Chapter 32 Like, Sounds Good
would overturn my heaven and earth. Since she’s unhappy with you today, let her be!""Yes!" Although the Filial King was furious in his heart, he did not dare to show it on his face; he hurriedly moved...Chapter Thirty-Two: How About Liking Me
At one time, there was a person who had been with her from an orphanage to military school to special forces to the State Security Bureau. For twenty-five whole years, they were family, classmates, friends, comrades-in-arms, and closest companions but never lovers.
Once upon a time, there was someone whose world revolved around her, and whose world she shared as well. They had common ideals, beliefs, interests, topics to discuss, but there was always a thin layer of paper separating them. He knew she liked him; she knew he liked her too, yet neither wanted to break through that barrier.
Once upon a time, there was someone whose world needed a seasoned and all-rounded executive for an international anti-terrorism operation. He fit the description perfectly. That mission was under her full control, and after spending two nights on the rooftop of the State Security Bureau, she wrote his name down in the list submitted to higher-ups without hesitation; he didn't say a word, went off, never to return.
Later on, she climbed mountains alone, picked new tea leaves by herself, drank tea meant for two people...
Looking back at the past, so many things had flashed before her eyes like a movie. What was buried in the depths of her heart suddenly surfaced.
As Yun Qianmo looked at this face, her vision gradually blurred.
How could it be...
How could she run into... him here
In that moment, she felt as if her soul had been drained away. After countless nights and days in two different time zones, she thought she had discarded all past memories, burying the person deep in her heart. She believed that until her soul disintegrated, she would no longer remember.
"I finally got to see you!" Night Tianyi suddenly sighed with a smile spreading slowly, "It's really not easy!"
"Se...ven" Yun Qianmo murmured, her vision covered by a layer of white fog.
“Yes! I’m back!” Night Tianyi nodded smilingly and reached out to touch Yun Qianmo’s head in an intimate manner. "I sent you a message saying 'I will be returning to the capital soon.' When I came back, you avoided me. Are you upset with me for coming back late"
"You are really Seven" Yun Qianmo used her hand to rub her eyes fiercely, trying hard to see who was in front of her clearly but still seeing nothing but foggy vision. She spoke cautiously, as if afraid that the person would disappear.
“Of course it’s me!” Night Tianyi nodded and looked at Yun Qianmo with a look of pity in his eyes. "If I had returned earlier, you wouldn’t have to suffer so much hardship. When I heard about your troubles at Lingtai Temple and that you were attacked by a hundred assassins under a curse spell, I regretted not agreeing with my father's request to return sooner."
"How could it be...you..." Yun Qianmo shook her head. She remembered the helicopter exploding in Vienna, the international anti-terrorism organization being destroyed under his operation and him vanishing into thin air, which she had seen clearly online. Not even ashes remained.
“It’s me! Moonie, what's wrong” Night Tianyi looked at Yun Qianmo worriedly as he saw her shaking head continuously and asked softly.
Moonie Seven never called him that before. Yun Qianmo rubbed her eyes again forcefully this time opening up the foggy vision. She watched Night Tianyi intently, not missing a single detail.
The face in front of her was extremely youthful with handsome features and beautiful looks. At first glance, it seemed identical to Seven's appearance but closer inspection revealed only seven out of ten similarities. Seven’s brows were darker while the man before her had just right eyebrows neither too dark nor light. Seven's eyes were black whereas his were a rare amber color. Seven’s nose was slightly flattened but his nose was straighter and Seven’s lips were fuller compared to the thinner ones he now had. The features together looked seven out of ten similar, separated they bore no resemblance.
She suddenly closed her eyes, feeling she was being overly hopeful. How could it be possible for her to see Seven...
After a person turned into ashes, would their soul be reborn Would his soul turn into ashes as well
"Moonie, what's wrong" Night Tianyi looked at Yun Qianmo anxiously.
"Little girl, what’s the matter" Nan Lingrui stood beside them for quite some time and couldn't help but speak. Yun Qianmo's expression was too rich for him to doubt if it was really her in front of him.
“Can you recite The Communist Manifesto” Yun Qianmo suddenly raised her head, looking at Night Tianyi with a deep emotion hidden beneath her eyes that no one could understand. If this were Seven...if he truly is Seven...
"You've been asking me this question since the first time we met ten years ago and you're still asking it after ten years!" Night Tianyi chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Unchanged in ten years, you are really Moonie. I've heard many rumors that say you’ve changed a lot recently. But looking at you now, you’re still the same. You haven't changed."
The faint hope deep within Yun Qianmo's eyes shattered instantly. So he wasn’t Seven after all, but why did he look so similar He looked too much like him that she thought he was Seven.
“Little girl, are you frightened by the Second Miss of the Rong王府 (Honor王府 is a Chinese term for noble or royal residence) Why do you look like this” Nan Lingrui felt surprised at how familiar Night Tianyi's tone was with Yun Qianmo. Seeing her in such a state where she seemed to have lost her soul and didn’t understand what The Communist Manifesto was, he suddenly turned his head towards the Yanshuyting pavilion behind him. "Prince Jing Shi, come here and see if this little girl has been scared out of her wits"
Rong Jing Yun Qianmo lifted her head sharply and followed Nan Lingrui's line of sight.
She saw a figure sitting in the Yanshuyting pavilion not far away. He wore a moon-white brocade robe, his attire was light yet elegant, with a face as fair as jade and beautifully drawn eyebrows, it was indeed Rong Jing. A game of chess lay before him; he lowered his head to look at the board while behind him green mountains stretched out lushly and not far away, a waterfall converged into a small lake. The green mountains and clear water complemented each other perfectly, enveloping him in a misty veil, giving off an air that was faint yet lofty. Truly like a figure from a painting.
Yun Qianmo stared at Rong Jing, her mind suddenly blank.
Night Tianyi heard Nan Lingrui’s words and the hand stroking Yun Qianmo's head paused before turning to look at Rong Jing as well.
Rong Jing seemed not to have heard Nan Lingrui, still looking down with his graceful figure unmoving. His gaze was fixed on the chessboard without a trace of emotion on his fair face.
"I see Prince Jing Shi and Seventh Prince playing chess here! It’s indeed tranquil; an excellent place for chess." Nan Lingrui took a step towards Rong Jing, "Allow me to take a look at what kind of chess game has made Prince Jing Shi so absorbed."
Nan Lingrui walked to within three feet of Rong Jing and raised his eyes to look at the chessboard.
Suddenly, Rong Jing gently brushed his sleeves, causing the chessboard to be instantly disrupted. He lifted his head from its lowered position and looked past Nan Lingrui towards Yun Qianyue, speaking softly to her: "Come over!"
Nan Lingrui was taken aback. He glanced at Rong Jing with some irritation but did not act on it.
Yun Qianyue remained standing still, her mind blank yet full of thoughts.
The night sky turned a little pale as Ye Tianyi's phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly. Still, he kept silent and his hand remained on Yun Qianyue’s head without moving it away.
"Come over!" Rong Jing repeated, speaking with the same warm tone that never revealed any hints of emotion.
Yun Qianyue still did not move, her entire body seemingly frozen. Her eyes shifted from initial shock and disbelief to current tranquility as if she had witnessed mountain ranges flattened into plains and oceans turned into fields.
"I injured my hand yesterday!" Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianyue while moving his arm slightly; bloodstains faintly appeared on the moon-shaped white sleeves of his clothes.
Yun Qianyue suddenly took a step toward him.
The expression on Ye Tianyi's face changed ever so slightly, and he slowly withdrew his hand, clenching it tightly without stopping her.
In just a few steps, Yun Qianyue reached Rong Jing’s side. She stopped to look at his arm, lifting the sleeves of his robe to find the arm wrapped in linen cloth with fresh blood seeping through it. Without delay, she tore open the bandage and revealed his injured arm that had dislocated again despite being mostly healed before. It was red and swollen from lack of proper treatment. Her face changed as she asked him, "How did this happen"
When she spoke, she realized her voice was hoarse.
"I accidentally bumped into something," Rong Jing replied casually.
"Accidentally Why didn’t you accidentally bump your head then" Yun Qianyue was instantly angry.
"My head did bump, but it didn't break." Although speaking with Yun Qianyue, his gaze remained fixed on the seventh prince. His expression stayed indifferent, revealing nothing of what he thought.
The seventh prince now had a calm face that also gave no clue to his thoughts.
When their eyes met, both remained silent.
"Tell me how you accidentally injured yourself so I can hear it!" Yun Qianyue suppressed her anger. She didn't know why she was angry, but the feeling was indeed there in her heart. It had only been two days since they last saw each other and his injury that was almost healed had worsened again due to an accident. Why not just break your arm completely then
"Yesterday, remembering I fell asleep while you were watching stars, I went up on the roof to watch them but accidentally dozed off and fell down." Rong Jing continued looking at the seventh prince with a faint voice.
“You drank again” Yun Qianyue didn't expect that reason.
"Yes! The Seventh Prince gave me two jars of Holy Spirit Spring Water. After the heavy rain, the moon was bright and the air clear yesterday, so I had some." Rong Jing explained.
Yun Qianyue turned her head to look at Ye Tianyi, her heart tightening upon seeing that familiar face. She averted her gaze; her angry tone became stiff, "What about Xiangge Qingshang Qingquan Old Medicine Master Why isn't anyone watching over you so you fall from the roof"
"I told them not to disturb me," Rong Jing said.
"Why don’t you just die!" Yun Qianyue spat out hatefully.
"I nearly did." Rong Jing still sounded calm and collected.
Yun Qianyue choked up, fell silent, pursed her lips, and looked at his arm. After a moment, she suddenly reached into his chest to feel around. Still seated motionless, Rong Jing let Yun Qianyue search him while still looking at Ye Tianyi.
Ye Tianyi also watched the pair without changing his expression in any way.
Nan Lingrui looked from Ye Tianyi to Rong Jing and then fixed his gaze on Yun Qianyue, suddenly smiling silently.
After searching through Rong Jing’s clothes for a long time but not finding any medicinal bottle or drug, she frowned. "Where are the medicines You always carry medicine with you in the past." She asked, withdrawing her hand and looking at him.
"I threw them away," said Rong Jing.
“You threw them away” Yun Qianyue raised an eyebrow.
"Yes! Anyway, this arm is as good as crippled. You don't care about it anyway." Rong Jing spoke indifferently.
"You…" Yun Qianyue’s anger surged to the point that her eyes were ablaze as she stared at him. He looked so indifferent now, as if the entire world was irrelevant to him, displaying an attitude she despised deeply. She suddenly gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "Why don't you just kill yourself right now Since you want to die anyway. Now your arm doesn’t matter; tomorrow it'll be your legs or feet, then maybe even your life won’t matter either. Why bother with such a troublesome way of slow suicide when you can just end it quickly and painlessly"
"If I were to commit suicide now, would you offer me three sticks of incense every year during the festival for worship" Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianyue.
"Burn for me, not just on festival days, I burn for you every day," Yun Qianyue said恨fully.
Rong Jing suddenly smiled and turned his gaze away from Ye Tianyi to look at Yun Qianyue, "Only my wife or those of the Rong王府 have the right to offer incense for me. Are you sure you want to marry me"
Yun Qianyue was momentarily speechless.
"Why aren't you speaking Don’t want to marry me then" Rong Jing raised his eyebrows and said in a cool tone, "Since you don't want to marry me, then you have no right to offer incense for me."
Yun Qianyue suddenly became furious. "If I were to marry you, would you be able to afford it"
"As long as you marry me, I can afford it," Rong Jing said.
"What do you have to offer Don't tell me it's your half-disabled body." Yun Qianyue snorted coldly and ignored Rong Jing. She turned her head towards Nan Lingrui and asked, "Do you carry medicine with you"
“I've got it!” Nan Lingrui reached into his chest immediately and pulled out a bottle of medicine.
"I don't use others' medicine!" Rong Jing retracted his hand.
The hand Yun Qianyue had just extended to receive the bottle paused, looking at Rong Jing. "Are you being difficult"
“I’ve had this issue since I was a child; you've always known about it,” Rong Jing said.
"What difference does that make You should change your ways! I'll fix it for you today." Yun Qianyue took the medicine, opened the bottle cap and poured the liquid on his swollen arm. Although she was annoyed, her movements were very gentle. The medicine Nan Lingrui carried was undoubtedly of high quality.
Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianyue; a light color replaced his usual expression as he suddenly said in a soft voice, "Are you rushing to heal my arm because you're worried about me Do you think that if we were married, I wouldn't be able to hug you after my arm is disabled"
Yun Qianyue paused.
Rong Jing looked at her; deep in his eyes was something breaking and gathering.
"I don’t care if your arm is ruined, it’s better that way!" Yun Qianyue suddenly dropped her hand, threw the medicine bottle away, turned around and left the Rain Pavilion. She could face others with a calm demeanor, but whenever she encountered this person, nine out of ten times, he would provoke her anger. Should one say it was his talent or just that she easily got angry when facing him
Rong Jing remained seated without making any move to stop Yun Qianyue; merely watching her leave.
Nan Lingrui blinked his eyes and watched as Yun Qianyue walked past him silently, not saying a word or hindering her.
Yun Qianyue took just a few steps to reach Ye Tianyi's side. She stopped in front of the familiar face, pursed her lips slightly and turned to shout at Ma Liang who was standing next to Nan Lingrui’s horse, “Tashen come here!”
Tashen immediately ran happily towards Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue lightly stepped on the ground and smoothly mounted her horse. She looked at Ye Tianyi, "How did you get here"
"Rode a horse!" Ye Tianyi replied.
"Now, ride your horse with me," Yun Qianyue said as she kicked Tashen's belly and left.
Ye Tianyi pinched his thumb and middle finger together, placed them by his lips and blew a clear whistle. A jet-black horse came running towards him. He glanced at Rong Jing and Nan Lingrui before mounting the horse. Kicking its sides, he followed Yun Qianyue out of sight.
In no time, both people and horses disappeared from view.
Nan Lingrui watched as they left until their figures were nowhere to be seen before turning his gaze back to Rong Jing. He raised an eyebrow and smiled in a carefree manner, "So even Prince Consort Jing can be left behind!"
"It’s not strange for her to leave me," Rong Jing said calmly as he turned to look at his partially medicated arm before raising an eyebrow at Nan Lingrui. “Has Crown Prince Ri always wanted a good show Then today must have satisfied him.”
“Indeed, this performance was quite satisfying!” Nan Lingrui nodded and stroked his chin as he said, "I thought I would only be facing you in the Southern Liang after bringing her there! Unexpectedly, another enemy has emerged."
"Southern Liang is picturesque; it’s indeed a wonderful place," Rong Jing spoke without any emotion. He looked at Rong Linglan lying unconscious on the ground and said, "My second sister followed Crown Prince Ri here and fell into an unconscious state. Perhaps you could send her back to the Rong王府"
Nan Lingrui also turned his gaze towards Rong Linglan and saw a large bruise on her forehead; she was lying quietly there. He sighed, "Such a good face ruined! She will likely have to cover it with a veil!" With that, he raised an eyebrow at Rong Jing, “Now everyone has left, won’t Prince Consort Jing return home”
"With them gone, the place is peaceful. Crown Prince Ri can simply take my second sister back," Rong Jing said calmly.
“Alright then, I’m most unwilling to see a beauty suffer; I will do this for her,” Nan Lingrui bent down and picked up Rong Linglan, then called out to his horse: “Moon come here!”
The horse immediately ran over to him.
Rong Jing narrowed his eyes slightly.
Nan Lingrui mounted his horse and was about to leave slowly with Rong Linglan when he heard Rong Jing say, "I just received news that Little Prince Dian and Princess Ye went to the imperial palace to seek the Emperor's permission for their engagement. They plan to complete this good deed on Qiqiao Festival. If His Excellency the Crown Prince hurries, he might still be able to catch a show."
Nan Lingrui turned around and looked at Rong Jing. His peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly, "Young Master Jing can oversee the court affairs while sitting in the mountains. Indeed, what great skills! This prince admires you."
"Admiration isn't necessary," Rong Jing said coolly. "His Excellency the Crown Prince just needs to change your horse's name."
Nan Lingrui turned around without saying a word and urged his horse forward, galloping towards the capital city.
As Nan Lingrui left, Rong Jing withdrew his gaze and suddenly smiled. In the sunlight, he looked as ethereal as mist.
"Young Master, let me help you bandage your arm!" Xian Ge jumped down from her position, looking worriedly at Rong Jing's arm.
"No need," Rong Jing shook his head.
Xian Ge was anxious. "Miss Qianyue left the city without telling you and Seven Prince. She won't be coming back for sure. Your arm belongs to you." Miss Qianyue had no heart, even if she did have one it belonged only to Young Master Jing, how could he blame her He couldn’t understand why Young Master Jing would torment himself so.
"This arm is not mine," Rong Jing said as he looked at Xian Ge. "Go away."
“Young Master…” Xian Ge was anxious.
Rong Jing’s voice deepened, “Leave!”
Xian Ge saw how firm Rong Jing's resolve was and did not dare to say anything more as he stepped back.
Rong Jing looked towards the direction Yun Qianyue had left. He thought about how releasing is actually holding on, and vice versa. Today, he managed to achieve it勉強做到了。If she didn't return, he couldn’t guarantee that tomorrow he would be able to watch her leave alongside someone else with his eyes wide open again. And the person was Ye Tianyi.
On East Mountain, the waterfall gurgled and mist rose quietly around the pavilion in the drizzle; no one else could be heard.
Yun Qianyue rode ahead of everyone on her horse this time. Unlike when she raced with Nan Lingrui earlier, this time she let Tanxue trot freely. Tanxue seemed to understand that Yun Qianyue was not planning to return and headed southward.
Night Tianyi followed closely behind, his eyes never leaving her figure.
Yun Qianyue did not look back or speak. The wind blew through her hair, making the soft purple cloud-like fabric sway in the breeze. She rode a white horse and wore a dark purple robe; her face looked as if it was covered by mist at times, ethereal and vague. At other times, she appeared calm and collected, like a peaceful sea.
After riding for an hour, they came to a mountain range with no other path ahead except the continuous ringing of bells and chanting from monks on the other side of the mountain.
Tanxue stopped and looked back at Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue saw the mountains in front of her; they were lush and rugged, it turned out that they had arrived at Mount Lingshai. She glanced behind her at Night Tianyi.
Night Tianyi smiled at her gently and said, "This is Lingtai Temple!"
Yun Qianyue looked at his smile; when he wasn’t smiling, he looked extremely similar to Seven Prince. But this smile made him look so different from the familiar features she knew, it was as if there were no resemblance at all. Seven Prince couldn't compare with how handsome and graceful Night Tianyi was. She finally understood Cailian’s words that "Young Master Jing and Seven Prince are two incomparable people." Indeed, they were.
Rong Jing was noble and elegant like a poem or painting, high above the clouds; even though he treated others kindly, his inherent aloofness made him stand out from everyone else. This kind of innate arrogance was born with him and put him above all others.
Although Night Tianyi looked good too, he couldn't compare to Rong Jing’s poetic elegance. Yet, he had a noble demeanor that set him apart even when sitting on his horse; the snow-white robe and jade belt around his waist made him look luxurious in a subdued way against the green mountains and lush grass. His aura transcended his status as a prince, no matter how much he fell into the dust of life, he would never truly blend in with it.
Yun Qianyue withdrew her gaze and nodded slightly; she said softly, "This is Lingtai Temple!"
"Remember that day when I left the capital city You brought me here. Five years have passed since then," Night Tianyi sighed.
Yun Qianyue fell silent. It was five years ago that Seven Prince's mother had been implicated and sentenced to death, her entire family executed because of it; he himself was exiled to the northern borderlands. What a bloody storm it must have been! And what role did she play in it She suppressed those dark thoughts and urged her horse forward before dismounting and said, "Today is Qiqiao Festival, I’m sure there will be many people on the mountain. Let’s go up to see."
"Alright," Night Tianyi nodded, urging his horse into a trot as well.
Yun Qianyue started walking towards the mountainside path. The slope was steep and rugged, with thorny bushes everywhere; only one small winding trail led up but it too was sealed off by thorns on both sides making progress extremely difficult. She walked past them as if they weren't there.
Night Tianyi followed her closely behind, walking the same path.
The two of them headed towards the mountain peak.
Halfway up, the path ahead had run out and Yun Qianyue stopped. She turned around to look at Night Tianyi; even as he walked through the thorns, his bearing remained regal. She smiled suddenly and asked, "What's my favorite dish"
Night Tianyi paused in his steps and replied with a smile, "Steamed mandarin fish!
"Will you" Yun Qianyue asked.
"Yes!" Ye Tianyi nodded.
"What is my favorite fruit" Yun Qianyue asked again.
"Grapes!" Ye Tianyi answered.
"What is the thing I like to do most" Yun Qianyue inquired further.
"Sleeping!" Ye Tianyi said.
"What is my favorite musical instrument" Yun Qianyue continued asking.
"Organ!" Ye Tianyi replied.
"What dish do I hate the most" Tilting her head to look at Ye Tianyi, Yun Qianyue asked in a different tone.
"Steamed white cabbage with clear water!
"What fruit do I dislike the most" Yun Qianyue asked again.
"Honey melon!"
"Who is the person I hate the most" Yun Qianyue inquired once more.
"Prince Imperial, my elder brother!"
"What do I dislike doing the most" Yun Qianyue asked again.
"Reciting books!"
"Which musical instrument do I like least" Yun Qianyue continued to ask.
"Flute!"
Yun Qianyue fell silent, looking at Ye Tianyi intently. Meeting his amber eyes, she spoke each word distinctly: "If you asked me these questions the other way around, would I know your likes and dislikes"
Ye Tianyi was taken aback, nodding in response, "Yes!"
"Perhaps I knew before, but that was the previous me. If you were to ask me now, I wouldn't have a clue." Yun Qianyue diverted her gaze to the sky, her voice as clear and pure as water, free of any impurities: "I've lost my memory!"
Ye Tianyi's expression changed, his phoenix-like eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at Yun Qianyue.
"Perhaps you don't believe me, but I truly have lost my memory!" Yun Qianyue stated.
"When... when did it happen" Ye Tianyi's usually soothing voice became somewhat hoarse.
"About two months ago! The day after the fire at Look Spring Pavilion." Recalling her gaze to Ye Tianyi, Yun Qianyue spoke calmly: "After waking up in the Imperial Palace's Mandarin Ducks Pond, I couldn't remember anything. It was Yong Jing and Rong Jing who helped me avoid being imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice."
Ye Tianyi's body trembled.
Yun Qianyue looked at him without speaking anymore. Perhaps her previous feelings towards him were different, maybe because of Little Seven She was unsure if there truly were past and present lives or a fate that輪迴 (reincarnates). But she clearly knew one thing—Little Seven held a unique place in her heart that no one could replace.
"How... how could this have happened..." Ye Tianyi looked at Yun Qianyue, his face pale.
"I don't know either!" Yun Qianyue shook her head.
Ye Tianyi took a step forward and suddenly reached out to hold Yun Qianyue's hand, feeling her pulse. Yun Qianyue remained still, allowing him to take her pulse. From the moment he caught Rong Linglan when she fell off the horse back then and felt her pulse, he must know medical skills.
After a long while, Ye Tianyi released his hand, whispering: "What exactly happened..."
Yun Qianyue pulled at the corner of her mouth. "I also want to know what happened!"
"No wonder I haven't received your letters for a long time... No wonder... you've lost your memory..." Ye Tianyi spoke in a hoarse voice: "I thought it was because... that's why you avoided me..."
Yun Qianyue raised an eyebrow, her clear voice ringing out: "Was it because of Rong Jing"
Night Tianyi was startled and lifted his head to look straight at Yun Qianyue, "You... for him"
"I like him!" Yun Qianyue pursed her lips. She decided to confess the truth.
Whether it was because he looked too much like Little Seven before she lost her memory and they had entangled deeply with each other, or because of their deep involvement due to his own personality, regardless, she now liked Rong Jing, and today she discovered that she couldn't take back this liking no matter how hard she tried. When she saw Rong Jing injured, it hurt her heart; when she looked at the indifferent expression on his face, she was infuriated. She knew he deliberately acted that way to make her care about him, but she still couldn't control her emotions and stop caring for him.
Night Tianyi silently watched Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue also remained silent.
Silence spread between the two of them.
A long while later, Night Tianyi suddenly took a step forward and grabbed Yun Qianyue's waist. He lifted her up and flew straight towards the mountain through the thorns. Yun Qianyue was stunned but did not stop him; she let Night Tianyi take her to Fragrant Hot Spring Mountain.
At the top of the mountain, Night Tianyi released Yun Qianyue's waist and took her hand, leading her silently towards Bodhidharma Hall.
<
Yun Qianyue followed behind Night Tianyi without speaking.
After walking for a while, when some monks saw someone coming up the mountain and were about to stop them, they recognized Night Tianyi's badge and Yun Qianyue's face, so they stopped talking and let out a Buddhist chant before stepping aside to make way.
Night Tianyi led Yun Qianyue to Bodhidharma Hall.
Today, the temple was bustling with incense offerings, almost rivaling the Prosperity Festival in grandeur.
Night Tianyi skillfully navigated past the front hall and headed towards the inner courtyard of Bodhidharma Hall.
Yun Qianyue followed Night Tianyi silently, her mind swirling with thoughts as she could not figure out Night Tianyi's intentions.
In no time, they arrived at a Buddhist temple in the inner courtyard. Compared to the noisy front area, the inner courtyard was tranquil and quiet. Inside, rhythmic wooden fish sounds were heard, soothing one's soul.
At the entrance of the hall stood an acolyte quietly. Upon seeing Night Tianyi and Yun Qianyue arrive, he seemed to recognize them and clasped his hands together, reciting a Buddhist verse respectfully: "Please follow me! The master is waiting for both patrons!"
"We won't enter! You go in and fetch the letters we entrusted to the master five years ago." Night Tianyi stopped and instructed the acolyte.
"Yes!" the acolyte replied and went inside.
The wooden fish sounds paused momentarily when the acolyte entered but soon resumed. The acolyte emerged from inside, holding two yellowed envelopes which he handed to Night Tianyi with reverence: "The master said these letters have not been opened since you entrusted them for safekeeping five years ago and no one knows about it. They remain unopened."
"Thank you!" Night Tianyi released Yun Qianyue's hand, bowed respectfully towards the temple.
"Prince Qi is being too courteous!" an extremely aged voice came from inside.
Hearing this ancient voice which seemed over a hundred years old, Yun Qianyue looked at the envelopes in Night Tianyi's hand with confusion. Both sides of the envelope had no names or any writing on them. She wondered if these letters were kept together by her and Night Tianyi
"Here, open it!" Night Tianyi handed an envelope to Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue took the envelope but did not immediately open it; instead, she looked at Night Tianyi.
Night Tianyi quietly watched Yun Qianyue with a calm gaze, revealing nothing.
Yun Qianyue pursed her lips and after a moment of hesitation, suddenly opened the envelope. Two thin gold leaves fell out from both envelopes simultaneously; she looked at the two pieces of gold leaf and stiffened instantly.
One piece of paper read: "Will you like me five years later"
The other read: "Yes!"
-- Interlude --
Little Seven has appeared! Dear readers, are you satisfied O(^_^)O~
I've been straining my eyes too much and my eyes hurt ~(>_lley was quiet, only the gentle sounds of water accompanying their wooden raft as it drifted along. The two green mountains were lush with vegetation; disregarding the falling rocks and mud, this plac...