Chapter 21 (2/2)
”Alright, I will bring you out for a walk after finis.h.i.+ng breakfast.” Qin Shao Yu said, ”The scenery at Qian Mu Mountain west of the city is extremely beautiful, and since we are here, we must go to appreciate and enjoy the view.”
”I'm not climbing the mountain.” Shen Qian Ling's level of laziness had reached a new level.
”No need to climb.” Qin Shao Yu knocked his head, ”I'll bring you up.”
Shen Qian Ling paused, then buried his head in the pillow and began laughing.
”What are you thinking of again?” Qin Shao Yu asked.
Shen Qian Ling shook his head, and laughed even louder.
The ability to be a bring-your-own cable car is really high level.
”Say it.” Qin Shao Yu's eyes narrowed, and his tone also rose slightly.
Shen Qian Ling praised genuinely, ”This warrior, you are really handsome, such that you're practically like a jade tree with a -- ah.”
Don't poke people's waist anyhow, it's very itchy alright.
Hahahahahahahelp.
The underlings outside the courtyard heard their fu-ren's laughter, and all couldn't help but deeply ponder about them, reaching their necks into the courtyard to take a look. Being so affectionate already before getting married, we are not jealous even one bit.
A moment later, Qin Shao Yu came out of the room, radiating happiness.
And another moment later, Shen Qian Ling, face red and eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears, followed him out with weak steps.
”Si.” The guards on the roof sucked in a cold breath. Don't show excessive debauchery in such an obvious manner. He can't even walk properly already; fu-ren really looked pitiful. Just as the rumors in Jianghu say, he was a delicate beauty.
After finis.h.i.+ng a simple breakfast, Qin Shao Yu got someone to rein in Ta Xue Bai, and forcefully dragged Shen Qian Ling up on it.
”I would rather sleep in the inn.” Shen Qian Ling complained. Earlier there was still some sun so the scenery could be seen, but now the sky was dark and gloomy, it was clearly more suited to rolling into bed, and moreover he didn't wake up properly in the morning.
”You can't always sleep the whole day away.” Qin Shao Yu got on the horse, circling a hand around his waist.
Beauties brought about calamity since time immemorial... The nearby subordinates looked at the back of the two of them, sighing silently inside. To think that fu-ren actually really liked to do that thing; after finis.h.i.+ng breakfast he was already shouting to sleep again — in the long term, how could sect leader withstand it?
It was really worrying.
Ta Xue Bai didn't need urging before it started into a trot, refres.h.i.+ng and lively.
Qian Mu Mountain wasn't far from the city, so it was not long before the two of them reached the foot of the hill. There was a tea house at the crossroads. A white haired old man was tending to the fire with his back bent, his legs looking a bit stiff.
”Let's go and drink some tea and eat some noodles.” Shen Qian Ling was softhearted.
Qin Shao Yu laughed, ”We just had breakfast.”
So what. Shen Qian Ling was very stubborn. He got off the horse and walked directly over, and asked for two bowls of noodles and a pot of tea, and asked for some melon seeds and peanuts, then poked Qin Shao Yu.
Qin Shao Yu knowingly took out a silver ingot.
More poking.
Qin Shao Yu took out a banknote.
Shen Qian Ling patted his shoulder, satisfied, then turned and gave the money to the old man.
As the old man cooked the noodles, he shook his head with a smile.
”It's no matter, what he has is money.” Seeing that he was not taking it, Shen Qian Ling thought he found it embarra.s.sing, and so he said proudly, ”This is a 'contribution' from a rich person.”
”Young mister is not from here, right?” The old man carried two bowls over to the table, ”Looks unfamiliar.”
”Yes, we came from other places.” Shen Qian Ling was actually not hungry at all, so he pushed the noodles to in front of Qin Shao Yu, ”Finish them, don't waste it.”
Qin Shao Yu: ”.......”
Shen Qian Ling took a wild fruit to chew on, unperturbed.
”Since this is so, you should accept it.” As the old man boiled water, he sighed seemingly without purpose, ”Can't return anymore.”
Qin Shao Yu still continued to eat the noodles with his head down, but Shen Qian Ling balked upon hearing it.
The old man chuckled, squatting on the ground and gathering firewood together.
With an ominous premonition, Shen Qian Ling threw down his peanuts and stood up, and walked over and crouched gently next to him.
Qin Shao Yu thought that he went to help out of kindness, and didn't take much notice.
”Does this mister have something to say?” The old man looked at him amusedly.
”Can't return.....what does it mean?” Shen Qian Ling's heart was about to jump out.
”Because you don't want to return.” The old man said mysteriously, ”This is the will of heaven.”
”I can still return?” Shen Qian Ling was wild with joy, and so anxious that the rims of his eyes turned red.
”Don't panic.” The old man patted his arm, and took out a small cloth pouch from the firewood, ”This mister's heart is honest and generous, and ought to have heaven's blessing.”
Shen Qian Ling felt through the pouch, puzzlement in his eyes.
”The fate between you and I can only end here.” The old man held onto the stove and stood up. ”In the future when that day arrives, to leave or to stay, it's all on you.”
”What day would that be?” Shen Qian Ling was eager.
”The mysteries of heaven cannot be revealed, or I would have my life shortened.” The old man looked at him with a smile, a hint of slyness pa.s.sing through his eyes.
Shen Qian Ling still wanted to ask something, but Qin Shao Yu had already walked over. ”Ling-er.”
”.......Yes.” Shen Qian Ling calmed his emotions down, and walked around the wood pile outside.
”Why are the rims of your eyes red?” Qin Shao Yu frowned.
”Felt the old man was pitiful.” Shen Qian Ling focused on getting his mind to calm down. ”To have to do all these things at such an old age.”
”You sure are kind.” Qin Shao Yu pinched his cheek. ”Let's go, we are going up the mountain.”
Shen Qian Ling turned back and looked at the old man.
”It's probably going to rain on the mountain, be careful.” The old man hummed a small tune, keeping the money, obviously not intending to say anything more.
Shen Qian Ling pressed on the pouch in his sleeve, sighing internally, then left the tea shack with Qin Shao Yu in the end.
Since some things couldn’t be rushed, then there was no way but to resign oneself to fate.
(1) Mountain of a thousand sunsets: 千暮山 - lit. thousand sunset/evening mountain/qian mu mountain.
(2) Tang Zhu: 堂主 - lit. hall master. Lower than Fan Yan's previous rank.
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