The sound of bells and drums echoed around them, Buddhist chants drifted through the air. Yuanxi and Luo Yuan strolled to the towering bodhi tree in the courtyard, looking up to see a white bird spreading its wings and flying toward the horizon. In the distance, green mountains loomed faintly while evening clouds stretched across the sky.
Yuanxi took a deep breath of the air mixed with sandalwood and leaf fragrance, finally relaxing her formal demeanor as she asked, “Young tutor, how have you been lately?”
Luo Yuan withdrew his gaze from their overlapping shadows on the ground, then looked up at the distant mountains standing silently in the clouds and mist, finally revealing a serene smile as he replied, “Neither good nor particularly bad. And you, madam? Do you have some unresolved concerns weighing on your mind?”
He asked casually, but Yuanxi hesitated slightly. Her situation with Xiao Du was, after all, a family matter, ultimately inappropriate to discuss with him. Just as she lowered her head in thought, Luo Yuan had already turned to look at her intently, suddenly smiling gently, “Now, do you still consider me your tutor?”
Yuanxi was suddenly startled, her eyes growing warm. In the past, whenever she had hidden worries, the young tutor would always notice. Once she was unwilling to speak, he would deliberately put on a stern face and ask whether she trusted him as her teacher.
Time seemed to have turned full circle, bringing them back to where they started. However, could everything really remain as it once was?
Now, his smile remained as warm as ever, a corner of his blue robe fluttering in the wind, blending softly into this ancient temple. Yuanxi suddenly felt that something had changed—those missed emotions and obsessions were disappearing peacefully in this smile. She therefore lifted her chin, her eyes clear and bright, smiling warmly, “In my heart, young tutor has always been the person I respect and trust most.”
Luo Yuan’s eyes flickered, his lips still curved upward as he said, “Then can you tell your tutor what troubles you cannot see through today that brought you to kneel and ask before Buddha? Perhaps I can help clarify a thing or two.”
After some contemplation, Yuanxi finally decided not to hide anything anymore, laying bare all the entanglements between Xiao Du and her father, all her contradictions and worries. These matters had been circling repeatedly in her heart these past days. Now finally having someone to confide in brought her great relief, considerably easing the depression in her chest.
Luo Yuan listened quietly until she finished, then sighed, “The grievances between the Xia clan and the Xiao family army have deep roots that cannot be untangled by you alone. Moreover, the difficulties the Marquis faces go far beyond just your father’s faction.”
Hearing the deep concern in his tone, Yuanxi—who had never understood these political disputes—trusted the young tutor’s insight and judgment. At this moment, she couldn’t help but worry in her heart about the predicament that man had to face.
Observing the changes in her expression, Luo Yuan guessed somewhat what she was thinking. He turned his head to gaze into the distance and suddenly said, “Have I ever told you about my background?”
Yuanxi tilted her head to recall, “Young tutor only mentioned your hometown, and that you traveled extensively when young. You didn’t say much else.”
Luo Yuan looked down with a smile, “Calling it travel was really just wandering about due to poverty and having no one to rely on. I was born in a small border city and suffered the hardships of war from childhood. When I was eight, both my parents died in the chaos of war. After that, I could only survive on relatives’ charity. Back then, I had a clan relative who had no sons and wanted me to be adopted into his family. He was willing to give me all his property and land, as long as I could care for him in his old age until death. But I didn’t want to spend my remaining years trapped in that village and farmland. I wanted to take the imperial examinations, to distinguish myself, to do something more useful for family and country. So despite all my relatives’ cold shoulders, I persisted in passing the scholar examination. Later, I left my hometown, working various jobs while traveling and continuing to study hard for the exams, until I accidentally met Teacher Liu, my benefactor. Only then did I have the opportunity to teach at your family’s school, finally enjoying a few years of peaceful days.”
He paused, then continued, “During those days when I wandered outside, I was also destitute and lost, and there were times when I couldn’t bear the heavy burden. But I never once regretted my choice. Because this was my lifelong aspiration, and through it I met many different people and saw different things. Regardless of how long or short life is, at least I can say with a clear conscience that I never wasted this life.”
He suddenly turned to stare at her, “Wanwan, in this life one need only be responsible to oneself—be the person you want to be, do what you most want to do.” Speaking with such emotion, he momentarily forgot to avoid the intimate address, which left him briefly dazed. He then concealed his emotions and continued asking, “Tell your tutor—don’t think about the Marquis residence or the Chancellor’s residence, don’t think about what should or shouldn’t be done. What do you most want to do right now in your heart?”
Yuanxi felt her spirit surge, almost unable to stop herself from blurting out: What she most wanted was to return to that man’s side, to throw herself into his embrace regardless of everything! But having learned propriety and proper upbringing since childhood, how could she easily cast aside family relationships and human bonds for such willfulness?
Luo Yuan walked to her side, his voice gentle yet firm, “Propriety and human relationships cannot bind your own heart. Ask your heart: Are you truly willing to bury your entire remaining life in that place that has almost never brought you true happiness, all for the sake of so-called family affection and your surname? Will you truly have no regrets?”
Yuanxi had never heard such words before. At this moment, she felt deeply moved yet filled with courage. The thought she had buried deep in her heart these days, one she had never dared face, finally began to become clear.
Her gaze became determined. She raised her hand to wipe away a tear that had slid down from the corner of her eye, bit her lip, and nodded, “Thank you, young tutor. I think I understand now.”
Knowing she had thought it through, Luo Yuan felt relieved, but he continued to press, “Have you truly thought it through? If the Marquis and the Chancellor really reach the point of drawn swords, how will you choose?”
Yuanxi lifted her head, smiling through tears, “I will beg him to spare my father’s life no matter what. Perhaps he cannot do it, and I will resent and hate him. But regardless, I will never regret the choice I make today.”
Luo Yuan gazed at her intently. Her face already showed traces of resilience—she was no longer that little girl who used to follow behind him asking questions, naive and cautious. His little girl had grown up, but this growth was not because of him.
Chanting voices came from within the temple: “All loving relationships meet, but impermanence makes them hard to last long. Life in this world has many fears, life is as fragile as morning dew. From love comes worry, from love comes fear. If one leaves love behind, there is neither worry nor fear…” The Buddhist verses echoed around the trees without dispersing. Luo Yuan clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant mountains and flowing clouds, gently exhaling as he said, “Very good. I think you will no longer need your tutor’s guidance in the future.” He suddenly brushed his sleeves and bowed slightly, facing Yuanxi solemnly, “I only wish that madam will have peace and joy in the future, with no more worries or sorrows. Take care!”
After speaking, he turned around and strode away without looking back. The pine and cypress trees in the courtyard still retained some green, making his figure appear even more composed and upright. Yuanxi watched his retreating figure gradually disappear, then stood under the bodhi tree for a long while. Finally, she gently curved her lips and silently thought, “Goodbye.”
The temple bell rang again—an hour had already passed. Yuanxi wandered randomly around the courtyard accompanied by the Buddhist chants. Having made her decision, she felt an unusual sense of relaxation and tranquility.
Finally returning to the meditation room, Nanny Li and An’he noticed that the worried expression between her brows had considerably faded since her return. Assuming she had gained some enlightenment before Buddha, they secretly breathed sighs of relief and felt happy for her.
The group sat down to have some tea and fruits while chatting casually. It wasn’t until nearly noon when a servant from Xia Mingyuan’s entourage hurried in, respectfully saying, “Miss, the Chancellor says he still has some matters to attend to and asks that Miss return to the residence first for the meal.”
Yuanxi found this somewhat strange. Father had said he was bringing her to relax her mind, but after entering the temple, he never appeared again, only having her wait in the meditation room by herself. Now he was having her return to the residence first—she wondered what urgent matter required his attention.
But this thought only crossed her mind briefly without deeper consideration. She instructed Nanny Li to accompany her outside to board the carriage, while the other maids took another carriage. The sound of horse hooves clattered as they slowly traveled along the mountain path in front of the temple toward the Chancellor’s residence.
Around the temple’s courtyard walls, the monks’ morning lessons had ended. Luo Yuan walked through the quiet monastery and slowly approached a secluded meditation room. Inside, someone stood with their back to him—purple robes with python-pattern belt visible in the faint smoke. Luo Yuan stood outside the door and respectfully bowed, “Luo Yuan has fortunately fulfilled his mission.”
That person remained silent for a moment, then said, “Very good. I have always liked clever young people like you. Rest assured, what I promised you will certainly be accomplished.”
Luo Yuan smiled slightly and repeatedly thanked that person, then turned to walk outside. However, his smile turned cold at that moment.
Yuanxi, bouncing along in the carriage, knew nothing of all this. She had no leisure to admire the mountain scenery along the way, only constantly thinking: How should she explain her decision to father? Would father be willing to let her go back?
Just then, she felt the rapidly moving carriage suddenly stop, nearly causing her and Nanny Li to crash into the carriage walls. Outside came the horses’ shrill neighing, along with shouting and commotion.
“How are you driving!” Nanny Li cursed angrily and was about to push open the door to demand answers, but Yuanxi suddenly grabbed her hand, somehow sensing an ominous premonition.
At this moment, the commotion outside gradually quieted, becoming so silent it was unsettling. Suddenly, footsteps grew closer—it seemed someone was approaching the carriage. Yuanxi’s heart began racing. She quickly pulled Nanny Li in front of her and whispered, “Something might have happened outside. I’m afraid they came for father. No matter what happens next, you must find a way to secretly escape and report back so father can bring reinforcements!”
Nanny Li showed a terrified expression. Just then, the carriage door was thrown open. Yuanxi clenched her clothes tightly, trying to calm herself down, but when she clearly saw the face that appeared, she couldn’t help but freeze.
She saw that although this person had a fierce appearance with prominent eyes and a robust build, he was already an elderly man with white beard and eyebrows. His gaze swept around the interior, finally fixing on Yuanxi as he asked, “You are Xia Mingyuan’s daughter.”
Under this intimidating stare, Yuanxi couldn’t help but tremble, yet she still gathered courage to stiffen her neck and say, “Who are you? Don’t you know that intercepting official family members on the road is a serious crime! The Chancellor’s residence guards are right behind us. If you leave now, I can pretend I never saw anything.”
Hearing these words, that person couldn’t help but burst into laughter, laughing until his white beard trembled, “This little girl has some courage, but never mind—bring her back with me first!”
Yuanxi was frightened and trembling all over, but understanding that with only two women in the carriage they couldn’t resist, she simply straightened her back and stepped down from the carriage herself, while secretly giving Nanny Li, who was cowering and shaking inside the carriage, a meaningful look.
The white-bearded elder showed an appreciative expression and was preparing to follow Yuanxi outside when he suddenly turned his head and stared at Nanny Li, who was trying to sneak away, “You—come along too!”