Chapter 50 Deserved
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The thunder rolled continuously, lightning flashed in succession, but compared to earlier overhead, it had already receded into the distance. Half of the house was already burning, and the rain gradually dampened the flames. Amidst the flickering firelight, it illuminated the figure crouched in the courtyard amidst the heavy rain, huddled into a ball.
There were four of them.
The two children also ran out from the kitchen as the fire started. They were restless. Upon hearing Cheng Jiao-niang calling for the maid to crouch down, they subconsciously followed suit.
The thunderstorm on the mountain came and went quickly. As the thunder grew quieter, Cheng Jiao-niang slowly tried to get up, but the heavy rain made it impossible for her to muster the strength.
“Ban Qin,” she weakly called out, “it’s fine now.”
Upon hearing this, the maid lifted her head. She looked at Cheng Jiao-niang, who was closest to the house, and crawled over, sobbing loudly.
She slid down the ladder and rushed over, but Miss stopped her as soon as she entered the courtyard.
Reflecting now, she realized how dangerous and frightening it had been moments ago. Crouching by the courtyard gate, she felt her scalp tingling and her body stiff, as if something strange was piercing through her. How much worse must Cheng Jiao-niang have felt.
“Miss, are you alright?” she cried.
“I’m fine,” Cheng Jiao-niang said weakly, unable to pat the maid’s head. She leaned on her arm and stood up.
The maid was exhausted and trembling with fear. It was more accurate to say they were supporting each other rather than her supporting Cheng Jiao-niang. Before they had taken two steps, they heard chaotic footsteps and banging on the mountain gate.
“We’ve come to put out the fire. Is anyone inside? Are you alright?”
A trembling female voice came from outside the gate.
Inside the gate, silence reigned, broken only by the crackling of the fire.
“Abbess, are they all burned to death?” the nuns, dressed in raincoats and bamboo hats, holding water basins, buckets, and brooms, trembled as they spoke.
The abbess gazed at the mountain gate, then at the flames and smoke inside.
Though humans may err, all things have their destinies. To ignore those in distress is unworthy of humanity.
“Break down the door,” she ordered.
Several nuns crowded around the door.
“Listen to my call,” the abbess stood to the side, “One, two, three.”
The nuns shouted in unison and charged towards the door.
At that moment, the gate swung open. The nuns’ energetic shouts turned into exclamations as they stumbled and fell through the doorway.
Whether out of relief or finding the sight of these nuns amusing, the child who opened the door couldn’t help but grin broadly.
That woman was struck dead by lightning! That woman was struck dead by lightning!
Just when they were in a desperate situation, that woman ended up dead first!
It’s really quite amusing.
The child laughed harder and harder, eventually collapsing to the ground, clutching their stomach.
The nuns lying on the ground in the rain looked at each other in disbelief. The temple was burned by thunder and fire, yet they could still laugh? Were they driven mad with fear?
The maid wrapped Cheng Jiao-niang in a thin blanket and quickly brought hot ginger soup. After they both slowly drank a few sips, their complexion improved significantly.
“Miss, wait a moment, let me boil some hot water for you to soak in,” the maid said.
Her teeth chattered as she spoke, not sure whether from fear or cold.
There were footsteps outside the gate. The maid quickly turned to look, and an older nun paused in the corridor.
She greeted with a bow.
The maid returned the gesture hastily.
“Abbess Cheng has ascended to heaven,” the nun said. “The fire has been extinguished. Besides Abbess Cheng and…, there are no other casualties.”
A man died inside the nuns’ house in the middle of the night, a truth that couldn’t be spoken aloud.
‘W-what… what should we do?’ the maid asked in a trembling voice.
Seeing the bewildered young girl wrapped in a blanket, the abbess sighed.
“In this case, we should let Master Cheng decide,” she suggested.
The maid nodded in understanding and hurried to check on Cheng Jiao-niang.
Cheng Jiao-niang was too exhausted; she hadn’t spoken a word since returning.
Was this what they should do?
Cheng Jiao-niang looked at the abbess.
“Abbess,” she began to speak.
The abbess outside the door was slightly surprised; she had already heard that the fool from the Cheng family had moved into the Small Xuan-miao Temple. It was surprising that the fool could speak and her voice did not carry any foolishness.
She quickly regained her composure and returned the greeting with a bow.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to make a trip,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
The abbess was momentarily stunned.
“Very well, Miss, rest assured. I’ll go and inform the Cheng family. Given what happened yesterday with the thunder and fire, it’s only right to notify them,” she replied.
This meant she hadn’t entered the door and unaware of what happened inside the Small Xuan-miao Temple, much less that a man had died inside, which would have preserved the Cheng family’s reputation.
“No,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, “Whatever you have seen is what it is. You are kind-hearted and upright, there’s no need to conceal anything.”
The abbess looked at Cheng Jiao-niang, unable to hide her surprise.
A fool?
Was she a fool?
“The Small Xuan-miao Temple, struck by thunder and fire for no reason, should be overseen the Grand Xuan-miao Temple,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
The abbess didn’t know if this lady was a fool, but she knew she wasn’t. The abbess immediately understood the meaning behind her words.
Something she had longed for suddenly appeared before her eyes. The abbess showed excitement and disbelief on her face.
She felt she should say something, but after a moment of staring blankly, she finally bowed and said,
“Thank you very much for your trust and appreciation,” she said.
Last night, the mountain was filled with thunder and rain, though the city itself wasn’t hit so hard. The torrential rain came and went quickly, and the morning in Jiang-zhou began as lively as ever.
However, several horses rushing through the market streets caused a commotion in the otherwise quiet streets, drawing curses from bystanders.
First Master Cheng had been pacing in the living room for some time when he finally saw the steward enter in a hurry.
“How is it?” he asked anxiously.
The steward nodded and leaned in to whisper a few words. First Master Cheng’s expression turned extremely grim.
“It’s truly a stain on our family’s reputation, a calamity at our doorstep!” he exclaimed upon returning to his inner chamber. Sitting down, he remained visibly furious and upset.
First Madam Cheng dismissed the maid and served the tea herself.
“If no one knows, then it’s fine,” she reassured, but couldn’t help asking again, “Is it really so?”
First Master Cheng nodded grimly.
“We’ve already found out it was a man from a nearby village. His woman was looking for him. The steward has already given her money and sent her away. We told people he was struck by lightning while hunting in the mountains. The woman has no children and was happy to take the money and sell her land to return to her mother’s house and remarry,” he explained.
First Madam Cheng sighed deeply.
“It’s best if we can keep this quiet,” she sighed. “We’re truly indebted to Abbess Sun this time.”
First Master Cheng nodded.
“As for the child who’s still at the temple, should we bring her back?” he asked.
First Madam Cheng remained silent.
Normally, after such an incident, they should bring the child back, but…
The news of the abbess from the Small Xuan-miao Temple being struck dead by lightning quickly spread through the household.
Only then did Cheng Liu-niang understand what had happened.
“Oh my, how could such a thing happen?” Cheng Qi-niang exclaimed in surprise, turning to look at the nursemaid kneeling outside, fanning herself with a small fan. “She said only the most wicked or those evil spirits are struck by lightning. Could that abbess be a fox spirit or a mountain demon?”
Truly, children…
The sisters in the room helplessly glared at her.
“In the mountains, thunderstorms and wildfires are common,” Cheng Liu-niang said.
“Then why didn’t it strike before? It’s only after that fool went there that it happened!” Cheng Qi-niang retorted indignantly. She chuckled at her own remark, then sat up straight suddenly, waving her fan. “Oh, oh, oh, it’s that fool, it must be that fool who brought this upon us!”
Meanwhile, discussions were ongoing elsewhere.
“It’s all because of that fool.”
“It’s truly unlucky for whoever is close to her. Ever since she entered, think about it, how many people have had misfortunes?”
“… Both madams have been publicly scolded, the entire Tang family, Xiao Ju and her parents were all driven out of their homes because of her. If you add them up, that’s already ten people.”
“She hadn’t been in that temple for long, and the abbess was struck dead by lightning. Tsk tsk tsk…”
Chattering and laughter came from behind the door. The leading maid frowned deeply and cleared her throat loudly, causing the chatter behind the door to abruptly cease.
“Please come this way,” the maid squeezed out a smile and said to the nun behind her.
Abbess Sun nodded, her expression calm with a hint of a smile. She walked slowly a few steps, but her mind echoed with the idle chatter and laughter of the maids just now.
Because of that fool, quite a few people had fallen on hard times…
Quite a few people…
The madams and the maids…
These people wouldn’t have just fallen on hard times for no reason, right? Could it be that they had displeased that fool?
This thought flashed through Abbess Sun’s mind.
Displeased that fool?
So, that woman ended up struck dead by lightning because she displeased that fool?
“Abbess,” the maid called out, interrupting her reverie.
Abbess Sun only then noticed she had already entered First Madam Cheng’s room. She quickly bowed in greeting.
“We are truly grateful to you this time,” First Madam Cheng gestured for her to sit and spoke with a smile.
“It is my duty,” Abbess Sun bowed again, saying.
“Although it is our family’s temple, it is not as carefully managed as by you practitioners. Therefore, my husband and I want to entrust the management of this temple to you,” First Madam Cheng got straight to the point, pushing a contract over to her.
Even though she had already guessed this would be the outcome, when she truly heard and saw it, Abbess Sun couldn’t help but feel excited.
“I am grateful for the trust,” she solemnly said, bowing.
She had always thought that certain things in this world were just fantasies, but she hadn’t expected that some distant and unreachable things would be brought right before her eyes in the blink of an eye.
How did all of this happen? She felt a bit dizzy and bewildered.
It’s not uncommon for it to rain and thunder on the mountain, it happens every year around this time.
But this year, one night, there was thunder and rain, and the Small Xuan-miao Temple was struck by lightning.
Then she led her disciples to rescue people and put out the fire.
Then she saw a lady, soaked through, being helped by a maid through the rain.
Then that lady told her that the Small Xuan-miao Temple needed her to oversee it…
That lady!
Abbess Sun had another flash of insight.
“There is another matter I wish to discuss with you, for your decision,” she said.
“Please, go ahead,” First Madam Cheng said.
“The lady who was residing in the Small Xuan-miao Temple was quite frightened. I have some knowledge of medicine, so I would like to check on her and help her recover from the shock. Additionally, overseeing the incense and the temple’s affairs would also benefit from it. What do you think?” Abbess Sun said.
“This truly is a living Bodhisattva bestowed upon us by heaven. Indeed, as long as that fool isn’t at home, everything goes smoothly as I wish.” First Madam Cheng thought with a joyful smile.
First Madam Cheng immediately went to inform First Master Cheng and invited Second Master and Madam Cheng over, sharing Abbess Sun’s suggestion.
For everyone involved, this suggestion was naturally the best possible outcome.
“Abbess Sun is a truly dedicated practitioner, steady and trustworthy. Let’s follow her instructions,” First Master Cheng said.
Second Master Cheng also nodded in agreement.
“The Taoist priests said long ago that living in a temple is indeed beneficial,” he added.
“The fire at the Small Xuan-miao Temple was severe. Allocate some money to have it repaired,” First Master Cheng said, looking at First Madam Cheng. After a moment of thought, he continued, “Let Abbess Sun take charge of finding the right people and overseeing the repairs.”
The repairs and labor costs could be quite profitable. Abbess Sun had done them a great favor, and her considerate offer to keep that fool in the temple had impressed First Master Cheng. He felt obliged to repay her.
Everyone agreed on this point. First Madam Cheng got up to inform Abbess Sun, while First Master Cheng summoned the steward to arrange payment for the labor.
Second Master and Madam Cheng left together.
“However, it’s really strange,” Second Madam Cheng muttered under her breath.
“What’s strange?” Second Master Cheng replied absentmindedly.
These days, his nomination had yet to come through. Every time he asked, they said it was almost finalized, but until the official document was in hand, it wasn’t considered definite.
“The temple in Bing-zhou was struck by lightning, and now this temple here is also struck. Could there really be something…” Second Madam Cheng whispered softly.
“Something? There’s nothing at all!” Second Master Cheng interrupted sharply. “You’re listening to those ignorant women gossiping about nonsense!”
With that, he stormed off ahead, swinging his sleeve, while Second Madam Cheng rolled her eyes and followed behind.
The maid supported Cheng Jiao-niang as they entered the Grand Xuan-miao Temple at the foot of the mountain. Abbess Sun guided them herself. The nuns, who had been instructed to stay away in advance, were all hiding inside. A few younger ones couldn’t resist curiosity and peeked through the window cracks.
“It really is that lady!” someone whispered softly. “It’s these two ladies we saw on the mountain that day.”
“So they’re from the Cheng family.”
“That lady really is a fool.”
“You arrived late, so you wouldn’t know. I remember Madam Zhou from the Cheng family used to pass by our place on her way to the Small Xuan-miao Temple. She would stop by and bow to pray for this child. She would cry inside for half a day each time, very pitiful indeed.”
Others whispered, tiptoeing to observe the lady dressed from head to toe in a black veil, their gazes eventually settling on the maid standing beside her.
“That maid is a kind-hearted person.”
“If she weren’t kind-hearted, she wouldn’t be following and serving this fool. If it were someone else, they would definitely look down on her.”
“Yeah, they would frown and be unhappy. Look at how attentive she is now, genuinely taking care of this fool.”
Abbess Sun took the straw mat and laid it out, watching as the maid helped Cheng Jiao-niang sit down slowly. She then knelt down beside them.
“I have already done as you instructed, allowing you to temporarily stay here at Cheng’s request,” she said, her excitement barely concealed. “Thank you.”
This excitement had been present ever since she saw the silver notes handed over by Cheng’s steward. She hadn’t expected Cheng’s family to entrust her with the restoration of Small Xuan-miao Temple, a pleasant surprise indeed.
The funds for renovating Small Xuan-miao Temple were more than sufficient. As the abbess of a temple with waning incense offerings, money was truly tight. With this surplus, she and her disciples could finally replace their worn-out robes.
“It’s only the start,” Cheng Jiao-niang said as she looked at her.
The first step had been taken. Firstly, Small Xuan-miao Temple was indeed Cheng’s family property. Secondly, fostering personal relationships required active engagement. With this foundation laid during her time at Cheng’s, future interactions would be timely, ensuring continued patronage for the temple.
Abbess Sun understood this, but…
It wasn’t surprising that she had thought about it herself. What surprised her was that this lady seemed to know exactly what she was thinking, or even what she was about to say.
She couldn’t help but look up at the lady before her.
Cheng Jiao-niang had already removed her veil, revealing her face. This was the first time Abbess Sun could clearly see her features; the last time, during the chaotic night, she hadn’t observed closely.
Abbess Sun remembered Madam Zhou from the Cheng family. Now, seeing the child’s face, she resembled her mother greatly but also had features of her father. Removing the veil revealed a delicate brow, shaped like willow leaves, narrow and sharp like a knife. Combined with almond-shaped eyes, unfortunately with less iris than sclera, they gave off a chilly aura, making them unsettling to stare at for too long.
Abbess Sun bowed her head.
“Thank you again for your appreciation,” she expressed her gratitude.
“You deserved this,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied.
In such stormy weather with fierce thunder and lightning, and the already infamous reputation of Small Xuan-miao Temple, she could still lead her disciples to rescue, showing genuine compassion and benevolence.
Feeling further politeness was unnecessary, Abbess Sun thanked her.
“Miss, please stay here temporarily. Once the repairs are completed over there, you can move there,” she said, expressing apology, “I apologize for the inconvenience.”
Cheng Jiao-niang returned the courtesy without speaking.
Abbess Sun dared not say more and withdrew. Her disciples, who had been waiting anxiously, quickly surrounded her, seeming relieved as if a burden had been lifted from their shoulders.
“Abbess, is that fool really scary?” the youngest disciple couldn’t help but ask eagerly.
Could she hit people, scold people, cry, make a fuss, and not listen to reason?
That fool…
The abbess couldn’t help but look back. She sat there, motionless and silent, with an impassive demeanor that made her feel cautious, not daring to speak or look more.
Most importantly, she always felt that this incident was related to that fool. But could thunder and fire be controlled by humans? That’s impossible; only immortals could do that, right?
Yet, these thoughts lingered in her mind. She didn’t know why she had such thoughts.
“Yeah, it’s really quite scary,” she murmured softly.
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