A limpid and distant voice stretched from behind and halted Gu Yunxi's rushed steps.

“Jiaozhu Pear Curd” and its main ingredient, "Liyu", were all that had occupied her thoughts day and night. Even though she was upset by Yu Xuanji's fortune-telling, she still turned back at his mention of "Liyu" automatically.

The dainty face that clouded over instantly lighted up in happy surprise, pleasing the eyes of anyone that should look at her now.

Despite a hundred meters between them, Gu Yunxi gazed at Yu Xuanji with suspicion in her eyes. She stammered,

"Your Eminence, what did you just say?"

Yu Xuanji's arched his slim brows, staring back at her with much interest. On his indifferent fair face, a faint smile appeared.

"Aren't you looking for Liyu? I told you that I have it in the Pengxian Temple."

"Really?" She found it hard to believe.

Yu Xuanji made no further reply. His unconcerned eyes were ice-cold, fixing on the exquisite beauty not far away. Quietly, an urge for probing and flirtation was born on his apathetic face.

To think of it, the Eastern Depot Master's Mansion was dozens of miles from the Pengxian Temple. Now he was eager to find out what drove the petite one to travel the distance.

Qinger tugged Gu Yunxi's clothes, quietly reminding her,

"Don't listen to him, Lady. I think this High Priest was talking nonsense. He doesn't look like a good person. Let's leave quickly!"

But Gu Yunxi turned a deaf ear to Qinger. Knowing that Liyu was in this temple, she only considered briefly before trotting back to Yu Xuanji. With a salute, she spoke outright,

"Your Eminence, I'm in urgent need of this thing. I would like to pay a high price for only one flagon of your treasured stock."

Yu Xuanji's lips curled slightly, forming an aloof arc.

"I'm none but a Taoist."

His voice was relaxing, but his dark eyes locked on Gu Yunxi's delicate face, revealing no emotions comprehensible.

Leaning forward slowly, he gradually approached Gu Yunxi. As he drew nearer, he continued to say,

"In that case, what is the use of money for me?"

Gu Yunxi was distressed by his eerie stare. Melodious, clear, and rhythmical as his voice was, it stirred up the listener’s improper wants.

In a blink of an eye, his cold and handsome young face had filled her two pupils. With his whisper, warm breath was exhaled from between his fine lips and puffed upon her face. She was forced to lean back instinctively with her cheeks blushed, and her heart disturbed.

Suddenly, Yu Xuanji stood tall and turned around as a confident smile touched the corners of his lips.

"To be honest, I only have one flagon of Liyu remained in the temple. A valuable asset indeed. I'll willing to present it to the destined yet will never sell it for money."

Gu Yunxi's heart tightened when she heard it. She wondered if she had the worst fortune to encounter first a strange courtesan and now an unusual priest.

It was arrogant of him to boast that he would not sell it for money!

If he had had no greed for money, why would have he collected patronage from the local folks? Without funding, how could he support his many disciples?

He was no different from that "Ten Pounds Fu", complacent and pretentious. They teased people seeking help only to satisfy their foul taste.

Now that he said he had Liyu, Yunxi decided to inspect it anyway. If it truly had been what she was seeking, she would have had it no matter what would suffer.

Secretly making up her mind, Gu Yunxi composed herself and raised her eyes to meet Yu Xuanji’s. She squinted a little, and words flowed out of her smiling mouth.

"Your Eminence, if I may be so bold, am I the destined one?"

Stepping forward, she spoke, and her upper body almost hit Yu Xuanji's chest.

Her gaze never left his face. With her eyebrows arched and her lips curled, she was full of tantalization.

Gu Yunxi believed that for people like Yu Xuanji, who had been in high positions since a young age, their ruthless appearance was nothing more than a deliberately presented bluff.

Since he could act, why couldn’t she? She would like to see how he react.

Yu Xuanji was startled, and a trace of panic flashed across his pupils. He couldn't help but step back, obviously never expecting Gu Yunxi to behave like this.

The little one was so frightened by his prophecy before long. How could she change into a new person this quick?

It was he who had meant to probe into her, and now she was the one teasing him.

However, Yunxi was not really flirtatious, and she put on this mask for a purpose. Her pretentious and uncoordinated look was actually adorable.

Awkwardly, Yu Xuanji cleared his throat, tightened his face, and said,

"You're being humble. I'm always friendly with Master Leng. It's destiny that brought us together, so surely you're the destined one. Please come with me to a quiet place, and I'll immediately have Liyu presented."

Gu Yunxi was overjoyed with his offer. Nodding vigorously, she replied,

"Your Eminence, please lead the way. I'll follow you."

"Lord,”

Qinger rushed forward and sternly stopped Gu Yunxi.

She had been waiting aside and saw her Lady chatting joyfully with this handsome priest and their bodies almost touched.

It was not ladylike to act like that in broad daylight!

Qinger was surprised. She pondered if the High Priest had really cast a spell on her young Lady.

Otherwise, how could she become so obedient and follow him without question?

Qinger took Gu Yunxi's arm and swayed hardly, trying to wake her up. Her voice sounded anxious.

"Where are you going, Lord? I will go with you!"

Before Gu Yunxi could speak, Yu Xuanji turned around and ordered the boy next to him with a clear voice and a long face,

"Xuyue, take the young man to the tearoom for a rest. You must serve him well with all respect."

Qinger felt that she was being stared tightly by the skew-eyed priest. Her body trembled slightly out of control as a result. And she was mute for a long while.

She peeked at Yu Xuanji, who was perfect and impeccable everywhere. His indifferent arrogance was freezing, and his handsome look was intimidating.

Especially those dark eyes, which were covered by a mysterious mist, concealed his intentions.

Without redundant words, he could take a mere look to dissect and annihilate a dissident.

His vibe was nothing less than that of the Eastern Depot Master, who often appeared in horror tales that a mother would tell to stop temper tantrums.

Awkward silences persisted.

Smelling the tension in the air, Gu Yunxi hurriedly dragged Qinger to the door and whispered,

"Behave and wait here for me. I will return as soon as I have Liyu. I'll make authentic Jiaozhu Pear Curd for you tonight!"

Qinger was really worried. She grabbed Gu Yunxi's sleeves and would not let go.

"Don't push yourself too much. I feel that the priest can cast spells. Are you seduced by his beauty? Let's go. The Master is still waiting for you!"

"What nonsense!" Gu Yunxi was at her wits' end. "Why would I be tempted by men other than the Master? I was provoking him. Don't worry!"

She then raised her left hand and touched the red string tied on her right wrist. With her arms akimbo, she said triumphantly,

"My disguise was not so easy to be seen through. Not to mention I have a weapon hidden in my waist belt. Should he have ill intentions, I would not be an easy target! He also said he's a friend with the Master, who will not spare him if he harasses me! Just be patient and wait here!"

Qinger nodded reluctantly. "Well, go now and be back soon, please."

After Qinger settled down, Gu Yunxi followed Yu Xuanji around the rear room and walked slowly.

Passing through many bluestone corridors and countless halls, they had left the hustle and bustle of worshipping crowds far behind.

Up the marble stairs and past two drum towers, they arrived at an isolated courtyard.

Before entering, they were embraced by a strong fragrance.

Yu Xuanji stopped before the vermilion courtyard doors and beckoned Yunxi with his arms extended.

"Lord, please."

Without further ado, he led the way into the yard.

Gu Yunxi followed closely behind.

A brand-new world fell in her vision.

The cinnabar walls were not too tall, where some withered vines were grown. Those were the old roots of out-of-season ivies. Their time had not come yet, so they were replenishing their energy in slumber. When summer arrived, they would bud again.

The main hall and the east and west wings were neatly organized in the courtyard. The red window frames, the green window screening, the indigo wall bricks, and the black roof tiles emitted simplicity and modesty. A few ginkgo trees were draped in emeralds with birds chirping on their branches, composing a unique scenery.

Compared with the prosperity outside, this place was a polished gem that had returned to nature from the earthly world.

There was an open garden in the middle of the yard, in which flowers were planted. Their stems were straight and corollas were bright, like the colors of Yu Xuanji's Taoist robe.

Gu Yunxi had never seen such flowers. No wonder she had smelled a strange fragrance. It turned out to be from this mysterious flower.

She was going to take a closer look, but Yu Xuanji had pushed open a door, saying.

"Please come inside."

Gu Yunxi had to leave the flower with reluctance and followed him into the room.

There was nothing special in the furnishings. The tables and chairs were made of common jujube wood. The three walls were painted snow-white. On the wall facing the door hung a painting of the moon and plum blossoms, and a huqin and a pipa were hanging on the rest two walls respectively.

A rectangular table was set in the southeast, on top of which were several plates of fruits and pastries and an incense burner. Only one incense was inserted in the burner.

Now the incense had burned more than half. A string of grey smoke slowly floated up from the stub, but its smell was eclipsed by the bizarre floral fragrance from the courtyard.

A boy servant brought refreshments soon after they sat down at the tea-table.

Yu Xuanji conveniently instructed them to dig out the flagon of Liyu from under the pear tree outside the Medicine Hall and take it here.

Gu Yunxi finally put her heart at rest after hearing those words.

But it was yet time to lower her guard!

She secretly reminded herself to check on "Liyu" and confirm it was genuine and then she could proceed.

Yu Xuanji watched Gu Yunxi holding the white porcelain teacup with the plum pattern. Her eyelashes were slightly hanging, and she did not move for a long time as if she was lost in thoughts.

The steam rose from the cup and kissed her light-brown eyes.

Yu Xuanji took a sip, put down the cup, and spoke with his soft and clear voice,

"Lord, you don't need to be restrained. This is my chamber, usually tidied by my disciples when I practice Taoism in the Palace."

Gu Yunxi recalled her thoughts and replied with a smile. Putting down the cup lightly, she cast her eyes to the window and asked curiously,

"Your Eminence, what are the red flowers in the courtyard? The aroma is very special. I have never seen such beautiful flowers."

"Afyuni, also known as the poppy."

Yu Xuanji replied. Seeing Gu Yunxi was still at a loss, he explained,

"Afyuni is a sacred flower transplanted from the western tribes. Its fruit can be used as medicine to ease the pain."

Gu Yunxi nodded and smiled brightly. "Thank you for letting me know, Your Eminence."

Yu Xuanji stared back.

"Well, we are alone now. Let's take it easy and drop the titles. Just call ‘you’ or ‘I’. Last time I heard the Master mentioned you as his apprentice at the Baohe Palace. I never got the chance to ask your name, age, and when the Master took you in."

"My last name is Gu, and the Master gave the name 'Yun Guaner'. I'm sixteen this year. I used to serve the damsels in the Garden. The Master took me in a year ago to care for his daily life."

Feeling that the counterpart was probing in her identity, Gu Yunxi was not timid. She gave an answer that was half true and half false.

Finishing that, she picked up a piece of sophora cake and bit off half of it. After swallowing it, she looked up and questioned,

"Your Eminence, where are your ancestors from? Are there any relatives left?"

Yu Xuanji's face froze for a second, and then he put on a smile. His eyes were dark and complicated.

"I am from Fengdeng. There are my parents, my elder brother, and my half-sister in my family."

Gu Yunxi ate up the pastry and shook off the fine chips from her hands. When she heard about his half-sister, she appeared surprised immediately.

"Oh? So, are you from a big family as well?"

How could a big family be so cruel to send such a handsome man to the Taoist temple?

Infinite pity sprouted in Gu Yunxi's heart.

Yu Xuanji must have endured some trauma in his early years, so he became a priest at a young age. No wonder he would be so aloof in a high position.

On the other side of the table, Yu Xuanji turned the teacup in his hand but never withdrew his gaze on Gu Yunxi. His eyes were dim like a deep cold stream, flowing in which was silent sorrows.

Suddenly with a light sigh, he was overcome with emotion.

"My sister should be as old as you this year..."

"Um-hum."

Enjoying the tea, Gu Yunxi absently echoed his homesickness. Afterward, she suddenly sensed that something was wrong. Raising her head, she sat straight and corrected her with a frown.

"I'm a man!"

Yu Xuanji burst into laughter. The unpretentious and joyful expression coming from the bottom of his heart was as brilliant and touching as rosy clouds, catching Gu Yunxi's eyes firmly.

After having his fun, Yu Xuanji wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and his fair face turned solemn again. He said to Gu Yunxi,

"I was just using you as an example. Why are you panicking?"

Gu Yunxi was embarrassed. She startled and questioned with displeasure.

"You said you have Liyu. Where is it? When will you show me?"

"Calm down."

Yu Xuanji defended with his dazzling eyes.

"Liyu was buried in the ground, and it might take an hour to dig it out. It's almost lunchtime. How about I summon food for us to eat as we wait?"

"Hah? An hour! You can dig a tunnel with that much time!"

Gu Yunxi yelled in noticeable irritability.

Qinger was still waiting for her in the front hall. How could she stay here and dine with a crazy priest?

Yu Xuanji seemed to note Gu Yunxi's hesitation so he consoled her casually.

"Don't worry. I will tell my disciples to bring lunch to your servant too. He'll not be neglected."

Now that the story was played out like this, she had to bear it for Liyu and Jiaozhu Pear Curd.

Soon, several blue-robed boy servants entered and filled the table with food. They then left a jar of yellow wine by Yu Xuanji's hand and parted.

Gu Yunxi was led by Yu Xuanji to the table and looked down.

There were stewed chicken nuggets with ginkgo, stir-fried mushrooms with leeks, stir-fried beans with bacon, and Dongtian kimchi. On the side were buckets of white rice, steamed buns of purple rice, and steamed bread of potato.

The dishes were well organized in terms of aesthetics and nutrition.

After walking all morning, Gu Yunxi was exhausted.

She just ate the appetizers so she was keen on relishing the feast. Rid of irritation and tension, she thanked her host curtly and then got a large bowl of rice, which along with the various dishes, satiated her greatly.

Yu Xuanji did not eat much but occasionally sipped from a cup of yellow wine.

"Do you know what 'Liyu' is?"

After Gu Yunxi had dined for a while and probably half-full, Yu Xuanji asked her.

Gu Yunxi was taken aback for a moment. She swallowed and blinked.

"The rain in the season of pear blossoms, in early April, is Liyu!"

Yu Xuanji played with the wine cup and shook his head silently without explaining.

Gu Yunxi was lost. Putting down the tableware, she asked,

"Then tell me, what is Liyu?"

The door was knocked. Yu Xuanji answered, "Enter!"

Two boy servants pushed the door open and entered. One was holding a small earthen jar with a felt cloth under it, and the other carried two white cups.

Setting the clay jar and white cups on the table, a boy carefully opened the jar lid and poured into the cups, and then they left the room quietly.

Gu Yunxi took a closer look and only saw plain hot water steaming in the two cups.

Yu Xuanji's lips curled. He calmly glanced at the cups.

"This is Liyu. It was stored in the earthen jar last April the fifth and buried underground. Pear blossoms are cold in nature, so I especially had it warmed up. You may taste it."

Gu Yunxi took out her handkerchief and wiped her mouth. Scrutinizing the liquid in the cup, she took it under her nose and sniffed it.

It did have a faint fragrance.

She took a sip. It tasted saltish at first, and a faint bitterness emerged after a while.

Gu Yunxi's face suddenly changed in surprise, and her hands trembled. Looking at Yu Xuanji with bright eyes, she expressed endless gratitude and excitement.

Yu Xuanji only pursed his lips and did not emote. He chugged the other cup of Liyu and met Gu Yunxi's eyes as he confessed,

"There's something erroneous in the folktale about Liyu. Water is colorless and tasteless despite the seasons. How could one bring out the rain's taste?"

Gu Yunxi was astonished, studying the half cup of Liyu in her hands. Then she cast her doubting eyes back at Yu Xuanji and disagreed.

"But I just tasted the saltiness as in the folklores of Liyu!"

"The water was indeed the rain from last pear blossom season. Yet, before serving, I asked the boy to boil dried pear blossom petals in it for half an hour. Then it was filtered and rested for half an hour. So we have the jar of Liyu."

"Pear blossoms are white and tart. With rain from their season but no petals, none can cook authentic Liyu."

Paused at Gu Yunxi's shocked look, Yu Xuanji couldn't help laughing. His laughter contained a bit coldness and an undisguised criticism.

"You searched around for Liyu, laboring hard without using your brain. Even if you, fortunately, obtain real Liyu, you'll not make the best of it!"

A sudden realization.

Gu Yunxi's heart palpated as her clear face transformed between bloodlessness and blushes. She wished there was a hole in the ground for her to hide her embarrassment.

Ashamed, she cupped her hands to salute him.

"It was a shame for me, with so little talent, to display my incompetence before Your Eminence."

Yu Xuanji took the opportunity of Gu Yunxi's embarrassment and smiled indifferently.

"Then you'll tell me what you want to do with Liyu coming all the way."

"The Master is coughing recently. I heard that white fungus pear soup could moisturize the lungs. I want to stew it with several pears and white fungus to relieve his cough."

Yu Xuanji squinted his eyes. His sight was burning as a torch and sharp as a blade.

"Pears are fruits of autumn. It's just the end of March. Where did you find them?"

"..."

Her lie was caught. Gu Yunxi flinched and made no answer.

Sitting across to her, Yu Xuanji smiled gloomily.

"If you don't tell the truth, I won't give Liyu to you!"

"I'll tell you!"

Resignedly, Gu Yunxi rolled her eyes and hit upon another lie.

"Recently the Master gave me a gourmet recipe of a dish called 'Jiaozhu Pear Curd' that he desired. I only lack the 'Liyu' as an ingredient, so I searched for it..."

"Jiaozhu Pear Curd?!"

Before Gu Yunxi could finish, Yu Xuanji's face changed drastically. As if enraged, his dark eyes were more freezing, radiating sharp coldness.

"He really... gave that recipe to you?"

Petrified and nervous, Gu Yunxi was cornered by his gaze, and the priest persisted.

From his inquiry, could she infer that he was also aware of the origin of "The Exquisite Collection of Delicacies"?

Gu Yunxi hesitated for a moment but could not care anymore. She nodded and replied,

"Sure! I am his apprentice taking care of his diet and routine. He will tell me what he wants to eat."

Yu Xuanji sneered and waved his sleeves angrily.

"That’s it. I'll take Liyu back. Please see yourself out after lunch!"

"Your Eminence, how you break your promise,"

Gu Yunxi couldn't bear it so she shouted.

Yu Xuanji ignored her and buried his head to dine and wine, meaning to push her out with indifference.

Yunxi did not expect her lie would backfire at her. The priest was indeed a moody eccentric!

Gu Yunxi pondered. She had left Qinger alone for Liyu. After all the dining and chatting, how could Liyu slip through her fingers at his whim?

Simply outrageous.

Gu Yunxi remained silent as she watched Yu Xuanji drinking both Liyu and the yellow wine.

That jar of Liyu was less than half a kilogram. If she let him drink like this, it would be consumed soon!

Gu Yunxi gritted her teeth hard and finally came up with an idea.

Standing up and then approaching Yu Xuanji, she gave him a flattery smile.

"Your Eminence, I'm still naive and may have offended you. Please forgive me. Here, I will punish myself by drinking a cup of wine as an apology to you!"

Then she took the wine jar and poured it into the white cup for Liyu before. Holding the cup to the priest's direction to motion him, she threw back her head and drank the wine clean with a few swallows.

The wine tasted strange, not the kind to Gu Yunxi's liking. She could feel a scorching heat move down her intestines with it, and then a burp broke her restraint.

Embarrassed, she grinned at Yu Xuanji. Then she filled his cup with wine as she flattered him.

"Your Eminence, please don't mind me. I toast this cup to you. Please drink and calm down."

Yu Xuanji snorted coldly and then raised his cup to drink. Afterward, he looked at her with a smirk.

"You're a smart one! Why? Good at drinking?"

"Yes, yes!"

Gu Yunxi nodded repeatedly, putting on an expression of joy.

"Your Eminence, how boring it is for you to drink alone? Why don't you have me drink with you?"

"Excellent!"

Yu Xuanji raised one eyebrow slightly, under which slyness flashed undetected.

Hence, the two of them sat close together, clinking cups and toasting each other. There was no limit to their conversation.

During this time, Gu Yunxi was forced to drink much.

Her vision gradually became blurry, and she began to lose consciousness.

Not good.

Gu Yunxi secretly told herself.

She was planning on getting Yu Xuanji drunk and stealing Liyu. However, the crazy priest's stomach seemed bottomless.

If things had continued like this, she was afraid that she would have been intoxicated before him!

Thinking it over, Gu Yunxi exchanged a few words with Yu Xuanji and then fell on the table. Before that, she had secretly kept a full mouth of wine.

"Lord Yun?"

Yu Xuanji tilted his head and called her. Receiving no response, he then leaned over and whispered in her ear,

"You are drunk. Let me carry you to bed and rest for a while. You may leave after sobering up."

"Umm…"

Gu Yunxi's mouth was full of wine. Unable to speak, she just hummed vaguely.

Yu Xuanji smirked carelessly. He grabbed one of Gu Yunxi's wrist and put his hand on her slim waist, pulling her up from the chair.

Now was the time.

Gu Yunxi took the opportunity and puked the wine in her mouth as soon as her head touched Yu Xuanji's chest.

"What?"

With a distorted exclamation, Gu Yunxi was pulled to the ground by gravity.

She pretended to be drunk and fail to get up as she tried clumsily. Her narrowed eyes flickered shortly, mocking Yu Xuanji in confusion and indignation.

Yu Xuanji's complexion changed instantly from fairness to darkened blushes. His facial twitching was horrible to behold. His fists were clenched and shaking in the wide sleeves. It was impossible for him to face the filth on his body.

"Help! Help!"

Yu Xuanji shouted hysterically, and soon two boy servants dashed in.

"Quick! Quick! Draw a bath now. I must clean myself and change clothes."

Yu Xuanji's two fists danced wildly in the air as if he had lost his senses. Surrounded by the boys, he stormed out of the room.

Gu Yunxi got up from the ground, dusted herself, and looked out the door with sly laughter...

...

With the boys’ help, Yu Xuanji removed the stained robe and sat upright in the chair angrily, waiting for the fragrant bath to be ready.

Seeing his personal servant Xuyue coming from outside, his handsome face tightened up as he asked sternly,

"Has she gone?"

"Your Eminence, when I went there, she has left. The jar... was also taken away."

The boy lowered his eyes and answered submissively.

Yu Xuanji snorted angrily at the news. Yet on his numb face, a shred of pleasure lingered as if he was ruminating over their meeting.

"I thought she was trying to seduce me to get Liyu. I didn't expect it like this..."

"Why bothered teasing her if you wanted to give her Liyu in the first place, Your Eminence?"

Yu Xuanji ignored the boy, bowed his head, and thought to himself.

"The road is yet long and boring. With such a shrewd girl nearby, it's much more interesting. Nonetheless, can that girl fathom the true meaning of Liyu and Jiaozhu Pear Curd?"

Jiaozhu Pear Curd was tears of parted people.

Abruptly, he raised the right fist before his eyes and spread out his fingers. Resting in his palm was a string red as a blazing fire. Gazing at it, his dark pupils were immediately lit by its brightness.

Yu Xuanji's mouth corners lifted into a sneer.

"Master Leng wanted it? Humph, Huanan He, well played."