Having informed her family earlier, fearing they would wait too long, Gu Wuyou instructed some maidservants and old matrons, along with a few guards, to escort the remaining carriages back to the Duke’s Residence first. She asked them to inform her family that she would return once the wind and snow had stopped.
As for the others, they accompanied her to the temple for a brief rest.
Perhaps due to the heavy snowfall today, this temple, which was usually bustling with incense offerings, was now devoid of visitors. Only a few monks, wearing straw raincoats and bamboo hats, were sweeping the snow at the entrance. When they saw the large group approaching, they momentarily froze in surprise.
Bai Lu held an umbrella and stepped forward first to explain their purpose.
One of the monks put down his broom, walked up to Gu Wuyou, and clasped his hands together in a Buddhist greeting. “Benefactor, please follow this humble monk.”
Gu Wuyou nodded. As she stepped inside, she glanced up at the plaque on the gate, where the two words “Jintai Temple” were highlighted in gold lacquer. She seemed to recall something, and the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile.
Bai Lu found it curious. Supporting her inside, she asked, “Miss, you’ve never been here before, so why do you look so…” She recalled Gu Wuyou’s gaze and smile from earlier and, in a rare moment, used a peculiar tone to say, “nostalgic?”
“Perhaps—”
Gu Wuyou chuckled. “I’ve been here in a dream.”
Hong Shuang let out a light laugh. She curved her eyes and said, “Miss, you’ve been getting more and more playful lately.”
Although Bai Lu said nothing more, there was a hint of a smile in her eyes. She, too, felt that the young lady was somewhat different after waking up this time—more open-minded, more perceptive. This change, though surprising, was mostly a relief.
The young lady had once confined herself, revolving around that Zhao Gongzi1Gongzi (公子) is an honorific title in Chinese, traditionally used to address the son of a noble, high-ranking official, or wealthy family. In historical and literary contexts, it often refers to young masters of aristocratic or influential households., making a mess of her reputation.
Now that she was willing to let go, it was the best outcome. Looking at her again, she saw that her eyes were bright, completely devoid of the resentment they once held. Bai Lu finally felt reassured.
…
The monk led Gu Wuyou and her group to a meditation room, served them hot tea and pastries, then retreated.
Hong Shuang went to the side to dry Gu Wuyou’s fox fur cloak, dampened by the wind and snow, while Bai Lu arranged the bedding so she could rest. Gu Wuyou had always been delicate and never allowed herself to suffer, even when traveling. She always brought plenty of things with her.
Besides the bedding and curtains, she sometimes even insisted on using her own tea set and washbasin.
Regarding this—
Gu Wuyou never had any objections.
She had lived a life free from worry since childhood. In her past life, she had lived for over thirty years, and only after divorcing Zhao Chengyou did she experience a period of distress. Later, when she married Li Qinyuan, though her great general always sought to discipline her, he never truly mistreated her.
At most, when seeing her lay out an array of objects, he would helplessly comment, “Why are you so delicate?”
And then let her be.
Thinking of Li Qinyuan, Gu Wuyou, resting her cheek on the couch, couldn’t help but smile again. She was looking forward to it so much. What would the great general be like now? Tilting her head, she gazed at the vast snow outside the wooden lattice window, unable to stop her thoughts.
With his temperament, the great general must have been a steadfast and composed person even in his youth.
The wind and snow outside were fierce.
But Gu Wuyou didn’t feel cold at all. Her almond-shaped eyes curved into crescents, gleaming with unconcealable brilliance. She could even imagine what Li Qinyuan looked like right now—dressed in blue robes, sitting in his study, reading those books she always found difficult to understand.
If he encountered a complicated passage, he would furrow his brows and ponder over it. If he figured it out, his brows would relax… As she thought about this, it felt as though young Li Qinyuan was right before her eyes.
The corners of her lips lifted slightly.
Her great general must be a steady, well-mannered, and gentle gentleman—no wonder so many people admired him!
The more Gu Wuyou thought about it, the more eager she became to meet Li Qinyuan. She liked the great general and wanted to see him soon. She wanted to nestle into his arms, act spoiled, kiss him, hug him, and watch his helpless yet indulgent gaze.
“Miss?” Bai Lu called her several times before she finally responded. With a sigh, Bai Lu handed her a warm towel. “What were you thinking about? I called you so many times.”
“Nothing.”
Gu Wuyou shook her head and said no more, still looking quite happy.
Bai Lu didn’t ask further. After helping her remove her hairpins and accessories and changing her into comfortable sleeping attire, she coaxed her into bed. Perhaps it was the exhaustion from traveling for half a month, but Gu Wuyou slept soundly and comfortably. By the time she woke up, the wind and snow outside had already stopped.
She called for someone to come in and attend to her.
As Bai Lu helped her dress, she mentioned, “A letter arrived from home. The Old Madam was worried about you being alone, so she specially sent Third Young Master to come and fetch you. He should be here in about half an hour.”
Gu Wuyou nodded. She glanced outside the window, but everything was still a vast expanse of white, making it difficult to see anything clearly. Since she could no longer hear the wind, she asked, “Has the snow stopped?”
“Yes, it stopped not long after you fell asleep,” Bai Lu replied with a smile.
“I want to go outside and take a look.” It had been years since she last visited, and the plum garden here was renowned. She wanted to see it again. If possible, she even wanted to pick some plum blossoms and make a scented sachet as a gift for the Great General in the future.
Her embroidery skills had improved significantly since before—she certainly wouldn’t make something crooked and clumsy again, only to be laughed at by him.
“I’ll go with you, Miss!” Hong Shuang eagerly volunteered.
Bai Lu didn’t stop them, but as she helped Gu Wuyou put on her fox fur cloak, she gently reminded, “Though the snow has stopped, it’s still cold. Don’t be like before, climbing trees just to shake off the snow.”
After saying that, she nagged at Hong Shuang like an old housekeeper, “Take good care of Miss. Don’t go encouraging her to mess around with you.”
Hong Shuang grinned mischievously. “Bai Lu, you nag too much. Who’s going to marry you at this rate?” With that, she tugged at the properly dressed Gu Wuyou and led her outside, completely ignoring Bai Lu’s warning from behind—”Slow down! Don’t slip!”
Though the snow had stopped, the sky remained overcast and gray. Everything in sight was covered in white.
The trees were white, the ground was white, even the eaves of the houses were white. Only the distant towering pagoda revealed a faint glimmer of gold.
“Miss, where are we going?” Hong Shuang asked.
“There—” Gu Wuyou looked in a particular direction and smiled. “To see the plum blossoms.”
“Alright!”
—
At the same time.
In another meditation room.
The room, warmed by burning charcoal, felt like early spring. An old man clad in a monk’s robe sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. He was the abbot of Jintai Temple, with the Buddhist name Liao Wu. When he heard someone push open the door, he didn’t bother opening his eyes. Only when he caught a strong whiff of alcohol did he finally open them with an annoyed expression, cursing, “Brat, you went drinking again?!”
The newcomer was dressed in white, with phoenix-shaped eyes and hair tied high in a ponytail. It was none other than the young Li Qinyuan.
Upon hearing the accusation, Li Qinyuan paused mid-step.
He looked at the old man, whose face was filled with displeasure, and his strikingly handsome face curved into a grin. “Old man, you’re still awake? And here I was, worried about disturbing you, so I even lightened my footsteps.” After speaking, he casually sprawled onto the ground, resting his right foot atop his left knee, with both hands tucked behind his head, tapping his foot leisurely.
His whole demeanor exuded a carefree, unrestrained air.
Liao Wu grew even more exasperated at the sight of him. But no matter how much he scolded or lectured this kid, it never worked. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly, “Your academy has been in session for so long. How many times have you actually gone? You don’t go home either. You just laze around here all day. Are you planning to become a monk?”
“Wouldn’t being a monk be nice?” Li Qinyuan closed his eyes and smirked nonchalantly. “If I ever hit rock bottom, at least I can come here and beg for food.”
“Xiao Qi—”
As soon as Li Qinyuan heard this form of address, he knew the old man was about to start lecturing him again. With a hint of helplessness, he opened his eyes and glanced at the old man on the couch. “Old man, when did you become so annoying?” Saying this, he pushed himself off the ground and started walking out. “I’d better go find Ru Hui and the others to play with.”
“Xiao Qi!”
“Even if you hate your father, do you intend to ignore your grandmother as well?” Liao Wu sighed behind him.
Li Qinyuan had almost reached the door, but upon hearing these words, his steps halted. His hand rested on the door for a long moment, yet he still said nothing and eventually walked out.
Liao Wu looked at his retreating figure, shook his head, and sighed again.
Ever since Li Qinyuan turned ten, he had spent most of his time living at Jintai Temple. His familiarity with the temple was probably unmatched even by the monks residing there. He walked down the long corridor with ease, knowing every path by heart.
He didn’t have a destination in mind—he simply wandered aimlessly, like a restless spirit.
Perhaps finding this too dull, he turned toward the temple kitchen, grabbed a jug of sacrificial wine, and climbed onto the highest hall’s rooftop. The glazed tiles were covered in a thick layer of snow after an entire day’s snowfall. With a casual swipe, he brushed some away and leaned back against the pointed eaves.
Although the snow had stopped, the wind was still strong.
Yet he seemed completely unaffected, letting the wind lash against his face. His eyes remained half-closed as he raised his head and took a swig of wine.
“This old man’s wine is as terrible as ever.”
Li Qinyuan chuckled, but he still kept drinking. Once he had finished the jug, he closed his eyes. One leg bent while the other stretched out, and with his free hand, he lazily tapped the roof tiles. It wasn’t until laughter drifted up from below that he finally, drowsily, opened his eyes.
“Miss, why are we picking so many plum blossoms? It’s not like we don’t have any at home,” Hong Shuang asked in confusion.
“They’re different.” Gu Wuyou smiled and shook her head, still standing on tiptoe to reach the blossoms above her. Afraid of snow falling from the branches onto her, she wore a hood, revealing only the delicate point of her chin. Yet when she lifted her head to pick the blossoms, her bright, star-like eyes, full of laughter, peeked through.
She had always been afraid of the cold.
But now, just to make a scented sachet for her Great General, she endured the chill to pluck the buds from the branches.
“How is it different? They’re all just plum blossoms,” Hong Shuang muttered, still puzzled. But her best trait was never overthinking things—if her lady wanted to do something, she would simply follow along. So, without waiting for an explanation, she also started picking the blossoms.
Gu Wuyou looked at her and smiled. Of course, they were different.
Jintai Temple was the place where she and the Great General first met. Later, after they were married, Li Qinyuan had held her hand and brought her back here, asking her to make a sachet for him. She had never been skilled at embroidery, terrified that he would laugh at her. Blushing, she had refused.
But her Great General—normally such a strict and dignified man—had acted like a child that day, playfully coaxing her.
She looked up at the plum blossoms above her, her brows arching, her lips curling uncontrollably.
“Miss, Third Young Master has arrived. We should leave now.”
Bai Lu’s voice called from a short distance away.
Gu Wuyou glanced at the plum blossoms in her handkerchief, weighed them, and, deciding they were enough, smiled and responded.
Meanwhile, Li Qinyuan propped his head up with one hand, tilting his head as his long, narrow phoenix eyes followed Gu Wuyou’s departing figure. He watched as her brilliant red cloak painted a vivid streak of color against the endless white landscape. He saw her face, half-hidden under the hood, lit up with an untainted, genuine smile.
He chuckled, appearing indifferent as he closed his eyes again, dozing off against the eaves.
It wasn’t until Ru Hui’s voice called from below that he finally opened his eyes, leaned over the edge, and smiled. “What’s the matter?”
“Little Martial Uncle, you stole wine again!” The young monk below puffed out his cheeks in displeasure.
Li Qinyuan chuckled, flipping down to stand in front of Ru Hui. He bent down and lightly flicked the boy’s forehead with his fingers. “Wrong. I borrowed it. The old man’s wine is terrible. In a few days, I’ll bring some good wine for Buddha.”
Ru Hui covered his forehead, fuming. “In the end, doesn’t it still end up in your stomach?”
“Mm.”
Li Qinyuan thought about it. That did seem to be the case, so he didn’t argue further. He tossed the wine jug to Ru Hui, placed his hands behind his head, and casually walked forward. As if something had just occurred to him, he turned his head and asked, “Who was that family that came just now?”
“I heard it was the young lady from the Duke of Ding’s residence. That miss is really rich! She donated a huge sum of silver to our temple, and she’s really pretty too!” Ru Hui followed behind Li Qinyuan, chattering nonstop.
The Gu family?
Li Qinyuan had met Gu Tiao and Gu Yu before, but the woman just now—he had never seen her.
Thinking of the legitimate young lady of the Gu family, who had been raised in Langya since childhood, he listened as Ru Hui continued to gush behind him about how “beautiful and kind-hearted” she was. Beautiful, yes. Kind-hearted…
Recalling the complaints Fu Xian had once shared with him, Li Qinyuan smirked, his expression somewhat noncommittal.