Chapter 11 (1/2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The monk was a little stunned. Then, he remembered that he would complete his spiritual practice next year and would not need her anymore.
At that time, where would the widow go?
When he snapped out of his daze, the widow had already left with a smile, and he shook his head. At that time, he could bring the widow to the palace and have her help in the imperial kitchen.
Without him taking care of her, she might not be able to survive.
Chu Yue’s “illness” only lasted for three days. Then, she recovered fully. The prescription was one to strengthen the body, and she gave Yingda money to help her get the ingredients. After cooking them, she gave them to Hupo.
She did not drink the medicine, but it was clear that after her episode of “sickness”, she became closer to the monk.
It was rare for her to be able to get closer to him, so it was only natural for her to strike while the iron was hot.
Half a month went by, and the snow began falling harder. At that moment, Chu Yue was warming up water in the kitchen so that the monk could soak his feet.
Once she was done, she brought the bucket of water over.
The monk came over to open the door. When he saw her carry the bucket of water, he said, “Have Yingda perform this sort of manual labor.”
“I’m used to manual labor. Besides, if I can serve you, even if I’m tired, it’s nothing.” Chu Yue pursed her lips and giggled.
Clearly, it was an honor for her to be able to serve him, and she liked doing it.
The monk did not have the habit of soaking his feet. He would occasionally wash his feet, but ever since the widow recovered from her “illness”, she started boiling water for him to wash his feet every day.
She said that soaking his feet was comfortable, and it could also strengthen his body.
“Master, your toes are really beautiful. It’s just you’re rather hairy, aren’t you?” While washing his feet, the widow smiled bashfully.
The first time she washed the monk’s feet, he felt a little ill at ease, but he could not bear to see her sad face when he did not allow her to do it.
Now, he was quite used to her washing his feet, and it was very comfortable as well. It was just that when she massaged his feet, her strength was not enough. But it made sense. She was a woman, so it was inevitable that she would not have a lot of strength.
The monk said nothing. He just enjoyed her hands kneading his feet.
As Chu Yue massaged him, she caressed his soles with her delicate hands. The monk’s eyes were shut, but his eyebrows moved a little.
However, he did nothing.
Chu Yue touched his toes and said, “My greatest fortune is being able to be your chef. I don’t know whether it is appropriate for me to think of things this way and whether I will interfere with your spiritual practice, but I just want to serve you the rest of my life. I long for nothing else.”
The monk said nothing. But when she left, he opened his eyes, and there was a resigned look in his eyes.
He truly did not know how he was supposed to persuade the young widow to give up. She was always considerate when it came to him, and she cared for him meticulously. Yet she wanted to follow him and serve him for the rest of her life.
The monk picked up a Buddhist scripture and started reading it, but even after looking at the words for a long time, he did not manage to absorb anything.
He put on his shoes and walked out. Luckily, Eunuch Feng had sent a book of reports over, so he went to the room next door to handle them.
Eunuch Feng called out to Yingda and asked him softly, “What’s going on? Why do I feel that our master is not happy?”
“The master has been really happy lately,” Yingda said with a shake of his head.
Even though his master said nothing, Yingda had grown up with him, so there was no way he would not be able to tell his moods.
Eunuch Feng frowned and said, “I wouldn’t be mistaken. The master has been in a pleasant mood lately though.”
“It should be because of the widow,” Yingda said.
“What do you mean?” Eunuch Feng quickly asked.