Gan Qiongying looked at Dingzhen very carefully, but she couldn't recall any of the memories about Dingzhen in her mind.
If she didn't have that part of her memory, Gan Qiongying wouldn't understand what Dingzhen was saying now.
However, Gan Qiongying had heard Manyue say that Dingzhen used to be a monk at Fenglin Temple, but she didn't know when he came to Qingshan Temple.
"Weren't you from Fenglin Temple before?" Gan Qiongying asked. "How did you end up at Qingshan Temple?"
"What do you mean, my destined one? Can you tell fortunes?"
Dingzhen didn't answer, but just looked at Gan Qiongying calmly. After a moment, he walked to the table, picked up the teapot, poured a cup of water, and then drank it down in one gulp with great gusto. Clearly, he was very thirsty.
After finishing his tea, Dingzhen turned to look at Gan Qiongying, dipped his finger in the teacup, and then, without warning, flicked his hand at Gan Qiongying.
Caught off guard, Gan Qiongying felt a chill between her brows, carried by the autumn wind, the coolness almost seeping into her bones.
Gan Qiongying stared at Dingzhen, wondering why he had suddenly started making a scene.
Gan Qiongying and Li Hua would sometimes playfully flick each other's fingers when they drank water; they weren't exactly the type to bicker...
"Why are you doing this?" Gan Qiongying reached out and brushed the water droplets off her face.
Dingzhen bowed to Gan Qiongying again and said, "Princess, please return."
Gan Qiongying: "..."
After Dingzhen finished speaking, he started walking down the mountain. Gan Qiongying called out behind him, "You're so rude! I haven't even said anything yet!"
"I've come to give you money!"
"That's several hundred taels of silver. Aren't you short of money right now?"
Dingzhen didn't even pause for a moment, his steps were calm and composed, and he wasn't afraid of Gan Qiongying punishing him at all.
He exudes an aura that is both impolite and unresponsive, yet everything he does seems mysterious and profound...
It's probably the aura that his bald head brings him.
Gan Qiongying followed behind Dingzhen and said, "Give me a chance to say a few words. If you can help me with something, I can give you a lot of money."
"This kind of thing is absolutely not against morality or human ethics, it will not bring you any danger, and it is certainly not about having any romantic relationship with you!"
"I have a few hundred taels on me right now. If you help me get things done, I can give you several thousand taels!"
"Ten thousand taels! Wait a minute!"
Dingzhen continued down the mountain along the path, seemingly oblivious to Gan Qiongying's words.
Gan Qiongying gritted her teeth and said, "Fifty thousand taels, let's talk."
Dingzhen's steps indeed slowed down. He looked up at the direction of the refugee camp below the mountain. Fifty thousand taels... should be enough to settle these people completely.
But once outside the temple, there were far more refugees than just this many.
Does Dingzhen not realize that his efforts are futile, that he is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot?
Excessive kindness will not bring any blessings, and when Dingzhen is no longer able to provide shelter for these people, he will turn into a villain.
If those consequences were foreseen, would one really refrain from doing them?
cannot.
There are always some people in this world who, even knowing they will be shattered to pieces, even knowing that getting caught in the whirlpool means falling into an abyss, will still do what they should do.
When Gan Qiongying saw that he could be swayed by money, she immediately raised the price: "Fifty thousand taels, plus providing these refugees with better housing!"
“I have two estates outside the city. There are usually not many people in the estates, but they are big enough that all the old, weak, women and children gather here. Once the weather changes, the cold alone can kill them!”
Dingzhen finally stopped and turned to look at Gan Qiongying.
"Does the princess know that there are far more refugees than this?"
Gan Qiongying frowned and nodded: "I heard there are indeed quite a few outside the city. I sent servants to inquire before, and I will investigate the matter thoroughly when I return to the Princess's residence."
"How much money does the princess have to feed those displaced people? And does she really have the means to do things for the people of the world?"
"There is more than one Yin capital in this world, but the eyes of the royal relatives, nobles and wealthy clans are only on one Yin capital."
Gan Qiongying was taken aback, not understanding why Dingzhen had suddenly brought up the greater good.
In reality, who can control whom? Gan Qiongying still can't protect her own life and her brother's.
They're just barely surviving under someone else's thumb, so who can they possibly help?
Therefore, Gan Qiongying paused and said, "I cannot save all the people in this world, nor do I have the ability to resettle all the refugees, but at least I am willing to think of a way, and at least I am willing to contribute the money I can."
Upon hearing this, Dingzhen looked at Gan Qiongying, the mountain wind ruffling his monk's robe, making him appear pure and elegant.
He clasped his hands together in front of Gan Qiongying and finally asked, "How much silver is the princess willing to pay?"
Gan Qiongying: "..." Okay, after all that talk about family, country, and the world, Gan Qiongying thought this monk was going to learn from Buddha and cut off his own flesh to feed the eagle.
But this is good too; money is a good thing, Gan Qiongying has always known that.
If she could accomplish her own goals and also help these refugees, why wouldn't Gan Qiongying be happy to do it?
She estimated it, then stretched out two fingers, crossed them, and held them in the air, saying to Dingzhen, "One hundred thousand taels, but I have conditions."
Dingzhen remained unmoved by the eight winds, but then turned and began to walk back.
"It's not convenient to talk here, Princess, please follow this humble monk."
After Dingzhen finished speaking, she led the way. Gan Qiongying called Manyue over and whispered some more instructions in her ear before following Dingzhen toward the courtyard where Dingzhen lived.
Dingzhen's residence was located at the very back of Qingshan Temple, and it was hardly any better than the places where the refugees lived.
It's clear that either he was sent here from Fenglin Temple and no one wanted him, or his current behavior has offended the abbot, leaving him without even a decent place to stay.
Once they reached the courtyard, Dingzhen led Gan Qiongying straight toward the house.
Seeing his unguarded look, Gan Qiongying hesitated for a moment and said, "Isn't it inappropriate for a man and a woman to be alone in a room?"
Moreover, there were some well-known rumors about Gan Qiongying and Dingzhen before.
Whatever the phrase "flirtatious princess and charming monk," it just doesn't sound good.
Dingzhen turned to look at Gan Qiongying, his eyes clear. This was the first time Gan Qiongying had ever seen such emptiness in someone's eyes.
"Please, Princess." Dingzhen opened the door and looked at Gan Qiongying.
Manyue craned her neck to look in this direction from the doorway. Gan Qiongying turned around and pointed at her, telling her to obediently guard the door.
Only then did he straighten his expression and enter the room where he was meditating.
What she wanted to discuss with Dingzhen was absolutely not about romance, but about life and death.
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