Chapter 372: Rumors
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Tang Jinghong looked at Chu Qingzhi with tenderness, “Qingzhi, I’ll escort you back to the village, and then return to the capital.”
Considering the time needed, it would take about three hours from here to the Chu family village and another four hours from the village back to the capital. “Alright, but you should rest overnight in the Chu family village before leaving,” Chu Qingzhi suggested.
Understanding that Chu Qingzhi cared for him, Tang Jinghong obediently agreed, “Okay.”
After tidying up, they left the courtyard and went to bid farewell to the abbot.
The abbot showed great courtesy to the two, not only meeting them but also expressing concern. This made the other visitors who wished to meet the abbot envious.
The young monk was waiting at the temple’s entrance, glancing inside from time to time. This time, when he looked, his bright black eyes lit up. “Miss Chu.”
Chu Qingzhi walked in front of the young monk. “Little fellow, what’s wrong?”
The young monk held out his small hand. “I want to give this to you.”
In his hand was a string of prayer beads. They varied in size, roughly carved, and seemed quite rough, but each bead was intricately carved with the character fortune.
Chu Qingzhi lowered her head to look at the prayer beads, “Isn’t this too precious?”
The young monk shook his head, looking at Chu Qingzhi with earnest eyes and a tender voice, “Miss Chu, don’t forget me, ok?”
Chu Qingzhi felt a twinge of heartache. She extended her hand to the young monk, “Then help me put it on. This way, whenever I see the prayer beads, 1’11 think of you.”
The young monk smiled, “Sure.” Carefully, he placed the prayer beads on Chu Qingzhi’s wrist. “I asked the abbot to bless these beads, and I chanted prayers for nine days. They will protect you.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled. “I’ll give you a gift too.”
She reached out and plucked a leaf. She placed it by her lips and blew it. A moment later, a mighty eagle flew over.
Chu Qingzhi stretched out her arm, and the eagle landed on it.
She gently tapped the eagle’s forehead and patted the young monk’s shoulder. The eagle flew over and stood on the monk’s shoulder.
Chu Qingzhi touched the eagle’s head and smiled. “This eagle will always be by your side in the future. Do you like it?”
“Yes, I like it very much. From now on, this eagle will be my friend.” The young monk was extremely happy, and the expression on his face was as bright as the sun.
Chu Qingzhi said in a coaxing tone, “It only listens to you. You have to take good care of it.”
The monk nodded. “Yes, I will.”
Seeing that the monk’s attention was attracted by the eagle, Chu Qingzhi took the opportunity to say, “We have to leave now. I’ll come and see you when I’m free.”
The young monk waved at Chu Qingzhi. “Miss Chu, take care.”
“Okay.” Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong got on the horse and left.
The young monk stood at the entrance and looked in the direction Chu Qingzhi had left for a long time.
At Prince Rui’s mansion.
The man hurried back to Prince Rui’s mansion and handed the map to Madam Xin, “Madam Xin, here is the map you wanted.”
Madam Xin was very surprised. “Did it go so smoothly?”
The man thought to himself that if Tang Jinghong’s gaze could kill, they would have been reduced to ashes. However, it was still smooth. He told Madam Xin the process of obtaining the map.
When Madam Xin heard the ins and outs, she immediately dispelled her worries. “You’ve worked hard. The reward is ready. Go and split it.”
The man cupped his fists. “Thank you, Madam Xin.”
Madam Xin placed the map in the place she thought was the most secretive. Then, she went to the study to write to Lu Ziming and told him that she had the map.
“Ziming, we’ll meet soon, right?”
“I’m so looking forward to it!”
In the Chu Village.
An elderly woman in brown hurried into the Chu family village, calling out, “Qingyu…”
Li Qingyu was baking bread and was extremely busy. However, when she heard the anxious voice, she quickly washed her hands and walked out. She did not expect the person to be the children’s third aunt… Chu Fangxia.
Li Qingyu smiled and went forward. “Third Aunt, why are you here?”
Chu Fangxia married into the Xu Village, which was also the village where Matchmaker Xu came from.
Instead of answering, Chu Fangxia, with a serious expression, asked, “Qingyu, a while ago, did Matchmaker Xu come to talk about marriage for Qingning? Did you refuse?”
Li Qingyu nodded, feeling very puzzled. “Yes, what’s wrong?”
Chu Fangxia said, “Oh dear, now, Matchmaker Xu is spreading rumors about you and Qingning everywhere. I heard it and couldn’t stand it, so I came here specifically to tell you.”
Li Qingyu’s face darkened. She was very unhappy. “What did she say?”
Chu Fangxia furrowed her brows. If it weren’t for the fact that she had something to ask of Li Qingyu, she wouldn’t have wanted to talk about these things, “She said you look down on others, preferring the rich over the poor. She even said you are delusional, wanting to marry your daughter to the young master from the county. It’s utterly unpleasant.”
Li Qingyu’s face darkened, “That matchmaker is shameless. I only said I wanted to keep Qingning at home for another two years. I’ve never said or shown any disrespect towards others or preferred the rich over the poor. She completely fabricated this, it’s outrageous!”
Chu Fangxia was very concerned, “Qingyu, the rumors have spread throughout the surrounding villages. You need to find a way to stop it, or Qingning’s reputation might be ruined.”
At this moment, Li Qingyu really wanted to give Matchmaker Xu a good beating, “I’ll go to the Xu Village and find her.”
Li Qingyu gathered a few women known for their quarrelsome skills in the village and went to the Xu Village.
At the same time, at the lakeside of Yunfei School, a few students were chatting.
Ji Hongshan said teasingly, “Brother Xu, I heard that your family arranged a marriage for you some time ago. How is it?”
Xu Jizhou’s face darkened for a moment. Then, a trace of anger flashed across his eyes. He said unhappily, “She doesn’t like me.”
Ji Hongshan smiled and said, “How is that possible? Brother Xu is a talented man with a bright future. You get to choose girls. Which girl dares to refuse you?”
Xu Jizhou felt bitter. “She comes from a wealthy family.”
Ji Hongshan paused. “A girl from the county?”
Xu Jizhou picked up a rock and threw it into the water. He seemed to be venting. “No, from a village.”
Ji Hongshan was puzzled. “No matter how rich the villagers are, how rich can they be?”
Xu Jizhou became even angrier. “How would I know? Her family does business. By the way, her sister is Chu Qingzhi.”
Ji Hongshan was shocked. “You’re saying that the person is Chu Qingzhi’s sister?”
Xu Jizhou’s tone was very bad. He was unwilling and helpless. “Yes.”
Ji Hongshan said, “She has a baroness as her sister. It’s normal for her to be a little arrogant.”
Xu Jizhou was indignant.. “Am I very bad?”
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