Chapter 503: and translation of title, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities appearing in these lines

Speaking of this barren mountain, it was originally not truly a barren mountain.

There is a small temple on this mountain.

There are at most three halls front and back, and a few meditation rooms.

Behind it lies a large open space, all planted with vegetables and fruits by the temple's original monks, sufficient for the temple's daily needs.

This temple also has only ten monks.

The abbot is a truly enlightened high monk, yet he is merely an unworldly ascetic; because his disposition is not likable, after the Ningyuan Temple of the Xie family's heir gained fame, this small temple gradually lost its incense.

The high monk also did not mind.

Each day he continued leading the monks in chanting, meditation, and farming, living his own ascetic routine.

However, this high monk inadvertently offended the powerful.

The anger of the powerful was like thunder.

The high monk was arrested and thrown into prison; to this day his fate is unknown.

And with the high monk's departure, this small temple ultimately could not keep its remaining monks.

Even the ordinary townspeople who once sincerely believed in the temple now dare not come; gradually, the temple became completely deserted.

The monks left, some left.

Some died, some died.

And some went to seek refuge in the Ningyuan Temple.

These three halls, unrepaired, gradually became dilapidated and overgrown with weeds.

Until now, it has completely become the dwelling of beggars outside the city or passersby.

Li Qingluo, upon hearing this, could not believe it: "So, Qingyangzi turned that temple into a Daoist observatory?"

Duan Rongshi: "It is also not that difficult."

"Luò'er, in the world nothing is difficult for one who sets their mind to it."

"And we still have what we lack the most."

Li Qingluo: "Money."

She recalled that he also held a great amount of wealth, so for him this truly was not difficult.

"As long as we pay money, we can lead those beggars away, then hire a large number of workers with wages higher than usual to sculpt, paint, and repair; although everything was rushed, as long as we have enough people and money, none of it is difficult."

Li Qingluo couldn't help but smile: "So you secretly did this great thing."

Duan Rongshi: "This matter was entirely handed over to Qingyangzi; I did not interfere."

Li Qingluo: "Just like in Jinling, you are strangers who do not know each other?"

"A Shi, hurry and continue speaking. How exactly did you see Zongzheng Langri?"

"What kind of person does he appear to be?"

Duan Rongshi lowered his head and lightly pecked her lovely lips.

"Luò'er, I have not yet had dinner."

"Will you first keep me company while I eat my fill, then we can continue talking?"

Li Qingluo then recalled: "I made a pastry by hand at the tavern today, thinking you might like it, so I brought a portion back."

"I will go set it out for you."

Li Qingluo said, then rose and hurried to the table.

After the pastry was set out, Li Qingluo hurried out again to look for Que'er, who had not yet returned.

"Que'er?"

But Que'er was not in the inner courtyard.

She had been gone for so long and still had not returned.

Moreover, she might not yet know that Duan Rongshi had already returned to the inner courtyard, and Li Qingluo's heart suddenly filled with an uneasy premonition.

Because the only attendants at their Tangdi Residence were Zheng Mama and Que'er, Li Qingluo could only first have Zheng Mama go to the kitchen to order food to be sent to Duan Rongshi.

Then she herself went to look for Que'er.

Sha Qi was on guard duty patrolling the rear courtyard today; seeing Li Qingluo looking for someone, he hesitated a moment then said: "Miss, you might try looking in the West Three Rooms."

The West Three Rooms is where the kill-character and guards reside.

Zhui Yu and Leng Dian also live there.

Li Qingluo's heart suddenly tightened: "Did she go look for Zhui Yu?"

Sha Qi: "Zhui Yu seems to have been injured. Moreover, the injury looks serious."

When Li Qingluo arrived at the West Three Rooms, she happened to see Que'er rushing out with red eyes.

Upon seeing Li Qingluo's figure, Que'er's steps halted.

She hurriedly knelt and confessed: "Miss, this servant is at fault."

"This servant failed to report to you in a timely manner; please punish me, Miss."

Seeing her like this, Li Qingluo's heart already guessed seven out of eight.

She let out a soft sigh.

Zhui Yu has a marriage arrangement, which she has never told Que'er.

And this girl has always thought she was clueless, but perhaps she had already realized in her heart her connection with Zhui Yu; thus, when Zheng Mama earlier hinted at it with a half-smile, her heart must have already been stirred.

Zhui Yu appears carefree at first glance, but in fact he is very principled and strong-willed inside.

Perhaps he will never easily consider a new future in this life if he cannot find his cousin.

It is only Que'er who suffers.

Those who interact most with Zhui Yu find that he indeed shows her several differences from ordinary maidens.

If one says Zhui Yu truly has no feeling for her, then this matter is something Li Qingluo and they wouldn't believe; they fear Zhui Yu himself would deny it.

He will subconsciously protect Que'er, subconsciously look toward Que'er in a crowd, and also care about Que'er's joys, anger, sorrow, happiness, and comfort.

If one speaks of being unfeeling, who still has feeling?

Li Qingluo brought Que'er back to the main courtyard.

She saw that Que'er's spirits were poor, first asked Zheng Mama, learned that Duan Rongshi was still waiting for her to have a meal, and so first let Que'er go downstairs to rest.

Que'er: "Miss, you don't want the servant to attend to you?"

Li Qingluo saw Que'er seemed about to cry the next second, and could only order firmly: "Yes."

"I want you to go lie down now."

"Crying is fine, laughing is also fine."

"Go stay in your room yourself."

"Otherwise, having a red-eyed ghost lingering before our eyes, would Your Highness and I feel any better?"

Que'er choked back a sob and almost cried out right then.

"Yes, Miss."

Thinking of her current appearance, Que'er could only retreat.

Watching Que'er leave, Li Qingluo let out a deep sigh.

She called for Zheng Mama.

"Please go check on her for me."

Zheng Mama: "What's this? This old servant sees Que'er looking lost and dispirited."

Li Qingluo: "Don't mention Zhui Yu's matter in front of her from now on."

Zheng Mama was stunned for a moment.

Then, realizing something, she raised her hand and slapped her own mouth.

"It's all because this old servant spoke nonsense earlier."

"By the way, Miss, the manor is short-staffed; should we buy some young maidservants back?"

Li Qingluo: "You handle it; once you've selected the people, I'll just take a look and that'll be fine."

After they finished speaking, Zheng Mama hurried off to find Que'er.

Li Qingluo then returned to the main house, while Duan Rongshi was still waiting for her to have a meal together.

Li Qingluo's complexion was not good.

Duan Rongshi: "Did Zhui Yu cause trouble and come find you?"

Li Qingluo then knew he would guess that.

"What did he provoke me to do?"

"I also know that his keeping his promise is not his fault."

"But he shouldn't have provoked Que'er from the start."

Duan Rongshi: "Some attractions are hard to resist."

"Luo'er, it's because of us two that they came to know each other."

Li Qingluo: "If I had known earlier, Your Highness wouldn't have bothered to get to know me."

"Has Your Highness come as well?"

Duan Rongshi raised his eyebrows high.

Although his heart leaned toward Zhui Yu,

but at this moment it's clear that the lady is more important.

He hurriedly took Li Qingluo's hand and said: "Luo'er, then wouldn't I be too pitiful?"

"Taking out anger on others is not the proper conduct of a noble lady."

"He is becoming more and more adept at acting pitiful."

Li Qingluo had nothing to say.

After having a meal with Duan Rongshi, Duan Rongshi still hadn't continued talking about their unfinished previous conversation, when Zheng Mama rushed over anxiously.

"Miss, Que'er is ill."