Quick Wear: Oh no, the lady is running away with the ball again

Yun Qian gazed at the towering Qianqiu Temple, its soaring eaves, carved beams, and painted buildings imbued with a profound tranquility, a sense of otherworldliness that instilled awe. Outside, verdant pines and cypresses swayed, their branches complementing the bluestone pavement. Surrounded by verdant mountains, shrouded in mist and clouds, the temple seemed to be isolated from the world, creating a transcendent atmosphere.

Yun Qian knew very little about Qianqiu Temple at first. He only knew that there were eminent monks living there. The abbot, Huijue, had boundless magical powers and had saved the royal family from disasters and misfortunes, so he was deeply favored by the royal family.

Her impression of Qianqiu Temple stemmed largely from her past life's experience of seclusion. However, those memories were fragmented, hazy as a dream, unable to discern the truth and profound meaning behind the temple's great halls. She often wondered what secrets those past times held... Had they long been entangled, only to find nothing?

Just as she was lost in thought, several figures suddenly emerged from the temple gates. She was startled and looked up. The figures before her were dressed in plain robes, their features cold and composed, as if blending seamlessly into the surroundings. They stood on the steps, not too far away, seemingly unsurprised by her arrival. Their demeanor radiated a calm and composed aura.

"What's his name?"

Yun Qian asked, seemingly unconsciously.

"Qi Jueyu." The system's voice suddenly sounded, with a certain degree of mystery, which made Yun Qian slightly stunned, and a hint of curiosity arose in his heart.

"His name is Qi Jueyu."

Qi Jueyu—the name stirred ripples in her heart, as if instantly awakening her deep-seated memories of this temple.

Although her current encounter with him was not profound, the images that flashed through her mind continued to spread like ripples, making her want to get closer and explore more.

Just as her thoughts were wandering, Qi Jueyu's gaze met hers, seemingly piercing through the barrier of time and reaching deep into her heart. Yun Qian felt a slight throbbing, as if a corner deep within her heart was gently tapped, as if a voice was calling her, urging her to take that step, to step forward and meet him again.

----

Yun Qian was respectfully ushered into the hall. The lingering scent of sandalwood permeated her heart. The faint sound of chimes and bells echoed in the surroundings, accompanied by the melodious chanting in the Buddhist hall, creating a sense of peace and tranquility. She respectfully clasped her hands in worship, revealing her purpose: "Yun Qian, I have been ordered by the Empress to stay at your temple for a short time, to study Buddhism, and to pray for the well-being of the Great Qi."

She was received by an elderly monk from the temple, known by the Buddhist name Pumi. Pumi had a peaceful expression and appeared to be very old. He was dressed in a gray robe, appearing solemn and dignified.

Looking at her, Pumi nodded slightly, with a hint of appreciation in his calmness, and whispered: "Good, the donor has a good heart, and the Buddha knows it."

Master Pumi's voice rang out slowly, deep and powerful, like the echoing sound of pine waves. He looked at Yun Qian carefully, smiled and shook his head.

When Yun Qian saw this, he no longer felt anything. After all, people who have practiced Zen for many years always have extraordinary eyes.

"Qianqiu Temple is ancient and tranquil. Since you have been ordered to come here, you should cultivate your mind and rest here, and avoid distractions."

"Thank you for your teachings, Master. Yun Qian will keep them in mind." Yun Qian lowered his eyebrows, his expression respectful, neither humble nor arrogant.

Master Pumi nodded slightly, gently turning the rosary in his hand, his expression gradually becoming profound. "Young lady, you are new here, so you should take a moment to cultivate yourself. This is a place for meditation, and worrying can naturally purify your distracting thoughts."

Yun Qian's eyes couldn't help but sweep around. The hall of Qianqiu Temple was tall and solemn, with dragons and phoenixes carved on the beams, solemn and ancient. The Buddha statues engraved on the stone walls were compassionate and majestic, as if gazing at the world, but as if separated from people by thousands of mountains and rivers, untouchable.

She sensed something strange, as if something unspoken was lurking in the silence, especially when her eyes inadvertently fell on the old and slightly blurred murals in the corner of the hall, an inexplicable emotion passed through her heart.

Just then, she heard footsteps at the side door of the main hall, and she looked over. She saw a man in plain clothes, leading two monks, slowly passing through the door. He had a calm and steady demeanor, and a cool indifference as he walked, as if the hustle and bustle of the world had never tainted his mind.

Yun Qian's gaze froze.

Without even asking, Yun Qian felt like she had already seen through his heart. In short… it was definitely not the indifference he showed on his face.

Master Pumi's gaze followed Yun Qian, then shifted slightly, introducing him in a calm voice, "His name is Qi Jueyu, also known as Bichen. He has been practicing Buddhism in Qianqiu Temple since childhood. He is a direct disciple of the abbot of this temple. He has a strong affinity with Buddhism and is a very rare Buddhist disciple."

"Qi Jueyu..." Yun Qian repeated in a low voice, his eyes calm and filled with undisguised curiosity.

Qi Jueyu paused when he heard Yun Qian's voice and looked up at her. The moment their eyes met, Yun Qian clearly felt a cold and resolute aura emanating from him, like water. His eyes were calm and indifferent, yet they did not conceal their sharpness.

It is a kind of contempt from a superior, and more importantly, it is a kind of contentment that does not take anything seriously.

Yun Qian was unafraid. She smiled brightly, like a lotus blossoming in a lotus pond in midsummer. She nodded gently, but her heart couldn't help but tremble slightly. The identity of a Buddhist disciple... was much more interesting.

"Master Bichen, we meet again." Yun Qian spoke softly, with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Qi Jueyu clasped his hands together slightly, bowed lightly, but said nothing, and walked away.

…………

At Master Pumi's instruction, Yun Qian was settled into a meditation room on the west side. The simple room was naturally furnished with elegant simplicity, a faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air, and a small Buddha statue rested on the table. Yun Qian, hands in her pockets, surveyed the surroundings, then ordered the bed to be made softer and the incense replaced. She frankly admitted that she didn't like the scent of sandalwood smoked this way; she preferred the fragrance emanating from the grainy sandalwood beads. Could the beads on Qi Jueyu have that same scent?

In the evening, Yun Qian sat alone in the Zen room, but his mind could not calm down.

She couldn't help but recall the moment when she looked into Qi Jueyu's eyes. There was a hint of alienation in those lonely and cold eyes, but it stirred up indescribable waves in her heart.

A man with extraordinary looks looks good even without smiling. Yun Qian dreamed of the man she met during the day that night.

...In the Zen room where incense was burning, light slanted in, illuminating the tiny particles floating in the air. Yun Qian pushed aside the banners and walked in barefoot. There was a messy bed inside. The wall above the bed should have been smooth, but now there was a huge painting hanging on it.

Yun Qian couldn't see clearly in the dream, but she could roughly make out the outline. It was her.

She was clearly a noble lady, yet she was portrayed as a pure saint, sitting at the top... Yun Qian was a little confused.

But then, she immediately understood the meaning of this painting...