Back to the marriage proposal, helping the incompetent husband to rise to the top

Chapter 73 So Early

On a cold night, you can hardly hear the birds singing, only the gurgling sound of boiling tea, which is peaceful and comfortable.

The paper lanterns hanging on the windowsill swayed gently in the wind.

The elderly monk rolled up his sleeves, picked up the teapot from the clay stove, poured two cups of tea, and handed one to Ye Wanqing sitting opposite him.

Ye Wanqing thanked him and took it with both hands.

Tea leaves float in the cup, and water vapor is thick.

The tea used by the old monk was newly picked from the tea garden of Rongguang Temple this year. The tea soup is clear and the tea fragrance is refreshing.

After drinking a cup of warm tea, Ye Wanqing's heart also calmed down.

She looked at the boiling tea on the stove and murmured in a low voice: "Buddhism says, 'The world has no form, and the form is created by the mind.' The appearance of all things in the world is produced by the inner thoughts, and everything is illusory. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I often ask myself, is the current me and everything I have just a beautiful illusion? This beauty lasts for a long time, and I can't help but be greedy... But every time I am greedy, it seems to backfire and hurt the person I want to protect the most in this life. Protecting him, I can't protect others. I know the cause and effect, but I still feel uneasy..."

On the other side, the monk poured her more tea.

An old but kind voice slowly sounded, "The Buddha said: All suffering is caused by greed. The reason why the donor is suffering and uneasy is because of greed in his heart. It is rare to have both in this world. The donor is very smart. Stick to what you have chosen. Why bother yourself?"

Ye Wanqing smiled bitterly: "Master, what you said is very true."

Her troubles stem from greed.

She has the memories of her previous life and knows everyone's ending, so she wants to change their fate even a little bit.

However, she simply can't do that now.

Right now, the only thing she could do was to protect Chu Anlan, and then watch coldly as others walked the same path as their previous life.

Or, take a risk and gamble big?
Looking at her bright eyes reflecting the firelight, the old monk seemed to see through her thoughts and chanted a Buddhist verse: "Sowing good seeds will bring good results. As long as the donor does good deeds, the blessings will be determined."

It's late at night and the tea is gone.

Ye Wanqing thanked him and left the tea room.

Yingxiang came out from the shelter under the corridor and put the warm heater into her arms: "Miss, let's go back?"

Ye Wanqing responded.

After walking a few steps, I heard a rustling sound coming from behind the bamboo bushes ahead.

Ye Wanqing paused.

Ying Xiang was startled for a moment, and shining the light forward, she bravely shouted: "Who's there? Come out quickly!"

Chu Anlan and Ye Chenxi emerged from behind the bamboo bushes, supporting each other as they limped out.

Late in the night, both of their faces were frozen blue and looked in pain.

Ye Wanqing was surprised: "What are you doing..."

"Take a walk!" Ye Chenxi blurted out, "Chen Ting was reading in his room, and I didn't want to disturb him, so I came out for a walk. An Lan and I didn't eavesdrop on your conversation with the master!"

Ye Wanqing had a strange expression.

Is this not self-inflicted?
Next to him, Chu Anlan rubbed his legs with a distorted expression: "I wanted to invite you to go out for a night tour, but I saw you went to find the old monk. What do you and the old monk have to talk about that can last so long? I'm waiting for you here, my legs are numb from squatting."

Having said that, he squatted down again.

Seeing this, Ye Wanqing asked Yingxiang to support Ye Chenxi, while she supported Chu Anlan and found a clean stone bench to sit down.

In the cold winter, the stone bench is like a piece of ice.

The two boys were so cold that they jumped up and down, laughed and played, and started playing with the snow, just like a two little monkeys.

The deserted Zen temple became lively.

After watching the two quarrel for a while, Ye Wanqing spoke up: "Chenxi, I want to talk to the prince alone, you should go back to find your second brother as soon as possible."

"Ah?" Ye Chenxi hadn't had enough fun yet and was a little reluctant.

Suddenly, his expression became mysterious: "I understand! I'll leave now! Sister, brother-in-law, you two can chat slowly!"

Chu Anlan was touched by the word "brother-in-law" and smiled from ear to ear: "Go ahead, brother-in-law! Hahahaha..." When Ye Chenxi left, he took Yingxiang with him.

After the two left, the Zen temple returned to its usual quietness.

In the night, Chu Anlan's red clothes were as bright as fire, and his eyes were shining brightly: "Wanqing, what do you want to talk to me about? It's too cold here, how about we go to my yard? Anyway, I didn't bring anyone with me!"

Ye Wanqing shook her head and said softly, "Prince, please accompany me for a walk. It's nothing important. I just want to walk with you."

"Okay!" Chu Anlan agreed readily.

The two walked slowly along the cold and lonely stone path.

Chu Anlan was holding a lantern and walking briskly in front. His robe fluttered in the night, making him look even more spirited.

"An Lan." Ye Wanqing suddenly called him.

Chu Anlan smiled and turned back: "What's the matter?"

Ye Wanqing curved her eyes and said, "Nothing, I just wanted to call you."

Chu Anlan listened and smiled wider: "I like to hear you call my name! Can you call it a few more times for me to hear?"

"An Lan?"

"Hehe——" Chu Anlan was as happy as a child.

The two walked forward for a while.

Seeing Chu Anlan's joyful expression, Ye Wanqing couldn't help but ask him, "Are all the injuries on the prince's body healed?"

"Almost." Chu Anlan patted his chest and said, "I don't feel anything at all. The Imperial Hospital Director Jiang took my pulse the day before yesterday. He said that I was recovering very well."

"That's good!" Ye Wanqing nodded and asked, "Can I see your right hand?"

Chu Anlan offered his hand without saying a word.

The injuries he suffered at the Huixian Mountain Palace had long since healed, and the scars on his palms had long since fallen off, leaving only many light pink scars.

Chu Anlan's joyful voice sounded above his head: "I use the scar removal cream you gave me whenever I remember it, and the scars have disappeared quickly. I promise they will be fully healed before the wedding next year!"

Ye Wanqing then asked him, "Do the prince and Chu Xiaoyan have a good relationship?"

"Xiao Yan?" Chu Anlan nodded. "He and I are of the same age. We grew up together, so of course we have a good relationship. So, did Fu Yu ask you to find out?"

"I guess so." Ye Wanqing smiled.

Is it?

Chu Anlan laughed loudly: "If you want to know anything, just ask. But don't tell Chu Xiaoyan that I said it all."

Ye Wanqing thought for a moment and said, "Is Chu Xiaoyan the same person as he is now when he was a child?"

Chu Anlan recalled for a moment and said solemnly: "When Chu Xiaoyan was a child, he was so annoying. He read and recited books all day long, just like a nerd! At that time, I didn't even want to play with him. Later, Prince Duan was obsessed with seeking immortality and asking for the way, and he kept countless Taoist priests. The Taoist priests said that Chu Xiaoyan was not suitable for studying. From then on, he started to hang out with us."

Ye Wanqing was surprised and said, "So early?"

Chu Anlan was puzzled: "What do you mean 'so early'?"

Of course, Prince Duan had been planning a rebellion so early.

Ye Wanqing couldn't say it, so she could only whisper: "So, you and Chu Xiaoyan have known each other for so long."

"Yes!" Chu Anlan laughed unscrupulously.

Ye Wanqing couldn't laugh.

If we follow the progress of the previous life, Prince Duan's rebellion would have occurred three years later.

At that time, all the people in Prince Duan's Mansion will be beheaded, Jingbei Marquis Liao Xunqi will be sentenced to death, and all those who have good relations with Prince Duan's Mansion will be implicated.

(End of this chapter)