Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 237 Qingchen's Homecoming, the Enchantress's Excitement

Half an hour later, the familiar mountain valley of Yuni Temple appeared before us, but the scene before us was completely different from the last time we came.

The once tranquil and elegant Taoist temple is now tightly closed, with two huge white seals crossed on the door, bearing the three large characters "Xuanjingsi" written in cinnabar, which look particularly glaring and desolate.

The bamboo grove outside the temple is still lush and green, but it is no longer elegant; instead, it is filled with desolation.

The case of Sun Demao stirred up a huge wave in Yunzhou City and even the entire Great Chen Dynasty.

As the Xuanjing Division deepened its investigation, the confession personally signed by Sun Demao became like a sharp sword, severing a complex web of vested interests.

For a time, the entire officialdom of Da Chen was in a state of panic, with everyone feeling insecure.

Empress Wu Zhao seized this opportunity to carry out a sweeping purge of the officialdom, replacing many vacant important positions with her favorite confidants, thus further consolidating her imperial power.

Therefore, the fate of Yuni Temple was already sealed.

As the hideout where Sun Demao concealed evidence of his crimes and secretly met with the demons of the Demonic Sect, the Yu Ni Temple was completely sealed off by the soldiers of the Xuanjing Division the day after Sun Demao's downfall.

The abbot and several female Taoist priests who were closely associated with Sun Demao were directly thrown into the Heavenly Prison to await their fate, where they would suffer the same fate as Sun Demao.

The remaining ordinary Taoist nuns were ordered to disperse within three days and find their own way out.

Zhou Yuru's handling of the situation was rather subtle.

Logically speaking, as Sun Demao's wife, and frequently visiting Yuni Temple to pass messages to her husband and inventory stolen goods, it would be impossible for her to be completely absolved of responsibility.

But in the end, she was not seriously implicated.

On the one hand, it was because she came from the Zhou family, a top clan in Yunzhou, and her father, Zhou Xuanqing, was the Grand Tutor of the court, with disciples and friends all over the world. Therefore, to touch her would be to slap the Zhou family in the face. Even if the Empress was powerful, she would have to consider appeasing this huge force.

On the other hand, it was because Chen Ye deliberately covered up for Sun Demao when recording her statement.

Whenever Zhou Yuru's crimes were mentioned, he would gloss over them or simply attribute them to Sun Demao's coercion and manipulation, portraying her as a deceived and helpless victim.

Therefore, Zhou Yuru was only reprimanded by the Empress, a portion of her family property was confiscated, and she was ordered to reflect on her mistakes in the Grand Tutor's mansion. There were no other more severe punishments.

Many people see this outcome as an act of leniency, and an acceptable compromise under the power struggle among various parties.

But for the ordinary Taoist nuns at Yuni Temple, all of this was tantamount to the sky falling and the earth collapsing.

With the closure of the Yu Ni Temple, these nuns, who had grown up in the temple since childhood and were ignorant of the ways of the world, instantly became rootless duckweed, thrown into the cold and unfamiliar mortal world, not knowing where to go or what to do.

Qingchen is one of them.

At this moment, Qingchen's bundle looked very empty, containing only a few old Taoist robes to change into and some odds and ends that belonged to a young woman.

This was all her possessions.

Although she hadn't been here long, for Qingchen, Yu Ni Temple was her home, her whole world.

But now, my home is gone.

The senior and junior disciples in the temple gathered in twos and threes, and after crying, they began to plan their own way out.

Some were picked up by distant relatives who rushed to the scene, while others went together to seek refuge in other Taoist temples.

She was all alone, with no relatives or friends, and nowhere to go.

"Junior Sister Qingchen, what...what are your plans?" An older Daoist nun walked over, looking at the lonely Qingchen with sympathy and pity on her face.

Qingchen raised her head, her clear eyes now brimming with tears, then shook her head, her voice barely audible.

"I...I don't know."

The nun sighed, took out a few pieces of silver from her bosom, and stuffed them into Qingchen's hand without saying a word.

"Take this money, go to the city and find an inn to stay in first, and then we'll figure out a solution later."

"We are also heading to Qingxia Temple in Shanyang County. The journey is long, and we really can't take you with us. Take care of yourself."

After saying that, she said no more, turned around and followed the other Taoist nuns along the mountain path without looking back.

Qingchen held the few pieces of silver still warm from their bodies in her hand, watching their receding figures, then slowly squatted down, and the tears she had been holding back finally burst forth.

She had no idea where her future lay.

Perhaps all I can do is take these few pieces of silver and find the cheapest inn in the city to stay in, and when the money runs out, I'll just find somewhere to spend the rest of my days.

Or, like those desperate girls, they might sell themselves to earn a living.

The thought of that tragic situation filled Qingchen's heart with boundless fear and despair.

She didn't want to do that, but what could she do?

Just when she was in despair, a pair of black official boots appeared in front of her.

Qingchen's crying stopped abruptly.

She slowly raised her head and looked up along the pair of official boots.

The newcomer was dressed in a crisp black official robe, with a white jade waist token of the Xuanjing Division and a long, narrow embroidered spring knife hanging from his waist. The mythical beasts embroidered in gold thread gleamed in the sunlight, highlighting the owner's noble status.

His posture was as upright as a pine tree, his face was exceptionally handsome, and his deep eyes were quietly looking at her.

This was a face that had appeared countless times in her dreams, a face that tossed and turned in her sleep, a face she longed for day and night.

Although he took off his coarse peddler's clothes and put on a dignified and luxurious black official robe, and washed the dust off his face, revealing his handsome and unparalleled true appearance.

But that straight nose, those deep eyes, and those familiar facial features all pointed to one person.

It's him! That young peddler who calls himself Chen Ye!

Qingchen's mind went blank for a moment, and she even forgot to cry.

She tried to stand up, but after squatting for so long, her legs were numb. As soon as she moved, her body went limp, and she was about to fall to the ground.

A strong, powerful arm reached out in time and steadily supported her.

"Be careful."

Chen Ye's voice was deep and magnetic. The warmth emanating from his arm, along with the faint scent of sunshine and soapberry emanating from him, made Qing Chen's body freeze instantly, and her cheeks burned so hot they could fry an egg.

"me……"

She stammered, too nervous to utter a complete sentence, and could only bury her head low, not daring to look him in the eye.

Chen Ye looked at her shy, quail-like appearance and sighed inwardly.

In order to obtain intelligence, he used the Heartstrings Master's talent to plant a seed of affection and trust in her heart.

Now it seems that this seed has taken root and sprouted in the girl's heart, growing into a towering tree.

That is precisely why he came here today.

Sun Demao has fallen from power, and Yuni Temple has been sealed off; this matter should have ended there.

He could have easily pretended not to know anything and let this naive young Taoist nun fend for herself, disappearing into the vast sea of ​​people.

But Chen Ye was not truly heartless.

Using the feelings of a naive young girl to achieve his own goals has already crossed his bottom line.

If you discard it like a worn-out shoe afterward, what difference is there between you and those despicable and shameless people?
So, here he comes.

To put an end to his past actions and to arrange a good home for this poor girl.

"Has everyone in the temple... dispersed?" Chen Ye asked knowingly, breaking the somewhat awkward silence.

At the same time, his voice pulled Qingchen back from her chaotic thoughts.

She nodded, her voice slightly choked with emotion: "Yes, they're all gone."

"And what about you? What are your plans?" Chen Ye continued to ask.

"I..." Qingchen opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Plans? What plans could she possibly have?
With no relatives or friends and nothing to her name, she was like a rootless duckweed in this vast city of Yunzhou, not even knowing where her next meal would come from.

Seeing her bewildered and helpless look, Chen Ye stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Would you like to come with me?"

"what?"

Qingchen suddenly raised her head, her big, watery eyes filled with disbelief.

He...he's going to take me away?

Where is he taking me?

Does he like me too? Is that why he came to find me at this time?

The girl's mind was simple and direct, and she immediately thought of that aspect.

Chen Ye heard her thoughts clearly, felt a little helpless, and then coughed lightly and said, "Don't misunderstand."

"You helped me a lot by bringing down Sun Demao. Now that Yuni Temple has been sealed off, you have nowhere to go. If I sit idly by and do nothing, wouldn't I become an ungrateful villain?"

"So I came to pick you up to arrange a place for you to settle down, so that you will have no worries about food and clothing in the future. This is also my responsibility."

He defined his actions as a responsibility, deliberately avoiding any words related to romantic relationships.

However, Qingchen, who had already fallen into a certain emotional state, clearly experienced a sharp decline in his comprehension at this moment.

Hearing Chen Ye's words, she didn't feel disappointed at all; instead, she felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

He truly is a kind and compassionate person!

He cares about me! He feels a responsibility towards me!

Chen Ye: "..."

He found that reasoning with a girl who is obsessed with love is a very difficult thing.

That's it.

Some things get more complicated the more you explain them, so it's better to just let things take their natural course.

"So... are you willing to come with me?" Chen Ye asked.

This time, Qingchen didn't hesitate at all and nodded firmly, "I'm willing!"

Her voice was clear and resonant, filled with the joy of surviving a disaster and boundless anticipation for the future.

"it is good."

Chen Ye nodded and then extended his hand. "Let's go then."

Qingchen looked at the hand with its distinct knuckles, clean and slender, and her cheeks flushed again. Then she reached out her small hand and gently placed it on the hand.

Chen Ye's palms were warm and dry, carrying a reassuring power.

The moment their hands clasped, a strange warmth welled up from the bottom of Qingchen's heart and instantly spread throughout his body.

Qingchen felt her body go weak and could only let him lead her step by step out of the bamboo forest.

The sunshine felt warm and cozy on my skin.

She followed behind him, watching his tall and straight back, watching the official robes on him gleaming in the sunlight, and felt as if everything before her was an unreal dream.

A dream that was too beautiful.

She didn't even dare to breathe deeply, for fear that she might accidentally wake up from this dream.

Chen Ye led her to the edge of the ravine, then without saying much, he mounted his horse and reached out to Qingchen, who was still standing on the ground, saying, "Get on."

Qingchen's face flushed again, and her heart started pounding uncontrollably, but her body honestly reached out her hand.

With a slight effort, Chen Ye lifted her petite body onto the horse and placed her in front of him.

Their bodies inevitably pressed tightly together.

Qingchen could clearly feel the warmth of Chen Ye's body and the strong, powerful heartbeat coming from behind her. She was so nervous that she didn't know where to put her hands, so she could only grip the saddle in front of her tightly, her body as taut as a string.

"Sit tight."

Chen Ye's voice rang in her ear, and his warm breath brushed against her earlobe, making her involuntarily shrink her neck.

Chen Ye then squeezed the horse's belly with his legs.

"drive!"

With a neigh, the Snow-Treading Black Steed galloped off like a black lightning bolt towards Yunzhou City.

The wind whistled past her ears, ruffling her hair and stirring her heart.

Qingchen leaned against Chen Ye's broad and warm embrace, smelling his pleasant scent and feeling the lightning speed around her. Her panicked heart gradually calmed down without her realizing it.

She secretly looked up, and from her angle, she could only see Chen Ye's well-defined jawline and his slightly bobbing Adam's apple.

Even so, she was somewhat mesmerized by it.

As long as I can be by his side, it seems... it doesn't matter where we go.

……

Half an hour later, the speed of the Snow-Treading Black Steed gradually slowed down.

A magnificent mansion, covering an area of ​​enormous scale, appeared before Qingchen's eyes.

The gate was vermilion, with towering stone lions and a huge black plaque with gold lettering hanging above it, bearing two large characters written in a flamboyant style.

Tinglanxuan!
Qingchen could sense the extraordinary status of the owner from the size and grandeur of the mansion.

Is this... his home?
A strange sense of tension and inferiority welled up in Qingchen's heart.

Does a helpless and destitute Taoist nun really deserve to live in such a family?

Just as she was lost in thought, Chen Ye dismounted and then carried her down again.

When the servants at the gate saw their master return, they quickly stepped forward and took the horse's reins.

"Master."

Chen Ye nodded, then said to Qing Chen, who was standing beside him looking a little uneasy, "Come on, follow me."

As he spoke, he took the lead and stepped onto the stairs.

Qingchen bit her lip, quickly picked up her small bundle, and followed closely behind.

At that moment, she was unaware that on a street corner not far away, a pair of cold and amused eyes were quietly watching everything.

"Tsk tsk, brought one back again."

Yuan Xiao'e, or rather Bai Yingluo, licked her lips, a hint of undisguised greed and excitement flashing in her pure eyes.

"This guy is quite the ladies' man!"

"But that's good, it makes it more interesting!"

Chen Ye, unaware of all this, led Qingchen inside.

When the servants in the mansion saw their new master leading back a young woman dressed in a Taoist robe with an exceptionally beautiful appearance, although they were curious, none of them dared to look at her for long. They all bowed their heads and paid their respects.

"Master."

Butler Chen Zhong hurried forward, his gaze sweeping quickly over Qingchen before returning to his calm and composed expression.

"Go to the west and prepare a quiet courtyard for this Miss Qingchen to stay in," Chen Ye instructed calmly. "Treat her as a guest, and draw all expenses from my account. There must be no slightest neglect."

"Yes, young master." Chen Zhong bowed and replied, but secretly pondered to himself.

This young woman, Qingchen, looked to be no more than fifteen or sixteen years old. Her temperament was as pure as a mountain spring, unlike that of someone from the world of prostitution.

Furthermore, the young master specifically instructed that she be treated with the courtesy due to a guest, which carries significant weight, indicating that this young lady holds an extraordinary position in the young master's heart.

Qingchen followed behind Chen Ye, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.

She had never seen such a luxurious mansion. The bluestone slabs under her feet were as smooth as a mirror, the carved beams and painted rafters under the corridors were exquisite, and even the air was filled with a faint, comforting sandalwood fragrance.

Just then, a gentle and charming figure emerged from behind the moon gate; it was Xie Weining.

Today she wore a moon-white casual home dress, her long hair loosely tied up with a jade hairpin, which made her skin look even whiter and her face even more beautiful.

Xie Weining was overjoyed to hear that her husband had returned, so she came out to greet him, but she never expected to see this scene.

When her gaze fell on the charming, somewhat timid young Taoist nun beside Chen Ye, the smile on her face froze slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and gentleness.

"Husband, you're back." She stepped forward slowly, her voice soft, as if she hadn't seen Qingchen at all.

However, thanks to the Heartstring Master's talent, Chen Ye was still able to clearly hear her true inner thoughts at that moment.

Yet another one...

Who is this girl? She's wearing a Taoist robe and looks so innocent, not like... not like that alluring tofu seller from the south of the city.

Chen Ye sighed inwardly, then stepped forward and naturally took Xie Weining's hand. The warm touch calmed Xie Weining's chaotic thoughts a little.

"Wei Ning, let me introduce you. This is Miss Qing Chen, a victim in the Sun Demao case. I asked her for some help when I was investigating the case. Now that Yuni Temple has been sealed off, she has no relatives or friends and nowhere to go. I would feel uneasy if I ignored her."

He succinctly explained the situation, deliberately emphasizing Qingchen's victimhood and his own responsibility.

"She's just an innocent young girl who's been dragged into this mess, which is already pitiful, so I plan to take her in as a form of compensation."

After hearing Chen Ye's explanation, Xie Weining's doubts vanished instantly.

It turned out to be the case.

She glanced at Qingchen, who was still looking down, as nervous as a frightened rabbit, and a pang of pity welled up in her heart.

It is indeed pitiful that someone so young is homeless.

The fact that her husband remembered the little Taoist nun who had helped her after achieving fame and success, and brought her back to his home to settle her in, shows that he is a man who values ​​relationships and has a sense of responsibility.

Thinking of this, Xie Weining felt no resentment at all; instead, a faint sense of pride and warmth welled up within her, and her gaze towards Chen Ye became even more tender.

This is the man she chose.

He was decisive in killing, yet he was also kind-hearted.

Thinking of this, Xie Weining stood up from the main seat, a gentle and kind smile on her face, and took the initiative to walk up to Qingchen.

"So it's you, Sister Qingchen. Just make yourself at home here and settle in comfortably."

Her voice was gentle as water, with a warm and approachable quality that instantly dispelled Qingchen's tension and unease.

She looked up at the beautiful and gentle lady before her, her nose tingled, and her eyes reddened again.

She had expected to be harassed and ostracized by the hostess, but instead, she was met with such warm acceptance.

"Husband...wife..."

She tried to kneel down to pay her respects, but Xie Weining stopped her.

"Silly child, what are you doing?" Xie Weining took her hand, which was icy cold to the touch, and felt even more sorry for her. "You must be tired from your journey. Sit down and rest."

As she spoke, she pulled Qingchen to sit down on the chair next to her.

Then she turned to the maid waiting beside her and instructed, "Qing'er, have the kitchen prepare some hot food and snacks and send them over. Also, go to the accounting office and get some silver so that tomorrow we can take Qingchen to the tailor shop to buy some clothes that fit her."

Xie Weining's arrangements were clear, meticulous, and thoughtful, demonstrating the demeanor of a matriarch.

"Yes, Madam." Qing'er replied crisply, glanced at Qingchen curiously, and then quickly retreated.

Qingchen sat on the soft brocade stool, listening to Xie Weining's series of arrangements for her, feeling a little dizzy.

It all happened so fast, so suddenly, and so wonderfully that it felt like a dream.

"Thank you so much, Madam. Thank you so much, Lord Chen."

"Why call him 'sir' anymore?" Xie Weining said with a smile, "From now on, you can call him Brother Chen. As for me, if you don't mind, you can call me Sister Weining."

"Brother Chen... Sister Wei Ning..."

Qingchen read it aloud, feeling that the two titles were so intimate and warm, and then tears streamed down her face.

This time, it wasn't because of sadness and despair, but because of being moved and happy.

Seeing that she was crying, Xie Weining quickly took out her handkerchief to wipe away her tears and gently comforted her.

Chen Ye sat quietly to the side, watching this scene with a faint smile on his face.

Xie Weining's reaction was exactly what he expected.

Now she has complete trust and reliance on herself, and she will unconditionally support any decision she makes.

In addition, Xie Weining is a kind-hearted woman, so she would naturally feel sympathy for a pitiful person like Qingchen.

Therefore, entrusting Qingchen to her for arrangements is the best choice.

(End of this chapter)