Going Down the Mountain

In truth, Xi Cui wasn't thinking about all that; she was looking at Gao Qian.

Although they were siblings in name, she hadn't had much contact with Gao Qian. However, combining it with the plot in the book, Xi Cui had already grasped his basic personality.

Gao Qian might look cold, but his character was actually very tolerant, and his actions were thoughtful, never lacking in courtesy.

This was the first time he had been as cold as he was now.

Was it because of Wei Dansheng?

The author had deliberately used contrast when shaping the two most important male characters in the entire book.

Wei Dansheng and Gao Qian—one was cold, one was warm; one was steady and self-controlled, one was handsome and elegant.

They had distinct and completely incompatible personalities. They were definitely two extremes.

Also because of Wu Huaifei, throughout the entire book, Wei Dansheng and Gao Qian had never gotten along.

Most of the time, they were extremely cold toward each other.

Now, the male lead, female lead, and supporting male lead were all present, and the atmosphere was as stifling as a steel furnace, making it somewhat hard for Xi Cui to bear.

Before Wei Dansheng could speak, Xi Cui took the initiative to break this strange atmosphere.

"What happened the day before yesterday was actually nothing to hide," she briefly recounted in a few sentences.

"It was like this," Xi Cui said. "Because I was afraid of being discovered by Sister-in-law, I troubled the masters to search deep into the forest for me in the middle of the night. That was my mistake."

"Is that so?" Gao Qian asked.

Xi Cui replied, "It is."

"The injuries on your body were also caused by that?"

"Yes, they are just minor skin injuries. They are fine today."

From beginning to end, the siblings did not look at Wei Dansheng again.

"Injuries?" Hearing this, Wu Huaifei couldn't help but be startled.

Not only Wu Huaifei, but Wei Dansheng was also slightly taken aback.

Naturally, all eyes fell on Xi Cui.

Xi Cui didn't care about this minor injury at all, saying calmly, "It's just a minor skin scrape."

"Young... did the lady get injured the day before yesterday?"

"Was it because of me?" Her face showed hesitation.

Xi Cui shook her head. "It has nothing to do with you."

Even so, in Wu Huaifei's ears, it carried a different meaning.

She must have been injured while holding onto her tightly.

Thinking of this, Wu Huaifei felt even more ashamed.

It turned out that "Young Master Gao" who had been with her for several days was actually a woman like her. Yet, she had caused so much trouble for Lady Gao the day before yesterday, even troubling her to take care of her. She hadn't even realized that she was injured.

Wei Dansheng's expression remained calm.

But before his eyes appeared the image of the young girl walking with Hui Ru that day.

Silent, without uttering a single groan.

In truth, he had seen it, but he had merely glanced at it.

He had thought she was just an impulsive noble lady, but he hadn't expected her to have some useless self-respect.

Her black hair was tied up neatly, and her thin lips were pursed.

Thinking of this, Wei Dansheng's fingertips inside his sleeve twitched slightly, and a darkness he was unaware of flickered in his eyes.

Gao Qian glanced at Wu Huaifei, only then withdrawing his gaze and turning to Wei Dansheng. "Is Zen Master Shan in the inner chambers?"

Wei Dansheng also withdrew his gaze, loosening his hand as he smiled. "The Zen Master is resting in the main hall."

"If that is the case, I won't disturb the Zen Master's recovery." He took a medicine pouch from his sleeve and handed it to Wei Dansheng. "Please deliver this wild ginseng to the Zen Master as a token of my Gao family's respect."

"Give it to me," Wu Huaifei suddenly said.

Gao Qian looked over. Wu Huaifei lowered her head, biting her teeth, her fair cheeks as red as tomatoes.

The "Young Master Gao" she had been with these past few days was his younger sister.

Thinking of her heartbeat over the past few days, Wu Huaifei's face burned with intense embarrassment.

She explained dryly, "These past few days... I have been in charge of the Zen Master's illness."

Gao Qian: "Very well, then I shall trouble you."

He directly placed the medicine pouch into her palm.

Gao Qian had always been cautious in his speech, but when facing Wu Huaifei, the coldness in his eyes melted slightly, though the change was extremely subtle and hard to detect.

Raising his head, Gao Qian said calmly, "My sister is headstrong. As her older brother, I apologize to Lady Wu and the little master. We still have matters to attend to, so we won't disturb you further."

With that, he led Xi Cui away.

Before stepping out of the door, Xi Cui turned back and stopped.

"Lady Wu," Xi Cui said. "For deceiving you these past few days, I am very sorry."

Wu Huaifei shook her head. "The lady posed as her brother because it was inconvenient for a woman to enter and leave the temple. I was the one who misunderstood your identity first; it is not your fault."

Xi Cui smiled. "Thank you for your tolerance, Lady Wu. Now I can rest easy."

As she smiled, Wu Huaifei was stunned.

The three of them standing before the door looked so close from afar, like a family.

Wei Dansheng's eyelashes trembled, and a trace of mockery rose at the corners of his mouth.

***

Before leaving, Xi Cui really wanted to say goodbye to Hui Ru.

"Is the benefactor going down the mountain so soon?"

Xi Cui smiled and said, "I have finished copying the scriptures, and there are matters at home, so I cannot stay on the mountain any longer."

Hui Ru knew she wanted to leave, and though he was reluctant, he did not stop her.

"The benefactor must return often. Everyone will miss you."

"Of course."

Although her time at Kongshan Temple wasn't long, Xi Cui liked this place very much. The monks in the temple were very kind, and the vegetarian food was delicious.

Hui Ru was only ten years old and had grown up in Kongshan Temple since childhood, following his masters and uncles to cultivate, never having experienced parting.

Now, blinking his eyes, tears of reluctance welled up.

Xi Cui stroked his smooth, blue-shaved head. "It's not like we won't see each other again. In a while, I will come up the mountain to visit you."

After bidding farewell to Xi Cui, Hui Ru met Wei Dansheng.

He was standing alone in the tea room, with no sign of Lady Wu.

Hui Ru walked over in surprise. "Did Uncle not go to see off Benefactor Gao?"

"Did you go?"

"Before leaving, the benefactor specifically came to find me to say goodbye." Hui Ru scratched his head. "With Benefactor Gao leaving like this, I am really a bit reluctant."

"I know," Wei Dansheng said flatly.

Seeing his suddenly cold face, Hui Ru was stunned for a moment, then lowered his hand in confusion.

Uncle...

Was he angry because Benefactor Gao didn't say goodbye to him?

He had wanted to say more, but catching sight of the trembling Buddhist beads on his wrist, he didn't dare say another word.