Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 256 - 255: Two Against

Chapter 256: Chapter 255: Two Against

The old monk tugged on his white beard and laughed, saying, "What the benefactor speaks is true. Indeed, I needed those items for the benefit of the people, to do good deeds."

Chen Afu sneered, "Not necessarily, those leaves..."

The old monk, blushing, interrupted her, saying, "Those leaves, I couldn’t resist. I wanted to make a unique incense, but that little thing is too stingy... okay, okay, since the benefactor is fighting for the welfare of the people, you can put the blame on me for any unfavorable talk. But, since it is taken out in my name, there is no reason for Lingyin Temple not to plant it. Benefactor, just give me some of those special watermelon and cucumber seeds."

This request was reasonable and not excessive. Chen Afu nodded in agreement, saying she would send them over in a few days.

The old monk then whispered, "Tell that little thing not to be angry, anger harms the body. I asked for its leaves in an unusual way, and it took my incense by unfair means, we are even. I can still be its friend."

A voice flashed in Chen Afu’s mind, Jin Yanzi’s voice, "Stupid baldy, wishful thinking, who wants to be friends with you."

The old monk stood up, took a small carved box of red sandalwood out of the cabinet, and took out a golden piece about the size of an adult thumb. He said with a smile, "I found this when I traveled overseas about forty years ago, on a deserted island in the ocean. That island was desolate, uninhabited, but I found this rare item in a pile of sand. This amber, formed over ten thousand years ago, is a rare treasure. The exquisite craftsmanship is beyond the reach of today’s craftsmen, it’s strange."

Chen Afu took the piece, and it was a small bird carved from amber, crystal clear and brightly colored, with a small insect inside. The most peculiar thing was that the bird’s tiny eyes and sharp beak were naturally red, and it seemed to be laughing. Its simple demeanor was strikingly similar to Jin Yanzi.

Chen Afu was delighted and gently wiped the little bird with her finger, there was even a fragrant scent.

What a treasure!

She felt instinctively that Jin Yanzi, who loved treasures and was money-crazy, would definitely like this. In its space, many precious jewels were present, except for amber.

This old monk really knew how to please.

Chen Afu smiled, "It really is a treasure..." then pretended to struggle, "Should I accept it on its behalf? Accept it, it’s a very principled little creature, always refusing bribes. Don’t accept it, but indeed it is a rare treasure..."

In Chen Afu’s words, Jin Yanzi became worried. As soon as the old monk sang the praises of the item, it hurriedly said, "Mommy, although I am very principled, I also don’t like to suffer losses. The baldy took so much from me, he should compensate. Accept it, quickly accept it."

Hearing Jin Yanzi say this, Chen Afu smiled again, "Alright, I will accept it on its behalf."

The old monk chuckled and said, "In this way, I have settled the score with that little creature. Let it come to me when it is free. I will tell it about Zen and invite it to have delicious vegetarian meals."

"Wishful thinking." The voice of Jin Yanzi appeared again in Chen Afu’s mind.

After chatting for a while more, Chen Afu got up to leave. The old monk very wisely had his disciples Gui Yi and Gui Er fill a few bags with things like rice, barley, corn, and watermelon seeds. They were sent to Chen Afu’s carriage.

Chen Afu was delighted. The show had to be convincing.

Chen Afu left the Zen Room with the two young monks. Two guardians stepped forward and took over the bags. As they walked across the stone bridge, they saw the Ninth Master once again.

The Ninth Master was being pushed around sightseeing. The two young monks stopped and greeted him, "Amitabha Buddha, greetings Master Li."

The Ninth Master nodded to the young monks and said, "Greetings to the two young Masters."

Although Chen Afu kept her eyes down, she definitely sensed the Ninth Master look her up and down a few times.

They then left the Lingyin Temple and boarded the carriage heading for the Yingxue Nunnery.

After her engagement to Chu Lingxuan, this would be Chen Afu’s first visit to Master Liao Chen. She had the feeling of an ugly daughter-in-law meeting her in-laws.

Early summer made Honglin Mountain more colorful. The mountain was red with azaleas as Master Liao Chen was playing under a tree with Chu Hanyan. The Marquis Chu was leisurely drinking tea under another tree.

If one didn’t know any better, they would assume the three were father, daughter, and granddaughter. Chen Afu thought of Prince Consort Chu who was forced to let his wife become a nun and whose father, son, and granddaughter only recognized his ex-wife and felt a bit of melancholy.

Upon seeing Chen Afu arrive, Master Liao Chen smiled and greeted her, pulling up Chen Afu who was bowing to her, saying, "Good child, no wonder I felt a strong bond with you on our first meeting, it was truly fated. It’s Chu Lingxuan and Hanyan’s luck to have you."

Chen Afu blushed, holding the hand of the little Ms. Chu who ran towards her, and with her other hand she helped support Master Liao Chen to walk towards Marquis Chu.

The three of them had their vegetarian meal there. After Marquis Chu and Chu Lingyan had rested, Chen Afu and Master Liao Chen chatted in the Zen room.

The two sat on the bed, holding hands. Master Liao Chen was telling stories about Chu Lingxuan’s childhood: stealing bird eggs, playing tricks on people, protecting the Ninth Prince when he sneaked out of the palace to have fun only to be harshly punished by his father, and so on. They laughed a lot.

Under Master Liao Chen’s narration, a beautiful, mischievous, and smart young boy came alive before Chen Afu’s eyes. Who would have thought that such a charming boy would become the icy-faced man of today, who finds it difficult to laugh.

Once the old and young woke up, everyone said farewell to Master Liao Chen and returned home.

Now, with the backing of Master Wu Zhi, Chen Afu claimed that the watermelon seeds were bought from barbarians, while the other seeds were given by the old monk.

Once home, she took some cucumber, watermelon, and corn seeds out of her space and gave them to Manager Luo, advising him to soak the seeds in warm water before planting.

However, the seeds were limited and could not be given in large quantities. If the crops grew well, they were to save their own seeds.

The corn seeds were divided into two parts, half for each, Tang Garden and Wangshan village, just enough to plant a hundred acres of land each. Five acres of watermelon seeds and one acre of cucumber seeds were given to Tang Garden.

Chen Ming harvested their three acres of wheat and, taking Chen Afu’s suggestion, planted watermelon. The main house asked for five acres of watermelon seeds and Chen Agu wanted to ask for more, but Chen Afu told him there were only so many seeds left.

The next day, Mr. Lin and his son came to the Fu Garden. They were there to deliver silver. After the rent and tax was paid for the four hundred acres of wheat in Wangshan village, there were over six hundred taels of silver left. Chen Afu then had Qiu Yue have lunch with them and gave them the corn seeds she had prepared.