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The old monk chuckled and tugged at his white beard, saying, “Young Lady, you speak the truth. In fact, when I request those items, it’s also for the benefit of the common people and to perform good deeds.”
Chen Feng shrugged and said, “It’s not necessarily so. As for that leaf…”
Blushing, the old monk interrupted her, “As for that leaf, even I couldn’t manage it. Wanting to create an extraordinary fragrance, but that little thing is too stingy… Alright, alright, since you are working for the welfare of the common people, it’s best to push all the blame onto me. However, if I take those items in my name, there’s no reason for Lingyin Temple not to cultivate them. You can give me some special watermelon and cucumber seeds.”
This request was reasonable and not excessive. Chen Feng agreed and promised to deliver them in a couple of days.
Lowering his voice, the old monk added, “Tell that little thing not to get angry, anger harms the body. It used underhanded methods to take my fragrance, and I used underhanded methods to take its leaf, so we’re even. I can still be friends with it.”
In her mind, Chen Feng heard Golden Swallow’s voice, “Stupid old donkey, he’s dreaming. Who would be friends with him?”
The old monk rose and retrieved a small sandalwood box from a cabinet. From it, he took a golden-amber trinket the size of an adult thumb. He smiled, “I found this over forty years ago while traveling at sea. It was on a deserted island with no signs of human presence. Although the island was desolate, I discovered this rare treasure amidst the pebbles. This amber should be a priceless gem formed tens of thousands of years ago, and the exquisite carving is beyond the skill of present artisans. It’s truly remarkable.”
Accepting the trinket, Chen Feng marveled at the amber-carved bird, crystal clear and vibrant, with a small insect inside. Most remarkable were the bird’s naturally red eyes and beak, giving it an endearing and cheerful appearance, much like the Golden Swallow.
Chen Feng couldn’t help but smile as she lightly touched the tiny bird, which emitted a faint fragrance.
Truly a treasure! She had a hunch that the Golden Swallow, who loved treasures and wealth, would adore this item. In her space, there were many precious jewels, but it lacked something like amber.
The old monk was quite adept at being ingratiating.
Chen Feng chuckled, “It’s truly a treasure…” then pretended to hesitate, “Should I accept it on its behalf? It’s quite principled and never likes to be bribed. But then again, it’s indeed a rare treasure…”
The Golden Swallow, having earlier listened to the old donkey praising the item, became eager and couldn’t resist, “Mommy, although I’m quite principled, I also doesn’t like to be shortchanged. That old donkey took so many treasures from me, he should compensate. Take it, please take it.”
Upon hearing the Golden Swallow’s plea, Chen Feng smiled and said, “Okay, I’ll accept it on its behalf.”
Master Wuzhi chuckled, “In that case, we’re even, and it can visit me anytime. I’ll teach it some Zen and offer it some delicious vegetarian meals.”
“Nice try.” Golden Swallow’s voice resurfaced in Chen Feng’s mind.
After conversing for a while longer, Chen Feng bid her farewell. The old monk cleverly had his disciples, Guiyi and little Gui, bring several sacks containing rice, wheat, corn, watermelon seeds, and other items to be placed in Chen Feng’s carriage.
Chen Feng was delighted, the drama needed to be played out to its fullest.
Exiting the meditation room with the two young monks, they handed over the sacks to the temple guards. As they crossed the small stone bridge, they encountered the ninth Lord.
The ninth Lord was being wheeled around, taking in the scenery. The two young monks greeted him respectfully, “Amitabha, ninth Lord, please.”
Ninth Lord nodded at the young monks and replied, “Thank you, little masters.”
Although Chen Feng kept her eyes lowered, she distinctly felt that Ninth Lord had purposefully glanced at her several times.
After leaving Lingyin Temple, they boarded the carriage and headed towards Yingshuan Monastery.
This was the first time Chen Feng had visited Abbess Liao Chen since her engagement to Chu Lingxuan. It felt a bit like a daughter-in-law meeting her mother-in-law for the first time.
In the early summer, the Honglin Mountain was even more vibrant, with the entire mountainside covered in blooming azaleas, painting the entire forest in shades of red. Abbess Liao Chen was playing under a tree with Chu Hanyan, whose giggles could be heard from a distance, while the old Marquis sat under another tree leisurely sipping his tea.
Unbeknownst to others, they might have thought they were a father, daughter, and granddaughter. Chen Feng thought about Chu Lingxuan, the forced husband who had acknowledged only his ex-wife as the mother of his daughter. It seemed quite melancholic.
Upon seeing Chen Feng, Abbess Liao Chen smiled and approached her, holding her as she laughed, “Good child, no wonder I felt a bond with you at first sight. It’s truly fate. Marrying Xuan is a blessing for both Xuan and Yanyan.”
Chen Feng blushed, one hand holding Chu Hanyan’s, and the other guiding Abbess Liao Chen towards the old Marquis.
They all had a vegetarian meal there. Afterward, the old Marquis and Chu Hanyan rested, while Chen Feng and Abbess Liao Chen chatted in the meditation room.
Sitting hand in hand on the kang, Abbess Liao Chen recounted various childhood anecdotes of Chu Lingxuan, such as collecting bird eggs, playing pranks, and covering for the Ninth Prince when he sneaked out of the palace to play, only to be severely punished by his father. This brought moments of hearty laughter.
Through Abbess Liao Chen’s descriptions, Chen Feng pictured a handsome, mischievous, and clever young boy. Who would have thought that such a lovable child would turn into the icy figure he was now, rarely smiling.
After the old Marquis and Chu Hanyan woke up, they bid farewell to Abbess Liao Chen and returned home.
Now, with Master Wuzhi as her backer, besides claiming that the watermelon seeds were purchased from foreign lands, she attributed all other seeds to the old monk.
Upon returning home, she took out some cucumber, watermelon, and corn seeds from the space and gave them to Steward Luo, advising him to soak the seeds in warm water first. Since the seeds were limited, she couldn’t give too many. Once the crops were sown, they could save the seeds themselves.
The corn seeds were split into two parts, with half given to Tangyuan and the other half to Wangshan Village, enough for each to sow one hundred mu of land. Tangyuan received five mu each of watermelon and cucumber seeds.
Chen Ming’s family had harvested their three mu of wheat and, following Chen Feng’s advice, decided to plant watermelons. The main house requested five mu of watermelon seeds, and although Chen Gui wanted more, Chen Feng insisted that they were all she had left.
The next day, Lin Bo and his son came to Fengyuan to deliver the silver. The four hundred mu of wheat in Wangshan Village had been rented out, taxes paid, and the sale brought in over six hundred taels. Chen Feng had Summer accompany them for lunch and also gave them the prepared corn seeds.