Chapter 98 Yao Jinyu

As soon as Li Daoxuan came out of the water, he was surrounded by a group of people.

After all, the big wave had been gone for a long time, so it was really unexpected that someone was still alive. When many people saw him emerging from the water, they began to have some hope that there might be someone else drowning.

Many ships that had been docked at the shore began searching again, with shouts coming one after another.

Hearing the sound, Li Daoxuan didn't care about anything else. He got out of the water, shook off the water droplets on his body and stood on the river bank. He saw Li Yanming and the little girl from Yangzhou coming over with smiles on their faces.

"Brother Taoist, are you okay?" the little girl asked with concern, and handed her handkerchief to Li Daoxuan to wipe his wound. Li Yanming, who was standing by, could not get a word in, and had to give up after opening his mouth several times.

After taking the little girl's handkerchief, Li Daoxuan found that there were several more wounds on his face. The underwater battle was too intense just now, and he didn't pay much attention to many things. It might be that he was scratched when the old turtle approached him, or when he was swallowed by it. Now that he calmed down, he realized the extra wounds on his body.

The pain came naturally, and he gritted his teeth secretly to prevent himself from crying out. He could only sigh in his heart: "It seems that with my level of Taoism, I can't be too confident in the protection of the Six Ding and Six Jia magic spells."

"I'm fine, sorry to have worried you." Li Daoxuan comforted everyone and smiled at the little girl. Just as he was about to say something, he heard a woman's voice calling from not far away.

The little girl and her maids were all startled, and even the old mother beside them showed a trace of nervousness.

"Miss, the lady wants us to go back." The old lady picked up the little girl and said anxiously, "Miss, you can't stay outside any longer. Come back with me."

"But." The little girl turned to look at Li Daoxuan, trying her best to suppress her emotions.

She was surrounded by several maids and walked towards the crowd on the river bank.

She just stared at Li Daoxuan, stretched out her little hand and called out, "Brother Taoist! My name is Yao Jinyu, you must remember my name. If you have time in the future, you can come to Yangzhou to play with me, and I will definitely remember Brother Taoist."

"Yao Jinyu, remember." Li Daoxuan waved at her and didn't take the little girl's words to heart.

As I wiped the wound on my face, I smelled a light fragrance. It was then that I realized that I had forgotten to return the handkerchief to the little girl. When I looked again, she had disappeared into the crowd.

Li Daoxuan could only put the handkerchief in his arms, hoping to return it when he had the chance in the future.

Looking at the servants and Li Yanming beside him, he patted Li Yanming on the shoulder and said with a smile: "It seems that you are fine. Let's go back."

"Yes, Master."

The Lantern Festival came to an end, but just after the festival, many people hung white cloth in their homes.

The original joyful atmosphere disappeared, and the whole Jinling was shrouded in a funeral atmosphere.

In the next few days, the prices of funeral services in Jinling City are bound to double.

After all, what happened on the night of the Lantern Festival was too serious, and many people on the large ships and pleasure boats did not escape alive.

According to the rough statistics of the government, the number of people who drowned was probably over a hundred, not to mention those who disappeared and those who failed to escape from the ship.

This incident was the most serious Lantern Festival disaster in Nanjing. Not only did it alarm the Governor-General of Liangjiang, Liu Kunyi, but even the capital had heard about it. The two Empress Dowagers issued an imperial decree, demanding a thorough investigation of the Qinhuai flood case.

As the incident fermented, all kinds of outrageous folk rumors spread. Some people said that there was a dragon under the Qinhuai River, and that day a real dragon came out of the water. Some said that there was a sorcerer in Nanjing who used living people to sacrifice to the gods. Others said that because Nanjing did not worship the river god, the river god was angry. In short, there were all kinds of rumors. But few people knew what the truth was, and the people called it the Qinhuai River flood case that began in the third year of Guangxu.

As for why it was the third year of Guangxu, Li Daoxuan felt that it was the Taoist's fault. After all, the Taoist had not made it clear when he told him the time.

Finally, Li Daoxuan inadvertently asked others and found out that the young Emperor Guangxu in the capital had only been on the throne for two years, and it was only the third year of Guangxu after the New Year.

In the third year of the Guangxu period, a severe drought was approaching.

It was also in the third year of the Guangxu period that Li Daoxuan officially turned twelve years old.

After saying goodbye to the little girl, Li Daoxuan returned home in a mess. Mrs. Li was so scared that she almost fainted when she saw him like this. This little ancestor had been making noises every day since he came back a few days ago.

A few days ago, he came back soaking wet and looking confused. Today, he was injured and suffering. I don’t know what he did.

After Madam Li heard the servant's account of the whole incident, she felt so distressed and angry that she even broke the precious jade hairpin in her hand.

She looked at Li Daoxuan from left to right and felt that what the old Taoist said was right. If she let this kid stay at the foot of the mountain, he would not be able to withstand the torment even if he had nine lives. If he could get hurt on his face today, wouldn't he break his arms and legs tomorrow?

No, we can’t let this kid stay at home any longer. He must go back to Maoshan and can’t stay in Jinling any longer!

Madam Li wanted to drive him away, and Li Daoxuan was helpless. To be honest, although he had planned to return to Maoshan after the Lantern Festival, he was progressive in thought and honest in body, so he really didn't want to go back to the mountain. After all, living in his own home was really comfortable, and it was the treatment that the young master enjoyed. Back in the mountain, he would have to eat more cabbage, and there would be very little meat. How could he be as comfortable and happy as he was down in the mountain.

Maoshan's three palaces and five temples each have their own temple property. After hundreds of years of accumulation, in addition to "granting land to the temple" and donations from believers, Taoist priests of all generations have also continuously reclaimed wasteland by relying on religious influence. Needless to say, the three palaces each occupy more than a thousand acres of fertile land inside and outside the mountain. Although the other five temples are not as good, they can still have a hundred acres of land. These fields are used for the daily life of Taoist priests on the one hand, and are also the most important source of income for Taoist temples on the other hand. I just don't know if cabbage is easier to grow than other vegetables, or if the old Taoist priests just like to eat cabbage, but more than half of the fields in Baiyun Temple are planted with cabbage.

As Li Daoxuan thought about it, he could only secretly criticize and sigh at the old Taoist.

On the other hand, he also felt aggrieved. These troubles were not caused by him. After all, these troubles were not caused by himself, but came to him one by one. It can't be blamed on him.

Li Daoxuan sighed in his heart, and there was nothing he could do about Mrs. Li who was determined at the moment.

Although Mr. Li understands him and will support him, he has a problem, that is, he is henpecked. After all, Mrs. Li's business skills are not worse than Mr. Li's. Otherwise, when Mr. Li is not available, how can Mrs. Li have the opportunity to entertain guests? Didn't everyone at the table before the New Year show respect to Mrs. Li?

It's just that the social atmosphere of that era doesn't like women to show up in public too much, and the old man has a good temper, so most of the matters in the house are decided by Madam Li, and she really manages everything in perfect order.

Li Daoxuan wanted to ask for help from his cheap father, but as soon as Li Daoxuan looked at Master Li, Master Li suddenly felt as if a gust of evil wind wrapped in sand blinded his eyes, and turned his head away without even looking at Li Daoxuan.

Seeing that this last hope was gone, Li Daoxuan could only pack up his things and prepare to go back to the mountain.

It has been a while since I left the Baiyun Temple in Maoshan, so the old Taoist must be getting impatient. After all, the old Taoist said that he would grant me a talisman after the New Year, and the ceremony of granting talismans is absolutely indispensable.

So during the last two days at the Li family, Li Daoxuan seldom went out. Apart from packing his own things, he carved a protective treasure for each member of the Li family.

If it is a magic weapon, it would definitely be difficult to make, but if it is a talisman, it would be easy.

Li Daoxuan simply carved out a few protective jade pendants with white jade. Tools were limited in this era, and he didn't know how jade craftsmen of this period carved jade. Anyway, with the one or two ordinary knives in his hand, he could only make a few simple strokes, which were enough to ensure that the people in his home would not be affected by evil spirits.

After carving it, he first gave it to Mr. Li and Mrs. Li, then to his eldest brother and second sister, and finally to the other brothers and sisters born out of wedlock.

Holding the carved protective jade pendant, he found Li Yuzhen, who was already learning to read and write in the courtyard. After spending some time with this sister last time, he had some feelings for this diligent and studious sister.

So this protective jade pendant can be considered a gift from the brother to his sister.

When Li Yuzhen received the jade pendant handed to her by Li Daoxuan, a smile of great joy appeared on her face.

"Thank you, brother." Li Yuzhen said seriously.

"It's okay." Li Daoxuan rubbed Li Yuzhen's head and handed her another book. "This is specially made for you by my brother. Even if there is no teacher to teach you, you can learn to read by following the pronunciation above."

Seeing that it was a gift carefully prepared by Li Daoxuan, Li Yuzhen accepted it respectfully, held the book in his arms, and said to him seriously: "I will definitely not lose my brother's book!"

Li Daoxuan thought it was interesting. He had to learn it if he didn't lose it.

Thinking that it was just my sister's innocent words, I didn't take it too seriously.

Just like that, it was time to return to the mountain.

(End of this chapter)