He Dong drove a mule cart to take the two brothers to the entrance of Xiaozao Village, and then took Xu Lanyin and Zhangqi to Daxiang Temple.
In late autumn, Yefeng Ridge was even more desolate, yet possessed a unique beauty. Xu Lanyin sighed as she thought of the difficult years she and the original owner had endured in the valley. Finally, she no longer had to suffer.
He Xi checked the car in, and went with Xu Lanyin and Zhangqi to the thatched monastery where Jie Chi lived. Jie Chi was not there, and Mingzhi, the young monk, said with a red face that he had been punished by the abbot to reflect on his mistakes in a cave in the back mountain.
That greedy old monk must have secretly killed animals or eaten meat again and was caught in the act.
Xu Lanyin handed the food box to the young monk Mingzhi and asked him to pass it on to Jie Chi. She also brought a bowl of sweet-scented osmanthus glutinous rice and dates for the young monk.
The young monk took it with a smile. He was often bribed by Xu Lanyin, and they had a good relationship. The young monk whispered to her that the monk Jie Chi had secretly gone out and killed a blind bear the day before yesterday. When he was roasting the bear's paws, the smell of the meat spread too far and was discovered by the abbot. The abbot was very angry and punished him to face the wall for three months.
The old monk always remembered the food but not the beating, or it meant that he couldn't bear it even when he knew he was being punished.
Xu Lanyin said goodbye to the little monk and went to the main hall to worship the Bodhisattva, praying for Zhao Wu's safe and speedy return, and praying that Qin and Old Lady Xu would recover quickly. She also generously donated ten taels of silver.
As they walked out of the temple, they ran into a young man, flamboyantly dressed and with a large, fat head and big ears. He was immediately struck by Xu Lanyin's beauty and was completely captivated, staring at her intently.
Xu Lanyin glared at the man and quickly walked forward, pulling Zhangqi with him. Xu Lanyin really wasn't afraid of him. This pervert looked like a good-for-nothing. If they were to fight alone, she would definitely be able to beat him if she did more physical work.
Ho Tung knew the fat young man and did not take action immediately. If he did, he would have revealed himself to be from the Min Prefecture.
The fat young man blocked Xu Lanyin's way with his folding fan and chuckled, "What's your name, young lady?" He then introduced himself, "My surname is Zhu Zhuang. I live in Ningzhou, the provincial capital. I have a fortune, and my uncle is a high-ranking official in the Ningzhou government office..."
Xu Lanyin snorted coldly, "Oh, I wonder if your uncle is the Tongzhi Qin Lord or the Tongpan Min Lord? I know both of them very well."
Zhu Zhuang blinked his eyes and laughed heartily, "This young lady is really good at using the tiger's skin to pull the banner. Lord Qin is my uncle. When did he have any contact with the young lady in Nanping County? He is very familiar with her, and she has the nerve to say it out loud."
Xu Lanyin was just trying to show off her abilities, but unexpectedly she actually met a suspected relative of Qin Che.
At this time, a male voice with a slight southern accent sounded, "Cousin Zhu, you are causing trouble again, and in the pure land of Buddhism."
As he was speaking, a young man in his twenties, dressed in fine clothes, with a sullen face, approached. He was of medium height, rather thin, with fair skin and delicate features.
Zhu Zhuang immediately put away the folding fan he had used to stop the man, and with a smile on his fat face, he said, "Cousin, this young lady said she knows your father, my uncle, Lord Qin, the Tongzhi of Ningzhou, very well."
Xu Lanyin was stunned when she saw this young man. She felt a sense of familiarity. He really looked like Qin Che.
Qin Ru was also stunned when he saw Xu Lanyin. This young lady looked familiar. He bowed and smiled at Xu Lanyin, saying, "My cousin has a rough personality. If I have offended you, please forgive me." He then asked, "Is your last name Xu?"
Before Xu Lanyin could say anything, the chess master asked in confusion, "How did you know that, young master? You're truly amazing."
Seeing that the girl's surname was indeed Xu, Qin Ru smiled again and said, "My father once said that there was a girl named Xu in Nanping County. She was young, but very capable and knowledgeable, and she was as knowledgeable as a man. She once helped him a lot."
This man is indeed Qin Che's son. Qin Che said that he had helped him a lot, probably referring to the time when he hypnotized him and helped him catch the murderer.
Xu Lanyin smiled. She had a very good impression of both Qin Che and this Mr. Qin. Not only did they look kind, but they were also gentle and refined, not looking down on ordinary people. She said, "Master Qin, you are too polite. It's not a big favor."
Zhu Zhuang smiled awkwardly and said, "Young lady, you are really very familiar with my uncle."
Qin Ru smiled again and said, "My cousin Zhu and I came to Oat Mountain for a trip and happened to visit here today. Miss Xu is a local. Where is the best scenery in Wild Bee Ridge?"
Xu Lanyin mentioned several places, including the place where Zhao Wu jumped off the cliff and the Wild Bee Valley. After a few jokes, she said goodbye and left.
Looking at the figure getting farther and farther away, Zhu Zhuang suddenly tapped his head with his folding fan and said, "Cousin, why do I feel that Miss Xu looks a bit like Cousin Hongyu?"
Qin Ru nodded; he felt the same way. He glared at Zhu Zhuang again and said, "If you don't change your old habits, don't come out with me again. Also, don't bring up my father's name at any time. It will bring him trouble." Then he walked towards the back of Daxiang Temple.
Zhu Zhuang quickly followed and said flatteringly, "Don't do it again next time. I won't dare to do it again." He laughed again, "I've been to Daxiang Temple many times, and being with my cousin is the most poetic and picturesque, but also the most tiring..."
Xu Lanyin took a bus to Xiaozao Village.
She hadn't been back for a long time, and the farmers working in the fields stood up to greet her, much more enthusiastically than when she was in Xiaozao Village.
The old lady was lying in the house. She was afraid of the disease and did not dare to let Xu Lanzhou and his brother into the house. She only said a few words to him at the door. Xu Lanyin did the same when he went there. He stood at the door and comforted the old lady.
After lunch, Xu Lanzhou continued to talk about farm matters with the old man, while Xu Lanyin took Xu Lanting to Wang's house with two bags of snacks.
The Xuyuan siblings wanted to follow them, but when Mrs. Gu heard that they were going to Wang Jincai's house, she stopped them.
On the way, Xu Lanting whispered to Xu Lanyin, "Sister, I heard Grandpa was teaching my eldest brother how to manage the family money, especially to keep Mom safe." Then he pouted and said, "Grandpa's words weren't good. Mom doesn't need anyone to keep her safe. My eldest brother defended Mom for a few words, but Grandpa slapped him twice... He also whispered to me not to tell Mom, for fear that she would be sad if she knew."
The old man's inherent ideas could not be changed, but fortunately he moved so that Xu Lanzhou had less contact with him.
Xu Lanyin said, "You are right. Mother is well-mannered and virtuous. She doesn't need anyone to look after her. When you return to the old house, talk to Grandma more often. Don't turn a deaf ear to what Grandpa says..."
Xu Lanting said, "I always listen to grandma and ignore grandpa's words."
Xu Lanyin smiled and lifted his little bun.
Arriving at Wang's house, Wang Sanni opened the door. She had grown a little taller, her youthfulness faded a little, and she was wearing plain clothes with a small white flower in her hair. She looked simple, pretty, and even more refined.
Seeing that it was Xu Lanyin and her brother, she hurriedly pulled her and said with a smile, "Sister Lanyin, Lanting, come in quickly."
This was Xu Lanyin's second time entering the Wang family's house. She had been there the last time Wang Dagu beat someone up. She smiled and said, "I haven't seen you for a long time. I came to see you."
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