Chapter 15

As it turned out, over the next few days, I never saw that fair-faced abbot again.

I had thought the princess would have all kinds of open and secret dealings with him, but in the end, I had overthought it. A certain fox-like princess seemed as though she had turned over a new leaf. She actually spent her days sitting properly on a meditation cushion, chanting scriptures. Her left hand gently turned prayer beads, while her right hand struck the wooden fish. Her brows and eyes were devout, her movements careful and proper, without the slightest slackness.

I was quite surprised. In truth, deep down, I had rather hoped she would go meet a lover or something. I refused to believe that, at such a time, Dafang would still ruin the mood by following close beside her…

When the princess sat quietly and chanted scriptures, Dafang and I stayed at the side to serve her. It was almost noon now. Her gentle voice echoed through the meditation room like flowing water, accompanied by the clear, tinkling sound of the wooden fish. It was extremely pleasant to hear.

After one stick of incense burned down, scattered cicada cries rose again in the courtyard outside. The shade cast by the old tree shifted little by little. Before anyone noticed, bright sunlight had already shone in from beyond the doorway. The woman kneeling before the Buddha statue set down the wooden mallet, pressed her palms together, and closed her eyes. A layer of pale light surrounded her, making her seem cold, pure, and otherworldly, like a banished immortal who could not be profaned. This was completely different from the seductive, alluring image she had when I first met her.

What should I do? She was so pleasing to the eye! Looking at the figure not far away, I silently sighed inwardly: what an immortal fairy untouched by worldly smoke and fire.

The person over there seemed to sense something and suddenly turned to look at me. The corner of her mouth curved slightly, and brilliance flowed in her phoenix eyes, brightening the entire room. My heartbeat suddenly stalled. Then I saw her cherry lips open and close as she calmly uttered a few words:

“This palace is hungry.”

“…” I, who had been moved inwardly just now, was simply so foolish.

“Go bring the meal,” Dafang reminded me from beside me.

“Yes.” I could only rise, lift the curtain, and go out. Then I brought back the sweet soup ​Read on BaiLianTales​that had already been prepared. By then, the princess had set down her prayer beads, washed up, and sat beside the table.

I smiled and carried it to her, placing it on the table. “This is the mint milk pudding I made this morning.”

The food box was opened, and I took out a round blue-and-white porcelain bowl. The crushed ice inside had already melted. The white jade bowl placed in the center felt cool to the touch. I took it out, placed a spoon beside it, then lowered my brows and said, “Although the summer heat has faded recently, today is clear and still rather dry and hot. This servant specially made this bowl of mint milk pudding. Not only is it sweet, refreshing, and delicious, it also helps dispel wind and clear heat. Please taste it, Princess.”

After listening to me, the princess merely raised her brows slightly without speaking. Her jade-like fingers picked up the spoon and gently stirred the bowl. In the milky-white soup, round emerald-green pearls appeared, looking very pretty. She scooped up a small spoonful and put it into her mouth, then slowly chewed.

“Mm… the mint and goat’s milk blend just right. Fresh, fragrant, and mellow, with a lingering aftertaste.” Only after a while did her pleasant voice slowly drift over. I secretly raised my head and glanced at her. Seeing a faint smile on her face, she seemed to be in a good mood.

Hehe, everything was just as expected. After interacting with and observing her for some time, along with various tests, I knew that mint and goat’s milk were both things she rather liked. So this sweet soup would definitely please her.

While I was secretly feeling pleased, the princess asked as though casually, “You brought mint from the manor?”

My heart chilled slightly, and I answered, “This morning, when I had some free time, I went for a walk outside with Xiao Lan and the others. I saw several clumps of mint growing in the forest behind Mirror Compassion Hall. They were fresh and green, still carrying dew, and their fragrance lingered around the nose, so I had the thought to pick some.”

“So that is how it is.” She responded faintly, asked no further questions, and lowered her head to enjoy it slowly. After finishing it, she rinsed her mouth with clear tea and said, “Dahua’s bowl of chilled milk pudding is comparable to carved clams and delicacies. Its strength lies in its novelty and seasonality. It suits my taste very well.”

Although her voice was relatively calm, the princess rarely praised people. From this, it seemed she truly was very satisfied. I could not help feeling a bit proud, though on the surface I remained respectful and humble. “As long as the princess likes it, this servant is deeply honored.”

But she leaned closer, gazing at me faintly. Her tone immediately became somewhat ambiguous. “I wonder if it is because we are destined to get along, but I always feel that you are very good at pleasing me.”

As she spoke, her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and her red cherry lips breathed slowly only inches away. “Dahua, surely you did not specially put in a great deal of effort to investigate this palace in bailiantales.comorder to become a maidservant in the prince’s manor, did you?”

There was clearly another meaning behind those words. I caught sight of the coldness at the bottom of her eyes and shivered. I hurriedly bowed down. “This servant would never dare do such a thing.”

“Oh? Then it seems this palace was being sentimental.” She sighed softly. That trace of regret and disappointment was difficult to tell as true or false, yet the shallow curve at the corner of her lips was beautiful enough to seize a person’s soul. Fortunately, I was not one of those men easily bewitched by beauty.

I pretended to be frightened and at a loss. “This servant is terrified.”

“Heh, are you that afraid of me? I will not eat you.” She gave a light laugh and looked at me for a moment with her deep gaze. Only then did she withdraw, and the faint pressure disappeared with her movement. “You have served so attentively. You should be rewarded.”

“Mm… then I shall reward you with half a day of leisure. You do not need to serve here. Go out and relax, so you do not grow too bored.”

“…” Was she indirectly driving me away? I kept feeling that something about the princess was wrong today… I secretly pondered. In truth, I was eager to leave, but on the surface, I still had to decline a little to show loyalty. “This servant never feels bored serving the princess.”

“Is that so? Even this palace feels bored.” She gracefully stood, then tilted her head and glanced at me. Her brows and eyes grew slightly solemn, becoming especially proper. “Go out and walk around. Or go down the mountain with Xiao Lan and the others. Then… come back and tell this palace some interesting stories.”

Looking at her immortal-like appearance at this moment, I froze slightly—the noble, cold, elegant, and otherworldly princess was actually asking her maidservant without changing expression to go outside and collect street gossip for her?!

An image suddenly appeared in my mind of her squatting alone in a dark corner, looking haggard as she complained, “Alas, this palace also wants to crack melon seeds while listening to Auntie Wang and the others gossip and chat.”

I could not help being amused. Smiling, I lowered my head. “Yes. This servant will withdraw.”

“Mm, go.” She waved her hand. After kneeling properly on the cushion, she began chanting scriptures again. I bowed and withdrew through the door. Looking back, I could not help shaking my head. This fox really was interesting. ​read the original at bailiantales.com​She did not trust me, yet insisted on keeping me, testing and teasing me everywhere as if we were playing a game.

Heh, let us see who wins in the end~

I did not go look for Xiao Lan and the others. Instead, I took this opportunity to wander around and familiarize myself with the terrain. When I passed by the small pond beneath the banyan tree, I could not help stopping. Beneath the green aquatic plants, seven or eight beautiful koi were leisurely swaying their fins and tails in the clear water. Occasionally, they swam to the surface and poked their heads out, cutting through shimmering ripples, peaceful and free.

Suddenly, I felt a little envious.

At that moment, a bit of irritation rose in my heart. According to the original plan, if I still could not find an opportunity to act against the princess during this stay at the temple, I would hurry to bring Hao Shanzhong and Dafang together so I could lure Dafang away. However, things had not gone smoothly.

Previously, I had gone to encourage Hao Shanzhong several times, using all kinds of hints and encouragement to create opportunities, wanting him to be more active and take the initiative. In the end, that fellow was so shy that he did not dare come meet Dafang even once. He was truly too cowardly.

Mud that could not be plastered onto a wall. But I was not so easy to give up. So these past few days, I often helped deliver gifts and also mentioned Hao Shanzhong in front of Dafang from time to time, increasing his presence in her heart. I had originally thought that with Shanzhong’s beauty, it should be very easy to make Dafang’s spring heart ripple. I had not expected her to remain completely unmoved.

Sigh… How frustrating. It was bad enough that the princess was unpredictable, sometimes cold and sometimes warm. If even Dafang was pure-hearted, desireless, and without weakness, when would I ever complete the mission? Resentfully, I pulled at the little grass beside the pond. After thinking back and forth, a thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

I remembered earlier this morning, when I praised Shanzhong in front of Dafang, her reaction seemed different from usual. Because I had actually seen a strange expression on that face that never showed joy or anger. It was not annoyance, but more like thoughtfulness and confusion. Then her brows and eyes tightened, and only then did she say faintly, “If you want to go see him, then go. The princess has me to serve her.”

At the time, I had not paid much attention. Now that I carefully recalled it, the slight furrow of her brow and the almost imperceptible awkwardness in her tone clearly meant she had misunderstood something. Could it be that she thought I liked Shanzhong and was a little… jealous?

It really seemed to be so!

People often only discover their feelings and learn to cherish someone after a rival appears. That was how books always wrote it. Then should I make a little sacrifice and work hard to play [bailiantales.com]the role of love rival? Ah, right. The young prince could also be used as a love rival, joining me as a stepping stone for these two to finally become lovers, hehe~

If the princess learned in the future that her younger brother and trusted aide were fighting over the same man, what would she think…

My heart suddenly felt refreshed. The previous discouragement was swept away, and my fighting spirit returned in full. So I threw all the torn grass into the pond, clapped my hands, and continued wandering. Once my mood improved, even the surrounding air seemed especially fresh.

The breeze was gentle, the sun was beautiful, and the temple scenery was lovely. Along the way, I casually destroyed a few flowers in full bloom. When I turned into the eastern courtyard of the temple, I vaguely heard some voices coming from behind the wall.

I stopped, tilted my head, and listened carefully. Then I immediately turned around and quietly approached the voices. That was because I recognized one of the soft, delicate voices as belonging to that fair-faced abbot.

“Wenyuan, when exactly will you agree to leave with me? Are you still doubting my feelings for you?” Another deliberately lowered male voice sounded. My eyes lit up.

Did this mean they were going to elope? There was so much meaning inside that I could barely understand it all! The abbot, who was respected and admired by others, had actually violated Buddhist rules and taken a lover at such a young age, and was even preparing to abandon Buddha and go live a loving, beautiful life with his beloved? But, but the abbot was also a man, how could…

I hurriedly calmed down and looked for a concealed place suitable for peeping. Alas, really, I seemed to have accidentally heard something incredible, hehe~

Huh, why was I so happy?

I leaned against the hollow floral window entwined with dense vines and secretly watched the two people speaking behind the nearby rockery through the gaps. From my angle, I could see their appearances clearly. One was indeed the fair-faced abbot, while the other was a tall man wearing fitted martial clothing. That man had a rugged and heroic appearance, with sharp brows and eyes, like someone from the martial world. Yet at this moment, he looked deeply affectionate. Holding the abbot’s hand, he said in a low voice, “Wenyuan… in my heart, there is only you.”

“I know your feelings are deep and sincere,” the abbot said with lowered brows.

Hearing this, the man in fitted clothing revealed joy. He pressed the person before him’s hand to his firm, well-built chest and asked earnestly, “Then are you willing to leave this place with me, cast bailiantales.comaside worldly constraints, and stay together from now on?”

What a shameful conversation! The pure me could hardly keep listening. I had not expected this pretty-boy abbot to be a cut sleeve, and to even like rugged men like the young prince! In that case, Shanzhong could also like the young prince!

No, no, what was I thinking? I was truly disrupting my own plans. Shanzhong belonged to Dafang!

“Qin Tian…” At this moment, the other side spoke again. I quickly came back to myself and saw the abbot had already raised his head to look at the man in fitted clothing. After a long while, he sighed softly. His brows and eyes carried bitterness and helplessness, unexpectedly giving him a somewhat tragic beauty. “If we leave this place, can we truly cast aside all restraints? The things that truly bind you and me are not merely this world. We both have things we cannot let go of. Our paths are different, and our fate is shallow…”

“No! I will not allow you to say that!”

“Qin Tian…”

“Why are you hesitating? What exactly are you worried about… Wenyuan, how long do you intend to torment me?” The man could no longer control his emotions and revealed a wounded expression. In the end, still unwilling, he begged bitterly, “Come with me, all right?”

The abbot withdrew his hand and turned away resolutely. After a long while, he said in a low voice, “When my hair reaches my waist, I will leave with you.”

What a cruel and hurtful excuse! I nearly showed a ferocious expression. Shocked, I looked at the abbot’s shiny bald head. What difference was there between this and saying, “Wait until your next life”? It was simply a gentle stab to the heart!

“You…” Sure enough, the man in fitted clothes was deeply hurt. He retreated several steps in sorrow and finally left in despair. “You are so cruel!”

A sparse breeze passed through the corridor in the small courtyard, and even the cicada cries quieted. Behind the rockery, the white-robed monk stood there in a daze for a long while, then slowly left as well, heading in the opposite direction. In the air, only a sigh lingered for a long time.

Alas… I, who had imagined many stories in my mind, could not help sighing too. In truth, how could the abbot be without feeling? One could only blame the affairs of this world, where people were often not free to act as they wished.

After watching this good show of lovesick and resentful men, I was just about to walk toward the hanging-flower gate when, out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly glimpsed a black shadow flash past beneath the distant corridor. Although the other person’s qinggong was elegant, I still caught sight of the woman’s back. It was Chu Ling, the hidden guard commander of Prince Jin’s Manor.

In truth, I had already noticed earlier that she had also secretly followed along to protect the princess on this trip. However, these days, she had been lying low in the shadows. I did not know whether she had discovered anything unusual in the temple.

I withdrew my gaze and curved my lips.

This morning, I had actually proposed picking mint because I had seen several strange footprints near the mint patch. While Xiao Lan and the others were not paying attention, I secretly checked them. They were all men’s footprints, not few in number—dozens of people—and all of them were martial artists. Because the soil in the forest was very soft, ordinary women would leave deeper footprints, let alone tall, sturdy men. But those footprints were shallow and even, revealing their footwork.

I noticed that the outer edges of those footprints had been moistened by mist, while the depressed centers were comparatively dry. This meant they had been hiding there since last night and should have stayed for a long time. Dozens of people had all avoided the guards. They were definitely not simple. It was very likely that they were well-trained assassins from some assassin tower.

Maple Leaf Mountain was almost isolated from the outside world. It was surrounded by continuous mountains on all sides, and there were not many monks in the temple. Including the guards brought by the Third Prince and the princess, there were only a little over three hundred people. If something unexpected happened, it would take two days round trip to rush to the nearest relay station and mobilize troops. In another two days, the patrol guards would be replaced by people from Prince Jin’s Manor. After several consecutive days of high alert, the Third Prince’s guards had relaxed somewhat. If assassins gathered and infiltrated at this moment, attacking when people were unprepared, they could easily succeed. If there were also insiders…

My left eyelid twitched violently several times. I lifted my head and looked into the distance. I discovered that at some point, dark clouds had drifted over the sky that had been clear and blue not long ago. They gathered gloomily together, as if it were about to rain.

I kept feeling that something was about to happen.