Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 353 - 352

Chapter 353: 352

Dabao was clever, for he had learned from Chen Afu and others about the relation between the woman and his mother. He wisely remarked, "An oil-paper umbrella, however sturdy, is made of paper after all. It would definitely be punctured by the bird droppings, falling on her."

The little girl wrinkled her nose and commented with a note of distaste, "That bad princess smells awful."

Chen Afu quietly corrected her, "Call her a bad woman, never a bad princess."

The little girl nodded obediently and repeated, "That bad woman smells awful."

Having heard about this unusual event, everyone in the temple came out to spectate. Monks clasped their hands together, chanting Buddhist scriptures. Some pilgrims even knelt and bowed towards the flock of birds, exclaiming "The Bird Fairy has arrived".

Chen Afu and others walked up to Monk Wu Zhi’s Zen room, noticing that the mystery of the "Bird Pot Lid" continued to hover over the main hall.

All the guards entering the temple were prohibited from carrying weapons. Thus, they had not brought any bows and arrows and were helpless against the birds. Rong Zhao was confined waiting within the main hall until the flock dispersed.

Of course, even if they had brought bows and arrows, the monks of Lingyin Temple would not have allowed them to kill within the temple.

After entering the Zen room, the two children were led by Gui Er, the young monk, to the right room to have some snacks. At first, the children refused, but upon Chen Afu’s nod, they reluctantly agreed to go.

Chen Afu was invited by Gui Yi to the left room, filled with stacks of food boxes against the wall, and a few more on the bed. These were the snacks that Chen Afu had brought for the senior monk.

She greeted the senior monk, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, with a bow, "Good day, venerable master."

Wu Zhi responded with a bow and said, "Amitabha Buddha, please sit, Madam."

Chen Afu took a seat, and Gui Ling served the tea.

Wu Zhi spoke again, "I will leave to wander the world in a few days and won’t return for at least five years. When I return, perhaps everything will be different." He paused and added, "I still have two unfinished tasks, which I hope Madam can help me with."

Chen Afu was well aware of her limitations, how could she help a senior monk? She was certain the old monk wanted something from her space, which she had no authority to give.

Thinking back to Jin Yanzi’s heartbreaking tears from last time, she quickly said, "Master, if you want the same things as last time, I really can’t help you."

The old monk didn’t respond to Chen Afu’s words, and continued on his own, "With those items, I have successfully treated a benefactor’s leg injury. However, when his leg was injured, it also affected his... origin, and only a Tri-Color Ball medicine can heal it thoroughly. Therefore, I ask you to find a Tri-Color Ball. In addition, get a bit of Green Swallow’s Nest, just enough to equal a fingertip. The Green Swallow’s Nest is for medicine production. If a severe pandemic occurs later, this medicine will be needed to cure the people. These two items, once obtained, can be given to Gui Ling." Noticing that Chen Afu was inattentive, he continued, "If you agree to it, I will tell you of a catastrophe that is about to befall the Chu family."

A catastrophe for the Chu family? These words startled Chen Afu. She trusted the old monk’s words profoundly. Was the Chu family destined to face a great calamity in the near future?

However, the concept of impending disaster was too great. Did this mean that the Second Prince was about to seize power and eradicate the Chu family? It seemed unlikely. The monk had said "imminent," thus limiting the time frame to being possibly several days later, or at the latest, by next year.

At this point, wasn’t the emperor’s health still fine, and hadn’t the Ninth Prince’s leg already been healed?

Could it be a natural disaster then?

She stroked her belly sadly, thinking, Could it be that the Chu family would suffer a misfortune right after the birth of these two children, or even before they saw the light of day?

Then she thought, she had Jin Yanzi. If the children hadn’t been born yet, perhaps the three of them could escape the disaster.

But what about Chu Lingxuan, Dabao, Ms. Chu, the loving old master, and the Third Lady... What would happen to them?

No, she couldn’t let anything happen to the Chu family!

She eagerly asked him, "What kind of catastrophe? Didn’t you say before that I have great fortune and that my fortune can also benefit those around me?"

The old monk said, "What I said before was not wrong. If Madam is wise, you will naturally be able to bring blessings to your family, rescue your loved ones from danger, and allow the Chu family to avoid misfortunes. But if Madam is foolish, you won’t be able to save anyone."

Chen Afu asked him, "What must I do to be considered wise?"

The old monk said, "When you have completed those two tasks, I will tell you."

Chen Afu thought for a moment and said, "I will try to find the Green Swallow’s Nest. I can’t guarantee I will find the Tri-Color Ball. The little creature said it had searched deep in the forest and only found that single plant. Besides, it is already late summer. Even if one is found, the flowers may have wilted, and we would have to wait until late spring of next year. Do we have that much time?"

The old monk said, "Just because they can’t be found in this forest doesn’t mean they can’t be found in other deep forests. Just keep looking. Let the creature look for it up north. The spring arrives later there, and this would be the flowering period."

Left with no choice, Chen Afu agreed by nodding and said, "Fine, I’ll try to convince the little creature. Can you tell me now about the impending disaster?"

Monk Wu Zhi pressed his palms together and said, "Amitabha Buddha, when you have handed these two items to Gui Ling, Gui Ling will give you a brocade bag with my handwriting inside."

Chen Afu pled, "Master, I am a person who values honesty. Once I agree to do something, I will do my utmost to fulfill it. Therefore, please inform me ahead of time so we can prepare early."

Monk Wu Zhi waved his hand, "There’s a small difference between doing your utmost and doing all within your power. It’s only fair that good money is exchanged for good goods."

Chen Afu argued angrily, "What kind of logic is that? Are we making a business deal? You are a senior monk whose duty is to save people, not a businessman!"

The old monk laughed and said, "I am left with no other option. If I can save more people by conducting business, why not?"

Chen Afu clenched her teeth in anger, muttering "old baldy" under her breath.

The corner of the monk’s mouth twitched. He picked up some of the snacks that Chen Afu had brought and ate a piece. He nodded with a smile, signifying his satisfaction.

Knowing he was about to travel far, Chen Afu had prepared plenty of snacks that would keep well and were convenient to carry. Several food boxes were filled to the brim.

Chen Afu irritably questioned, "Since Master enjoys conducting business, how should we settle the issue with all these snacks I brought for you?"

Washing his hands clean of the snack crumbs, the old monk chuckled and said, "I will not let Madam suffer a loss." He unfolded his legs and stood up, and after retrieving a small red sandalwood box from a cabinet, he handed it to Chen Afu, explaining, "There are two medicinal pills inside which were left after treating that benefactor. The medicine contains some of the Green Swallow’s Nest and is specifically used for external wounds. It can be taken orally and can also be dissolved in water for external application. It can heal any external wounds as long as it is used in time."

The Ninth Prince’s leg was healed after being broken for a decade, such is the miracle of this medicine. As a military officer, Chu Lingxuan would definitely need this, so Chen Afu accepted the box.