My Lady Always Lacks Ambition
Chapter 327 - 325: Everyone Has Their Own Dao

Chapter 327: Chapter 325: Everyone Has Their Own Dao

Qin Liuxi accompanied his disciple as they saw Teng Tianhan off, then gently nudged Teng Zhao.

"Go and kowtow to your father."

Teng Tianhan paused in his steps, looking back.

Teng Zhao approached him, knelt down, and respectfully kowtowed three times: "Please take care."

Teng Tianhan nearly shed tears, his heart aching as he helped him up, wanting to pat his head. Seeing Teng Zhao slightly resist by tilting his head, he could only place his hand on his shoulder and gave it a pat.

"Follow your master diligently in comprehending the Dao and honing your skills. No matter what the future holds, I am your father."

Teng Zhao clasped his hands in respect.

Mr. Qi stepped forward and said, "Young master, this will be the last time I address you this way. Hereafter, you shall be referred to by your Daoist name. Everyone has their own path to follow; I hope you can find your own true Dao."

Compared to Teng Tianhan, Teng Zhao was more familiar and affectionate with Mr. Qi. He nodded and said, "Mr. Qi, I will."

As his words fell, he took a step back and bowed deeply in gratitude.

To thank him for always being by his side over the years, like a teacher and a father.

Teng Tianhan’s heart grew even heavier, feeling a sense of defeat, as though his position as a father was not only inferior to Qin Liuxi’s but also to Mr. Qi’s.

The group left the Daoist School and turned towards a side gate of the Daoist Temple, where a road was available for carriages to descend the mountain.

At that moment, a spacious and luxurious carriage had just arrived. The driver caught sight of Qin Liuxi and immediately reported it.

Qin Liuxi was momentarily taken aback upon seeing the driver, but then she curved her brows and looked at the carriage with a smiling expression.

Sure enough, no sooner had the carriage come to a stop than a wheat-skinned, valiantly dressed maid in men’s attire jumped down first, followed by offering a hand to help someone out of the carriage.

A beauty wrapped in a pale month-white cloak, cool and ethereal as ice and snow, entered everyone’s view. Spotting Qin Liuxi, delight flashed in the beauty’s eyes as she walked over to her.

"It’s my negligence for not consulting the divination beforehand; I had no idea you’d be here," said Qin Liuxi with a smile.

Si Lengyue approached, offered a bow, and said, "I arrived in Li City yesterday, and after getting settled, I came to the temple to find you. It seems we’ve not missed each other." She noticed Qin Liuxi leaning on a wooden staff and frowned slightly, "You’re injured?"

The beauty’s frown, distressingly endearing.

Wang Zheng, standing beside Teng Tianhan, couldn’t help but inhale sharply, though he silently took a step back.

Beauties are often dangerous.

This Si Lengyue was even more so, with rumors that she wouldn’t live past twenty-five having spread throughout Qingzhou Prefecture. Countless eyes coveted the great Si Family estate, wondering when she would seek a son-in-law.

Spotting Wang Zheng’s reaction, Qin Liuxi remarked, "Wang Zheng, you came from the same place as Miss Si, yet you didn’t encounter each other?"

Only then did Si Lengyue notice Wang Zheng, showing some surprise, "Mr. Wang is here as well."

Although she had a cool temperament, as the family head and not wholly confined within doors, she kept a record of the prominent families in Qingzhou Prefecture. Moreover, as her father sought a husband for her, she even collected portraits of many renowned young talents; naturally, she was aware of Wang Zheng.

Wang Zheng chuckled awkwardly, "Indeed, what a coincidence."

Si Lengyue just nodded and didn’t look at him anymore, instead turning to Qin Liuxi, "Ms. Gao and Yan’er have also come, saying they wanted to offer incense to the Grandmaster."

She gestured backwards, and the waiting Ms. Gao, leading her daughter’s hand, rushed forward and knelt before Qin Liuxi, kowtowing three times in haste.

"Master, thank you for saving my daughter and me from dire straits. I can never repay your great kindness. All I can do is kowtow and offer you a longevity tablet."

"Hey, hey, get up quickly. The ground is covered with sand and stone. Don’t hurt your head. I have to treat you," Qin Liuxi said, raising her hand.

Si Lengyue gave her maid Atu a look, who silently helped Ms. Gao to her feet.

Qin Liuxi looked at Ms. Gao, who seemed radiant and gentle in her gaze, even more so after leaving her husband’s family, appearing to have let go of her worries.

She then turned to Yan’er, the little girl who was peeking at her with big eyes, shyly hiding behind her mother before peeking out again.

"Your wounds are healing nicely," Qin Liuxi said with a smile.

Ms. Gao quickly pulled her daughter forward and said, "The cut on her face has scabbed over, and the Si Family has been applying medicine to it daily. Now the scar is faint. Yan’er, let the Master see. This is the person who saved you. Don’t you remember?"

"I remember. Thank you, big brother," Yan’er shyly bowed in gratitude.

Teng Tianhan and Wang Zheng looked at the mother and daughter and then at Qin Liuxi. Were these another pair of unfortunate souls she had taken under her wing?

"Let’s go inside and talk," Qin Liuxi said with a smile before waving to Teng Tianhan and the others, "I won’t see you out, sirs. Have a safe journey."

Teng Tianhan: "..."

Qin Liuxi turned around and then suddenly added, "If the gentleman wishes to find what he has lost, he might want to search near the southeastern waters. But be cautious—fortune and misfortune are interdependent."

Teng Tianhan’s breath caught; he had been investigating a case of embezzled silver without leads for a long time, but Qin Liuxi had just offered a clue. Could it be related to the whereabouts of that embezzled silver?

He took two steps forward, wanting to ask for a more specific location, but seeing her cane and remembering her affliction of the Five Disadvantages and Three Deficiencies, he changed his request, "Could you grant me an amulet?"

Qin Liuxi took out several Peace Talismans and handed them over, "Remember to donate incense oil to our Qingping Temple every year, and the Grandmaster will bless you."

Teng Zhao watched with keen interest.

Teng Tianhan suddenly laughed, "Deal!"

Qin Liuxi waved and, supporting herself with a cane, limped inside while talking to Si Lengyue.

Teng Tianhan watched them disappear inside the doorway, then hurriedly got into the carriage and said, "We must travel back overnight. If I remember correctly, Zhang Lu’s concubine from the Lin Family is from Yu City by the water."

Mr. Qi followed him into the carriage and asked, "Does Boss believe her?"

"Don’t you?" He had been a skeptic before, but after witnessing a series of bizarre events and with his son now her disciple, it was hard not to believe.

Mr. Qi smiled and said, "I trust the young master’s judgment."

Teng Tianhan sighed and patted him on the shoulder, "It’s been hard on you these past years, staying by Zhao’er side. I’m glad you’re back. If you wish to take an official post, I can recommend you."

Mr. Qi shook his head, "It’s not interesting being an official. I’d rather stay by Boss’s side, offering advice and assistance. Whatever you need, just give me the instructions."

"Alright," Teng Tianhan lifted the carriage curtain, watching Qingping Temple become a tiny dot in the distance, his eyes gradually welling up with tears.

Parting now, when will father and son see each other again?

"Boss, everyone has their own fate and destiny. I believe that the young master under her tutelage will be in a better place than what we can provide," Mr. Qi comforted with a light smile, "Where the heart feels at peace, that is home, that is where one aspires to be. Zhao’er is at peace, and that’s stronger than anything else."

Teng Tianhan nodded, agreeing with the sentiment, but his heart still felt a piece was missing.

Teng Zhao, sensing something, looked in the direction of the descending path, motionless for a long time.

Seeing this, Qin Liuxi patted his head and said, "You and your father, each has your own path. Although separated now, it is not a farewell forever. There will be a day of reunion. Go inside."