Tu Haoyu could tell at this moment that the old man just wanted to find out who the girl he admired was.
How could I do that? Even if that girl doesn't like me, I can't ruin her reputation.
Perhaps it is because of the different environment that Tu Haoyu has become much more mature and thoughtful in everything he does.
Unlike before when he was in the capital, when he would act recklessly and always have someone to bail him out, now he has to take responsibility for everything himself.
I'm trying to calm myself down, but I'm still so sad. What should I do?
Upon arriving in town, Tu Haoyu gave the old man two coins and then hired a horse-drawn carriage, heading straight for Baima Temple.
He wanted to get closer to Buddha and also wanted to find the abbot to answer his questions.
Just as the temple was about to be locked, Tu Haoyu appeared in front of the White Horse Temple.
The novice monk guarding the gate was quite surprised to see Tu Haoyu.
It hasn't been long, how come this young benefactor has become so slovenly and destitute?
After being invited into the temple, Tu Haoyu first kowtowed to Buddha and stuffed the few coins he had into the donation box.
"Haoyu requests an audience with the abbot; I apologize for troubling you," Tu Haoyu pleaded.
Xu Kong brewed a pot of tea and waited for Tu Haoyu's arrival.
Even a highly accomplished monk who had seen many grand occasions was momentarily stunned upon seeing Tu Haoyu, and sighed inwardly.
Xu Kong didn't say anything, but kept refilling Tu Haoyu's teacup, and Tu Haoyu didn't say anything either, just drank the tea cup after cup.
After drinking two jugs of water, Tu Haoyu raised his eyes, which were red and swollen from crying.
"Master, can't you comfort me?"
Xu Kong smiled faintly, "Young benefactor, why do you need this old monk's comfort? Don't you already know the answer?"
Tu Haoyu pouted, looking quite aggrieved.
"Master, could you please tell me if I am destined to be with that girl?"
Seeing the hope in Tu Haoyu's eyes, Xu Kong slowly uttered a few words, "Destined to meet but not to be together."
Tu Haoyu was completely dejected. After a long while, he asked, "Master, where is my destined partner?"
The hand that was stroking his beard paused for a moment.
"When fate brings you together, it will come naturally. Why be so attached, young benefactor?"
Just as Tu Haoyu was about to ask where to go next, the void spoke again.
"A room has already been arranged for you, young benefactor. You should go and rest first."
Well, Tu Haoyu slunk out and lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, pondering what his purpose was in coming to the White Horse Temple.
"I came here to find answers, but it seems I've only given up hope. Have I truly found answers or not?"
Tu Haoyu finally fell asleep in the middle of the night. He thought he wouldn't be able to sleep because of the "heartbreak," but he slept very well.
Having barely eaten anything all day yesterday, Tu Haoyu arrived at the temple in the evening, drank a lot of water, and slept for a long time. He was woken up by hunger.
After waking up, he found the dining hall. Fortunately, there was still some leftover food. The monk in charge of cooking served him a large bowl, which Tu Haoyu ate clean, soup and all.
After eating, I felt more energetic. Standing in the temple, I saw so many people coming to pray to Buddha for blessings, their devotion was incredible.
Tu Haoyu followed the pilgrims, kowtowed to Buddha again, then turned and left Baima Temple. He walked down the mountain, intending to hire a carriage to go home, only to find that he was penniless.
Tu Haoyu had no choice but to walk back to his small home in Qingyang County.
Fortunately, he still had some silver in savings, which he hid in a hole he dug under his small bed.
After digging out the loose silver, there were still more than three taels left. Tu Haoyu went to a clothing shop, picked out a set of fine cotton clothes, and bought them from head to toe. After changing, he went to his family's residence.
Early in the morning, after having breakfast, Huang went to Zhao Jinfa's house.
Zhao Qingyan's great achievements yesterday were known to everyone in the entire Zhao family village. As soon as Huang entered the door, Zhao Jinfeng and the others waited for Huang to speak.
Huang didn't beat around the bush and directly stated her purpose: to ask Zhao Jinfa to act as a matchmaker.
Zhao Jinfa was very conflicted.
"It's fine to act as a matchmaker, but are you really willing to marry Qingyan off to that boy Xu? There's no one in the clan to help her."
From now on, all the household chores will have to be taken care of by Qingyan, which will be quite tiring for her.
Huang slapped his thigh,
"That would be perfect. He has no one in his clan to help him, so isn't this a return to us, his family? As long as he can wholeheartedly live with our dear daughter, that's all that matters."
We don't ask for great wealth or status from him, we only ask for his unwavering devotion. When you go to act as matchmaker, please be sure to mention the Zhao family's ancestral precepts.”
Zhao Jinfa had no choice but to act as the matchmaker.
Unfortunately, when Zhao Jinfa went there, Xu Dongsheng was not at home; he had gone up the mountain to check the traps.
Zhao Jinfa stood at his door for a while, but didn't see anyone. Just as he was about to turn around and go back, he saw Xu Dongsheng carrying a pheasant in his hand and a bundle of firewood on his back, walking towards him.
Zhao Jinfa smiled. Xu Dongsheng was quite surprised by Zhao Jinfa's arrival. After thinking about it for a moment, he understood.
They invited Zhao Jinfa into the house.
The Xu family's house had three rooms: the east and west rooms were bedrooms, and the central hall was used for receiving guests and dining. The kitchen was built separately in the courtyard.
Although he lives alone, he keeps the place very tidy and it is not dirty or messy because there is no female homeowner.
After putting down the pheasant and unloading the firewood, he washed his hands and face and scooped a bowl of water from the earthenware pot in the kitchen for Zhao Jinfeng.
He handed it to Zhao Jinfeng and said, "Master Jinfeng, may I ask what business you have with Dongsheng?"
Zhao Jinfa smiled.
“It’s certainly a good thing that you’re here. We all know about what happened between you and my cousin’s granddaughter yesterday at the village entrance.”
"Well, my sister-in-law came to see me early this morning, saying she thinks you're a good person and wants to marry her granddaughter to you. What do you think?"
Before saying this, Zhao Jinfa thought that Xu Dongsheng would immediately agree, but to his surprise, Xu Dongsheng did not show any joy.
"Master Jinfa, what happened yesterday must have been forced upon the third daughter of Master Qianci's family."
Although some of these actions were a bit too bold, they were understandable. After all, under the rule of power, being able to escape is always a good thing.
There's really no need to sacrifice your entire life for the sake of so-called fame.
The family of Qianci was living a prosperous life, and the third daughter could marry into any good family she wanted.
I live alone. If I were to get married in the future, I worry that there might be many things I can't take care of, and that would be unfair to my third daughter.
Upon hearing Xu Dongsheng's words, Zhao Jinfa wanted to slap him to death; he was practically ready to point his finger at him and call him an idiot.
"We know your family situation, but we only ask you, if your future wife were my grandniece, would you be willing?"
Think carefully before you answer me. Don't say anything against your conscience just because I'm the village chief. Living life is all about being willing.
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