As soon as the elder finished speaking, the expressions of several people changed slightly.
Yu Chuxi widened his eyes slightly, he never expected that an old friend would come to the abbot of Qixia Temple today, and there happened to be one room vacant that he had booked in advance.
Yu Chuxi glanced at Xie Shu almost subconsciously.
But when he saw Xie Shu's sudden frown, the secret joy that Yu Chuxi had just felt inexplicably in his heart disappeared without a trace in an instant.
Seeing that Yu Chuxi did not answer for a while, the elder could not help but think more. In the past three years, although the donor Yu was married, she always came alone and never mentioned her husband. If it were not for the fact that these two people looked very compatible, the elder would also suspect that these two people were...
The next moment, Yu Chuxi smiled faintly again, and said calmly: "It's okay, let's do it this way."
Seeing that Yu Chuxi agreed so readily, the elder forgot his previous doubts in an instant. He first thanked Yu Chuxi for his understanding, and then personally led the two of them to the Buddhist hall in the temple for prayer.
Along the way, Xie Shu originally wanted to say a few words to Yu Chuxi, but Yu Chuxi was walking in front with the elders, and Xie Shu didn't find a suitable opportunity.
When they arrived at the main hall of Qixia Temple and began to burn incense, Xie Shu no longer worried about the matter.
There were towering buildings and solemn Buddha statues. In the hall, there was still a wisp of sandalwood burning from other pilgrims. Monks in robes sat cross-legged, chanting scriptures. The sound of wooden fishes was heard regularly and solemnly.
Xie Shu followed her husband, took three incense sticks, and prayed silently.
At this time, it was getting dark. The elder had left for something, and a few young monks took them to eat some vegetarian food later.
Xie Shu just remembered what happened just now and said: "My dear, since there is one less room today, I will squeeze in with Xi Mo and the others..."
Before Xie Shu finished speaking, Yu Chuxi interrupted him calmly, "Do you want to laugh at me?"
Xie Shu didn't expect that her husband would say such harsh words. He hurried to look at him, only to see that Yu Chuxi's expression was different from the past. It was extremely dull, and there was no warmth in his eyes. His extremely beautiful face revealed a bit of coldness under the glow of the setting sun.
Xie Shu's heart tightened at this moment, and he suddenly thought of why his husband was angry.
Although he and his husband are nominally husband and wife, outsiders don't know about it. What do others think?
Seeing that Langjun was sad about this, Xie Shu explained helplessly: "Langjun, that's not what I meant just now. I was just worried that I might have offended Langjun..."
Although Yu Chuxi could guess why Xie Shu frowned just now, but seeing him explaining so anxiously at this moment, Yu Chuxi didn't know whether he should blame him for still drawing a clear line between them, or should he be angry that he was so polite and cautious towards her?
Just when Yu Chuxi was feeling mixed emotions, she heard a man's voice gently asking, "If you don't dislike me..."
Yu Chuxi pursed her lips slightly and turned her eyes away from him.
There is a long pavilion on the edge of the mountain behind Qixia Temple.
Although one side of the pavilion faces a steep cliff, it is a rare place to enjoy the scenery.
Next to the pavilion, there is a towering pine tree extending from the cliff, with its branches dense like a canopy, just enough to shelter from the wind and rain. Looking up, it seems as if one can penetrate the boundless sky and reach into the sea of frost and clouds.
At this time, there were two people playing chess in the pavilion. The man on the left was wearing a bright red kapok robe, and he was the abbot of Qixia Temple, Master Xuanzhen. The other man was wearing cloth cotton shoes and looked like an ordinary person.
Xuan Zhen smiled as he spread the cloth and said, "Brother Jiang, I didn't expect you would choose to retire and return home at this time."
The person in front of him was Jiang Hong, who used to be the chief academic officer of the Imperial College. But who would have thought that this famous scholar of the time looked so inconspicuous, and the first thing he did after returning to Jinling was to come to Qixia Temple?
Jiang Hong said self-deprecatingly: "Isn't it like this when you get older?"
Xuan Zhen showed a look of disbelief: "The latest retirement age is 70 years old. Brother Jiang, I think you are still very young. I have heard that the current emperor has tried to keep you several times."
Jiang Hong laughed and shook his head, he had no idea that the rumors outside were so exaggerated. In fact, the emperor only kept his retirement post once according to previous regulations.
Jiang Hong couldn't help but explain: "It's not that I don't want to stay, it's that I can't stay."
Xuan Zhen was shocked when he heard this: "How could this be? As the chief priest of the Imperial College, this position is not appropriate for you!"
It's no wonder Xuan Zhen has such doubts. The Imperial College is the highest institution of learning in the entire Daqing, located in Kyoto. The Imperial College Jijiu is a fourth-rank official position, equivalent to the principal of the Imperial College. His main task is to be in charge of university laws and teaching examinations. It is a very stable position. How could he not be able to stay?
Jiang Hong narrowed his wrinkled eyes and sneered. Perhaps there was no one he could tell, but now he could only mention it in front of this old friend: "You also know that since the late emperor decided to continue the previous dynasty's regulations and open up the Enke to admit knowledgeable people from all over the world, many people from poor families have joined the court, but the Imperial College still follows the old customs. Except for a small number of outstanding talents recommended by local governments, the rest are only the sons of royal family members and the sons of officials above the third rank who can enter.
Now the gap between the aristocratic families and the poor families is getting deeper and deeper. In this case, how can the atmosphere of the Imperial College improve? But in order to appease the people, His Majesty is unwilling to reform the system of the Imperial College. As the highest institution of learning, the Imperial College must not lag behind other institutions of learning. The pressure involved can be imagined..."
Of course, Jiang Hong didn't say anything more, that is, the Imperial College is now involved in the fight between the two princes, which is the most important reason why Jiang Hong decided to leave...
Xuan Zhen sighed repeatedly upon hearing this. If it wasn't for what Jiang Hong said, he would have found it hard to imagine that the highest institution of learning in Daqing would have such a secret. No wonder Jiang Hong chose to retreat at this time.
Xuan Zhen saw that his old friend looked unhappy after recalling this, so he skipped the topic and said, "Okay, let's not talk about this. What are your plans for coming back this time?"
Jiang Hong sighed half-jokingly, "I haven't been back to Jinling for twenty years. My old friends and relatives have long since dispersed. I might as well find a place to live in seclusion."
Xuan Zhen was not willing to believe it. He smiled and said, "You are so talented. If you really want to live in seclusion, wouldn't that be a pity? Besides, when the news of your return spread, many families in Jinling were eager to pay a huge sum of money to worship you as a teacher! If you are willing, I will spread the news..."
Hearing this, although Jiang Hong's expression did not change, he could not hide a bit of disdain in his eyes and said: "Money burns my eyes, fame burns my heart. If my ambition is here, why would I return to Jinling?"
Xuan Zhen couldn't help but smile awkwardly. Jiang Hong was now a world-famous scholar, no longer the poor scholar who had stayed in the temple. And he had been the abbot of Qixia Temple for twenty years, and was no longer the little monk who was devoted to Buddhism.
However, Xuan Zhen only changed his mind for a moment, and the friendship between the two would not diminish because of this. He continued to ask: "Then you really don't plan to accept another disciple?"
Jiang Hong hesitated for a moment, and suddenly thought of the young man he met when he went up the mountain today.
This person's elegance, demeanor, appearance and conversation are far superior to ordinary people. His words "practice what you preach" really touched Jiang Hong's heart, but he didn't know his identity.
Jiang Hong was fine otherwise, but he had to be extremely careful in accepting disciples to avoid making another big mistake.
Therefore, Jiang Hong was silent for a moment and just said: "Let's see later."
At this time, the elder came over and reported: "Master, I have just told Donor Yu, and Donor Yu also agreed."
After the elder left, Jiang Hong said thoughtfully, "Your Qixia Temple is very popular now. I wonder whose property I occupied when I came here temporarily this time?"
Xuan Zhen laughed loudly and said, "There is nothing wrong with this. It is the wealthy Yu family in Jinling..."
Xie Shu and Yu Chuxi followed the young monk to have dinner.
Xie Shu had never eaten vegetarian food in a temple before, but now he realized that vegetarian food could be so delicious.
The vegetarian dishes here are mostly made with wild mushrooms from the mountains, fresh fruits and local wild vegetables. The meticulous craftsmanship and level of effort put into their preparation are no less than those in restaurants.
It seems that vegetarian food is also a specialty of Qixia Temple.
After having a vegetarian meal and admiring the sunset over the mountains, the sky began to darken and it was time to go to bed.
The Zen room they stayed in was in a side courtyard, with lush pines and bamboos, and a quiet courtyard. The Zen room was filled with sandalwood furniture, with bright windows and clean tables, without a single stain.
After Xie Shu entered, he felt like he had nowhere to stay. Because the room was a retreat, the furnishings in the room were very simple, with only a bed, a table and a chair.
Fortunately, Feng He and the others are here now, so Xie Shu doesn't feel so uncomfortable.
Feng He was grooming her husband here. When no one was paying attention, she secretly put a box of ointment into her husband's hand.
The moment he got the ointment, Yu Chuxi almost dropped it.
Feng He became very anxious upon seeing this, and quickly asked her husband to hide while Mr. Xie was not noticing.
Yu Chuxi's expression changed several times, and he reluctantly took it back, then lowered his voice and asked: "Why give me this?"
Feng He explained in his ear with a smug look on her face: "My dear, you have walked so much today, you must be very tired. You can ask Mr. Xie to rub your legs with ointment later!"
Feng He was just looking through her bag when she saw the bone-setting ointment for treating bruises and injuries. Fortunately, she brought everything with her this time, otherwise, her husband would have to suffer for who knows how long...
And it's a good opportunity to ask Mr. Xie for help, so that you can take the opportunity to get close to Mr. Xie, right?
After Feng He finished speaking, she waited for her husband's praise.
Yu Chuxi's expression also changed from complicated at the beginning to admiration. This method is very good...
However, when the evening came, Yu Chuxi discovered that the actual situation was not as smooth as he had expected.
First of all, the wooden couch in this Zen room was bigger than he had imagined. After Yu Chuxi slept in it, Xie Shu also lay down on it in his middle clothes. He seemed to keep a distance from him deliberately. Not only did he sleep on the outer edge, but he also did not move.
In this case, how could Yu Chuxi occupy the past?
Secondly, he wanted to take out the ointment, but if he really wanted the other person to use it, it would be too deliberate...
Even until the moon was bright and the stars were sparse, and everything was silent, Yu Chuxi was unable to take the first step. Instead, because of the aftereffects of overusing his legs and feet during today's mountain climbing, he felt sore, swollen, and extremely uncomfortable.
Yu Chuxi's breathing became more and more unstable. He really couldn't sleep. In the night, he quietly turned over and looked at Xie Shu with his face sideways.
Xie Shu was still motionless, his eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell gently, neither fast nor slow. He was clearly lying next to him, yet he felt so far away.
Xie Shu didn't dare to open his eyes. He could feel his lover looking at him. He could smell the faint sweet fragrance emanating from him, lingering in the tent. His breath could not be ignored, lingering vaguely in the silent night.
At this moment, Xie Shu suddenly felt a soft and warm touch coming from his side. Langjun said in a muffled voice, a little aggrieved: "Xie Shu, my legs hurt."
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