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墨書 Inktalez
During the season of Frost's Descent, it is the perfect time to appreciate chrysanthemums. While other flowers have already withered, the chrysanthemums are in full bloom.
Five miles away from Fortune Town stands the Dabai Temple. Although it is not a large temple, it is the most popular one in the area. Besides the efficacy of the Bodhisattva, what attracts people the most is the variety of flowers and plants cultivated there. Spring and summer are abundant with blooms, autumn showcases chrysanthemums, and winter features plum blossoms. Not only do literate scholars enjoy visiting to admire the flowers, but ordinary folks also come to take in the sights.
Since arriving in this world, Xiao Lihua has been busy making money and has had no interest in worshipping any deities. When she heard Zhang Lianxiang Yuniang invite her to go incense burning together, she was momentarily taken aback.
Xiao Lihua was not someone who believed in spirits or gods. Even growing up in a rural area, she had never held such beliefs, let alone after attending university and firmly believing that there were no spirits in this world. However, now she had no choice but to believe; after all, she had crossed over into another person's body, which might just be due to divine intervention.
"Sure, let's go together," Xiao Lihua said with a smile as she came back to her senses, thinking that visiting the temple would also allow her to enjoy the autumn chrysanthemums.
Zhang Lianxiang and the others were quite pleased. For them, going to burn incense was a significant event. Families with limited income placed great importance on spending money for incense offerings. For someone who valued every penny, going to a temple to burn incense and donate for oil was a big deal. They needed to think through all their wishes beforehand so they could express them all at once when they prayed for blessings from the Buddha.
Xie Youshun smiled at Xiao Lihua and asked, "Wife, what will you wish for?"
"I wish for our family to live better and be free from illness and disaster. What about you?" Xiao Lihua asked, curious about Xie Youshun's wishes. If she could help fulfill them, then there would be no need for the Bodhisattva's assistance.
"I wish for the Bodhisattva to keep you just as you are," Xie Youshun said gently, looking at Xiao Lihua with warmth in his eyes. He was very fond of his current wife and feared that she might fall again and revert to her old self. He wasn't naive; he could believe that an old woman had once taught his wife many good things and that a person could change after nearly dying. However, he found it hard to believe that such a complete transformation could occur. His wife still remembered her past; initially, he thought she wasn't possessed but rather that she was still his original wife trying hard to improve herself, which made him happy. But after such a long time, he felt something was off.
Xie Youshun wasn't sure what was wrong; he didn't want to figure it out either. He just knew he liked his wife as she was now.
Xiao Lihua felt her heart skip a beat under Xie Youshun's gaze and quickly turned to ask Shitou and Muto what they wished for. She felt pleased knowing that Xie Youshun liked her current self much more than being someone else's substitute.
Shitou blinked and said, "I want a little sister! Muto, you want a little sister too, right?"
Mu Tou nodded and said, "I want a little sister, Sister Fragrant."
Xie Youshun nodded and said, "It's good to have a little sister. When the time comes, let your mother give you a little sister, and you all need to protect her well, understand?"
"I understand, I'll give candy to my little sister," Mu Tou quickly replied, as he really wanted a sister.
Shi Tou said, "I'll carry my little sister to play every day. Mother, when will you give us a little sister?"
Xiao Lihua felt embarrassed and said, "Ask your father!" After saying that, she shot a glare at Xie Youshun.
Xie Youshun laughed heartily and said, "Soon, maybe next year you'll be able to hold her."
"You’re not even embarrassed saying this to the kids," Xiao Lihua felt her face heat up a bit. She rolled her eyes at Xie Youshun and said, "If we can't hold her next year or if you give them a little brother instead, let's see how you explain that to them."
Undeniably, Xiao Lihua also wanted to have another child, whether a boy or a girl was fine; of course, she hoped for a girl so she could dress her up like a doll.
Xie Youshun looked at his two sons with wide eyes staring at him. He reached out and held Xiao Lihua's hand and said, "There will definitely be one. If it's another son, we'll just keep having more."
Xiao Lihua shook off his hand and turned back into the house. This man seemed to have grown thicker-skinned lately.
Xie Youshun laughed behind her and picked up Mu Tou, placing him on his shoulder and spinning around. Mu Tou screamed in surprise and then burst into giggles. Shi Tou clapped his hands and laughed below. Xiao Lihua listened from inside the house, her mouth curving into a smile. She thought it might be time to wish for a little girl.
The next morning, Xie Youshun's family got up early and hurried with the Ox Cart along with Wang Dashan and others on their journey.
Xiao Lihua first went to the town to buy what they needed before heading to Dabai Temple. Also riding in the same Ox Cart were Zhang Qingfeng and Wang Dashan's families, along with Yang Cao and Xiao Yue. The Ox Cart was nearly full. The group usually got along well, chatting and laughing merrily.
Riding in the Ox Cart, they soon arrived at Dabai Temple. The road was bustling with people and carts, very lively indeed.
Xiao Lihua was becoming increasingly interested in incense offerings, feeling a bit excited. When she saw so many people outside the Dabai Temple, she thought to herself that the incense here must be very prosperous. If the Bodhisattva were truly effective, it would be great; she wished for the Bodhisattva to let her stay here forever.
Upon entering the Dabai Temple, she donated money for incense and lit some sticks. A few of them also drew lots, and their luck was excellent; all the lots they drew were good ones.
Zhang Lianxiang smiled and said, "I knew coming with Li Hua would bring good fortune! Look, we all got good lots. Yumiang, sister-in-law, you can rest assured now!"
Yumiang and Yang Cao both nodded with smiles. They had come this time to pray for children.
Yumiang had not given birth for many years and had already checked her health; there were no issues. It was just a matter of whether heaven would grant her a child. Yang Cao had only given birth to one daughter, Xiao Yue, over the years. She wanted a son, thinking that if Zhang Shuitao had Dog Egg as a son, he could be more assertive at home. She longed for a son, not that she didn't love her daughter; it was just that having a son would make her feel more secure.
Even Zhang Lianxiang prayed for a child. She had one son but felt that one was too few for someone from the countryside. Naturally, having more children would be better.
All four women prayed for children and received good lots, making them all smile brightly, especially Yumiang, whose eyes were even moist with joy, while Yang Cao looked spirited.
Xiao Lihua thought that having children was even more important for women in ancient times.
After coming out of the main hall, Xiao Lihua let out a sigh of relief, thinking that nothing unexpected had happened. She was genuinely worried that someone like an old monk or fortune teller might suddenly appear and say her fate was unusual. In this life, she naturally wished for great wealth and prosperity but did not want to be seen through; she only wanted to live peacefully.
A few children clamored to see the flowers, and the adults naturally took them along since the flowers in this temple were quite famous. Not only did scholars enjoy them, but those who farmed also loved to see them.
As soon as Xiao Lihua saw the chrysanthemums, she fell in love with them. While watching the little ones play, she admired the various chrysanthemums and thought that the ones at home were not as beautiful as these. It would be wonderful if she could bring some back to plant.
"Fourth Brother, Sister Four! There you are! This is great! Please help us find Ruyi; she just disappeared in the blink of an eye!"
At that moment, members of the Fang family suddenly ran over with worried expressions.
Xiao Lihua wondered how they ended up here; it was quite troublesome. However, upon hearing that Ruyi was missing, she quickly asked how it happened. With so many people around, she wasn't too worried about any accidents happening; however, Xiao Lihua was concerned that Ruyi might get into trouble. Even in ancient novels, temples were often depicted as places where romantic encounters could happen. Today, many men and women had come to this temple; among those men were quite a few businessmen and scholars.
Xiao Lihua thought about Ruyi, who now wanted to marry into a good family and had become quite thick-skinned. She was really worried that Ruyi would create some sort of "chance encounter" here, which would be too embarrassing.
Xiao Lihua was not trying to slander Ruyi; it was just that Ruyi made her think this way. The time Zhao Linting came to their house and was seen by Ruyi, even though she sent Ruyi away, later Xie Youhe and Xie Youkang still came over and were disappointed not to see Zhao Linting. Then the Wang Clan called them over and asked if Zhao Linting was getting married, telling them to inquire about it, saying there were good families keeping an eye on Ruyi, almost forcing them to introduce Ruyi to someone. Recently, Xie Youshun said that their family was not worthy of Zhao Linting, and if Zhao Linting were to find someone, it should be a daughter from a respectable family, which seemed to settle the matter.
However, that time Ruyi cried and blamed the couple entirely.
From Ruyi's eyes, Xiao Lihua could tell that Ruyi would not give up. She would definitely continue to rush down the path of finding a good family. With Ruyi's looks, it shouldn't be difficult to find a good family in the countryside, but after being rejected once, no good family in the countryside would want her anymore. Moreover, good families in the town or county would be even harder to find.
Xiao Lihua thought that perhaps Ruyi's marriage would become a major event for the Xie Family and could easily turn into a laughingstock if they weren't careful. She was already prepared; every time this matter came up, she felt an ominous premonition. She just hoped nothing would happen and that they could find her before Ruyi did anything.
At this moment, the Li Family also came over and complained upon seeing Xiao Lihua: "It's all Fourth Brother and Sister Four's fault. If you hadn't angered Ruyi, would she have run off? After finding her, you two need to coax her well."
Zhang Lianxiang said, "A grown person running off and blaming others? What’s there to coax? Is she a three-year-old child?"
Yang Cao also said, "You didn’t keep an eye on her and are blaming others?"
"You don’t know anything; our Xie Family’s matters are none of your business!" the Li Family retorted.
"Alright, stop arguing and let’s find her first."
Xiao Lihua was too lazy to argue with them and asked Zhang Lianxiang and the others to help look for her. Besides Yumiang watching the children, everyone else scattered to help search.
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