The silence of Xuán Jì lasted for a long time, and he looked up at her, asking, “You Shi, do you know where the palace maid Yunyan is now?”
Yu Yao faintly shook her head, her eyes confused. "I only heard about these old stories by chance, and I don't know where Yunyan is now. Master, are you looking for her to find out the truth?"
The "chance hearing" was all made up by her. If it were not for the system telling her, she would not have known these.
Xuan Jì did not know what she was thinking, sighing lightly. "I just have many doubts in my heart, and I want to find her to solve the puzzles in my mind. I want to know what really happened in the past, and who caused the death of Empress Min. Perhaps, only by finding her can I truly understand my own identity."
Initially, he only regarded himself as abandoned by his parents and relatives, naturally not wanting to look for it, let alone an out of family person.
But now, hearing this, it seems that his mother was poisoned to death and entrusted her child in her last moments out of necessity, so he wants to find the truth.
Yu Yao wanted to say that Empress Min was killed by the Queen, but when she thought about the Queen being the biological mother of Mò jué in this lifetime, she felt a headache coming on.
Suddenly, she regretted telling Xuan Jì the truth.
She knew that her thoughts were very selfish, but she truly didn't want to see Mo Jue and Xuan Ji kill each other.
One is her husband in her previous life, and the other is the father of her two children in this lifetime.
If the two were to fight one day, she really didn't know who to help.
Xuan Ji saw her silent and looking troubled and resentful, and asked in confusion, "You Shi Yu, what's wrong with you?"
Yu Yao faintly shook her head, her eyes focused on Xuan Jì, and said, "Master Xuan Jì, have you heard any clues about Yunyan in Wan Fa Si? Perhaps the abbot and elders in the temple might know something."
Even if she doesn't help, Xuan Jì himself will search for the truth, and let everything take its course.
Xuan Jì shook his head slightly, sighing, "Ever since I can remember, I have been practicing at Wan Fo Temple. My master has always been secretive about my background. The elders are unaware of it either, only knowing that I was found and taken in by the abbot at the entrance of the mountain. As for anything else, I know nothing."
"If that's the case, you might as well go back to Wan Fo Temple and ask the abbot. He may know some clues. You were taken out of the palace by Yunyan, and children from the palace always leave some things that prove their identity on them. It's possible they're there at the abbot's place."
Yu Yao fell silent for a moment before suggesting.
Yu Yao worried that those items might be taken by Yunyan's childhood sweetheart, who would then sell them for money, making things complicated.
Xuan Jì was reminded by her and also thought that the master might know something, so he expressed gratitude, "The words of You Shi Yu are reasonable. Then poor monk will leave immediately now, so that I can return as soon as possible."
"Master, why the hurry? It's late now, it's not too late to set off early in the morning."
As she spoke, she saw You You yawn, knowing that the little girl was tired. She put down the drumstick and picked up the child, gently patting her back to lull her to sleep.
The little girl fell asleep quickly, soon she was asleep.
"Then it's good. It's not urgent at all."
As Xuan Jì saw You You sleeping peacefully, a softness filled his heart. So he followed suit and gently lulled An An to sleep.
After the siblings were asleep, they gently placed the child in the cradle and tucked the small quilt in.
At this moment, Aunt Zhou hurried into the room to tell the two that dinner was ready and they could go eat.
Yu Yao looked at Xuan Jì and said, "Master Xuan Jì, let's go eat dinner."
Xuan Jì's hands were clasped together, slightly bowing, "Please, You Shi Yu."
The two walked side by side out of the room, the night was deep, the moonlight shone like water, adding a few more tranquility and harmony to this small courtyard.
The few lotus plants in the courtyard swayed gently in the night, as if they were also listening to this extraordinary story.
At the dining table, a few flickering candles cast light on the figures of the two sitting face to face, making the atmosphere particularly warm and intimate.
Aunt Zhao's cooking skills were impressive, and the few vegetarian dishes, though simple, were delicious in color, aroma and taste. The air was filled with a subtle scent of rice.
She carefully served the dishes to Xuan Jì with a smile, "Just some simple tea and light meals, I hope you won't mind."
Xuan Jì took a bite and smiled, "There's no need for You Shi Yu to say that. A person who practices should be indifferent to fame and fortune, food and color are empty. These dishes are already very good, and they have given me a sense of home warmth."
"Home?"
Yu Yao's eyes subtly moved as she softly repeated that word, and she smiled faintly, "Yes, with the children, this place has become our home."
"Our home?"
Xuan Jì's eyes stared at her, a inexplicable emotion surging in his heart.
But he quickly looked away, cupping his hands together, slightly bowing his head, and concealing the waves in his eyes. "Ah Mo Fa, I was out of line for a moment, please forgive me, You Shi Yu."
She gently shook her head and softly spoke, "Master Xuan Jì, you don't have to be so polite. You know, although I am an immortal, since I met you, my heart has been different. What I long for is just a simple and ordinary happiness."
Xuan Jì's eyes were complicated, and he felt more and more guilty. He dare not look into her eyes: "You Shi Yu, although humans and immortals are separated, love is a word that can cross all things. You and I have good intentions in our hearts, which is already rare."
Xuan Jì knew what she wanted, but he was already a Buddhist disciple, and he wondered if he had the right to such a happy life.
Yu Yao didn't want to pressure him either, but still couldn't help but ask, "Master Xuan Jì, have you ever regretted the love between us?"
Yu Yao thought that Xuan Jì would nod and say he was regretful, but to her surprise, he actually shook his head.
"You Shi Yu, every living thing in the world has cause and effect. Our meeting may be preordained. Although I am a monk, I cannot escape the fate of love. That night, if it weren't for your help, I might have died. I only hope that in the future, we can jointly protect these two children and let them grow up healthy."
Yu Yao's eyes were slightly red, but she also smiled with relief: "Master Xuan Jì, with your words, I am content. As for the future, let's see how it goes with the destiny between you and me."
After dinner, they took a walk in the courtyard to aid digestion.
The moonlight cast its glow on the two of them, adding a touch of warmth and tranquility.
"You Shi Yu, will you accompany me back to Wan Fo Si tomorrow?"
She walked on the cobblestone path in the courtyard, looking to her side at Xuan Jì walking beside her, and asked in a soft voice.
Xuan Jì looked at her and shook his head, "No need, this trip I need to face alone. Whatever the result is, I need to bear it myself. You should rest assured here and take care of the children. When I return, we will talk in detail."
Yu Yao's heart had some reluctance, but she knew he had a point, so she no longer insisted. "Then Master Xuan Jì, please take care on your journey. Yu Yao and the two children will wait for you to return."
If Xuan Jì claims that there is no trace of emotion upon hearing the word "home" again, it would be a lie.
Looking up at her, Xuan Jì's deep eyes were full of complexity, and the depths of his eyes hid a profound sentiment that was hard to let go.
Although he did not answer, he implicitly acknowledged the word "home."
Yu Yao looked at him and the smile on her face deepened.
The two talked for a while longer before heading back to their rooms to rest.
Xuan Jì sat on the bed, softly murmuring the word "home" in his mouth.
This simple word seems to have an endless power now, stirring up ripples of emotions in his heart.
The image of Yu Yao's gentle face and the sleeping expressions of the two cute children flashed across his mind.
He also remembered the details of their time together, those warm moments like beautiful paintings unfolding slowly in his heart.
He thought of her carefulness when she served him dishes.
He thought of her charming and gentle look under the moonlight.
He thought of her loving expression when she was with the two children.
This "home" has become so warm and real because of her two children.
Thinking about her, a smile slowly spread across his lips, revealing a hint of joy.
The next morning, just as the sky began to show the palest hint of dawn, Lianhua County was shrouded in a layer of mist, serene and harmonious.
Yu Yao quietly got up and dressed, careful not to disturb the sleeping children.
Xuan Jì was already meditating in the courtyard early in the morning. The morning wind swept through his monk's robe, making him appear solemn and transcendent.
"Master, breakfast is ready. Have some before going to Wan Fo Temple."
Yu Yao pushed open the door and walked out. She saw Xuan Jì meditating in the courtyard, slightly stunned, and smiled faintly.
Xuan Jì slowly opened his eyes, stood up, and bowed with joined hands, "You Shi Yu has done so much. Master Xuan Jì will have breakfast now and leave immediately."
She led him to the dining room, where there was a simple bowl of congee and some small dishes on the table.
Xuan Jì sat down and silently ate his breakfast.
Yu Yao sat opposite him and drank congee, "Master, the journey to Wan Fo Temple is long and far, you must be very careful."
Xuan Jì nodded slightly, "You Shi Yu, rest assured, I will take care of myself. When I return, I will tell you the details."
After breakfast, Yu Yao handed him a package, "Inside there are some dry food and silver coins. You might need them on the journey, Master. Please take care of yourself."
Her voice choked, her eyes revealing a hint of reluctance.
Xuan Jì took the package, feeling a sense of reluctance as well, "I know, take good care of An An and You You, and don't overexert yourself either. I'm leaving."
She nodded slightly, watching him leave the courtyard gate until his figure disappeared in the morning mist, completely out of sight.
