Chapter 295 Growing Up

Chapter 295: Growing Up

Qiu Heng and County Princess Jiayi rode in the same carriage to Lingwei Guan.

April was the perfect season, with flowers blooming and trees greening along the road, the scenery delightful. Lingwei Guan, built halfway up the mountain, was half-hidden among lush blossoms and dense woods, but the constant stream of pilgrims had stripped it of its secluded and ethereal atmosphere.

"So many people."

Hearing Qiu Heng's remark, the temple attendant chuckled, "Even with restrictions, there are this many; otherwise, there would be even more worshippers."

"Master and Junior Brother Ling are over there."

Two people were playing chess in the pavilion. The one wearing a loose Daoist robe was Master Miaoqing, and the other, in a pale moon-white robe, was Ling Yun.

Ling Yun held a black stone, a faint smile on his lips.

Master Miaoqing unhurriedly placed a white stone, his face also wearing a light, carefree smile.

At first glance, it had a celestial air of immortals playing chess.

Facing the direction of Qiu Heng and County Princess Jiayi, Master Miaoqing said indifferently as he set down a stone, "Qiyun, someone has come to see you."

Ling Yun turned his head and immediately spotted Qiu Heng.

Their eyes met for an instant. Ling Yun gave a slight nod in greeting before turning back to continue the unfinished game.

As it happened, they were at the final stage. Master Miaoqing won by two stones and laughed heartily.

"Playing chess with Qiyun is far more interesting than with your uncles and senior brothers," Master Miaoqing said, looking at the two who had been silently watching the game.

Ling Yun introduced them, "These are my two sisters."

Qiu Heng and County Princess Jiayi both slightly bent their knees in a curtsey.

"This must be Qiyun's biological sister, County Princess Jiayi, right?"

County Princess Jiayi, grateful that Master Miaoqing had relieved her brother's headaches, nodded gratefully.

Master Miaoqing then looked at Qiu Heng. "I heard Qiyun had an adopted sister, granted the title of County Princess Suiyun by the current emperor. Is this the lady?"

Qiu Heng met Master Miaoqing's gaze.

Maybe because of his recent skyrocketing fame and not getting enough rest while dealing with all sorts of people, his eyes were red with fatigue, detracting from the aura of a true Daoist master.

"That's me. I've long heard of your reputation, Master."

Master Miaoqing stared at Qiu Heng and then suddenly smiled. "Your reputation precedes you, County Princess Suiyun."

"Have you heard a lot about me, Master?" Qiu Heng asked with a smile.

County Princess Jiayi glanced at Qiu Heng in surprise.

Was it really necessary to read so much into such polite remarks?

Master Miaoqing was clearly taken aback. After a pause, he said, "Though I live deep in the mountains, I often hear people mention County Princess Suiyun's heroic deeds in Western Jiang."

"Jiayi, A Heng, is there something you need from me?" Ling Yun asked.

County Princess Jiayi smiled. "A Heng seldom goes out, and since you weren't home, we came looking for you."

"In that case, Qiyun, accompany your two sisters for a walk around the temple and then return with them."

Qiu Heng had been to Lingwei Guan before and didn't want to waste time there. After a brief stroll, she suggested they go back.

County Princess Jiayi agreed, "Let's go back. This temple is busier than the market."

Ling Yun gave a helpless smile. "I thought you came to burn incense. If you just wanted to call me home, you could have sent a servant."

"It wasn't just to find you, Brother Ling. I also wanted to meet Master Miaoqing, who has recently become quite famous."

A flicker passed through Ling Yun's eyes. "Still as curious as ever, A Heng?"

Back at Prince Kang's mansion, Qiu Heng said directly, "Brother Ling, I have something to discuss with you alone."

Ling Yun looked toward County Princess Jiayi.

"You two chat. I'm going to go look at the new peonies I bought."

Watching County Princess Jiayi hurry off toward the peonies, Ling Yun pointed to a pavilion not far away. "Let's sit there."

The pavilion had tables and chairs, and cascading wisteria hung down in strings of purple flower clusters, creating a dreamlike scene.

"What did you want to talk about, A Heng?"

Qiu Heng laid her hands flat on the wooden table and looked seriously at the young man in front of her.

She hadn't seen Brother Ling in a while.

She had always felt that no matter how long they were apart, Brother Ling would remain one of her closest people. But now, she realized now that even the most familiar people have sides no one knows about.

"Why have you been staring at me without saying anything, A Heng?"

Qiu Heng slowly lifted her eyes, revealing her bright, clear eyes. "I heard you've become a nominal disciple of Master Miaoqing."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Ling Yun laughed softly. "What do you mean, why?"

"You know exactly what I'm asking."

"I'm not pretending not to know." Ling Yun was patient. "What exactly are you trying to ask, A Heng?"

"Why did you suddenly become Master Miaoqing's disciple?"

"It's not really being his disciple—just a nominal lay disciple. I often stay at Daoist temples and have always believed in Daoist philosophy..."

"I know you follow Daoist teachings, but doing this when Master Miaoqing's fame is at its peak doesn't seem like something you'd do."

Ling Yun gazed at Qiu Heng for a moment, then smiled gently. "I've heard Master Miaoqing preach many times and admire him greatly. Don't overthink things, A Heng."

Was she overthinking?

Qiu Heng looked into Ling Yun's eyes. His beautiful, star-like eyes were calm and unreadable, as if a veil of mist hid all emotions, making them hard to discern.

"Jiayi told me your headaches haven't come back since taking Master Miaoqing's medicine."

"Mm-hmm."

Qiu Heng extended her hand. "I developed a chronic condition after a previous illness. Brother Ling, could you give me some of those miraculous pills?"

The girl's hand was well-proportioned, delicate as jade.

This was the hand that had pulled him out of danger when he got lost in the deep mountains that year.

Later, they grew up, experienced times apart, and each had their own stories.

"Master Miaoqing's miraculous pills are priceless; he only gave you a few, and you've almost finished them."

That hand still stubbornly remained before him.

Ling Yun's eyes flickered, and he averted his gaze.

"A Heng, if you have chronic issues from acute indigestion, you can consult a renowned doctor to gradually adjust it through diet. Dietary therapy is better than medicinal therapy."

"Brother Ling." Qiu Heng withdrew her hand. "I have never believed in miraculous pills in this world."

To avoid tipping anyone off, she should not easily reveal her suspicion of Master Miaoqing, especially since Ling Yun was now so close to him.

But whether Ling Yun truly took Master Miaoqing as his teacher or had other plans, she knew these so‑called miraculous pills were extremely harmful to health, and she could not ignore Ling Yun taking them.

"There are many miraculous things in the world."

"Brother Ling—" Qiu Heng wanted to say more, but the estrangement in Ling Yun's eyes pierced her heart like invisible thorns.

She was used to seeing the man she considered a brother always looking at her with gentle, tolerant eyes; she had never seen such a look in his eyes.

Even when they first met, perhaps because he was lost, his eyes showed more surprise at meeting another person.

"Brother Ling, I respect that you have your own thoughts, but I still believe you shouldn't just put anything into your mouth."

Ling Yun smiled. "My headaches had been frequent before; I begged the True Man for a long time before he gave me a few pills. In the future, even if I want them, there won't be any."

"It seems Master Miaoqing really likes you, Brother Ling." Qiu Heng did not continue this topic.

The days when they met almost daily in the southern mountains, those simple youthful years, had long passed. She still respected and cared for Brother Ling, but it was impossible to be as open and candid as before.

And he felt the same way toward her.