Chapter 426: Chapter 420: Proficient in Mystification
Upon learning that the so-called Divine Objects worshipped in Nuwa Temple were in fact harmful evil objects, Deng Fucai and the others felt chills running through them, for the incense paid at Nuwa Temple was indeed fervent.
"Ask how many people know, it’s hard to say, some who have sought help wouldn’t broadcast it, fearing others might find out they can’t bear children," Deng Cheng said with a bitter smile: "However, the incense at Nuwa Temple is really quite good, and I have heard of people who truly prayed for and received a son, which is the reason why the incense offerings there are so prosperous."
Upon seeing Qin Liuxi’s displeased face, she continued, "It’s hard for a monk such as yourself to imagine how difficult life is for a woman without children. She’s disfavored by her in-laws, and even her own parents feel ashamed. That’s why those who’ve been childless for a long time, or who’ve only given birth to daughters, do everything in their power to have a son, whether that’s through worshipping deities or consulting witches or diviners. As long as it results in a son, it’s considered worthwhile."
Deng Cheng spoke, unavoidably with a hint of bitterness and sighs, then glanced at her husband and said, "I’m among the lucky ones, having borne several sons consecutively. Others long for sons, but we longed for a daughter, and it was not until the old clam birthed a pearl that we got such a treasure, regarded as dearly as the apple of our eye. It’s because of this that her misfortune has caused us such heartache."
"Yes, Master, now that you have dealt with that thing, my daughter should be fine, right?" Deng Fucai looked at his daughter An Ran, who was lying on the bed.
Qin Liuxi walked over, took her hand, felt her pulse, and then released it, saying, "That little ghost did suck away vital energy, but didn’t manage to take it all. With vitality drained, she needs nourishment. She’s young, and now that it’s winter and cold, after all she has spent many days in the same room with an evil yin object, she needs more exposure to the sun to dispel the yin energy. Additionally, I will draw her a talisman for expelling evil and promoting tranquility, dissolve it in water for her to drink, and prepare a few doses of calming soup as well."
Deng Fucai and his wife both breathed a sigh of relief.
To ease their concerns, Qin Liuxi set aside the matter of the clay figurine and took out a talisman pen and yellow paper processed with medicine, drew a talisman, and had Deng Cheng feed it to her daughter.
Then she drew another Exorcism Talisman and placed it at the head of the little girl’s bed.
After drinking the talisman water, the little girl’s expression grew even more peaceful, and her Breathing was smooth, just as though she had fallen asleep.
"She will wake up soon, no need to worry."
Upon hearing this, Deng Cheng showed gratitude, hurriedly giving Qin Liuxi a deep bow, "It’s getting late, and it’s not easy to return to Li City. Master, please rest at our place, I will have servants prepare a guest room and a banquet for you."
Qin Liuxi also wanted to investigate the Nuwa Temple, so she didn’t decline and left with Deng Fucai.
"I suddenly recall, the daughter-in-law from the Liu Family at the east end also seemed to have gone to Nuwa Temple praying for children. Heard she had been pregnant thrice with daughters and didn’t keep any," said Deng Cheng: "The last one ended in a difficult labor, resulting in the death of both the mother and child. This happened around Qingming this year, now the Liu Family has already welcomed a new bride."
Qin Liuxi’s brows furrowed, her expression growing even graver.
Another female infant.
Females are yin, even a small female fetus has more yin than a male, what exactly does the person behind all this want to do? Could it be that he desires only female ghost babies?
Deng Fucai accompanied Qin Liuxi out, heading back to the flower hall to sit down, and said, "Our Zaozi Village is not far from Ling County, but it’s still quite a walk. That Nuwa Temple is in Ling County; even those who go there to pray for children probably won’t outnumber those from Ling County."
Qin Liuxi nodded and said, "Regarding Yuan Er’s house, could Landlord Deng possibly take us there to have a look?"
Deng Fucai immediately responded, "Of course."
With the sky not yet darkened, Qin Liuxi led Teng Zhao out the door, on their way to Yuan Er’s house while chatting. Seeing that everyone they passed greeted him kindly, she remarked, "Landlord Deng is indeed well-regarded."
Deng Fucai laughed heartily, "Our Deng Family has been farming and weaving since my great-grandfather’s time, slowly earning our family wealth and never forgetting to do good deeds. It’s through generations of such actions that we now own eighty percent of Zaozi Village’s lands. There are also quite a few tenants here, and the rent I charge is only forty percent. There is just one thing, during years of disaster or famine, we provide rent relief and free seeds. The people’s hearts the Master mentioned, one could say, are bought with Silver."
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"Being kind to others is the greatest virtue. For a wealthy benefactor like you, many are miserly as scrooge. With the hearts of the people, when Zaozi Village is united in purpose, should any external threats arise, everyone will unite against them," Qin Liuxi said.
Deng Fucai nodded with a smile: "That’s the way it is. We can only afford to be kind when we have the means to be. Without the means, even with the desire, we’re powerless."
"You shall receive good fortune for it."
While they conversed, the two arrived at a house that was somewhat dilapidated, surrounded by a low mud wall, which one could peer over by standing on their toes.
The wooden gate of the courtyard was ajar. Before anyone was called, a person walked out cursing and swearing – a short old woman with gray hair. Filthy words tumbled out of her mouth, sounding very unpleasant.
"This is Yuan Er’s mother," Deng Fucai said. "She is rather petty and likes to take small advantages, a bit mean. If she mistreats you in any way, please don’t take offense, Master Qin; it’s just the poverty speaking."
"It’s not just about being impoverished; it’s about her nature. She has a mean face and is burdened with the karma of taking lives; she won’t live a long life," Qin Liuxi said indifferently.
Deng Fucai’s heart skipped a beat, and his face turned solemn.
"Who’s skulking around there?" Mrs. Yuan noticed Qin Liuxi and his companion and raised her voice to shout.
"Mrs. Yuan, it’s me," Deng Fucai replied, leading Qin Liuxi to the courtyard gate.
Mrs. Yuan hastily threw down the plate in her hand, wiped her hands on her dusty apron, and greeted them with a fake smile: "Oh, it’s the good-hearted lord. What brings you to my humble home?"
Before Deng Fucai could speak, Qin Liuxi coughed and said with his hands behind his back: "Your household is troubled by a vindictive soul, and the yin energy within refuses to disperse. I happened upon this place, and after a brief divination, I see that you are destined to encounter a disaster involving bloodshed."
Deng Fucai: "?"
Qin Liuxi subtly turned her face and gave him a look, then said to Mrs. Yuan: "May I ask, Madam, has your family just lost a young lady?"
Mrs. Yuan will do whatever she is told to believe. They don’t worship the Fertility Goddess and prefer to worship evil for the sake of having children, right? So, if I say there’s a vindictive soul causing trouble, let’s see if you’ll be scared or not!
"Nonsense..." Mrs. Yuan was about to burst into a torrent of curses when she heard a white-faced interloper cursing upon arrival, but Qin Liuxi’s words about losing a young girl stopped her mid-sentence.
Right, the little girl born just a few days ago, didn’t she just die unexpectedly? That was also a young girl.
Mrs. Yuan’s pupils contracted.
Qin Liuxi pretended to count with her fingers, murmuring incantations: "No, that’s not all. A girl was lost at the start of the year as well. Losing two granddaughters in one year, this is not good, not good at all!"
Deng Fucai subconsciously looked at Teng Zhao. Is your master always so enigmatic in his ways?
Teng Zhao closed his eyelids halfway: No, she’s just pretending!
Pretending quite convincingly!