Chapter 641 Revisiting Baiyun Temple

“Maybe,” Xie Lingyun pondered for a moment, “but it’s also possible that he never even thought about getting married. He’s been different from others since he was a child. He’s cold and aloof, humble to others, but not very humane.”

She sighed softly as she said this.

“Back then, I was young and longed for a love that would move heaven and earth. I didn’t like his dull and simple nature. A year before the wedding, we heard that he had become a novice Taoist priest. So I asked my father to go to his home and break off the engagement, and he agreed.”

"Looking back now, it would have been better to marry a man like him and live a life of widowhood at home than to marry someone I was just having a crush on, rather than to have a child with a disgusting man."

Song Chunxue was astonished. "Their family wants to find him a wife to keep him company in his empty house and continue the family line?"

She had heard before that wealthy families produce both romantic lovers and those who are obsessed with Buddhism or Taoism.

Parents may not be able to persuade their children to marry, but they will ensure that the child leaves behind a bloodline before leaving home, so that the lineage does not end.

"Yes, his family insisted on doing it that way, but the man was steadfast in his faith and unwilling to harm an innocent woman, so he resolutely went to Baiyun Temple."

As they spoke, they arrived at the front yard.

Xie Lingyun had the maids and servants play with the children while she accompanied Song Chunxue to see Zhou Yunli.

As soon as she entered, Song Chunxue saw a young and handsome man looking in her direction. His cool gaze fell on Xie Lingyun, and his eyes flickered slightly.

Then, she casually moved away, her lips slightly pursed.

If it were the old Song Chunxue, she certainly wouldn't have noticed anything, but now that she's lived for over eighty years, if she couldn't even discern what these subtle expressions meant, she would have lived in vain.

This person is not as cold-hearted and indifferent as Xie Lingyun described, at least not when looking at Xie Lingyun.

He was dressed in a simple Taoist robe today, and rose to perform the usual greeting.

"You sent someone to find me, is it because it's urgent?"

His gaze swept over Song Chunxue, then looked at him with a hint of surprise, his eyebrows slightly raised, as if he had seen something surprising.

Song Chunxue nodded to him, "Greetings, young Daoist. I visited Baiyun Temple yesterday and chatted with a young Daoist who was sweeping the floor for a while. Afterwards, that person called his master over and insisted on inviting me for tea. I wonder if you've heard about it?"

"So it's you?" Zhou Yunli looked at Xie Lingyun in surprise. "Who is this Taoist priest to you?"

“He is a distinguished guest of our household. He came from the border with my father and is also my father’s senior brother.” At this point, Xie Lingyun lowered her voice, seemingly a little unsure of herself. “My father has also started cultivating Taoism. He not only meditates but also practices standing meditation and swordsmanship.”

Zhou Yunli understood immediately, and then solemnly bowed deeply to Song Chunxue.

"My name is Zhou Yunli, a disciple of Baiyun Temple. The person who came to see you yesterday was your fourth uncle. You misunderstood him. He invited you for tea only because he noticed that your magic weapon was extraordinary and wanted to see it for himself. He is a well-known magic weapon fanatic and may have been a little too eager. He even sent people out to look for you. I apologize on behalf of my fourth uncle."

Song Chunxue looked at him quietly. He was just a child and might not know the true nature of his martial uncle.

"That's good. I was indeed frightened yesterday. I ran away and then found out that someone knew my whereabouts. I even had to use a talisman to shake them off. Your uncle is a bit too persistent."

Zhou Yunli continued to explain, "My master said that the magical artifact you carried was not made by an ordinary person, but was a divine object with ancient inscriptions and had even gained sentience. It is extremely rare in the world. This morning, he even told my master that he wanted to continue going out to look for you. He didn't expect you to be at the Xie residence."

He was clearly excited, and he spoke very quickly.

He looked at Xie Lingyun, "It's good that you trust me and had someone come to ask me."

"Don't get so agitated. Sit down, have some tea, and tell me slowly," Xie Lingyun said with a smile, like an old friend. "I've never seen you so unsettled in all my years."

A blush crossed Zhou Yunli's face, and then she obediently sat down and took a sip of tea.

Song Chunxue thought to herself, Xie Zheng is going to be in trouble. If Zhou Yunli has any other ideas in the future and gets together with Xie Lingyun, then he will be surrounded by Taoists.

I reckon Xie Zheng will shudder whenever he hears the word "Taoist priest" from now on.

However, Zhou Yunli is a member of the Quanzhen Sect, so he probably won't easily violate the sect's rules.

Afterwards, Xie Lingyun exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhou Yunli.

Song Chunxue overheard this and realized that even though they were so far away, Zhou Yunli knew perfectly well that Xie Lingyun had recently taken her child back to her parents' home and was planning to divorce Chang Yunxuan.

Xie Lingyun didn't seem to understand, but Song Chunxue perceived it as something else entirely.

Perhaps when the Xie family came to them, the Zhou family child left home in a fit of anger.

If it's true, then the child is quite pitiful.

Song Chunxue couldn't help but look at Zhou Yunli with pity.

Zhou Yunli happened to look over, smiled apologetically, and his moon-white Taoist robe was embroidered with a small Tai Chi diagram, which made him look very lively.

He's young after all; he's quite lively when he speaks.

"You don't need to persuade me. I chose to break off this marriage myself. Chang Yunxuan broke his vow and is unjust and immoral. Why should I stay and let him be bullied by the Chang family? I've already moved out of Dali Temple. If they still don't listen, I'll expose all the things they said to me and how they spent my dowry. Then, when rumors spread that they wanted to seize my dowry, they'll have no choice but to let it go."

Zhou Yunli was very surprised.

"They even used your dowry?"

“That’s right. I’m my father’s only daughter, and I had a generous dowry. In the first few years after I married into the Chang family, the family encountered some difficulties. Chang Yunxuan asked me indirectly, and I gave him my dowry without thinking. Now I suddenly realize that maybe his attentiveness to me was all for my dowry from the beginning. He knows that my father loves me.”

People's hearts are no longer what they used to be, and they can't withstand the test of time. Song Chunxue sighed as she listened.

Xie Lingyun was unlucky in love.

Fortunately, she has made up her mind now.

"If you need help, just let me know."

Xie Lingyun smiled, "Right now, there's something I need your help with. Just say our horoscopes don't match..."

“You two are incompatible according to your birth charts, but you didn’t believe in these things back then,” Zhou Yunli said calmly. “I had someone remind me of this before.”

"..." Xie Lingyun said unhappily, "It's all in the past. Why don't you take me and my aunt to the temple to meet that senior uncle?"

“Alright, let’s go now.” Zhou Yunli was quite sensible. He stood up and stood aside, raising his hand to Song Chunxue. “Please, Daoist Master.”

Just then, Xie Zheng returned from outside, and they went together.

Half an hour later, they arrived at Baiyun Temple together in a horse-drawn carriage.

When Song Chunxue saw the person who had stopped her yesterday, she clearly saw the expression in that person's eyes. First, his eyes widened, then he was stunned for a moment, and then he hurriedly looked away.

After composing himself, he greeted them with an impeccable smile.

"I was just wondering where to look for you, but I didn't expect you to come in person. It is my honor to meet you again, fellow Daoist." With that, he warmly invited them into the main hall.

"May I take another look at your magical artifact?"

Before even exchanging pleasantries, he eagerly made his request.