At this mont, night had fallen. Since people had co from afar with sincere intentions, Qu Fulan couldn’t just sit inside waiting for them to knock on the door, so she got up and went out to greet them.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw him, tall and poised, weary from travel, appearing before her, with a few traces of fatigue in his brow.
The distance between Pudu Temple and Capital City is not short. He rushes back and forth every day, leaving early and returning late—it would be exhausting for anyone.
Qu Fulan had told him he didn’t need to co, but he wouldn’t listen.
"Bicao has prepared hot water, Heir, please go and take a bath first," said Qu Fulan.
Pei Ji’an first looked Qu Fulan up and down, and seeing her complexion was better than the day before, he was satisfied in his heart and turned to go bathe.
n always bathe quickly, and so did Heir Pei, soon appearing refreshed before Qu Fulan.
Qu Fulan instructed to serve the Calming Tea while saying, "The distance between Pudu Temple and Capital City is not short. I’m living well at the temple; everything is taken care of, and there are guards for protection. Why must the Heir co here every day, exhausting himself? It’s not worth it."
Pei Ji’an picked up his teacup, lifted the lid to whisk the tea, and smiled, "If I don’t co, I wouldn’t sleep well over there. It’s better to make the trip myself."
If once Heir Pei’s concern for Qu Fulan had seed abrupt, now with their statuses confird, caring is more reasonable.
Qu Fulan felt a flush on her face, a bit uncomfortable. She wasn’t made of iron, she couldn’t remain indifferent to soone’s concern.
"Has the Heir had dinner?" Qu Fulan asked.
"I haven’t." He was busy with the journey and didn’t have ti to eat, fearing that a full stomach would make horseback riding uncomfortable.
"Serve the al," Qu Fulan instructed Ruyin.
Shortly after, two maids brought several small dishes and a bowl of noodles. Being in a temple, the food was inevitably simple—the best they could offer was so eggs with noodles.
No matter how humble the few dishes and a bowl of noodles were, Heir Pei didn’t mind at all and ate heartily.
During this process, he would tell her many things about Capital City or propose improvents after identifying any unsatisfactory aspects of her living arrangents, having soone take note.
Because after the al, the most they did was take a walk outside, digesting a bit, then it was ti to rest.
She needed to rest early due to her poor health, and he needed rest as well for his next day’s journey.
Even so, he insisted on coming.
Even if only catching a glimpse of her was enough for his contentnt.
Only those who encounter love can understand its taste—they wish to reveal their hearts entirely to the other.
Now Heir Pei was simply wholeheartedly invested, knowing she couldn’t comprehend his actions and feelings, nor did he expect her to understand imdiately.
The future is long; there’s no rush.
"Heir, might you have soone send the embroidery workshop account book to tomorrow? I’ve been feeling better over the past two days and want to take a look," Qu Fulan couldn’t help but rember her business.
"No, looking at account books strains the mind. You should focus on recovering your health now," Pei Ji’an decisively refused.
Qu Fulan knew it was useless to argue, so she didn’t say more.
The next day, when Qu Fulan woke, Pei Ji’an was indeed already gone; if he had to attend court, he would have left at dawn.
After breakfast, Qu Fulan took a walk in the yard to digest, then perford so stretching exercises for her muscles.
The foundation of her previous training was likely destroyed, and now this body seed weaker than before. She had to start all over again; whenever she thought about it, she couldn’t help but feel angry.
It was all Xiao Shiqing’s fault, although she later realized it was a misunderstanding at the ti, leading her to slap him. In retrospect, it wasn’t an undeserved punishnt.
She almost lost her soul. Slapping him a few tis was the least she could do.
Even though she’s alive now, her life has changed drastically, and all her plans, including her dreams, remain uncertain in their realization.
Heir Pei had promised her post-marital life would be unchanged from pre-marital life, but how could that be true after marriage?
What exactly her post-marital life would be like, Qu Fulan didn’t know. But hadn’t she seen it with her own eyes, the various lives of people she knew after their marriages?
Qu Fulan felt tired after briefly exercising and needed to sit down to rest.
Yet, being soone who couldn’t stay idle, she found ancient tis lack modern entertainnt like mobile phones or iPads, especially being in this temple where the only pasti is chanting Buddha’s na.
Qu Fulan once sat and recited before Buddha; she soon felt leg pain and couldn’t endure longer sit, showing it to be a laborious task not suited for everyone.
Unable to do this and incapable of doing that, Qu Fulan felt nearly bored to death. She eventually beca so bored that she began calculating the expenses for all aspects of life in Pudu Temple.
What she didn’t know before, she was shocked to discover.
Even a seemingly simple Pudu Temple had many accounts with errors and falsifications.
It’s unavoidable since those involved in working always aim to earn extra money, making records inaccurate.
Though Pudu Temple advocates living simply, it doesn’t an it’s poor; it’s a large temple where the emperor visits annually, filled with prosperity and not lacking money.
But even so, they couldn’t allow themselves to be taken advantage of.
Those who embezzled beca wealthy off ill-gotten money.
When finally brought to justice, no one expected they’d be toppled by a young girl with eyes as sharp as flas, capable of identifying the accounting problems at a glance.
This was good news for the temple monks and abbot, as the parasites were exposed.
Yet, to those responsible, it damaged their interests, making them flee at the sight of Qu Fulan, afraid she might notice anything wrong.
This is not good; as they say, "In a forest, there’s all sorts of birds," and this temple was no private property. Such rectification would offend too many people and be unfavorable.
Thus, when Pei Ji’an ca again, he brought Qu Fulan the embroidery workshop account book.
Seeing the account book, Qu Fulan’s eyes lit up; had she done so sooner, she wouldn’t have delved into the Pudu Temple account book!
When Bicao brought tea, she saw her lady engrossed in the account book; doing what she loved, she radiated like she was bathed in golden light.
On the side, Heir Pei was completely absorbed in watching the lady; his eyes seed to sparkle.
After Heir Pei left, Bicao couldn’t help but advise, "Lady, next ti speak with Heir before reviewing the account book. Otherwise, the Heir travels such a distance only to find you focused entirely on the book, ignoring him; despite his tolerance, ask any other person and they’d surely be upset."
Qu Fulan knew she’d gone overboard; it was just freshly receiving the account book made her overly excited, forgetting everything at the mont.
"I won’t next ti," Qu Fulan raised her hand in a vow.
Indeed, when Heir Pei visited the next ti, it was broad daylight. Qu Fulan, feeling guilty and wanting to make up for last ti, displayed utmost sincerity.
"Heir, upon arriving, you must feel unfamiliar with this place. Could I be fortunate enough to guide you through the surrounding scenic beauty?"
Qu Fulan’s sudden playful suggestion startled Pei Ji’an but he soon cooperated, pleasantly surprised, "I’d love to."
Qu Fulan wasn’t making empty promises—she genuinely took him beyond Pudu Temple, having heard about so amusing places from others over recent days.
Along the way, Qu Fulan chatted about the flowers, discussed the grasses, fluently enchanting Heir Pei into laughter.
Once arriving where tea leaves were grown on a nearby hill, she told Heir Pei, "Now it’s March; by late March when new tea leaves erge, harvesting begins. There are quite a few intricacies in harvesting; are you aware, Heir?"
Pei Ji’an replied humbly, "I’d be glad to hear the details."
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