Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

The warm sunlight was like a golden gauze, making people feel warm all over. Tao Jiuxi's eyelids became heavier and a feeling of drowsiness came over him quietly.

Tao Jiuxi sat here quietly. At first, she tried her best to stay awake, but gradually, the warm sunlight seemed to carry magic, making her consciousness slowly blurred, and she fell asleep unknowingly.

Her head tilted slightly to the side, her breathing even and steady, she looked very relaxed. After an unknown amount of time, a sudden gust of cold wind blew, and she shuddered, slowly waking up.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her sleepy eyes.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw a man sitting in front of her, staring at her intently.

Tao Jiuxi was startled and involuntarily shrank back like a frightened animal. When she regained her composure and took in the man's features, her initial shock was instantly replaced by wonder.

This man shone as brightly as the sun, as radiant as the warmest rays of April sunlight. The moon-white satin draped around him seemed imbued with vibrant life, gleaming with brilliance. He looked no more than eighteen or nineteen, yet he shone as brilliantly as the sun. His hair swayed gently in the breeze, his features picturesque, his eyes radiant with a clearness.

When the man saw Tao Jiuxi wake up, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, outlining a warm smile, that smile seemed to be able to melt the ice and snow.

He slowly said, "Excuse me for disturbing you. I was passing by and wanted to ask for a fortune. However, seeing that you were resting, I didn't dare disturb you."

The man's voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, brushing across Tao Jiuxi's heart and creating ripples in her mind.

Today most people called him Little Taoist Priest, but the person in front of him called him Young Master.

Tao Jiuxi had been sitting in a chair, legs huddled up in a ball. Now, she hastily lowered her legs, a bit flustered, and gently patted her skirt with both hands, trying to hide the discomfort on her face. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes were a little evasive.

"It's okay." Tao Jiuxi tried to make his voice sound calmer.

"Since the young master has woken up, please help me tell his fortune?" The man looked at Tao Jiuxi's appearance, and the smile on his face became brighter. There was a hint of teasing in that smile, but it made people feel extremely warm.

"Okay, okay, sir, please tell me what you want to discuss." Tao Jiuxi's expression returned to normal a little, but he was still a little flustered in his heart.

"Then it will be counted as my success in the next year's imperial examination."

"Sir, are you going to draw lots or write a word?"

The man glanced at the broken fortune stick on the ground and couldn't help but smile. Tao Jiuxi followed his gaze and suddenly felt a little shy. The broken fortune stick seemed to silently remind her of her previous fortune-telling behavior.

"My name is Xie Jinghe. Please tell me the fortune using the name 'Jinghe'." Xie Jinghe bowed slightly and said politely.

"Xie Jingheng? Can you write it out, sir?" Tao Jiuxi only had a piece of rice paper in front of her that was half-finished and had been written on crookedly by herself, so she gently pushed the rice paper forward.

Xie Jinghuan stretched out his slender fingers, gently picked up the brush next to Tao Jiuxi that had not yet dried, and wrote the word "Jinghuan" in a casual and freehand manner on the blank space on the paper.

The handwriting was neat and powerful, forming a sharp contrast with Tao Jiuxi's crooked handwriting. Tao Jiuxi, who was always thick-skinned, couldn't help but blush slightly at this moment.

"Jingheng." Tao Jiuxi said softly.

"Please give me some advice." Xie Jinghuan put down the brush and looked straight at Tao Jiuxi, full of expectation.

Tao Jiuxi spoke slowly, "'Jing' means shining sunlight, symbolizing brightness and prosperity. This character implies a bright future, and in terms of academic success, you're expected to achieve excellent results. However, 'Jing' also carries the worry that prosperity is fleeting, so you must remain vigilant and not be complacent due to temporary success. 'Heng', meanwhile, means someone who stands taller than the mountains, conveying a lofty and exceptional spirit. This suggests that you harbor lofty ambitions and refuse to settle for mediocrity. However, the higher you go, the colder it gets. In your pursuit of excellence, you will inevitably encounter loneliness and challenges. At the same time, 'Heng' reminds you to stay grounded and avoid unrealistic ambitions. Only by taking one step at a time can you reach the pinnacle of life. Taking the two characters 'Jing' and 'Heng' together, you possess a bright future and lofty ambitions, but you must proceed with caution, maintain humility, and persevere to achieve great things."

Tao Jiuxi has tried her best to recite all the new words that she can remember in her mind. Fortunately, there are many people this morning, which gives her some opportunities to practice. Now she can speak these words very smoothly.

"That's a very good implication." Xie Jinghuan nodded slightly, pretending to be satisfied. Tao Jiuxi looked at his smiling face and felt a warm sensation all over his body.

"Well, the young master is truly like a banished immortal." Tao Jiuxi took the opportunity to praise him. At this moment, her praise really came from the bottom of her heart.

This kind of person who could only be described in books was actually seen by her own eyes, and the two of them were only separated by a table.

Xie Jinghuan was praised by Tao Jiuxi so much and looked back at her.

He was just passing by when he stumbled upon Tao Jiuxi in the sunlight. Her eyes were tightly closed, the sun gently streaming down her body, making her look like an immortal, untouched by the mundane world, her entire body radiating light. This sight involuntarily stopped him in his tracks, and he slowly approached, as if possessed by some mysterious force.

He tried not to make any noise, fearing to disturb the sweet dreams of the person before him. As he got closer, he realized her face was too soft and beautiful, and a closer look revealed she was a woman.

What an interesting woman, she is telling fortunes here while wearing men's clothes.

He was curious about what kind of girl could sleep so soundly on the roadside. As if an invisible rope was pulling him, he sat down opposite the girl involuntarily. Just watching her quietly, he felt satisfied.

When Tao Jiuxi woke up, he felt a little nervous.

However, looking at the flustered woman in front of him, he only found it more interesting. Just now, listening to Tao Jiuxi's conversation, which seemed like that of a well-educated person, he was even more curious.

What kind of woman is this? Why is she setting up a fortune-telling stall on the roadside?

Perhaps Xie Jinghuan felt that his gaze was too intense and a bit rude, so he changed the subject and said, "I wonder how much the divination fee is?"

Tao Jiuxi also retracted his gaze and responded, "I'm just calculating for fun. You can give it to me as you see fit. If you think the calculation is not good, it's okay not to give it to me."

"I left in a hurry today, so I didn't have any money on me," Xie Jinghuan said softly, frowning slightly. He did have money, but at this moment, he didn't want what had just happened to be just a transaction. An indescribable emotion seemed to surge within him, and so he told his first lie of the day.

"No need to give it to me, it's okay, I just want to say a few words." Tao Jiuxi waved his hand quickly, his face full of sincerity.

"No, the fortune you predicted is the best. If I don't pay the divination fee, won't I be unable to share in the joy?" Xie Jinghe said in a firm tone, with a serious look in his eyes.

"As far as you can see, you are an outstanding person. No matter what I say, it will not affect your brilliance." Tao Jiuxi responded with a smile, his eyes full of admiration.

At this time, Xie Jinghuan slowly took out a jade pendant from his clothes in front of his chest.

The pendant was crystal clear, and sparkled with a warm glow under the sunlight. It was obvious at first glance that it was no ordinary item.

"This jade is a gift to you, sir." Xie Jinghuan gently handed the still warm jade to Tao Jiuxi.

Tao Jiuxi stood there in a daze, not reaching out to take it.

"Sir, if you must pay me for the divination, I can make it up to you next time. I set up a stall here every day." Tao Jiuxi's tone was a little flustered.

"This piece of jade was obtained by my mother from Jian'an Temple when I was ten years old and fell ill. It's not particularly valuable, but the abbot said it brings good fortune, so I've been carrying it with me ever since."

"In that case, I can't accept it." Tao Jiuxi shook his head repeatedly.

But at this moment, Xie Jinghuan really wanted Tao Jiuxi to take over, so he bluntly told his second lie of the day.

"The abbot said that this jade can protect me for nine years. If I meet someone destined to be with me nine years later, I will give it to her and the blessing will be passed on. Today is exactly the ninth year. I hope you don't mind." When Xie Jinghe spoke, he did not look directly at Tao Jiuxi as before, but looked elsewhere from time to time.

Tao Jiuxi didn't believe it. He was a master of lying. The nobleman in front of him looked like someone who couldn't lie, so this reason seemed a bit far-fetched.

Seeing that Tao Jiuxi still refused to accept it, Xie Jingyan continued, "Sir, please accept it and keep it with you, and good fortune will naturally come to you. In the next nine years, you can give it to someone else."

Xie Jinghuan's intention to get Tao Jiuxi to accept the jade pendant was obvious. Tao Jiuxi thought that this young man was not used to owing others. He thought that if he didn't accept it, this young man would force himself to make up a story to convince himself.

"Then I will accept it today. If you want to go back, please come here to find me." Tao Jiuxi stretched out his hands and took the jade carefully.

When Xie Jinghuan saw Tao Jiuxi accept it, his originally nervous mood gradually calmed down.

"In that case, I have something else to do today, so I'll take my leave." Xie Jinghuan nodded slightly, then stood up, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

He bowed gracefully, his movements as natural and smooth as flowing water. Before leaving, he seemed to suddenly remember something, and a flicker of hesitation flashed across his eyes. Then, as if mustering up courage, he slowly asked, "May I know your name, sir?"

"Tao Jiuxi." Tao Jiuxi only knew who he was when he thought he wanted to get the jade back, so he told him directly that he was dressed as a man at the moment, so he didn't need to be shy when people asked his name.

"I've made a note of that. Farewell then."

"Goodbye." Tao Jiuxi also bowed slightly and watched Xie Jinghe go away.

Tao Jiuxi watched Xie Jinghuan's receding figure, muttering to himself, "Jinghuan, Xie Jinghuan, why does this name sound familiar?"