Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Could it be her?

Xie Qingya hid behind the curtain.

When he saw the figure entering, a flicker of light passed through Xie Qingya's eyes.

Whether it was anticipated or not, Xie Qingya silently watched Xu Duanyi approaching through the faint light.

Xu Duanyi did not know Xie Qingya was also there.

She had inquired with the monks in the temple and knew that Xie Qingya had never come before.

Xu Duanyi also assumed that Xie Qingya was unwilling to face their departure.

Naturally, she did not know, nor had she thought, that he would be here.

As usual, she first offered the sutras for the departed on the altar, then took three incense sticks from the side box, lit them, and offered them.

The altar was clean.

The fruits and pastries were also fresh.

Xu Duanyi didn't suspect anything, attributing it to the monks' diligence.

She knelt on the cushion, closed her eyes, and silently prayed, not uttering a word.

What was there to say?

That she was about to marry Xie Qingya?

But this marriage was already fraught with complications, and no one knew what would happen in the future. The only thing she could promise was to do her best to protect Xie Qingya and his family.

Xu Duanyi remained kneeling for a long time.

Xie Qingya watched her from behind for just as long.

That day on the long street, much of her face was concealed beneath her hood.

Now, it was fully visible, clear and unmistakable.

Compared to their last meeting during the Mid-Autumn Festival, her face, now without the cover of night and lanterns, appeared even clearer.

The once timid and reticent girl had blossomed into a graceful and confident woman.

She appeared to be thriving without needing others' protection.

Xie Qingya's gaze, concealed in the dim light, was intense, and his hands behind his back clenched once more.

He looked at Xu Duanyi, his thin lips pressed tightly.

The light in his eyes seemed about to merge into the surrounding darkness.

At the sound of hurried footsteps, Xu Duanyi opened her eyes and turned around.

Seeing the monk who had spoken to her earlier appearing outside the temple, and noticing his anxious expression, Xu Duanyi, puzzled and thinking something had happened, stood up and asked, "Master, what's wrong?"

The guest monk first glanced into the Buddha hall.

Seeing that there was no one else in the hall, he let out a small sigh of relief.

He had just learned that the noble guest had left the abbot's meditation room, and fearing that the two might meet, he hurried over.

Thankfully.

"The vegetarian dishes are almost ready. It's freezing cold, and the food will cool quickly. Your Highness, it might be best to head back now," the guest monk resumed his usual demeanor.

But Xu Duanyi, being naturally perceptive, how could she not notice his change?

She sensed something was off.

"Your Highness?"

Only when the guest monk called out again did Xu Duanyi snap back to reality and agree.

"Thank you, Master. I will go now," Xu Duanyi said without lingering, grabbed the hand warmer from the ground, and left.

After going out.

Xu Duanyi declined the guest monk's company and headed to the meditation room alone.

The guest monk bowed his head slightly where he stood.

As the footsteps faded, the guest monk moved to close the door behind him when suddenly he saw a tall figure emerge from behind the hanging curtains.

The guest monk was startled.

When he recognized the figure, the guest monk glanced behind him to make sure no one was around, then hurriedly entered, whispering, "Your Highness."

Xie Qingya gave a soft acknowledgment.

He did not look at the guest monk but walked straight to the Buddha table, picking up the few volumes of the Sutra of Rebirth that were offered there.

The handwriting was familiar.

Xie Qingya thought of the Sutras of Rebirth from previous years.

At that time, he thought they were offered by the monks of the temple, but now...

"Were the previous ones also offered by her?"

The guest monk dared not hide the truth and quickly said, "Yes, Your Highness. Every year when the princess comes to pay respects to the late Marchioness, she also comes to pay respects to you and the princess."

Seeing the noble guest frown at him, his voice emotionless as he asked, "Why didn't you mention this before?"

"This..."

The guest monk hesitated.

"Your Highness said not to mention it to others. Seeing that she only came to pay respects each time and did nothing else, I..." It was indeed inappropriate, the guest monk's voice grew softer, and his head lowered further.

"Enough."

Xie Qingya withdrew his gaze.

The guest monk felt slightly relieved, but seeing the noble guest still frowning at the Sutras of Rebirth in his hand, thinking he disliked them, he softly inquired, "Shall I take these Buddhist scriptures away for disposal?"

This time, he waited a long time for a response from the noble person in front of him.

After a long while, he finally heard him say, "No need, just leave them there."

After speaking, Xie Qingya placed the sutras for the deceased back on the Buddhist altar.

...

In the meditation hall, Shiyu and Xu Duanyi were eating together at the same table.

She ate heartily and quickly finished a large bowl of rice. Just as she was about to serve herself another bowl, she looked up to see her mistress, chopsticks in hand, lost in thought, with her bowl of rice barely touched.

"Mistress, why aren't you eating?"

Shiyu asked in confusion, "Don't you like the vegetarian dishes?"

Hearing her voice, Xu Duanyi finally snapped out of her reverie.

"No."

Xu Duanyi lowered her eyes and picked up some vegetables.

"Shiyu..."

She paused before speaking.

"Hmm?"

Shiyu had already served herself another bowl of rice.

Hearing this, she looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

Xu Duanyi looked at her, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not voice the thoughts in her heart, only saying softly, "We'll leave once we're done eating."

"Alright."

Shiyu didn't think much of it and agreed without hesitation.

After finishing lunch.

Xu Duanyi led Shiyu away from the Huang'en Temple.

Before leaving, Xu Duanyi suddenly glanced back, but after just one look, she quietly led Shiyu to the carriage.

Meanwhile.

In another meditation hall.

Changfeng entered with the news he had obtained and respectfully reported to the person standing by the window, "Master, Your Highness has left the mountain."

Xie Qingya had already seen it earlier.

She, accompanied by her maid, made her way through the groves of plum trees, unaware that he was observing her from a few yards away.

"I see."

*

After descending from the Imperial Grace Temple,

Xu Duan Yi stayed at home for a few more days.

Donggu felt sorry for her and changed the menu every day to prepare delicious meals for her.

However, Xu Duan Yi was ultimately worried about her aunt's health. After only three days, she prepared to return to the palace.

On the day of her departure, Baozhu happened to visit, hoping to invite her out shopping.

Her marriage to Liu Xun had been arranged, though it hadn't been announced yet. They had set the date for the following April,

about half a month later than her own wedding with Xie Qingyan.

They say that good news brings joy and vigor.

Xiao Baozhu, now that her wish had been fulfilled, was naturally overjoyed.

Xu Duan Yi thought about how her aunt always liked the plum candy from Chen's shop. Since her aunt's appetite wasn't good in winter, she decided to buy some to stimulate her appetite and agreed to go along.

The two sisters took a carriage to Xianyi Lane in the eastern part of the city.

Xianyi Lane was located in the most bustling area of the eastern city, offering countless items for sale.

Xu Duan Yi herself wasn't particularly fond of shopping. After accompanying Xiao Baozhu to a few clothing and cosmetics shops, she went to wait at Chen's shop.

"Go check if Baozhu is done."

"If she's ready, we'll tell her and head back to the palace."

The shopkeeper had already wrapped up the perilla preserves, and Xu Duanyi had also sipped half a cup of tea. Checking the time, she decided to let Bao Zhu know before heading back to the palace.

"Yes!"

Shiyu also didn’t want to see the young mistress any longer and was naturally happy to part with her earlier.

Xu Duanyi waited in the shop, her patience wearing thin.

After some time, Shiyu returned alone.

"Where is Bao Zhu?"

Xu Duanyi asked her.

Unexpectedly, Shiyu looked excited: "The young mistress is arguing with someone outside!"

"What?"

Xu Duanyi frowned.

"Out of nowhere, who is she arguing with?" Xu Duanyi said, surprised that anyone would dare argue with Bao Zhu right under the emperor’s nose.

Shiyu gathered her things and added, "It’s Prince Nan’an!" Although she didn’t like the young mistress, she also disliked that notorious Prince Nan’an!

Despite being engaged to our mistress, he still acts so recklessly!

Utterly disgraceful!

Our mistress is too kind-hearted and forbids us from speaking out, but now that the young mistress can stand up for her, it might actually be a good thing.

She was so cheerful, wishing that the marriage would really be canceled.

However, she didn’t notice Xu Duanyi unconsciously pause and then quicken her pace at the mention of "Prince Nan'an."

"Hey, mistress, wait for me!"

By the time Shiyu noticed, Xu Duanyi had already walked outside.

She quickly grabbed her things and hurried after her.

Xiao Baozhu was indeed arguing with Xie Qingya, or rather, she was the one berating Xie Qingya.

It was quite a coincidence today.

Xiao Baozhu had just finished shopping and was planning to find Xu Duanyi.

She had been in a good mood lately and felt guilty towards her cousin, so she spent her own money to buy a full set of hair ornaments for Xu Duanyi.

She was about to bring it over to brag to Xu Duanyi, but unfortunately, she bumped into Xie Qingya first.

Although her elder brother had forgiven her recently, he still didn’t dote on her as much as before. She knew her brother still held her responsible for her cousin’s misfortune, so she hoped Xie Qingya would take the initiative to break off the engagement.

If he agreed to cancel it, her cousin wouldn’t have to marry him!

So without thinking, she haughtily blocked Xie Qingya's path and demanded that he cancel the engagement.

She had done this often before.

But unexpectedly, this scoundrel refused.

"Who do you think you are? A toad lusting after a swan! How could someone like you marry my cousin? You'd better cancel this engagement yourself, or else..." She sneered, threatening, "It won’t just be about being banned from brothels anymore!"

Xie Qingya seemed to have just realized something.

"So that's why no one accompanies me to drink now! It was you guys!"

"Xiao Baozhu, don't you think you're meddling too much?" Xie Qingya said with a displeased expression, "What does it have to do with you if I drink and find women?"

This was the first time Xiao Baozhu had ever been spoken to like this, and she was utterly stunned. She pointed at him, "You... you crude jerk!"

Xie Qingya, being accused, wasn't angry.

Instead, he laughed.

He looked Xiao Baozhu up and down, then suddenly said, "Actually, if you want me to call off the engagement, that’s fine."

A crowd had gathered around, watching the scene.

Xie Qingya had his back to Chen's shop and didn't know that Xu Duanyi was almost upon them, nor did he know that after his words, Xu Duanyi, who had been walking hurriedly, suddenly stopped.

He was tall and long-legged.

Blocking Xu Duanyi's figure, naturally, Xiao Baozhu didn't see her either.

She was seething with anger, wishing she could summon someone to teach him a lesson! Who would have thought Xie Qingya would suddenly change his tone...

Xiao Baozhu vaguely felt there was a trick, but still hesitated and spoke, "Really?"

"Of course."

Xie Qingya smirked mischievously.

"But after all, I’m also in the market for a wife. If you won’t let your cousin marry me, why don’t you just marry me yourself? I’m not that choosy."

Although she had long known this scoundrel wouldn’t say anything good, Xiao Baozhu was still seething with anger when she heard this: "Xie Qingya, you scoundrel, I’ll kill you!"

As she spoke, she snatched a knife from her attendant’s belt and lunged at Xie Qingya.

Xie Qingya, of course, didn’t take her clumsy moves seriously and was just about to brush off his clothes and leave.

The eldest son of the Xiao family had banned him from entering the brothel, which, coincidentally, spared him from having to put on an act. He thought he could head back to his residence to rest today, but then, out of nowhere, a familiar female voice called out from behind—

"Bao Zhu, stop."

Hearing this soft voice out of the blue, Xie Qingya’s smile froze in place, and he stopped mid-motion, his hand still on his clothes.

He heard the footsteps behind him growing closer.

He watched as Xiao Baozhu suddenly dropped the knife and dashed toward the person behind her: "Cousin, look at him!"

His body went rigid, too afraid to turn around, and his face turned to stone.