Qin Liuxi was unaware that her attitude had directly shattered soone else’s dream of boundless wealth. At this mont, she arrived at the harbor to find Qin Boqing.
The harbor was bustling with people, carrying goods and doing small businesses, very lively, unlike South County, which seed desolate, and the people lacked vitality and vigor.
It seed that the world wasn’t doing so well, but it also depended on the place. Wealthy areas, even if affected, wouldn’t change too much unless there were natural disasters and man-made calamities.
"Xi, Xixi?"
Qin Liuxi, with her sharp ears, turned her head and saw Qin Boqing sitting by the window of a teahouse, looking at her in surprise, then rushing out from inside.
"It’s really you, I thought I was mistaken." Qin Boqing was quite emotional, his eyes a bit red, and he scolded, "Child, where have you been all these years? Life is so long, what hurdle can’t be overco? Birth, old age, sickness, and death are sothing everyone has to experience."
Qin Liuxi smiled and said, "I’ve been in closed-door cultivation."
Hearing this, Qin Boqing sighed and said, "It’s good that you can find your way back. Don’t get hung up on things, the road ahead is still long."
"Hmm."
"Let’s go inside to talk. It’s near the sea here, and it’s almost November. The sea breeze cuts the face painfully." Qin Boqing frowned at her attire, "You’re dressed so thinly."
"Cultivators are resistant to cold." Qin Liuxi noticed that his face had also weathered more, looking more mature and steady, so she said, "How is Uncle and everyone?"
"Good, all good, just that we haven’t heard from you for years, everyone misses you."
After entering the teahouse, Qin Boqing asked soone to change the pot of hot tea and poured a cup for Qin Liuxi, "But you, why are you here? I almost didn’t recognize you just now."
She had grown into a young woman. If it weren’t for the distinctive green dress embroidered with Taoist runes and the ponytail, along with her height, he really wouldn’t have been able to recognize her.
After all, among many girls, this niece’s height stood out, even compared to so weak males, she was taller.
Qin Liuxi sipped her tea and replied, "I ca to find Gongbo Cheng. I heard he said you happened to be here, so I ca to have a look. Are you determined to pursue a career in business?"
"I can’t be an official anymore, so I have to find sothing else to do." Qin Boqing gestured to the prosthetic limb Qin Liuxi made him, "Since I can’t be an official, I need to find other ways, accumulate silver, and in the future, ensure ample dowries and betrothal gifts for the children."
Seeing that he wasn’t saddened by his disability, Qin Liuxi said, "Having sothing to do is fulfilling."
"That’s true." Qin Boqing said, "Did you just co out of seclusion? Your mother and aunt miss you very much. If it weren’t for father saying otherwise, the sisters-in-law would still be waiting at the old house for you to return."
"I’ll make a trip to the capital later."
Qin Boqing was delighted, "That’s good." He paused, then continued, "By the way, Mingyue beca a concubine of Prince Zhao."
"I heard."
Qin Boqing glanced at her carefully and said, "After the Qin family completed the mourning period, we received many social invitations over the years. Father knows well enough not to cause you trouble. But as for the wonfolk’s side, the second sister-in-law is a bit aimless, and since Ming Yue climbed up high, father is afraid she might act recklessly outside, which is why the eldest sister-in-law was called back to manage the household."
Qin Liuxi’s connections were known to the old master to so extent. Even so, Prince Zhao eyed their Qin family, which was clearly ambitious.
It’s not that Qin Boqing underestimated their family’s girls, but given the old master’s fourth rank after his rehabilitation, it wasn’t noteworthy enough for a Saint’s attention. His granddaughters, no matter how outstanding, couldn’t beco imperial concubines, especially since Ming Yue was his second brother’s daughter.
The second brother had an official status, but it was more of a titular one without real power. Such titular minor officials were abundant in the capital; how could his daughter be qualified to beco an imperial concubine?
Wasn’t it just to leverage Qin Liuxi’s connections?
The second sister-in-law was still quite complacent.
Qin Liuxi said, "I’ve heard all about it." She paused and continued, "Since Qin Mingyue chose this high branch, she must taste the bitterness or sweetness herself. Others can’t help much, and neither can I."
Qin Boqing shivered a bit, realizing that she wouldn’t support Qin Mingyue or the Prince Zhao behind her.
"I understand your aning." Qin Boqing thought to himself, regardless of when Qin Liuxi went to Shengjing, he had to send word to his father to keep the second brother’s family in check, lest they displease Qin Liuxi.
They already didn’t receive as much of Qin Liuxi’s favor as the eldest sister-in-law’s family, and if they used her na for wrongdoings, they couldn’t bla her for being unfriendly. Not retaliating was already a nod to kinship. If she got angry, a casual word from her and the Qin family would face suppression.
The Qin family couldn’t withstand another exile.
As for Qin Mingyue, father had advised her to think carefully. Yet, she still chose that high branch, so she couldn’t bla the family for abandoning her.
Qin Liuxi only ca to see Qin Boqing out of respect upon hearing he was here. After a brief eting, she took her leave, found a secluded place, and traveled to Penglai Island as guided.
Just as Gongbo Cheng said, it seed like the Sea Dragon King had turned over in anger at Penglai Island. The place was half-subrged, and so areas appeared ravaged.
She looked toward the center of the island, where there was a Buddhist Tower, its tip exposed, but slightly askew. It was now evening, with mist rising from the sea, making the place appear like a mirage in the city of Chenlou.
Qin Liuxi gently tapped her toes and swept towards that direction.
The thousand-year-old temple before her was now reduced to ruins, with half of the main hall destroyed. Yet the giant Buddha still sat peacefully, looking at the living beings with compassion.
Inside, there was sparse sandalwood incense.
Qin Liuxi closed her eyes slightly, carefully sensing, but there was no trace of Buddha Bone.
Was it taken away?
To have turned this thousand-year-old temple into this state and have half of Penglai Island subrged, it seems that fellow had grown significantly powerful over the years.
Just as the Vicious Energy began to rise, Qin Liuxi heard a Buddhist chant. Opening her eyes, she saw a little monk with delicate features and clear eyes, whose aura was calm and peaceful, seemingly unfazed by residing in the dilapidated Buddhist Temple.
"Benefactor, my master has been waiting for you for a long ti." The little monk held one hand to his chest and looked at Qin Liuxi.
Qin Liuxi pressed her lips slightly and said, "Lead the way."
The little monk led the way, passing through the ruined halls to the already leaning Buddhist Tower. In the small door at the base of the tower, sat an elderly monk with white eyebrows, a white beard, and an emaciated body. His back was slightly hunched, eyes closed.
The old monk opened his eyes, looked at Qin Liuxi, and revealed a comforting smile: "Amitabha, this old monk has finally waited for the benefactor’s arrival, to attain nirvana along with and the Sinful Bone."
His aura spread fully.
Qin Liuxi’s eyes changed a bit, the aura of the Buddha Bone was within him!
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