Did Miss become a nun today?

Xie Yun Chu didn't hear what the two said, but Pei Chang Feng's expression was extremely ugly.

She quickly reminded him, "Second cousin, we're here to attend the banquet first, we mustn't act impulsively."

Pei Changfeng gritted his teeth, trying hard to suppress the anger in his heart.

When she turned around, her expression had changed; she smiled brightly, "What are you saying, cousin? Would I be so insensible?"

Both of them were acting strangely today, and Xie Yun Chu couldn't stay a moment longer.

But the two men were watching her intently, and she couldn't find a chance to slip away. She was caught in the middle, unsure whether to speak or remain silent, and she was exhausted.

A maid came to serve tea. As she passed by, she lost her footing and spilled the tea onto the maid.

The maid immediately kowtowed and apologized, but Xie Yun Chu smiled and quickly helped her up, saying, "I'm fine, take me to change my clothes."

Pei Changfeng, who was behind her, wanted to follow, but she refused him without hesitation. "I'm just going to change my clothes. There's no need to trouble my two cousins."

Pei Changyu didn't move, and seeing this, Pei Changfeng also held back.

Once she was out of sight, she finally felt relieved.

This ordeal was more tiring than reciting scriptures half a night.

Upon entering the courtyard, the maid curtsied and said, "Please wait a moment, Miss. I will go and get you your clothes."

As he spoke, he looked at Lan Yue and said, "Would this young lady like to come with me? I'd like to see Miss Xie's size."

After the two left, Xie Yun Chu went inside. Turning her head, she saw the peonies on the windowsill. It was already this season, and it was truly rare for them to bloom again.

She couldn't resist going up to take a closer look and taking a light sniff. Although the color was vibrant, the scent was delicate, reminding her of the fragrance of flowers in Qingyun Nunnery.

"The peonies in autumn have a unique charm."

The sudden sound behind her startled her. She turned around, but the person behind her was too close. She was so close to the person that she lost her balance and staggered a few steps before being supported by the person in front of her.

With this support, she moved even closer to the man in front of her, pressed against his chest, unable to move.

The hand around her waist didn't linger for long before helping her to her feet.

"Sorry, I startled you."

After regaining her footing, Xie Yun Chu immediately took two steps back to create some distance. "Young Master Meng? What are you doing here?"

Meng Qi'an asked with a smile, "That's the question I should be asking you."

She pondered for a moment, then curtsied. "I'm sorry, my maid brought me here. I didn't know there were people inside."

"It's alright, there's no one here anyway. I heard that both Pei brothers came today, Miss Xie, you can rest here for a while."

He didn't spell it out, but he understood her predicament.

Thank you.

She wasn't very familiar with Meng Qi'an, but she didn't feel awkward talking to him. Whenever she went out with her second cousin, he was always very polite to her.

The two hadn't seen each other since the last Buddhist ceremony at Qingyun Temple. She hadn't had a chance to ask that day, but today she politely inquired, "I heard that Young Master Meng will be participating next year?"

Meng Qi'an nodded, "Yes, I've been studying for several years now, it's time for me to give it a try."

"Young Master Meng is learned and will surely pass the imperial examination."

Upon hearing this, Meng Qi'an's eyes flickered. "You believe I can win?"

"Of course, my cousin used to often praise Young Master Meng at home, saying that if he participated in the imperial examination, he would definitely be the top scholar."

Meng Qi'an was different from Pei Changfeng and Wei Lin. He was not as well off as the Marquis's family in terms of family background or the General's family in terms of power. However, his fathers were all officials, so he studied harder than anyone else.

Pei Changfeng used to say that Meng Qi'an was good at studying and had been sensible since childhood, and that they couldn't talk to each other at first.

But Meng Qi'an didn't mind and always accommodated them, and they gradually became good friends.

Xie Yun Chu could imagine that, given Pei Chang Feng and Wei Lin's fiery tempers, Meng Qi An would probably be the one to coax them.

The expression on her face as she looked at Meng Qi'an instantly turned to sympathy. There were so many powerful and influential people in the capital. It wasn't necessary to coax those two living ancestors.

"Then I thank you for your kind words, young lady. I will certainly not disappoint you."

The man's words sounded a bit strange, but she didn't investigate further. Then she heard him say, "I have a favor to ask, and I wonder if you, young lady, could help me?"

"you say."

"I will be taking the imperial examination next spring, but I am restless and cannot concentrate. Miss Xie stayed at Qingyun Nunnery for a while and I heard that she obtained a peace charm when she returned. I wonder if I may shamelessly ask for one?"

It was just a peace charm, so Xie Yun Chu naturally wouldn't be stingy. Those charms were originally meant to be given to the people in the Marquis's mansion, and there were two left over.

She would never refuse such a good deed as helping others.

There is a Buddhist saying: Before attaining Buddhahood, one must first cultivate good relationships with others.

This is a great opportunity to help all living beings.

"Young Master Meng, you flatter me. I didn't bring it with me today. I'll have someone send it to you when I return home."

Meng Qi'an cupped his hands in thanks, "In that case, thank you very much."

It was not appropriate for unmarried men and women to be alone together in the house. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she was about to get up and take her leave, but Meng Qi'an pressed her shoulder down.

"Miss Xie, have you ever considered why that maidservant led you here even though I am here?"

These words were like a wake-up call. Yes, there are quite a few people at this chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, of all kinds of status. Today it is her, but what if it is someone else tomorrow?

How could such a mistake have occurred?

"You mean, someone did it on purpose?"

Meng Qi'an stood by the window and looked outside. "Where is your maid?"

"I went with that maid to get my clothes."

Yes, now there are only the two of them in this courtyard. If someone sees them, they won't be able to explain themselves no matter what.

She was annoyed, blaming it all on her eldest and second cousins. If it weren't for them, why would she have been in such a hurry to leave?

"Young Master Meng should have told me sooner."

Meng Qi'an shook his head, "I'm afraid someone has been watching you ever since you walked in. It'll be the same sooner or later."

Xie Yun Chu was shocked. There really was someone so bold as to dare to harm her at the residence of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

The two squeezed against the window, peering through the crack.

She was anxious and didn't notice the distance between them. Meng Qi'an looked down at her, too close, and the faint, light fragrance of incense emanating from the woman made him lose his composure.

At such a young age, girls her age usually dress very brightly, but she was plain and without a trace of glamour.

Unlike the peony on the windowsill, its gaze was gentle and reserved, as if it held still water from the mountains.

Pei Changfeng used to find her noisy, but she is clearly so quiet and sensible.

Xie Yun Chu was only concerned that she had been tricked; she never imagined that someone would harm her in such a place.

She's been careless; she can't even leave this courtyard now.

"Young Master Meng, what do you mean by 'we'..."

Before she could finish speaking, she turned her head, her nose brushing against his Adam's apple, and she froze instantly.

After a long silence, he suddenly stepped back.

"Young Master Meng, I'm truly sorry, I..."

Meng Qi'an was momentarily lost in thought, then turned around and said in a hoarse voice, "It's alright."

This reaction confused her. What did it mean?

Xie Yun Chu glanced at him cautiously. "Young Master Meng, are you alright?"

Meng Qi'an is a scholar, and the Meng family is a family of high moral character who values ​​etiquette above all else. Her actions just now... wouldn't she think she was flirting with him?

"Young Master Meng?"

She peeked over and saw no shame or indignation, but rather a profile of her face, her ears and cheeks all red, like ripe cherries.

Oh, so you were just shy.

As expected, unlike Pei Changfeng and Wei Lin, those two shameless people have never argued.

She's even more thin-skinned than a young woman like her.

She really wanted to tell him, "My lord, how will you find a wife in the future if you're so thin-skinned?"

To save face for him, I quickly changed the subject, "Um...should we leave here first?"

After a while, Meng Qi'an turned around and his face was normal, showing no sign of the blush that had been burning up just moments before.

"But there are people outside. If we go out now, won't we be seen?"

Xie Yunchu glanced around the room and noticed a back window.

As soon as I opened the window, I heard footsteps and laughter coming from outside, heading towards the yard.

But outside the back window was a lake, and there wasn't even a place to stand.

Are we going to go into the water? But if we go in and someone sees us, it will be even harder to explain.

Meng Qi'an pulled her back, "I'll do it."

"I am a man, so it doesn't matter if I go into the water. Those people inside the house can't see me, so they won't investigate further."

At this point, there's no other way.

"Then be careful."

"rest assured."

Meng Qi'an rolled up his sleeves and slowly climbed onto the windowsill, while Xie Yun Chu leaned against the window, watching the people outside.

Sure enough, several women came together, entered the courtyard, and headed towards their room.

Meng Qi'an had just taken one step out when Xie Yun Chu suddenly said, "Wait."