Chapter 8 (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Of course it’s not fine. I lost my breath while staring at you, and it is quite inappropriate. I hope that you will forgive me and not chase me away. I have been rejected by my husband’s family. Fortunately for me, those at Shangqing Temple are tolerant, or else, I would not have a place to stay in, even if the world is so big,” Chu Yue said pitifully.

“When have I ever mentioned that I wanted to chase you away?” the monk asked.

When he had just learned that she was the new chef who had been cooking vegetarian meals for him, he felt that he had been deceived.

But after she spoke, he could understand what was going on.

She only dared to meet him after she was rewarded, which was a clear sign that she was worried that she would lose this job after he learned that it was her.

She had not showed up in front of him before and bothered him.

If Eunuch Feng had actually dared to send someone over, the woman would definitely not be dressed like this.

As the monk thought, the displeasure in his heart disappeared.

“Are you still willing to let me stay and cook for you?” Chu Yue looked up at him with delight.

“If you want to stay, you may. But you are not allowed to bother me.”

“Thank you, Master, you are a good man. I’ll be able to have a better time this winter now that I have this job,” Chu Yue said happily.

Then, she saw the charcoal the monk used and sighed, ‘As expected of the abbot of Longan Temple and the person the stupid eunuch wants to bring down. He’s actually using golden animal charcoal.’

Golden animal charcoal was even better than pure hardwood charcoal. It was incredibly easy to use, and when it started burning, it did not produce any smell of smoke but the fragrance of pine.

When the monk saw how much she longed to have the charcoal, he said, “If you want it, I can give you some.”

“Then I will have to thank you. My maid and I might have bought some charcoal to keep us warm, but it cannot compare to your charcoal.

“I think this sort of charcoal is very difficult to buy outside so I can’t take it without paying you back. After all, I cannot take rewards without doing something to deserve them. Could you deduct the money required to buy them from my wages?” Chu Yue asked.

“As you wish.” When the monk saw that she was not greedy for small gains even though she was a widow, he scrutinized her again.

“Then, I will not bother you in your training. I will leave now. By the way, what would you like to eat for lunch? I will make it for you,” Chu Yue asked in a rather obsequious tone.

“You can cook whatever you want.” The monk knew based on the food she made that all of her cooking suited his tastes.

The monk did not mind her trying to curry favor with him either. She was a widow, so she no longer had a man to rely on and would naturally treasure her job after she got it.

Chu Yue nodded and went out of the room respectfully.

Eunuch Feng was a little anxious as he waited outside.

It was cold, but he did not seem to find the weather chilly. When he saw the widow come out, he quickly went up to ask her in a whisper, “So… did the mast— did the monk scold you?”

“Why would the master scold me out of the blue?” Chu Yue asked.

Eunuch Feng was stunned. Before he could say anything, Chu Yue continued, “I spoke to the master just now, and he agreed to give me some charcoal. It’s the one he’s using in his room. As for the money for it, please deduct it from my monthly wages. And please have Yingda send the charcoal over since I don’t have the strength to carry it myself.”

After she finished speaking, she turned to go back home. It was still a long time before lunch.

Eunuch Feng quickly followed after her. Chu Yue looked at him and asked, “Is there something else, Sir?”

“No, I mean, did the master say anything else just now? Was he angry?” Eunuch Feng asked.

“Angry? Why should he be angry? The master is very kind and of noble character. He is a saintly monk who is rarely found in the world,” Chu Yue said with admiration in her voice. “I am a widow and am treated as an unlucky object in the world, but he did not regard me with any sort of bias at all.”