Did Miss become a nun today?

Ignoring the insults behind him, Meng Qi'an simply smiled as he left the restaurant.

I stood on the street corner for a moment, the summer breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers brushing against my face. The streets of this capital city were more pleasing to the eye than ever before.

He walked at a leisurely pace, and when he passed by a bookstore on the street, he even went in and browsed through a few newly acquired manuscripts.

The waiter recognized him. "Young master, you're late today."

"Yes, something came up today."

He put down the book, paid for a copy of the commentary on the Lotus Sutra, and put it in his pocket.

When he got home, he didn't even eat dinner, and the light in his study didn't go out until midnight.

The next day, after finishing his shift, he went to the Eastern Palace as usual.

The guards at the Eastern Palace had already received instructions from the Crown Prince, and upon seeing him arrive, they let him pass, even asking with a smile, "Has Hanlin Meng come to see Miss Xie again?"

Meng Qi'an nodded and waited in the pavilion where the two often met. He didn't have to wait long before a palace servant came to invite him in.

Xie Yun Chu sat in the room with her eyes closed, chanting scriptures. She was dressed in a plain dress, without any makeup, and her mind was completely focused.

He smiled slightly, but didn't disturb her. He stood on the veranda, leaning against the window, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling on her and creating a unique scene.

When Xie Yun Chu finished reciting the scripture, she turned around and saw someone standing outside the window, staring at her intently.

Seeing her looking over, he smiled against the sunlight, "It seems I still haven't worked hard enough and need to learn from Miss Xie."

"I am a Buddhist monk, while you are handling official business. Naturally, we are different. If Young Master Meng were truly like me, the capital would be missing a top scholar."

The rules of the nunnery required people to get up and work before dawn, and she dared not slack off, always following this habit.

The servants invited the people in, and quickly served tea. A smile involuntarily crept up their lips as they glanced at the two of them. After leaving, they immediately reported the news to His Highness and the Empress.

Xie Yun Chu didn't notice where the palace servant had gone and poured him some tea.

"Doesn't Young Master Meng's daily visits to the Eastern Palace to discuss the classics interfere with your important duties?"

She was a free person, but Meng Qi'an was different. He held an official position and served the Emperor, enjoying great favor.

"It's alright. Reading Buddhist scriptures is also a way to cultivate one's character. What I've learned here can be applied elsewhere."

"I also want to thank Miss Xie."

These words made her feel better.

Originally, she was worried about delaying his important business, but after he said that, the situation turned around.

Indeed, learned people are different.

Xie Yun Chu smiled to herself. She knew her judgment was good; she was accurate in judging people.

Meng Qi'an was very kind to her from the beginning because he was a very good person.

In the past, when her second cousin and Wei Lin ridiculed her, he would always step in to stop them. In private, he would speak up for them in front of her, comfort her, and even buy her snacks.

They never scolded their servants. If a maid or servant did something wrong, Pei Changfeng and Wei Lin would say some harsh words, making the maid and servant unable to lift their heads.

But Meng Qi'an, after breaking the cup, first asked if anyone was burned.

He was always polite and smiling to everyone, and you never saw him lose his temper.

They are definitely much better than those two.

Good deeds are always rewarded; Meng Qi'an's official career will surely become increasingly smooth.

The two talked in the hall for half a day. It was rare that there was no sermon today, so she led her people for a walk in the East Palace Garden.

I walked to the lakeside pavilion, where a game of chess was set up.

Meng Qi'an's gaze unconsciously fell on the chessboard, clearly showing interest.

"Does Young Master Meng enjoy playing chess?"

"I wouldn't say I like it, but I occasionally pick up a chess manual and set it up myself."

You're already using chess scores, and you still don't like it?

Xie Yun Chu sat down. Although he wasn't very good at chess, he could still make a few moves.

He has been spending these days discussing scriptures with her, and she should reciprocate in some way.

"Then I'll play chess with you today."

Besides scriptures, playing chess can also cultivate one's character and temperament.

After placing a dozen or so pieces, she noticed a problem: Meng Qi'an's chess skills didn't seem to be very good either.

Despite her limited chess skills, she managed to go toe-to-toe with the opponent.

After a few rounds, she finally realized what was wrong; this person was letting her win.

Setting down the chess piece and looking over, she unconsciously revealed a hint of reproach she hadn't shown before. "We're playing chess, and you've been letting me win the whole time. Is this a game or just playing around?"

Meng Qi'an grinned. "I can tell."

"I'm just worried you'll lose face. What if you get angry and refuse to play chess with me?"

She shook her head. "I may have been a bit spoiled before, but not to the point of getting angry over something so trivial. Are we still friends?"

Meng Qi'an's eyes lit up with a smile. "In my eyes, Miss Xie is never arrogant. She's just not treated well. Those people simply can't see your good qualities."

Caught off guard by the praise, Xie Yun Chu paused, her hand holding the chess piece still, staring at him blankly for a long while.

When she was pursuing Pei Changfeng, he said the most that she was immature, spoiled, willful, domineering, and unreasonable. Wei Lin even belittled her to the point of being worthless.

Meng Qi'an said that those people couldn't see her good qualities.

He reached out to touch her head, but stopped in mid-air and finally withdrew his hand. "You are a very good person. Don't worry about what others say. You recite Buddhist scriptures and you will naturally understand the principle of 'one should not go anywhere but give rise to the mind'."

Xie Yun Chu came to her senses. Young Master Meng was truly insightful. She nodded slightly, "I have learned a lot, thank you."

He picked up another piece. "In that case, shall we play another game?"

"This time, you can't let me have my way again."

"it is good."

Meng Qi'an truly wouldn't give in. When playing chess with her, he only needed to exert half his strength, and she couldn't win a single move.

She knew her own chess skills were far superior to Meng Qi'an's, and even the maids in the courtyard were better than her.

After losing ten games in a row, and with the day already getting late, Meng Qi'an asked with a smile, "Miss Xie's chess skills certainly still need improvement."

She didn't care; playing chess was just a pastime in her spare time. It was enough to know how to play; there was no need to strive for perfection.

Under the eaves outside the waterside pavilion, Zhao Yu looked at the two with increasing satisfaction. "I must say, these two are indeed a good match. The Meng family lad is patient, speaks and acts with tact, and is not aggressive."

Xue Xiurong was also satisfied, but then, remembering something, she asked in a low voice, "Still haven't found Sister Shen?"

Since learning about Xie Yun Chu, the Eastern Palace has sent people to look for her, but there has been no news.

If we really want to bring these two together, how can Shen Heng, their own mother, not be there?

"We can find the person slowly, but Your Highness must be wary of the Imperial Uncle."

Why do you say that?

Xue Xiurong sighed helplessly, "Your Highness, can't you see? The Imperial Uncle is interested in Yun Chu."

Zhao Yu's expression changed. "Really? The age difference is too big."

"What is Your Highness thinking? Your Highness is getting close to Vice Minister Pei, and recently he has also been meeting with this Hanlin scholar Meng quite often. I suspect that he is up to something bad again."