Chapter 60 is too offensive.

Li Xiang's enthusiasm was a bit excessive.

"How old are you this year, little sister? With such outstanding talent and unparalleled beauty, you must be a fairy descended to earth! I am a man of great fortune to have the opportunity to meet you today! I wonder if I might have the honor of traveling with you? Have you ever been to the Brocade Pavilion in the North City? It's a wonderful place, with all sorts of delicacies and rare dishes. If you would do me the honor, please let me be your host, and we can all feast and enjoy ourselves to the fullest!"

He was full of enthusiasm and genuine sincerity, unafraid to scare people.

Shanlai suddenly remembered an old story.

Four years ago, at Biqing Academy in Pingcheng, Shanlai met Zhang Yi and Chen Yu, friends of Liu Min, who were also two warm-hearted people.

Why are all his friends like this?

Shan Lai looked at him.

He felt uncomfortable under her gaze, and gradually became somewhat embarrassed and annoyed. He remembered what had happened. He truly didn't understand. They were all outstanding individuals, yet they couldn't be his friends. Why did everyone act this way around her, embarrassing him in her presence? He couldn't lash out; if he did, he would only become more timid. So he remained silent.

He didn't speak, and Shanlai naturally didn't speak either. Seeing that Shanlai didn't respond, Li Xiang wanted to try and get closer to him, but just as he opened his mouth, someone outside shouted, "Young Master! Something terrible has happened! The old lady at home has fallen!"

"What!" Li Xiang recognized his servant's voice and his face changed instantly. He shouted as he walked out, "How could he have fallen! Was it a hard fall?" Shan Lai and Liu Min exchanged a glance and followed him out.

When he met Li Xiang under the eaves, he immediately apologized: "I'm sorry, I can't host today. My grandmother twisted her ankle while admiring the flowers at home. I have to go back. I'll definitely invite you another day. I'll take my leave now." With that, he clasped his hands and bowed to Li Xiang in turn. They bowed to each other once, and without saying anything more, he turned and left in a hurry.

He walked away, and Shanlai turned his head and asked, "Do you want to come over too?"

Liu Min thought for a moment and said, "Let's do it another day. I'll prepare the gifts and go to pay my respects then."

That makes sense, so Shanlai didn't say anything more.

Liu Min remained silent, and the two of them remained silent as well.

The setting sun blazed like fire, while a lone goose cried mournfully.

Liu Min suddenly spoke up: "Is your painting finished? It's getting dark. Even if it's not finished, let's wait until tomorrow. I'll take you home. Where do you live?"

"It's to the west, not far away, only a mile away."

Liu Min paused for a moment, then chuckled, "A mile isn't far? By the time you walk back, it'll probably be completely dark." He paused again, then asked, "Is it always this late?"

Shanlai gently shook his head. "No, it's just that it's a bit late today. I was almost finished and didn't want to leave it until tomorrow, so I stayed a little longer."

Liu Min laughed upon hearing this, "What a coincidence! You just happened to be late today, and I just happened to be here today, otherwise it wouldn't have been so easy to see you... Are you going back now?"

"I have to go back now, it's really late."

It was getting late, and he had to go back, so he stopped tidying up, took off his long robe and hung it on his arm, and started walking out.

There's always a wind in the mountains at night; the wind is strong, the trees rustle loudly, and people's words are audible but fragmented.

"...Are you alright? What time is it...?"

Unable to continue speaking, he simply shut up and smiled.

But Shanlai understood, and the wind stopped for a moment.

"I'm fine, I'll be back soon. How about you? How have you been? Has anything happened that made you happy?"

The wind stopped so strangely, as if the heavens were deliberately granting them permission to speak. Liu Min looked out; the mountains were silent. It truly seemed like heaven had arranged this. Although it was just a small matter, it was still something to be truly happy about.

He was so happy that he was willing to tell her anything, saying whatever came to mind.

"...Don't feel offended, he's actually a very good person. He treats Zhennu with great respect and genuinely admires her talent. He has no ulterior motives whatsoever. That's why I said I've met someone better, and he insisted on coming over no matter what..." He then added, "Originally, another friend was also coming over and wanted to see you...the one I told you about before, the young master, a true gentleman, but...he also had something come up and couldn't come along."

Shanlai also knew about the young master. Liu Min had told her many things about him, praising him without reservation. At that time, Shanlai thought, "Is he really that good? I must meet him."

Actually, she was unhappy because of him; Liu Min had described him too well.

Unexpectedly, we were not meant to be. Unfortunately, he had something to do and we couldn't meet.

Young Master, you have something to do.

The young master was originally just Li Xiang's friend. Liu Min became friends with the young master because he became Li Xiang's friend.

It was after he spoke with Li Xiang. That evening, after dinner, Li Xiang found him and solemnly told him that he wanted to introduce him to a friend. Liu Min was reluctant; at that time, he even considered Li Xiang a nuisance, so he politely said that he needed to go back to study. But Li Xiang was not someone who could be easily dismissed. He seemed not to understand human language, saying that it was a rare opportunity and that he absolutely had to meet him, dragging Liu Min away like a scoundrel.

Liu Min was not without the power to resist, but with so many people in the prison, he would inevitably lose face if he made a scene, so he had no choice but to endure it.

Seeing that he had softened, Li Xiang let go of his hand and began to talk to him about his friend.

“Wei Ying, we all call him Qi Guang, you should call him that too later. He's the Empress's nephew, the young master. He's not going back to the Duke of Qi's mansion today, he's staying in his room. Otherwise, why would he say it's a rare opportunity? We met two years ago, back when we were both at Zhengxin Hall…” He paused, a little embarrassed, and muttered, “Speaking of which, it's all his fault, otherwise I would have gone to Xiuming Hall too…”

Li Xiang disliked studying and had been slacking off for a year and a half. When the exam came, he was required to stay after school. He wasn't worried; it was just a formality, a matter of making a heads-up. However, the Crown Prince suddenly arrived and even asked questions himself several times. Now, who would dare to cheat with him? He had no choice but to stay in Zhengxin Hall, and he was so aggrieved that he cried.

Hearing that it was the young master of the Qi State Duke's mansion, Liu Min was somewhat puzzled. Why would someone from a noble family come to the Imperial Academy? Nobles weren't lacking in official positions; even if they were, they wouldn't come to the Imperial Academy to seek their fortune. Students of the Imperial Academy could indeed gain experience in various government departments before being granted official posts, but this required genuine ability. If someone was truly capable, they wouldn't need to make the trip to the Imperial Academy—it was time-consuming, laborious, and troublesome. If they weren't capable, how could they even get a chance? There were far more monks than porridge; who wouldn't want to be a nobleman? Even nobles who came through the imperial examinations had relatives and students; how could a fallen nobleman possibly squeeze in? The young master of the Qi State Duke's mansion, the Empress's nephew, and the Crown Prince's cousin—he didn't seem like someone who would lack a future. What was he doing at the Imperial Academy? Was he born with a love for hardship?

Just as he was thinking this, Li Xiang suddenly patted his shoulder and pointed to the area under the crape myrtle tree, saying, "Look, that's it."

Liu Min looked over and saw a young man whose face was mostly obscured by branches and leaves, making it difficult to see clearly. However, he was tall and upright, and appeared intelligent and upright. He was holding something in his hands and looking at it intently, his feet constantly moving from side to side. If you got closer, you could hear him muttering to himself. Liu Min really couldn't understand what he was doing.

Li Xiang called out to Qi Guang, who heard him and looked up. Li Xiang pulled Liu Min over and said with a smile, "This is Lian Si, the son of Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works, and also my friend."

Once under the tree, Liu Min finally got a clear look at Wei Ying's face. To his surprise, she had delicate eyebrows and bright eyes, with a gentle and refined air. Although noble, she was not intimidating.

Wei Ying also looked at Liu Min, and after looking at him, she turned to Li Xiang and smiled: "Such a precious child, and you're willing to be friends with him?" Then she said to Liu Min: "Now that we know each other, we're friends. You heard me, so just call me Qi Guang from now on. My surname is Wei, and my given name is Ying. Although I already know your name is Lian Si, I still need to know your full name. Otherwise, if someone mentions it to me and I don't know it, wouldn't that cause trouble?"

Such grace makes it hard not to feel close to him. Since he asked, Liu Min naturally had to answer, not only with his name but also without reservation.

Watching from the side, Li Xiang saw that the two seemed to have developed a friendship, and he couldn't help but speak up to avenge Wei Ying's earlier teasing of him. He said to Liu Min, "Young Master Liu is practically a god; he can predict the future. He even helped the maids in the house find their lost earrings. If you lose anything in the future, don't look for anyone else, just look for him."

Hearing him say this, Liu Min realized that Wei Ying was holding a compass.

For a mere young nobleman to dabble in this is laughable, even to someone as unreliable as Li Xiang. He's using this to get his tongue across.

However, Wei Ying solemnly said to Liu Min, "He is right. If you ever lose anything valuable in the future, come to me and I will definitely be able to find it for you."

The once-proud young master has become a charlatan.

However, this did not affect Liu Min's continued admiration for him. He was truly a very good person, elegant and humble, a member of the imperial family, yet without a trace of arrogance. When someone carelessly bumped into him, he not only did not get angry, but also reached out to help the person who bumped into him up.

Liu Min studied self-cultivation with Liu Shen for several years, but he felt that he could not do it. He thought that this person was really precious, and his admiration for him was like a surging river.

In this way, Liu Min suddenly made two close friends at the Imperial Academy. Although the three of them did not attend classes in the same place, they would stick together whenever they had free time. When Li Xiang invited Liu Min to the Flower Moon Pavilion, Wei Ying was of course also present.

Wei Ying was also a lover of calligraphy and painting, and seemed to have some skill in it. When Liu Min stood up to leave, he was holding Zhen Nu's painting and looking at it with great interest. When he heard Liu Min say that he had seen something better than Zhen Nu's, he immediately stood up and asked Liu Min to help introduce him, just like Li Xiang.

Shan Lai is such a good person, worthy of being seen by others. Liu Min is willing to let people know how good he is, but after all, she is a girl, and there is a difference between men and women. He doesn't know if she would be willing to meet him. He is hesitant, but Li Xiang won't let him go, insisting on meeting him. Li Xiang is completely unaware of how annoying he is. Liu Min is quite bothered by him, so he steels himself and agrees, seeking some peace and quiet.

On the way, Li Xiang asked, "Who is she? Who is Shan Lai?" "A servant of the Liu family?" Of course, that couldn't be said. Liu Min had never treated Shan Lai as a servant. Was she a concubine his grandmother bought for him? That was the most accurate answer, but if he really said that, he would be dead. So who was she?

"She is someone I greatly respect. She is loyal and righteous, very admirable, and quite talented. I'm not exaggerating. She is currently painting murals at Huguo Temple. She is a highly accomplished disciple of Abbot Hongche."

Li Xiang was initially very happy, but upon hearing the words "Huguo Temple," his expression immediately changed, and he turned his head to look at Wei Ying.

Sure enough, Wei Ying's face turned pale, and she shouted for the car to stop.

Li Xiang remained silent, and Liu Min, puzzled, was about to ask when Li Xiang quietly grabbed his sleeve.

The carriage stopped, and Wei Ying bowed to her two friends, saying, "I'm sorry, I suddenly remembered something and it's urgent, so I have to go home quickly. I can't stay with you today, farewell." Then she got off the carriage.

Liu Min thought he really had something urgent to do and was worried. He wanted to ask what kind of urgent matter it was, but as soon as he got up, Li Xiang grabbed his sleeve again. He looked back and Li Xiang shook his head at him, "Don't ask." Then he shouted outside, "Go to Huguo Temple."

Something is obviously wrong.

Liu Min sat back down, and sure enough, he heard Li Xiang say, "He doesn't have something to do, he just doesn't want to go to Huguo Temple..."

"Judging from your expression, I'm afraid you know nothing. To make a long story short, the Duke of Qi has no brothers, only two sisters. The elder sister is the current Empress, and the younger sister is the wife of the Third Master of the Duke of Jing's Mansion. Back then... back then, Huguo Temple was still Dachengen Temple, the Duke of Qi was the Marquis of Yongding, and the Empress was just the Princess Consort of Qi... Qi Guang's aunt died at Dachengen Temple that year... Qi Guang's birth mother died early, and the Duke was often in the southeast, so Qi Guang actually grew up in the Duke of Jing's Mansion... Don't mention Huguo Temple in front of him anymore, he can't stand it..."

Liu Min didn't want to talk about his friend's sad story, so he assumed that something was wrong.

As they were talking, they arrived at their lodging.

Green Willow was right at the entrance of the inn. Shanlai hadn't returned yet, and she was about to go look for him when she saw Shanlai and Liu Min coming together. Startled, she quickly hid back inside, pretending not to see them.

Liu Min saw Shan Lai stop, glance at him, and then asked, "Is this the place?"

Shan Lai smiled and nodded.

Liu Min nodded and said with a smile, "Then I'll head back."

Shanlai didn't say anything, he just looked at him.

He had more to say, wanting to tell her not to rush back even after things were finished here. He suggested she take a few days to enjoy the beautiful scenery in the mountains before heading back. But seeing her looking at him so quietly and intently, he couldn't say a word.

Because he brought his good friend today, Shanlai forgave him. He still felt sorry for her, writing her letters every month, telling her many things, and in spring he would tuck flowers into the letters, sending her pictures of spring from their hometown…

She looked at him, and he looked at her. After a while, he suddenly realized something was wrong. When did she develop a blood mole on her forehead? How come he hadn't noticed it before? Or...?

As if possessed, he raised his finger and gently twirled it...

Sure enough, it was a stray drop of paint that had accidentally fallen onto his fingertip.

I knew it! How could he not know?

But even though this is correct, something else seems off...

What did he just do?

He was stunned for a moment, and when he came to his senses, Shanlai had already run far away, leaving only his back view, a slender figure, like a willow branch in the wind.

Is he possessed? How could he do such a thing...? It's so offensive, like a lecherous scoundrel, what is she supposed to think...?

On the day of the Lunar New Year, he did not go home. Instead, he sent a message home saying that he had caught a cold and had a headache. Madam Le was so worried that she hurriedly invited the imperial physician over and also sent one of the family's cooks.

In June, Huguo Temple reopened its main hall, and Liu Shen took his wife and children to offer incense.

After paying homage to the Buddha, Liu Shen was led by the guest monk to pay his respects to Abbot Hongche. Madam Yue then added incense money to the merit book and personally added a spoonful of oil to the sea lantern she had previously offered before the Bodhisattva. After finishing, she took Liu Qi's hand and returned to the Mahavira Hall to look at the murals.

"Look, how well it's painted! It was painted by your brother's sister, Shanlai. It's so lifelike, it's like the Buddha is right in front of me, and I'm bathed in holy light! Doesn't Feiluo love to paint too? When we get back, you can go and ask her for advice. I think she's better than Mr. Zhou. Maybe with her guidance, you can create such good paintings too..."