Chapter Eleven Entitlement

  Wishing everyone a happy new year. One more update, five thousand words.

  A new year has begun, time flies like electricity, it seems that the last moment was still the launch of "The Medical Door", and now another book is on the shelves. We have walked through more than a year together, and we will walk through another year together soon. What a feeling!

  The thunder rumbled and flashed in bursts, but compared to what had just been overhead, it was now far away.

  The house has been burned halfway, and the rainwater is gradually extinguishing the fire.

  The flickering firelight shone down on the figure huddled in a ball in the courtyard, where it was pouring rain.

  Four.

  Those two little children also ran out of the kitchen at the same time as the fire started, they were flustered and anxious, when they heard Cheng Jiaoniang shouting for the maid to kneel down and hug her knees, they subconsciously followed suit.

  The thunderstorm on the mountain came and went quickly, when the thunder was a little smaller, Cheng Jiaoniang slowly wanted to get up, but the heavy rain poured down and she really didn't have the strength to get up.

  "Half celery." She weakly shouted, "Enough."

  Ya Tou heard this and finally lifted her head, looking at Cheng Jiaoniang who was closest to the house, and rushed over with a loud cry.

  She slid down the ladder and rushed over, but was stopped by her mother just as she entered the courtyard.

  Now thinking about it, the situation just now was so dangerous and frightening. She crouched by the gate of the courtyard, feeling her scalp numb and her body stiff, as if something strange had penetrated through her body, making her think of Cheng Jiuniang nearby.

  "Daughter, daughter, are you alright?" she cried out.

  "It's okay." said Jingniang, without the strength to pat her head, supporting her arm. Stand up.

  Ya Tou was even more tired and afraid, her body trembling. Rather than saying she was leaning on Cheng Jiao Niang, it would be better to say that the two were mutually dependent on each other. Before they had taken two steps, they heard the chaotic footsteps and knocking sounds outside the mountain gate.

  "Has anyone else come to put out the fire? Is everyone okay?"

  A trembling female voice came from outside the door.

  Inside the gate was quiet and still, with only the sound of flames burning.

  "Master, are they all burned to death?" The Taoist nuns wearing rain capes and holding wooden buckets and brooms said in a trembling voice.

  The master looked at the mountain gate and then at the firelight smoke inside the door.

  Although people make mistakes, all living things have their fate; if one encounters difficulties and does not offer help, he is not worthy of being called human.

  "Knock on the door," she said.

  Several Taoist nuns crowded at the door.

  "Listen to me shout." The host stood by, "One, two, three."

  The Taoist nuns shouted and rushed towards the door together.

  The door opened at this moment, and several Taoist nuns' "heh" of exertion turned into screams as they stumbled and fell into the door.

  It was either because of his pleasant mood or because these Taoist nuns looked quite amusing, but the little boy who came to open the door couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  That woman was actually struck dead by lightning! That woman was actually struck dead by lightning!

  When they were at their wit's end, the woman actually died first!

  This is really hilarious.

  The little boy laughed louder and louder, finally hugging his belly and squatting on the ground.

  The Taoist nuns standing in the rain looked at each other in dismay, their temple had been burned down by lightning, and yet they were still smiling? Had they gone mad?

  Ya Tou wrapped Yao Niang in a thin quilt and immediately brought over hot ginger soup. After the two of them slowly drank a few mouthfuls, their complexions improved greatly.

  "Girl, wait, let's boil some hot water and soak for a while." Yatou said.

  His upper and lower teeth were still chattering, he didn't know if it was from fear or cold.

  There were footsteps outside the door, and Ya Tou hastily turned around to look. An older Taoist nun stopped at the corridor.

  "A good man." She said with a bow.

  The girl hurriedly returned the courtesy.

  "Master Cheng has ascended," said the Taoist nun. "The fire has been extinguished, except... Master Cheng and... no other casualties."

  A man died in the Daoist nun's house in the middle of the night. This matter is really impossible to speak of.

  "What, what? How is it good?" The girl asked in a trembling voice.

  Looking at the girl wrapped in a quilt, stupid and silly, this young servant trembled with fear, the master sighed.

  "Why don't we let Master Cheng decide then?" she reminded him.

  Yao Tou suddenly let out two "oh"s and hastily turned her head to look at Cheng Jiao Niang.

  The girl is too tired, and since coming back, she hasn't said a word.

  Is this okay?

  Jiangniang looked at the host.

  "The road is long." She said.

  The mistress outside the door was slightly surprised, she had naturally already heard that the little girl who lived in this mysterious house was a foolish daughter of the Cheng family, and surprisingly, the foolish girl could still speak, and her voice didn't even have a foolish tone.

  She came back to her senses and hastily returned the courtesy.

  "I'm afraid you'll have to make a trip," said Cheng Jiaoniang.

  The host was taken aback.

  "All right, don't worry, I'll go and call the people from the Cheng family for you. Yesterday, I saw Lei Huo, it's reasonable to inform the people of the Cheng family." she said.

  That is to say, she didn't even enter the door and didn't know how this small temple was, let alone that a man died inside, preserving the face and reputation of the Cheng family.

  "No," said Jingniang. "Whatever Master Guan sees is what it is. Master Guan has a kind heart and is straightforward, no need to hide anything."

  The master looked at Cheng Jiaoniang, his surprised expression hard to conceal.

  Fool?

  Are you kidding me?

  "The way is long, and the subtle mysteries are profound. Even if there is a sudden and unprovoked calamity of thunder and fire, it would still be better to rely on the great mysterious principles to calm things down." said Cheng Jiaoniang.

  Whether this woman is a fool or not, I don't know, but I know I'm not a fool. As soon as she heard this sentence, she understood its meaning immediately.

  The thing he had been dreaming of suddenly appeared before his eyes, and the host's face showed excitement and incredulity.

  She thought she had something to say, but after a moment's hesitation, she bowed her head in silence.

  "Thank you for valuing me," she said.

  Last night, the mountain was filled with thunder and rain, but the city wasn't as severe. A night of torrential rain came and went quickly, and this morning, Jiangzhou City opened its bustling curtain as usual.

  Only a few horses galloping through the city made the quiet street chaotic and brought curses.

  Cheng Da Lao Ye paced back and forth in the living room for a long time before finally seeing the butler hurry in from outside.

  "How?" he asked hastily.

  The housekeeper nodded and whispered a few words in his ear, and Mr. Cheng's face turned extremely ugly.

  "What a family scandal! The family is doomed!" He went back to his inner chamber and sat down, still fuming with anger.

  Madam Cheng dismissed the maid and personally presented the tea.

  "No one knows. It's nothing." She comforted herself, but couldn't help asking again, "Is that really so?"

  Cheng Da Lao Ye scowled and nodded slightly.

  "It's been found out that it was a man from the nearby village, and the woman is looking for him. The steward has already given him some silver to send him away, saying that he was struck by lightning while hunting in the mountains. That woman didn't have any children either, and she was very happy to take the money and sell her property to return to her parents' home and remarry."

  Madam Cheng let out a long sigh.

  "Being able to suppress is best, being able to suppress is best." She sighed and clasped her hands together in prayer. "This time I really have to thank Master Sun Guan."

  Cheng Da nodded his head.

  "Look, that child is still in the orphanage, after this incident, will they take him back?" he asked.

  Madam Cheng remained silent and didn't say a word.

  Logically speaking, this matter should be taken back, but...

  The news of Xuan Miao Guan's death from a lightning strike quickly spread throughout the house.

  Cheng Liu's daughter finally understood what was going on.

  "Goodness gracious, how did this happen?" said Cheng Qiuniang in surprise, turning her head to look at the wet nurse who was kneeling and serving outside, pointing with a small fan. "Mother says that those who are evil and unforgivable are the ones who get struck by lightning, or maybe it's those fox spirits and ghosts. Goodness gracious, could the abbot be a fox spirit or mountain demon?"

  What a kid...

  The sister in the room gave her a helpless glare.

  "There are many thunderstorms in the mountains. Mountain fires are also common," said Cheng Liu Niang.

  "Why didn't it split before? Now that idiot is gone, it splits!" said Cheng Qiuniang unwillingly. As she spoke, she let out a snort and suddenly sat up straight. She discovered something and waved her small fan, "Oh, oh, oh, the idiot, it's that idiot, it must be that idiot who brought it on!"

  At the same time, other places were also abuzz with discussion.

  "It's all because of that fool."

  "Whoever is next to whoever is unlucky, since entering the door, you count, how many people have been unlucky?"

  "...the two madams were scolded in front of everyone, the old Tang family's whole household, Xiaojie and her parents were all driven out of the house, all because of her, adding up to a total of ten people."

  "He had just entered that Taoist temple for a few days when the master of the temple was struck dead by lightning, tsk tsk tsk..."

  The sound of laughter and chatter came from behind the door, the servant girl who was leading the way pulled a long face and stamped her foot heavily, clearing her throat, and the laughter and chatter behind the door suddenly stopped.

  "Immortal maiden, this way, please." The servant woman squeezed out a smile as she spoke to the Taoist nun behind her.

  Sun Guan nodded slightly, his expression calm and faintly smiling, as he walked a few steps slowly, but in his heart, the chatter and laughter of the servant women just now still echoed.

  Because of that fool, many people have suffered...

  Many people...

  As the mistress of the house, serving as a maid...

  These people won't be unlucky for no reason, will they? Did they offend that idiot or something?

  This thought flashed through his mind, and Sun Guan's eyes sparkled with cleverness.

  Did I offend that fool?

  So, was the woman struck dead by lightning?

  "Immortal maiden." The servant woman called out, breaking her trance.

  Sun Guan's master had just entered Madame Cheng's room and she hastily paid her respects.

  "This time I really have to thank you, Master Guan." Madam Cheng nodded at her to get up and said with a smile.

  "It's human nature, it's human nature." Sun Guan Zhu said with a bow.

  "Although it's our family's Taoist temple, it's not as well-maintained as yours in the cultivation world. So, my and Master Cheng's intention is to have Sun Guanzhu take care of this temple." Madam Cheng said straightforwardly, while pushing over a contract.

  Although he had already guessed there would be this outcome, when he really heard and saw it, Sun Guan was still unable to contain his excitement.

  "Thank you, sir and madam," she said with a solemn bow.

  Always thought that some things in this world are just thoughts, never expected that some unreachable things would suddenly appear right in front of me.

  How did all this happen? She felt a bit dizzy.

  It's raining and thundering on the mountain, which is nothing unusual, as it's always like this at this time of year.

  But this year, there was a night of thunder and rain, and Xiao Xuan Miao Guan was struck by lightning.

  Then she took her disciples to rescue people and put out fires.

  Then she saw a woman who was drenched from head to toe being supported by Yatou as she walked over in the rain.

  Then the woman told her that Xiao Xuanmiao Temple wants Da Xuanmiao Temple to calm down...

  That woman!

  Sun Guan Zhu made another clever move.

  "There's still something I want to say to you, madam, and it's up to you to decide." she said.

  "Please speak, Fairy Maiden," said Madame Cheng.

  "Previously, the young woman who lived in the Xiao Xuan Miao Temple. She had a fright, and I have some medical skills. So, I want to take a look at her and calm her down. Moreover, guarding the incense fire in the temple will also be better, what do you think, madam?" Sun Guan Zhu said.

  This is truly a living Bodhisattva sent by heaven, Madame Cheng's face lit up with joy, Amitabha, indeed as long as that fool isn't at home, everything will go smoothly and according to her wishes.

  Madam Cheng immediately went to tell Old Master Cheng and invited Second Master Cheng and his wife over. They told them about Guan's suggestion.

  This suggestion is naturally the best for everyone.

  "Sun Guanzhu is a truly cultivated person, steady and trustworthy, let's just follow what she says." said Mr. Cheng.

  Cheng Lao Er nodded in agreement.

  "He said that year that Taoist priests had told him it was good to live in a Taoist temple."

  "The Xiao Xuan Temple was badly damaged by the fire, let's allocate some funds to have it repaired." Mr. Cheng said, looking at Mrs. Cheng, thinking for a moment, "As for who to find and how to repair it, let Sun Guanzhu be in charge of that."

  The workers who did the repairs were all able to make some extra money. Sun Guan's master had helped their family a great deal and was so considerate that he voluntarily asked to keep that fool in the temple, so Master Cheng felt that they must give something back to this person.

  Everyone agreed on this point. Mrs. Cheng got up to tell Master Sun Guan about it. Mr. Cheng also asked the housekeeper to instruct him on the matter of paying wages.

  Old Master Cheng and his wife took their leave without anything else happening.

  "But it's really strange." Madame Cheng thought of something and said in a low voice.

  "What's strange?" said Mr. Cheng Er in a distracted manner.

  These days his appointment has not yet been issued. Asking again and again says it's okay, but if you can't get a notification for one day, it doesn't count as being on time.

  "In Bianzhou, that Taoist temple was struck by lightning. How did it come back? And now the temple has been struck by lightning again. Is there really something...?" said Madame Cheng Er in a low voice.

  "What's going on? Nothing at all!" Master Cheng cut her off in a bad temper, "You're also listening to those ignorant and vulgar women's nonsense!"

  Having said that, she flung her sleeve and went ahead, with Madame Chong following behind, pouting.

  Ya Tou supported Cheng Jiao Niang as they walked into the Da Xuan Miao Temple at the foot of the mountain. The temple master, Sun, personally led the way. The Taoist nuns who had been instructed to disperse beforehand were all hiding in their rooms, but a few younger ones couldn't resist their curiosity and peeked out through the window cracks.

  "It really is that girl!" someone whispered, "Those two girls we saw on the mountain that day were indeed them."

  "So they were from the Cheng family after all."

  "That girl is really an idiot."

  "You came late, I don't know, but I still remember that in the past, Mrs. Zhou from the Cheng family would often pass by our place on her way to Xiaoxuan Temple at the foot of the mountain, and every time she came in to kowtow, it was for the sake of this child's blessing, and each time she would cry for half a day inside, really pitiful."

  Others whispered to each other, tiptoeing to catch a glimpse of the woman shrouded in white from head to toe, but their eyes ultimately fell on the maid beside her.

  "This girl is kind-hearted."

  "It's not a kind person, and they won't follow along to serve this fool either. If it were someone else, they would definitely be disgusted."

  "Yeah, she's unhappy when her face is pulled down. Look at her now, her expression is so considerate, genuinely taking care of this fool."

  Sun Guanzhu personally took over the grass cushion and laid it out, watching as Yatou helped support Cheng Jiaoniang to slowly sit down, before kneeling down himself beside her.

  "It's already been done as you said, Madam. The Cheng family has allowed you to temporarily reside here." She said, her expression barely concealing her excitement, "Thank you, Madam."

  This excitement had been there since she saw the silver ticket given by the housekeeper of Cheng's family.

  She didn't expect the Cheng family would entrust her with the renovation of the Xiao Xuan Miao Temple, what a pleasant surprise.

  This sum of money is more than enough to repair the small Xuanmiao Temple, and as the master of a Taoist temple with dwindling incense offerings, she really lacks money. With this extra money, she and her disciples can change into new Taoist robes that they can no longer wear.

  "This is just the beginning." said Jingniang as she looked at her.

  The first step has been taken, firstly to see if the Xiaoxuan Temple is indeed a property of the Cheng family, and secondly, there are people coming and going, with interactions that will lead to relationships, and in the future, when moving around, this foundation laid down at the Cheng's place will naturally not be lacking in incense and oil offerings.

  Sun Guan thought of it naturally too, but...

  Nothing seems strange, it's just that I haven't said anything, but this woman seems to know what I'm thinking and even what I want to say.

  She couldn't help but raise her head and look at the woman in front of her.

  Jingniang had already removed her veil, revealing her face. This was the first time Sun Guan saw her clearly, as the last time in the night and in a flurry of confusion he hadn't gotten a good look.

  Sun Guanzhu still remembered Madame Zhou of the Cheng family. At this moment, it seemed that the child's appearance was very similar to his mother, and also blended with his father. When he lifted the curtain and revealed a pair of eyebrows as thin as willow leaves, narrow and long like a knife, paired with those almond-shaped eyes, it was only a pity that the black pupils were less than the white ones, adding a chill to the air, making people dare not look more.

  Sun Guan lowered his head.

  "Thank you for valuing me so much." She thanked him again and said.

  "It is the master's benevolent heart that should be obtained." said Cheng Jiaoniang.

  On such a stormy day with fierce thunder and lightning, it was none other than the infamous Xiao Xuan Miao Temple. Yet, she still dared to bring her disciples to rescue them, showing that she indeed had a kind and compassionate heart.

  It's no need to be polite anymore, Sun Guan said with gratitude.

  "My daughter will stay here for now and move over there after the renovation is done." She said, with a hint of apology, "This humble room must be an inconvenience to my daughter."

  Jiang Nang returned the courtesy without saying a word.

  Sun Guanzhu didn't dare say more and retreated, the disciples who had been waiting impatiently all rushed over, looking at their master as if he had let out a sigh of relief.

  "Look at him, isn't that stupid kid very frightening?" asked the youngest disciple, unable to hold back his curiosity.

  Will you beat people, scold people, cry and make a scene, and refuse to listen to reason?

  That idiot...

  The host couldn't help but turn his head to take a glance, young and sitting there motionless and speechless, without any expression or ripples, yet making her feel like she didn't dare say more or look more.

  The most crucial thing is that she always felt that this matter was related to that foolish child, but can Lei Hu be controlled by humans? This is fundamentally impossible, only gods can do it.

  But that idea has been lingering in her mind and wandering around, she doesn't even know why she had such an idea.

  "Yes, it's really scary." She muttered to herself.