Chapter 1347: Chapter 1325: Trends

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang were hiding with Bai Dalang in the study when Manbao came running to find them. Seeing they hadn’t even changed into their outdoor clothes, she got angry, “We agreed to go to the Daoist temple today, why haven’t you moved?”

This was usually the time for them to fetch her from her house or meet at the village entrance.

Bai Erlang shushed, and Bai Shan lowered his voice to say, “Today, Cousin Chen’s family is leaving, so we’re hiding here for a while.”

Manbao was puzzled, “Hiding from what?”

Bai Dalang awkwardly coughed while Bai Shan explained, “Yesterday, Aunt and Mrs. Chen went to the temple and then rejected the Chen family’s marriage proposal. When I came over this morning, I ran into Cousin Chen’s family in the front yard; Cousin Chen’s eyes were all red.”

Bai Dalang glared at him, warning him to be cautious with his words.

Manbao said, “Stop hiding, I didn’t see any carriages in the front yard when I came over, they must have already left. My mom and the others have left too, so let’s hurry up.”

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief, then got up, and Bai Erlang invited Bai Dalang, “Big brother, why don’t you come pray to the Heaven Master too?”

Bai Dalang hesitated, rubbing his belly.

Manbao said, “Brother Bai, you better not go. It’s quite cold outside; it wouldn’t be good if you caught a cold. Let me check your pulse.”

Bai Dalang extended his hand, and Manbao felt his pulse for a while, then checked his tongue and complexion, nodding, “Much better. I’ll give you acupuncture when I get back from the temple. Remember not to eat carelessly, stick to plain congee…”

Bai Dalang nodded at the same old medical advice he received, but just as he nodded, Manbao dragged Bai Shan and Bai Erlang outside.

“Hurry up, hurry up, or we won’t catch up with my mom and the others.”

Bai Shan said, “I’ll have Daji drive the carriage, that’ll be faster.”

The three of them traveled light and indeed moved much faster, catching up with Ms. Qian and the rest at the base of the mountain, jumping out of the carriage to walk up the mountain on foot.

Many others were also visiting the temple to offer incense, after all, the New Year was approaching. With everyone idle at home, they’d go to the temple to pray for good luck in the coming year.

Bai Shan and the group decided to donate money directly, so they didn’t bring anything. But most of the villagers walking alongside them carried bamboo baskets like Ms. Qian, filled with grains, wheat, or other items.

However, few had baskets as fully packed with rice and eggs like Ms. Qian. In the vicinity of tens of miles, her offering could be considered generous.

They deftly made their way to the main hall to worship the Heaven Master and then carried their things to find Taoist Shoucai. Daoxu was right beside Taoist Shoucai, attending to worshippers and those seeking signs.

When he saw Manbao and Bai Shan, he discreetly winked at them.

Taoist Shoucai welcomed Ms. Qian, and seeing what was in her basket, his smile grew even brighter as he happily handed the items to Daoxu and began conversing with her.

Ms. Qian primarily wanted to inquire about next year’s fortune for her family, as well as the marriage prospects for her youngest son and eldest granddaughter.

Taoist Shoucai had other guests to attend to, but knowing Ms. Qian was familiar with Abbot Shouqing, he directed her to find him in the back.

Ms. Qian then took Junior Ms. Qian and Daya to draw a lot. After taking it, they headed to the back, allowing the others to go off and enjoy themselves.

Manbao rarely drew lots, and Ms. Qian didn’t let her do so easily. Curious about Daya’s lot, she followed along, with Bai Shan and Bai Erlang trailing behind her, all heading to the back together.

Taoist Shouqing was at the back entertaining some more important guests, all like Ms. Qian, giving generous gifts to the temple or regular worshippers of the temple.

Ms. Qian was also familiar with them, exchanged greetings as she entered, inquired after their well-being, and waited until those ahead had finished inquiring about their lots before she approached.

Daohe was behind Abbot Shouqing, pouring tea for several of them. This tea came from tea trees grown on their mountain; it was a little bitter, but once brewed, it had a unique fragrance that Daohe quite liked, so he often brewed it for the temple people and visitors.

But no one liked drinking this bitter tea, not the guests nor Abbot Shouqing, but Daohe stubbornly refused to brew anything else, claiming one still had to drink if thirsty.

Seeing Manbao and Bai Shan, Daohe smiled and nodded at them, carrying the teapot out and inviting them to come along.

There were stone tables and stools in the yard, but no one sat outside in the cold.

Daohe set down the teapot, went inside the house to bring out a set of teacups, and gave them four cushions to put on the stone stools, “It’s too cold, sit on these.”

He poured them tea, and when Bai Shan and his companions took a sip, they wrinkled their faces, “The aroma is nice, but it’s as bitter as ever.”

Daohe laughed, “Savor it carefully, doesn’t it have a sweet aftertaste?”

Bai Shan tasted carefully and said, “Very faint.”

Daohe laughed, “That faintness is what’s marvelous.”

He looked carefully at the three and chuckled, “Congratulations on fulfilling your wishes.”

Bai Shan and Manbao exchanged glances and asked, “You already know?”

Daohe nodded with a smile, “Probably everyone in the surrounding ten miles knows. It’s such a small place. When the official from the capital came and coincidentally saw them planting winter wheat, and with the feast your family held for the villagers, everyone knew within a couple of days.”

In the remote mountain village, little outside news reached them, and inside news rarely leaked out. It was easy to keep a secret, but spreading news was not hard either.

Especially when the villages within a ten-mile radius were connected and not far apart; linked by kinship, how could such a big event, a joyful event, and a topic so significant go unnoticed?

Daohe continued, “Now people quietly say behind closed doors that you are a reincarnated fairy under the Heaven Master’s seat, that your parents’ virtue in their past lives brings them the blessing of having you. Perhaps when you achieve transcendence, your parents might also attain immortality. Otherwise, there are not many righteous people like them in this world, so righteous that the whole Qili Village is known as such.”

He laughed, “It wasn’t easy for them to shield your past, to help you grow, so now the tale of Qili Village’s noble deeds spreads fervently. I hear it’s now easier for Qili Village people to arrange marriages compared to other villages.”

The three of them: …

Bai Shan couldn’t help but swallow, “It has already influenced marriage arrangements for the whole village?”

Daohe nodded, “Naturally, since your Qili Village has a good reputation, people are more willing to form marital ties with villagers.”

Bai Erlang asked, “They don’t mind our village being too remote, too mountain-locked?”

Daohe chuckled, “They don’t mind.”

Bai Erlang slapped the table, “My dad truly has sharp eyes for picking the place. Out of so many good places, he chose Qili Village to live in.”

Bai Shan: “… Didn’t Uncle choose Qili Village because it has good feng shui, adjacent to the mountain and river?”