Chapter 124 Returning to the City
Xiao Qing strolled along, looking around. Whenever he came across a Buddha statue, he would slowly bow down and take out copper coins from his money bag to place on the table as incense money. As he leisurely walked down the mountain, Ying Ziye was talking with Ma Hong.
Xiao Yan and Liu Yi were not present; they must have gone to offer incense.
Xiao Qing glanced in the direction of the Great Buddha Hall, but did not walk in that direction. Instead, he walked towards Ying Ziye and Ma Hong.
She only avoids entering the main hall (Mahavira Hall).
Ying Ziye was facing her direction, so he saw her coming first.
A moment later, Ma Hong also turned around.
The two stood together; Ying Ziye was young, tall, and handsome. In comparison, Ma Hong was not particularly outstanding.
However, Ma Hong's loyalty and dedication over the past three years have been evident to all.
Xiao Qing had long ago told Mingxiu, who had already obtained the prescription, to research an antidote that could completely cure Ma Hong's poisoning as quickly as possible, but in the past three years, there seemed to be no progress.
Ma Hong, however, was not in a hurry, which made Xiao Qing feel even more guilty.
Ma Hong quickly walked up and said, "Young Master, Young Master Yan is offering incense in the Great Buddha Hall."
Ying Ziye also came over.
Xiao Qing nodded and asked, "Now that you're here, why don't you go and pray for peace as well?"
But neither of them moved.
Xiao Qing didn't insist. She was still thinking about Jueyin's matter and wasn't feeling too good. However, she didn't want to affect the person next to her because of her own low mood, so she smiled and said, "It's rare for us to come out. After we get down the mountain, we should take a good look around the city. By the way, Ziye, whose pastry did you buy last time? Although it didn't look very appealing, it was really delicious."
This is a true story.
Because Ying Ziye would go to the South Training Ground every month, Xiao Qing would usually have a small gathering with him on that day. Last time, Ying Ziye brought some pastries from outside the palace. Although they weren't as exquisite as those in the palace, and the ingredients certainly weren't any better, Xiao Qing found them soft and delicious after taking a bite.
What's even more special is that she felt the way those shortbreads were made was somewhat similar to the cookie-making techniques in her world, so she craved them after just one bite.
She wasn't just craving the food; she also wanted to see what the shop was like.
Ying Ziye nodded naturally and said, "It's an inconspicuous little shop, located in a side alley. Please don't find it too small or simple, young master."
Ma Hong remained silent, though he seemed somewhat disapproving. He felt that Xiao Qing, as the emperor, shouldn't be eating in unknown little shops outside the palace, even disregarding safety factors. However, he also knew that their emperor was unconventional and disliked the rigid rules of the palace, so he patiently refrained from expressing his opinion, thinking he would have to be extra careful later.
Xiao Qing laughed heartily, "I've heard that the best food is found among ordinary people. The more inconspicuous the little shops are, the more likely they are to have some unknown culinary secrets that ordinary people can't find."
Just then, Xiao Yan and Liu Yi returned after offering incense.
He was still holding the little one in his arms, as if he hadn't put her down at all. Xiao Qing's smile faded when she saw him, and she asked, "Brother Yan, have you finished your prayers?"
Xiao Yan smiled and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled you for so long, brother." He finally gave Xiao Xiao to Liu Yi to hold, and took out a dark purple lucky bag embroidered with bright yellow auspicious clouds and embroidered with gold thread from his sleeve. He handed it over with both hands and said, "I have asked for a peace talisman for you, brother. Although it is not made of any precious material, please accept it."
Xiao Qing glanced at it. There was one thing about Xiao Yan that she admired greatly—no matter what he was thinking, he could always adopt an extremely humble attitude, leaving you with no room for criticism.
She reached out and took the amulet—it was actually quite pretty.
"Thank you, Brother Yan. It was my oversight that made you ask for the talisman for me."
Xiao Yan smiled, "Brother, you are wise. This is simply my duty."
After exchanging a few more words, the two walked together out of the temple gate.
The carriage had already stopped outside the temple gate. Ma Hong and Liu Yi sat in front and drove the carriage, inviting Xiao Qing, Xiao Yan, and Ying Ziye to get in.
Xiao Qing had no intention of taking Xiao Yan shopping, so she instructed Ma Hong to go to the Grand Tutor's residence first, intending to leave Xiao Yan with Fu Mingyi.
Seeing Xiao Yan looking at her, she smiled and said, "Brother Yan, you must be eager to personally hand over the peace talisman you requested for the Grand Tutor. As your elder brother, I was unable to obtain the peace talisman for you, but I will certainly fulfill your wish."
Xiao Yan blinked, and his long black eyelashes fluttered as well.
Then he smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, brother."
The return journey always seemed easier than the journey itself. By the time they returned to Nanhua City, it was already noon.
Xiao Qing instructed Ma Hong to drive to the gate of the Grand Tutor's mansion without stopping, and then sent him to knock on the door. Only after the Grand Tutor's head steward came out did Xiao Qing, Xiao Yan, and Ying Ziye get out of the car together.
Despite the steward's best efforts to persuade him to stay, Xiao Qing ultimately left behind Xiao Yan, Liu Yi, and the carriage, while he himself left with Ying Ziye and Ma Hong.
Xiao Yan stood at the door for a while before letting the butler lead him inside.
He seemed to vaguely hear their voices fading into the distance, but then it seemed he heard nothing at all.
"Your Highness, please forgive me, but the Grand Tutor is not in the residence at the moment."
Xiao Yan grunted and said calmly, "It's alright, I'll wait for the Grand Tutor in the study."
Meanwhile, Xiao Qing was already happily taking Ying Ziye and Ma Hong shopping.
If Ma Hong hadn't insisted on coming along, she probably would have left him at the Grand Tutor's residence.
Having grown accustomed to the orderly and serene atmosphere of the palace, she now felt that the sun was much more intense than it was in the bustling streets.
"Where is that shop?" she asked Ying Ziye.
Ying Ziye said, "Young master, please follow me."
Just as he said, the alley was far from the main street and was a side alley.
After walking for a while, Ma Hong became wary and couldn't help but say, "Young master, this place is secluded. Perhaps we shouldn't venture too far in?"
Ying Ziye then stopped and looked at Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing didn't think as much as Ma Hong did. Firstly, she felt that with Mr. Wu and the guards present, there was nothing to worry about; secondly, she had studied under Mr. Wu for three years, and even if she wasn't good at fighting, she was still capable of escaping, so she wasn't afraid; thirdly, Ying Ziye had obviously been to this place more than once, and she trusted him.
She waved her hand and said, "It's alright, it's just a bit remote, so not many people pass by. I know what I'm doing."
She then asked Ying Ziye, "How much further?"
Ying Ziye pointed ahead and said, "It's fifty steps away."
Xiao Qing looked up and saw a listless, gray wine banner hanging on the wall about fifty paces away. The banner itself was nothing special, except that the character for "wine" on it was neatly written. Instead of conveying a carefree spirit, it looked like an iron shackle, locking the spirit of wine inside.
If Fu Mingyi hadn't pressed him so hard, Xiao Qing would never have been able to glean such meaning from a single word.
Her eyes darted around, and she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"This liquor business must be bad."
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