But it hadn't been three or five days yet. The old butler was afraid that Chang Geng was preparing his horse to follow them, so he quickly said: "His Royal Highness, the Black Iron Camp is no ordinary army, they move very fast, even a greater steed cannot catch up. Moreover, they do not allow individuals without a military rank to stay; this was the rule that the previous Marquis had passed down..."

Chang Geng calmly replied: "Uncle Wang, I didn't intend to chase after them to cause trouble. I am not a child who doesn't understand common sense."

Old butler: "Then you are..."

Chang Geng: "I want to go to Hu Guo Temple to visit Master Liao Ran. I had already promised him the other day."

The old butler's face once again became unfathomable.

When Marshal would come home in the future and find that, while he was away, His Highness had committed treason, betraying his own side to run to Hu Guo Temple...

The old butler truly could not imagine the look on Gu Yun's face - this was no different than being cheated on.

However, the most urgent task at the moment was to cheer the Marquis' son up. The old butler had no other choice but to grit his teeth and arrange a row of guards to escort Chang Geng to Hu Guo Temple.

As mighty as if they were going there to pick a fight.

Liao Ran had prepared tea. When he saw Chang Geng, he was not surprised, as if having predicted that he would come. He invited Chang Geng to sit down and poured a cup of tea for him. He also asked the little abbot to bring them a brazier, pen, and papers for himself - as if he intended to have a long discussion with Chang Geng.

It had only been half a month since Liao Ran last saw him, but he found that the confusion and anxiousness in the eyes of the young man in front of him had evaporated. He appeared firm and calm, along with a hint of sorrow, like a butterfly that had broken out of its shell.

Chang Geng said his thanks, took the cup of tea to have a sip, then almost spat it back out.

The monk said last time that he would serve him with the best tea, it seemed that his words were purely out of politeness. He did not know what kind of tea the man had prepared for him; it was bitter enough to numb his tongue, not a hint of tea could be found.

Chang Geng: "What is this?"

Liao Ran smiled and wrote: "Ku Ding*, helps with blood circulation, improves eyesight, and gives a better night sleep."

*Ku Ding tea is also called Gualou tea. It is extremely bitter

Chang Geng: "Isn't that Gualou tea? I have drunk it in the manor before, it seemed..."

It seemed not as disgusting as this.

Liao Ran: "That was made with small leaves, this was large leaves."