The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 354 - 343: Firm

Chapter 354: Chapter 343: Firm

Abbot Shouqing withdrew his hand and felt Ms. Qian’s left wrist, asking, "Did you change your medicine?"

"No," Ms. Qian firmly denied, saying, "I’ve been taking the usual medicine. Abbot, do you think it’s because I’ve been devoutly serving Taishang Laojun that he rewarded me? In any case, I feel much better. I only thought that the kind and benevolent immortal in my dream looked familiar, but I couldn’t recall who he was. However, today, when I went up the mountain and saw the statue of Taishang Laojun again, I recognized him at first glance. They look almost exactly alike."

The Abbot Shouqing was dumbfounded, thinking to himself, Could she possibly be more devout than I am?

But he hadn’t dreamed of Taishang Laojun, had he?

He had seen many believers like this, quite a few of whom even said they had dreamed of the God of Wealth, looking exactly like the statue of the God of Wealth in the temple.

But those people hadn’t come into sudden wealth, while Ms. Qian really did improve from a sickly pulse to a robust one.

Abbot Shouqing was lost in thought.

His medical skills were on par with the village doctor’s downstairs, both rather average; probably not even the imperial physicians in the capital would dare to boast about their prowess, given the mysteries of the human body.

Perhaps it truly was the blessing of immortals?

Looking up, the Abbot Shouqing was met with three pairs of eager eyes. Ms.Qian hoped he would agree with her, while Zhou Sanlang was simply curious whether his mother was actually blessed by immortals and had recovered?

As for Manbao, she found this matter very interesting and was eager to hear what Abbot Shouqing would say next.

The Abbot Shouqing’s smile widened, revealing a warm expression, "Congratulations, Ms. Qian, on receiving the favor of heaven, your health has indeed greatly improved."

Surprise and delight flashed in the eyes of Ms. Qian and Zhou Sanlang.

Zhou Sanlang couldn’t help shouting excitedly, "Is it true, Abbot? My mother is better?"

Abbot Shouqing stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Of course, this is the best reward Taishang Laojun could give your mother, a benefit reserved only for the most devout believers, and it’s also a matter of the fate between your mother and Taishang Laojun."

Zhou Sanlang nodded vigorously, insisting repeatedly, "Don’t worry Abbot, from now on our family will all serve the Heaven Master. We will kneel and offer incense to the Heaven Master three times a day."

Ms. Qian: ...This foolish boy, does he think incense is free?

But when she glanced down at Manbao, Ms. Qian began to hesitate; perhaps the Heaven Master really was looking after her?

Immeasurable Heavenly Lord, forgive me...

Ms. Qian picked up the basket at her feet and pushed it toward Abbot Shouqing, saying with sincerity, "Abbot, the painting of Taishang Laojun we have at home has gotten quite old, I want to request another one to take back."

"Of course, of course, it so happens that a painting was just consecrated in the temple not long ago. You can take it with you shortly. Next time you come up the mountain, remember to bring the old painting back to the temple for burning to increase your merit," replied the Abbot.

Ms. Qian agreed.

The Abbot’s eyes swept toward the young Taoist named Daohe, who immediately beamed with joy, stepping forward to carry the basket to the kitchen.

Abbot Shouqing led Ms. Qian to the front for another worship of Daode Tianzun, and then, oh, no, he formally handed over the painting to her.

Manbao was used to these formalities and was not very keen to participate, so she fell a step behind, turned around, and slipped into the kitchen behind Daohe.

Daohe carefully took out the eggs and set them aside, then poured the rice into the rice bin and handed the basket to Manbao, asking, "Do you want me to carry it to the front for you?"

Manbao shook her head and glanced at their rice bin, remarking, "It seems that you don’t have much rice either."

"Yes, our Taoist temple has been affected by the disaster this year," Daohe, who was quite familiar with Manbao, sat on the stove swinging his legs as he talked to her, "Moreover, the believers who come up the mountain to pray to the Heaven Master don’t like to bring grain anymore."

"Then what do they bring?"

"Most come empty-handed, some bring vegetables, and some bring black steamed buns," Daohe sighed, "Our temple has grown quite a lot of vegetables, too many for us to eat. The masters are currently tearing them up to dry, planning to make dried vegetables and pickles to eat during the winter."

"Don’t you grow winter wheat?"

"We do, but the master says we don’t know how the harvest will turn out next year. If it’s not good, Uncle Masters Shoucai and Shoushi will have to leave the mountain to travel as mendicant priests."

Manbao then felt somewhat disappointed, "I was looking forward to eating the rice dumplings they make during the temple fair next year."

Leaving the mountain to travel as mendicant priests was one of the ways a Taoist temple dealt with natural and man-made disasters. When a temple could no longer support so many people, some of the priests had to set out to wander.

Along the way, they would conduct rituals, tell fortunes, explore feng shui, and heal to earn money for their livelihood. Once the disaster or calamity had passed, they would return to the temple.

There were only six people in their temple, Daohe and Daoxu were young, the Abbot could not leave, and Shoufang was not skilled enough, so in the end, it would have to be Shoucai and Shoushi who would leave.

Manbao took the basket and followed Daohe to the front hall, looking downcast. They saw Ms. Qian devoutly receiving the painting of Taishang Laojun from Abbot Shouqing.

Daohe sincerely said, "If only your mother could come up the mountain every day."

"That won’t do," Manbao, who had been previously sympathetic, immediately said, "We can also worship the Heaven Master at home."

Every time her mother went up the mountain, she would bring some rice and eggs. Didn’t he know her family had very little to begin with?

"But it is certainly not as devout as worshiping in the temple," Daohe said with utmost seriousness, "We must devoutly serve the Heaven Master."

"We are devout, devout from body to heart," Manbao asserted with a serious face, then went on, "If you don’t believe me, watch how I kowtow to the Heaven Master."

With that, she set down the basket, walked to the prayer mat, and kneeled. Looking up at the imposing painting of Daode Tianzun, Manbao bowed respectfully and kowtowed three times.

Ms. Qian was pleased, as was Abbot Shouqing, who praised her three times and personally helped Manbao up, patting her little head and saying, "Immeasurable Heavenly Lord, Taishang Laojun will protect you."

Manbao nodded vigorously, looking triumphantly at Daohe.

Daohe then looked at his master with a mixture of frustration and disbelief.

Zhou Sanlang felt that the Heaven Master was very effective, so he too thumped his head to the ground three times before leaving, praying that the Heaven Master would ensure a safe childbirth for his wife and the wellbeing of mother and child.

The trio descended the mountain full of joy and deep satisfaction.

Especially Ms. Qian, whose anxiety and unease lingering in her heart since yesterday afternoon had now completely dissipated. Gripping Manbao tightly, she whispered, "When we get back, make sure to worship the Heaven Master, you understand? You are his fairy, come down to go through trials in the mortal realm. There’s bound to be some connection, beg him to ensure that all goes well for you in the mortal world."

Manbao’s mouth gaped open, "Mother, when did I become a fairy?"

Zhou San was also puzzled, wondering when his little sister turned into a fairy?

"Of course, you’re a fairy," Ms. Qian affirmed, "Didn’t you hear what Abbot Shouqing said? It’s because I’m favored by the Heaven Master that I recovered from my illness. But why does the Heaven Master favor me? Before this, I was about to be taken away by the immortals, yet the Heaven Master appeared."