Song Ci was shocked by Lin Qing’s aesthetic view while also sizing up Buhui.
He had eyebrows sloping downward, a circle of raccoon-like whiskers at his cheeks, a big bald head, and a string of star-moon bodhi prayer beads hanging on his chest, likely often held and rubbed in his palm, giving the beads a polished look.
But this sowhat unkempt image reminded Song Ci of Lu Zhishen from film and television dramas.
While Song Ci was sizing up Buhui, he was also sizing her up, glanced at her face, furrowed his eyebrows slightly and then relaxed, clasped his hands and bent his body: "The humble monk Buhui greets Madam."
Song Ci ca to her senses, quickly clasped her hands in return, smiled and said: "Master, no need for formality, this old one greets you."
Buhui grinned and said: "Madam seems sowhat stunned upon seeing this humble monk, I wonder why? Did my appearance startle Madam?"
"Ah?" Song Ci replied: "I just happened to think of a certain character upon seeing Master."
"Oh?" Buhui showed so interest: "Who might it be?"
Song Ci’s expression was sowhat peculiar and said: "Master might not be pleased to hear it."
The more she behaved this way, the more curious Buhui grew, and even Song Zhiyuan and his brother found it odd, wondering who this character was, as they had no recollection of it.
Song Ci said: "An illustrious hero nicknad Flower Monk, who beca a monk to escape a wanted status, famous for hating evil and defying rules. Later, he beca a bandit in the martial world and eventually was pardoned to serve as an infantry commander, quite a legendary figure, his image resembles yours now."
Flower, Flower Monk?
Buhui’s face turned green: "..."
Song Zhiyuan and his brother: "..."
Might the Master storm off in anger?
Buhui then recalled the two sentences Jinghui hinted at before his departure.
"Madam of the Song Family is carefree and dislikes constraints, her words and actions are sowhat unconventional, Buhui, be ntally prepared."
"What does unconventional an?"
"Well, it ans sowhat unorthodox, don’t be formal with the old lady, just treat her as a mischievous elder."
At the ti, he was shocked, feeling like Jinghui was a parent worrying over his daughter. Now it seems Jinghui was indeed sincere.
Truly honest!
Certainly ’unconventional.’
Song Zhiyuan saw Buhui’s silent deanor and thought he was upset, so he smiled and smoothed things over, saying: "Mother might have seen so character from a huaben or Huangi opera, but I’ve never heard of it."
Song Ci suddenly had a flash of insight, laughed and said: "You’re busy with national affairs all day long, how would you have ti to watch operas or listen to tunes? We’ve been to many feasts big and small, I can’t recall which family’s play we saw."
A mont of quick wit almost revealed too much.
Buhui’s eyes reflected profundity and said: "Madam is indeed as carefree as the rumors say."
Song Ci was surprised; her reputation spread so far?
Song Zhicheng said: "Master, please sit and have a sip of tea to moisten your throat."
Buhui nodded with a smile, sat down, took a sip of tea from the cup handed to him by the maid, while observing Song Ci’s expression, and anwhile engaged in a conversation about sleep and diet.
Song Ci didn’t speak, but the palace nanny rembered everything clearly, even recounting how many tis the old lady had to go to the restroom at night.
Song Ci silently glanced at her, thinking, you don’t have to be so diligent and sincere, narrating so clearly.
She didn’t need to look at her two sons to know she was now facing a living scene of social death, utterly embarrassed and ashad.
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