After the Ostracized Beauty Lost Heart - Chapter 6

“However, although your background is humble, you are not as detestable as Xue Gongwen said.”

The young noble gathered his outer robe and spoke leisurely. He cast a quick, sweeping glance at Yan Qushan and whispered a soft murmur to himself, “He actually looks quite handsome.”

The academy was filled with the legitimate sons of high-ranking officials, yet they all treated Xue Gongwen with great respect. Whether in public or private, they would politely address him as “Heir Xue.”

However, observing the young noble’s expression when mentioning Xue Gongwen, Yan Qushan realized that he did not consider the heir to be an important figure. Although this young noble was somewhat arrogantly unpleasant, he did not seem to look down only on Yan Qushan. Rather, he looked down on everyone with a self-important and aloof air.

Most importantly, Yan Qushan observed him secretly and deduced that his status must be higher than his own, and likely even higher than that of Xue Gongwen.

When Yan Qushan lived with his mother, they were like rats crossing the street. After returning to the Yan Manor, he lived a cautious and fearful life. By now, he had mastered the art of duplicity and was an expert at maintaining a superficial front.

Therefore, he offered a gentle smile and spoke softly. “It is my honor not to offend your eyes, young master. May I ask where we are?”

To his surprise, the child seemed choked for words as if his pride were wounded. He looked away and said impatiently, “How should I know? If I knew, would I still be here wasting my breath on you? I would have gone back long ago.”

Yan Qushan suspected the boy had wandered off and somehow found his way here before bumping into him. He looked at the young noble and realized this was a perfect opportunity to build a connection. “In that case, why do not we go back together as companions?”

The child looked at him with some disdain, yet he knew he could not find his way back on his own. After weighing his options, he decided to follow behind Yan Qushan.

Yan Qushan scanned their surroundings. Seeing the clusters of temples nearby, he knew they were still within the grounds of the Tianning Temple. His heart eased slightly as they began walking back along a small path.

By then, the sky had darkened. The Tianning Temple was nestled deep within a forest surrounded by dense trees and mist. Late at night, it was possible for wild beasts to attack. Because of this, Yan Qushan did not dare to relax his guard and kept looking around.

At that moment, a sudden rustle came from nearby. Startled, Yan Qushan did not forget to play his role. He immediately pulled the young noble, Xiao Qi, behind him for protection.

Xiao Qi was also frightened. Seeing Yan Qushan protect him in such a way, his gaze toward Yan Qushan became confused yet slightly warmer. They stood in place, holding their breath for a moment until the sound gradually faded into silence.

After a brief thought, Yan Qushan actually decided to walk toward the source of the noise.

Startled, Xiao Qi hurriedly pulled him back and whispered urgently, “What are you doing over there?”

Yan Qushan replied, “I thought I heard a human voice just now. I want to check it out. If there is someone, we can ask for directions.”

He paused and then reassured the boy gently. “If the young master is afraid, wait here for me to scout ahead. Do not wander off.”

Xiao Qi was frantic. Rather than staying alone and anxious, he preferred to go with him. Yet, he still insisted stubbornly, “I am coming with you. What if you are dishonest and leave me here alone?”

Yan Qushan knew the boy was afraid but was too embarrassed to say so. He simply smiled and allowed Xiao Qi to follow him toward the sound.

As they drew closer, they saw a brilliant golden light. The radiance was so vast that it drew them in irresistibly. Not far away, there appeared to be a person sitting cross-legged on the ground, shrouded in a divine Buddhist aura that obscured his face.

Xiao Qi was filled with wonder. He pulled Yan Qushan back several steps and whispered, “This is a high monk attaining Nirvana.”

In his haste, Xiao Qi accidentally stepped on a dry branch. The loud crack echoed sharply through the quiet woods. Both were terrified and tried to flee, but a deep, ancient voice called out from behind them.

“Wait.”

As if by some magical power, they were frozen in place and unable to leave. Instead, they were drawn toward the golden light.

The voice spoke again from within the radiance. “This place is desolate. I did not expect to encounter two young nobles.”

Xiao Qi spoke timidly, “Who are you?”

The man only gave a loud, long laugh but did not answer. Xiao Qi found it boring and prepared to leave with Yan Qushan, but the man called out to Yan Qushan specifically, “Young Benefactor Yan.”

Yan Qushan froze. “You know who I am?”

Just as the words left his mouth, he felt his body grow light as he was gathered into the golden glow. In that instant, Xiao Qi was blinded by the brilliance and could not open his eyes. Yan Qushan blinked for a long time but could only see a blurry silhouette in front of him.

“Meeting is a matter of fate. Benefactor Yan, I see you are troubled by worldly matters and have difficulty severing your obsessions. If you do not mind, I shall leave a Sarira with you to cleanse your heart. Consider this a final act of salvation before my departure.”

With that, the light surrounding him grew even brighter before slowly fading into darkness. On the grass, Yan Qushan saw a faint white glow. It was indeed a Sarira.

Xiao Qi was drawn toward it. “What is this?”

Yan Qushan replied, “A Sarira.”

Xiao Qi asked again, “What did he say to you when he called you inside?”

Yan Qushan recounted the strange event to him without missing a single word. As Xiao Qi listened, his gaze was involuntarily fixed on the Sarira in Yan Qushan’s palm.

Yan Qushan’s heart stirred. “Do you like it? Then I shall give it to you.”

He moved to press the Sarira into Xiao Qi’s hand, but the boy pushed it back. “Did the monk not say he was leaving it for you? How can I just take it away?”

Yan Qushan smiled. He did not believe in gods or Buddhas, nor did he hold any reverence in his heart. Cleansing the soul and self-cultivation were nothing compared to fame and fortune. It was better to borrow this flower to offer to the Buddha to leave an impression on this young noble.

He said, “You are mistaken. He left it to me, so it is my possession. To whom I give it is my own business. Furthermore, he said that meeting is fate. Seeing you has brought me great joy. Whatever the young master wants or likes, I would wish to bring it before you for your choosing.”

Xiao Qi’s face flushed at his words, and he complained softly, “You are a smooth talker.”

However, the words were clearly effective. In just a short time, Yan Qushan had figured out this child’s nature: he needed to be pampered and protected with gentle words.

Sure enough, when Xiao Qi looked at him again, his eyes were different from when they first met. Soon after, a commotion arose nearby as a group of monks carrying torches approached.

At their head was the Abbot of Tianning Temple. Seeing the two of them, his expression changed instantly as he knelt before Xiao Qi in a formal salute. “Greetings to His Highness, the Second Prince.”

Yan Qushan froze and looked at Xiao Qi. At that moment, his heart was filled with a surge of joy and relief. This was an unexpected windfall. He knew he had just befriended someone extraordinary—a member of the Imperial family.

At that time, he did not know that the Second Prince was the son of a disgraced concubine. He looked at Xiao Qi and seemed to see his own future as a top official, standing above ten thousand people. He saw piles of gold and jewels and envisioned people like Xue Gongwen kneeling at his feet like slaves.

He immediately knelt before Xiao Qi. “Greetings, Second Prince! I was blind not to recognize your status. I beg Your Highness for forgiveness!”

Xiao Qi was startled and hurried to help him up, sounding almost anxious. “What are you doing? Why are you kneeling to me?”

His mother, Consort Lan, was not favored, so even the people in the palace looked down on him. No one truly treated him like a prince, and he was not used to being honored this way.

Yan Qushan, unaware of this, assumed Xiao Qi treated him this way because of a special bond. This made him even happier.

The Abbot explained that the monk who had attained Nirvana was his master and then escorted them back.

Yan Qushan noticed that only a few palace servants had come to collect Xiao Qi. He was slightly confused but did not dwell on it. As they were about to part, Xiao Qi suddenly called out to him.

“Yan Qushan!”

He looked back and saw Xiao Qi standing in the light, waving the Sarira in his hand. His back was straight and he looked quite proud, yet his joy was evident. Xiao Qi smiled at him, revealing a row of white teeth. He looked very beautiful.

“You were right. Today’s meeting is fate. You gave the Sarira to me, so I shall remember you!”

After saying this, for some reason, his cheeks turned red. Xiao Qi lowered his eyes and seemed to whisper something softly. However, Yan Qushan heard it clearly. The words were:

“I will be waiting to see you again.”

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