Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 228 - 227: Green Leaves Agarwood

Chapter 228: Chapter 227: Green Leaves Agarwood

Chen Afu went to the Zen room, where a table of vegetarian meals had already been laid out, and Abbot Liao Chen was leading some children to sit at the table. She sat down and joined them for the meal.

After the meal, the children went for a nap, and Chen Afu stayed to chat with Abbot Liao Chen. When she heard that his health hadn’t been good and that he often suffered from insomnia, she gave him a stick of Swallow’s Leaf Sinking Fragrance.

When Liao Chen heard it was Swallow’s Leaf Sinking Fragrance, he was incredibly surprised, his eyes bulging. He exclaimed, "My god, is there really such an extraordinary fragrance that exists in the world?" He then answered his own question, "It’s from Master Wu Zhi, it must be genuine."

He accepted the fragrance and took a sniff, then closed his eyes and inhaled again with immense enjoyment. He opened his eyes and announced joyfully, "Indeed, it is subtly beautiful, long-lasting, and delicately fragrant like nothing I’ve ever experienced."

Seeing this, Chen Afu was somewhat taken aback. As the name suggests, Swallow’s Leaf Sinking Fragrance contains leaves of agarwood. She understood that no ordinary monk could have made this fragrance, it was something quite rare and treasured.

So she asked, "Abbot Liao Chen, is this Swallow’s Leaf Sinking Fragrance very rare?"

Liao Chen smiled and said, "It is understandable that you don’t know about the valuable nature of this fragrance. I read about Swallow’s Leaf Sinking Fragrance in an ancient book. To create it, they must find a tree called agarwood and use its leaves. But this tree grows in remote mountains where few people ever tread. I used to think it was just a myth, as no one in our dynasty or the previous one ever produced such a fragrance... Master Wu Zhi is indeed a profound monk; it’s remarkable that he found such leaves and made this extraordinary fragrance." While holding Chen Afu’s hand he chuckled, "Afu, you’re very fortunate to have Master Wu Zhi’s favor, as he bestowed three sticks of this fragrance unto you."

So, ancient books did record the existence of this fragrance. It cleverly mentioned that the agarwood could be found deep in the mountains. This way, people would not be so apprehensive about this fragrance.

Chen Afu pretended to be surprised and laughed, "So Swallow’s Leaf Sinking Fragrance is so valuable. Next time, I’ll send Master Wu Zhi some more tasty vegetarian dishes to express my gratitude."

Liao Chen laughed heartily, "You should use this fragrance sparingly. If wasted, it would truly be extravagant. The ancient book mentioned that it has a uniquely pleasant scent and could prevent and cure various diseases. It also lasts very long. Even without lighting it, it sends forth a faint fragrance that can purify a room or keep clothes smelling fresh. After about a month, when the fragrance begins to fade, it then needs to be lit. Therefore, just using a small piece at a time can last over a month. The remainder should be stored in a sealed copper container to preserve its scent..."

It seems that these two sticks of fragrance could last quite some time.

Abbot Liao Chen carefully placed the fragrance in a copper box and put on the lid. Then, he took hold of Chen Afu’s hand and began to chat about daily matters. Her demeanor was gentle, her tone soft. Chen Afu felt the warmth of motherly love from her, as if she was being held by Mrs. Wang.

Moved, Chen Afu leaned towards her and recounted amusing anecdotes about Chu Hanyan, which had Liao Chen laughing heartily. Now, her laughter reached her eyes, showing genuine happiness.

When the children woke up, everyone prepared to return home. Chu Hanyan, with tears in her eyes, tugged at Liao Chen’s sleeve saying, "Grandma, come home with us. It’s so distressing to live alone in such a large compound, just like I used to."

Liao Chen’s eyes also reddened as she bent down to Huai and said, "Grandma can’t go home with you, dear. I have already chosen a monastic life, I must stay in the monastery."

Chen Afu reassured Ms. Chu with a few words, then picked her up and they all got on the carriage together.

After the carriage had traveled some distance, and was about to round a bend on the way down the mountain, Chen Afu lifted the curtain. Liao Chen was still standing at the monastery gate, looking after them.

The large entrance of the monastery looked even lonelier with just her and the two young nuns in front of it.

She came from such a powerful family, but because her husband was coveted by another, she ended up like this.

Chen Afu felt a pang in her heart, she sighed deeply and held Dabao’s hand with a firmer grip. She hoped Master Wu Zhi could indeed avert Dabao’s misfortune.

Thinking back to what Master Wu Zhi had said about Dabao’s unusual birth and his peculiar fate, suggesting he stay away from people he shouldn’t meet and not leave home for two years...

Chen Afu had long suspected that Dabao was not born into an ordinary household. His abandonment likely had a deeper reason than just the dark secrets of the inner courtyard.

With a child of such significance, a bloody calamity would surely result in life and death struggles. As a simple peasant girl, or rather, the illegitimate daughter of the governor, could she protect him from harm?

She could handle things while Jin Bao was out, but she feared something might happen when he returned...

Chen Afu was deep in thought, silently watching the children play and laugh.

Upon reaching their home, everyone got out of the carriage.

Zhui Feng, Wang Cai, Qi Qi, and Hui Hui had been waiting for them at the gate. The children ran over to play with them, and the place once again became lively and bustling.

Mrs. Wang heard they had returned and came out to greet them, "We’re having dinner at Lu Garden tonight with mutton dumplings." Addressing Manager Luo, she smiled and continued, "I’ve also invited Mrs. Luo and others to come over and join us."

Manager Luo thanked her with a nod and a smile.

After Chen Afu led the children to wash up at Fu Garden, they went over to Lu Garden.

Chen Afu quietly told Mrs. Wang about her conversation with the old monk regarding their uncle. The monk predicted they would be reunited with their uncle, but he couldn’t say when.

Mrs. Wang’s eyes welled up, her hands joined in prayer, murmuring thanks to the Bodhisattva. She added, "If I could see your uncle again, I could die with my eyes closed in peace."

That evening, Chen Afu let Xia Yue and Qiu Yue take care of the children, while she busied herself crafting a cute thumb doll to give to Jin Yanzi.

That night, she went into the space and took two mutton dumplings with her. She looked around but couldn’t spot Jin Bao under the agarwood tree. He hadn’t gone out, so he must be sleeping in one of the golden houses.

Chen Afu put the plate with the dumplings and the thumb doll on the ground and then started collecting the various jewels. In a few days, she planned to go to Dingzhou and sell these jewelry items. With the proceeds, she could buy a larger shop for the Fuyunlai Trading Company.

Apart from the jewelry that Jin Bao had stolen in this world, she still had one emerald, three pearls, three sapphires, and three pieces of jade and gemstones carved with birds and flowers.

Perhaps because of their long stay in the space, these jewels looked extraordinary, their brilliance far surpassing similar-size and quality jewels, making them much more valuable.

Chen Afu estimated that the pearls and sapphires together could sell for at least over 200 taels of silver. The emerald was even more valuable. The last emerald she sold fetched 320 taels of silver, and this one could fetch well over 500 taels of silver.