12dz Chapter 1493 He Banyun, a devout woman, prays for a son
Chapter 1493 He Banyun, a devout woman, prays for a son
Not long after Sunshan completed the inspection of the water conservancy project, Yuanlu County launched a vigorous autumn harvest campaign.
A gentle autumn breeze swept through, turning the rice paddies a golden hue, and filling the entire Yuanlu County with a joyful atmosphere.
There were no onlookers at the government's experimental field this time; everyone was busy harvesting their own farmland and had no time to gossip.
Even those who were not part of the household were dragged home by their parents to do farm work.
The most prominent figure in the entire autumn harvest was not Sun Shan, who led the people to harvest an extra five bushels of rice, but Zhang, the Taoist priest of the City God Temple.
Because his predictions have come true once again.
During the autumn harvest season, the weather is clear and crisp, with no clouds in the sky and intense sunshine. As soon as the millet is received, it is laid out on drying mats and left to dry for three or four days until it is completely dry and ready for storage.
The people enjoyed a bountiful harvest.
Farmer A looked at the small plot of land that had been harvested and said, "I think Master Zhang from our City God Temple is really a capable master. He said the weather would be good and it would be good. Look, I harvested the rice on the days he calculated, and it's been sunny every day. My rice has all dried up."
Farmer B chimed in, “That’s right, Master Zhang is a true master. His predictions are always accurate. It’s just a pity that there are so many people who want Master Zhang to tell their fortunes that they can’t even get a turn.”
The main reason is that the price is high, which has increased Master Zhang's status, making him disdainful of meeting with nobodies.
The farmer next to him, C, said proudly, "My eldest daughter's husband's aunt's cousin's daughter consulted Master Zhang to calculate her wedding date, and oh my, she got pregnant not long after she got married. The cousin's husband was overjoyed."
Farmer C suddenly interjected, "Is it really that accurate? No wonder Lord Sun's parents keep coming to see Master Zhang."
When gossip about Magistrate Sun was circulating, everyone stopped working.
Her eyes sparkled with gossip.
Farmer Bing said mysteriously, "You don't know this. Magistrate Sun only has one daughter and no sons yet."
The people of Yuanlu County didn't really know about this, so they quickly pressed Farmer Bing for an explanation.
Farmer C grinned, revealing a large yellow tooth, and said, "Of course I know. I have a relative who works in the government office, hehe, what don't I know?"
A bystander asked, "Did Magistrate Sun's parents seek out Taoist Priest Zhang to pray for a child?"
Poor Magistrate Sun, in his thirties or forties, still had no son to carry on the family line. How could his parents not be anxious?
Farmer C's eyes darted around, as if he were worried that Lord Sun was behind him.
He said in a low voice, "Of course it's to pray for a child. He even brought Madam Sun with him. Oh dear, poor Madam Sun, she's so old and still hasn't given birth to a baby."
A passerby, let's call him A, scoffed and said, "Pity Madam Sun? I think it's Lord Sun who's pitiful! Oh dear, you don't know, Lord Sun is henpecked."
Everyone's eyes turned in unison to look at the onlooker, A.
A bystander, with an air of "I have a lot of inside information," said, "You don't know this. Lord Sun was able to pass the imperial examination and become an official entirely because he married Lady Sun."
"Oh dear, Lord Sun is a gigolo. As the saying goes, 'He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding,' and since Madam Sun can't bear any children, Lord Sun dares not divorce her."
The bystander, number B, nodded repeatedly and said, "That's exactly what I think. Lord Sun is so skinny; if it weren't for Madam Sun's support, he might not even be able to eat his fill, let alone have a plump and healthy Miss Sun."
"Oh dear, poor Lord Sun, so imposing outside, but at home...tsk tsk...Madam Sun is so robust, hehe, how could Lord Sun possibly win a fight?"
Some of the onlookers had never seen Madam Sun before and asked, "Is Madam Sun very robust?"
The bystander B had indeed seen Madam Sun at the City God Temple and said with certainty, "That's for sure. Isn't it always said that Lord Sun likes strong women and that he had a fat, big-eared daughter? Oh, let me tell you, it's all true. The rumors outside are absolutely true."
Everyone became even more curious and pressed for details about what Madam Sun and Miss Sun looked like.
As for what Lord Sun looks like, it's obvious to everyone, so no one is interested anymore.
If Sister Yun, who was offering incense at the City God Temple, knew that the people outside were spreading such rumors, she would be furious.
At this moment, the devout woman He Banyun was unaware that she was earnestly offering incense and praying for a child.
Speaking of the City God Temple, in order to cater to the needs of customers, a "Hall for Praying for Children" was also built, which enshrines the Goddess of Fertility.
Rows of deities held babies, waiting for believers to offer their worship.
Sister Yun immediately spotted a statue of a fairy holding three arrowheads on his chest.
She immediately stepped forward, knelt on the futon, and murmured, "Immortal brother, please grant me a small tooth. I, He Banyun, am not greedy, I only ask for one."
Worried that Brother Xian from Yuanlu County might not understand the Guangnan dialect, Sister Yun specially learned the local dialect to ensure there would be no language barrier.
As she continued to plead, Sister Yun said, "Immortal brother, if you don't mind, you can also give me three little teeth, even the three you have in your arms. I, He Banyun, am not greedy. I beg you to grant my request."
The Temple for Praying for Children in Zhenguo Temple, Pingyao
Zhenguo Temple
This guy is definitely the most popular. While others hug one person, he hugs three.
After muttering to himself for a while, he stood up and called out, "Granny, I'm all set."
A moment later, Granny He came in, followed by Taoist Zhang.
Sister Yun smiled and nodded at Master Zhang.
Master Zhang stepped forward and said, "Madam is blessed with great fortune; she will surely have all her wishes fulfilled."
In order to give Sister Yun time and space to pray for a child, Master Zhang simply put up a cordon at the Hall of Prayer for a Child, prohibiting outsiders from entering.
Madam Sun probably didn't want outsiders to know how eager she was, did she?
Sister Yun nodded gently and said, "Thank you, Daoist Master."
Before long, Sister Yun donated 20 taels to the Fortune Box.
Master Zhang's eyes widened in astonishment, speechless with disbelief.
He knew Madam Sun was wealthy, but he hadn't expected her to be this wealthy. She actually invested 20 taels of silver—pure, white silver! How delightful!
Recalling Lord Sun's stingy appearance, Master Zhang became even more convinced of the rumors circulating outside.
That Lord Sun is a gigolo who made his fortune off his wife.
Look at Madam Sun's plump body—no, her good fortune.
How can you train someone without money?
Looking at Sun Bomin and Madam Su outside, even the venerable old master and madam only donated five or ten taels of silver. They were nowhere near as generous as Madam Sun.
At this moment, Master Zhang hesitated.
Should we wish Madam Sun all her dreams come true and that she will give birth to Xiao Yazi, or should we wish Madam Sun many misfortunes and that she will not be able to give birth to Xiao Yazi?
If the former had been achieved, Madam Sun would no longer have come to ask for a son, nor would she have amassed such a large income.
If the latter comes true, although Lady Sun will still come to pray for a child and will still be generous, it will affect the efficacy of the City God Temple.
While struggling with this "difficult choice," Master Zhang smiled and offered many blessings as he accompanied Sister Yun out of the Temple of the Goddess of Fertility.