“What’s that?” Ning Jinchen curiously asked.

  “This is a wedding procession.” Qian-

  ‘s face was getting redder and redder. “The groom is going over and bringing the person he likes to his home on a red bridal sedan to marry.”


  Ning Jinchen indifferently nodded. He even murmured a Buddhist prayer, “Amitabha.”


  Qian-

  ‘s expression immediately collapsed. “This is a happy event for them. Why are saying amitabha? Your hair is blacker than mine. Why are you acting like a monk?”


  Ning Jinchen lightly smiled. “Outer appearances aren’t important as long as you have Buddha in your heart.”


  Qian-

  somewhat anxiously said, “Does your heart only have Buddha?”


  “Other than Buddha, what else should be there?” Ning Jinchen blankly looked at her.

  You should have me in your heart, ah! Qian-

  almost said these words aloud. When she realized what she was thinking, she fell down from the tree in shock.

  “Be careful!” Furrowing his brow, Ning Jinchen grabbed hold of her. Qian-

  swayed in the air for a moment before he slowly pulled her back onto the tree.

  “.…… Thank you.” Slightly stunned from the shock, Qian-

  sat next to him for a long time before she returned to her senses. When she looked down, she saw that she still had a desperate hold on him.

  She wouldn’t let go! No way! She liked this person’s warm and strong palm. Why would she let go?

  Ning Jinchen didn’t find her behavior strange. Watching until the wedding procession below had moved far away, he brought Qian-

  and himself down the tree afterwards.

  —


  His father had total authority over the imperial court and the common folk, and his mother was exceedingly rich. Theoretically, Ning Jinchen could live the life of a second-generation wastrel. He didn’t have to worry about not having enough money for food or clothing. And yet, he had chosen to treat Ji Store as a place to pursue religious practice. In this place, he did business while meditating and recited Buddhist scriptures to gain enlightenment. He also watched the passerby to gain comprehension of secular affairs.

  Qian-

  kept orbiting around him. The young girl was very clever and would recite with him, “Buddha said, “Don’t be angry, don’t be stupid, and don’t be greedy. Idealism, fulfill one’s desire, forget yourself.”


  When the flowers bloomed in spring, he sat on the stone and chanted while she smiled as she picked spring flowers and skipped around him.

  During the scorching summer, he sat on the stone and profusely sweat. Stand behind him on her tiptoes, she shaded him with an umbrella.

  When the leaves fell in autumn, he sat on the stone and meditated while she picked up the fallen leaves and assembled them together to make a portrait of him.

  During the snowy winter, he sat on the stone and gained comprehension. She made a cloak for him. With a smile, she draped it over him.

  “Are you cold?” she asked.

  Ning Jinchen lightly smiled. “It’s difficult for the outside world’s sensations to affect someone that’s reached enlightenment past the five aggregates. I seem to have cultivated to another level.”


  Qian-

  froze in surprise. Looking at this person who wasn’t part of the earthly world, she felt dismayed.

  —


  After a few springs and summers had passed, Marquis Moyu’s second son was named his heir and getting married. Ning Jinchen brought Qian-

  along to see the festivities.

  With stars in her eyes, Ji Man looked at her son and asked, “Chen-

  , look, Xi-

  is already married. What about you?”


  Qian-

  ‘s fingers which were clutching Ning Jinchen’s sleeve slightly trembled.

  “This son is unfilial. With second brother helping me relieve this burden, this son feels significantly less guilty.” Ning Jinchen slightly smiled. “This son was born into the world of mortals, but my heart is outside of that world. Thus, this son is unable to achieve a marriage with anyone.”


  Yan Shengqian raised her head to look at him. Three years had passed since she met him for the first time. He looked even more outstanding and attractive. Although he wore opulent robes, it couldn’t hide his spiritual aura.

  A person like him, how could any woman be his match? Qian-

  looked down at herself. There were three more years until her adulthood ceremony. She wasn’t anxious. There was still time for her to slowly grow up.

  —


  Madam Yan brought back a big pile of stuff to the rice store. Yan Buba was following behind her. He sighed, “Wife, are you in a bad mood lately? When we go out, you normally wouldn’t be satisfied with only spending two silver teals. But today, you only spent only one tael and eight coins.”


  “You only know how to count money.” Madam Yan pulled him over and pointed at the large stone in the back courtyard. “Can’t you see our daughter’s feelings? That girl has been following First Young Master for so long. Even though her temperament has calmed down because of that, we can’t just let things remain like this forever.”


  Yan Buba froze in surprise. Taking out his abacus, he started calculating. “Since First Young Master has come to the rice store, the store’s profits have increased by 70 thousand taels in the past three years. Our salary has also increased by almost 10 thousand taels. If we count that as a betrothal gift and give Qian-

  to First Young Master for free, it would still be a loss of money on our side.”


  Madam Yan angrily gave a hard pinch to Yan Buba’s waist. “Are you planning on selling your daughter?”


  Yan Buba sucked in his breath, jumped to the side, and shook his abacus. After thinking it over, he finally said, “How about I go ask First Young Master about his intentions? If he’s interested in Qian-

  , it wouldn’t be bad to to arrange this marriage for her. If he’s not interested, it would better to break Qian-

  ‘s hopes sooner rather than later.”


  “Okay.” Madam Yan nodded. Actually, she found First Young Master’s personality quite likable. He wasn’t arrogant or hot-tempered. He was calm and also capable. If she gave Qian-

  to him, it would put her heart at ease.

  —


  In the evening, Madam Yan pulled Qian-

  upstairs and into a room on the left side while Yan Buba led Ning Jinchen into a room on the right side.

  Smiling, Yan Buba poured a cup of tea for him.”First Young Master, please drink some tea. I boldy requested a meeting because I want to talk about my daughter with you.”


  Ning Jinchen was very bewildered, but he still nodded. “Shopkeeper Yan, feel free to speak frankly.”