Earlier, when Ning Yuhe visited friends in Chang 'an, she first went to the Imperial College.
Back then, as the face of the Tang family and a Jianghu woman with outstanding martial arts skills, Ning Yuhe actually had many friends. Later, after the matter of her escaping from the marriage, she was endlessly chased by the Tang family. After Xu Danqing, who had already retired to Mount Zhongnan, found out about it, she wrote a letter to Songbai Qing, who was serving as the chancellor of the Imperial College. Only then was she able to plead for mercy on behalf of the Emperor and find a stable place to stay outside the world.
Now that she was in Chang 'an, it was necessary to visit. After hearing that Xu Danqing was also in Chang' an, Ning Yuhe went directly to Zhuji Street. The Emperor pardoned her with an edict, changed her name, and joined the Temple of Evergreen. She no longer had anything to do with the Tang family. Her current identity was very clean, and she could still walk around normally, but she definitely could not show up in public.
Ning Yuhe still wore a loose Taoist robe and a curtain hat. He slowly walked into the depths of the alley and looked up to see many officials' guards standing near the small courtyard. A few days ago, he had just caused trouble for Zhang Xiang. To avoid trouble, Ning Yuhe turned around and was about to leave. But from the corner of his eyes, he saw a young man in a white robe outside the low wall of the courtyard. He was sandwiched between two charming women, and he was looking into the courtyard.
Ning Yuhe frowned slightly. He thought that it was some unrestrained playboy, but when he looked carefully, he found the back a little familiar. Wasn't this Prince Su who saved her a few days ago?
Ning Yuhe was stunned, and a little joy appeared in his eyes. Because Xu Danqing and Concubine Su Of Gojoseon were old acquaintances, there was no hatred between them, and there was no need to deliberately hide it. He slowly walked up to them and raised his hand to salute.
"Young Master Xu?"
Xu Buling was watching Aunt Lu and the Empress Dowager bully people when he suddenly heard a gentle and mature voice behind him. He turned his head around in puzzlement. There was a Taoist nun standing upright in the alley. She wore a white curtain hat that covered her face and shoulders, but it could not hide the bulging figure under the Taoist robe.
Xu Buling only saw the outline, and some pictures flashed in his mind.
Not a single blade of grass grew … Steamed bun … Big …
"Ahem …"
Xu Buring's expression changed slightly. He hurriedly swept away the messy thoughts in his mind. His gaze was pure, and there was a hint of a smile in it.
"White Daoist … Daoist Priest Ning, why are you here?"
Ning Yu's expression under the closed hat was a little puzzled. She didn't understand why this Prince Su always called her 'Daoist Priest Bai'. Her surname wasn't Bai, so calling her Daoist Priest Tang was acceptable …
After thinking about it for a while, Ning Yuhe thought that Xu Buling had made a slip of the tongue. He nodded slightly and chuckled. "Hehe, Xu Danqing and I are old acquaintances. Just now, I went to Master Song's place to sit for a while. When I heard that Xu Danqing lived here, I came to take a look. You brought so many people. Are there important guests in the courtyard?"
Xu Buling turned his head around to look. Xu Danqing was too stubborn. He was about to go in, so he raised his hand.
"Yes, I'll bring Priest Ning in. You should know them."
Ning Yuhe nodded slightly and followed Xu Buling into the courtyard. When he looked up, he saw the Empress Dowager and Lady Lu, who were dressed in red palace robes, under the eaves. Xu Danqing looked as if she had nothing left to live for. She was blocked in a corner by four guards.
Ning Yuhe did not know the Empress Dowager, but he was someone who was prepared to become the empress in the palace in the past. He knew the etiquette and attire of the palace. When he looked at her face, he naturally guessed her identity. He quickly went forward and bowed.
"I am Ning Yuhe. Greetings, Empress Dowager."
Under the eaves, the Empress Dowager's gaze was fixed on Ning Yuhe. She sized him up from head to toe, then back to his head. Her slightly languid sitting posture became more upright. She instinctively puffed out her chest and raised her head. Her expression also became dignified and stern. She did not smile.
Lady Lu's gaze moved back and forth between Xu Buling and Ning Yuhe. Her expression did not change, but thousands of possibilities flashed in her heart, and they gradually turned into suspicion in her eyes.
The Empress Dowager did not have the mood to look at Lady Lu's jealous expression. She sized up Ning Yuhe a few times.
"I've heard of Priest Ning's name for a long time, but it's my first time meeting him. Take your curtain hat and sit."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
After all, Ning Yuhe was born in a large family. He was not overly reserved. He took off his curtain hat, walked under the eaves, and sat down beside the Empress Dowager.
At that moment, aside from Xu Danqing and Xu Buling, all the other men and women in the courtyard were staring at Ning Yuhe's face, whether openly or covertly.
The Empress Dowager was beautiful and moving. She was born with an air of superiority, while Lady Lu was dignified and gentle, like a peony with a hidden fragrance. Ning Yuhe was completely different. At first, he looked cold and indifferent, and he did not look stunning. But after a while, he felt that he was just right. He was not too much, not too little, not too thick, not too thin. It would not be suitable for him to change even the slightest bit, and it was difficult to imagine a face that was more suitable than his current appearance.
The guards and distinguished guests did not show their thoughts because they were skilled.
The palace maids' eyes were filled with envy. They looked left and right, and it was clear that they were comparing the three charming beauties under the eaves.
On the other hand, Lady Lu and the Empress Dowager revealed a look that said, "That's it?" at the same time. "Hmm … beauties scorn each other …"
Ning Yuhe was a monk, and he did not care about the secular world. He just sat calmly on the chair and nodded at Xu Danqing in the distance.
When Xu Buling saw that Lady Lu was about to misunderstand again, he quickly walked under the eaves and smiled brightly.
"Aunt Lu, Empress Dowager, I met Taoist Ning again when he came to the capital a few days ago. I did not expect him to come today. What a coincidence …"
Lady Lu's eyes were filled with suspicion. She sized up Xu Buling and wanted to take a closer sniff, but she felt that the occasion was not right. She could only say softly,
"Ling 'er, when did you come? Taoist Ning has been cultivating in Evergreen Temple for many years and has not shown himself for many years. How did he meet you here and come with you … "
The meaning behind her words was, "Is there something between you and the number one vixen in the world?"
Xu Buling smiled helplessly. He moved closer and took the initiative to ask, "I'm here to visit Mr. Xu. Why is Aunt Lu here?"
"…"
Madam Lu was taken aback for a moment before she came to her senses abruptly, feeling that something was amiss.
'Why am I here …
'I asked the Empress Dowager to force Xu Danqing to paint …'
When she thought of this, Lady Lu's face turned slightly red. She coughed softly and tilted her head.
"Hmm … the Empress Dowager is bored in the palace, so I accompanied her out for a walk. I happened to hear that Mr. Xu came to Chang 'an, so I came to take a look …"
The Empress Dowager was still sizing up Ning Yuhe and snorted faintly.
"Your aunt wanted Xu Danqing's painting, so she dragged me here. I'm not that unreasonable …"
"You …"
Lady Lu was instantly anxious when she was blocked and undermined.
Xu Buling quickly intervened between the two of them and said with a smile, "Forget it. Mr. Xu, you're a stickler for the rules. It's fine if you can't paint. When I go back, I'll paint one for Aunt Lu. I guarantee you'll be satisfied …"
