Chapter 295 Growing Up
Qiu Heng and the Princess of Jiayi rode in the same carriage to Lingwei Temple.
April is a beautiful time of year, with flowers blooming and willows turning green, and the scenery is delightful. Lingwei Temple, built halfway up the mountain, is hidden among the flowers and trees, but the constant stream of pilgrims has driven away its tranquil and otherworldly atmosphere.
"There are so many people."
Upon hearing Qiu Heng's words, the guest master smiled and said, "There are still some limitations, otherwise there would be even more believers."
"The True Man and Junior Brother Ling are right there."
The two people in the pavilion were playing chess. The one wearing a wide Taoist robe was Master Miaoqing, and the other was Lingyun, who was wearing a moon-white long robe.
Ling Yun held the black chess piece in his hand, a faint smile on his face.
Master Miaoqing calmly placed a white piece, a serene smile on her face.
At first glance, it evokes the imagery of immortals playing chess.
Facing the direction of Qiu Heng and the other person, Master Miaoqing placed a piece and said calmly, "Qiyun, someone is looking for you."
Ling Yun turned his head and immediately saw Qiu Heng.
After a brief exchange of glances, Ling Yun nodded slightly in greeting before turning back to continue his unfinished game of chess.
Fortunately, the game was coming to an end, and Master Miaoqing won by two points, laughing heartily.
“Playing chess with Qiyun is much more interesting than playing with your senior uncles and brothers.” Master Miaoqing looked at the two who were quietly watching the game.
Ling Yun began by introducing, "These are my two younger sisters."
Qiu Heng and the Princess of Jiayi bowed their knees together.
"This must be Qiyun's younger sister, Princess Jiayi, right?"
Princess Jiayi was grateful to Master Miaoqing for relieving her brother's headache and nodded obediently.
Master Miaoqing looked at Qiuheng: "I've heard that Qiyun has a sworn sister who was bestowed the title of Princess Suiyun by the current emperor. Is this the benefactor?"
Qiu Heng met Miao Qing Zhenren's eyes.
Perhaps due to his recent meteoric rise and busy dealings with various figures, he hadn't had enough rest, as his eyes were quite bloodshot, diminishing the demeanor of a true sage.
"It is indeed my daughter. I have long admired your esteemed name."
Master Miaoqing looked at Qiuheng and suddenly smiled: "I have also heard of Princess Suiyun."
"Have you heard a lot about me, Master?" Qiu Heng asked with a smile.
Princess Jiayi glanced at Qiu Heng with surprise.
Do we really need to have a deeper conversation about such polite words?
Master Miaoqing was clearly surprised and paused for a moment before saying, "I have often heard people mention the heroic deeds of Princess Suiyun in Xijiang, even though I have lived in the deep mountains for a long time."
"Jiayi, Aheng, did you come to see me for something?" Lingyun asked.
Princess Jiayi smiled and said, "It's rare for Ah Heng to come out, but it's a pity that her elder brother isn't home, so we came to find you."
"In that case, Qiyun, why don't you accompany your two younger sisters for a walk around the temple and then go back together?"
This wasn't Qiu Heng's first time at Lingwei Temple. Not wanting to waste time there, she strolled around for a bit and then suggested heading back.
The county magistrate of Jiayi also said, "Let's go back. This Taoist temple is more lively than the market."
Ling Yun smiled helplessly: "I thought you wanted to come and offer incense. You just wanted me to go back and sent a servant to deliver the message."
"It's not just to find Brother Ling, I also want to meet the recently famous Master Miaoqing."
Ling Yun's eyes flickered slightly: "Aheng's curiosity is still so strong."
Back at the Prince Kang's residence, Qiu Heng said directly, "Brother Ling, there are some things I want to say to you alone."
Lingyun looked at the Princess of Jiayi County.
"You two chat, I'll go check on the newly bought peony plants."
Seeing the Princess of Jiayi walking briskly towards the peony, Lingyun pointed to the pavilion not far away: "Let's sit there."
The pavilion is fully furnished with tables and chairs, and climbing wisteria vines hang down with strings of purple blossoms, creating a dreamlike and enchanting scene.
"What does Ah Heng want to say?"
Qiu Heng placed her hands flat on the wooden table and looked intently at the young man in front of her.
She hadn't seen Brother Ling for a while.
She always felt that no matter how long they hadn't seen each other, Brother Ling was still one of the closest people to her, but now she was shocked to realize that even the most familiar people have another side that no one knows.
Why is Ah Heng just staring at me without saying anything?
Qiu Heng slowly raised her eyelids, revealing bright, clear eyes: "I heard that Brother Ling has become a disciple of Master Miaoqing."
"yes."
"Why?"
Ling Yun chuckled: "What do you mean, 'why'?"
"Brother Ling, you're asking a question you already know the answer to."
“I’m not asking a question I already know the answer to.” Ling Yun said patiently, “What exactly does Aheng want to ask?”
"Why did Brother Ling suddenly become a disciple of Master Miaoqing?"
"I wouldn't call myself an apprentice; I'm just a lay disciple in name only. I often stay at Taoist temples and have always believed in Taoist principles..."
“I know that Brother Ling believes in Taoism, but to do this when Master Miaoqing’s reputation is at its peak is not like what Brother Ling would do.”
Ling Yun stared at Qiu Heng for a moment, then smiled gently: "I have heard Master Miaoqing preach many times, and I have great respect for her. Ah Heng, don't overthink it."
Is she overthinking it?
When Qiu Heng looked into Ling Yun's eyes, those beautiful, star-like eyes were calm and undisturbed, as if a layer of mist concealed all emotions, making them impossible to see clearly.
"Jiayi said that Brother Ling's headache has not recurred after taking the elixir of Miaoqing Zhenren."
"Um."
Qiu Heng stretched out her hand: "I was sick before and developed a chronic illness. Brother Ling, could you give me a few medicinal pills?"
The girl's hands were well-proportioned, slender and delicate like jade.
It was the hand that pulled him out of danger when he got lost in the deep mountains that year.
Later, they all grew up, separated, and each had their own story.
"Master Miaoqing's elixir is priceless. She only gave my elder brother a few pills, and he has almost finished them."
That hand still stubbornly stretched out in front of me.
Ling Yun's eyes flickered, and he looked away.
“Aheng, if an acute illness caused by overeating has left a lasting health problem, you can consult a renowned doctor to gradually adjust your diet. Food therapy is better than medication.”
“Brother Ling.” Qiu Heng withdrew her hand. “I have never believed in any miracle cures in this world.”
To avoid alerting the enemy, we shouldn't easily reveal our suspicions about Master Miaoqing, especially since Lingyun is now so close to her.
Whether Ling Yun genuinely wanted to become Miao Qing Zhenren's disciple or had other plans, she couldn't remain indifferent to Ling Yun taking the so-called elixir, knowing it would cause great harm to his body.
"There are many wondrous things in the world."
"Brother Ling—" Qiu Heng wanted to say more, but the indifference in Ling Yun's eyes was like an invisible thorn, piercing her heart.
She was used to the man she regarded as her brother always looking at her with gentle, tolerant eyes, and she had never seen him look at her like that before.
Even at their first meeting, perhaps because he was lost, his eyes were filled with the joy of meeting someone new.
“Brother Ling, I respect your ideas, but I still think that we shouldn’t eat just anything.”
Ling Yun smiled and said, "My headaches kept flaring up before, and I had to beg the master for a long time before he gave me a few spiritual pills. I won't be able to take them anymore."
"It seems that Master Miaoqing really likes Brother Ling." Qiu Heng didn't continue the topic.
Those simple, youthful days when they saw each other almost every day in the southern mountains are long gone. She still respects and cares about Brother Ling, but it's impossible for them to be able to talk about anything anymore.
Just as he did with her.
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