After finishing breakfast, Xie Qing Ci took Yu Qing for a leisurely stroll around the mountain villa.
Wenquan Mountain Villa was built against the mountain, with the lower sections open to the public while the private areas were secluded deeper within.
The two walked slowly toward the rear of the hot springs.
At first, there were faint sounds of people, but these gradually faded away.
In the utterly silent valley, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the forest leaves, accompanied by occasional cicada chirps and bird songs.
Yu Qing suddenly spotted bluish-gray eaves peeking through the lush deep woods ahead, with golden glazed tiles shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight, faintly revealing deep red walls beneath—sacred and mysterious.
“What is that place?”
Yu Qing lifted her fair, slender jade-like finger, pointing into the distance as she asked curiously.
Xie Qing Ci didn’t even glance at where she was pointing, his deep gaze fixed unwaveringly on the young girl beside him.
His thin lips parted slightly: “It’s the Xie family’s Zongmiao.”
As a centuries-old prominent family, it was only natural for the Xies to have their own ancestral temple and hall.
Satisfying her curiosity, Yu Qing had no intention of prying into others’ privacy.
Little Milk Candy looked it up for her—places like ancestral temples were private family grounds, accessible only to those with a certain status within the family.
She wasn’t even a member of the Xie family, so naturally, she wouldn’t be permitted to enter.
Xie Qing Ci watched as the girl, after asking her question, obediently prepared to wander elsewhere, feeling somewhat helpless.
If it were anyone else, they would surely scheme endlessly, begging him to take them inside for a look.
After all, this was the Xie family’s Zongmiao. Anyone personally escorted by the family head into the ancestral temple would undoubtedly hold a significant status.
But this little treasure was different—she didn’t ask further. Upon hearing it was the ancestral temple, she simply intended to drag him off to play elsewhere.
He tightened his grip on her hand, pulling her into his embrace, and whispered coaxingly by her ear, “Will you accompany me inside, my treasure?”
Yu Qing looked up at him in surprise, lifting her small head from his chest: “Can I go in? Isn’t this place—”
“Besides you, my treasure, I would never bring anyone else here.”
Xie Qing Ci’s tone was exceedingly gentle, but his eyes were serious and resolute, as if uttering a moving vow.
And indeed, it was a vow.
Bringing her here was a decision born of his selfish desire.
The moment they stepped into the Zongmiao, the ancient and serene atmosphere felt even more profound than the villa’s grounds.
The air inside was filled with the scents of pinewood and sandalwood incense, wafting toward them.
Instantly calming the spirit.
The Xie family had worshipped Buddha for generations, so the main hall of the Zongmiao was dedicated to the Buddha, with the true Zongci located further inside.
A few resident monks practiced and guarded the temple, with Master Miaojue serving as the abbot.
A young monk sweeping the courtyard noticed Xie Qing Ci entering with someone.
He approached and bowed: “Patron Xie, the master is in seclusion with several senior brothers in the Chan Room. Your visit today is unfortunately timed.”
Xie Qing Ci pressed his palms together in return and replied calmly, “It’s no trouble. We have no urgent matters today and can look around on our own. Please carry on with your duties, young master.”
Even monks who had practiced for years couldn’t help but glance with some surprise at the girl beside Xie Qing Ci.
Anyone could see the intimate relationship between the two at a glance, especially since Xie Qing Ci had brought her into the family’s ancestral temple.
Without a doubt, she was destined to be the matriarch of the Xie family.
Xie Qing Ci led the young girl to the main hall, lit three sticks of incense, and handed them to her.
He then lit three sticks for himself.
Together, they knelt devoutly on the pufan.
Yu Qing had never prayed to gods or Buddhas before, but she imitated Xie Qing Ci’s devout posture, pressing her palms together and tightly closing her eyes.
[Little Milk Candy, what should I say when praying to the Buddha?]
[No need, Host A Li! Just make a silent wish in your heart!]
[Then do you know what Xie Qing Ci wished for?]
After Little Milk Candy’s last system upgrade, it gained the ability to read minds, allowing it to convey people’s inner thoughts to Yu Qing.
Thus, she heard Xie Qing Ci’s solemn and reverent voice:
“Lay disciple Xie Qing Ci, grateful for the Buddha’s compassion that has sheltered the Xie family for over a century. For many years, this disciple has wholeheartedly followed Buddhist teachings, maintaining a compassionate heart and performing good deeds. Originally intended to cultivate purity for life, untouched by worldly affairs.”
“Yet this disciple remains a mortal body—able to cultivate bodhicitta, but unable to escape worldly desires.”
“Today, I bring my beloved Yu Qingqing to pray together. May the Buddha forgive and bless this disciple and my future wife with a lifetime of happiness and smooth journeys. I shall never forget today’s vow.”
Warmth surged in Yu Qing’s chest, her tightly closed eyes nearly spilling tears.
Xie Qing Ci finished his kowtows and stood up, turning to help her rise.
Noticing the young woman’s red-rimmed eyes, he paused momentarily before asking with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
He knew some people experienced discomfort upon entering temples.
Worried she might be among them, he felt a pang of regret for not noticing her condition earlier—for keeping her kneeling so long in this incense-filled hall…
Watching the man’s expression shift from concern to self-reproach, Yu Qing found it amusing. How could he weave such elaborate assumptions?
She lifted his slightly cool fingers, giving them a gentle shake as she softly laughed, “What nonsense are you thinking? I’m perfectly fine.”
Xie Qing Ci still seemed uncertain: “Really, my treasure?”
“Really.”
The young woman’s gentle smile glowed on her fair skin, illuminated by sunlight filtering through wooden windows.
I want to kiss her.
But this isn’t the place.
Xie Qing Ci’s free hand tightened around his prayer beads, fingertips whitening from the pressure.
They passed through corridors until they reached the Xie family’s Zongci at the rear.
The main hall enshrined successive generations of Xie family heads and their wives. Unlike traditional feudal families, the Xies never excluded women from their genealogy.
Ancestral tablets stood side-by-side for each couple, while the family registry documented every daughter’s name.
Hearing Xie Qing Ci’s explanation, Yu Qing felt deeply moved. Knowing this culture’s historical context where women held low status, the Xie family’s consistent equality toward all female members stood remarkable.
No wonder the Xies had flourished for centuries—such virtue surely brought its own blessings.
Xie Qing Ci guided the dazed young woman to kneel before their ancestors’ tablets.
His voice resonated solemnly: “Ancestors above, your descendant Xie Qing Ci, thirty-second head of the Xie family, comes to seek your witness today.”
He didn’t specify what required witnessing.
Rising, the man helped his companion up before guiding her hand as he knelt on one knee.
Yu Qing suddenly realized his intention, her heart pounding like thunder.
Had he really brought her to the Xie family ancestral hall…?
“Qingqing, as you’ve seen, I’m often reserved and uninteresting—and eight years your senior. But forgive my greed: from the moment I saw you at the hospital, my heart was captivated.”
“During these days of being constantly by your side, I have hopelessly fallen for you. People used to call me ‘Fuzi,’ unaware that this shallow Buddhist disciple had already found a faith he willingly submits to.”
“Today, before the ancestors of the Xie family, I, Xie Qing Ci, descendant of the Xies, offer my entire clan as betrothal gift. May I beg for your favor, Miss Yu Qing, to marry me?”
He actually… proposed to her with the entire Xie clan as his pledge!?