Poor children

Chapter 17
一
An altar has been set up in the innermost courtyard outside the corner gate of the palace.
The old god came to see him before dinner, and ordered the preparation of incense, candles, tributes, and other things needed. He also ordered the servants to send a message to everyone in the courtyard not to leave the house once dark, and no one outside the courtyard was allowed to enter. He needed to be silent when doing this.

After receiving the order, the boys all went to their own business. The old god went back to his residence in the mansion to bathe and change clothes and prepare for the night ritual.

At night, the old god came into the inner courtyard and ordered them to lock the door outside. Everyone in the courtyard also entered the house early and did not dare to come out.

I saw the old god go up to the altar, recite incantations, burn incense, turn into talismans, hold swords and dance on the altar. After about half a stick of incense, he sat down on the altar futon with his eyes closed and muttered something.
The poor girl lives in the west wing of the innermost yard outside the corner gate, and she is lying on the kang without eating or drinking.
After a long time, the moon was only three poles above. The Taoist priest suddenly opened his eyes, got up and walked down from the altar to the poor boy's house. When he entered the house and borrowed the moonlight, he saw a little man lying on the kang, as stiff as death. Do not move

Daoist went to sit next to him, "Girl, I know who you are, but do you know who I am?"

Seeing that the poor boy didn't answer, he continued, "I know your grandma is gone, you have no relatives in this world, life and death are the same for you?"

The poor child just lay there blankly, wondering if she could hear the Taoist priest talking to her

"On the day your mother died, someone went to the mountain to invite me. They said that a baby was born in the house. Her mother died during her lifetime. Maybe she was an unlucky person. You were the baby, but your mother did not die because of you. Yes, she suffered a lot during her lifetime, if someone didn't intentionally harm her, how could she die like this?"

"I know a little bit about how your grandma died. She died just like that, but the people who harmed her are still living well and eating, drinking and having fun all day long. They don't even have any regrets."

When the poor boy heard this, his eyes moved back and forth. Seeing this, the Taoist priest said, "It doesn't matter whether you are alive or dead? But how did your grandma and your mother die unjustly? The person who harmed them is still alive. I live a peaceful and comfortable life, especially after your mother died, she was burned on fire, her bones and ashes were not even left behind, and you are the only hope for the two of them in this world. You must look like this now. What they don't want to see" The old fairy really doesn't want to bury hatred in such a young child's heart, but if she doesn't, she will definitely not survive

"Back then, your mother was tortured so much that she gritted her teeth to give birth to you. Your grandmother also tried her best to keep you alive. They all wanted you to live. Your enemies are still alive and living happily, but you don't want them to get what they deserve. Is there any punishment?”

In the dark night, I saw the poor boy's two little hands clenched into fists

The Taoist priest added, "I have been practicing in the courtyard these past two days and nights. If you want to talk to me, just come to the courtyard to find me."

After saying that, the Taoist priest got up and went out, then returned to the altar and sat on the futon to chant sutras.
two

After about an hour of burning incense, the door of the west wing opened. I saw the poor boy holding on to the door frame and panting. After a while, he slowly moved towards the altar. He finally made it and climbed up with all his strength. Go to the altar and sit down next to the Taoist priest.

"Does Grandpa have anything to eat?" the poor boy asked

"Oh!" the Taoist priest opened his eyes and said, "During the day, they said that the red bean and yam cake was delicious, so I took some out." The Taoist priest took out a paper bag from his arms and put it in front of the poor boy. Let the two of us eat this!"

The pauper opened the paper bag and hurriedly grabbed the yam cake and stuffed it into her mouth. After a few mouthfuls, she choked and beat her chest. The Taoist priest poured her a cup of tea. The pauper drank it in one gulp and stuffed it into her mouth again.

The Taoist priest poured another cup of tea and put it in front of her. He didn't say anything and just watched her eat. After a while, he saw the poor boy burping and took another sip of tea and swallowed the food in his mouth. He didn't know whether he was tired or full. Got it
"Grandpa is a monk, why do you still obey other people's things?"

"Monks are still human beings, and they have to eat! Do you think this is what I'm doing here? It's just to get some money to go back and eat with the people in my temple..."

"Oh!" The poor boy looked down at his feet.

The two were silent for a long time
"poor boy"

"Yes! Grandpa knows my name?"

"I am a god, so naturally I know everything."

"Oh!"

Another moment of silence...

"Poor boy..." "Yes!"

"You have to be literate!"

"Can girls also read?"

"Of course, you have to learn more words and read more books, it will be useful in the future..."

"But I don't know how to learn"

"You must have a master"

"Master?" Paoer asked

The old fairy took off a string of beads from his wrist and gave it to her, "Put this string of beads away. Tomorrow you go to the market near the main gate street of Fushong to find a Taoist priest who sets up a stall to tell fortunes. He is called Sanyang Zhenren. You string this string of beads." Show it to him and tell him that grandpa asked him to teach you how to read, did you remember it?"

"Oh!" Paoer agreed, seemingly understanding.
"You must remember that you should always carry this bead string with you. No matter what happens, never leave it. It can keep you safe."

"Oh!" Pao'er responded, carefully holding the bead string in his arms.

"One more word" said the old fairy
"Grandpa please give me your instructions"

"Poor boy, you must remember that no matter what happens in the future, no matter how difficult it is, you must not give up your life. No matter how difficult or dangerous it is, you must save your life. Only when you are alive can you have a chance. If you die, you will lose everything..."

"Yes! The poor boy wrote it down"

three

The poor boy got up at dawn the next day and went to work in the kitchen. The cooks were very happy to see the poor boy coming and secretly stuffed buns for her to eat.
After a while, Su’s mother came over and asked her to fetch water. She had to fill all the water tanks in the kitchen every day.
The poor boy was not as tall as the water tank, so he had to carry the water and put it next to the tank. He stepped on the stool and then lifted the bucket and poured water into the tank. After filling these tanks of water, I was already half exhausted, and I still had to carry firewood to light several stoves. I was busy until after lunch, everyone slowly dispersed to rest, and the poor man only dared to come out after finishing his work.
four

There is a market near the palace, and it is very lively with people coming and going every day. The poor boy vaguely remembers that there is indeed a Guagua stall on this street, but he doesn't know where it is.
I was looking around and heard someone yelling, "You haven't paid me yet!"

Looking for a reputation, I saw a man dressed as a Taoist priest, about 40 years old, with heavy eyebrows and a goatee. At this time, he was holding on to the sleeve of an old woman.
"You don't think you can give me any money?"

"Why not? Now that the divination has been settled but you don't pay for it, are you here sincerely to make me happy?"

"Am I making you happy? You are clearly making me happy! I have been a widow for 20 years, and I am already this old, and you actually said that I will be pregnant by the end of the year! Do you still want money?" The old woman said, "If you continue If you mess with me, I will go to the Yamen and sue you for molestation."

The Taoist priest let go after hearing this, and the woman left cursing.

"I... am I still molesting you?" The Taoist was trembling with anger, "Widow! You can't conceive if you are a widow? Bah!" He picked up the bucket on the table and wanted to smash it, but after thinking about it, he put it down gently

When the poor man saw that this person must be the person the old god mentioned, he walked over and asked, "Are you the real goat?"

The Taoist became even more angry when he asked, "Whose child is this? So rude? I... I am Sanyang Daoist!"

(End of this chapter)