Qinglian chased after Ye Zhi, but with a turn, the person she was chasing disappeared.
Faced with the two winding paths ahead, her eyes revealed confusion.
Her delicate brows slightly furrowed, she walked on her lotus silk shoes towards the left path, which led in the direction of Qingqiu Courtyard!
Feeling downcast, for some reason, she only wanted to see the State Preceptor.
Walking over the Kangwu stone slabs, stepping on the pebbles, after several turns, she arrived at the door~
The two wooden doors were neatly closed, the State Preceptor liked tranquility, and this place, near the serene bamboo grove, had paths that led to seclusion, generally keeping idle people away.
On her first visit, she would have feared this secluded little courtyard, but in just a few months!
This courtyard happened to feel like the most intimate place to her.
"Knock, knock, knock!" Qinglian knocked a few times: "State Preceptor, it’s me, Qinglian, I’ve come to take care of you, are you here?"
Not waiting for a reply from inside, she skillfully pushed open the unlatched wooden door and stepped inside.
The flowers and plants in the courtyard no longer appeared lifeless~
After meticulous care, fertilizing and watering, they grew fragrant, blossoming and thriving!
In a corner stood a plum tree, which Qinglian had seen on the back hill. The stillness of Qingqiu Courtyard called for some vibrant colors, so it was transplanted here.
She wasn’t skilled at planting other things, but her senior brothers and sisters said that plum trees were easiest to keep alive, wouldn’t die even in the heaviest winter snow, and would bloom, bearing fruit that could be candied.
Sweet and sour, a great appetizer~
Suddenly one night, a fragrant scent wafted, an old man under the plum tree.
After some time, snowfall would come, she wondered if the plum blossoms would bloom!
She searched everywhere inside and outside but did not see the State Preceptor. Feeling dejected, she went to the west side room, took off her lotus silk shoes, climbed onto the soft sandalwood bed, and curled up in the corner, sulking.
Lately, Qinglian, under the guise of caring, often came to play with the State Preceptor. The west side room was a small chamber specifically prepared for her to rest when tired.
A moment later.
There was the sound of the wooden door opening and closing.
He was back!
"State Preceptor."
Qinglian called out, hurriedly got off the bed, put on her shoes, and rushed out to the courtyard, her eyes sparkling.
Pei Wanmu, upon hearing her, knew the Little Princess had arrived, with a faintly relaxed expression on his face, responded: "I’m back."
Since saving her last time, the Little Princess accidentally learned he was the State Preceptor and then revealed her identity, frequently clinging to him, still earnestly saying: "You are the State Preceptor of the Daqing Dynasty, my father the Emperor’s valued minister, as a princess, it’s only right I take care of you."
The Emperor’s daughter, of noble birth, she was also well-behaved, never causing trouble for him, and Pei Wanmu allowed her to do as she pleased.
However!
The Little Princess’s eyes were a bit dim today.
Not very happy.
"Qinglian, what’s the matter?"
Pei Wanmu’s voice was gentle, like a breeze, filling the ears comfortably.
The Little Princess’s graceful brows bore a hint of sadness: "State Preceptor, there’s something I want to ask you, you are the State Preceptor and a Teacher, knowledgeable, might have the answer, let’s speak in the hall."
She led the way towards the hall.
The man followed closely behind.
In the hall, Pei Wanmu, clad in bamboo green mysterious robe, face like jade, sat elegantly in the main seat.
The Little Princess sat below on the right.
They exchanged a glance, the Little Princess’s expression gloomy, earnestly saying to the handsome, phoenix-eyed man: "State Preceptor, what I say to you, can you not tell my father, or anyone else, let it be our secret, you mustn’t tell anyone."
Pei Wanmu thought for a moment, deciding to keep the Little Princess’s secret: "Okay, I promise you."