Chapter 316： Autumn outing

The master and his disciples stayed in Fucheng for two days and then rushed back to Zaoshu Village.

With them were Mrs. Zhang and her three daughters, as well as the family members of Feng Sima and Qian Sihu from Fucheng.

Since this month is September, even though it has passed September 9, there are still people looking for chrysanthemums to climb high.

No, several official families in Fucheng learned that there was a cave dozens of miles away in the countryside. There were two peonies in full bloom growing in the cave, and they immediately wanted to take a look.

As soon as Feng Sima's wife and Qian Sihu's wife got together, they mentioned to Mrs. Zhang that they would go to see the miracle together.

Mrs. Zhang was of course happy. She was worried that it would be unsafe for her family to leave the city. It was a blessing to have Sima and Sihu's family members go with them.

Once they set out, they formed a huge group of people, with more than 200 servants and guards in total. Each family also used several carriages. The formation was comparable to an army going into battle.

The three sisters Yingbao and Xuehua sat in the same carriage and told them a story about Shiquan Cave along the way.

She made up some nonsense and made the three little girls stunned.

Chun Hua blinked and asked, "Is it really that magical? Is the spring water really made of the tears of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl?"

Yingbao said ambiguously: "I also heard it from the elders in the village, but I don't know if it is true."

“Is there really a peony in the cave?” Xia Shi was also curious.

Yingbao nodded: "Yes, when you arrive, you can go in and see for yourself."

Xia Shi clenched her hands, unable to conceal her excitement.

This is the first time she has gone out to play in the city. Even though there are no caves and peonies, she is very happy.

Well, it would be great if my aunt could come with me.

Xia Shi secretly glanced at her sister-in-law.

This time I and Chun Hua were able to come out, thanks to my sister-in-law who mentioned it in front of my mother.

The motorcade was traveling very slowly. It started in the morning and arrived at the Wuchang Taoist Temple on Shiquan Mountain at noon.

The servants began to bury pots in rebellion, and several women also entered the Taoist temple's kitchen and began to cook for the masters.

They all brought rice, vegetables and meat, as well as soy sauce, salt, vinegar, sugar, and even bowls, chopsticks, and plates.

The girls brought by the ladies began to tidy up the Taoist house, dusting it, and put the bedding and boxes they brought on the kang in the house.

Ying Bao also took them to Shiquan Cave at the request of several official ladies.

A group of people came to the cave and saw several villagers laying stones in the spring to make it easier for people to walk into the cave and view the scenery.

The three Xuehua sisters, plus the two young ladies from the Sima family, the two sisters from the Sihu family, and Yingbao, a total of eight little girls, gathered around the spring and marveled.

Xia Shi and Chun Hua squatted down, picked up the water with their hands, and tasted it. They laughed and said, "It is indeed fairy water. It's actually very sweet."

When the other ladies saw this, they also took a sip from the water.

Xuehua was older than them and calmer. He turned around and asked Yingbao, "Can we go into the cave and have a look?"

Yingbao shook his head: "Not today, let's do it tomorrow."

She pointed at the busy villagers and said, "We will wait until they have laid the stones and then go inside to check out all the snakes and rats before we can go in."

I also want to see what the stalagmites inside look like. It would be best to create a miracle inside.

Xuehua: "Okay, let's go take a look around first."

They and their group were out for an autumn outing, so naturally they wanted to walk around.

So, Ying Bao led them to wander around again.

But this place is too barren, and it is late autumn, so there is really not much to see. On the other side, Zhang Min took several young officials to catch birds.

There is nothing else on the mountain. There are so many sparrows. Just throw a little rice on the ground and a large swarm will come.

A few young men were shooting birds with slingshots. They laughed happily when they hit one.

Zhou Wuchang was not at the Taoist temple. He went to the village to tell the villagers and asked them to prepare some local food and take it to the Taoist temple for sale.

Wu Yi, the village leader, came back yesterday and sold more than ten buckets of water. Even the two peonies were bought for two thousand dollars.

This was the first time he tasted the joy of making money. When he came back, he told the villagers and asked everyone to take turns going to the Taoist temple to guard the temple. Those who didn't go would not have their share of the money earned in the future.

The village chief's words were very effective, and everyone actively participated. They not only stayed on duty at the Taoist temple, but also volunteered to patrol the Shiquan Cave, scaring away the wild beasts who came to drink water.

Not long after, people from the other two villages also found out, and immediately approached Wu Yi and asked to join the patrol team.

Wu Yi couldn't agree even if he wanted to, because Zhou Wuchang also agreed that the three villages would jointly maintain the cave.

There is strength in numbers. Even if the rich squire has some evil idea, as long as the people from the three villages work together, those people will have to weigh the importance.

In addition, this mountain already has an owner, and those powerful people do not dare to compete with the prefect of Jingzhou Prefecture despite their powerful means.

The day passed by, and Yingbao was the first to get up, go to the kitchen to fetch water for washing, and then ran outside.

The Taoist temple courtyard was occupied by various tents, and the servants living in the tents also got up one after another. Those who carried water, those who cooked, and some picked up big brooms to clean the yard.

After the servants heard that the stone spring here was a sacred spring, they loved drinking water. They went to the stone cave in twos and threes and filled the water bags they brought.

The villagers guarding the cave were very sad, but it was difficult to stop them because these people were all brought back by Master Zhou.

Xiaodouzi also muttered to his friend: "I didn't realize how rare the spring water was before. Why can't I see others coming here to get water now?"

The little friend scratched his head, not knowing how to answer.

He had peed in this water before, but he dared not say it now.

After breakfast, a group of people arrived in front of the cave. Under the leadership of two villagers, they stepped on the newly laid stones and entered the cave.

As soon as we entered the cave, we saw two adult-tall peonies standing in front of us.

The trees are full of flowers, which is very strange in the dark cave.

A group of little girls screamed and gathered around, sniffing the fragrance of the flowers.

The three ladies were also amazed and walked over to check it out.

It is indeed a peony. The flowers bloom as big as a bucket, red and white, and the petals are silky and exude a delicate fragrance.

A young lady was quick and picked one immediately, which made the villagers feel very distressed.

The villagers were angry and anxious, and immediately stepped forward and said, regardless of their status: "Please don't pick the flowers. They are gifts from gods and cannot be picked."

When he said this, the young lady lost her composure and scolded: "What's wrong with picking one? I'll just give you money at the worst."

The villagers did not give in, and said angrily: "This is not a matter of money. What if everyone picks one and the gods blame them?"

If nothing else, they will have to rely on these two peonies in the cave to sell water in the future. When the flowers are gone, they still have to sell a hammer.

"What's wrong with my sister picking a flower? What are you talking about, you untouchable?" Seeing that her sister was deflated, the little lady's brother pointed at the villagers and cursed: "Do you believe that I pulled up your flower tree?"

Yingbao and his second senior brother saw the two parties quarreling and quickly came over to break up the fight.

But the young lady and her brother couldn't suppress their anger, and they were about to take action.

But the young lady’s mother just watched with cold eyes and had no intention of intervening.