Xie Jiayan personally brewed tea and handed it to Hua Chaofei. Hua Chaofei sniffed it first, enjoying it immensely, and praised, "Of all the teas I've drunk, yours is the most fragrant."
"When did you arrive in the capital?" Xie Jiayan asked.
"First, tell me what you mean by that letter you had Kong take. What does 'once this matter is settled, we'll be even' mean?" Hua Chaofei drank some tea, put down his cup, and lounged back, his gaze fixed on Xie Jiayan.
Xie Jiayan also put down his tea, his movements unhurried, and then said, "It means what it says."
Hua Chaofei snapped his fan shut, annoyed. "Can't you stop living like an old monk every day? It's just that one thing. You say the word, and I'll immediately snatch the person out for you."
"And then what?" Xie Jiayan looked up, a faint, self-mocking smile on his lips.
Then, more people would be implicated, not only stirring up conflict between noble families and the royal court, but also disturbing the martial world?
Hua Chaofei was dejected. "You think too much. I'll snatch your mother out, and then we'll find a secluded paradise to live in. At worst, I'll protect you my whole life."
After all, his life was saved by her, so this was just repaying the kindness.
Xie Jiayan smiled. If only it were that simple.
"I just want to return her freedom, not cause chaos in the world. Otherwise, wouldn't all her years of suffering be in vain?"
The Great Wei had lost its Empress, and the Five Clans were using this opportunity to attack. The Seventh Prince was far away in Youzhou and might truly never return.
Xie Jiayan's dark, ink-like eyes held a trace of sorrow unbefitting his age.
She endured for her family, let go for love, and suffered the pain of separation from her son daily for him, never planning anything for herself.
Her life had been too bitter.
She said she didn't want him to be trapped in a dilemma like her, a sacrifice to the noble families and imperial power. She wanted him to pursue his dreams of freedom.
But how could a son bear to see his mother in distress?
Hua Chaofei was disheartened. This person was so stubborn that he couldn't even persuade him.
"In short, just give me your word, and I'll go through fire and water for you. Whatever you say, I'll do. However, it's impossible for us to be completely even." Hua Chaofei stood up from his chair. "Alright, I'm leaving. Talking to you is too boring."
Before his words had even faded, Hua Chaofei's figure vanished into the dark night, his agility truly divine.
Xie Jiayan sat in his chair, looking at the empty cup beside him. He picked up the teapot and refilled it, then raised his own cup and silently said, "Thank you, Brother Hua."
Qian Shan Temple
A woman in a grey monk's robe knelt on a meditation cushion, her slender back prominent. She faced the Bodhisattva, her eyes closed, chanting scriptures and rhythmically moving her prayer beads.
"I'll wait for her here," a man's voice came from outside the hall.
Biyu knew without looking that it must be the Eldest Master again.
The Eldest Master had nearly alerted the Qianniu Guard when he trespassed into Qian Shan Temple last time. If not for the young lady's kindness in sending someone to distract the guards, he would have been shot full of holes by the Qianniu Guard archers.
These past few times, he had come openly, which suggested the Emperor knew.
It was their men's affairs, whether they fought or killed, it had nothing to do with the young lady. She had already hidden herself here, what more did they want?
Biyu looked with concern at the woman kneeling on the meditation cushion. She was devoutly chanting, her expression serene, as if she hadn't heard the commotion outside.
After reciting the last verse, the woman bowed and then rose from the meditation cushion. She sat down at the writing desk. Though her face was unadorned, it couldn't hide her natural beauty. One could imagine how stunning she must have been in her youth.