Chapter 77 The Immortal in the Nunnery (20) That nun definitely didn't go there to stay overnight...
The clouds were as dark as ink. As they walked and talked, Yu Qi continued, "It just so happens that Wei Xiao is traveling south with Chen Jia this time. They are good friends, but Chen Jia didn't come to Qinglian Temple with him. That's a bit strange. Didn't that Second Master Chen say that he always loves to join in the fun? Why isn't he curious about such a strange and wonderful place as Qinglian Temple?"
Du Zhong walked around to his side and said, "Didn't he say he was going to Wuxi on business? Maybe he was afraid of delaying his important business? Or maybe he's not a womanizer, or maybe Wei Xiao heard about Qinglian Temple from someone else and never told him."
Yu Qi smiled and said, “What you’re saying isn’t impossible. But I suddenly remembered yesterday that your Uncle Zhao mentioned that more than ten years ago, Chen Jia’s elder brother studied in Nanjing for two years. Coincidentally, Qinglian Temple started to prosper during those one or two years.”
"But that doesn't necessarily mean that Young Master Chen has any connection with Qinglian Temple."
“That’s why I’m giving it a try.” As he spoke, Yu Qi turned to look at Jiu Li. “We’re staying at Qinglian Temple. Everyone here knows we’re working for the government. If Qinglian Temple really dares to mess with Yu’er, such audacity shows that they have a more powerful backer than the county government.”
Du Zhong looked worried. "Even if Master's calculations are all correct, I've heard that the two Imperial Uncles of the Chen family are favored officials in the court. What can they do to their young master?"
The pale sunlight cast a somber glow on Xu Bai's smiling face, making even the smile appear gloomy. He couldn't help but sigh, "Yes, regarding Wang Shanfeng's matter last time, the Emperor only issued a slight warning, saying he would be demoted and sent back to his hometown for three years. But knowing Wang Shanfeng as I do, once the storm passes, he will surely try to pull strings again. In a few months, once the Emperor's anger subsides, the two Chens will put in a good word for him, and he will be transferred to another post. Even Wang Shanfeng is treated this way, let alone the Chen family's own flesh and blood. Besides, such a trivial matter as forcing a woman into prostitution and blaspheming the gods is not a big deal in the court. If you don't believe me, just look through all the piles of memorials from the Office of Transmission; which of the charges against officials in various places isn't more important than this?"
Hearing this from behind, Jiu Li was furious. "This isn't a big deal?! Does that mean that as long as ordinary people aren't drowning in mountains of corpses and starving to death everywhere, it's not a big deal? Those high-ranking officials in the court, and that old emperor! They themselves live in luxury and eat delicacies, but they think that as long as they give ordinary people a life and enough to eat, they've done right by the world?!"
The three turned to look at her. Xu Bai had a sly smile on his lips, but Du Zhong laughed loudly, "What's your hurry? The world doesn't belong to you."
Jiuli felt embarrassed for a moment because of his boastful words, and rolled his eyes and said, "Every man has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation."
Just thinking of her mother, Yu Qi felt a nameless worry arise amidst her relief.
Upon returning to the guest courtyard, a torrential downpour began, soaking a large area of the veranda in no time. Moments later, the courtyard was shrouded in mist, making the scattered flowers and stones appear even more chaotic. Jiuli now felt nothing but disgust towards these flowers and trees. No wonder so many plants were planted in the guest courtyard; if not to cater to the pretentious desires of lecherous men, then to serve as a screen to conceal illicit affairs.
Seeing that the two doors were open, Chen Jia put down his teacup and came out with a grin to chat with Jiu Li and Du Zhong as they passed by under the corridor. "Why are you two surnamed Yu and Du respectively? Aren't you siblings?"
Jiuli gave him a cold glance. "Who told you we're siblings?"
Seeing that she didn't have a good look on her face, Chen Jia wasn't angry. He unfolded his fan, walked around behind her, and tilted his head to look at her with his face on her shoulder. "Who made you angry, young lady? Tell me and see if I can get justice for you."
At this moment, she couldn't let him notice anything, so Jiuli could only glance outside the corridor and say, "This rain is making me angry. It just started raining whenever it wanted. What, do you have a way to make this rain stop?"
Chen Jia then turned to the front with a smile, "How can man fight against fate? There's nothing I can do about it."
Du Zhong laughed loudly and sarcastically, "Is there anything that even you, Second Master Chen, can't do? I thought that with the power of your Chen family, you could have all-powerful abilities."
"Brother Du Zhong, you flatter me. Our Chen family is also favored by the Emperor. As for our abilities, we have only done our duty as subjects." He put away his fan, cupped his hands over his shoulder, and then looked far away at the corner of the cave entrance, staring intently with half-closed eyes.
Following his gaze, Jiuli Duzhong turned his head and saw Xiuzhi coming. She was holding an umbrella and carrying a bundle on her back. She was waving at them from afar. She walked around the corridor and came up to them, her eyes fixed on Chen Jia with a puzzled look.
"This is Second Master Chen." Du Zhong smiled and moved closer to her. "Aunt Guo, what brings you here?"
Xiuzhi greeted Chen Jiafu with a smile, then her eyelids darkened and her gaze shifted to him. "It's been raining heavily these past few days, and the old lady was worried it might get chilly at night. She asked me to bring you and the master a slightly warmer set of clothes. Where is the master?"
Jiuli smiled and said, "Uncle is inside. I'll take you there."
The two men led Xiuzhi to the east wing, while Chen Jia walked towards the west wing. After a few steps, he looked back for a while before turning into Xubai's room.
Xu Baiyuan was sitting at the octagonal table drinking tea when he heard his footsteps. He had no choice but to get up, bow, and invite him to sit down and have some tea.
Chen Jia slowly walked to the long table, sat back in the chair, glanced at him, and teased with a smile, "I heard that you have some involvement with that young lady from the Yu family? Brother Qi, your official career is not going well, but you are quite lucky with women."
Xu Bai smiled modestly and sat down beside him. “I suppose this is what they call ‘a blessing in disguise,’ losing one thing but gaining another. It’s my good fortune. I just heard you talking to those siblings outside. They’ve been spoiled by their family since they were little, and they’ve grown up in the countryside. They’re arrogant and inexperienced. If you said anything wrong, please don’t take it to heart.”
"I'm not that petty," Chen Jia said, shaking his fan handle to indicate he didn't care at all. "Are they even siblings? Why do they have different surnames?"
Xu Bai deliberately gave an ambiguous answer: "I don't know either. The Yu family has always been a bit mysterious, but if the Yu family members all say it's not true, then it probably isn't."
Chen Jia grimaced and shook one hand, "I think they look alike, but what's wrong with admitting it?"
Xu Bai didn't say anything, just smiled. Chen Jia glanced at him, then suddenly put his arms on the table and leaned closer, "Hey, when the Prince came to Nanjing last time, did he specifically summon you? You two brothers were childhood friends with him, didn't he offer you any help?"
"I've met him twice regarding Lord Wang's matter, but we didn't exchange many words." Xu Bai's smile held a hint of disappointment. "I was merely his companion for two years; what's that worth? Did the Prince mention me when he returned to the capital?"
It was mentioned, but only in a businesslike manner. Chen Jia heard from his father that Zhou Yu hadn't put in any extra good words for him before the Emperor. Logically, given his merit in investigating Wang Shanfeng and his position as a county magistrate, he should have been promoted to county magistrate. However, Zhou Yu didn't take the opportunity to secure this position for him. Either the two of them genuinely had no private dealings, or Zhou Yu was afraid that the Emperor still harbored resentment towards his Qi family.
After careful consideration, he leaned more towards the latter, which was why he came to test the waters. However, seeing that Xu Bai's words were watertight, he couldn't find any grounds for accusations that Zhou Yu had formed a faction with the Qi family. He could only offer a feigned consolation, "Anyway, don't be discouraged. I think the matter of Lord Qi has been over for so many years, and the Emperor has long since moved on. As long as you achieve more merits in your post, you won't have to worry about not having a bright future."
Xu Bai chuckled softly and sighed, "Man proposes, God disposes. I've only done my best."
As the two chatted and laughed, the rain continued unabated, pattering against the railing. Puddles had formed in the courtyard, reflecting countless vines and scattered rocks. Bamboo swayed on several rooftops, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Seeing that she couldn't leave, Xiuzhi had no choice but to go with Jiuli and Duzhong to sit in the next room for a while.
This room happened to face Xu Bai's room. She tilted her head and glanced across at it, then pulled up her skirt and went into the room, saying, "I think that Second Master Chen has an extraordinary appearance. He doesn't seem to be a young master from an ordinary family, and his accent doesn't sound like that of someone from Nanjing. Who is he, really?"
Du Zhong poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her, scoffing dismissively, "He's the young master of the infamous Chen family, the Imperial Uncle, in the capital. Anyway, he's no good, so ignore him." With that, he closed the door.
“No wonder their clothes don’t look like those of ordinary people.” Xiuzhi took a sip of tea and nodded, then looked around the room. “Are the guest rooms at Qinglian Temple this nice? I think they’re even better than many expensive inns.”
Jiuli felt disdain and showed a look of disgust on her face. In the blink of an eye, she smiled and grabbed her arm, "Hey, what has the old lady been doing at home these past few days?"
"Grandma Wei came over the other day and invited our old lady to a wedding banquet at someone's house. The old lady made a couple of friends, and the old ladies were all visiting each other, so it wasn't boring. By the way, Wei Hong also went the other day and asked about you."
What did he ask me?
Xiuzhi chuckled, "When they asked what you did at the temple, I said you helped with cases, and they said they admired you!"
Jiuli felt embarrassed and waved her hand with a shy smile, "Hey, I'm just a busybody. But since my uncle hired a secretary for Lord Yan, it's our own business."
"The old lady was very happy to hear this. She kept talking about it at home, saying that finally someone in the family was going to pursue a career in government."
Jiuli smirked, "So this is what you call a career in government? A secretary isn't an official position; they're just advisors hired by the officials themselves, and they're not listed on the official register. But even though Uncle doesn't have any official rank, his intelligence surpasses that of many in the government!"
"That's exactly what I meant."
The two chatted back and forth, and Du Zhong, unable to get a word in edgewise, scratched his head in frustration, annoyed that Jiu Li was such a chatterbox who wouldn't let anyone else get a word in edgewise!
He circled the eight-immortal table, finally finding a moment to speak, "Hey, didn't you say you were going home to see your mother-in-law and son? Have you gone yet?"
Xiuzhi glanced at him sideways, then immediately turned her face away with a smile. "Since you've come to the temple, I'm not busy anymore, so I took a day off to go back home. Before I left, the old lady packed me a big bag of food and said she would invite them to her home for a visit when the weather is better."
Du Zhonglian nodded repeatedly, "That's true. The two of them, grandfather and grandson, have nothing to do at home. Why don't they come and stay at our house for a day or two? I haven't met your son yet. Tell him to come over and I'll take him out for a stroll!"
Jiuli rolled her eyes and teased, "What do you want to see someone's son for? Besides, what good would it do you to see him?"
"Can I give him a big red envelope? Can I buy him delicious food and drinks?" Du Zhong retorted, then turned to look at Xiu Zhi, touching his nose to hide his smile, but the tips of his ears were red.
Xiuzhi's face flushed slightly, her heart pounding, fearing that Jiuli's jokes would only expose her weakness. She was self-aware enough to know that such words couldn't be taken seriously. Not to mention that she was much older than Du Zhong and a widow with a son, even if she hadn't married yet, her family background was not a good match for him.
She heard the rain outside had lessened considerably, and hurriedly tried to escape, getting up to say she should go back. Du Zhong also quickly got up, saying, "Sit a little longer! I'll go to town and hire a carriage for you."
Xiuzhi smiled and retorted, "Why would a servant like me ride in a carriage!"
"Who says servants can't ride in carriages?" Du Zhong raised his eyes. "Did you come on foot? That would have taken two hours!"
"No, I hitched a ride on two mule carts that were delivering goods on the street. It was cheap."
Du Zhong twisted the money pouch at his waist and shook it. "Don't try to save money. I have money. I'll hire a carriage for you."
Before Xiuzhi could stop him, he had already opened the door and run out with a smile.
The rain stopped abruptly, and the next day it was so hot it felt like being trapped in a hot pot. Even the slightest movement would leave one drenched in sweat. Zhang Da had been running around for days, his clothes soaked through. When he finally reached the last checkpoint leading to Liuhe County, even the guards there said they had never seen a nun named Miaohua leave the city. This left him extremely worried.
Ah Liu, wiping his sweat, came closer and said, "Countless people leave and enter the city every day, including many monks and Taoists. Miao Hua left more than half a month ago. Could it be that these people don't remember her?"
Zhang Da turned his horse around and said, "I think she didn't even leave the city, otherwise the yamen wouldn't have been unable to find her travel permit."
"But didn't the people at Qinglian Temple all say that she went to Liuhe County to stay overnight? Is it the people at Qinglian Temple who are lying, or is she lying herself?"
Zhang Da frowned and shook his head. "Anyway, this nun definitely didn't go there to stay overnight! Mr. Yu is very thoughtful. Since we're investigating, we can't miss anyone. Let's find her first."
Where could they possibly look? Miaohua was also an orphan with no relatives or friends in the city. They had already sent people to inquire at the homes where she often went to preach, but no one had seen her recently. Zhang Da couldn't help but wonder if Miaohua was the murderer in this case? Had she used the pretext of staying at the temple to hide away, thus creating an alibi, and then secretly sneaked back to Qinglian Temple to commit the murder?
Thinking to himself, he led his horse slowly into the city. Before long, he arrived at a bustling street and suddenly heard someone call his name. He turned to look at the front of his horse and saw that he had just arrived at the pharmacy of Dr. Xu Qing from the Liyuan Garden. Dr. Xu Qing, with her protruding belly, was greeting him at the door.
Looking to the side, Zhang Da saw that the Xu family had also set up a shed, with several buckets inside. People were paying money to buy herbal tea. Zhang Da paid close attention and noticed that it wasn't expensive, only one coin per bowl. However, the tea and medicinal dregs were scooped out together with each scoop, unlike the Yu family, where the herbs were wrapped in gauze and boiled together.
The Yu family's stall was free; anyone could drink as they pleased. It was obvious that Xu Qing had heard someone praise the Yu family and learned this trick, but he was too pained to lose money.
Zhang Da chuckled inwardly. He walked to the door and exchanged pleasantries with Xu Qing. Xu Qing knew of Zhang Da's good relationship with the Yu family and was very jealous of him, so he forcibly pulled him into the hall. "Look at how sweaty you are, Officer Zhang. You must be busy with the people again. No matter what urgent business you have, since you're passing by, please have a cup of refreshing tea before you go. Here, bring two bowls of chilled plum juice for the two officers!"
He invited Zhang Daliu to sit down and chatted about everyday matters before subtly inquiring about Yu Qi. He thought to himself that Yu Qi had first stolen his thunder at Liyuan, and a few days ago he'd heard Yu Qi trying to establish a connection with Old Master Wei. In the entire Nanjing pharmaceutical industry, Yu Qi practically reigned supreme!
Hearing that Yu Qi had hired a secretary for the newly arrived Lord Yan, she felt even more resentful! She couldn't help but mutter some sour remarks, "In the end, it's all because Doctor Yu is capable. He was first trusted by Lord Wang, and now even the newly arrived Lord Yan values him, not to mention Lord Qi. I think Doctor Yu doesn't need to be a doctor anymore. If he just goes to the yamen a few more times, he'll rise through the ranks in the future. There's no need for him to compete with us for this worthless job."
Zhang Da took a mouthful of sour plum juice, but found it less sour than the words he was talking about. He swallowed and smiled, “You’re just overthinking things, Mr. Xu. There are so many people in all walks of life in the world. Who can take away whose job? Besides, Mr. Yu isn’t someone who’s greedy for fame and fortune. It’s just that he happened to run into this situation. Don’t let his cold face fool you; he has a kind heart.”
Xu Qing knew that the two of them were close, so she quickly smiled and changed her words, "That's right, I could tell that Doctor Yu was a kind and warm-hearted person when we were at Liyuan Garden."
As the two chatted and laughed, Ah Liu overheard the two shop assistants behind the counter whispering and laughing, occasionally uttering the words "bald head" and "nun." Ah Liu, being somewhat shrewd, had a sudden inspiration and deliberately circled to the front of the counter, laughing, "You two rascals, you're full of wicked thoughts! Talking about women like that, calling them nuns—aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?"
One of the shop assistants chuckled, placed his hands on the counter, leaned forward, and gave a lewd smile. "If nuns are so shameless, they'll be the ones getting punished first, not us."
Ah Liu lowered his eyelids and laughed, "How am I indecent? Where did you find out? It's one thing to gossip about others, but gossiping about cultivators will also incur divine punishment."
Another shop assistant leaned over and whispered, "Who's talking about her? It was Niu Si, the shop assistant at Lu's Pharmacy on the street ahead, who saw it with his own eyes. A while ago, a young and beautiful woman came to their shop with a prescription to get medicine. When Niu Si looked at it, he saw that it was a prescription specifically for abortion. Niu Si originally thought that some adulterous woman had gotten into trouble by having an affair, but who knew that when the woman went out after getting the medicine, she tripped on the threshold, fell to the ground, and her headscarf fell askew, revealing half of her bald head, with a dotting mark on her forehead!"
The other one gloated, "Hmph, no wonder she had to have an abortion; the child in the nun's belly is no bastard!"
"How old does that nun look?"
“According to Niu Si, she’s only in her early twenties and is exceptionally beautiful. I think with such a face, she shouldn’t be a nun; she should be getting married.”
Amidst the two men's lewd laughter, Ah Liu turned around and gave Zhang Da a knowing look. Finally, the two men bid farewell to Xu Qing and walked out onto the street. Ah Liu then whispered these words to Zhang Da.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Da frowned deeply. "You mean the Lu family's herbal medicine shop?"
"Yes, it's on the street just ahead, turn right."
Zhang Da hurriedly led the horse forward, saying, "Let's go! Let's go ask right now."
Before long, the two arrived at the Lu family's herbal medicine shop. When they asked Niu Si, the shopkeeper hurriedly called out the chubby-faced young man to answer.
What Niu Si said was not far off from what the two Xu family servants had said: "That half-bald head, reflecting the sun, I can't be mistaken, it's definitely a nun! What, this matter has taken to the yamen? Serves her right! A nun committing adultery is an even greater crime, gentlemen, please don't let her off lightly!"
Zhang Da chuckled and said, "You're quite the hothead! What's it to you? Let her do what she wants, she's not your wife, why are you so anxious?! Let me ask you, did she say her name, where she lives?"
Niu Si kept shaking his head, "Can you tell me? The nun Mo must live in some temple or monastery."
Seeing the two officials' stern faces, the shopkeeper raised his hand and smacked him on the head, saying, "Think carefully if there's anything important you haven't said!"
Niu Si rubbed his head and thought for a while before finally remembering, "Right, right! Although I don't know that nun, I know the person who wrote the prescription for her! Shopkeeper, that prescription was written by Wang the Cripple!"
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Author's note: Thank you for reading.
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