Chapter 111

Sir, the White Horse Temple is right ahead.

The rainy night was cold and still, the carriage skull turned slowly in the darkness, and a soft light quietly shone from the temple in the distance.

Xie Yan sat upright in the carriage, hearing this he slowly opened his eyes, coughed lightly a few times, and a deep, cold darkness filled his pupils.

The carriage stopped before the White Horse Temple, Xie Yan got off, Ting Feng supported him and opened an umbrella.

Raindrops struck the umbrella top like ice beads, producing a pattering sound that vexed the mind.

Someone stepped forward and knocked three times on the door.

The door opened from within, and the monks and nuns welcomed the group inside.

This White Horse Temple is a small shrine located in the southern suburbs' forest, enshrining Maitreya Buddha, with few visitors, appearing very desolate.

No one would have thought that such an inconspicuous temple would actually be a hideout of the Holy Heaven Sect hidden in Jingcheng.

Candles were lit all around the temple, a wooden carved Maitreya Buddha sat solemnly on the altar, seemingly gazing at them with a smile.

After traveling all night, the followers were utterly exhausted, they scattered and sat down to rest, and two monks and nuns brought them water and steamed buns.

These people were dressed in the shabby attire of poor families, yet a few had vicious eyes, scarred faces, and reeked of blood.

The atmosphere was heavy, and for a moment no one spoke.

Xie Yan wore a gray robe, hands behind his back, standing beneath the altar gazing at the Maitreya Buddha, wondering what he was thinking.

The boy with his hair tied in a topknot split a steamed bun in half, took it to Xie Yan, and said crisply, "Brother, you eat."

The woman was startled, hurried over to pull Da Bao away, and apologetically said, "Da Bao doesn't understand, sir, please don't blame him."

"It's fine." Xie Yan accepted the half bun, then rubbed the child's head with his palm and said gently, "Da Bao, are you of age to attend school?"

The woman blinked at his words, nodded slightly, as if thinking of something, her eyes dimming. "Even if Da Bao is old enough for school, what then?"

They are originally convicted fugitives, outlaws; merely staying alive is already good enough—what talk of school?

Feng Liangce, killed today by the court, was her husband and Da Bao's father.

Xie Yan said, "Once we reach Jing Prefecture, let Da Bao acknowledge me as his teacher."

The woman was overjoyed, repeatedly bowing her thanks.

Others might not know Xie Yan's identity, but she did: Mister Cangji holds a lofty position in the sect, and with his protection Da Bao will have support for the rest of his life!

Zhai Ji was trussed up and thrown into a corner; when he woke and saw this scene, a surge of hatred welled up, and he couldn't help but shout curses.

"Xie Yan, you traitor! How dare you hold the prince hostage—the court will not let you off!"

As soon as his words fell, the surrounding low murmurs abruptly ceased.

All the followers turned their heads, dozens of eyes glimmering in the flickering candlelight.

Beneath the Buddha statue, those gazes fell upon him in unison, carrying a bestial scrutiny, grim and eerie.

Zhai Ji's angry shouts caught in his throat; suddenly realizing who these people were, he instinctively shrank his neck.

Xie Yan found him noisy, gave a glance to those nearby, and immediately a man took off his sock and forced it into Zhai Ji's mouth.

A sour stench flooded his mouth; Zhai Ji rolled his eyes, nearly suffocating.

Xie Yan ignored Zhai Ji, summoned a few people to the room behind the Buddha statue to confer; after half an hour he emerged, and Zhai Ji's face bore new bruises.

His earlier arrogance had vanished, and he now appeared much more subdued.

"Keep an eye on him." Xie Yan glanced at the limp figure on the ground, his tone flat, "Don't injure his face; if he becomes unrecognizable, keeping him is pointless."

Having said that, he lifted his foot and left the temple; Ting Feng called a few men to grab their gear and follow.

Xie Yan intended to go to Everpeace Marquis Manor to retrieve his mother's spirit tablet.

Shen Shuangning saw the unusually heavy-hearted youth before her, felt pity, and gently took his hand.

"Xie Lin, this isn't your fault. Being born in the marquis manor wasn't your choice."

Xie Lin forced a light laugh and said, "Everything has cause and effect; if fate arranged it this way, I am willing to bear the price—"

He paused, looked at her, and said, "The situation in the marquis manor is truly complicated; worldly affairs shift unpredictably, I don't know what tomorrow will bring, and I don't want you to follow me into any danger."

Shen Shuangning withdrew her hand, feigned anger, and said, "Do you think I'm the sort who abandons others at the first sign of disaster?"

"Of course not."

He gazed at her silently for a long while, then spoke softly, "Fool, how could I bear to let you suffer with me? Besides, you are not alone—you still have the Duke's Manor; we cannot be so selfish. So let's postpone the wedding for now."

As he spoke, his voice was hoarse, and the hand resting beneath the table clenched involuntarily into a fist.

He wanted to complain about unfair fate, but upon reflection, what did he have to complain about?

He had enjoyed twenty years of honor and favor; to ask for stars when the moon is denied, such days would make others envy a lifetime. Compared to his elder brother's endurance and suffering in the marquis manor over those years, what right did he have to grumble?

Even if he ultimately cannot marry the woman he loves, meeting Shen Shuangning in this life, truly feeling his heart stir for her, tasting this vivid affection, is not a life wasted.

Thinking thus, Xie Lin's heart felt brighter. He had already gained enough; one Shen Shuangning outweighed all the world's finest things.

Shen Shuangning lowered her eyes to look at the bubbling tea, her nose tingling with sourness.

Xie Lin laughed again, the gloom in his eyes fading a bit, carrying a youthful slyness: "But saying this doesn't mean I'm willing to hand you over to others."

He braced himself on the table edge, rose, leaned forward slightly, and his warm palm lightly covered the back of her neck; the force was gentle yet carried an irresistible tenderness, drawing her inch by inch closer.

Afterward, a feather-light kiss landed on her forehead.

The youth's lips were not as warm as his palm, carrying a slight coolness, yet soft as newly melted spring snow.

Shen Shuangning stared at his bobbing Adam's apple, hearing his voice, tinged with breath, fall near her ear:

"Ningning deserves the best; I am not good enough, but in this world no one loves you more than I do."

He paused, his fingertip lightly brushing her hair, "So I still can't let go; in this life I will always love Ningning."

Shen Shuangning opened her mouth, a thousand words choked in her throat, yet not a single sound escaped.

Xie Lin then, like a conjurer, slipped a magnolia flower hairpin into her hair.

"On the way here, I saw an old woman selling this; I spotted this hairpin at once and thought of you. Then I realized, I'm truly awful—how could I say such things to you today and hurt you?"

So I bought it, brought it to you to make amends; if you still have anger in your heart, you can hit me, scold me, take out your anger on me.

Shen Shuangning lifted her gaze to him, tears inexplicably streaming down, so she really lifted her hand, clenched a fist, and lightly punched his chest.

The force was neither too light nor too heavy.

But Xie Lin's heart ached.

He placed his hand on the edge of the table to support himself, waited for her to stop, then leaned forward, foreheads touching, staring at her stubbornly yet affectionately, with a hint of pain in his eyes.

"If I cannot marry you, you must find someone better than me."

As their breaths intertwined, Xie Lin's gaze involuntarily fell on the woman's soft, rosy lips, his throat tightening...

Not far outside the tent, two palace maids saw two shadows reflected on the screen, excitedly patting each other's shoulders, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Suddenly seeing someone approach, the maid startled, immediately composed herself and stood at attention.

Only when that person drew near did she see clearly who it was.

"Junior... Junior Preceptor, sir?"

Inside the tent, Xie Lin heard the sound from outside, his closed eyes snapping open, and only then did he see the delicate face right before him.

The girl's lips were softer than imagined, her tongue also soft, carrying a maiden's unique fragrance; perhaps a tear had accidentally gotten in, making it slightly salty.

Xie Lin woke as from a dream, finally realizing what he had done... no, wrong, it seemed he hadn't kissed her; she had moved in on her own.

That thought flashed through him, and Xie Lin jerked back as if scalded.

He exclaimed in shock, "Ningning, you—you how......"

Shen Shuangning sat still, her wet eyes gazing at him, she pressed her lips and said, "You weren't just trying to kiss me, were you?"

The woman wore only a thin moon-white nightgown, the fabric so sheer it resembled a mist, outlining faint shoulder lines; her black hair spilled like ink behind her, making that section of her neck appear even more slender and lustrous.

Her bare face, in the candlelight, revealed a natural charm, her snow-like skin glowing with the sheen of warm jade.

Xie Lin came preoccupied with worries, not noticing these details at all; now his gaze struck this scene, and his heart leapt.

Her appearance at this moment inexplicably reminded him of the mountain spirits described in storybooks—clear and cold yet alluring, possessing a beauty that startled the heart.

With a "boom," his blood surged to his head, and Xie Lin's handsome young face instantly flushed crimson.

He dared not glance again, feeling somewhat at a loss.

"I—this... cough, it's getting late, I should go. You rest early!"

Shen Shuangning just watched him flee in embarrassment, then blew out the candle, pulled her clothes over herself, and lay back down on the bed.

Pei Zhi saw Xie Lin emerge from the tent with a flushed handsome face, his long brows involuntarily knitting together, as if suppressing anger.

"I told you to make things clear with her—what are you doing in her tent? A maiden's reputation is paramount; have you considered that? If you don't intend to marry her, you must always keep your distance!"

He unleashed a torrent of reproach, his manner even stricter than that of an elder brother.

Xie Lin's expression was embarrassed; he instinctively defended, "I didn't mean to harm her reputation—this sort of thing can only be said privately. At the time... I really hadn't thought that much."

"What kind of excuse is that?" Pei Zhi snorted coldly, his eyes cutting like a knife, his voice tinged with chill, "Don't you think before acting?"

Only then did Xie Lin realize who Pei Zhi was to him, and by what right he spoke to him in that tone.

Xie Lin's face turned cold in a flash, and he retorted, "I care about her more than you do! What qualifications do you have to lecture me?"

Pei Zhi said nothing.

Xie Lin added, his voice carrying a youthful stubbornness, "Besides, if you truly love someone, how could you quibble over purity? If her future husband cares about that, then he doesn't love her enough and isn't worthy of marrying her."

In his heart, the girl he likes is always good, no matter what. And Ningning is perfect in every way—who would dare to find fault with her?

Perhaps he agreed, for Pei Zhi no longer argued with him.

At that moment, Yan Zheng strode over, his face ashen.

Seeing him appear, Xie Lin thought he had captured Xie Yan, and instantly grew nervous, clenching both hands.

Yan Zheng snapped, "Damn the Holy Heaven Sect—they actually kidnapped the Third Prince! This is what I found in the forest..."

Yan Zheng took out Zhai Ji's token and showed it to Pei Zhi; there was also a note on it.

It read: tomorrow at noon, open the Northwest City Gate, with no officials or soldiers present, and prepare thirty thousand taels for their travel expenses. Otherwise, the Third Prince's head will appear at the busiest market in Jingcheng.

"This is utterly outrageous!"

Yan Zheng fumed, "If I discover their hideout, I will surely riddle them with arrows and cut them to pieces!"

Pei Zhi suddenly said, "White Horse Temple."