Gu Shengyin finally saw the small courtyard hidden amongst the bamboo forest—precisely speaking, it should be called a Bamboo Building.
Gu Shengyin looked around and saw no one, reasoning that Ji Yu was either inside the Bamboo Building or sowhere else. Though the Emperor had not confined the Crown Prince's feet, he had never allowed him to take a single step out of the Qianlong Temple, a form of veiled captivity.
"Young Master, greetings," Gu Shengyin was startled out of her thoughts by a clear voice coming from behind her.
She turned her head slightly and her eyes widened a bit as she saw the man.
This man was really...
Gu Shengyin didn't know how to describe him. Perhaps due to living in the temple for years, the Crown Prince simply didn't seem like a mortal of the secular world.
Ji Yu was only a religious mber, thus he did not need to shave his head. His long hair was tied up with a green headband, and he was also wearing a green long robe devoid of any decoration. The robe had not a single pattern on it, yet it seed to her that no bejeweled costu could compare with this simple one, which suited him more fittingly.
He stood before Gu Shengyin, holding a peach blossom he had just plucked from a branch, and greeted her with a warm smile, bending down slightly:
"Young Master, greetings."
Gu Shengyin, sowhat dreamily, was reminded of the anecdote of Buddha smiling while holding a flower. Ji Yu's smile carried a detached air, as if he stood apart from the secular dust.
She recovered her senses and smiling, she bowed slightly in response, "I ca with my family to fulfill a vow at Qianlong Temple. I was lured out by the beautiful scenery of the mountains, and unknowingly wandered here. I'm feeling a bit fatigued. I wonder if I might trouble the religious mber for a cup of clear water?"
Ji Yu shared a resemblance with Ji Ye, which was the reason why Gu Shengyin was able to recognize Ji Yu at a glance.
Hearing what Gu Shengyin said, Ji Yu was slightly taken aback, then smiling, he invited, "Young Master, please follow ."
He led Gu Shengyin toward the Bamboo Building, and it was only when she walked in that she noticed it was actually accompanied by a separate small courtyard, with a man-made vine canopy for shade, making it a rather interesting place.
Hu Zhu and Lin Lang had by then arrived at Gu Shengyin's side.
Ji Yu invited Gu Shengyin to sit down before he entered the door.
When he ca out, he was carrying a pot of tea.
Gu Shengyin expressed her thanks and reached out to take it.
"Miss!" Hu Zhu whispered a reminder in a low voice that she should not casually consu things of unknown provenance.
Gu Shengyin, unconcerned, smiled and took a sip from the teacup.
"Eh?" Gu Shengyin exclaid in admiration, "Excellent tea!"
Ji Yu smiled slightly, "It is but a modest skill, unworthy of the Young Master's praise."
Gu Shengyin thought to herself, if I don't put it this way, how else can I continue to interact with you?
And so, over the tea ceremony, Gu Shengyin began conversing with Ji Yu.
Unexpectedly, the two found they got along quite well. Initially, Gu Shengyin approached Ji Yu with an agenda, but as they talked, she discovered that Ji Yu had similar views to her own on many matters, which astonished her.
Before they knew it, they had discussed for almost an entire Shichen.
When they finally rested, Hu Zhu quietly reminded Gu Shengyin it was ti to go back. Gu Shengyin, her eyes shimring with reluctance, looked at Ji Yu, "It's rare to find a close friend in life; eting the religious mber today is truly a fortunate event."
Ji Yu, also spirited, rely said to her, "This Bamboo Building is out of the way, let escort you out."
Gu Shengyin and her two attendants followed Ji Yu the sa way they ca, but as they passed through a dense forest, they suddenly heard a strange sound.
The sound was intermittent, at tis accompanied by faint, tender callings that made Hu Zhu and Lin Lang blush on the spot.
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