Feng Qingyi noticed this and asked, "Hanyue, is today's food not to your liking? Why are you eating so slowly?"
Shen Hanyue glanced secretly at Xuanyuan Yan across the table, then lowered her head.
"...No, it's not that. Chewing slowly aids digestion."
Feng Qingyi looked up at Qu Jingqiu, who also seemed a bit off today.
Finally, she turned her gaze to Xuanyuan Yan beside her, suddenly seeming to understand something.
Some people, even wearing a crown, don't look like princes. But others, even in coarse clothes eating boxed lunches, exude an undeniable nobility.
The man beside her moved with such grace, as if he had practiced each gesture thousands of times. He was even more elegant than Qin Yuchuan.
Eating with someone like this was indeed somewhat pressure-inducing.
Xuanyuan Yan noticed Feng Qingyi's gaze. "Miss Feng, is something the matter?"
"...No, nothing. I'm so sorry we can only offer you this food due to our class schedule."
Last night they had takeout, and today she had hastily packed some food from the cafeteria. It was all rather casual.
"This is already very good. Thank you for your trouble, Miss Feng."
Although he wished to return home soon, he currently had no means to do so and could only stay here for the time being.
After the meal, Feng Qingyi cleared the table.
Shen Hanyue hurriedly said goodbye and left, pulling Qu Jingqiu along.
Feng Qingyi watched their retreating figures, finding it strange.
Xuanyuan Yan was quite handsome after all. Given Shen Hanyue's usual behavior, shouldn't she have tried to chat more?
They ran off as if someone was chasing them.
"Miss Feng, what's wrong with them?" Xuanyuan Yan asked.
Feng Qingyi shook her head. "I'm not sure. Perhaps they had something to attend to."
Meanwhile, on the way back to the dormitory.
Shen Hanyue linked arms with Qu Jingqiu. "That gentleman's aura is too overwhelming. I suppose only people like Qingyi and Xixi could remain unfazed."
Qu Jingqiu agreed, "I feel the same. Eating with him, I didn't even dare to make a sound."
"I don't know why, but despite looking gentle on the surface, he's so intimidating."
Shen Hanyue added, "Me too. I haven't eaten so carefully in a long time."
"I initially thought he was quite handsome and suited my taste. I wanted to chat more."
"But when I met his eyes, I couldn't say a word."
Feng Qingyi was unaware that her friends had been frightened away by Xuanyuan Yan.
At the moment, she was explaining to Xuanyuan Yan how to use some of the household appliances.
Unlike Qin Yuchuan, this man didn't recognize any of the local writing, so she had to teach him patiently.
In Shengjing, at Prince Xian's Residence.
Ming Jiu anxiously awaited news of Xuanyuan Yan. He had sent out all available men to search.
They had thoroughly combed Shengling Lake and searched within a ten-mile radius, but there was still no sign of him.
"Lord Ming Jiu, there's a monk outside. He claims to be Master Guang'an from Guanyuan Temple and says he can help resolve the current predicament."
Hearing the guard's words, Ming Jiu pondered for a moment. "Invite him in."
With the master missing, they hadn't disclosed any information, using the excuse of the prince losing his jade pendant as a pretext for the search.
This Master Guang'an appearing now – could he know something?
He had heard some things about Master Guang'an from Guanyuan Temple.
Unable to find his lord, he decided to meet this so-called master, grasping at any hope.
In the main hall of Prince Xian's Residence, Master Guang'an, draped in a kasaya, entered and sat down.
Ming Jiu looked at him probingly. "Master, do you know what has happened here that you claim to be able to resolve our current dilemma?"
Seated, Master Guang'an replied, "The master of Prince Xian's Residence is missing. May I ask what you have retrieved from Shengling Lake?"
Ming Jiu studied Master Guang'an. His gaze was calm, without joy or sorrow, transcendent.
He had immediately mentioned knowing about the missing prince. Perhaps he knew some inside information.
"May I ask if the master knows where our prince is now?"
Master Guang'an said, "If you wish to know your prince's whereabouts, give this old monk what you retrieved from the lake."
The things from the lake were just weeds, sand, and stones, along with some small objects that had fallen in. What use could he have for these?
However, finding the prince was the priority now. Since he wanted them, Ming Jiu would have someone bring those useless items.
"Please wait a moment, Master. I'll have someone bring the items recovered from the lake right away."
When the guard brought all the items dredged from the lake, Master Guang'an suddenly stood up.
From among the sand and stones, he picked up an oddly shaped rock.
Ming Jiu looked at the stone. Apart from its strange shape, it seemed no different from any ordinary rock.
What did the master want with this stone?
Master Guang'an held the stone, rubbing it in his hands. "You need not worry. The person you seek will return tonight. This old monk will take his leave now."
Ming Jiu was about to speak, but Master Guang'an had already vanished.
Surely he hadn't been deceived!
Unable to find the master now, he could only wait until nightfall to see if the prince would return.
Having obtained the stone, Master Guang'an disappeared into the bustling streets, unnoticed by anyone.
...
In the villa, Xuanyuan Yan sat on the sofa watching television, trying to learn about this world through it.
The doorbell rang, and Xuanyuan Yan looked towards the entrance.
Miss Feng had keys to this house. If it were her, she would come in directly. So who could be at the door?
After a moment's hesitation, Xuanyuan Yan went to open the door.
Before him stood a bald monk who appeared quite old.
"May I ask what brings you here, Master?"
Guang'an looked at Xuanyuan Yan. "It seems Prince Xian is quite comfortable here."
"Who are you?" Xuanyuan Yan was certain he had never met this person before.
Guang'an calmly said, "This old monk's dharma name is Guang'an."
"...Master Guang'an, you're the one from Guanyuan Temple!"
Master Guang'an's name was known to all in Shengjing, though few had actually seen him.
"Your Highness's arrival here was this old monk's mistake. I shall now take you back. I'm sure Your Highness has many matters to attend to upon returning to Shengjing."
Hearing his words, Xuanyuan Yan asked, "I would like to know how the master brought me to this place."
"Your Highness came here because of this object."
Guang'an opened his hand, revealing a shimmering, iridescent stone that looked completely different from when it was first picked out of the sand and gravel.
Xuanyuan Yan examined the stone closely. "Yesterday, when I was in the water, I did indeed see a glowing stone."
"Then there's no mistake. This object is called a Space Stone. It can perform spatial transmissions. It must have sensed that you were in danger and transported you to a safe place."
