webnovelfull Chapter 523 Xie Jingxian: Really an eyesore
Chapter 523 Xie Jingxian: Really an eyesore
He knew Wen Ziyan's personality all too well.
He is mild-mannered and easy to talk to; he agrees to whatever others say and will grant any request.
Even if you know you can't help, you should still nod and say, "I'll do my best."
Just like it is now.
He couldn't make decisions about the Wuli tribe, but he wouldn't refuse Li Sheng either.
Xie Jing once laughed at him for being indecisive and too soft.
Now I feel even more strongly that...
He lowered his eyes and coldly advised himself in his heart.
It's a good thing she's not coming to see him.
He refused decisively and cleanly, and now he's rid of a burden and feels much better.
There is a small tea pavilion on the back mountain of Wanfo Temple.
Surrounded by pine and bamboo trees, the pavilion often has a half-finished chess game set up on a stone table, which is where the host relaxes and cultivates his mind while playing chess.
The abbot, whose Dharma name was Mingzhan, saw Xie Jing and waved with a smile, "Since you have some free time today, why don't you play a game with this old monk?"
Xie Jing clasped his hands in greeting to him, and then sat down at one side of the stone table.
He played black and made the first move, placing his pieces steadily and accurately. His moves flowed like a gentle mountain stream, concealing his power within stillness.
Wen Ziyan and Li Sheng sat casually to one side.
Li Sheng doesn't know how to play chess. He was just sitting idly drinking tea when his eyes were unconsciously drawn to the black and white chessboard.
She watched for a while and felt that the chess moves were like flowing rivers, seemingly chaotic but actually orderly.
Before anyone knew it, she had moved closer to the table, leaning forward slightly.
Mingzhan smiled and turned to ask her, "Young benefactor, it seems you are quite interested in chess?"
Li Sheng raised his head and smiled, "I don't know how to play, but those few moves just now, I felt that Lord Xie deliberately lured the host to place a piece there, and then blocked his escape route."
The host nodded. "Young benefactor, you have great potential. Would you like to try your skills?"
Li Sheng blinked. "Can I?"
"of course."
Mingzhan readily gave up his position.
Li Sheng sat down opposite Xie Jing and carefully picked up a chess piece.
Mingzhan taught her the principles of chess, "Black goes first, then White. It's not about strength or weakness, but about momentum and opportunity."
As Li Sheng listened, he tried to think, and his moves became more and more steady.
Before long, she had begun to grasp the basics.
Seeing her quick reaction, Mingzhan praised her.
“Young benefactor, your wisdom is rare. I have been teaching chess for many years, and such intelligence and composure are truly uncommon.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Jing looked up at the person opposite him.
Li Sheng's eyes had already curved upwards, like crescent moons, sparkling brightly.
Her eyelashes were already long, and when she smiled, they curved and trembled slightly, with the corners of her eyes upturned, making her look exceptionally lively.
Xie Jing lowered his eyes and tightened his grip on the black chess piece between his fingers.
At that moment, he even forgot which step he was supposed to take.
-
The dining hall was very quiet, with only the faint sound of sandalwood incense burning out.
Abbot Mingzhan sat on a futon and spoke about emptiness and dependent origination in the Prajnaparamita Sutra.
Xie Jing and Wen Ziyan sat on either side, their expressions solemn as they listened attentively.
Li Sheng also sat properly in the corner, with her hands clasped together on her knees.
At first, he listened attentively, but after a few sentences, his eyes began to wander.
Her head started to feel dizzy and swaying.
First, it touches the water lightly, like a dragonfly skimming the surface.
One more time, and he couldn't hold on, almost falling to the side.
She jolted, her eyes widened, but she pretended to sit up straight as if nothing had happened.
In less than three breaths, my eyelids started to droop again, and I felt drowsy all over.
Xie Jing was listening attentively.
His gaze involuntarily shifted and landed on her.
She was sitting upright, but her head was nodding off like a chicken pecking at rice.
Every now and then he would suddenly look up, try to open his eyes wide, and pretend to be wide awake.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, and a rare smile appeared on his usually stern face.
Li Sheng noticed someone was watching her and quietly looked up.
They were met with Xie Jing's smile.
She was startled, subconsciously rubbed her eyes, and asked in a daze, "Was I just asleep?"
Xie Jing had regained his composure and said calmly, "No, you were just nodding the whole time."
Li Sheng: ...
Xie Jing's smile deepened, and he turned his head away nonchalantly.
It was still early when the sermon ended.
The abbot said that spring is in full bloom in the mountain temple, so why not take a walk up the back mountain to purify your mind and nourish your spirit?
The three of them then followed the bluestone path upwards.
The mountains and forests are lush and green, the spring sun is warm and gentle, and birds sing incessantly.
Li Sheng walked ahead, her steps light and quick, her skirt fluttering in the wind.
As she walked, she suddenly pointed to a clump of branches and leaves and called out, "This wild fruit, called 'Little Lamp Seed,' is very sweet."
After saying that, he squatted down, picked a few, and handed them to Wen Ziyan and Xie Jing.
"Try it, it's not bitter."
Wen Ziyan took one and took a bite. "It is indeed very sweet."
Xie Jing initially wanted to refuse, but ultimately whispered, "Thanks."
He took a small bite, and sure enough, it was slightly sour with a sweet aftertaste, making his mouth water and the flavor was very refreshing.
Li Sheng seemed unable to stop talking once she started, chatting all the way as they walked.
They talked about which tree could hide people under, which ditch had a spring, which leaves could be dried and used as medicine, and which insects would curl up into a circle when it rained.
She spoke with great enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling.
Xie Jing had been listening, but before he knew it, he had unconsciously slowed down and kept pace with her.
By the time we reached the mountaintop, the sky was already tinged with dusk, and the distant mountains were layered like dark eyebrows.
The group stood side by side on the cliff, their clothes fluttering in the wind, and for a moment it felt as if they were in a fairyland.
It was nearly dusk when we descended the mountain, and the temple bell had just rung.
Wen Ziyan said he wanted to enter the temple to offer incense again, and Xie Jing escorted Li Sheng down the mountain.
The path is secluded and quiet, with scattered wildflowers on the stone steps.
As they approached the mountain gate, Li Sheng suddenly turned back and smiled at him: "Goodbye, Lord Xie."
Xie Jing nodded slightly.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Li Sheng whispered, "Lord Xie, you actually look quite handsome when you smile."
Xie Jing was stunned. Before he could respond, he saw her turn around and skip down the mountain.
The spring breeze brushed against the ends of her hair and the hem of her clothes, and the delicate bells rang out as crisply as the tinkling of a stream, sounding especially ethereal in the mountain forest at dusk.
Xie Jing's eyes flickered slightly, and he was momentarily lost in thought.
I felt something soft in my chest, as if something had gently and silently touched me.
"Young Master?" Zizhu's voice suddenly came from behind.
Xie Jing snapped back to reality, gave a soft reply, and his expression returned to its usual calm and composure.
It was already late when they returned to the manor.
Xie Jing entered the main room and heard Qin Jiuwei instructing the maids to set out refreshments.
Seeing him return, Qin Jiu raised her eyes slightly, her smile gentle, "Did you relax at the temple today?"
Xie Jing nodded, "The abbot's sermons are excellent, and the scenery is also delightful."
Qin Jiuwei poured him a cup of tea and casually asked, "Tomorrow I plan to host a small spring banquet at my residence, inviting some old acquaintances to enjoy the flowers and chat. I've already had the back garden prepared. Are you going to the palace tomorrow?"
Xie Jing took the teacup. "I won't go to the palace, but since my mother is hosting a banquet, I will naturally be there."
Qin Jiu nodded slightly and smiled.
"Okay, you're all grown up now, and you should gradually become more familiar with these situations."
The next day, the spring sunshine was bright and the flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom.
The Prince Jing's Mansion hosted a small spring banquet, attracting a large number of guests. The pavilions and terraces were filled with fragrance and laughter.
Nan Yin and Qin Jiuwei personally took charge of the arrangements early in the morning.
Although Nan Yin is still young, after some experience, she has already shown considerable leadership qualities and handles many things with ease.
Xie Jing was processing memorials in Yanzhai until nearly noon before getting up.
Spring flowers were in full bloom in the garden. He had just turned around a bamboo fence when he suddenly heard a soft female voice behind him.
"Young Master Xie..."