Chapter 50 Good things happen when he gets close to his relatives.

Ye Mu was taken aback by his question.

"A gift for her?" Ye Mu almost blurted out. When had her master ever given her a small celadon jar? She had secretly hoped for it when her leg injury first started to flare up a few days ago, but he had never come to see her.

But those words lingered on her tongue before she swallowed them back down.

Although she can be stubborn and clueless in some matters, she is always quick to adapt to human relationships. Could it be that Master has not been indifferent these days, but has simply looked for the wrong person?

That must be it.

She had only casually mentioned working as an accountant at a rouge shop, but her master remembered it. That small celadon jar was probably really sent to that unrelated shop. No wonder she had felt that her master's side had been unusually quiet these past few days. It wasn't that he didn't care; it was just a series of coincidences that his concern had been misplaced.

This thought sent a sudden chill down her spine.

Now that he's gone to the cosmetics shop, what will the shop assistants say? Will they mention Fuyou Pavilion? Will he hear something he shouldn't know?

Ye Mu's mind raced. If her master had known earlier that she wasn't working at the rouge shop anymore, why hadn't he come to ask? And since her master hadn't directly pointed it out, she wasn't sure how much he knew. Could it be that he had simply delivered the wrong medicine and didn't know she wasn't working at the rouge shop?

At this moment, she must not lose her composure.

He sat on a low stool at the foot of the couch, his shadow stretched long and slanted by the light of the oil lamp, cast on the wall. Although he was shorter than her, he exuded a powerful sense of oppression.

Ye Mu shrank her neck, feeling somewhat troubled, and didn't dare to look at him. "Oh, Master is talking about that round, blue little jar, right? I left it in the shop, and I forgot to bring it back when I got busy."

"Is that so?"

Wen Kong asked in a low voice.

He didn't loosen his grip on her calf; instead, as the words trailed off, he suddenly increased the pressure with his thumb.

"Ouch!" Ye Mu cried out in pain, even more so than before, his toes instinctively curling up. "Master, it hurts! Master, be gentle!"

Before, everything was so gentle, even more so than when Ah Jing applied the medicine. How come after half a month, Master's strength has become rough and forceful, without any sense of gentleness or strength?

Ye Mu complained bitterly, "Besides, you weren't pressing on the wound just now! You pulled a muscle!"

"Is the celadon jar really in the shop?" Wen Kong asked unhurriedly. "Isn't it here? Should I look for it?"

“It’s not here,” Ye Mu said, her initial arrogance waning slightly as he brought it up again. “Would I lie to my master?”

Afraid he would press the matter, she feigned sudden realization and said, "No wonder it's not getting better! The medicine must be wrong. I've been so busy at the shop that I often forget to use the jar, even though it's right in front of me. When I get back, I just haphazardly apply some random plasters that Ah Jing prescribed, it must be..."

Wen Kong massaged it a few more times, and it didn't hurt as much as before, but it still made Ye Mu gasp and try to pull her leg back, while flattering him, "It's definitely not as effective as the ointment that Master personally prepared..."

He chuckled twice, seemingly enjoying the air.

Ye Mu then secretly glanced at his expression, and it seemed he had noticed something very important. She suddenly cupped Wen Kong's face in her hands, completely ignoring his rough handling, and asked, "Master, why have you suddenly lost so much weight?"

The tears finally fell.

Because of his thinness, the contours of his face became even clearer and more defined, his eyebrows and eyes became more deep-set, and his already fair skin now had a cold whiteness as if he had not seen the sun for a long time.

She couldn't help but stroke his cheek, feeling the hard bone beneath her touch. "Is he sick? Or did thieves break into the temple and steal all the incense money?"

The heartache and sadness in her eyes seemed genuine. Wen Kong was both amused and annoyed. Her palm was warm on his face. She was so close, her breath brushing against his skin.

The gloom dissipated a little, but Wen Kong still had a cold face. He moved his hand away from hers, but he couldn't bear to press her so hard anymore. He carefully examined her injuries and said to her, "Thieves dare not steal from temples the most because they know that Buddha will blame them. They dare not lie in front of monks."

He lowered her leg and looked at her leisurely. "Do you dare?"

Feeling somewhat guilty, Ye Mu lowered his head and lied again, "I wouldn't dare."

Wen Kong didn't expose her, but his brow throbbed with pain.

She said she wished "he" would love her as she did.

It must be the man who draped the coat over her on the oxcart, right? She wouldn't lie to that man.

But she was full of lies to him.

Wen Kong got up and walked out the door.

Seeing his resolute back, Ye Mu felt a sudden emptiness in his heart, a mix of panic and anxiety. He blurted out, "Master! Where are you going?"

She finally tasted the bitter fruit of lying. One lie requires countless others to cover it up, and with each falsehood she uttered, she drifted further away from him.

She struggled to get off the bed to chase after him, but just as her left foot touched the ground with difficulty, the curtain rustled, and the gray-blue figure turned back again.

Wen Kong held a few dried herbs in his hand, his expression having regained some composure.

I'm just annoyed and annoyed with her, not that I'm ignoring her.

"Don't move."

"What is that in Master's hand?"

"When I entered the courtyard just now, I saw that there were Sichuan lovage drying in a winnowing basket on the wall next door. It is used to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, so I borrowed some."

Wen Kong's gaze swept over a slightly worn cotton towel draped over the edge of the wooden frame beside the kang (a heated brick bed). He turned to look at her and asked, "Can I use this?"

Ye Mu nodded, watching him naturally pick up the basin, go out to pour out the water, and then go to the kitchen to scoop up clean, warm water again.

Wen Kong rolled up the sleeves of his monk's robe, revealing his slender yet well-defined wrists. He dipped the cloth into the water, rubbed it carefully a couple of times, and wrung it out until it was half-dry.

"Where is Benefactor Liu?" he asked as he crushed the herbs in his palm.

“Mother is asleep.” Ye Mu’s eyes followed his movements. “She never sleeps soundly at night, with palpitations and vivid dreams. She can only manage to sleep a little longer in the afternoon.”

Wen Kong hummed in agreement. He walked over, squatted down again at her feet, and carefully applied the crushed herbs, from which the juice had been extracted, to her swollen ankle. He then gently covered and wrapped it with the slightly damp cloth.

"Once Ms. Liu wakes up, I will take her pulse."

Looking at his lowered profile, Ye Mu felt a surge of intense guilt wash over her again, almost suffocating her.

"Master, I want to talk to you about something."

She paused for a moment, then said, "But you have to promise me first not to tell my mother. I'm afraid she'll be angry and worried if she finds out, and her health won't be able to handle it."

Wen Kong continued working with his hands, only glancing at her briefly, and said, "Okay, go ahead."

Ye Mu pursed her lips and leaned closer to him. "Then come closer and speak softly, so that Mother won't hear."

Wen Kong did as he was told and moved slightly closer. The distance between them shortened, and he could smell her warm fragrance.

“I lied to you. I don’t work at the rouge shop at all.”

She paused for a moment, observing his reaction. Seeing that his expression didn't change much, she continued, "I was at Fuyou Pavilion. I was afraid that if you knew about that kind of place, you wouldn't like it, so I lied to you. That's why I didn't receive the jar of ointment you sent to the rouge shop."

It was less burdensome than she had imagined, and being honest wasn't as difficult as she had thought. Moreover, she had a certainty that he would be lenient with her as long as she didn't go too far.

She gently touched his sleeve. "So, Master, will you be angry with me?"

Wen Kong looked at her quietly.

Her frankness, ironically, extinguished his anger.

"Then why are you telling me now?" he countered.

"Because I don't want to lie to you anymore." Seeing that his emotions hadn't fluctuated much, Ye Mu felt much relieved and a smile spread across his face. "Besides, a disciple of a monk should not lie either."

Wen Kong remained silent.

He wanted to ask, "Then what about the top scholar in the car? What's the relationship between you two?" Since she said she would no longer deceive him, he thought that if he asked her, she would definitely tell him everything in detail.

But he didn't want to listen at all.

So Wen Kong didn't ask; he pretended not to know, which didn't count as her deceiving him.

It was his self-deception.

Under the medicated cloth, the burning sensation of the wound was relieved somewhat by the herbs and moisture, and the swelling also subsided slightly.

Wen Kong withdrew his hand, lowered his eyes, and straightened the edges of the cloth. "I will bring you the prepared ointment tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Ye Mu shook his head, thinking of the busy end of the year. "There are still a lot of accounts to be settled in the pavilion tomorrow. I can't get away and will probably be busy until late. Master, please come the day after tomorrow."

Ye Mu said, "The day after tomorrow is the official end of the year and the holiday will begin. Master, please come early so I can cook you some dishes. I'm sure there's nothing special or delicious to eat in the temple's dining hall during the New Year."

"Is work at Fuyou Pavilion going smoothly?"

Ye Mu paused for a moment, then nodded and began telling him about the interesting things that happened in the pavilion. Then she remembered something else and leaned closer, "Actually, I get thirty taels of silver a month, but it's not good for my mother to know. If she knew I get so much money every month, she would worry day and night and think the money is ill-gotten. So I secretly deposit the extra money with our landlord. He's a reliable man and is currently working as a broker, so it's safe for him to keep it for me."

Speak of the devil and he appears.

No sooner had the words left her lips than a clear, gentle voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Is Madam Ye at home?"

Upon hearing the voice, Ye Mu exclaimed, "It's him!"

She put her feet down and was about to go out to greet him when Wen Kong glanced at her fair legs and stopped her, saying, "Put your shoes and socks on."

He went out first, stood on the steps under the eaves, and met the person who had just entered the courtyard.

He was the man who had tea with Ye Mu on the street that day. He wore an indigo robe with a gray squirrel fur vest over it, and held a roll of red paper in his hand. He had a refined and handsome appearance.

Zhou Yan was visibly startled when he suddenly saw a tall, serene monk emerge from Ye Mu's room, and his steps faltered slightly.

But out of courtesy, he respectfully clasped his hands together and bowed slightly: "Greetings, Master. I wonder if Madam Ye is at home?"

“Mr. Feng!” Ye Mu had already put on his shoes and socks, and stepped out while holding onto the door frame, with a smile on his face. “You’ve come at the right time. This is my master, Master Wen Kong from Baoxiang Temple.”

She turned to Wen Kong and said, "Master, this is our landlord, Mr. Feng Yan. He has always taken good care of my mother and me."

Without much formality, Feng Yan turned to Ye Mu, handed her the roll of red paper, and smiled warmly, "It's almost the New Year, and I thought you and your daughter might not have had time to prepare, so I bought two couplets to send over. They're not expensive writing materials, just a small token of my appreciation and to wish you a festive celebration."

Ye Mu quickly took it, the ink fragrance faintly lingering.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Feng! We've been so busy cleaning the house and preparing for the New Year these past few days that we haven't had time to buy couplets. This is truly a godsend."

"It was nothing, Madam Ye, you're too kind." Feng Yan waved his hand, his gaze lingering on her smiling face for a moment, as if he suddenly remembered something. He took out a small package carefully wrapped in plain oil paper from his bosom. "Oh, I almost forgot, there's also this."

He handed it over, saying, "I passed by that old-established candied fruit shop at the east end of the street and saw the master chef making a new batch of sesame candy and peanut brittle. The heat was just right, and it looked pretty good. I figured you young ladies probably like sweets, so I bought some to sweeten your mouths during the holidays."

Ye Mu took the package; it was still warm. Her smile widened. "Mr. Feng is so thoughtful, even remembering this little treat. Thank you for your trouble. My mother loves this sesame candy; she'll definitely enjoy it."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries in the courtyard. Ye Mu then set aside enough of her monthly allowance for household expenses and entrusted the rest to Feng Yan.

Wen Kong glanced at her indifferently; she really trusted him.

The two chatted for a while longer, mostly about how well they were preparing for the New Year and who had set off firecrackers in the alley. The chatter seemed endless, muffled in Wen Kong's ears.

When Feng Yan spoke, his pace was neither fast nor slow, and his gaze would always fall gently on Ye Mu's face. When listening, he would nod slightly, a smile playing on his lips. His demeanor was refined, polite, and extremely measured.

After seeing Feng Yan off, Ye Mu turned around, holding the couplets and candy packets, a faint smile still lingering on her lips. "So, Master, wasn't Mr. Feng a nice person?"

"It's alright," Wen Kong said calmly, his tone indifferent.

A slight noise came from the inner room. Liu woke up and slowly walked out, supporting herself on the door frame. She just happened to see Feng Yan's departing figure disappear outside the courtyard gate.

"Is it Mr. Feng?" Liu asked, looking a bit better after her nap.

"Yes, Mr. Feng brought us couplets and candy." Ye Mu walked over, helped his mother sit down on a bamboo chair in the courtyard, opened the oil paper package, picked out a small piece of sesame candy, and held it to Liu's mouth. "Mother, try it, it's still crispy."

Liu ate it from her hand; the sugar melted in her mouth, filling her mouth with a sweet fragrance.

She looked at the courtyard gate and said softly, "Mr. Feng is a rare kind-hearted person. He is also handsome and has a steady and polite personality. Although his family is poor, it is quiet and peaceful, without the messy family relationships and troublesome affairs of those wealthy families."

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Wen Kong, who stood silently to the side, and asked casually, "Master Wen Kong, what do you think of this Mr. Feng?"

Both mother and daughter greatly admired Feng Yan.

Wen Kong then said, "This humble monk is a person outside the secular world, and it is not appropriate for me to presumptuously comment on worldly affairs, nor is it appropriate for me to judge the merits or demerits of others."

Looking up, she saw Ye Mu eating piece after piece and said coldly, "But Benefactor Ye is injured and has not yet cleared up the damp heat. It would be better to eat less sweet food."

He paused for a moment, then said, "In the food box, there is a Poria and Osmanthus Cake that I steamed today. It is neutral in nature and can also strengthen the spleen and remove dampness. If Benefactor Ye really craves something sweet, you can eat that."

"Why didn't Master take it out sooner?" Ye Mu said reproachfully, casually placing the sesame candy into Liu's arms before turning and moving into the house.

While Wen Kong was taking Liu's pulse outside, he heard a soft moan from inside, like a kitten's sigh, "Mmm... Master, everything you make tastes so delicious!"

It is an audible satisfaction.

Wen Kong lowered his eyes, tugged at the corner of his lips, and then concealed his expression without making a sound.

-

The following morning, at Fuyou Pavilion.

The usual languor in the pavilion had not yet dissipated. The servants on night duty had just changed shifts and were yawning as they cleaned up the leftover wine and fruit pits from the previous night.

Ye Mu was afraid that if she didn't finish checking the invoices today, she would have to wait until next year. She disliked delays, so she arrived a little earlier than usual. Just as she sat down in the accounting office and put her hands on the hand warmer, she heard a commotion coming from the front yard.

This was no ordinary time for a customer to come to the door.

She didn't want to pay attention to it, as Fuyou Pavilion had its own stewardess to handle any emergencies. However, the more Ye Mu listened to the female voice in the argument, the more familiar it sounded.

She frowned, still worried, put down the heater, and slowly moved out, holding onto the edge of the table.

Passing through the corridor, before even reaching the front hall, one sees Lady Yun smiling obsequiously, blocking the way of a woman in a magnificent dress wearing a Zhaojun headdress. The woman is turned to the side, and beneath the cloak, one can vaguely see the rounded shoulder line. Her profile is soft and full, like a freshly steamed glutinous rice dumpling.

Who else could it be but her third sister? Ye Mu's eyelids twitched.

"...I was just feeling down and wanted to listen to a quiet piece of music to calm my mind. Does your Fuyou Pavilion not accept guests during the day? Or do you think I can't afford it?" Ye Qing said angrily.

She had finally managed to escape from the Marquis's mansion, but she never expected to be stopped as a guest. This was her first time stepping into this place of pleasure, and she was unaware of its rules.

Lady Yun smiled and said in a gentle tone, "Miss, you are too kind. It is an honor for our pavilion to have you here. However, Qin Jun went to bed late last night and is probably not up to wash yet. I am afraid that this may be disrespectful to you. Why don't you come to the warm pavilion for a cup of tea and wait for a while?"

"I can't wait." Ye Qing's tone was stiff. She only had half an incense stick's time to sneak out, and she was afraid of being discovered if she returned too late. "I need to see him now."

Ye Mu was surprised. Her third sister had always been timid and never dared to speak loudly. Why would she barge into Fuyou Pavilion today? She quickly moved closer, "Third sister?"

Ye Qing turned around upon hearing the voice, took off her Zhaojun robe, and was surprised to see Ye Mu. "Fourth Sister."

The two sisters were momentarily stunned when they met unexpectedly in this place.

Ye Qing said, "You've come to have guests so early too?"

Ye Mu found her words amusing and shook his head gently, saying frankly, "No, I work here as an accountant."

She gave Yun Niangzi a wink, and Yun Niangzi, being quick-witted, immediately smiled and said, "So you're Accountant Ye's sister, then you're no stranger. It's rare for you sisters to meet, so have a good chat. Accountant Ye, you tell your sister that we don't really have the custom of welcoming guests this early here. I'll go to the back and take a nap."

After saying that, she nodded slightly to Ye Qing, then gracefully turned and left, leaving the two sisters with space to talk.

Ye Mu led Ye Qing to the accounting room, closed the door, and poured her a glass of warm water. "You've seen it all, I'm working as an accountant here. And you? Why did you come here alone?"

Ye Qing held the warm teacup, her fingertips slowly warming up.

Seeing Ye Mu so open and unreserved, she felt a pang of envy. She herself was trapped in the luxurious cage of the Marquis's mansion, having to sneak around even to go out and listen to a song, while her fourth sister was able to support herself here. Her eyes showed a relaxed expression that she hadn't seen in a long time.

She lowered her eyes and whispered about the troubles at home, “Because Mother is pregnant and it is inconvenient for Father to take care of her, he actually wants to make that lowly maid who serves him with his writing brush in his study his concubine. Mother refused, and the two of them had a huge fight last night. I could hear it clearly from across the courtyard. Those words were unbearable to hear.”

She took a deep breath. "Fourth sister, tell me, what is the point of this marriage? Mother is only pregnant, yet Father can't even stop her from taking a concubine? I feel chilled to the bone when I see this. I think I'll probably end up like that in the future."

"Fourth Sister, New Year's Day is the day after tomorrow, and I don't want to see that damned Crown Prince at all," Ye Qing said bitterly. "If only I could be as free as you."

Ye Mu felt a heavy weight in his heart upon hearing this.

She knew that her third sister didn't really want to hear any music, but was simply disillusioned by the disillusionment of her failed marriage. Once the mourning period was over, her third sister's marriage would be the most important thing. Whether it was the heir of the Southern Duke's Mansion or the Crown Prince, she had no say in the matter.

"If you don't want to see the Crown Prince, I've already thought of a way to take you to Master Wenkong's monk's room for a while."

If they don't meet, there won't be any rumors. Ye Mu can find ways to delay for a while, but he can't stop her from getting married.

Women from noble families were like objects, moving from one mansion to another. Whether they were cherished and admired or smashed to pieces when their husbands grew tired of them was entirely up to them.

"We should try to avoid it for as long as possible."

Seeing Ye Qing's reddened eyes, Ye Mu knew that it was already difficult for her to muster the courage to escape here today.

She sighed and took Ye Qing's hand. "Alright, since we're already here, I'll take you to find Qin Jun. It'll be good for you to listen to some music. Let's make the most of today and see how things go in the future."

Ye Mu led her to Qin Jun's private bedroom. The door was ajar, and the room was silent. Ye Mu knocked on the door, but no one answered. She pushed the door open and went in, but no one was there.

"That's strange," Ye Mu murmured. "At this hour, Qin Jun always sleeps until noon without fail. Why isn't he here?"

Just as she was wondering, she suddenly heard a noise coming from the Moon-Viewing Terrace not far away.

They instinctively looked south in the direction of the sound.

The door to the Moon-Viewing Terrace was ajar, not fully open. The dim morning light slanted into the room through the crack, casting a hazy image: half of an exquisite dark brocade robe with a python pattern, and beneath the hem, a pair of thick-soled black official boots could be vaguely seen.

The door gap offered limited visibility, allowing only a glimpse of the person's silhouette seated at the head of the table. His posture was upright, while the five gentlemen of the Ink Palace knelt with their heads bowed.

Ye Mu reacted quickly, pulling Ye Qing, who was still looking around in a daze, away. This was definitely not a place to stay for long.

She pulled her back to the accounting office and bolted the door shut behind her. Luckily, Accountant Wang hadn't arrived yet and wouldn't see their panic.

They leaned against the door, panting. Ye Qing was pale and still in shock: "Fourth sister, what was that just now..."

The two sisters grew up in the Marquis's mansion. Although they had never seen the Emperor's face, they were by no means ignorant of the regulations for court attire. The black python pattern was imposing, and even figures like the Five Lords of Ink were kneeling on the ground...

The two looked at each other in bewilderment.

Crown Prince, the heir apparent of the Eastern Palace.

Why would someone secretly appear at Fuyou Pavilion at this hour?

Although Fuyou Pavilion caters to refined gatherings of courtesans, flaunting elegance and attracting many high-ranking officials and nobles, it is common for men to come in groups to listen to music and watch dances. However, the atmosphere glimpsed in Lanyue Terrace just now was definitely not that of an ordinary banquet or pleasure-seeking.

Having lived in this area for a long time, Ye Mu had heard about some perverted practices from the nearby pavilions.

Ye Qing moved closer to Ye Mu, her icy hands gripping her younger sister's sleeve. Her round almond-shaped eyes were filled with lingering fear, and her guesses seemed absurd. She stammered, "Fourth sister, do you think the Crown Prince... he wouldn't be averse to women?"

Ye Mu quickly covered her mouth.

If even a whisper of this were to get out, not only Ye Qing, but the entire Marquis's mansion would likely face annihilation.

This matter weighed heavily on Ye Mu's mind, and he was even distracted during the New Year's Eve reunion dinner.

On the small square table were several dishes more plentiful than usual, including a steamed assortment of preserved meats carefully prepared by Zijing, a vegetarian medley that Liu had specially learned to make for the New Year, and a small dish of glistening osmanthus sugar rice cake in the center.

"What's wrong with you, young lady?" Zijing was excitedly recounting her New Year's experiences in the alley when she suddenly noticed Ye Mu's blank stare. She had set aside the peeled shrimp meat in her hand and was actually putting the bright red shrimp shell into her mouth. Startled, Zijing quickly reached out to stop her. "Since you came back from work yesterday, you've seemed absent-minded, like you've lost your soul."

Upon hearing this, Liu put down her chopsticks, leaned over with concern, and gently touched Ye Mu's forehead with her warm hand. "It's not hot... Are you tired? Or is your leg injury hurting again?"

“When Master Wenkong arrives later, let him take a good look at the young lady’s pulse,” Zijing said with a grin. “I think Master Wenkong is the most effective healer for the young lady. His presence is more effective than any medicine.”

Ye Mu then came to his senses and let out a soft hum.

She wasn't physically ill; she was carrying a shocking secret that was suffocating her.

How could the Crown Prince be connected to Fuyou Pavilion?

If it's really as my third sister said...

That was the future emperor! She remembered that the crown princess in her previous life was the third daughter of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion, who was known for her talent. Unfortunately, she was unlucky and died before the crown prince ascended the throne. She had felt sorry for her at the time.

Looking back now, was there something else hidden behind that death? Was it related to this unspeakable secret?

My thoughts are like a tangled mess; the more I try to untangle them, the more chaotic they become.

Ye Mu was already reluctant for his third sister to step into the unpredictable Eastern Palace, and now he felt even more worried. That place was probably more dangerous than he had imagined.

Her mind was in turmoil, unable to sort things out for the moment. She looked up at Liu earnestly, "Mother, it's New Year's Eve today, may we have a drink?"

Liu frowned as she looked at her injured leg.

"Master applied some herbal medicine the other day, so it's nothing serious. It's just a small sip." Ye Mu waved his hand, his tone deliberately light. "Besides, I'll only drink a little bit to liven things up. Didn't Zijing get peach blossom wine from Instructor Zheng? I heard it tastes sweet and isn't easy to get drunk on."

In the morning, Zijing gave the cured meat she had made to Instructor Zheng. He was particular and reciprocated by giving her a small jar of his homemade peach blossom wine, saying that it was best to drink it warm in winter to warm the body.

Seeing her gloomy expression and the approaching New Year, Liu finally softened and sighed, asking Zijing to warm a small pot of water.

The wine is a pale amber color, and when poured into a white porcelain glass, it releases a delicate and sweet aroma.

Ye Mu initially sipped the wine slowly, but as his thoughts began to stir, he unknowingly drank one cup after another. The wine was initially smooth on the palate, but its effects were subtle and gradual.

When Wen Kong arrived at the courtyard with the New Year's fruits distributed by the temple and a medicine bottle, Ye Mu's cheeks were flushed, her eyes were glistening with tears, and she was sitting at the table, leaning softly against the edge of the table, but a smile was still on her lips.

Liu welcomed him in and said with a helpless smile, "This child was still talking about waiting for you at noon. She specially learned how to make vegetarian dumplings with mushroom and tofu filling, saying that you would definitely like them. Before the dumplings were even cooked, she got herself drunk."

“Mother is talking nonsense,” Ye Mu heard, raised her head, tried to open her eyes wide to appear clear-headed, but her voice was soft and drunken, “I’m not drunk, I’m perfectly sober.”

She sat obediently without moving, but her eyes were unfocused. When she saw Wen Kong come in, she patted the stool next to her, "Master, come, sit here. Try my dumplings, you love this filling the most..."

Wen Kong paused slightly and looked at her.

In the candlelight, her face was flushed with drunkenness, her hair was slightly loose, and she looked less quick-witted and efficient than usual, with a touch of innocent naivety.

She said he liked mushroom and tofu filling? When did he ever tell her that? He himself had never even thought about what flavor he preferred.

Wen Kong took it as something she said while drunk.

The vegetarian dumplings were served, their wrappers indeed thin, showing the care taken in making them. He usually observed the precept of not eating after noon, but on New Year's Eve, facing her expectant gaze through her drunken eyes, this precept seemed to become slightly more lenient.

He remained silent, picked up a mushroom, and bit into it. The rich flavor of the mushroom blended perfectly with the refreshing taste of the tofu, creating an unexpectedly harmonious flavor.

He really enjoys eating.

Upon seeing this, Ye Mu smiled broadly, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction, as if she had received a precious treasure. She reached for the wine pot, wanting to pour him a cup as well, "Master, let's have a toast, it's New Year's Eve..."

"Still saying you're not drunk!" Liu was both amused and distressed, and quickly stopped her.

Wen Kong put down his chopsticks and, seeing Ye Mu struggling to stay awake, knew she shouldn't sit down any longer.

"Let me help you back to your room to rest." He stood up, his voice low and somber.

Ye Mu suddenly reached out and grabbed the sleeve of his monk's robe, shaking his head stubbornly, "No, Master, let's go to Gem Mountain."

She tilted her head back, her eyes, tinged with the smell of alcohol, shining brightly in the flickering candlelight. "Today is New Year's Eve. Fireworks and firecrackers are going off everywhere. From Gem Mountain, you can see the whole city ablaze with fireworks..."

She was worried he wouldn't recognize the way, so she said, "You took me there before. Go into the alleys in Guanqian Street, there's a path that leads directly to the top of the mountain."

Ke Wenkong never took her there.

Was this drunken talk, or had she mistaken someone for someone else? Wen Kong glanced at her indifferently.

Liu did not object.

Gem Mountain is not far away, and the terrain is gentle. Wen Kong is reliable in his actions, so she is at ease. Besides, it is rare for her daughter to be in such a childlike mood, especially during the New Year holidays.

“Master Wenkong, please take her there. Zijing, please get something thicker for Fourth Sister, so she won’t catch a cold.”

Night had fallen, and a cold wind was blowing.

Wen Kong wrapped Ye Mu tightly in a thick cotton cloak and put on a hood, almost turning her into a round dumpling, with only her rosy little face showing.

Gemstone Mountain wasn't very high. He carried her on his back and climbed the stone steps one by one. She lay on his back, initially muttering directions, but then quieted down. Her warm breath brushed against his neck, carrying the sweet fragrance of peach blossom wine.

Before long, they reached a small platform at the top of the mountain. The view was expansive, and a cold wind swept over them, instantly dispelling the warmth they carried.

Wen Kong found a large, sheltered rock and put her down.

The city lights, like a galaxy fallen from the sky, stretched to the horizon. Firecrackers crackled and popped from near and far, and occasionally one or two rockets would whistle and shoot into the night sky, exploding into a fleeting burst of golden and silver light.

Ye Mu propped himself up on his knees, resting his chin on his hand, gazing absently at the dazzling fireworks display below the mountain.

His face was flushed; he must still be drunk.

Wen Kong, sitting beside her, suddenly called out to her, "Ye Mu."

He dared not ask her when she was clear-headed, but only when she was drunk and hazy did he dare to ask.

"who is he?"

Ye Mu seemed to pause for a moment, then slowly turned her head to look at him. The wind on the mountaintop ruffled the hair at her temples and brushed against her rosy cheeks.

"Who is the 'he' you wrote on the lamp paper?"

She seemed not to understand, staring at him intently, her eyes reflecting the flickering light from below the mountain.

"Is it that top scholar?"

Wen Kong was displeased, and his tone was somewhat sharp, "Still Feng Yan?"

She just stared at him blankly.

Wen Kong suddenly deflated, and mocked himself inwardly, "Why bother? What good would it do to find out the truth?"

Then, without warning, she suddenly moved closer to him, her shadow appearing further and further ahead in his pupils.

The next instant, lips carrying the sweet scent of peach blossom wine gently touched the corner of his mouth.

At the foot of the mountain, firecrackers set off by some wealthy family suddenly shot into the deep night sky and exploded with a loud bang at the highest point.

A deafening roar, accompanied by countless dazzling streams of gold, red, and purple light, burst forth with overwhelming force, instantly illuminating half the sky and the figures of the two people on the mountaintop.

Firelight streamed down like rain, dazzling and magnificent.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

It was the continuous sound of firecrackers from the foot of the mountain.

It was a deafening celebration to welcome the New Year.

It was also his frantic beating that caused it...

Heartbeat.

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Author's Note: Thank you for reading and for adding this to your favorites! [Sunglasses]