Chapter 1846: Chapter 941: Preferences (Part 2)

Manman’s family moved to Prefecture City, and such a big household couldn’t be ignored by Yan Daopo. Over time, she made a connection with Lady Zhang. Lady Zhang regularly donated sesame oil money every month, and every time Yan Daopo visited, Lady Zhang would not let her leave empty-handed.

In Lady Zhang’s eyes, Yan Daopo was a semi-divine figure.

However, in Lian Manman’s view, this Yan Daopo was nothing more than a con artist with a slick tongue.

This con artist had surprisingly high "cultivation"; there wasn’t a wealthy family in Prefecture City she couldn’t visit. Occasionally, she could get certain things done, and a significant number of the women in Prefecture City were her devout followers.

Although Manman inwardly disapproved of Yan Daopo, she went along with societal norms and didn’t want to upset Lady Zhang by outright banning her. She only advised the maids and wives behind the scenes and often reminded Lady Zhang.

"We’ve already given this month’s sesame oil money, and the last time she came, she congratulated us and took quite a bit of happy money. It’s only been a few days, and she’s here again."

Apart from the two of them, there were only trusted servants in the room, so Manman didn’t hide her annoyance with Yan Daopo.

"Go out and tell her, the madam is asleep, and I’m busy. Send her away." Manman instructed Duofu.

"No." Lady Zhang quickly interjected, "Since she’s already here, and we just saw our guests off, if she finds out, she’ll spread rumors outside that we don’t respect monks and Taoists."

"Mother..." Manman said helplessly, knowing full well Lady Zhang’s words were just an excuse. When did respecting monks and Taoists become the same as not welcoming Yan Daopo?

"You’re still young; people like her shouldn’t be offended," Lady Zhang continued. It was unclear whether she meant that Yan Daopo, as a monk or Taoist, shouldn’t be offended, or whether people of Yan Daopo’s character shouldn’t. "It’s just a small amount of money. We don’t really care about that now. Let’s just consider it as doing a good deed, accumulating virtue."

"Don’t worry, I’m of a certain age now, and I’m well aware of things... One still needs to believe in certain things, to some extent," Lady Zhang added.

Manman smiled wryly to herself. Lady Zhang’s claim that one needs to believe in certain things, to some extent, was just for the sake of saving face. In Lady Zhang’s heart, she probably thought there were things you simply couldn’t afford not to believe.

Everything stemmed from the belief in gods. Without overturning the belief in gods, one couldn’t persuade people like Lady Zhang to abandon superstition. Regarding this, Manman had always adopted an evasive attitude. She could only try to persuade Lady Zhang based on Yan Daopo herself.

However, so far, Yan Daopo had always behaved properly in front of Manman. Even when asking for sesame oil money, she was very cautious. After all, to maintain her position in Prefecture City, Yan Daopo had a sharp eye and knew exactly what to do.

Even Manman, though internally annoyed by Yan Daopo, could only convince herself that overly pure waters harbor no fish.

With Lady Zhang saying so, Manman stopped insisting. A young maid went out, and in a short time, led in Yan Daopo, dressed in dark blue.

As soon as she entered, Yan Daopo hurriedly swept her duster and, with a beaming face, bowed deeply to Lady Zhang and Manman in greeting.

Yan Daopo looked to be in her thirties, of medium build, with a reddish-brown complexion, a long face, large triangular eyes, sparse eyebrows, and a slightly protruding mouth. When she didn’t speak, it was fine. But when she smiled, she revealed a mouth full of teeth and purplish gums.

She wasn’t a pleasant-looking woman, but she was adept at going from house to house, thriving socially because of that very mouth of hers.

"I bring my congratulations to the Madam as well as the Bodhisattva," Yan Daopo grinned at Lady Zhang. "Madam looks better on her skin than a few days ago. This is a sign of good fortune shining down, bringing prosperity and joy to the house. With Madam’s sincere demeanor, you don’t need to do anything; it directly reaches the heavens. Wealth and peace are now coming to Madam’s household."

As she spoke, she turned to glance at Manman twice, showing a look of surprise before her face blossomed like a chrysanthemum.

"Madam must have done so much good in your past life; the blessings you can’t enjoy fully in this life extend to your descendants. The young lady looks even more outstanding than before. Is this some celestial fairy come to earth? Her fortune is deep, quite deep," Yan Daopo chanted while deliberately stepping back two paces.

"This old woman has been rude, truly rude..." she murmured, pretending to bow in submission.

In front of Manman, Yan Daopo always spoke little and exhibited extra humility.

"She’s just a young lady; don’t talk nonsense. Sit down, let’s talk," Lady Zhang said, smiling, inviting Yan Daopo to sit. Though she stopped Yan Daopo from continuing her flattery, anyone with eyes could see she wasn’t against Yan Daopo’s words.

In fact, much of what Yan Daopo said hit the nail on the head for Lady Zhang.

Yan Daopo, with her mere efforts, managed to make her little Taoist Temple flourish; of course, she had her unique skills. Observing words and expressions and saying what people like to hear was precisely one of her specialties.

With Manman present, Yan Daopo didn’t dare to sit on a chair or join Lady Zhang on the heated bed, cautiously taking a seat on a footstool below the bed.

"Where are you coming from?" Lady Zhang began chatting with Yan Daopo.

"... from Chengdong Landlord Liu’s House. Madam might not know, but Landlord Liu’s first wife just gave birth to a chubby boy!" Yan Daopo replied.

...

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