The sky gradually darkened, and the entire courtyard fell into silence.
When Xuan Qing emerged from the hall, he saw Chi Yan leaning against the thick trunk of a large tree in the courtyard, her eyes slightly closed.
She was dressed in a thin, light blue dance skirt, her waist slender, adorned with a flower-shaped forehead pendant, fine bracelets on her wrists, and silver bells on her feet. Her fair, delicate face was sharp and beautiful, her red lips full, her eyes charming and alluring. She leaned there quietly, like a blooming peony.
He walked over slowly with a smile.
"Still waiting for him."
Hearing the sound, Chi Yan opened her eyes. Seeing him, she curved her eyes.
"Are you done talking?"
"Not yet, he's still inside."
Chi Yan pouted in dissatisfaction, "So slow. Does Xie Bei Han have that much to do? Isn't he in a hurry to see his little beauty?"
Xuan Qing stood before her and asked, "Is the woman you saw at noon someone from Xiao Chi Zhan's faction?"
"Yes, what do you want to do?"
Chi Yan looked at him with a smile.
Xuan Qing laughed heartily, "How dare I? Your Majesty seems to be very fond of that woman."
"Mm, so please don't cause any trouble. Otherwise, that madman Xie Bei Han won't show mercy to Southern Xinjiang."
"Hahaha, thank you for the reminder, Aba Huan."
Chi Yan's red lips curved slightly, her eyes flashing with a cunning smile.
"How about I give you an idea."
Xuan Qing smiled faintly and changed the subject, "I heard the Khan arranged a marriage for you?"
Chi Yan seemed reluctant to talk about it, leaning back lazily and grunting in affirmation.
"Back then, my father personally went to the desert to propose, but the Khan refused. It hasn't been long, and you've already been betrothed."
There was a hint of regret in his tone.
Chi Yan scoffed, "The Young Sacrificial Officer is to inherit the throne in the future. He absolutely cannot be with me in the desert. No discussion."
Xuan Qing laughed heartily and gossiped, "Looking at you, are you still thinking about the one inside?"
"Can't I?"
"My dear sister, he's become a monk. You two have no chance."
Chi Yan sneered, "Can't a monk return to secular life?"
"But I feel like he hates you to death."
The two chatted leisurely, completely unaware of Xu Qing emerging from the main hall.
Under the moonlight, by the lotus pond, two figures were faintly visible.
Although the man's figure was very tall, almost completely blocking the person inside, he immediately spotted the blue.
"Yo, the person seems to be out."
Xuan Qing sensed the gaze from behind him, a half-smile on his face.
Hearing this, Chi Yan quickly stood on tiptoe to look.
In fact, she was quite tall, but this guy was too tall, and she still had to stand on tiptoe to see the scene ahead.
As expected, under the corridor, a man in a kasaya was standing.
A cunning glint flashed in her eyes, and she immediately hooked her arm around Xuan Qing's neck.
"Good brother, cooperate."
Xuan Qing leaned down, put his arm around her waist, and said ambiguously, "He knows I proposed to you before. Aren't you afraid of angering him?"
"I want to anger him."
Chi Yan deliberately leaned her head on his shoulder, her peripheral vision glancing at the person under the corridor.
Xu Qing saw the two figures nestled under the moonlight. His expression was calm, without any ripple. He glanced once, then walked around the long corridor to the back.
Chi Yan saw the person leaving without looking back and gnashed her teeth in anger.
"Stupid idiot."
She pushed Xuan Qing away and was about to chase after him.
Xuan Qing suddenly grabbed her hand and raised an eyebrow, "Sister, isn't it inappropriate?"
Chi Yan flicked her wrist back and pressed gently, causing the latter to immediately let go in pain.
"A bit too soft."
Xuan Qing burst out laughing but no longer blocked her, turning to leave.
Chi Yan ignored him and directly chased after Xu Qing. She went around the corridor and reached the Scripture Depository, where she saw the figure by the window.
She lightly tapped her toes and leaped up.
Xu Qing stood before the scripture shelves, flipping through the scrolls. Hearing the movement, he didn't turn his head.
Chi Yan walked over from behind, hugged his waist, and pressed her face against his firm back, remaining silent.
In the pavilion, the air flowed with a quiet stillness.
"Before, you used to get jealous when you saw me talking to others. Now, you don't care about anything. Ah Xuan, do you really not want me anymore?"
Xu Qing's body stiffened. He forcefully pried her hands loose, then, without saying a word, walked directly towards the door.
Chi Yan immediately flashed to block the door, her brows raised in a challenging look.
Xu Qing also looked at her, his brown pupils as calm as ever.
Chi Yan was not afraid at all, her red lips curving, "You're angry!"
The force he used just now clearly indicated a fluctuation of emotion.
"No."
Chi Yan smiled and moved closer, "Then why are you here in the Scripture Depository? Are you trying to constantly remind yourself of your identity?"
Xu Qing took a step back, lowering his gaze.
"As a person of faith, what else would I look at but scriptures."
Boring!
"Xuan Chen, you've only been a monk for a few years, and you've become more and more uninteresting."
Before, although he appeared detached from the world, he was incredibly unrestrained underneath. In bed, he was even more so.
Xu Qing remained silent, bypassing her to leave.
Chi Yan looked at his indifferent demeanor, and her heart ached. For so many years, no matter what she did, he refused to let go, ignoring her.
She pressed a hand on the door, blocking him.
"Let me pass."
"No!"
Chi Yan struggled, seeing his calm expression, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What do I need to do for you to forgive me?"
She was tired of his placid, emotionless look. She wanted the Xuan Chen of the past, who would be sad or happy because of her.
Xu Qing didn't move, only lowered his gaze to look at her.
"The Khan has found a good match for Aba Huan. Once matters in Southern Xinjiang are concluded, return to the Northern Desert."
Chi Yan's eyes suddenly welled up. She lowered her gaze, pressing herself tightly against him.
"And never see you again in this life?"
Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, "This humble monk knows his sins are grave and will devote himself to Buddhism for life, accompanied by green lamps and ancient Buddha."
Hearing his heartless words, tears streamed down Chi Yan's face uncontrollably.
She bit her lip hard to suppress them, burying her face in his robes, and spoke.
"I was wrong back then. But the desert is impoverished, with constant tribal conflicts and years of warfare between the two countries. I am Aba Huan of the desert, and I must be responsible for the desert. I cannot stand by and watch my people suffer the hardships of war."
"It was my despicable methods, using you, betraying you, it was all my fault. I am willing to pay the price for my mistakes. Tell me, what must I do for you to forgive me?"
Her voice was hoarse and choked with sobs. Although she tried her best to suppress them, in the quiet room, a trace of unnaturalness could still be heard.
Xu Qing could feel the dampness on his chest.
He raised his eyes, holding prayer beads in his hand, remaining silent.
Chi Yan noticed that the hand holding the prayer beads was turning white. Her heart gave a jolt.
Before, he hated seeing her cry the most.
She should show weakness.
With that thought, she slowly raised her head, her eyes fixed on him, tears glistening. Her alluring face held a hint of sorrow.
Xu Qing didn't look at her, his gaze fixed indifferently on the closed door.
Chi Yan deliberately sniffled softly, tugged at his robes, and said coyly, "Ah Xuan, I don't want to marry someone else. You said you would marry me."