Song An had practiced martial arts for many years, so chopping firewood was naturally no problem for him. He wielded the axe with powerful, whistling strikes.
"Oh? So you're from this Daoist temple?" As Song An diligently chopped wood, a clear voice came from behind him. Song An turned around and saw Zilian, dressed in a jade-green dress, standing behind him.
Behind her followed a younger-looking girl. Song An knew he hadn't been mistaken earlier; the girl who couldn't afford food yesterday was indeed the Eldest Princess of Xichen. Song An collected himself and quickly bowed.
"Greetings, Eldest Princess and Third Princess!" Zilian waved her hand and said, "No need for formalities. I just found it too boring in there, so my imperial sister and I sneaked out." The Third Princess, Ziying, behind her, curiously sized up Song An.
"Imperial Sister, is this the handsome young Daoist you mentioned yesterday?" Zilian gave Song An an awkward glance. Before she could speak, Ziying continued, "He does look quite good." Being scrutinized by the two girls, Song An remained outwardly calm but felt a little flustered inside.
"Your Highnesses, the backyard is messy. Perhaps you would like to play elsewhere?" Zilian looked around, then walked over and sat on a long wooden bench. "You chop your wood. We won't disturb you." Song An was helpless. If the nobles wouldn't leave, he couldn't do anything either. He could only turn back and continue chopping wood, with the two girls watching from behind.
After chopping the wood, Song An picked up the water buckets and a carrying pole, preparing to fetch water. Fetching water required going down to the foot of the temple mountain.
Unexpectedly, the two princesses still followed behind him. "Do you have to do so much work every day? Does no one in your temple help you?" Zilian asked as they walked. Song An replied, "No."
"Then I'll help you these next few days. The temple is really too boring."
"Princesses are noble; they shouldn't do such things." Ziying chuckled, "You underestimate us, little Daoist. My imperial sister and I go out for training every year. Helping you is just a small matter." Although she said this, how could Song An allow the two princesses to help?
The Xichen Empress listened to the Dao in the temple for three days. During these three days, the two princesses would come to the backyard to find Song An. Song An chopped wood, while the two princesses sat by his side, resting their chins in their hands, watching.
Song An fetched water, and they followed behind him, playing around in the mountains. When Song An washed clothes, they would occasionally help him hang them out to dry.
On the third afternoon, Song An was washing clothes as usual, with the two princesses sitting by his side. Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard. Then a fat Daoist entered with a group of young Daoists.
"Whose clothes are these?" The fat Daoist asked arrogantly as soon as he entered. Seeing Song An washing clothes, the fat Daoist kicked over his basin, spilling water all over the backyard. If Song An hadn't dodged fast enough, he would have been drenched.
"Was it you who washed my clothes?" The fat man looked at Song An, sizing him up. Then he turned his head and asked the person beside him, "Hasn't the backyard always been handled by that crybaby? When did it change hands?"
"I don't know." The fat man looked Song An up and down, asking, "Have you been washing clothes for the past few days?"
"Yes," Song An replied coldly. Zilian, sitting in the corner, was about to stand up when Ziying pulled her back.
"Imperial Sister, let's watch a bit longer. Song An won't be that useless."
"You admit it, huh? Look at this, what have you washed?! Huh? Look, the dirtier it gets, the more ruined my clothes are by your washing!" The fat man took a piece of clothing, threw it on Song An's head, and fumed.
Song An took the clothes off his head and said calmly, "Since it's already like this, I'll compensate you. How much?" He had never washed clothes before. If the temple didn't forbid maids, his family would surely have sent maids to the temple to take care of his daily life.
"Compensate? Alright, one hundred taels! Hand it over." The fat man couldn't stand Song An's calm demeanor. He arrogantly extended a finger, gesturing a huge demand. Song An looked at him coldly.
"One hundred taels? For these rags?" Just then, someone behind the fat man buttered up, "One hundred taels is cheap for you. Our Senior Brother Zhu is the only son of Daoist Master Zhu of the Punishment Hall. Senior Brother Zhu's Daoist robe isn't ordinary, you'll know the difference from our clothes if you touch it."
Song An touched it with his hand. It was indeed good material, but it wasn't worth one hundred taels! Song An sneered, "I thought the Punishment Hall was fair and impartial in its rewards and punishments. It seems I was mistaken." The fat Daoist said coldly, "What do you mean?"
"The clothes and things you wear and use are much better than those of ordinary disciples. Is that fair?"
The fat Daoist glowered. "Brat, if you don't have one hundred taels today, then we'll beat you up to vent our anger. You choose." Song An said coldly, "What if I choose neither?" The fat Daoist's face darkened. "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Give him a taste of what we can do!" With that, he waved his hand, and the Daoists behind him charged at Song An.
The small courtyard immediately echoed with cries of pain. Song An stood still, his face calm. His lone blue robe among the tall, short, fat, and thin Daoists made him appear even more heroic and extraordinary.
"I didn't realize Song An had some skills." Ziying's lips curled slightly as she watched the farce in the courtyard. The fat Daoist saw his men fall to the ground and looked at Song An, fear in his eyes.
"You, you just wait for me! I won't let you off! Let's go!" Saying that, he hastily left.
"Senior Brother Zhu, wait for us!"
Outside the courtyard, Zhu Haojie asked, "How long have I been out? Our temple has such a strong fighter? Who is this person?" A tall, thin Daoist with a bruised face said, "I don't know, um, I haven't seen him before."
"This person doesn't seem to be from our temple. He should be from Tianqi." Zhu Haojie's eyes were full of malice. "Daring to be so arrogant on my territory. This isn't Tianqi. I must let him know how powerful I am!"
In the courtyard, Song An saw the group leave. He calmly picked up the overturned stools and bamboo poles, and, as if nothing had happened, sat down to continue washing clothes.
"Song An, you're amazing!" Ziying praised him, looking at him. Zilian frowned, "Song An, this person seems to hold a high position in the temple. You should be careful."
"Thank you for your concern, Princess. Song An does nothing to feel guilty about, so there's nothing to fear."
"Song An, we are leaving early tomorrow morning. How about you come with us?" Ziying suggested.
"Where Master is, there Song An will be." Zilian looked at her sister and asked, "Your words are inappropriate. How could His Majesty allow him to enter the palace with us?" Ziying chuckled, "Imperial Sister, I am already sixteen and can leave the palace to establish my own residence. I like Song An. Song An, are you willing to enter my princess's mansion?"
Ziying's words made both of them fall silent.
"Imperial Sister, you've only known Song An for less than three days. How can you say such inappropriate things?"
"Song An is a Daoist; he does not dabble in romantic affairs. Third Princess, watch your words."
Ziying burst into laughter. "I'm just joking, why are you two so serious?"
"Imperial Sister, this is not funny at all."
"Alright, Imperial Sister, we should go back. Soon His Majesty will have finished listening to the Dao and will be looking for us." Zilian looked at Song An. "You be careful. I don't think that fat Daoist will give up."
Song An nodded, about to speak.
"Imperial Sister, let's go." Ziying pulled Zilian and left.
Outside the courtyard, Ziying suddenly stopped and looked at Zilian.
"Imperial Sister, you like Song An." Her tone was very assertive.
Zilian was startled. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"You know whether I'm talking nonsense. I was just probing. But Imperial Sister, you're so nervous, and you still say you don't like him?" Zilian fell silent. She did have a good impression of Song An. She had finally met such a special person.
"Imperial Sister, don't say I didn't warn you. His Majesty intends for you to take on the important responsibilities of Xichen. Your imperial husband can only be a pillar of the court, not someone like Song An." Zilian clenched her hands. She knew Ziying was right.
"To be honest, Imperial Sister, what I said just now wasn't entirely a probe. I was sincere. Our sisters have always had the same taste. So, Imperial Sister, Song An and the throne, you can only have one."
Zilian looked at this imperial sister in shock. She had always known that her sister liked to snatch her things. Some things, if she wanted them, she would give them. But Song An was a person.
"Ziying, the throne, I've never thought about it. As for Song An, who he likes is his freedom. If he ultimately chooses you, I will give you my blessings." Ziying suddenly smiled. "Alright, let's go back." Saying that, she stepped away. Looking at her retreating back, Zilian looked back. She also knew the high hopes His Majesty had for her. She and Song An, perhaps...
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