Gu Zhan passed through the courtyard gate and arrived at the front courtyard of Zhen’guo Temple. There was definitely nothing to eat inside the temple, so he was thinking of going outside instead. People often came to Zhen’guo Temple to offer incense, and there were many small vendors set up outside the temple doing good business.
Not long after leaving the temple, Gu Zhan smelled the aroma of food. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked a few steps forward, where he saw a steamed bun stall.
The stall owner was a middle-aged man. Seeing Gu Zhan, dressed in fine clothing, standing in front of his stall, he hesitated and asked, “Young master, would you like to buy buns?”
Gu Zhan stared eagerly at the steamed buns in the bamboo steamer and quickly nodded. “Give me three—no, five buns.”
The owner looked at him in disbelief. This young master clearly came from wealth and status, yet he actually wanted his buns? He suddenly felt honored and quickly packed five buns for him.
Gu Zhan took the buns and looked around. “Uncle, do you have somewhere to sit?”
He couldn’t just stand here and eat.
The owner understood and took out a small stool from behind the stall. He usually rested on it when tired. “If the young master doesn’t mind, you can sit on this.”
Gu Zhan smiled. “I don’t mind, thank you, Uncle.”
Sitting on the stool, Gu Zhan took a bun and took a big bite. It was meat-filled and especially fragrant. He grinned. “Boss, your buns are really delicious.”
Hearing this praise made the bun seller very happy. After all, it came from such a noble-looking young master. “If the young master likes them, please eat more.”
Encouraged, the owner kneaded dough with even more energy.
Gu Zhan was extremely hungry. Before long, he finished all five buns. Patting his stomach, he felt about seventy percent full, which was just right.
He stood up in satisfaction. “Boss, how much?”
“One wen per bun, five wen total.”
Gu Zhan nodded and took out one tael of silver from his sleeve. He had prepared some silver before leaving.
The owner gave a wry smile. “Young master, this is too much. My small business cannot give change for this.”
One tael of silver equaled one thousand wen. There was no way he could make change.
“Can’t make change?” Gu Zhan scratched his head. He had no choice. This was already the smallest silver he had. In fact, the original owner did not carry much loose money, mostly silver notes, and each one was large in value.
It could be said that the original owner had never experienced what it meant to lack money.
Of course, Gu Zhan had never experienced that either.
“Then, Uncle, just keep it for now. I will come again in the future to eat buns, and you can deduct from it.”
He came up with a solution.
“Alright, we will do as the young master says.”
The owner naturally agreed. He did not worry about Gu Zhan taking the money and running.
Thus, Gu Zhan not only solved his hunger problem but also found himself a fixed meal spot.
As for whether he would get tired of eating buns, Gu Zhan did not worry at all. He did not need to keep acting forever anyway. In a few days, he could “recover” to normal.
Zhang Liu and the others clearly noticed that Gu Zhan returned in a much better mood after his walk. They assumed he had simply grown tired of copying Buddhist scriptures and went out to relax. Seeing him return safely, they were relieved.
After that, whenever Gu Zhan went out alone, Zhang Liu and the others obediently waited for him to return.
For three days in a row, Gu Zhan went to the bun stall every day. Under the “suppression” of Zhen’guo Temple’s Buddhist atmosphere, his nightmares had already disappeared. Today was his last day buying buns.
“Uncle, I won’t be coming tomorrow.”
Gu Zhan took the buns from the owner and smiled.
The owner asked, “What about the remaining silver?”
Gu Zhan had only spent a little over ten wen in three days.
“No need to return it,” Gu Zhan said. “These few days, thanks to your buns, I didn’t go hungry. The remaining money is a thank-you gift.”
The owner felt embarrassed. “Young master, you are too kind. It is my honor that you like my food.”
There were many stalls here. Gu Zhan did not have to choose his.
“This means we are fated,” Gu Zhan said with a smile. “Use the extra silver to buy your daughter a new set of clothes.”
The owner had a three-year-old daughter. Gu Zhan had heard him mention her before, so he remembered.
Hearing this, the owner finally stopped refusing. “Young master is truly kind. You will surely be rewarded for your good deeds.”
“I borrow your good words,” Gu Zhan replied.
“Miss, what are you looking at?”
In the carriage of the Marquis Yong’an Household, Madam Wen saw Wen Yunyue looking out of the window and asked.
Wen Yunyue looked once more at Gu Zhan talking and laughing with the stall owner before lowering the curtain. “Nothing, Mother. Zhen’guo Temple has arrived. Let’s get off the carriage.”
Tomorrow was the memorial day of Wen Yunyue’s maternal grandmother. She and Madam Wen had arrived a day early at Zhen’guo Temple to offer prayers.
Liaohui Master greeted them with joined hands and said, “The residence has already been prepared. Please proceed to the back courtyard.”
Wen Yunyue nodded. “Thank you, Master.”
“You are too kind, Miss.”
After speaking with Liaohui Master, Wen Yunyue supported Madam Wen and left. Before leaving, she glanced at him again, feeling that something about his gaze was off.
After settling in, Madam Wen instructed the servants to unpack.
“Yunyue, when will you go to visit Old Royal Consort and the Second Young Master?”
“Right away.”
Proper etiquette required an early visit. Since Madam Wen was handling the arrangements, Wen Yunyue brought Qiu Lan to Gu Zhan’s courtyard.
Gu Zhan had just returned from secretly eating when he heard that Wen Yunyue had come to visit.
“Miss Wen?” he paused. Why was she everywhere?
Zhang Liu respectfully said, “Second Young Master, Miss Wen has already gone to see Old Royal Consort.”
He assumed Gu Zhan was still interested in Wen Yunyue, so he came to report it.
Unfortunately, he did not know that Gu Zhan had already changed inside. He had no intention of meeting her, but since she was already here, it would be inappropriate to avoid her.
Gu Zhan sighed and reluctantly got up.
At that moment, the Old Royal Consort was sitting in the main seat reading Buddhist scriptures. Wen Yunyue stood before her without receiving a single glance. The atmosphere in the room was somewhat stiff.
Gu Zhan’s arrival broke the silence, which only made the Old Royal Consort more displeased. She assumed he had come to help Wen Yunyue.
“Why aren’t you copying scriptures? What are you doing here?” she asked coldly.
Gu Zhan was confused. Wasn’t it obvious?
Still, he answered honestly, “I heard Miss Wen had arrived, so I came to see her.”
Old Royal Consort’s expression darkened further. She wanted to scold him, but since they were engaged, it was reasonable for him to come see his fiancée. She could not find fault with it.
Frustrated, she waved her hand. “If you want to see her, go back to your room. Don’t stand here and be an eyesore.”
Though directed at Gu Zhan, Wen Yunyue understood the words were also meant for her. She remained calm.
Gu Zhan, however, was stunned. Before he could even understand what was happening, he was practically chased out.
Even worse, Wen Yunyue followed him.
Back in the room, Gu Zhan looked at her helplessly. “I still need to copy Buddhist scriptures. I may not have time to keep you company. If Miss Wen has matters, you may leave.”
Wen Yunyue ignored his hint and asked with concern, “Second Young Master’s complexion seems poor. Are you unwell?”
“Just didn’t sleep well,” Gu Zhan replied casually. “I’ll be fine in a few days.”
Wen Yunyue seemed relieved. “I thought it was related to your previous illness. If so, I would feel deeply guilty.”
She then asked softly, “It feels like Second Young Master has changed a lot recently.”
Gu Zhan was calm. “I’ve just come to understand some things.”
Wen Yunyue smiled slightly. “As long as Second Young Master is still Second Young Master, that is good.”
Gu Zhan frowned slightly. He felt there was something deeper in her words.
Before he could think further, she continued, “If you have nothing to do, I can help you copy scriptures.”
She walked to the desk and saw the unfinished scriptures.
Gu Zhan’s expression changed instantly. He quickly stepped forward and covered the writing. “No need. I will do my own work.”
Wen Yunyue looked disappointed. “I just wanted to help.”
Gu Zhan immediately softened. “Thank you, but copying scriptures must be done personally to show sincerity.”
Wen Yunyue blinked. “Does Second Young Master believe in Buddhism?”
“Not before. Now I have no choice but to believe.”
After all, he had experienced transmigration. He could not not believe.
Wen Yunyue smiled thoughtfully. “Is that so?”
She said nothing more.
Before leaving, she said, “Then I won’t disturb Second Young Master.”
Gu Zhan immediately said, “Safe journey.”
He showed no intention of keeping her.
After she left, Qiu Lan asked softly, “Miss, Second Young Master seems really different.”
The wind picked up, and Wen Yunyue’s skirt swayed slightly.
She walked faster. “He already explained it. And isn’t change a good thing?”
“It’s just… the change is too great,” Qiu Lan worried. “What if he wants to break off the engagement?”
Wen Yunyue shook her head confidently. “He won’t.”