Qiu Yizhi saw that Wen Lingjiao's face was bare, and although she was not as beautiful as Wu Ruofei, she was also like a goddess descending from heaven, and she was intoxicated. She also saw that the flowerbed under her feet was dotted with teacup-sized chrysanthemums. Although they were not as graceful as peonies, not as cold and beautiful as plum blossoms, and not as pure as hibiscus, they gave her an indescribable feeling of being approachable and pitiful.
So Qiu Yizhi said: "These chrysanthemums are probably planted without intention. They bloom at the right time and do not compete with others for beauty. They have a natural charm!"
Wen Lingjiao nodded slightly: "I just thought these flowers were very cute, so I stopped to look at them, but I didn't expect to be so absorbed. After your advice, I realized that there is so much fun in them. I really admire your insight."
Qiu Yizi was delighted to hear Wen Lingjiao's generous praise. All the resentment she had accumulated towards Zhao Fuyi disappeared completely, and she suddenly felt a little elated.
Qiu Yizi was in this dreamlike atmosphere, standing side by side with Wen Lingjiao. Although his eyes were fixed on the chrysanthemums on the ground, his mind was completely on Wen Lingjiao beside him.
After being absent-mindedly silent for a long time, Qiu Yizi finally felt that the atmosphere was a little awkward. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "My place is poor. Miss Wen, are you living well here?"
Wen Lingjiao nodded and said, "The two rooms that the young master arranged for me are the most secluded and elegant in the county government office, and there is a small garden next to it... Actually, I don't have any particular requirements. I am very satisfied to be able to sleep peacefully every day and wake up in the morning to listen to the wind and rain."
Qiu Yizi was moved when he heard this, and quickly said, "Since Miss has this idea, then you can stay here permanently. Although my place is a little poor, it is very peaceful. I'm afraid it's more stable than the imperial city of Luoyang."
Wen Lingjiao seemed to be noncommittal. She pursed her lips, bit her lower lip, and said "yes".
After saying "yes", the two didn't know what to say anymore. They just looked at each other in silence. The breeze caressed the flowers, and the yellow, orange and white chrysanthemums nodded their heads in joy.
After a while, Qiu Yizi asked, "Miss Wen, I'm afraid you will think I'm being presumptuous, but I have something to ask you."
Wen Lingjiao didn't dare to turn her head to look at Qiu Yizi's expression. She secretly glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. Seeing that Qiu Yizi was also looking at her sideways, she hurriedly turned her eyes back, her face flushed, and said, "Sir, just ask..."
Qiu Yizi nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "Miss, this trip is about the fake Tianzun Sect case. Now the instigator Yu Mei has been killed, and the Tianzun Sect in Jiangnan has also suffered a heavy blow. I wonder what plans Miss has for the future?"
After hearing this, Wen Lingjiao's mind shuddered. She did not answer Qiu Yizi's words, but said to He'er, "He'er, please go back first. I have something to say to the young master. Don't eavesdrop here." Both her tone and expression were as cold as an ice sculpture.
He'er was stunned when she heard this, and said "yes" almost in a crying voice, then wiped her tears and walked away.
Qiu Yizi was also stunned when he heard this.
She had long known that Wen Lingjiao did not trust He'er and was worried that he was sent by her brother to monitor her, but she did not expect that such a gentle and kind person like her would speak so harshly today. It was obvious that Wen Lingjiao's suspicion of He'er had reached a very serious level.
Wen Lingjiao waited until He'er walked away before she spoke again, "Sir, don't you think I'm too harsh on He'er?"
After hearing such a difficult question, Qiu Yizi finally felt the dilemma that Zhao Fuyi had felt when he faced his questioning just now.
Suddenly, he remembered what he had just said, "You must hear the truth." He mustered up his courage, looked directly at Wen Lingjiao, frowned, and nodded, "It's a bit harsh. Even if He'er is your brother's woman, she grew up with the young lady. In name, they are master and servant, but in reality they are sisters. If you provoke her like this, I'm afraid she will do something out of control, and then she will regret it."
"Young Master, you are a good person, but good people are too easy to trust others..." Wen Lingjiao said faintly, "Young Master is also a smart person, smart people are too easy to trust themselves... Young Master, you have to be more careful in the future, be careful of others, and be careful of yourself..."
"Be careful." Qiu Yizi understood that Wen Lingjiao wanted him to be more cautious in the future and not to rush into danger as he did before, which almost cost him his life.
“Be careful of others” is a difficult question. The difficulty lies in who does this “others” refer to
Qiu Yizhi was born with a stronger curiosity than ordinary people, and couldn't help asking, "Miss, what you said is interesting, but I don't know who I should be 'watchful' about?"
Wen Lingjiao said: "You have to be careful with everyone. You have to be careful with your enemies, but you can't take your friends lightly either..."
"Friends?" Qiu Yizhi thought to himself, "I have a lot of friends. Even if I go to Mingzhou this time, shouldn't I make friends with Li Zhi and Li Shengjie, the father and son? Do I have to be careful with them too?"
Qiu Yizi was extremely confused and asked hurriedly, "Who is this 'enemy' you are talking about? And who is the 'friend' you are talking about? Can you tell me a little bit so that I can be prepared?"
Wen Lingjiao did not answer, but smiled and said, "Didn't you just ask me what my future plans were? It's all my fault for digressing."
Qiu Yizi knew that although Wen Lingjiao was tactful, she was also a person who would rather be soft than hard. The deep meaning in her words might be asked indirectly in the future. If she were to force the question now, it would be counterproductive. So he did not dwell on the previous topic and said along with Wen Lingjiao: "Yes, Mr. Lin and I have talked to the young lady before. We always feel that Tianzun Sect is not a long-term plan. The young lady should make plans early."
Wen Lingjiao took a long breath and sighed, "Why did I send He'er out just now? It was to say these few words to you, sir. These few days, I have seen through it and thought it through. For more than two hundred years of the Han Dynasty, and even for thousands of years before the founding of the Han Dynasty, the Central Plains has been based on Confucianism. Even if the teachings of my Holy Church have some merits, they are contrary to Confucianism in every aspect. If we force the people to change their beliefs, it will be as difficult as ascending to heaven. The followers of the Holy Church say that they are more devout than one another, but if we really ask them to abandon their wives and children and stay away from their parents to follow the Holy Church, how many of them can do it?"
Qiu Yizhi listened to Wen Lingjiao's words. Although she did not doubt or deny the teachings of Tianzun Sect, she did feel the dissatisfaction with the culture of the Central Plains. Wen Lingjiao, the saint who was second only to the emperor and above all others in the sect, had such a change in her consciousness. It was worthwhile for Qiu Yizhi to discuss the teachings of Tianzun Sect with her several times before.
So Qiu Yizi asked tentatively: "According to what Miss Wen said, do you want to stop being the Saint of the Tianzun Sect?"
Wen Lingjiao nodded: "To be honest, the teachings of the Heavenly Venerable are profound and unfathomable. I was obsessed with the Holy Religion before, which violated the 'foolish' precepts. I should be unacceptable to the Holy Religion. This Saint Girl is indeed not qualified to be a saint anymore."
Although Wen Lingjiao's words were somewhat sad, her tone was extremely firm, and it was obvious that they were the result of her careful consideration.
Therefore, Qiu Yizhi was very happy to hear this, and quickly said, "That's great, that's great. I have defended Miss Wen in front of the Emperor and Master Zhongli several times. Since Miss Wen doesn't want to be the Saint anymore, and the Emperor has already issued an oral order to pardon Miss Wen, I will submit a petition and ask the Emperor to issue a clear decree..."
"No, that's not necessary." Wen Lingjiao said, "I believed in the Heavenly Lord sincerely before, and I don't have any false intentions now. The word 'belief' is originally a matter of one's mind, why do I need a written document from the emperor to confirm it?"
Qiu Yizi felt ashamed when she heard what Wen Lingjiao said, and she bowed hurriedly, saying, "Miss Wen, what you said really makes me feel ashamed. It seems that I am just a vulgar person. Although I am not as noble as you, I can't do ordinary things to seek credit and reward. I will not ask you about the whereabouts of your brother and the situation of the backbone of your sect, so please rest assured, Miss Wen."
Wen Lingjiao was excited when she heard this. She also bowed to Qiu Yizi and said, "Then I will thank you for your help, young master."
One of them bowed while the other squatted, just like the couple bowing to each other at a wedding. They both blushed with embarrassment and stood up quickly, but they were uncomfortable all over. No matter where they put their hands, they looked extremely awkward.
At this moment, a sparrow flew down from the towering canopy of the camphor tree, flew past Qiu Yi, chirped happily a few times, flapped its wings, and flew into the sky again, disappearing into the flawless blue sky.
Qiu Yizi was suddenly moved by the scene and said, "Miss Wen has left the sect now. She is as free and unrestrained as a swallow, both physically and mentally. Now she has a lot of opportunities. I envy her so much!"
Wen Lingjiao smiled and said, "Sir, why do you have to do this? With your talent, since you don't want to be an official, you naturally don't care about this mere seventh-rank county magistrate of Shanyin County. Why don't you get away and travel around the world? It's also a great pleasure in life! I would rather... I would rather accompany you and indulge in the mountains and rivers. When you feel tired, you can choose a place with beautiful mountains and rivers, or live in seclusion on an isolated island overseas, farming and weaving by yourself, which is also a unique interest."
After hearing what Wen Lingjiao said, Qiu Yizi's heart was already extremely moved.
When he first met Wen Lingjiao in Guangyang City, he was moved by her angelic behavior. Although they separated, he could not forget her for a moment. At this moment, Wen Lingjiao was clearly inviting Qiu Yizi to spend the rest of her life with her, so how could he not be overjoyed
Qiu Yizi looked at Wen Lingjiao's face, which was as calm as a wave of clear water, and almost agreed immediately, but then he sighed with all his strength and said, "I also want to resign. But I am deeply indebted to the emperor, and it is difficult for me to leave in silence!"
"The current emperor was originally a vassal king on the frontier. Today, he can live in the Forbidden City facing south and back north, and at least half of the credit goes to you. Others may not know, but don't I? If it weren't for you who rescued him with your fearless attitude, the emperor might have died in the Ministry of Justice's prison. You have made such a great contribution to the emperor, isn't that enough to repay his kindness?" Wen Lingjiao said.
Qiu Yizhi sighed again: "Not only the emperor, but also Master Zhongli, my third brother, and the same goes for my eldest and second brothers. They all owe me a debt of gratitude, and it has not been settled yet. And there are these dozen or twenty brothers under me. If I just leave, how will they live with themselves?"
Wen Lingjiao gritted her teeth and mustered up her courage to say, "Sir, can't you just ignore these false reputations? Just for... just for me..." (To be continued)