The old man had indeed not lied. With his guidance,
the monk who had originally barred Li Ping'an's way let them into the rear courtyard.
The first thing that met their eyes was a bamboo grove.
At the end of the grove stood a very luxurious-looking sedan chair.
A beautifully dressed woman stood before the entrance, with maids and guards attending on either side.
A young monk stood at the entrance and said apologetically to the woman,
"Commandery Princess Changping, I'm truly sorry, but my martial uncle is not at the temple right now."
Commandery Princess Changping raised her lovely eyebrows. "You've been telling me that for days. Are you lying?"
"Monks do not tell lies. My martial uncle truly isn't here."
Seeing the old man and Li Ping'an approach, the young monk said, "Have you also come to visit my martial uncle?"
"Indeed."
"My apologies. My martial uncle isn't here. Please come back another day."
"Another day? When would that be?"
"Well... after my martial uncle went down the mountain, he didn't say exactly when he would return.
"But there's no need to worry. My martial uncle will soon be holding an Unrestricted Assembly at our humble temple.
"He will certainly return by then, and you will be able to meet Martial Uncle Changqing as you wished."
Commandery Princess Changping seemed accustomed to hearing this explanation.
Still, there was nothing she could do.
She could hardly throw her weight around as a commandery princess and make an unreasonable scene here.
And so she could only turn and leave.
Watching Commandery Princess Changping's retreating figure, Li Ping'an smiled inwardly.
Changqing really was quite charming. Even a commandery princess had been drawn here by him.
Once Commandery Princess Changping had left,
the old man smiled faintly and looked at the young