Incense burned throughout the Taoist temple, its sandalwood scent more potent than at home. Mu Wan’s breathing grew heavier. Liu Qianxiu glanced down at her. Once she seemed nearly asleep, he rose to leave.
The instant he stood up, Mu Wan’s fingers tightened around his hand.
The room was quiet, bathed in gentle sunlight. Mu Wan’s palm was warm, and though her fingers clutched his, she showed no sign of opening her eyes. He sat back down, propping his other arm beside her, and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
“Still awake?” his voice was soft.
Her eyes remained closed, offering no reply. “Where are you going?”
His lips touched her cheek, a fleeting, soothing kiss. Liu Qianxiu said, “I’m going to prepare dinner. You sleep first. I’ll wake you later.”
Mu Wan didn’t answer. She had already drifted off.
Mu Wan lay on her side, her thick, jet-black hair spilling around the pillow. Her small, palm-sized face was exceptionally fair, delicate brows still slightly furrowed as if she’d left words unsaid.
His eyes held an unwavering tenderness. Liu Qianxiu pressed a light kiss to her lips, released her hand, and rose to leave.
Mu Wan slept soundly and deeply. When she awoke, shadows had already settled over the room. She vaguely recalled that Liu Qianxiu had mentioned he would prepare dinner before she fell asleep. Judging by the time, it must be nearly dinner hour.
She rose from the bed, slipped on her shoes, and opened the door to step outside.
As the door opened, the calming, invigorating scent of sandalwood filled her nostrils. The sky was ablaze with crimson clouds, a beauty so pure and clear it lifted her spirits effortlessly.
The moment Mu Wan stepped outside, Qing Chan spotted her. He was still holding the toy she’d bought for him, trotting over with a cheerful call, “Sister~ You’re awake?”
The little Taoist disciple wore a Taoist robe and a topknot, looking exceptionally adorable as a miniature Taoist priest. Mu Wan reached out to pinch the topknot on his head and asked with a smile, “Where are your Junior Brother and Master?”
“Junior Brother is preparing dinner, and Master is in seclusion...” Qing Chan replied.
No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice called out, “Qing Chan.”
The voice carried a hint of age and ethereality. Mu Wan paused slightly, lifting her eyes to see Xuan Qingzi standing at the main hall’s entrance, clad in Taoist robes.
Xuan Qingzi appeared to be in his sixties. He wore his hair long, the black-and-white strands tied into a Taoist topknot. His dark-colored robe clung to his lean frame, his features sharp and austere.
Mu Wan regarded him, bowing politely and greeting, “Greetings, Master.”
Xuan Qingzi knew Liu Qianxiu and Mu Wan would come. Qingyuan Monastery was merely a place for him and Qing Chan to practice seclusion. He held no qualms about a woman visiting. He gave a slight nod in response.
Taoist priests often carried an aura of cool detachment, but Mu Wan didn’t feel coldly dismissed. Standing there, however, she found herself at a loss for words. Just as awkwardness threatened to settle in, Liu Qianxiu’s voice reached her.
“Master.”
Xuan Qingzi turned, meeting Liu Qianxiu’s gaze. His stern eyes softened with a hint of affection. Xuan Qingzi was an old friend of Liu Qianxiu’s grandfather, having known him since childhood and essentially watching him grow up. To Liu Qianxiu, Xuan Qingzi was also an elder.
After exchanging greetings, Liu Qianxiu introduced Mu Wan to Xuan Qingzi. Xuan Qingzi nodded in acknowledgment, and the group proceeded to the back courtyard for dinner.
After dinner, Xuan Qingzi and his disciple prepared for evening study. Normally, when the master was absent, Mu Wan could go and flirt with Liu Qianxiu. With Xuan Qingzi present, she dared not overstep her bounds.
“Go to your room and read,” Liu Qianxiu said, having brought her some books earlier to keep her occupied. “I’ll return as soon as possible.”
“Just focus on your evening practice,” Mu Wan replied with a smile. Ever since they’d met, she’d been constantly clinging to him, and he hadn’t been able to practice properly.
Now, with Xuan Qingzi present, she couldn’t very well let him return early.
Liu Qianxiu didn’t reply, merely ruffling her hair. Mu Wan, like a kitten being stroked, gazed at him with a smile and whispered, “I’ll head back first.”
“Wait.”
As Mu Wan rose to leave, Xuan Qingzi, seated beside the low table, suddenly called her back. Mu Wan and Liu Qianxiu turned to look. Xuan Qingzi stood up from beside the table.
He walked to the bookcase beside the main hall and retrieved an object. It was a small square box, looking somewhat aged yet clean and tidy, exuding a simple, ancient charm.
He handed the box to Mu Wan.
“This is for you,” Xuan Qingzi stated.
Xuan Qingzi’s expression was always serene and stern. Seeing him offer the box, Mu Wan felt a flicker of surprise. However, since Liu Qianxiu regarded him as an elder, this gift could be considered a present from an elder to her.
Mu Wan accepted it without refusal.
Inside the box lay a jade pendant, its material smooth and lustrous, its age evident.
Mu Wan retired for the night, leaving only three people in the main hall. Xuan Qingzi, eyes closed in meditation, addressed Liu Qianxiu.
“When is the wedding?”
Liu Qianxiu gave a slight nod. “The eighth day of next month.”
“Mm.” Xuan Qingzi responded softly, acknowledging the information.
Qing Chan sat on Xuan Qingzi’s other side, his small hand propping his cheek. He glanced at his master, then at his junior disciple. After a moment, he asked, “Junior Brother, now that you have Sister in your heart, is there still room for the Practice?”
A child’s thoughts are always simple, believing the heart is unwavering—that having one thing leaves no space for another.
Xuan Qingzi slowly opened his eyes, gazing at his young disciple. His voice was deep and steady as he replied, “Qing Chan, the human heart is vast. It can hold both the Practice and people.”
Xuan Qingzi appeared to be in his sixties. He wore his hair long, the black-and-white strands tied into a Taoist topknot. His dark-colored robe clung to his lean frame, his features sharp and austere.
Mu Wan regarded him, bowing politely and greeting, “Greetings, Master.”
Xuan Qingzi knew Liu Qianxiu and Mu Wan would come. Qingyuan Monastery was merely a place for him and Qing Chan to practice seclusion. He held no qualms about a woman visiting. He gave a slight nod in response.
Taoist priests often carried an aura of cool detachment, but Mu Wan didn’t feel coldly dismissed. Standing there, however, she found herself at a loss for words. Just as awkwardness threatened to settle in, Liu Qianxiu’s voice reached her.
“Master.”
Xuan Qingzi turned, meeting Liu Qianxiu’s gaze. His stern eyes softened with a hint of affection. Xuan Qingzi was an old friend of Liu Qianxiu’s grandfather, having known him since childhood and essentially watching him grow up. To Liu Qianxiu, Xuan Qingzi was also an elder.
After exchanging greetings, Liu Qianxiu introduced Mu Wan to Xuan Qingzi. Xuan Qingzi nodded in acknowledgment, and the group proceeded to the back courtyard for dinner.
After dinner, Xuan Qingzi and his disciple prepared for evening study. Normally, when the master was absent, Mu Wan could go and flirt with Liu Qianxiu. With Xuan Qingzi present, she dared not overstep her bounds.
“Go to your room and read,” Liu Qianxiu said, having brought her some books earlier to keep her occupied. “I’ll return as soon as possible.”
“Just focus on your evening practice,” Mu Wan replied with a smile. Ever since they’d met, she’d been constantly clinging to him, and he hadn’t been able to practice properly.
Now, with Xuan Qingzi present, she couldn’t very well let him return early.
Liu Qianxiu didn’t reply, merely ruffling her hair. Mu Wan, like a kitten being stroked, gazed at him with a smile and whispered, “I’ll head back first.”
“Wait.”
As Mu Wan rose to leave, Xuan Qingzi, seated beside the low table, suddenly called her back. Mu Wan and Liu Qianxiu turned to look. Xuan Qingzi stood up from beside the table.
He walked to the bookcase beside the main hall and retrieved an object. It was a small square box, looking somewhat aged yet clean and tidy, exuding a simple, ancient charm.
He handed the box to Mu Wan.
“This is for you,” Xuan Qingzi stated.
Xuan Qingzi’s expression was always serene and stern. Seeing him offer the box, Mu Wan felt a flicker of surprise. However, since Liu Qianxiu regarded him as an elder, this gift could be considered a present from an elder to her.
Mu Wan accepted it without refusal.
Inside the box lay a jade pendant, its material smooth and lustrous, its age evident.
Mu Wan retired for the night, leaving only three people in the main hall. Xuan Qingzi, eyes closed in meditation, addressed Liu Qianxiu.
“When is the wedding?”
Liu Qianxiu gave a slight nod. “The eighth day of next month.”
“Mm.” Xuan Qingzi responded softly, acknowledging the information.
Qing Chan sat on Xuan Qingzi’s other side, his small hand propping his cheek. He glanced at his master, then at his junior disciple. After a moment, he asked, “Junior Brother, now that you have Sister in your heart, is there still room for the Practice?”
A child’s thoughts are always simple, believing the heart is unwavering—that having one thing leaves no space for another.
Xuan Qingzi slowly opened his eyes, gazing at his young disciple. His voice was deep and steady as he replied, “Qing Chan, the human heart is vast. It can hold both the Practice and people.”
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