Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 384 What's going on? Why are you so happy?

Master Wen Yuan and his companions looked at the large flower cake that exuded bursts of sweet fragrance, was covered with clusters of flowers, and looked so lifelike that they rubbed their hands excitedly and exclaimed that it was a natural creation.

Wen Yuan excitedly walked around the table where the flower cakes were placed several times, slapped his forehead, and sent someone to call in two young and strong monks.

They were told not to sleep tonight, but to light the lights and take turns to guard the big flower cake, so that the fragrance of the flower cake would not attract insects, ants and mice.

Take good care of it this night, and display this big flower cake in the main hall in a grand manner tomorrow.

Shen Yu and the others had been busy the entire night and were now tired and sleepy. They refused Wen Yuan's offer to make a midnight snack for them and asked him to send a carriage to take them home.

After returning to the restaurant and washing up in a hurry, Shen Yu begged Li in a coquettish manner: "Mom, can we go to Guang'an Temple later tomorrow? I want to sleep a little longer. I'm too tired today."

Today, while Li and her friends were making the dough for the flower cake, they watched Shen Yu sitting alone at the table, concentrating and carefully pinching the flowers on the cake.

Flowers of various colors take shape little by little, and the process is tedious and long.

Unfortunately, no one knows how to make the kneading process, so no one can help her. Just watching her get so tired makes me feel so distressed.

After hearing what Shen Yu said, Li hurriedly urged her to go to bed quickly. She could sleep as long as she wanted tomorrow, and they could go out together when she woke up.

Shen Yu had been busy with high concentration for more than an hour since the evening today, staring at the incense sticks and the fire in the stove until the flower cake was steamed.

At this time, I was so sleepy that I couldn't even open my eyes.

After hearing Li's agreement, she returned to her room, took off her outer coat, undid her hair, wrapped herself in the quilt, and fell asleep with her head on the pillow, knowing nothing.

When she opened her eyes after a deep sleep, she found the room brightly lit.

Turning around, I saw the sunlight shining brightly on the window paper. I knew it was getting late without even having to get up to look.

Shen Yu got up quickly, put on her clothes, combed her hair quickly, and walked out while tying a hairband on her braids.

The yard was quiet, as if she was the only one at home.

Hearing the sound of Shen Yu opening the door, Li opened the door and walked out of her room holding a cotton jacket that she was sewing.

Seeing Shen Yu getting up, she smiled and said, "Yuzhi, get up. You slept so well. Do you still feel tired?"

Shen Yu tied her braids, straightened her clothes, and asked in confusion: "Mom, what time is it? Why are you the only one at home? Where are the others?"

Li smiled and said, "It's almost noon. I didn't ask everyone to wait for you to wake up before going out together. They all went to Guang'an Temple."

"I figured if you sleep a little longer, everyone would be back."

Shen Yu was surprised when he heard this. He didn't expect that he had slept for so long.

I've been busy preparing the pastries these days and I've been very tense.

I was so exhausted from making flower cakes yesterday. After completing the task, I relaxed and the fatigue accumulated over the days was so severe that I slept for such a long time.

Shen Yu said a little embarrassedly: "I didn't expect that I slept for so long. Why didn't mother go with them? Abbot Ci'an must be personally studying the scriptures today."

Li said nonchalantly, "Ah, silly girl, you look so tired, how can I feel comfortable leaving you alone at home to sleep?"

"When you wake up, the stove is cold and you can't even have a sip of hot soup. How can you be here?"

"I am a country woman, I cannot understand the profound scriptures. I will have the opportunity to listen to Master Ci'an's scriptures in the future, and it will be the same."

Shen Yu was moved after hearing this. She took Li's arm like a little girl and called out "Mom" softly.

Li smiled and patted her on the shoulder, saying, "A girl this old is still acting like a spoiled brat. Come on, wash your hands and have dinner."

Li pulled her arm free and quickly returned the needlework in her hand to her room.

He went to the kitchen and served Shen Yu a bowl of the sweet rice porridge that had been simmering on the stove.

He brought over two plates of pickled vegetables and took two steaming meat buns from the steamer and placed them on plates.

She hurriedly set the table and asked Shen Yu to eat quickly.

Shen Yu's last meal was yesterday evening, when he hurriedly ate some vegetarian noodles for dinner at Guang'an Temple.

I got home and slept until noon.

He didn't feel it when he was asleep, but when he smelled the fragrance of the food, he suddenly felt hungry. He was so hungry that he smiled sweetly at Li and started eating in big mouthfuls.

Only after eating a bowl of sweet rice porridge and two big meat buns did Shen Yu put down his chopsticks.

After eating and sleeping enough, Shen Yu felt refreshed and in a good mood.

She and Li worked together to clean up the dishes.

Li was thinking about asking Shen Yu if she wanted to go out for a walk together, or wait until the evening for the whole family to watch the fireworks together.

However, Shen Yu pushed Li down on the chair and asked her to sit down and wait for a moment with a smile on her face. She wanted to show her something.

After Shen Yu finished speaking, he walked out of the kitchen happily and went to his own room.

Li sat down in confusion, but after a moment, she saw Shen Yu walk in with an envelope in his hand, looking happy.

She smiled and said, "What's the matter with this child? Why is he so happy?"

Shen Yu handed the envelope to Li and said with a smile, "Mom, please open it and take a look. There are good things inside."

When Li opened the envelope and saw that it contained several silver bills, she was shocked.

He stopped smiling and looked carefully. There were five bills with a denomination of two hundred taels each, totaling one thousand taels.

Li's heart began to beat wildly. It was the first time in her life that she had seen so much silver and money. Where did Yuzhi get it from?

Looking up at Shen Yu, her daughter was looking at her expectantly, as if waiting for her to ask a question.

Li suppressed her doubts and uneasiness, calmed herself down, put the banknotes back into the envelope, and asked, "Why is there so much money? Where did it come from?"

Shen Yu sat down at the table and eloquently explained the matter of the county magistrate being rewarded with silver for having obtained the scriptures.

After explaining where the banknote came from, Shen Yu smiled and said, "In fact, Mr. Lu gave it to me the day before yesterday."

"The reason why I didn't come back to tell you is, firstly, I was afraid that you would be too happy if I told you, and it would affect the making of the flower cakes."

"Secondly, I wanted to talk about it after I'm done with this so we can celebrate together."

"So I took the banknotes back and hid them at home, and kept silent about it."

"Mom, you won't blame me for not telling you then, will you?"

As Shen Yu continued his story, Li's expression changed from initial confusion and uneasiness to overjoyed joy.

She said happily: "Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? How could mother blame you? I am so happy."

"It's a good thing you didn't tell me when you came back the night before yesterday. I'm still feeling like I'm dreaming right now."