Qi Huaiyu was dragged out of the gate by the guards. His once neat brocade clothes were covered in dust, and his hair ornament was crooked. He no longer looked like a handsome young man.
He was thrown heavily onto the bluestone slab in front of the Xin family mansion, attracting the attention of passersby.
"What's wrong with Young Master Qi?"
"I heard he's an imposter, not the young master of the Xin family at all..."
"My God, how did you manage to fool them before?"
"I heard he even stole Miss Xin's poems and essays to impersonate a talented scholar!"
The whispers pierced Qi Huaiyu's ears like needles. He staggered to his feet, his eyes bloodshot, and suddenly turned to roar at the gate of the Xin residence: "Xin Jiuwei! Do you think you've won?!"
Xin Jiuwei turned around upon hearing the sound, and her eyes met Qi Huaiyu's through the open door.
"I was merely careless and fell for your scheme." Qi Huaiyu's face was grim, and his hoarse voice betrayed his former magnanimity. "You, a foolish noblewoman, really think you can outwit me? The entire Xin family are idiots. Sooner or later, the Xin family will be trampled underfoot by the son of your despised wet nurse. Just you wait and see!"
These words caused all the guests present to change color, but Xin Jiuwei simply stood quietly inside the door. Sunlight filtered through the carved lintel, casting dappled shadows on her face, making her expression inscrutable.
Memories of her past life flooded back like a tide—Qi Huaiyu was the same way, after he broke off all ties with her, laughed at her stupidity every day, and held a grudge against the Xin family for looking down on him for more than a decade.
But if she really looked down on him because of his background, why would she have foolishly followed him for so many years? And why would her father have promoted him so vigorously?
Qi Huaiyu's badness lies not in his background, but in his character!
“Miss…” Wang Qing called out softly with concern.
Xin Jiuwei snapped out of her daze, her fingertips digging deeply into her palms. In this life, she would never repeat the same mistake.
"Close the door," she said softly, her voice as cold as ice. "Don't let the mad dog spoil the guests' enjoyment."
The heavy vermilion gate slowly closed, shutting out Qi Huaiyu's resentful face.
At the last moment, Xin Jiuwei saw his lips move, clearly saying, "You wait."
The banquet became lively again.
Mr. Xin raised his glass: "Many thanks to everyone for witnessing this day, clearing away the hidden dangers that have plagued my Xin family for so many years. Special thanks to Master Jueming."
He turned to the figure in white standing quietly to the side, "If the master hadn't pointed out my daughter's affinity for Buddhism, she would probably still be entangled by that villain."
The guests echoed this sentiment, their gazes towards Xin Jiuwei now filled with awe—to have Master Jueming personally analyze her destiny was a rare and precious Buddhist blessing.
“If you don’t mind, Master, please stay for a vegetarian meal,” Xin’s father respectfully invited.
To everyone's surprise, the high monk, who had always been detached from worldly affairs, nodded slightly and said, "That will be troublesome."
During the meal, Xin Jiuwei sipped her tea, glancing at the person beside her from time to time.
Jueming's dining posture was extremely elegant. His plain white monk's robe was spotless, seemingly out of place in this noisy world, yet miraculously blending into it.
“Miss Xin,” he suddenly spoke, his voice so low that only she could hear, “You acted quite well.”
Xin Jiuwei's hand trembled, and she nearly spilled the tea. Forcing herself to remain calm, she replied in a low voice, "Thank you for your cooperation, Master."
Jueming's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, but he didn't say anything more.
But this subtle expression was enough for the ladies nearby to see clearly, and they immediately began to whisper among themselves: "It seems that Miss Xin is indeed destined for Buddhism; even Master Jueming looks at her with special regard..."
The banquet lasted until late afternoon. After seeing off the last guest, Xin Jiuwei made an excuse and went alone to the pavilion in the back garden—she knew Jueming would definitely come.
As the sun set, it cast long shadows on the people in the pavilion. When Xin Jiuwei arrived, Jueming was already standing in the pavilion, his plain white monk's robe tinged with pale gold by the sunset.
"Master." She curtsied and left Chongwu Mountain. She would no longer call him Your Highness. "Thank you for your help today."
Jueming turned around, his gaze as calm as a still well.
She took a step forward, looked up and looked directly into his eyes, "Why did you suddenly come down the mountain, Master? Isn't the tranquility of Lingyin Temple enough for your cultivation?"
A gentle evening breeze carried the fragrance of flowers. Jueming paused for a moment, then said, "Ye Qingzheng has invited me to discuss Zen."
“Mr. Ye?” Xin Jiuwei wasn’t too surprised; they already knew each other. “My father gave the house next door to Mr. Ye to live in.”
Jueming stood with his hands behind his back. "Yes, I live right next door to you."
This information made Xin Jiuwei's expression stiffen slightly.
"Is the master here to spy on me?" she asked directly.
Jueming turned his head and glanced at her indifferently. "Do you think you're worth my personal surveillance?"
“Of course not,” Xin Jiuwei said, but then pressed, “Then why did you accept Master Ye’s invitation?”
"Opportunity," Jueming said, gazing at the darkening sky. "It has nothing to do with you."
Xin Jiuwei naturally wouldn't believe it completely. Although Jueming was a high-ranking monk, Xiao Xun was full of cunning and scheming.
"The master helped me cover up my lie today, saying I have a connection to Buddhism... How am I supposed to cover up this lie in the future?"
Jueming turned around and said, "Since it's a lie, why bother to cover it up?" He took a step to leave, then stopped. "Since the words have already been spoken, you'd better 'sincerely worship Buddha' for the next five years."
Xin Jiuwei understood: "I will often go to Lingyin Temple to offer incense."
Watching his departing figure, Xin Jiuwei fell into deep thought.
Does she deserve Jueming's personal surveillance? He had already sent Liu Ya to her side, and she's hiding in the shadows right now.
Regardless, Qi Huaiyu has finally been exposed in front of everyone today. Whether Jue Ming believes her or not, or whether he harms her or not, she will need him in the future.
The next day, Xin Jiuwei stood with her hands at her sides, watching her father write at his desk.
"Wei'er," Father Xin suddenly spoke, his voice unusually weary, "Have I misjudged her all these years?"
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