In fact, even if Qin Zhao left the little koi here, the little koi would still have a way to escape by himself and go to Jiangling to find him.

But that is definitely not the way of a gentleman, and Qin Zhao would not choose to do that.

"Your Excellency is a man of integrity, which I admire," Jingchen said. "However, this koi fish is not actually from the temple. Someone has entrusted it here. If you want to buy it, you shouldn't come to me."

Qin Zhao frowned: "Who was its original owner?"

Jingchen didn't answer in a hurry.

He suddenly glanced at the little koi in the water and said gently, "It may not even remember that this little fish was hatched in the temple five years ago."

Jing Li was stunned.

"...It was originally a fish egg. According to my master, the previous abbot of Yunguan Temple, this fish egg has been stored in this spiritual carp pond since he took over as abbot. Its origin and age are unknown."

"Until five years ago, a distinguished guest passed by Yunguan Temple and came in to stay overnight."

"The distinguished guest heard about the miraculous story of the fish egg and moved into this courtyard. That very night, the egg hatched into this koi."

"Ever since the fish hatched, it's been haunting that distinguished guest. The distinguished guest has lived in the temple for over half a month, constantly plagued by the fish, unable to find peace. The abbot felt the fish had a connection with the distinguished guest, so he gave it to him as a gift."

"That distinguished guest also loved this little fish, but he had important matters to attend to at the time, so he asked Yunguan Temple to raise it for him, agreeing to take the fish away within three years."

"This fish tank was given to me by that distinguished guest before he left. It has been placed in this room ever since." Jingchen said this with a smile. "It's interesting to say that this little fish is quite clever. It always sneaks into this fish tank to play when no one is paying attention. It seems to know that this is a gift from its owner."

The monk had a kind face and a calm voice. Jing Li looked up at him, and suddenly a memory that seemed very long ago emerged in his mind.

"...Why are you so clingy, little fish? Do you think I'm your mother?"

"Little Fish, you're quite courageous. If you dare to jump onto my bed again in the middle of the night and wet my clothes, I'll have you boiled in a pot."

"You want to follow me so much? I can't take you with me now. Stay here and I'll come get you in a few years."

Jing Li couldn't remember who the person in his memory was, not even his appearance, figure, or voice.

He only knew that from one day on, he had been waiting for that person, waiting day after day. Time and again, he jumped out of the carp pond, sneaked into the house, and jumped into the fish tank left by that person.

It seemed like that person would suddenly appear, touch him with his hand and smile at him.

But that person didn't come.

No one came to see him.

Jing Li sank to the bottom of the water, gently moving his fins, and suddenly felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

Qin Zhao lowered his eyes to look at the little koi in the water. He vaguely understood something and asked in a low voice, "Why didn't that person come to pick it up?"

Jingchen said calmly, "Because that distinguished guest passed away three years ago."

The sun was already setting, and the setting sun shone in through the door, illuminating the room with a golden glow. But Qin Zhao's face was exceptionally pale. He closed his eyes and spoke in a low, hoarse voice, "That man... is Prince Rong?"

Jingchen: “Yes.”

The room was silent for a while. After a while, Qin Zhao smiled softly: "I see...I see..."

His words sounded like an exclamation, but also like a sudden realization.

Qin Zhao bowed to Jingchen and made a solemn gesture: "Thank you for telling me, Master. I understand now."

Jingchen nodded and said, "Please enjoy your meal, benefactor. Tomorrow morning, I will send a disciple to escort you down the mountain."

"good."

Qin Zhao was about to see him out when Jingchen walked to the door and remembered something: "Oh, I have one more thing..."

He turned back to the fish tank, rolled up the sleeves of his monk's robe, reached into the water, and directly took the little koi out.

Jing Li had not yet recovered from what he had just heard. It was not until the water came out of his body that he realized what was happening and began to struggle.

But he was held down by a pair of strong hands.