Xia Rongyu was preparing to climb the tree when he turned back and didn't see Xie Jiang following. He had been counting on her cooperation.
Just like when they were children, he would climb trees to pick fruit at her direction, and she would wait at the bottom.
Years later, he still remembered her expectant gaze, her small face tilted upwards, innocent and charming.
The familiar scene reappeared today; perhaps she would recall something?
"Marquis Xie?"
"Your Highness can manage on your own. I'll just bask in your glory."
Xie Jiang sat on the ground, showing no intention of getting up. She lazily hugged the dog, using it as a pillow, resting her chin on it, and smiling at Xia Rongyu.
Xia Rongyu stared at her, hoping for a change of heart.
Xie Jiang remained unmoved. With the soft, fluffy dog in her arms, she only wanted things done for her.
In the end, Xia Rongyu relented first. He turned and leaped, effortlessly landing on a branch of the persimmon tree.
The lower branches had already been picked clean. Only a few scattered persimmons remained on the uppermost leaves, out of reach for most.
Like a soaring eagle, Xia Rongyu used his light-body skills to leap from branch to branch, quickly clearing all the trees.
Chen Chan, holding up his hem, filled a pocket with persimmons.
Xia Rongyu tidied his clothes and walked towards Xie Jiang with a smile. "I've picked the rest. Should we head back?"
Xie Jiang cradled the dog's chubby face and praised it with delight, "We have persimmons to eat again! Isn't Your Highness skilled?"
The dog barked twice at Xia Rongyu, full of anticipation.
Xia Rongyu said, "It's not advisable to eat persimmons on an empty stomach. Let's have lunch first."
Xie Jiang released the dog and stood up. "Why did Your Highness come to the back mountain? Were you looking for us?"
Xia Rongyu smiled, "Seeing as you didn't return, I was afraid you might get lost."
Xie Jiang eyed Xia Rongyu suspiciously. "Don't tell me you were afraid I'd elope with your little treasure?"
Xia Rongyu replied, "If Marquis Xie cannot bear to part with Little Treasure, you can bring him to stay at the Marquis's mansion after we return to the capital."
This would give him an excuse to visit the Southern Sea Marquis's mansion often.
"That would be wonderful!"
Xie Jiang's eyes lit up, and her spirits soared.
The dog also yipped happily.
Xie Jiang asked with a beaming smile, "When is Your Highness returning to the capital?"
Xia Rongyu said, "It will be some time. What about Marquis Xie?"
Xie Jiang replied, "Either tomorrow or the day after. I originally wanted to stay a few days to relax, but the temple beds are too hard and cold. It's better to return to my mansion for a comfortable bed."
They walked slowly along the small path, chatting as they went. The dog trotted ahead, leading the way, while Chen Chan followed with the persimmons, not too close, not too far.
Xia Rongyu seemed to mention it casually, "Does Marquis Xie have any troubles?"
Xie Jiang sighed.
Xia Rongyu's tone was gentle and sincere. "If there's anything I can help with, Marquis Xie, please don't hesitate to ask."
They walked side-by-side on the winding path. Xia Rongyu's demeanor was elegant, upright, and bright. Xie Jiang looked up at him and chuckled, "Your Highness himself came to the temple to seek tranquility."
"Is it because of the maritime trade?"
Ships laden with various goods from the Southern Ocean docked one after another, attracting envious glances from many.
It was said that when Xie Taihong first arrived in the capital, he was out early and late, or didn't return home at night. Now, he dared not go out easily.
All sorts of people were trying to get close to him.
With the Four Continents of the Southern Ocean having pledged allegiance, the Great Yu court would not ignore them, and maritime trade followed naturally.
Who could resist the immense benefits laid out before them?
It was estimated that people flocking to her, the Marquis of the Southern Sea, would not be few in number recently.
"I have a hot spring estate not far from here. If Marquis Xie finds the capital too bothersome, I can lend you the estate."
"That sounds good. When I feel like it, I'll go to Your Highness's estate to soak in the hot springs."
Upon their return to Nanzhao Temple, a young monk came to fetch Xia Rongyu, saying that Puxuan wished to see him.
Xie Jiang casually asked Chen Chan, "Is your Highness well acquainted with Monk Puxuan?"
Chen Chan replied, "His Highness and Master Puxuan have known each other for many years." This was not a secret.
Xie Jiang said, "I heard earlier that His Highness enjoyed tranquility, so does Your Highness often stay at Nanzhao Temple?"
There were several well-known temples in the capital, and like Nanzhao Temple, their incense offerings were far less than before. Of course, they were also far less tranquil than temples in the mountains outside the city.
Chen Chan said, "His Highness comes here for a stay every year."
His Highness had quietly lit a long-burning lamp for someone in the temple, and had been doing so for many years. That person's identity was special, making temples in the capital somewhat inconvenient.
Xie Jiang remarked, "Then your Highness is quite rebellious."
"Ah? Ah?" Chen Chan was startled by the word "rebellious."
Xie Jiang continued, "His Majesty is obsessed with cultivation, yet Your Highness believes in Buddhism. Isn't that rebellious?"
"Marquis Xie, be careful with your words!"
Chen Chan nervously looked around. Fortunately, they had entered from the back mountain, and apart from the young novice who had gone to find them earlier, there was no one else in sight.
"You have nephritis, and your whole family has nephritis."
"I'm talking about Your Highness going against His Majesty, not that he has disloyal intentions. Your furtive demeanor is like protesting too much."
Chen Chan mumbled, "His Majesty is His Majesty, and Your Highness is Your Highness."
Although His Majesty was engrossed in cultivation and had thrown himself into it, he wouldn't force everyone to do the same.
As they spoke, they parted ways at a fork in the road. Chen Chan went to the refectory to get food, while Xie Jiang, with the dog, went to the small courtyard where Xia Rongyu was staying.
To say he was staying there was an understatement; it was more like Xia Rongyu had rented the entire courtyard.
When Xia Rongyu was not there, the courtyard remained empty.
Although the courtyard's furnishings were understated and simple, it was much more comfortable than the one Xie Jiang was staying in. As Xie Jiang washed her face with well water, Chen Chan returned excitedly with a food box.
Before leaving, Xia Rongyu had instructed Chen Chan to serve Xie Jiang first and not wait for him.
Xie Jiang sat down at the low table in the courtyard. "What happened to make you so happy?"
Chen Chan replied with a smile, "Just now, I heard from a young novice in the kitchen that the Song heir from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, along with the ladies of the household, came to the temple to offer incense."
"Is that so?"
Xie Jiang feigned surprise. "The Song heir is here to offer incense, why are you so happy? Is your Highness very familiar with the Song heir?"
Chen Chan hesitated for a moment and vaguely said, "My Highness and the Song heir grew up together, but later my Highness fell ill and preferred tranquility, and the Song heir's eyesight wasn't good, so he didn't go out often..."
"That's why they gradually drifted apart. My Highness has been recuperating at home these past few years and hasn't interacted much with anyone..."
Xie Jiang was a little surprised.
Genuinely surprised.
So the Third Prince and Song Ze, or rather, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, had such deep ties.
Chen Chan's subsequent explanation about not interacting much was merely because of Xia Rongyu's status as a prince, which necessitated reducing contact with the Song family.
"Does Marquis Xie also know the Song heir?" Chen Chan asked, changing the subject while setting out the meal.
"Last time, I brought back two pots of bicolor lotuses from the Song heir. Unfortunately, they bloomed for only a few days before wilting. Since we've encountered him at Nanzhao Temple by chance, I'll go ask the Song heir later when they'll bloom again."