Besides, he only brought a handful of attendants."
Listening to Yang Qing, Jiang Zhizhou suddenly raised his head. "You mean Duan Hongzhuo came to the Cloud Return Zen Temple in secret? What reason could be hidden behind this?"
Yang Qing lowered his head and closed his eyes without speaking. Though anxious, Jiang Zhizhou did not press him for an answer.
He simply sat quietly at the other end of the carriage, waiting for Yang Qing to continue.
After a long while, Yang Qing slowly opened his eyes and looked at Jiang Zhizhou. "Have you heard any of the rumors circulating in Tong City recently?"
Jiang Zhizhou spent his days tucked away in the Rare Treasures Pavilion. Though he seemed never to step beyond