Did Miss become a nun today?

Zhao Mingyue was Xie Yunchu's best friend in Beijing, and the two could talk about anything.

She was a cousin living in the Marquis's mansion. Although Zhao Mingyue was the biological daughter of the Zhao family, she had grown up outside since childhood. She was carefree and straightforward, without any guile, and did not get along with many people in the Zhao family.

"You really made me look for you. I thought you were admiring the flowers over there," Zhao Mingyue complained as soon as she arrived.

"Didn't I send you a message through the maid who guided us?"

"Don't even mention it. The maid who led the way was so busy she barely had time to breathe. She probably forgot about it long ago and only told me when we bumped into each other."

Xie Yun Chu poured her a cup of tea. "It's my fault. I should have sent someone to wait for you."

Zhao Mingyue was taken aback, staring at her for a long while. "Why are you being so polite to me today? Has your brush with death changed your personality?"

Xie Yun Chu simply smiled and didn't say anything more.

Zhao Mingyue suddenly noticed the book in her hand and almost spat out her water. "This is unbelievable! You've actually started reading!"

"Has Pei Changfeng really driven her crazy?"

As if she had found a savior, Lan Yue immediately took over the conversation, "Miss Zhao, you must persuade my young lady. Since she woke up, she has been reading Buddhist scriptures every day, and no matter how I try to persuade her, it is no use."

"Buddhist scriptures?" Zhao Mingyue raised her voice. "Are you really crazy?"

Xie Yun Chu glanced at Lan Yue with displeasure. This little girl is too talkative.

To avoid drawing attention, she covered all her Buddhist scriptures with book covers, making them completely invisible from the outside.

I should never have brought her along!

"Just browsing since I have nothing else to do."

"You used to never touch any books other than storybooks, Buddhist scriptures... is this something you should be reading?" Zhao Mingyue almost jumped up.

Xie Yun Chu quickly put the book away, afraid that the person would snatch it away.

"Okay, okay, I'm not watching anymore."

Seeing that she was unusually agreeable today, Zhao Mingyue finally stopped pursuing the matter and asked, "Are you really alright?"

Xie Yun Chu stood up and spun around. "I'm fine now. Look, I can walk and jump."

Although her injuries were severe, most of them were superficial wounds because she dodged in time. Her calves and shoulders were more seriously injured, with the skin torn open and the bone exposed, leaving scars that remain to this day.

The Marquis's mansion used the best medicine on her, and she recovered completely.

Zhao Mingyue pouted and her eyes reddened. "I wasn't in the capital when you were injured. I wanted to visit you after I came back, but the Marquis's residence doesn't allow outsiders in, which is why I've been delayed until now."

"It's alright. Even if you came then, I wouldn't have been able to say much. I'm lucky, nothing will happen to me," Xie Yun Chu said with a smile.

"My father told me that many people died in the collapse of Yong'an Temple, most of them daughters of officials in the capital. His Majesty was furious and sent the Dali Temple to investigate," Zhao Mingyue said in a low voice.

"And guess what? A fake monk infiltrated Yong'an Temple. Not only did he embezzle the money meant for the temple's construction, but he also kept more than a dozen concubines outside the temple—more than His Majesty has children."

"It's a pity about the people who went to the temple that day. I heard that the young master of the Lu family also died inside."

Xie Yun Chu had heard about these things to some extent, but knew little about them.

In addition to reading Buddhist scriptures, she also chants sutras facing the sky at night, which can be considered as a way to pray for the souls of those who suffered the same fate as her.

"You're quick-witted; you found a place to hide early on, otherwise..."

At this point, Zhao Mingyue was about to cry again, "Otherwise, if you die, I will lose my only friend."

"It's all Pei Changfeng's fault! I used to think he was a good person, but he's a hypocrite! Did Su Yao save his life or lick his shoe soles?"

Zhao Mingyue grew angrier as she spoke, "Many people saw him bring Su Yao out that day. You have no idea what people outside are saying."

"They said that on that day, the second young master of the Pei family held the young lady of the Su family in his arms, being very careful, as if afraid of hurting her."

"It is also said that Pei Changfeng became close friends with Young Master Su, and gradually fell in love with Su Yao, which is why he risked his life to save her at that time."

"The rumors outside are even more outrageous now, saying that the two families are about to get married and that Su Yao will become the second young mistress of the Marquis's mansion. Bah!"

Zhao Mingyue is someone who can't keep a secret; once she starts talking, she can't stop.

The words were already out of his mouth when he realized the person in front of him had remained silent. "Yun Chu, did you even hear me?"

A commotion arose not far away, but Xie Yun Chu calmly took a sip of tea. "It's alright, it's not important."

Zhao Mingyue was truly stunned. "What did you say?"

"Pei Changfeng abandoned you to save someone else, a matter of life and death. Aren't you angry?"

"Did you really hear what I just said? It's all over the place, Pei Changfeng and Su Yao..."

"I know."

Zhao Mingyue was stunned for a moment, then reached out to feel her forehead. "You don't have a fever, what's wrong?"

"Are you alright? Do you need me to call a doctor? Or have you really lost your mind from anger?"

Xie Yun Chu slapped her hand away, "I'm perfectly fine. He can do whatever he wants. What does it have to do with me?"

"I am merely a cousin residing in the Marquis's mansion; these matters are not my concern. I will simply mind my own business."

Zhao Mingyue said incredulously, "You..."

"I've figured it out. If they don't like me, why should I force it?"

"Don't stand up for me when you see my second cousin in the future. He hasn't done anything wrong to me."

"If Su Yao really marries into the family in the future, it won't be good to create any discord."

"Yun Chu, are you serious?"

Of course I'm serious.

"But didn't Lady Hou want you to marry Pei Changfeng?" Zhao Mingyue asked.

"Those were just jokes, don't take them seriously."

Looking back now, her marriage to Pei Changfeng was always just wishful thinking on the part of her aunt and herself; no one in the household was happy about it.

"Yun Chu, are you still angry with Pei Changfeng? If you're still angry, I'll help you get revenge. Don't wrong yourself."

Xie Yun Chu was helpless. How much did she like Pei Chang Feng? That her aunt and Zhao Ming Yue wouldn't believe her.

She smiled, as if... she really liked it.

When she left the Vice Minister's residence, she finally managed to persuade Zhao Mingyue to stay and promised not to cause trouble for Pei Changfeng.

Upon returning to the Marquis's residence, just as they entered the courtyard, Pei Changfeng appeared out of nowhere.

"Yun Chu, you're back?"

She bowed and said, "Second cousin."

Pei Changfeng carefully observed her expression, trying to discern any anger from her face. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to begin, and stammered.

"Second cousin, just say what you have to say."

Pei Changfeng hesitated for a long time, then decided to go all out, "I went out drinking yesterday and didn't return home all night. You can scold me if you want."

He had thought it over. Rather than being punished by his mother to kneel in the ancestral hall, he would rather let Xie Yun Chu scold him a couple of times. As long as he could appease Xie Yun Chu, his mother would naturally stop scolding him.

Xie Yun Chu lowered her eyes, "I won't scold my second cousin."

Before Pei Changfeng could speak, she added, "Second cousin, do whatever you want. Don't worry about me. Just be happy."

"What did you say?"

"I said, it's your freedom to do whatever you want, second cousin. I won't interfere anymore, and you don't need to talk to me about it anymore."

Pei Changfeng was stunned. The eyes that were looking at him were calm and unwavering, and they didn't seem to be angry at all.

"You...aren't you going to abandon me?"

Xie Yun Chu smiled and said, "Never mind, I won't care anymore."