13. In this world there is a beautiful woman

  The area around Ganlu Temple is becoming increasingly familiar, and when I go out to collect firewood in the evening, I also walk a bit further.

  Sometimes Qingbai frowned and drove me away, "Don't always be lazy and slack off on the road, are you still the golden branch and jade leaf of the past? Go further to collect firewood."

  Then Lingyun Peak or Ganlu Peak's back mountain, I also gradually set foot in.

  The only place I never want to leave is the Qingliang Pavilion's detached house on the misty peak where Xu Xing lives. It's not for any other reason, but sometimes when I climb high and look far away, seeing the white walls and high tiles of the Qingliang Pavilion from afar, I feel a little strange peace, and it's just good to see it from afar like this. If I really want to get close, my heart is secretly afraid.

  That day, I went to the back mountain of Ganlu Peak. The trees were dense and the road was narrow, with lush forests and wildflowers fragrant amidst the green grass. I couldn't help but look around, so I walked towards the deep forest that I had never been to before. All I saw was emerald green everywhere, with shade covering the sun's rays like a canopy. The dense shade was like a refreshing stream pouring down, and all I could hear were birds chirping melodiously, their songs echoing through the air. The sweltering heat of late May also quietly dissipated. As I walked further into the mountains, I saw more clear springs and streams, with water splashing everywhere, and felt an increasingly cool and refreshing atmosphere envelop me. Every part of my body, from head to toe, felt invigorated.

  Walking into the woods, where the wind rises from the depths, a winding path made of goose egg stones leads deep inside, as if guiding people to walk further in. Only a few old houses are seen surrounding a small courtyard, the original yellow walls and black tiles having long been eroded by the mountain winds, losing their former appearance, leaving only an ancient atmosphere, blending into the dense greenery, looking lifeless, without any striking features.

  As I walked closer, I saw a small plaque on the door with most of its gold paint fallen off. The sky was also dark, and it took me a long time to make out that it was the three big characters "An Qi Guan".

  I was suddenly curious, and I felt parched in my mouth, and saw the gray wooden door half-closed, thinking someone was inside. So I stretched out my hand to push it open, and the door creaked open with a "creak".

  It is a small courtyard, with an ordinary-looking main hall, behind which lies the central courtyard, and further back are three small Zen rooms, all kept very clean and tidy. The most commendable place is that on the edge of the lush green grass there are simple spring eyes and mountain rocks, forming a unique interest. The surrounding courtyards have small Toon trees densely planted, making it very quiet and secluded.

  Deep in the woods, a gentle breeze blows by, and people can't help but feel calm and cool. Even the mouth doesn't feel so thirsty anymore.

  A gentle and calm voice quietly came over, saying: "Are you looking for someone?"

  I heard a sound and looked over, only to see a woman dressed in Taoist robes standing amidst the gathering dusk, holding a water jug and gazing at me with a gentle smile.

  The light was dim, and I couldn't see her face clearly, but her voice was extremely warm and moving. I knew that sneaking in like this was already very rude. Hurriedly bowing my head, I apologized with a smile: "I'm thirsty, so I came in without permission to ask for a drink of water."

  She smiled and beckoned to me, saying: "The water over there is raw well water that can't be eaten raw. Follow me here, I'll get you some water." I thanked her hastily and walked closer to her side.

  As they drew closer, it became apparent that the Daoist nun was only around forty years old. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but her eyebrows and eyes were clear and serene, with a hint of familiarity. Her expression was gentle and refined, like the most elegant lines of a Song Dynasty poem. As the dusk deepened, the fading light cast a warm glow on her face, making it shine like a full moon in the sky, radiating countless beams of pure light. It was as if the first snowflake of winter had bloomed in the gray sky, pure and crystalline, with a refreshing clarity.

  For a moment, I only felt dizzy and dry in my mouth. The dryness was not caused by the thirst just now, but because my mind was not on myself at all, and it all fell on her, and I couldn't move half a step away from her.

  She smiled and handed me a cup of water, saying: "Drink up, the tea has just cooled down, it's warm and just right to drink."

  I was stunned for a moment and didn't know how to react. She urged me with gentle words, and I finally came back to my senses, saying "Sorry" in embarrassment.

  She shook her head, not blaming me. I hastily took the water to drink, secretly blaming myself in my heart. I'm not a man who is easily tempted by beauty, having seen all sorts of beautiful women in the palace, including the stunningly beautiful Empress Huai. She wasn't an exceptionally beautiful woman, but she had a way of making people's hearts and souls drunk without realizing it.

  I was secretly wondering and took a sip of water, saying: "I don't know what to call you?"

  She smiled warmly and said, "Just call me Qing Jie."

  Surprised? I was taken aback, and this name seemed to have been heard somewhere before. What's even more puzzling is that Ganlu Temple is actually a Buddhist temple where nuns live. How could there be such an unknown Taoist temple in the mountains near Ganlu Temple?

  Suddenly calm, I carefully thought back, but still couldn't remember. However, I deeply knew that I must have heard this name before.

  Just as I was thinking carefully, she asked me, "Are you a nun from the Ganhua Temple?" I nodded. She asked again, "Is it new? Why are you still outside so late?"

  "I said in a low voice: 'Yes. It's just that the number of firewoods I picked up is not enough, so I'm delayed outside. I'll be back soon.'"

  She smiled faintly, with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "It's hard on you, working so diligently."

  I smiled apologetically and didn't want others to sympathize with me. I saw that she was alone, so I asked: "Do you live by yourself?"

  She glanced around the large Taoist temple and smiled: "I live with a maid."

  I was secretly surprised, it's too cold and quiet here. But I couldn't ask her why she became a nun and stayed here, so I just silently lowered my head to drink water.

  Just as they were talking, the wooden door creaked again and a bright voice said: "Oh dear, there's someone here!"

  I turned around, but it was a maid-like person. I thought she must be the maid who lived with her, as mentioned by Cong Jing. So I said, "Excuse me."

  She was about the same age as Dao Girl, put down what she was holding in her hand, and smiled brightly at me: "If Taifei doesn't feel disturbed, how can I feel disturbed?"

  I was taken aback, and a spark of insight flashed through my mind. The gentle and elegant Taoist nun in front of me, the maid called her "Taifei", and this place is close to Qingliangtai where Xuanqing lives. Isn't the calm and gentle air between her eyebrows exactly the same as Xuanqing's? How could her noble demeanor be that of an ordinary Taoist nun?

  She, the Taoist nun in front of her, was actually Xuan Qing's birth mother. She was once famous throughout the capital and still deeply revered by countless palace maids as the former emperor's Consort Shu Gui, now known as Grand Consort Shu Gui.

  Chong Jing, Xuan Ling originally decreed that Shu Gui Taifei was "Chong Jing Yuan Shi, Jin Ting Jiao Zhu".

  No one had ever thought that the Shu Gui Fei, who had once received the favor of three thousand beauties and made all the ladies in the palace lose their color, would end up living in this quiet and deserted Taoist temple.

  I was taken aback for a moment, stunned and unable to speak, before I finally managed to say: "Empress Shu Gui?!"

  Her pretty eyebrows furrowed slightly as she looked at me in puzzlement, "Do you know my name?"

  She said so, and it was even more certain of my conjecture.

  In the legend of many people, in my imagination, Shu Gui Fei, who was favored by the previous emperor and monopolized all the love, must be an extremely beautiful and radiant woman. But unexpectedly, she is gentle and elegant, as pale as a chrysanthemum. She doesn't have the sharp and clever aura of a woman who has lived in the palace for decades.

  I nodded slightly, bowing in respect, "Yes. From now on, I should address you as Zhong Jing Yuan Shi, Master of the Golden Court."

  This title was conferred by the Emperor himself and is not known throughout the land. At this time, I blurted out that she had already understood, looked at me for a long time, and said: "Are you from the palace?"

  I nodded slightly and said, "The Empress is right."

  She stood quietly in front of me, smiling faintly at me. Her smile shone brightly for a moment in the dim light, like the soft glow of pearls. The sky had already darkened, and the stars twinkled faintly. The mountain wind gently lifted the hem of Shu Gui's Taoist robe, making it flutter like pear blossoms in the snow. Her slender figure was as elegant as a fairy standing under the moonlight on the jade platform.

  I was almost stunned, unable to open my eyes. She wasn't particularly beautiful, yet her captivating presence was something that no one could match. I had always been proud of my looks, thinking they were not inferior to others, but in front of her, I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious.

  Such a gentle and elegant temperament, like jade trees and crystal flowers covered in snow, was also penetrated by the spring breeze and spring water. It's no wonder that the previous emperor liked her to this extent, almost unable to see the shadow of other women in his eyes. It's even more surprising that the mother of King Qishan once privately criticized her as "fox charm bewildering the ruler". It turns out it wasn't fox charm, but a kind of warm and gentle temperament that could attract and captivate even women.

  She looked at me and smiled: "Qing'er once told me that in the palace, there is a noble concubine living in Ganlu Temple to practice under imperial edict, are you referring to yourself?"

  I blushed for a moment and said lightly: "Guīpín is an old-fashioned title, please call me by my Buddhist name 'Mò Xū' instead."

  "What's your surname in the mundane world?"

  "I replied: 'Originally, my surname was Zhen.'"

  She gazed at my disheveled long hair and smiled faintly: "In that case, I'll call you 'Zhen Niangzi' from now on."

  I said: "Your Highness is too polite."

  The Shu Gui Taifei smiled warmly and said, "Excuse me for my earlier mistake. Zhen's demeanor and elegance are naturally not something that ordinary temple nuns possess, I didn't recognize her at first, it was truly remiss of me." She then asked me to sit down, pointing at the maid from earlier and smiling, "That is my personal attendant, named Jiyun." And so she had Jiyun come pay respects.

  I hastily and humbly said: "It's naturally Auntie who serves the Grand Princess, I'm just a commoner, how can I ask Auntie to pay respects to me?"

  The princess pulled me over and said, "Alright. Since we're not in the palace, why bother with the palace etiquette? I'll just treat you as my junior, and she's my maid, it's only proper that you meet."

  I heard the princess say so kindly, and it was not good to refuse, so we each saw our own. Ji Yun's temperament is very open and straightforward, and she smiled at me: "Just now I heard the princess say that you are a nun from Ganlu Temple, I was startled, and thought that nuns don't have such beautiful ones, must be the princess lying to me."

  I listened to her and couldn't help but look at Empress Dowager Shu. Sure enough, Empress Dowager Shu smiled and said, "She's been like this since she was a child, growing up with me. Don't mind her, Consort."

  I smiled and said, "Of course not. I really like it when people talk straight and don't beat around the bush, it's exhausting to listen to."

  Cumulus clouds and I got close, I raised my eyes and was slightly startled, her eyes were the same as Shu Gui Taifei's, they were all warm amber colors, and she exclaimed in surprise: "Your eyes..."

  Princess Shu Gui smiled and said: "Ji Yun and I are both Manchu people, so our eyes are different from yours Han people."

  The Bo people were originally a small tribe in the south of Nanzhao, who had always been a vassal and paid tribute to Nanzhao. In the third year of Longqing, the former emperor's General of Pacifying Distant Lands conquered Nanzhao and also subdued the Bo and other tribes that depended on Nanzhao, all of whom surrendered to the Great Zhou and became its vassals.

  According to historical records, Shu Guifei was the daughter of Ruan Yannian, a knowledgeable and fair-minded official, and also came from a family of scholars. How could she be a Yi woman? Could it be that Shu Guifei's mother was a Yi woman?

  Jiyun saw me thinking and smiled: "Zhen Niangzi, I know what you're thinking. You must be wondering why our Taifei is a Paiyi person, right?"

  I was seen through by her, feeling a bit embarrassed and also not good at hiding it, so I said: "In the history books, it's not written like that, it seems to say that Taifei is the daughter of Zhongshu Ping Zhang Daoren..."

  The Empress Dowager said calmly, "In the past, in the palace, it was naturally necessary to keep a low profile. Now that I've said it, it doesn't matter. Mr. Ruan is my foster father. In the past, when the previous emperor wanted me to enter the palace conveniently, he had me adopted under Mr. Ruan's name. My true identity is indeed the daughter of a Paizi family, and both my parents are native Paizi people." She looked wistful, "The mountains and rivers of Paizi are truly my hometown."

  I listened to her speaking with sincerity and candor, without any concealment, and I couldn't help but feel moved in my heart, naturally feeling a sense of closeness to her.

  The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "I've told you so much, perhaps the young lady wouldn't want to hear it. It's just that as people get older, they talk more and are more meticulous." Her eyes were filled with kindness, "It's just that seeing the young lady makes me feel a sense of closeness, don't mind it, my dear."

  "I hastily said: 'How could it be? Having the Empress Dowager's concern is my honor.'"

  The Shu Gui Imperial Concubine smiled and said, "In the past, I heard Qing'er mention you a couple of times, and he was full of praise for you. At that time, I just listened to it, but now that I see you, you are as beautiful as the fairy on Mount A'no in our hometown."

  Ji Yun also smiled, "Yes, our elderly people in the tribe used to say that the goddess on Mount Ano Snow is the most beautiful."

  I hastily said: "If Her Highness praises me like this, I will be too ashamed to show my face. The elegance of Your Highness is something Zhen Huan has admired for a long time."

  The empress slightly tilted her head and smiled: "Zhen Huan? Is that your name?"

  I nodded and smiled: "It's my old nickname."

  The empress smiled and nodded towards Ji Yun: "I always say that the names of Han family daughters are the most pleasant to hear. Zhen Huan, unlike us Manchu people who were named by our fathers and mothers at random."

  Ji Yun rushed over with the tea and said with a smile, "You're really something, Imperial Concubine. When someone's daughter-in-law comes, you don't even have them bring up the tea, making them stand there with dry mouths to talk to you."

  The Empress Dowager Shu smiled so hard that she couldn't hold her palm, and looked at her with a sideways glance: "Yes, yes, yes, it's my fault. But why are you also just listening without taking action? You're also slow to entertain the guest."

  I saw them chatting and laughing intimately, with no distinction between superior and inferior, and felt very close and cordial. I said: "Just now, I was thirsty and rushed in, but the imperial concubine not only didn't blame me, she even personally poured water for me, it's really my fault."

  Ji Yun handed a cup of tea to me and Shu Gui, laughing: "In the past in Bai Yi, your name was Yi Guang, I was called A Yun, this name Ji Yun was changed later."

  I thought to myself: "Excuse me for being presumptuous, but I seem to have heard that the imperial concubine's name was..." I racked my brains, and in a moment of urgency, I couldn't remember it no matter what.

  Shu Gui Taifei said: "It's Yanran, Ruan Yanran." She smiled, "I was originally called Yiguan, Yanran is the name that was changed when I arrived at the Zhou Dynasty, and it was also the previous emperor who personally gave me this name."

  I saw her heart was straightforward and frank, with words spoken directly, even the name of the inner chamber was not concealed. I was delighted to interact with her and speak, and suddenly said: "My connection with the imperial concubine is indeed deeper than others. Today's accidental encounter is not mentioned, but I have a 'Longing for Each Other' qin, which was also the imperial concubine's beloved object in the past."

  Shu Gui Taifei let out a soft "oh" and her eyes suddenly lit up, like a candle that had been ignited, and she exclaimed in surprise: "Really?"

  I nodded and said: "When I left the palace, I only brought a 'Long Xiang Si', now it's placed in Ganlu Temple."

  The Empress Dowager sighed, "At the time I left the palace, I left 'Chang Xiang Si' and 'Chang Xiang Shou' in the palace. Since the Emperor passed away early, it was useless for me to keep these two things. Who would have thought that they ended up in your hands? You must be a connoisseur of music." She gazed at me intently: "It's been over ten years since I parted with these two objects; if you're willing, may I take another look?"

  I apologized: "It should have been given to the queen for a look, but just a few months ago when I played, I accidentally broke the string..."

  I lowered my head, thinking that "Chang Xiang Si" was a treasured item of Shu Gui Taifei's and I would surely be blamed for it. However, Shu Gui Taifei merely smiled brightly and said with a pleasant expression: "Is there anyone who plays the zither without breaking strings? If you're willing to let me take a look, I'd like to try my best."

  I was overjoyed and hastily got up saying: "This is the best. The Empress Dowager is the former owner of 'Chang Xiang Si', she must know how to repair it."

  The princess pressed her lips together and said, "Don't be in a hurry to thank me. The 'Changxiangsi' zither's construction method is different from others. If you really want to learn it, it will take at least three to five months. And if it's not done properly, Qing'er will have to go back to the palace to fetch marten tail, ice silk and gold thread before coming back. These things are probably not easy to get."

  I smiled and said: "Returning it to the Empress Dowager's hands, I will be at ease. If it is indeed not well-received, then I can only regret that I will never again hear the wonderful sound of 'Chang Xiang Si'."

  The princess smiled slightly, her eyebrows and eyes gentle. "So next time, please come and sit down, and bring 'Changxiangsi' together too. I quite like talking to you."

  It's been a long time since I've spoken so freely and naturally with someone, and my heart is also joyful. "Your Highness's kindness, how dare I not obey?"

  When I returned to Ganlu Temple, the sky was already late. Huàn Bì and Qiū Suī were anxious and didn't dare to make a big fuss to look for me. They stretched their necks outside the door for a long time, saw me coming back, and Huàn Bì came to pull my hand with joy, complaining: "Miss, where did you go? It's so late and you still haven't come back, it really makes people anxious to death. If you don't come back again, Qiū Suī and I can only report to the abbot to go out and look for you."

  He took the firewood from my basket and said warmly, "You must be tired from the journey, lunch is ready, go eat quickly."

  Two people sat around me, brought water for me to wash my face, and I told them about today's events in detail.

  Her eyebrows slightly furrowed, like a curled up wave. "As you said, milady, what you saw was indeed the Shu Gui Imperial Concubine. I was in the palace at the end of the Longqing era and only met the Shu Gui Imperial Concubine a few times. However, her elegance is something that people who have seen her will never forget for their entire lives."

  I put down my chopsticks and asked in puzzlement, "Princess Shu Gui had become a nun by imperial decree to cultivate herself at a Taoist temple, why was she practicing around Ganlu Temple which is a Buddhist temple? Shouldn't she be going to a Taoist temple instead?"

  "Shu Gui Taifei is indeed cultivating in the Taoist temple, which is where she currently resides at An Qi Guan." Qian Cai's voice lowered, "Because the Empress Dowager said that cultivation requires quietness to be at peace, so only Shu Gui Taifei lives with a single maid."

  Ling was startled and let out a soft cry. I hastily signaled her to calm down.

  She didn't dare to make another sound, quietly staring at Qi Wei, listening to her continue. Qi Wei sighed, full of regret and said: "Shu Gui Taifei was the most favored by the previous emperor before his death, almost to the point where all the other concubines were overshadowed. She had exclusive love and favor from the emperor. However, because she came from a different ethnic group, although she was adopted under the name of Ruan Yan, it was just a cover-up. All the consorts in the palace knew her true background, so they looked down on her. After being promoted to Taifei, she lived in the Tai Ping Xing Palace and didn't interact with the other consorts. Later, when the sixth prince was born, who is now the Qing He Wang, the emperor favored him greatly because of his intelligence and filial piety. Despite the opposition from the empress dowager, he promoted Shu Gui Fei to Shu Gui Taifei, making her the highest-ranking consort in the palace. Not only that, but Yu E Fu Ren hated Shu Gui Taifei before she died, and the empress was deposed because of her. Even the former empress dowager didn't get along with her, making things difficult for her everywhere. In such a situation, although the previous emperor favored her greatly, Shu Gui Taifei had many enemies in the palace and found it hard to take a step. The only one who got along with her was the current empress dowager, who was previously Lin Fei. They were like close sisters, supporting each other through thick and thin. Several times when Shu Gui Taifei was wronged, Lin Fei stood up for her. Therefore, even the previous emperor pitied the current empress dowager, and after the empress's death, she took charge of the six palaces, making life slightly easier for Shu Gui Taifei."

  The late emperor's favoritism towards Consort Shu Gui made me recall the words of Xuan Qing on Tonghua Pavilion - "It's actually a good thing for someone to receive favor, but if one person were to monopolize all the favor and become the object of resentment in the six palaces, then Xuan Qing would truly have reason to cry for Concubine Wei."

  He was sighing for me, but also sighing for her birth mother, Consort Shu.

  Favoring one person is also resenting one person. Excessive favoritism is like placing someone on hot coals!

  The Empress Dowager's affection for Consort Shu is so deep, and I am also moved upon hearing it. Thinking of Mei Zhuang in the palace, I couldn't help but sigh repeatedly.

  What she said seemed to be praising Empress Dowager's virtues and her sisterly relationship with Consort Shu, but it had nothing to do with my question.

  She understood my question, and with a slight wave of her hand, she smiled and said: "After the death of the previous emperor, Empress Dowager Shu was overcome with grief and wanted to follow him in death several times. Fortunately, the palace staff discovered this early on and rescued her. Although the imperial consorts had previously complained about Empress Dowager Shu and had many disagreements with her, they were also deeply moved by her actions. Even the officials outside the palace knew about it and praised Empress Dowager Shu's great righteousness. The empress dowager was also deeply moved, and at that time, Empress Dowager Shu asked to leave the palace to pray for the previous emperor, entrusting the sixth prince to the empress dowager to raise. The empress dowager appreciated Empress Dowager Shu's kindness and said that she could not live with the nuns in Ganlu Temple, so a special Anqi Temple was built for Empress Dowager Shu to live alone. Therefore, she ordered her to go to the Taoist temple instead of entering Ganlu Temple to practice Buddhism. The empress dowager also feared that others would serve Empress Dowager Shu and make her angry, so she let Empress Dowager Shu's personal maid follow her to live there as well. This was also the empress dowager's consideration for Empress Dowager Shu's feelings. Of course, unless it was a major event, Empress Dowager Shu could not leave Anqi Temple at will."

  What Yuxuan said was very tactful, but no matter how tactful, I understood.

  Shu Gui Taifei lived in a Taoist temple, while Ganlu Temple was a Buddhist temple. Naturally, they didn't have any contact with each other. Moreover, there was only one maid serving her... My heart skipped a beat, thinking that Shu Gui Taifei had almost cut off all ties and news from the outside world.

  I remained expressionless, slowly picking up a piece of green vegetables with my chopsticks. The overcooked green vegetables were easily picked at, weak and vulnerable. I said nonchalantly, "I heard that the previous emperor was very fond of Qinghe King before his death, and had considered making him the crown prince several times."

  "Her Highness Shu Gui's birth was controversial among the people, and even the officials opposed the establishment of Qinghe King as the crown prince. There were several other princes above Qinghe King, although our dynasty emphasizes the establishment of virtue rather than age, and the empress did not leave behind a biological son. However, the other princes, such as the current emperor, were also outstanding at that time. Lin Fei was second only to Shu Gui in terms of status and favor within the palace, and her birth was even more noble, with the power to control the six palaces. Therefore, it was reasonable for the late emperor to pass on the throne to the current emperor. Moreover, there was also the support of the regent king at that time, so the current emperor's accession to the throne was a matter of course."

  I just feel a chill in my mind, but it's as clear as a mirror and suddenly bright.

  The Regent! He is the most crucial piece for Xu Ling's succession to the throne.

  But I soon calmed myself down.

  It's just an old story, all the grudges of the previous generation. Now, sitting steadily on the nine-dragon golden throne in Ziyao City, overlooking the world and holding the universe in his hand is Xuan Ling.

  Shu Gui Fei and Xuan Qing were both sacrificed in the struggle for imperial power. No matter how unwilling, the fact is that it has already happened and cannot be changed again.

  But whatever the truth may be, my interactions with Shu Gui and Xuan Qing have nothing to do with imperial power anymore. After all, I am already a person outside of the court.

  I muttered: "The root of all disputes is that Empress Shu Guifei was a woman from the Manchu Plain White Banner."

  Lan Caihe had been quietly listening, but when she heard this, the rice bowl in her hand "clanged" onto the table, spinning around. I quickly helped her hold down the ceramic bowl and asked with concern: "What's wrong?"

  Lan Bi's eyes suddenly jumped, and she hurriedly smiled: "I'm just curious, is Shu Gui Taifei from a humble background?"

  "Uh-huh."

  She gently brushed away the strands of hair that had fallen onto her shoulders and softly said, "After the Pacification of Bai, it became a vassal state of Great Zhou. However, being from a different ethnic group, it's not easy for Shu Gui to reach this position despite being from a different ethnicity."

  I tilted my head and asked, "Lan Bi, you seem to know something about Bai Yi."

  "Ah?" she exclaimed softly, "It's just that I've heard some rumors." Her eyes pleaded with me as she said, "Miss, you just mentioned taking 'Chang Xiang Si' to the imperial concubine's place, can I come along too?"

  I said to Yan Yuese: "You also want to see Taifei? We happen to be taking Qin there, let's go together."

  Her cheeks flushed with a soft and childlike joy, she nodded vigorously.