Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

Tao Jiuxi sat on the cushion and turned his face away quietly to avoid the sight of other pilgrims.

"I'm really sorry to bother you this time, Mr. Xie."

"Miss Tao, you don't have to be so polite. It's just a small favor for me." Xie Jinghuan's response was as gentle as the spring breeze.

Seeing that her sister was settled, Tao Qingwan bowed to Xie Jinghuan and said, "Thank you very much for your help, young master."

"Miss, there's no need to be so polite." Xie Jingyan also quickly stood up, bowed and saluted, showing the demeanor of a humble gentleman.

"Then let's not disturb Mr. Xie." Tao Jiuxi said softly while sitting on the futon. At this moment, she only wanted Xie Jingheng to leave quickly.

If Shen Zhiyi knew that she met with Xie Jinghuan, it would definitely cause another uproar.

Fortunately, she had asked Shen Zhiyi to withdraw the people sent to follow her, and the two maids beside her were always by her side. She thought they would not go to Shen Zhiyi to complain about her.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jingyan's gaze fell back on Tao Jiuxi and he said gently, "It's snowing hard outside, and Miss Tao is injured again. I wonder how we're going to get down the mountain later?"

Tao Jiuxi naturally understood the difficulty of the current situation.

Moreover, the two sisters were unfamiliar with the place, and if Xie Jinghuan was with them, he would be a familiar and humble gentleman, which would make them safer. However, she was also concerned about Shen Zhiyi, and her heart was very conflicted.

As they were talking, the monk in charge of the temple came quickly into the hall.

"Amitabha, benefactor, I know a little bit about medicine. If you don't mind, I will check your injuries."

"Then I'll trouble you, Master."

The monk slowly squatted down, muttered "I'm sorry" softly, and began to carefully check Tao Jiuxi's ankle.

After a moment, the monk frowned slightly and said slowly, "Miss, your ankle is injured. Fortunately, it's just a sprain. But I'm afraid you'll need some time to recuperate before you can move freely again."

Tao Jiuxi heaved a long sigh of relief after hearing this. "Fortunately, it's just a sprain, not a break. It just hurts so badly right now."

The monk patiently explained, "Don't worry, my lady. You need to rest and recuperate. It's snowing today, and you're not in a good condition to move around. There are some rooms at the back of the temple. They're a bit shabby, but I hope you don't mind."

Tao Jiuxi thought for a moment and said helplessly, "It seems there is really no other way. Let's stay here for one night."

Xie Jinghuan immediately said, "Then I'll take the girl there."

Tao Jiuxi felt quite uncomfortable as he watched everyone around him, trapped in the Buddhist temple by the snow, turn their gazes towards him. "This... isn't good."

Tao Qingwan stepped forward and asked, "Master, do you have a sedan chair in the temple?"

"The sedan chair was taken down the mountain a while ago, and it's not in the temple now." The master seemed to be thinking, and after a moment he said, "There is a piece of old door panel in the temple that was replaced the other day..."

Tao Jiuxi imagined himself sitting on the door panel and being carried over. Wouldn’t it seem a little funny?

But just as she was about to agree, she heard the master say, "The door is quite heavy. I need to call a few more people to help escort the girl to the wing room."

What? I have to carry a heavy board? This is even more embarrassing.

Seeing this, Xie Jingyan said sincerely, "Miss Tao, don't worry. I just want to help you. I have no other intentions."

Tao Jiuxi hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded in agreement helplessly, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Master Xie."

Under the guidance of the monk, Xie Jinghe carefully carried Tao Jiuxi to the meditation room specially prepared for guests.

The Zen room was not as simple as Tao Jiuxi had imagined. On the contrary, it was fully equipped with all necessary facilities. It seemed that many wealthy families came to burn incense, and the temple had carefully prepared it for these pilgrims.

After putting Tao Jiuxi down, the maid followed the monk to get medicine.

At this time, only the two sisters and Xie Jinghuan were left in the room.

Xie Jinghuan did not leave immediately, but instead looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Miss Tao, can we talk to each other for a few words?"

When Tao Qingwan heard this, she felt strange and looked at Tao Jiuxi in confusion.

Tao Jiuxi thought for a moment and nodded slightly to Tao Qingwan.

Tao Qingwan then said, "I see there's a kitchen outside. I'll go get some hot water."

"Don't go far, elder sister."

After Tao Qingwan left, the room instantly became quiet. Tao Jiuxi looked at Xie Jinghe, secretly wondering what he wanted to say.

Xie Jingyan was the first to speak: "Miss Tao, I've been to Xihou Street several times, but I've never seen you. I sent a letter to the old man who was tending the stall, but he also said he had never seen you."

Tao Jiuxi asked doubtfully, "Why did you come to me? To get the jade pendant back?"

Xie Jingyan was about to say no, but changed his tone when the words came to his lips: "Did the girl bring it with her?"

"No, it's obviously a valuable item. I'm a careless person and I'm afraid of damaging it."

Xie Jinghuan thought that this was a good reason to meet. If he didn't have the jade pendant, he wouldn't know how to ask Tao Jiuxi to meet him.

"Miss, can you please bring out the jade pendant next time?" Xie Jinghe looked at Tao Jiuxi expectantly.

Tao Jiuxi thought that the jade pendant was in Shen Zhiyi's study, so it shouldn't be a problem if he took it quietly: "Sure, it's yours anyway."

"But the girl is injured now and can't move around. There's still half a month until the New Year. Why don't we make an appointment after the New Year?" Xie Jinghe suggested.

"That's fine. I'll give it to you after that year." Tao Jiuxi agreed readily.

Xie Jinghuan's face was a little unnatural, as if he had been thinking for a long time before he asked, "I met Miss Tao at the elegant gathering that day. Miss Tao's insights were extraordinary and truly admirable."

"I'm just talking nonsense." Tao Jiuxi said modestly, but he was curious about why Xie Jinghe said this at this time.

"I don't know..."

"Mr. Xie, just speak frankly." Tao Jiuxi urged.

"I wonder if Miss Tao and Duke Shen..."

"What happened between me and my cousin? Why don't you ask? Why are you so hesitant?" Tao Jiuxi looked at the person in front of him, feeling quite surprised.

Although they had only met a few times, her impression of him was that he was a bright and cheerful boy. So why was he so hesitant and halting now? His hesitation was truly worrying.

"Duke Shen is the girl's cousin?" Xie Jinghe finally asked the question in his mind.

"Yes. Do you want me to help you pass a message to your cousin?"

"That's not the case." Xie Jingyan already knew the answer to his question, and then changed the subject: "It's just that the girl said before that she was staying with relatives, so it would be inconvenient to contact her. How about we meet at the Lantern Festival at Xihou Street at twilight hour?"

Tao Jiuxi was thinking in his mind that there was still a month left, so he should have time to secretly take out the jade pendant and return it to Xie Jinghuan, and then he would not meet Xie Jinghuan again.

So she replied, "Okay. If there's nothing else, could you please help me call my sister back? We're unfamiliar with this place, and I'm worried about her being out there alone for too long."

Xie Jinghuan couldn't hide his joy on his face and turned away.

After a while, Tao Qingwan came back and asked curiously, "Do you know that young man?"

"We've met a few times." Tao Jiuxi answered casually.

"If he hadn't been here today, I'm afraid you would have suffered more." Tao Qingwan sighed.

"It's okay to suffer, but I can't go back today. Let Mu'er and Xing'er stay with us at night, and be careful when you are outside." Tao Jiuxi frowned slightly, his tone full of caution.

The four masters and servants slept in the same room and had a peaceful night.

In the early morning, the snow had stopped.

The monks in the temple also cleared the roads leading up and down the mountain early. Yesterday's heavy snow trapped many people. If they didn't clear the road, the snow would melt and the roads would be even more difficult to travel.

Tao Jiuxi no longer felt that tingling sensation in his feet today.

She hopped to the window on one foot early in the morning, looked at the snow-covered mountains, and enjoyed the scenery with great interest for a while.

"It's a good thing you're still in the mood to enjoy the scenery." Tao Qingwan walked over, but there was no blame in her tone.

"Eldest sister, come and see, this rime is so beautiful."

Tao Qingwan was not in the mood to appreciate it. She was full of worries at the moment. She was concerned about how her sister would get down the mountain in such a state. She couldn't stay in the mountain for ten days or half a month before going back.

After a while, Mu'er came back with the vegetarian meal. "Cousin, the vegetarian meal is here."

"Bring it here to me. I want to eat while looking at the snow." Tao Jiuxi ordered excitedly.

"Be careful not to catch a cold." Tao Qingwan reminded from the side.

"It's okay, there's no wind at all." Tao Jiuxi responded nonchalantly.

The maid named Mu'er carefully brought the vegetarian meal to Tao Jiuxi, and then said, "Miss, the young man was in the courtyard yesterday. When he saw me, he asked me if my foot was healed."

"Why hasn't he left yet?" Tao Jiuxi frowned slightly, feeling a little surprised.

"I don't know." Mu'er answered obediently, with a hint of confusion on her face.

Tao Jiuxi didn't care anymore.

When Mu'er returned from delivering the bowls of vegetarian food, she said, "Miss, Mr. Xie is outside asking to see you."

"Let him in." Tao Jiuxi said after a little thought.

Xie Jinghuan walked into the room and said politely, "Good morning, ladies."

"Thank you, sir, for your good health." Tao Jiuxi and Tao Qingwan quickly returned the greeting.

"Why haven't you left yet?" Tao Jiuxi asked puzzledly.

"The mountain road was difficult to walk on yesterday, so we rested in the temple." Xie Jinghe explained gently.

"So what are you doing here today?"

"If Miss Tao goes down the mountain today, it may be difficult for her to go. I thought since we know each other, I would go with her." Xie Jinghe said bluntly.

Tao Jiuxi thought to herself, she either had to be carried down or hop down on her own. Even if she died hopping down the mountain after an hour, she wouldn't make it down. Since she had already asked Xie Jinghuan for help yesterday, she didn't have to find another person. Xie Jinghuan was indeed the most suitable person at the moment.

So she agreed.

Although Tao Qingwan also felt that this was inappropriate, there was really no better way.

However, Xie Jinghuan was already a prominent figure in the capital, and many people knew him. Tao Jiuxi didn't want the news to spread widely, so she asked her maid to help Tao Qingwan take it away first. She then covered herself tightly with a curtain before going down the mountain.

If the news got out, Xie Jinghuan could also say that he was just kind enough to carry an old man down the mountain.

Xie Jinghuan did not leave until he was put on the carriage.

On the way, Tao Jiuxi specifically told several people not to tell anyone what happened on the mountain. She just said that she was afraid of being embarrassed.