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."

Big leaves did sound somewhat amazing; Chang Geng was about to give a few words of praise when the monk wrote with sincerity: "Big leaves are cheaper."

Chang Geng: "..."

He carefully looked at the monk's teacup. It was a high-quality cup and was very thoroughly cleaned. Unfortunately, as it had been used for too long, a few bumps were hard to avoid; the edge was chipped slightly.

Liao Ran: "Your Highness, please forgive the rundown condition of our temple."

The entire capital had left him with the impression of lavishness and grandiosity, as if everyone was wealthy. The city was packed with luxurious pastime activities; Westerners saying that the tiles on the street of Great Liang's capital were covered in gold was, in fact, not quite an exaggeration.

No one knew why, but all the people that Chang Geng knew were poor.

No need to mention Shen Yi, he was naturally born with a poor farmer's bitter melon face from generation to generation. Marshal Gu as well, although he possessed a massive manor, it was only an empty shell. In the early morning of the first day of the new year, he could not wait to take Chang Geng to the palace to find the Emperor and collect the ransom. Now there was also Liao Ran who used a damaged teacup.

Chang Geng said: "The Hu Guo Temple has many incenses and offerings, engulfed in smoke, but Master here is at peace with a humble way of living. A true dedication to Buddha's practice."

Liao Ran smiled and wrote: "This monk has traveled through the north and south, I have quickly gotten used to it, my deepest apology for I have disrespected nobility."