"The people in this secluded courtyard are quite interesting. Anyone who's good-looking is declared the most beautiful woman, and they're all arguing about it. It's ridiculous," a handsome man in fine clothes, holding a folding fan, sneered.

However, he did indeed have the qualifications. The man's name was Aisin-Gioro Baotai, a Manchu of the Bordered White Banner, the third son of Prince Yuxian, Aisin-Gioro Fuquan, and the only surviving son (the only surviving son was fabricated). He was appointed as the heir apparent by Emperor Kangxi. As a living golden nugget, Baotai had seen countless beauties and naturally looked down on these ignorant people from remote counties.

The man sitting opposite him clearly understood this. He had a gentle and refined appearance, and a smiling mouth that seemed to smile even when he wasn't. Only his phoenix eyes, devoid of any warmth, revealed his indifference. He was a typical example of someone who was warm on the outside but cold on the inside.

"Your Highness is very knowledgeable, but the land shapes its people. This place is blessed with beautiful scenery and talented people, so it might really produce some rare beauties." The man's tone was gentle, but he unconsciously carried a hint of contempt, which was not noticeable unless you listened carefully.

However, Bao Tai clearly knew his friend's personality. He took a big gulp of wine and said, "You're such a good actor. Don't you feel uncomfortable pretending like this all the time?"

The man didn't speak, but his relaxed eyebrows and the way he sipped his wine clearly showed that he liked this style.

"Rongying, you really know how to pretend. There are so many young ladies in the capital, how come they can't see through your cold and aloof nature, and they all rush over to you with such enthusiasm."

"Your Highness is too kind." The man called Rong Ying chuckled lightly, not taking it seriously.

Rongying's full name is Guarjia Rongying. His grandfather was Guarjia Aita, a third-rank official in the Court of Judicial Review, who was also Baotai's maternal grandfather. Because of this relationship, the two grew up together. Among so many cousins, Baotai got along best with Rongying. Although it was Baotai who suggested coming to Anqing County, it was Rongying who chose the location. It was a place his father had visited, and Rongying thought it looked familiar, so he chose it.

One idea after another popped into their heads, and soon they arrived at the remote Anqing County. Although the place was dilapidated, the scenery was indeed beautiful. Both of them had a stubborn and daring nature, and tired of the local customs, they ran off to more remote places.

The guards following them were secretly worried, but they couldn't abandon these two living ancestors, so they had no choice but to grit their teeth and follow behind.

Unlike the guards' frustration, the two bold young noblemen from the capital had no such thoughts. They walked and stopped, going wherever the scenery looked interesting, and their paths became increasingly remote until it got dark.

Dark clouds gathered and a strong wind blew. Even without the guards' reminder, the two understood that a heavy rain was about to fall, and their brows furrowed tightly.

The leading guard, a burly man with a dark face, didn't even have time to complain about these two troublesome troublemakers. He said anxiously:

"Your Highness, Young Master Rongying, the road ahead is difficult to travel. We are already too far from the county town, and it will be too late to go back. Please stay here for a while. I will go ahead with a few men to scout the area and then come back to see you once we find a safe place."

“Alright, go ahead.” Bao Tai knew his own limitations. Although he knew some martial arts, he wasn’t very skilled. He decided to leave the task of gathering intelligence to the two guards.

However, the rain waited for no one. Before the leading guard could even take a few steps, the rain had already started. But the rain wasn't too heavy yet, and the two of them, covered by the guard's umbrella, hadn't gotten wet.

However, the gloomy weather clearly had no intention of letting the two young noblemen off the hook. The rain grew heavier and heavier, and with the wind blowing against them, they were soon chilled to the bone.

The cold wind carried the earthy smell, and the sticky, wet feeling on their bodies was unbearable for the two pampered young noblemen. However, they had chosen this path themselves, so they couldn't complain.

However, they didn't have to wait long before the guard leader, who had already left, came running over with a happy expression, clearly having found a good place to take shelter from the rain.

"There's a Taoist temple ahead, sir. We can go there to take shelter from the rain."

Bao Tai nodded, and following the lead of the guard leader, the group hurried to the secluded Taoist temple.

Some of the characters on the Taoist temple's plaque have lost their ink, but the name—Xiaoyao Taoist Temple—can still be vaguely made out.

Because of the dilapidated signboard, Baotai mistakenly thought it was an abandoned Taoist temple. However, once inside, he dismissed the idea. The spotless floor and the incense-scented candles clearly indicated that it was not an abandoned Taoist temple.

Upon entering the Taoist temple, the group stood at a gatehouse. Further inside was another large gate. Now that they were out of danger, they became interested in examining the temple they had come to by chance. As they walked further in, they noticed that the gate was not tightly closed and had a crack. Baotai took the opportunity to open it and peer inside.

The group fell into a dreamlike silence.

A girl picking peaches in the rain carries an ordinary oil-paper umbrella, but her fair and transparent hands, which seem like works of art, make the umbrella itself a rare and stunning work of art.

But what was most striking was that breathtaking face. The mottled raindrops rolled down her excessively white face like flowing, crystal-clear pearls. Her reddened eyes, naturally red lips, flowing black hair, and ordinary Taoist robe outlined a stunning beauty, creating a unique atmosphere in the misty, dark rain.

Like a stunning enchantress born in the rainy night, decadent and alluring, she entices people to fall into depravity and yet draws them in.

This otherworldly beauty caused those present to involuntarily reveal expressions of infatuation.

Before they could react, the woman in their eyes, Qingyin, had already left the peach tree.

This peach tree was the same one that had always blossomed but never bore fruit. But after Qingyin came, it produced large fruits the following year. The peaches were fragrant and sweet. Qingyin, who had a sweet tooth, braved the rain to pick one to fill her little belly.

As for the stunned crowd, Qingyin was of course aware of it, but this little world was entirely her vacation world, and she could live it as she pleased. If she didn't want to pay attention to these people, she could simply slip away.

Qingyin thought to herself, "If every world could be this carefree, that would be wonderful." Her beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation and joy, making them even more spirited and eye-catching.

"If you want to eat peaches, Miss, let me pick some. It's raining so hard, you don't want to get wet and catch a cold," Xiaoyue said incessantly, putting away Qingyin's oil-paper umbrella while also quickly grabbing a dry garment for Qingyin to change into.