CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: SEEKING A TALISMAN

"Miss, it’s too dangerous to climb the mountain alone." Chunmian said, "Let me accompany you."

Despite the rumors that the mountain is high and the path narrow and difficult, many people who have faced various difficulties put their last hope in the divine by choosing to climb.

It’s not necessarily for the sake of obtaining a peace charm, but rather hoping that the Buddha will see their sincerity and offer extra protection.

Even in households of high officials and nobles, where soldiers go to battle and scholars take exams.

They are often seen walking along this mountain path to seek blessings.

Thus, the path never has endless streams of people daily, but there are always scattered individuals on the trail.

"I’ve heard that few people can truly complete the journey on this path." Chunmian said, "Even those who manage to climb to the top often faint from exhaustion."

"Miss, would you like to reconsider?" Chunmian thought she might struggle to reach the top as well, but at least her endurance from serving the Miss regularly should be better.

Fu Shinian shook her head, "Everyone is right, climbing it myself shows sincerity."

The divine granted her a chance to avoid the Fu family’s tragedy.

Which means that there is indeed a divine presence in this world.

She hopes the divine can also bless Xiao Chengyu.

Since Xiao Fengxing won’t have a chance in this lifetime, perhaps Xiao Chengyu can recover?

Seeing Fu Shinian’s resolve, Chunmian said, "Then I’ll go with Miss."

"It’s my desire to climb; why should you suffer with me?" Fu Shinian glanced at the mountain path, "There are many climbers today, so it’s fine."

"Miss, if you can’t hold on during the climb, you can at least rely on me for support." Chunmian said.

"If I can’t hold on, how can you?" Fu Shinian stood at the base of the mountain path, looking up but unable to see the top.

She picked up two sticks from the roadside to use as crutches, saying, "You take the carriage route up and wait for me at the entrance of the mountain path."

"If I haven’t reached the top after two hours, you can find someone to help me, indicating I probably can’t make it." Fu Shinian sighed, "If I can’t climb it, it shows a lack of sincerity."

She still had to make the attempt.

"Miss..." Chunmian advised, "Actually, going up the carriage route and seeking a charm is the same."

"It’s not the same; it’s the Marquis’s birthday." In the worst case scenario, it’s his second-to-last birthday.

Though Fu Shinian privately hopes it’s not the case.

She is still striving, trying to ensure Xiao Chengyu lives longer.

Such a good person shouldn’t have such a short life.

Yet human efforts can reach their limits.

She doesn’t know if she can succeed.

She’s trying hard while praying to the gods.

It counts as a two-pronged approach.

The birthday gift for Xiao Chengyu shouldn’t be so casually made.

"You go up."

"Miss, I’ll go with you," Chunmian said.

Fu Shinian shook her head, "If I can’t hold on, you need to call for help. If we both can’t hold on, what then?"

"Then, Miss, take some water." Chunmian placed a pot of water into the bag, handing it to Fu Shinian.

Fu Shinian carried the bag and supported herself with the sticks as she stepped onto the mountain path.

Chunmian had to return to the carriage and hurried towards the mountain gate.

Before even reaching halfway, Fu Shinian was already exhausted, her legs turning weak and trembling.

Others nearby were supporting each other, pale-faced and sweating, struggling to climb.

On either side of the path were resting travelers, leaving a space in the middle for newcomers to continue the ascent.

Fu Shinian paused midway to rest, took out the water, and drank a few sips.

But she dared not rest too long, as the longer she rested, the less strength she had to continue climbing.

Now halfway up, there was no turning back.

Fu Shinian gritted her teeth, trembling as she climbed upward.

Finally, she reached the mountain gate.

"Miss!" Chunmian rushed up to support Fu Shinian, "Miss, how are you?"

Fu Shinian had no strength left to speak, only shaking her head.

A nearby monk approached and tied a red string around Fu Shinian’s wrist.

"This was woven by monks from the temple, gifted to pilgrims who climbed up the path." The monk explained, "With this red string, you can proceed to the Mahavira Hall to obtain a peace charm. With sincerity, your wish will be more potent."

"Thank you, young master." Fu Shinian mustered the strength, performed a respectful gesture to the monk, and was assisted by Chunmian to the Mahavira Hall.

Fu Shinian was now at the end of her rope; with Chunmian’s support, she could barely walk a few steps.

"Miss, perhaps you should rest for a while." Chunmian suggested worriedly.

Fu Shinian shook her head, "After all the effort to climb, it’s better to ask Buddha for blessings in one go."

"Miss, although the Marquis is a good person, you don’t have to be so kind to him." Chunmian said with distress, "You’ve never endured such hardship."

Fu Shinian shook her head, "The Marquis’s birthday is rare, and besides, he’s never lacked anything except peace. I must find ways to ensure it."

Fu Shinian entered the Mahavira Hall, knelt before the Buddha, folded her hands, and sincerely prayed in her heart, "Keel, here’s Miss Fu Shinian, from White Tiger Street, Qing’an Alley. Blessed by the Buddha, knowing my path, avoiding misfortune, and eternally grateful. I wish to offer a golden statue for the Buddha, asking for protection over Marquis Changping, Xiao Chengyu, to overcome challenges, remain safe and healthy, and live a long life."

Fu Shinian bowed thrice, then went to find the master the monk had mentioned earlier, obtaining a peace charm from him.

Fu Shinian carefully stored the peace charm, thanked the master, and was assisted by Chunmian to leave.

Previously, Fu Shinian had pressed on with determination, relying on sheer will to enter, pray, and get the charm.

Now that it was all accomplished, the strength she was holding on to suddenly faded away.

Leaving the hall, as she crossed the threshold, her legs lacked the strength to lift high enough to step over it, causing her to trip heavily, falling forward.

"Miss!" Chunmian shouted in alarm, quickly reaching for Fu Shinian.

But the force of Fu Shinian’s forward fall was strong, and Chunmian didn’t manage to hold her, instead, they both fell forward.

Just as Fu Shinian was about to hit the ground face-first, she suddenly fell into a cool embrace.

Her last memory was a familiar ink fragrance.

When she woke again, she was inside a carriage.

But the interior of the carriage was more elaborate and refined, and the carriage itself was larger, clearly not her family’s.

Fu Shinian sat up in shock, only to see Xiao Chengyu sitting across, reading.

Fu Shinian let out a sigh of relief, grateful it was Xiao Chengyu.

"Awake?" Xiao Chengyu set the book down, slightly frowning, and looked at Fu Shinian, "Why climb the mountain from the path?"

Chunmian knew she sought the charm as a birthday gift for Xiao Chengyu, so she didn’t dare disclose the reason, only mentioning Fu Shinian climbed the path and lacked strength.

"I needed to ask the Buddha for something." Fu Shinian said, "I’ve heard only by going up that path can one show sincerity."

"What matter made you go to such lengths?" Xiao Chengyu asked curiously, "Even those accustomed to farm labor find it exhausting."