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After leaving the Serene Courtyard, Steward Luo stopped under a flowering crabapple tree, took out a purse from his pocket, and said, “My master is very pleased with young Miss’s current situation. He knows that in order to educate her, you have not only put in effort but also spent a lot of money, providing so much delicious food. My master says he has already troubled you a lot and doesn’t want to burden you further. This money is his gratitude to you, and from now on, any expenses you have for young Miss will come from here. Also, I’ve noticed that your land has been bought. You should start building the house soon. Starting tomorrow, I’ll have our tenant farmers bring a few more people to help clear that area of woods.”
Chen Feng found it a bit amusing that Steward Luo seemed even more eager than them to have their house built.
She politely replied, “Even though I made some snacks and braised dishes, it didn’t cost much.”
Steward Luo persuasively continued, “In the future, young Miss will often visit your home, which will result in increased expenses. For example, your new house should be well furnished, not only with exquisite household items but also with flowers and grass in the garden. It would be best to build a pavilion, so you can play inside when the sun is strong.”
Chen Feng thought to herself that this was not just about building their house but rather creating a separate courtyard for the young girl.
Nevertheless, it seemed mutually beneficial.
According to Chu Lingxuan, the girl’s relatives couldn’t be with her often, and in their absence, he hoped that she can accompany his daughter. So, it seemed that her days of keeping her company would far surpass those of all the girl’s relatives. As the young miss grew up in luxury, she would need the best of everything, from food and necessities to recreation. If she often visited their home, they would indeed have to spend some money.
She thanked him with a smile, took the purse, and then said, “Uncle Luo, I would like to change my rest days to the fifth and tenth of each month. The tenth is the day Lord Chu rests, and the young Miss need to have more time to spend with her father.”
Steward Luo nodded in agreement.
Just as Chen Feng finished bidding farewell to Steward Luo, she saw Abbess Liao Chen appearing, followed by a young nun holding a pot of flowers.
Steward Luo quickly went up to bow respectfully. Chen Feng also clasped her hands together and said, “Abbess Liao Chen.”
Abbess Liao Chen smiled when she saw Chen Feng, returned the gesture, and said, “Amitabha, Miss Chen, you are here at just the right time. I have a favor to ask.”
Chen Feng was taken aback. What else could Abbess Liao Chen be asking for?
Abbess Liao Chen explained, “The other day, I brought the braised dishes made by Miss Chen to offer to Master Wuzhi. He liked them very much and asked if Miss Chen could regularly make such braised dishes for him to enjoy.” She blushed a little. It was rare to find a monk like Master Wuzhi, who was both a food enthusiast and straightforward in asking for food. She hurriedly added, “Miss Chen’s mother mentioned that the master who previously read your fortune is him.”
Chen Feng understood. Mrs. Wang had always been grateful to the monk at Lingyin Temple who had read her fortune and predicted that her illness would improve. After crossing over, many things had indeed fallen into place because of this destiny.
So, the old monk’s Dharma name was Wuzhi.
Not only was Mrs. Wang always grateful to him and never forgot about him, but Chen Feng also felt thankful toward him.
However, it was unprecedented for someone to demand food without even having met in person, whether they were a monk or a layperson.
She smiled and said, “I am honored that Master Wuzhi likes the food I make. I am also thankful for the fortune he read for me, which kept my family from giving up on treating me. Okay, I will make it for him regularly.”
Abbess Liao Chen smiled and said, “Then, on behalf of Master Wuzhi, I thank Miss Chen. When it’s ready, bring it to Tangyuan, and Luo Xiao from our estate will send it to Lingyin Temple.” She then pointed to the pot of flowers held by the young nun and said, “Master Wuzhi also mentioned that this orchid is dying and would like Miss Chen to help revive it, saying that Miss Chen will definitely be able to heal it.”
That Master Wuzhi was indeed quite the fortune-teller. He must have predicted that she had a little helping hand. Or perhaps, like Chu Hanyan, her nose was also sensitive and could detect that the braised dish was made with water infused with Swallow agarwood shavings.
Chen Feng glanced at the pot of flowers. The stems were somewhat withered, the leaves curling, looking like they were on the brink of death.
She hesitated, “But I’ve never treated a flower before. What if I can’t heal it?”
Abbess Liao Chen chuckled, “Master Wuzhi said that if Miss Chen really can’t heal it, it’s fate, and he won’t insist.”
Chen Feng took the flowerpot and bid farewell, leaving.
Abbess Liao Chen heard that her son had returned and was in the Serene Courtyard, so she hurried inside.
Chu Lingxuan was sitting in the western room, eating noodles. He was about to leave for official business and had rushed back to see his daughter today, only arriving at Tangyuan in the afternoon.
As soon as he returned, Steward Luo told him about the recent events. He learned that Ms. Chen’s method of guiding the child, though peculiar, was extremely effective. In just a few days, there had been a remarkable change in his daughter, which greatly pleased him.
He was eager to see his daughter’s progress and, without even stopping to eat, went directly to the Serene Courtyard. As he entered the courtyard, he heard a melodious singing coming from a small window. The song was unlike any he had heard before—so melodious, captivating, and yet it felt incredibly distant. It seemed to transport him back to his childhood, when his mother used to softly sing beside his bed…
Later, his daughter’s voice joined in, following the melody with “ah” and “oh,” bringing his attention back. He smiled, his daughter’s off-key voice didn’t ruin the beauty of the song. Instead, it made him feel that they were perfectly in sync.
He walked into the hall, gazing at the small door of the bedroom, hoping the singing would continue.
Steward Luo had already instructed the kitchen maid, Auntie Zhou, to prepare a bowl of chicken and mushroom noodles for the master. When Auntie Zhou was about to serve it, she was informed that the master was discussing matters in the western room. After Chen Feng left, the maid took the noodles into the room.
Upon seeing his mother, Chu Lingxuan quickly set down the bowl, went over to help her sit, and asked, “Mother, did you have your meal before coming here?”
Abbess Liao Chen still used ordinary titles when addressing her son, granddaughter, and the people at Tangyuan. Some said she hadn’t let go of her worldly attachments, and if that was the case, so be it. She had completely cut ties with that family, but she couldn’t help but worry about poor little Yan.
She took Chu Lingxuan’s hand and said, “Xuan, I went to Lingyin Temple and asked Master Wuzhi to read little Yan’s fortune.”
“How did the Master respond?” Chu Lingxuan asked anxiously. Master Wuzhi was the most renowned monk of the Dachun Dynasty, and many nobles sought his divination, though he rarely met anyone.
Abbess Liao Chen replied, “The Master said that little Yan’s fate was unfavorable, indicating an early death.”
Chu Lingxuan was momentarily stunned, looking at Abbess Liao Chen with deep sorrow. “My Yan…,” he lagged off.
Abbess Liao Chen quickly added, “Xuan, don’t worry. The Master also said that due to a sudden celestial phenomenon in March this year, many people’s destinies shifted. By a stroke of fate, little Yan’s destiny has also been altered. The Master said that if little Yan can surpass the age of four, her fate will take a turn for the better. Little Yan has already passed her fourth birthday.” After saying this, Abbess Liao Chen was both overjoyed and tearful.
Chu Lingxuan was overjoyed upon hearing this…