"Oh dear!" Bai Lian'er exclaimed, her eyes instantly filling with tears. "Sister Qi, I'm so sorry, I... I didn't mean to..."

Qi Mingyue frowned slightly as she looked at the few stains on her sleeve: "It's alright."

Xie Ansu released Bai Lian'er and asked with concern, "Miss Qi, are you burned?"

Qi Mingyue shook her head: "I wasn't burned, just my clothes are stained. I'll go back and change."

Bai Lian'er seemed to be greatly frightened, tears streaming down her face: "It's all my fault, I spoiled everyone's fun... I'll go get some water for my sister right now..." She turned to leave, but Xie Ansu stopped her.

"Miss Bai, there's no need to blame yourself. It was just an accident," Xie Ansu comforted her gently. He then turned to Qi Mingyue and asked, "Shall I escort you back to change, Miss?"

Seeing Bai Lian'er crying with tears streaming down her face, and several students casting curious glances at her, Qi Mingyue felt a slight annoyance and simply said, "There's no need to trouble you, young master. Zhishu can accompany me back."

Back at Tingxuezhai, Zhishu muttered as she helped Qi Mingyue change her clothes, "That Miss Bai is really something. She's the one who dirtied Miss's clothes, but she acts like she's suffered a great injustice."

Qi Mingyue looked at the stained silk skirt and sighed softly, "Never mind, perhaps it really was an accident."

However, the next day, some rumors began to circulate in the school, saying that Qi Mingyue embarrassed Bai Lian'er in public because Bai Lian'er had accidentally dirtied her clothes, causing Bai Lian'er to cry all night.

Qi Mingyue simply laughed off the rumors. Xie Ansu, however, came to apologize to her: "It's all my fault for failing to protect Miss yesterday, which led to all this trouble."

Looking at his sincere expression, Qi Mingyue suddenly asked, "Does Young Master Xie believe those words?"

Xie Ansu replied without hesitation, "Of course I don't believe it. I know what kind of person Miss is." He paused, his tone firm, "If anyone criticizes Miss again, I will definitely defend you."

Qi Mingyue felt a warmth in her heart, but she did not want to cause any more trouble: "The innocent are innocent, there is no need to argue with people."

Xie Ansu gazed at her, then suddenly said, "Miss, you are so magnanimous, I admire you. But..." He hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "I apologize for my boldness, but when you were in the capital, did you often encounter such things?"

Qi Mingyue was slightly taken aback, then realized that he was asking about the intrigue and backstabbing. She thought of the seemingly glamorous but actually complicated social interactions in the capital, and a bitter smile appeared on her lips: "Where is it not like this? It's just that the capital places more emphasis on appearances, so even if there is something, it won't be put on the open like this."

A hint of pity flashed in Xie Ansu's eyes as he said softly, "Miss has been wronged."

These words were spoken so earnestly that Qi Mingyue's heart stirred. This was the first time anyone had said such a thing to her since she arrived in Yingzhou.

Several days later, Xie Ansu invited Qi Mingyue to admire the lotus flowers at Biyun Temple in the west of the city. It is said that there is a lotus pond in the temple, planted with rare double-petaled lotus flowers, which are a spectacular sight when they bloom in summer.

Biyun Temple is nestled halfway up the mountain in a serene environment. The two slowly ascended the stone steps, where ancient trees reached for the sky and cicadas chirped incessantly, making it much cooler than down below.

The lotus pond in the temple was indeed unique, with double-petaled lotus flowers as large as bowls, their colors a mix of pink and white, appearing even more delicate and beautiful against the backdrop of green leaves. Xie Ansu was acquainted with the old monks in the temple, so he borrowed a meditation room by the water, prepared some tea and snacks, and sat opposite Qi Mingyue to admire the lotus flowers.

"This double-petaled lotus was originally planted by a princess of the previous dynasty. It is said that she practiced Buddhism here in her later years, keeping her hair intact, and loved this flower the most." Xie Ansu poured tea for Qi Mingyue and told her story in detail. "It's a pity that she was short-lived and passed away before she turned thirty. Only this pond of lotus flowers remains, blooming every year."

Qi Mingyue gazed at the graceful lotus flowers in the pond and said softly, "In that case, the flowers live longer than people."

Xie Ansu nodded: "That's why my father often said that fame and fortune are like fleeting clouds, only literature and virtue can last forever."

The two, enjoying the fragrance of lotus blossoms and the aroma of tea, chatted about poetry, literature, classics, and philosophical works, finding themselves quite compatible. Qi Mingyue discovered that although Xie Ansu had lived in Yingzhou for a long time, his knowledge was not narrow-minded, and he had unique insights into the general situation of the world, which made her look at him with new respect.

A sudden downpour occurred in the afternoon, the sound of rain pattering on the lotus leaves adding to the Zen-like atmosphere. Xie Ansu, worried that Qi Mingyue might catch a chill, borrowed a cloak from the old monk and draped it over her shoulders.

"Thank you, young master," Qi Mingyue said softly. The cloak carried a faint scent of sandalwood, which mingled with the fragrance of lotus blossoms, creating a strangely comforting atmosphere.

Xie Ansu smiled and said, "There's no need for you to be so polite, Miss." He looked out at the rain and suddenly said, "Ansu has a favor to ask, but I don't know if I should say it."

"Please speak freely, young master."

"In the future... may I call you 'Mingyue'?" Xie Ansu asked earnestly. "You can just call me 'Ansu'. Calling me 'young master' and 'young lady' all the time makes it too formal."

Qi Mingyue was slightly taken aback. In the capital, it was a great taboo for men and women to address each other by their given names, but on second thought, the customs in Yingzhou might be different, and Xie Ansu was indeed a gentleman, so she nodded in agreement: "I will do as you wish, young master..."

A smile immediately spread across Xie Ansu's eyes, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake: "Then it's settled, Mingyue."

When the rain stopped, the sun was already setting. The two bid farewell to the old monk and slowly descended the mountain. The mountain scenery was pristine after the rain, and the air was fresh and pleasant. Xie Ansu carefully pointed out the slippery areas to Qi Mingyue, while he himself walked on the outer side.

As they reached the foot of the mountain, several students rushed towards them, clearly surprised to see the two. One of them said, "Brother Xie, so you're here! We've been looking for you! Miss Bai accidentally fell into the water this afternoon and is now ill!"

Xie Ansu frowned: "Is it serious?"

"The doctor said it's a cold and she needs to rest well," the scholar said, glancing at Qi Mingyue with a meaningful look. "Miss Bai keeps mentioning Brother Xie's name..."

Xie Ansu looked troubled and glanced at Qi Mingyue. Qi Mingyue said calmly, "Since Miss Bai is unwell, Ansu, you should go and see her."

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