The Lucky Farmgirl

Master Jiechen returned to the plum garden, thinking that if he was careful he could avoid them, so he perked up his ears and listened intently, then skipped around the loudest clump of plum trees to another area, only to turn past three plum trees and come across a young couple standing face-to-face, their faces blushing, who looked familiar.

Master Jiechen paused in his steps, and Liu Huan and Zhou Liru, both blushing, turned to look at him, their eyes meeting simultaneously.

Zhou Liru was holding the flower that Liu Huan had just picked for her. They looked at Master Jiechen and were about to speak when he nodded at them slightly and turned to leave.

Liu Huan opened his mouth, only to ask Zhou Liru after Jiechen’s silhouette disappeared, "Why did he just leave?"

Zhou Liru replied, "Let him leave, Master Jiechen is a high monk, he won’t mind such trivial matters. Come on, let’s gather some fallen plum flowers and go see my aunt."

Master Jiechen changed directions again and finally found a spot with no people. He looked around the surrounding plum trees and finally picked a branch he thought was nice. He then took out flower shears from his sleeve to cut it, but he hadn’t done such work often, so it took him several tries to cut it.

Master Jiechen was not anxious; he was a mature monk, so he remained calm. Just as he made his fifth cut, Manbao and several others came from behind another plum tree, their meeting causing Jiechen to quiet down while Manbao immediately called out, "Ah, the plum flowers at Guardian of the Nation Temple can’t be picked, only those fallen on the ground can..."

Manbao paused after seeing it was Jiechen and curiously asked, "Master Jiechen, why are you picking flowers?"

Having given up on avoiding them, Master Jiechen simply pressed the shears together and cut off a plum branch as thick as a thumb. Holding the flower, he greeted the group with no expression, "Greetings to you, benefactors. I am here under my master’s command to pick flowers."

After a pause, he added, "Indeed, the plum flowers at Guardian of the Nation Temple aren’t meant to be picked."

He hadn’t forgotten that on their first visit to the plum grove at Guardian of the Nation Temple, they were unaware of the rules and had cut several plum branches to carry away.

Of course, he didn’t feel heartache; it was the host who did.

Manbao’s eyes lit up, staring intently at the plum branch in his hand, "Master Jiechen, you’re quite adept, you picked a really nice one."

Bai Shan also found it beautiful and whispered to Manbao, "When we return home, let’s check our plum garden and pick some nice ones for a vase."

Manbao replied, "Mother won’t agree."

Manbao believed Ms. Zheng truly loved flowers and plants, while she simply loved digging up plants. Ms. Zheng always kept a close watch on the garden’s flora, and any arrangement required her approval.

Actually, the best way to avoid making her sad is...

Manbao’s gaze fell on the shears in Jiechen’s arms.

A gentleman does not covet others’ preferences, but the plum garden has plenty of upright plum flowers.

Manbao, Bai Shan, and Bai Erlang exchanged a glance and moved forward to surround Jiechen. One said, "Master Jiechen, perhaps we should pay a visit to Master Zhi Ren together, it’s been a while."

Another said, "Master Jiechen, let me carry the flowers for you."

The last one said, "I’ll carry the shears; why pick only one branch for a vase? If this one doesn’t suit the vase, wouldn’t it be a wasted trip? Let’s pick a few more."

The other two nodded repeatedly, "Exactly, exactly."

Jiechen expressionlessly followed them, cutting three more plum branches, and together they went to find Master Zhi Ren, smilingly saying, "Let the master choose his favorite one."

Jiechen thought to himself, so the remaining three branches are yours, huh?

Jiechen was enveloped by them as they went to find Zhi Ren without a trace of emotion, showing the demeanor of a revered monk.

The host stopped in his tracks while returning to the Zen room after entertaining guests, seeing the four of them approaching Zhi Ren’s Zen courtyard, frowned, and sighed as he watched them walk afar.

The esteemed Master Zhi Ren in Central Plains Buddhism wasn’t someone anyone could meet at will. Even a prince needed to check if Master Zhi Ren was in the mood for visitors.

Yet, every time Manbao and her group came around, they seemed able to meet him without hinderance. Jiechen never stopped them, evidently following Master Zhi Ren’s intentions.

The host couldn’t fathom why Master Zhi Ren favored them, as they didn’t seem to possess any Buddhist affinity.

Master Zhi Ren was not alone; he was playing chess with a friend when he heard footsteps approaching and already guessed who it was, so he remained unmoved, while the guest opposite him raised his head to look.

The trio arrived cheerfully, saw Master Zhi Ren had a guest, and immediately adopted a quiet and dignified demeanor.

Bai Shan greeted with a slight smile, "Greetings to Master Zhi Ren."

Manbao and Bai Erlang followed suit in greeting.

Master Zhi Ren’s gaze shifted from the plum flowers in their arms to their faces, with a light smile saying, "Ah, three benefactors. This is Benefactor Mei."

Benefactor Mei wore a blue robe and had an air of scholarly elegance with a somewhat aloof gaze, much like the plum flowers in their arms, seemingly close yet far away.

Master Zhi Ren smiled and introduced them to Benefactor Mei, who upon hearing of Manbao, focused his gaze on her with a smile, "Is this the famous Divine Doctor Zhou Junior from the capital?"

Once he smiled, he felt closer.

Manbao’s smile turned more genuine as she greeted, "Yes, hello Mr. Mei."

Seeing his scholarly demeanor reminiscent of Mr. Zhuang’s, addressing him as ’Mr.’ seemed unlikely to be inappropriate for a learned person.

Previously cold-faced, Mr. Mei suddenly became warm and inviting, setting aside his chess pieces to sit aside and cordially invite the three to sit.

Jiechen paid them no mind, turned to arrange his plum flowers in a vase, placed the vase on the study’s table inside, and only then exited.

Master Zhi Ren saw Jiechen had been bullied again by the trio and chuckled, instructing, "Jiechen, wrap the plum branches the benefactors are holding, they’ll be taking them down the mountain later."

Manbao and her friends modestly replied, "That’s too kind of you..."

Master Zhi Ren smiled, "If the benefactors aren’t fond, I could have Jiechen deliver them to his uncle and fellow disciples..."

Manbao and her friends immediately said, "Then we shouldn’t decline."

Mr. Mei glanced at the three of them, subtly discerning their personalities.

Master Zhi Ren chuckled, noting Mr. Mei’s hesitation, kindly said, "Lord Zhou, Benefactor Mei has come to the capital specifically for you."

Manbao was surprised, "For me?"

Master Zhi Ren nodded slightly with a smile, "Indeed."

Mr. Mei finally composed himself and stood up to greet Zhou Man, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, I’ve come to seek medical help from you."

Manbao closely examined him, noting his flushed face, vigorous spirit, and long limbs, he didn’t look like someone who was ill.

He looked even healthier than her father.

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