Did Miss become a nun today?

These past few days, Xie Yun Chu has been discussing Buddhism with Meng Qi An every day, and even she, a Buddhist, feels ashamed of her own lack of understanding.

"Young Master Meng is truly insightful; you should be the Buddha's disciple."

Meng Qi'an closed the book. "I just like reading. I've liked it since I was a child. I'll glance at any book."

Realizing the ambiguity of his words, he immediately explained, "What I meant was that I only read serious books, not those frivolous ones."

Xie Yun Chu couldn't help but laugh out loud, "I didn't misunderstand. I've often heard my cousin say that you're very knowledgeable."

I just didn't expect that he had even read those obscure books and remembered them so clearly.

Talking to him was indeed very beneficial. He talked to her about Buddhist scriptures and doctrines every day, so her days in the Eastern Palace were not too boring.

Meng Qi'an wasn't impatient at all, and he stayed with her every day. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were happy, and so was he.

As time went on, the news spread.

When he left the palace that day, Wei Lin blocked his way and stared at him fiercely.

"Meng Qi'an, I never knew you had such thoughts."

Meng Qi'an remained calm and composed. "What did Young Master Wei say?"

In the past, when the group was together, they rarely called each other that; they would either call each other Wei San or simply by his given name.

Having changed his form of address today, Wei Lin sneered, "Not pretending anymore? I thought you were honest before, but I didn't expect you to actually dare to do it."

"What is there to be afraid of?" Meng Qi'an met his gaze.

"How has Young Master Wei treated her all these years? Have you forgotten so quickly? If you dare to do that, why shouldn't I?"

Since Wei Lin realized his feelings for Xie Yun Chu, his biggest regret was his attitude towards her back then.

Because of this, he couldn't even win against Pei Changfeng, and now even Meng Qi'an, this down-and-out guy, is going against him!

"Meng Qi'an, with your family background, if it weren't for me and Pei Changfeng, would you have known the powerful figures in the capital? Would you have been able to enter the court as an official?"

Meng Qi'an scoffed, "Third Young Master Wei, allow me to remind you, my ability to enter the court as an official is due to my good learning and ambition. What does it have to do with you?"

"We are just friends. I did not study because of the Wei family or the Marquis's mansion, and my official career was not due to your help."

"Young Master Wei, we've known each other for a while now, and I don't want to break ties with you. Since you look down on me, there's no need for us to meet again."

He tried to walk past the crowd, but Wei Zhao wasn't about to let him go. He shouted into the distance, "Pei Changfeng, aren't you coming out yet!"

Pei Changfeng then got off the carriage, his face pale, and limped over.

He waved his hand, and immediately someone stepped forward to restrain Meng Qi'an and put him into the carriage.

The three entered a private room in the restaurant. Meng Qi'an sat in the chair opposite him, while the other two sat together, staring intently at him as if interrogating a criminal.

"Meng Qi'an, I'm giving you two choices: either never see Xie Yun Chu again, or break off all ties with us."

Wei Lin crossed his arms, looking arrogant, convinced that Meng Qi'an couldn't find better friends than them.

Does a down-on-his-luck person think he can fly to the sky?

Meng Qi'an drank half a cup of wine, showing no embarrassment, but rather quite calm.

I choose the latter.

He finished his drink, stood up, and decided not to play such a pointless game with them.

"Meng Qi'an, have you thought this through? Without us, you won't be able to re-enter the circles of power and wealth in the capital!"

Meng Qi'an turned around and glanced between the two of them. "Do you two still remember how we met?"

They naturally remembered that when Meng Qi'an was bullied, it was they who helped him out of the predicament.

Putting this away only fueled Wei Lin's anger. "We were the ones who helped you in the first place, and now you're trying to steal our person away!"

"You traitor! How could I have been so blind as to befriend you?"

Wei Lin was furious, feeling like he had let a wolf into his house. He should have thrown the man out in the first place.

Meng Qi'an lowered his voice, "That's not right, is it?"

"It was Xie Yun Chu who helped me out of that predicament back then."

Wei Lin and Pei Changfeng were stunned, and then he said, "I remember when Miss Xie asked me if I was alright, you stood behind her and made sarcastic remarks, telling her not to meddle in other people's business."

"You look down on me, but Miss Xie doesn't. My family has fallen on hard times, and I'm a poor family. You despise me, but she doesn't."

"Such a good girl, do you people who hurt her deserve her?"

Meng Qi'an's previously gentle expression vanished, replaced by a cold smile. "Do you think I befriended you because I admire your character? Or because of your family background?"

He scoffed, "If it weren't for her, do you think I would be friends with you?"

Meng Qi'an has always known what he wants. When he was young, his family fell into poverty and his parents struggled to make ends meet. So he studied hard, aiming to get into the Imperial Academy. He had to be number one so that the teachers would notice him and he could have a smoother path in the imperial examinations.

His goal was to enter the imperial court as an official and support the Meng family.

But Xie Yun Chu appeared halfway through, appearing without warning and becoming a variable.

He never thought of currying favor with the powerful and wealthy, nor did he ever think of drinking and having fun with those rich young men, but Xie Yun Chu was there.

She loves to laugh, is kind, obedient, and soft-hearted. Every time Pei Changfeng scolds her, she pretends not to care in front of others, but secretly cries in private.

He wasn't greedy; knowing he wasn't good enough for her, he wouldn't have such unrealistic thoughts.

But he is different now. He will be a good official and work hard to climb the ranks, so that he can not only uphold his family's reputation but also protect the people he wants to protect.

Last time in Changning, his official rank was lower than Pei Changyu's, so he could only watch helplessly as Pei was taken away. He was filled with resentment.

He only needed to think for a moment to know what Pei Changyu had done to Xie Yun Chu.

But he doesn't care.

"You...you have such deep thoughts." Wei Lin said incredulously.

"Then why aren't you pretending anymore?"

Meng Qi'an chuckled, "Now that we all know, what's the point of pretending? Of the three of us, I'm the closest to her."

He was like a wild beast lurking in the shadows, previously too weak to show himself, but now those stronger than him have fallen before him, and he has finally revealed his fangs.

"You're no longer of any use to me, so why should I pretend anymore? I should thank you two gentlemen for helping me make the connection."

Over the years, their evil deeds have only served to highlight his goodness.

"Meng Qi'an! You're so despicable!" Pei Changfeng's injuries hadn't healed yet, and he didn't dare to speak too loudly. After saying this, he winced in pain.

"Yes, I am despicable, but I tried to advise you when you hurt her, but you wouldn't listen. I am of lowly status and have little influence, so what could I do?"

He believed he had done everything he could, and he didn't want to see Xie Yun Chu being treated so badly by them, but they went even further, so he could only comfort her in private.

Although I can't see her every day, I'm content as long as I can still see her.

As for these people, what does it matter?

They're just tools, after all.

Now that he has achieved his goal, these tools are naturally no longer needed.