The Prime Minister's Darling

Chapter 53: 53 thousand gold

“Miss, are you here to see the abbot again?” If she remembers correctly, that was why she came last time.

Gu Jiao pondered and responded with a serious nod, “Yes.”

Originally intending to pray for Xiao Liulang’s blessing from the Bodhisattva, she realized how stingy the Bodhisattva was, requiring so much supplication before granting any blessing.

The lady hurriedly said, “Then you should go quickly. The abbot is in the temple. If you go late, he might go down the hill again.”

The abbot has been going down the hill more frequently these days, reportedly because a family in the town wants to adopt a child from the temple.

Gu Jiao looked at her as if to say, can you walk alone? If you fall again, there won’t be anyone to rescue you.

Understanding Gu Jiao’s gaze, the lady softly laughed and replied, “I think I was just tired and felt a little dizzy, but I’m alright now. Besides, there are only a few steps left.”

Gu Jiao asked, “Do you often feel dizzy? More in the morning or at night? More when you’re hungry or right after eating?”

Caught off guard by Gu Jiao’s series of questions, the lady politely replied, “Mostly in the morning just after getting up. If I don’t eat, I’ll also feel dizzy.”

After hearing the lady’s response, Gu Jiao took a piece of sesame candy from her pouch and handed it over, “Eat more sweets.”

After giving the candy to the lady, Gu Jiao went looking for the abbot.

This was Gu Jiao’s second visit to the temple and many of the young monks remembered her. Knowing she was there to purchase some land, they directed her to the abbot’s meditation room.

As it happened, the abbot had just finished receiving a guest who passed by Gu Jiao on his way out of the meditation room.

He was a man in his early thirties, with an attractive appearance and dressed in luxurious clothes.

He was the second devotee Gu Jiao saw at the temple.

“Is it young benefactor Gu who’s arrived?” a warm voice came from inside the meditation room.

Gu Jiao made a sound of acknowledgment before stepping into the meditation room.

Surprisingly, a couple of bald, young monks were seated in the meditation room. All were four to six years old, with round faces, mischievous and innocent eyes.

With their similar shaved heads and clothing, Gu Jiao suddenly felt a little face-blind.

The young monks were gazing wide-eyed at Gu Jiao.

This was Gu Jiao’s second visit to the temple, but on her last visit, the young monks had not had a chance to see her, as they were chased off by a maid accompanying the lady.

So, strictly speaking, this was the first time they’d met.

The pupils of the young monks widened.

After a while, they all covered their mouths and started whispering very quietly.

“Wow! She has a flower on her face!”

“Why does she have flowers on her face?”

“Why don’t we have them?”

“I want to have flowers too!”

Young monks exclaimed one after another about flowers, which Gu Jiao understood.

So, they thought the birthmark on her face was a flower?

“Did you paint that flower on your face?” one of the monks asked.

Yes indeed, painted from birth and it can’t be washed off. Do you feel envious? Jealous?

Gu Jiao calmly watched the curious group of young monks.

The abbot cleared his throat and told the young monks, “You go and find Brother Jingchen.”

Although the monks were reluctant to go, Brother Jingchen was so captivating that after hesitating, they ran out to find him.

A line of young monks stepped over the threshold one by one, but the last one stumbled and fell with a thud.

Gu Jiao immediately recognized him. Although she didn’t recognize his face, she did remember his clumsy movements. Wasn’t he the little fellow who bumped into her thigh last time?

Gu Jiao was hoping to tease him, but he quickly got up without giving her a chance to reach out.

Feeling a touch of regret, Gu Jiao pouted.

The abbot motioned for Gu Jiao to take a seat.

After sitting down and taking a few sips of the bitter tea, she asked the abbot, “Was the man who left the meditation room earlier a devotee or, like me, here to buy some land?”

The abbot smiled warmly and said, “He was not here to purchase any land. He came to adopt a child.”

Gu Jiao appeared incredulous.

The abbot explained, “All the young monks in the temple are orphans. Sometimes, kind-hearted folk come to adopt them.”

“Oh.” Gu Jiao thought about the thickheaded little tumbleweed. He was so silly, surely no one would want to take him, especially with so many clever monks around.

The abbot said, “I’ve discussed the land purchase with my younger fellow disciple. He said if Young Benefactor Gu really intends to buy it, we can sell it… but it would be a bit more expensive than last time.”

“How much was it before?” Gu Jiao inquired.

“Two hundred and forty-nine tael,” said the abbot.

“What about now?” Gu Jiao asked further.

“Two hundred and fifty tael,” the abbot answered.

A spasm twitched at the corner of Gu Jiao’s mouth: I seriously suspect your fellow disciple is mocking me!

The abbot saw Gu Jiao’s displeasure and acknowledged silently that the price was indeed exorbitantly high. However, his junior was in charge of the temple’s finances. He decided the amount; even the abbot could not interfere.

The abbot said, “If Young Benefactor Gu finds this too expensive, she can consider some other hills.”

Gu Jiao asked, “Do you have any other hills in the temple?”

The abbot confessed honestly, “We do not.”

A spasm twitched at the corner of Gu Jiao’s mouth again, “…”

Gu Jiao didn’t have enough money to buy the hill. However, she hadn’t taken the consultation fee from treating the young master at the hot spring villa last time.

The medical bill for that treatment was quite high. She used three doses of adrenaline alone and gave all her heart failure medication to the young master.

She decided to ask Mr. Er, the second shopkeeper, for more fees from the consultation!

When Gu Jiao descended the hill, the lady and the carriage had already gone.

Gu Jiao didn’t ask about her whereabouts and headed into the town instead.

Upon arriving at Huichun Hall, she noticed a strikingly luxurious carriage parked outside. Such a carriage was absolutely extraordinary in town.

What was happening today? She noticed luxury carriages everywhere, was it reminding her… that it was about time she bought one too?

Shopkeeper Wang was very courteous upon seeing Gu Jiao. He gave her a warm personal welcome, “Miss Gu, what brings you here? Come in and sit down. I’ll make you a pot of tea.”

Gu Jiao replied bluntly, “There’s no need for tea, I’m here to collect the consultation fees.”

“Huh?” Shopkeeper Wang was taken aback, “What consultation fees?”

Gu Jiao looked at him, “The fees from treating the young master at the hot spring villa. I treated the young master of the Marquis Residence, didn’t I? Where’s the money?”

At the mention of this, shopkeeper Wang was all smiles, “Miss Gu, your timing is perfect. Did you see that carriage outside? It’s from the Marquis Residence! Mr. Er was in such a rush last time he forgot to ask for the consultation fee. I assume they’re here to deliver it!”

So, it was a carriage from the Marquis Residence. No wonder it was so extravagant.

Shopkeeper Wang, still smiling, asked, “Mr. Er is in the accounting room, do you want to see him?”

“There’s no need. Once the people from the Marquis Residence have finished their business, I will go and find him.” After saying this, Gu Jiao turned and went into a room behind the hall.

Just as she left, an attendant opened the curtain of the carriage.

First, a shiny little maid jumped out, and then, with the assistance of the little maid, a young girl dressed in blue with green bamboo hat gracefully descended.