Abbot William Wise Has Been Traveling for Half a Year and Has Not Returned

"Oh dear, I really can't say for sure. Why don't you go and handle it yourself?" Grace Wan raised an eyebrow and asked.

Lena frowned and said, "I'll go then."

With that, she got up and walked out.

Grace hurriedly grabbed a thick white fox fur coat and ran outside to drape it over her mother.

Grace Wan had a slight smile on her lips and followed them out as well.

The guests had already been here for over an hour. It was almost noon, but there was still no sign of Abbot William Wise, and everyone was starting to get impatient.

As soon as Lena appeared, the ladies gathered around her, all asking questions at once.

"Madam, it's almost noon. Why hasn't Abbot William Wise arrived yet?"

"Is he not coming at all?"

"Why would Abbot William Wise come to the Prime Minister's Residence for a consecration ceremony? He doesn't even accept invitations from the Emperor!"

......

"Everyone, please be patient," Lena said. "I'm sure Abbot William Wise has been delayed by something, but he should be here any moment now."

"Madam, will Abbot William Wise really come?" someone asked.

"Yes, he'll come," Lena replied with a smile.

But just then, a servant walked over and said, "Madam, someone from the Temple of Compassionate Splendor is here."

Everyone looked over and saw a young monk following behind the servant. He pressed his palms together and said to Lena, "Madam, I am a disciple of the Temple of Compassionate Splendor."

Lena nodded slightly at him.

"Here's the situation: our abbot has gone traveling and has been away for many days—"

"What? Traveling?" someone shouted, cutting the young monk off. "Abbot William Wise has gone traveling?"

"Yes," the young monk replied patiently, unfazed by the interruption. "The abbot left half a year ago to travel and has not yet returned."