Han Fen looked up. In the poorly lit back room, a carved oil lamp with tassels was burning.
The flickering light fell on Caiyu's somewhat haggard face.
She lost a bit of her former charm like a blooming crabapple, but gained a touch of fragility like a dodder flower. Her pitiful look was even more likely to arouse a man's pity.
Han Fen coughed awkwardly.
A woman who was beautiful at all times. No wonder even a man with such strong self - control as the prince couldn't resist her, and even allowed him to come and go here to treat the sick.
Hearing the sound, Caiyu looked up. A gentle smile appeared on her pale but still stunning face. "Captain Han is here?"
Han Fen nodded. He nervously held the hilt of his sword at his waist and asked, "Xiangye heard that Miss Caiyu has woken up, so I've come to take a look... Miss Caiyu, are you making bracelets?"
His eyes fell on Caiyu's hands wrapped in thin bandages. There was disapproval in his eyes.
"Miss Caiyu, you've just recovered from a serious illness and your hands aren't fully healed yet. You shouldn't be in such a hurry to do this."
"If you relapse, Xiangye will be worried."
"It's okay. I only hurt the backs of my hands. My fingers aren't disabled yet." A cold look flashed across Caiyu's eyes. "I can't stay idle. Besides..."
Her eyes casually glanced at the bodhi seeds on the table.
These seeds had been carefully polished a second time and now had a jade - like luster. Each one was carved into the shape of a blooming lotus petal.
They were firm in texture, the color of jujube pits, rich in oil, and clearly defined in petal lines.
The seeds that had fallen from the thousand - year - old vajra bodhi tree in the Great Baoen Temple were truly of high quality. From the handful Caiyu had picked, she had managed to select 108 rare 19 - petal bodhi seeds.
Caiyu paused. "I want to finish making the Buddhist prayer beads for the prince as soon as possible!"
Han Fen's eyes were once again drawn to Caiyu's fingers.
The tender fingertips, which were as white as scallions, had broken skin and were dotted with bloodstains from constantly grinding the bodhi seeds.
As is known, the vajra bodhi fruit is so hard that it's difficult to grind, symbolizing indestructibility and the ability to resist all evil forces.
Even temple craftsmen would spend time grinding it.
It was inevitable for a girl like Caiyu to get hurt while dealing with vajra bodhi.
Han Fen didn't know what to say.
The prince seemed cold on the surface, but in fact, he was a man who valued feelings deeply. This could be seen from the fact that after his defeat in the Battle of Nawuerhai, he had truly abstained from meat and recited Buddhist scriptures for six years for the 30,000 dead heroes.
However, the prince really couldn't break his vows. No matter how good Caiyu was, what could she do?
Seeing that Han Fen had observed everything he needed to, Caiyu asked, "Where's Xiangye?"
Han Fen quickly replied, "She went to eat the wild duck meat from the snack shop on West Street."
Hearing this, Caiyu felt a bit strange.
Looking at Han Fen's slightly blushing face, she suddenly had an epiphany.
What admiration for her?
Han Fen, this stupid fellow, was clearly using his position for personal gain. He had a crush on Xiangye!
Xiangye, that carefree girl, actually thought Han Fen admired her...
Caiyu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She wanted to expose the truth, but thinking that she still needed Han Fen to probe Song Yinghuai, she gave up.
She picked up a red - string bracelet with a six - petal vajra bodhi seed on the table and handed it to Han Fen.
"I heard that during the three days when I was in a high - fever coma, Captain Han helped a lot, which is why I woke up so quickly."
"I'm really grateful to Captain Han. After much thought, I have nothing to repay you. Since I'm grinding bodhi seeds, I made this red - string bracelet. I hope Captain Han won't mind."
Han Fen hesitated. "This..."
How could he accept a bracelet made by a girl?
Moreover, this girl was closely associated with the prince.
Before Han Fen came in, Caiyu was still thinking about how to persuade him to accept the bracelet, but now she had an idea.
Han Fen wanted to decline politely, but Caiyu's next words made him accept it gladly.
"I've also made a red - string bracelet like this for Xiangye."
Han Fen immediately took it. "Thank you, Miss Caiyu."
Caiyu watched Han Fen's back as he left in a hurry with a smile on her face. The smile gradually faded.
Two months had passed in a flash.
She thought she had captured Song Yinghuai's heart, but unexpectedly, she was still going around in circles.
How on earth could she win Song Yinghuai over?
Han Fen came to the study to report to Song Yinghuai. "Your Highness, Miss Caiyu has woken up. Do you want me to move her belongings back to the side hall?"
Caiyu had been lying in the back room for three days. To make it convenient to change her clothes, Han Fen had taken a lot of clothes there.
Song Yinghuai was buried in reading the secret letter that Zhu Xiao had brought from Tan Xiong.
On it were densely listed more than 30 pieces of evidence of the collusion between the official and the merchant of Dong Fangzhuo, the Commissioner of Revenue.
Hearing Han Fen's report, Song Yinghuai's expression was indifferent. "No need. Let her live wherever she wants."
Han Fen: ... Why did he feel that the prince's words sounded a bit angry?
"Yes." Han Fen bowed to Song Yinghuai. "Then I'll take my leave first."
Song Yinghuai grunted, but was inadvertently attracted by the new red - string bracelet on Han Fen's hand.
"Stop." Song Yinghuai's voice was cold.
Han Fen immediately turned around and looked at him.
Song Yinghuai stared at his wrist for a while.
That six - petal vajra bodhi seed looked so familiar. Wasn't it from the thousand - year - old bodhi tree in the Great Baoen Temple?
"Your Highness?" Han Fen asked in confusion.
Only then did Song Yinghuai speak. "Have you started believing in Buddhism too?"
Noticing his gaze on his wrist, Han Fen quickly explained,
"Oh, Your Highness is asking about this red - string bracelet? Miss Caiyu gave it to me."
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly felt that the room was freezing cold, and the air pressure was so low that he could hardly breathe.
Han Fen sensed something was wrong and immediately continued to explain. "Miss Caiyu said she was grateful to me for taking care of her during those days when she was in a high - fever coma. So she made this. She said the vajra bodhi red - string bracelet symbolizes... symbolizes..."
Han Fen slapped his head. "Oh! It symbolizes flowers surrounding one's shoulders, finding someone to grow old with in a city!"
Han Fen suddenly felt that the room was even colder. He looked at Song Yinghuai at a loss and stammered,
"Your Highness may not know. Miss Caiyu has ground a bunch of bodhi seeds. I saw there were about a hundred of them. She must be making Buddhist prayer beads for Your Highness. Her fingers are all abraded..."
Song Yinghuai stared at him coldly. His dark eyes were thoughtful, showing a mysterious look that was hard to fathom.
"Growing old in a city with someone..."
He chewed on these words repeatedly. His eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of ash. His thin lips were slightly pursed, and his black and gilded eyes flashed inadvertently, showing his arrogance.
"Leave!" He waved his hand.
Han Fen left after receiving the order. Song Yinghuai read Dong Fangzhuo's evidence of guilt carefully again before getting up.
Because Caiyu had been in a high - fever coma, Xiangye had been busy taking care of her. In the past few days, the small kitchen had been in the charge of Sui'er and others.
Sui'er had been promoted to a second - class maid by Caiyu a few days ago, and her monthly salary had increased by 20 copper coins. She was extremely grateful to Caiyu and did her job whole - heartedly.
Sui'er was waiting outside the door. Seeing Song Yinghuai come out, she quickly stepped forward. "Your Highness, the vegetarian food is ready. Tonight's dinner includes toon tofu, eggplant stewed with dried plums, stir - fried bean sprouts, and cold - dressed shredded potatoes..."
Song Yinghuai suddenly interrupted her. "Why are they all such ordinary dishes?"
Sui'er let out a startled sound and stared at Song Yinghuai blankly.
They had been cooking like this for the past few days, and Song Yinghuai had never said a single word of complaint. Why was it different today?
Sui'er stammered, "In, in the Lianyin Pavilion... only, only Sister Caiyu can cook some special vegetarian dishes..."
Song Yinghuai snorted. "Useless things. Can't you cook well without her?"
He flicked his sleeves and left. "I'll give you an hour. Change the dishes!"
Sui'er and the others looked at each other. Then someone suddenly said, "Why don't we go and ask Sister Caiyu for help..."