Transmigration: A Farm Girl's Brocade-Chapter 77 - The Strong Robbery_1
Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Strong Robbery_1
Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Strong Robbery_1
As soon as she stepped out, she didn’t see Lady Wu. Qian Yixiu panicked and said, “Where’s my nanny? Where did she go?”
A little girl in the courtyard said, “Your nanny’s things were bought by people from Di Mansion. She went next door to deliver them.”
Sister Zhang, who had appeared earlier, had come out after receiving a cue from the Old Madam. Old Lady Song felt quite uneasy upon learning that Old Woman Di had bought everything for merely one hundred coins; she thought it was because her own family had summoned the young girl inside that they didn’t get a good price. Moreover, those few little tiger baskets caught her fancy.
Sister Zhang handed a purse to Qian Yixiu, saying, “This is a reward from Old Madam, take it back to buy some sweets.”
Qian Yixiu also guessed what was on Old Madam’s mind. The Song family’s men had a good reputation, and they always had a saying on their lips, “Do not contend with the common people for profit.”
Qian Yixiu was deeply touched and said, “Old Madam truly is a living Bodhisattva. Later on, I’ll pray to the Bodhisattva to bless Old Madam with health and longevity, to live up to a hundred years old.”
Sister Zhang smiled and praised her, “Such a sensible and good child.”
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Qian Yixiu had already noticed that this Sister Zhang held some sway in front of the lords of Song Mansion; she must be someone important like a housekeeper. She then sweetly said, “Thank you, Auntie. If I hadn’t met you today, I wouldn’t have received so much reward. May I ask how should I address you, Auntie? Our home is just across the river from Song Village. If our farm sends someone to the capital, I’d like to bring some local produce for you. Though it’s rural stuff, changing flavors once in a while is also nice.”
Sister Zhang was astonishingly surprised. This little girl, she’s really shrewd. Although she was favored by her masters, and many servants tried to ingratiate themselves with her, it was rare for an unknown little girl to do the same. She was happy and somewhat proud.
She gently pinched the girl’s cheek and laughed heartily, “Yixiu, you have such good intentions, thank you…”
Before she could refuse, the little girl next to her preempted with a laugh, “Sister Zhang is in charge of Second Madam’s courtyard. If the little sister wants to send something, just say it’s for Sister Zhang beside Second Madam.”
It turned out she was like the office manager for the leading lady of the house—not a high-ranking official, but an important position, trusted by the top leadership. When the time came, she could potentially pull some strings.
Qian Yixiu gave Sister Zhang a big smile, “So it is Sister Zhang; alright, I’ve noted that.”
After Old Woman Di had left, Sister Zhang embellished Qian Yixiu’s words a bit and recited them to Old Lady Song, “…Such a little girl is grateful for your grace, saying she wants to pray to the Bodhisattva for you to live to be one hundred. Those of us, who have received your great kindness, wish even more for you to live to five hundred.” She wanted to say a thousand but swiftly changed it to five hundred at her lips. A thousand was for the Empress Dowager, Princes.
Old Madam was extremely pleased and said, “Oh dear, living to be one hundred is like becoming an old demon, what more to speak of five hundred.”
The crowd indulged in more flattery, while also taking the opportunity to thoroughly criticize Old Woman Di.
Qian Yixiu and the Little Monk left the courtyard and saw Lady Wu walking out from the next-door courtyard.
They had already walked some distance, but Lady Wu’s eyes were still red. “Yixiu, it’s Nanny’s fault, the good things sold for only one hundred coins. Nanny didn’t dare to bargain with those noble folks…”
Qian Yixiu consoled Lady Wu, saying, “Nanny was right not to bargain with them. We can’t afford to mess with those nobles; naturally, it’s whatever they say.”
Hongji wondered, “Poor Monk has seen Master Di; he is distinguished and imposing, highly esteemed by my Senior Liang. Why would his mother act in such a manner…” He suddenly remembered that he was a monk and should not frivolously judge others’ affairs, so he closed his mouth.
Qian Yixiu scoffed, what good is being a decent official if his reputation is almost ruined by his own mother.
Little Master Hongji accompanied them to buy some incense and candles, and the grandmother and granddaughter paid their respects to the Bodhisattva. Qian Yixiu silently prayed for her family’s health and safety, for herself to quickly get hold of the items from Xishi Mountain, and for Qian Yijin, her little buddy, to soar to great heights… and of course, for Old Lady Song to live to a hundred.
Little Master Hongji kept his word and invited them to have a vegetarian meal at the Benevolent Hall.
He also said with a hint of embarrassment, “It’s not proper for me to invite you to my ascetic room for the meal, as my master is currently discussing Zen with Senior Liang. Next time you come, you can sit there.”
Qian Yixiu kept saying it was no issue, considering herself the lowest of the low, a mere ant in a basket. It was rare for someone from the temple with official standing to take notice of her, and she was determined to build a good relationship. Moreover, thanks to him, she had made some extra money and had also built a connection with Lady Wu and the housekeeper Sister from the Song family.
They had just started the vegetarian meal when Monkey Brother came running over.
Although the meal was meatless, it was rather tasty. The key point was it was free, so both Qian Yixiu and Monkey Brother happily filled their bellies.
After bidding farewell to the Little Monk and leaving the temple, they found Qian Mandie and the others, who hadn’t finished selling their goods yet. As Lady Wu and Qian Yixiu didn’t dare to return to the village alone, they decided to roam around and wait for them.
There were too many people around, so Lady Wu put Monkey Brother into a carrying basket on her back and held tightly onto Qian Yixiu with one hand, afraid that she would get lost.
Lady Wu bought ten meat buns, and at Qian Yixiu’s request, also bought ten gold-thread cakes. Then, she took out a meat bun and gave it to the very hungry Monkey Brother.
At that moment, a pudgy rich young master in silk clothes blocked their way and, pointing at Monkey Brother with his fan as he contentedly ate his bun in the basket, said, “Young master likes this monkey, I’ll buy it.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than one boy servant handed over a silver coin, and another tried to come and take the monkey.
This was an attempt at robbery.
Qian Yixiu hurriedly said, “This monkey isn’t mine, we’re taking care of it for Little Master Hongji from Daci Temple.”
“It doesn’t matter whose it is, if the young master likes it, it’s the young master’s,” said the rich young master arrogantly.
Lady Wu quickly pulled Qian Yixiu aside and explained in a good-natured tone, “Young master, if the monkey was ours, I would sell it to you, but it really isn’t ours. If you want to buy it, perhaps you should ask Little Master Hongji from Daci Temple first?”
The rich young master became unhappy and cursed, “Young master was being nice talking to you and you dare to push your luck…” He then kicked the two boy servants and shouted, “You stupid pigs, do I need to teach you what to do?”
The two boy servants moved to forcibly snatch the monkey, and Qian Yixiu suddenly began to cry loudly, “Help, they’re robbing someone, they’re stealing the monkey…”
The boy servant who tried to pick up the monkey hadn’t even touched it when a flash of red darted by and a sharp pain crossed his face. Then, in the next moment, Monkey Brother had already leaped onto a large pine tree nearby.
The sudden change of events, not only dumbfounded the pudgy young master and the onlookers but also caused the boy servant to cover his face and howl in pain.
At this instant, two Monks from Daci Temple parted the crowd and pressed their palms together in salute, “This is a sacred place of Buddhism, and we ask that all benefactors do not act recklessly.”
Crying, Qian Yixiu said, “Monks, they wanted to steal Little Monkey. I already told them that Little Monkey is being taken care of by Little Master Hongji, but they still tried to snatch him. Little Monkey has been frightened and has hidden up in that tree.”
