Chapter 378 Could It Be That He No Longer Recognizes This Sister?

Chapter 378 Could It Be That He No Longer Recognizes This Sister?

As Lu Lingyun's carriage departed from Guangji Temple, the crowd at the temple gradually thinned out.

Amid the dispersing crowd, a woman wearing a bamboo hat outside the temple looked at the bustling Guangji Temple in front of her and let out a faint scoff.

In her view, she could see the resplendent golden Buddha Hall ahead, and the monks inside, no longer the center of attention.

She saw the hem of a monk's robe swaying, and today, the newly ordained Master Wuxin stood up. Incense smoke wafted through the hall, and the rhythmic clatter of the wooden fish echoed. As the autumn wind scattered the ashes, she turned around and left, melting into the crowd.

At this moment, Master Wuxin turned his head.

He glimpsed a fleeting figure.

In an instant, that figure was lost in the crowd, indistinguishable.

Like a drop of water merging into the sea.

"Amitabha."

He recited a lengthy Buddhist mantra.

Lu Lingyun and Cheng Qi went their separate ways midway.

Cheng Qi rode alone, galloping down the mountain path.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at the East Courtyard outside the Marquis's Mansion.

Seeing the East Courtyard, Cheng Qi couldn't help but be startled.

How had he ended up here?

Thinking about it, he hadn’t ventured to many places during his half-year stay in the Imperial City, but he had come here often.

Perhaps he had subconsciously taken familiar routes.

Cheng Qi comforted himself with this thought, tugging the reins to turn around. At this moment, a carriage appeared in front of him.

The carriage curtain was drawn aside, revealing a woman in a long goose-yellow dress adorned with golden auspicious cloud patterns.

She slightly lowered her head, revealing half of her delicate and graceful face.

Her delicate, willow-shaped eyebrows, a straight and exquisite nose, and a touch of crimson on her lips. Her eyes slightly shifted, and her enchanting gaze met Cheng Qi's eyes.

"Brother Cheng Qi?" Qin Shaojing called out in surprise, her eyes brimming with joy.

Cheng Qi looked at the woman in front of him. She had matured a lot compared to seven years ago, but she was even more charming. When he first met her, she was like a celestial being, noble and lively. Seven years later, she was like a fully bloomed peony, rich and alluring.

What Cheng Qi couldn't ignore was the glimmer of joy in her eyes.

That light suddenly flashed into his heart.

Qin Shaojing... was she so surprised to see him again?

Why was she so surprised?

Could it be that she, like him... had never forgotten each other in these seven years?

Cheng Qi's dormant heart suddenly stirred once more.

"Cheng Qi, it’s really you." Qin Shaojing had already stepped down from the carriage, looking up at the man on the tall horse. His skin was much darker and rougher than seven years ago, a clear sign of the harsh border life.

Thankfully, she hadn’t been foolish enough to follow him to such a desolate place back then.

Qin Shaojing’s gaze fell on Cheng Qi’s sharp, hardened eyes. They seemed deeper than a few years ago, but…

"I thought I was imagining things. What brings you here?"

Qin Shaojing’s words immediately pulled Cheng Qi back from his distant thoughts. He looked down and met her bright, shining eyes.

He instinctively turned his head away, "Just wandering around, happened to pass by."

As soon as he said this, he heard Qin Shaojing’s disappointed tone, "Just wandering? I thought you remembered this place like I do. It’s…"

"What?"

"Nothing." Qin Shaojing forced a smile, her eyes lingering on Cheng Qi for a moment before darting away.

It stirred Cheng Qi’s heart, making him want to ask what was wrong, but the past was still too fresh.

Qin Shaojing was married now; he had no right to care for her.

After a storm of emotions, Cheng Qi frowned, his face hardening. "If it’s nothing, I’ll take my leave."

Whether there was something or not, it was inappropriate. He couldn’t say or ask anything—it would only cause trouble. Cheng Qi chose to leave.

As he turned to leave, Qin Shaojing called, "Cheng Qi."

"Is there something else?" Cheng Qi asked coldly from his horse.

"Since we’re here, why not walk through the East Courtyard together?" Qin Shaojing looked at the East Courtyard before them. "You helped me so much here back then. I’ve never forgotten."

Cheng Qi hesitated, torn between walking with her and the inappropriateness of her being married.

Nanny Qin stepped forward, smiling. "Tong Er Ye! It’s good you’re back. Our Miss has been thinking of you all these years!"

Cheng Qi: "!!"

His heart pounded as if struck.

Qin Shaojing had been thinking of him all this time!

This…

"Don’t listen to her. I only think of you as a brother, worried about your safety," Qin Shaojing said quickly.

Nanny Qin also hurriedly added, "Yes, this old servant misspoke. Our Miss has always seen you as a brother, concerned for your safety. Now that you’re back, she was worried sick!"

Hearing this, Cheng Qi looked at Qin Shaojing, "Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Liu."

His tone was polite but distant.

The last address firmly set them apart.

No matter what, he had to remember that.

Qin Shaojing glanced at Nanny Qin, who smiled at Cheng Qi. "Tong Er Ye, no need to be so formal. Use the old address."

Cheng Qi shook his head, "Back when the Liu family's daughter was still unmarried, we were as close as siblings, but now it's no longer appropriate to address her that way."

"What are you talking about? No matter what, you are still Miss's brother! At least Miss has always regarded you as a brother. Could it be that now that you've risen to prominence, you look down on her as a sister?"

"How could that be!"

"Well, that's settled then," Nanny Qin said with a beaming smile, "Since you two siblings have finally reunited, why not take a walk in the East Courtyard?"

Nanny Qin repeatedly emphasized their sibling relationship, mentioning how Qin Shaojing had always missed him as a brother, hinting that if Cheng Qi didn’t join Qin Shaojing for a stroll today, it’d seem he’d turned his back on her after his rise.

Hearing this, Cheng Qi no longer hesitated. He got off his horse and said casually, "In that case, let's go in and take a walk together."

Qin Shaojing glanced at him and flashed him a big smile.

Cheng Qi was once again struck by her bright smile. He forcefully suppressed the restless stirrings in his heart and coldly averted his gaze.