"Oh, my dear girl, I’m getting old and muddled. Whatever I’ve done wrong, please do guide ," Yan Daopo stood up from the footstool and bowed to Lian Manman, seeking favor.
Seeing Yan Daopo like this, Lian Manman couldn’t help but chuckle.
Yan Daopo stood there, looking a bit flustered.
"Who doesn’t know that people only ever add oil money in front of the gods and Buddhas? When have they ever taken money back? You want to return the money my mother lent you, but where did this money co from? Are you being disrespectful to the gods and Buddhas, skimming from offerings to score points for yourself? Or are you planning to bla this on my mother?" Lian Manman pointed at Yan Daopo, speaking in a half-joking tone.
"Oh, I wouldn’t dare!" Yan Daopo imdiately bent over and swore, "Would I have the audacity to do such an outrageous thing?"
Yan Daopo bowed to Lian Manman again.
"The young lady’s eyes are like torches; nothing can escape them," Yan Daopo continued to bow, grinning, "Please forgive my blunder this ti..."
"She was just teasing you, look how scared you are," Lady Zhang said as she sat on the kang, noticing Yan Daopo’s embarrassnt, and signaled Lian Manman not to continue, while comforting Yan Daopo, "Co back, let’s sit and talk."
Yan Daopo glanced at Lady Zhang, then at Lian Manman.
Lian Manman said nothing but smiled.
Yan Daopo wiped the sweat from her forehead and felt relieved. Seeing Lian Manman’s amiable face, she picked up the needle and thread and carefully sat back on the footstool.
Lady Zhang spoke with Yan Daopo again, but Yan Daopo’s responses were less fluent. Although Lian Manman said no more, she didn’t leave, making Yan Daopo feel on edge. Her mind was occupied, and the prick from Lian Manman earlier made her even more uneasy.
With Lian Manman there, Yan Daopo knew there were many things she couldn’t discuss with Lady Zhang. However, she had things she had to say to Lady Zhang, and there was urgency; knowing Shen Liu would soon return from the Capital City. If she tried anything then, it would be harder to handle, so she was reluctant to leave.
"...In a few days, there’ll be a ritual at my small temple, I’d like to invite Madam to co... for you and the young lady to co together..." After a while, Yan Daopo collected her thoughts and, smiling, said to Lady Zhang, "Surely Madam and the young lady are aware, though my temple is small, the spring water in the Prefecture City is quite famous, and wishes are most efficacious there."
"Madam’s family will soon welco a new mber, it would be perfect to make a wish for a quick grandchild!"
Yan Daopo invited Lady Zhang and Lian Manman to her temple, and the remark about quickly welcoming a grandchild happened to appeal to Lady Zhang’s desires. She was sowhat moved, but rembered Lian Manman had advised her before, and indeed, there were many things going on at ho recently.
"Well..." Lady Zhang hesitated and glanced at Lian Manman.
"Mother, this morning Father said he would accompany you to burn incense, but you ntioned you’re too busy and would wait until after brother’s wedding," Lian Manman continued working with her needle, smiling, "Besides, praying for a grandchild now seems too rushed. Why not wait until sister-in-law joins us, then you can go together, wouldn’t that be better?"
"That’s right," Lady Zhang smiled and said to Yan Daopo, "As you know, we are preparing for the wedding; we need everyone at ho for these occasions. I fear I cannot go out during these days. Please burn a few more incense sticks and offer more lamps on my behalf. If you need any silver, feel free to claim it."
Lady Zhang’s words left Yan Daopo with no choice but to drop the invitation.
"I’ll follow Madam’s wishes. Once the ritual is over, I’ll co to pay respects," Yan Daopo finally rose, bid her farewell, and left.
After Yan Daopo left, Lady Zhang picked up her needle and thread, talking with Lian Manman as she worked.
"Manman, don’t always look down on her," Lady Zhang said, "She has a difficult life. If she could live well at ho, who would willingly wander the streets, trying to please people? You saw how scared she was when you spoke to her."
"Is she really that timid? More like she’s pretending," Lian Manman said, "Mother, it’s not that I dislike her kind, but she doesn’t seem like a good person. Watching her glance at repeatedly, who knows what she’s planning."
"What could she be planning? She’s just afraid of you. With you around, her speech falters. Those who practice her trade often have so cunning. Asking for money and such is common among them; she’s not the only one like that," Lady Zhang said, "We’re not concerned about such a small amount of money. We can consider it good karma."
"Relax, I’m not naive. I don’t believe everything she says; I always have my reservations. She just wants so money, she’s cautious not to overdo it, otherwise, how could she continue in the Prefecture City? Her visits are just to chat, keeping company," Lady Zhang added.
Lady Zhang still believed Yan Daopo had so skills and enjoyed her company. Lian Manman could only shake her head internally.
"Mother, I’m worried you’re too straightforward and might be deceived. Such a matter is uncomfortable; the money is a minor issue," Lian Manman, realizing she wouldn’t always be around, advised Lady Zhang, "Mother, if she asks you to do anything, don’t hide it from us. Be sure to discuss it with us first."
"Absolutely, have I ever done anything without telling you? You can rest assured," Lady Zhang nodded.
The mother and daughter talked amiably, though at that ti they both forgot about unexpected events.
...
The toothache just subsided, and now there’s a cold—what a tragedy (to be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation and monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
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