Chapter 15: Fortune Telling

Liu Chuyan and the others had no choice but to retreat inside, letting a few guards come in to carry away the screen. Han Ruoyu, meanwhile, had no time to speak with his nieces; he hurried after Xue Ao’s departing figure, anxious to reach the palace and clear himself of any connection to the matter.

Fortunately, Han Ruogu arrived soon after. Seeing that the young ladies were startled but not truly frightened, he offered a few words of comfort and praised them for their composure, saying they truly lived up to the dignity of a noble family.

“Father, shouldn’t you go to the palace and see what’s happening?” Han Shujing, though long away from home, had always been closest to her father. Thus, she spoke frankly to him: “Uncle has made a muddle of things. I saw how confused he was just now—if he gets nervous in the palace and says the wrong thing, it could lead to real trouble. If you’re there, you can at least speak up for him before His Majesty if he slips up in any way.”

Han Ruogu stared straight ahead, not looking at her. After a moment's thought, he nodded. “You’re right, Jing’er. I’ll go and see to it. But you—just back home, and this happens. It’s not easy for you. I’ll find you a finer carriage later. Don’t let these troubles weigh on your mind. Focus instead on making a good impression when you visit the General’s Mansion in a few days. Don’t let our family lose face.”

“Yes, Father, I understand. Please go with a calm heart.” Han Shujing accompanied him to the door, then pressed her forehead in distress.

“Third Cousin, don’t worry. Uncle and Father will manage just fine.”

“Mm.” Han Shujing was silent for a while, then smiled faintly and took Liu Chuyan’s arm. “Were you frightened? The Left Censor-in-Chief isn’t scary to look at, but he always wears that stern face. I’ve seen him many times and never once seen him smile—he’s always like that. You’ll get used to it. Next time you see him, just think of him as a man who never jokes or smiles. No need to be startled.”

Liu Chuyan had much on her mind, and Xue Ao was only a part of it, but she did not explain and simply nodded quietly.

Noticing her unusual reticence, Han Shujing thought she really was unaccustomed to such grand occasions and tried to comfort her further: “I’ve heard of Xue Ao. Though he seems proud, he has a good heart. Most at court are sycophants who ostracize honest and upright men; it’s a mess. Yet he, at such a young age, became Left Censor-in-Chief and remains uncorrupted, fighting bribery and corruption with resolute means, never indulging wrongdoing.”

“Isn’t he favored by Duke of Xinguo?” Han Shuwei was not convinced, pouting as she shifted restlessly on the couch.

“The Duke of Xinguo is indeed favored by the Emperor, but you saw for yourself—Xue Ao uncovered Lord Zhao’s corruption in just a few days, found solid evidence, and traced it to our residence. That is no small feat. His manner may be a bit rough, but he’s only twenty after all. We can’t be too harsh.”

“Third Cousin, you’re only nineteen yourself, yet you speak so maturely, always making excuses for others.” The mood was growing heavier, so Liu Chuyan squeezed Han Shujing’s hand, noticing the old prayer beads she wore, and changed the topic. “Third Cousin, why not change all your jewelry? Now that you’re back, you should bathe and change first. Shuwei and I will just sit outside and drink tea; you needn’t entertain us.”

Han Shujing glanced down at herself. Though she had returned as the young lady of the Han family, she still wore a matron’s attire and no makeup—altogether far too mature. She nodded. “I’ll go bathe. Afterward, the maids must tidy up here again. You two go rest. Later, we’ll dine together with the Old Madam.”

Since Han Shujing had arranged things thus, Liu Chuyan felt it inappropriate to linger and took her leave.

At lunch, the three young ladies dined with the Old Madam in the residence of Tranquil Heart, and heard that Lord Wukang and the Second Master had returned. The matter of the screen was dismissed without a trace. The Emperor had not blamed them. He merely saw a scratch on the screen, grew irritable, and ordered it repaired at once, sending everyone away.

Since the screen issue did not implicate the Marquis of Wukang’s residence, everyone relaxed. As for the Marquis’s own troubles, the Old Madam could not be bothered to mention them; if he truly overstepped, she would reprimand him then. As long as he did not bring anyone back with him, she would let him be. Why torment herself over it? As for Lady Rong, if she liked returning to her mother’s family, then let her go. It was impossible to send someone from the house to fetch her with a smile every time. If she developed a temper from being spoiled, so be it; she could come back whenever she pleased.

Once the Old Madam made up her mind, peace returned to the Han household, and not a ripple disturbed its calm for several days.

But on the morning of the fifth day of the tenth month, just as Liu Chuyan was preparing a gift for Liu Guanju, the First Madam arrived at the Residence of Tranquil Heart, bringing with her a visitor. It was said that a renowned wandering master had come—skilled in the art of fate calculation—and she had invited him to divine when Second Master Han might recover his senses from his obsession with immortality elixirs, so a suitable marriage match could be found for him.

Apart from the two young sons from the second branch, who were still children, none of the others in the Han family gave much peace of mind. Since the master was already present, the Old Madam had him read the fortunes of all the young men in the household. Then, remembering that Han Shuwei and Liu Chuyan were both nearing the age of marriage, she had him read their fortunes as well. These were no secrets, so Yunling, following the Old Madam’s instructions, came to ask Liu Chuyan to attend and listen, so she might be mindful of her own future.

When Liu Chuyan arrived, the master had already finished the readings for the young men. The First and Second Madams had memorized all the advice and concerns, and withdrew.

“Cousin Grandmother,” Liu Chuyan greeted the Old Madam as she saw the master reviewing her birth chart, then stood behind her.

“This is Master Yixing, from Mount Putuo, traveling through the region.”

“Master Yixing.” Liu Chuyan joined her palms and greeted him.

The master glanced up at her, returned the greeting with one hand, and continued his calculations.

“I’ve just read your cousins’ fortunes. Now, let me look at yours. Next month, on the tenth, you will turn fifteen—it is time to discuss your betrothal. I must see what kind of match would suit you and eliminate any conflicts of zodiac or hour, to spare future troubles.”

After the First Madam’s earlier jibes, Liu Chuyan had already been thinking about her marriage, but she hadn’t expected the Old Madam to remember and have the master read her fortune. Reborn as she was, she was curious to hear what this master, famed for his insight, would say. If he was wrong, he was not worth trusting; if right, perhaps she could ask how to avert future calamities.

Nervous, she watched the master as he calculated her birth chart. He frowned in deep thought, clearly troubled, glancing at the Old Madam several times as if wanting to speak but holding back.

“Master, does my granddaughter face some misfortune? If so, can it be averted?” the Old Madam asked anxiously, perceiving his hesitation.

“Old Madam, are you certain the young lady’s birth details are correct?” Master Yixing asked.

The Old Madam checked them again and handed them to Liu Chuyan. “Master, there is no mistake. These are her true birth details.”

Master Yixing nodded, then said nothing more. He tore the paper and recalculated, then studied Liu Chuyan’s features and, still uncertain, examined her palm as well. At last, he spoke: “Old Madam, the young lady’s fate is indeed fraught with hardship and strangeness. My spiritual cultivation is shallow—I feared making a mistake, so I examined her face and palm, only to find they differ greatly and even contradict each other. I dare not speak carelessly.”

“If you have seen something amiss, speak plainly, Master. As long as it can be averted with effort or money, it is worth it,” the Old Madam encouraged.

“Old Madam, it is not a matter of money or effort. Her face and palm mark her for great fortune and nobility, yet her birth chart is mixed, with ill luck outweighing the good. I even foresee calamity in her future, but her palm suggests that disaster has already passed. Forgive my bluntness, but has the young lady recently survived a life-threatening event?” Master Yixing asked, his tone awkward and hesitant.

Liu Chuyan’s heart skipped a beat. The master was indeed skilled, but since reincarnation was unheard of in this world, he dared not speak directly and could only hint. She had truly died once, but she could not reveal this in front of her cousin grandmother.

The Old Madam, noting Liu Chuyan’s pallor, sighed deeply. “She did fall into the water on the twenty-second of last month. But she didn’t sink, and was quickly rescued. She ran a high fever afterwards, but nothing serious. Master, is that the life-threatening calamity you refer to?”

Master Yixing could tell there was more on Liu Chuyan’s mind, but her lips were sealed, so he followed the Old Madam’s lead. “Though it differs from my calculations, if the disaster has passed, then her life is no longer in danger.”

“Truly?” The Old Madam was overjoyed to hear this. It seemed Liu Chuyan had turned misfortune into blessing, and Lady Rong’s actions were not so unforgivable after all, since the girl’s life had never truly been in peril.

Master Yixing nodded slightly, glanced at Liu Chuyan a few more times, then turned to the Old Madam. “Old Madam, I was a close friend of your eldest daughter-in-law’s grandfather and have long been on good terms with you as well, so I will speak plainly. Though the young lady has survived her mortal crisis, her future must not be taken lightly.”

“Master, your insight is profound. It is best if you do not avoid discussing a person’s prospects, career, or marriage. This distant granddaughter of mine calls me cousin grandmother—she is my cousin’s legitimate granddaughter, well-mannered and sensible. I beg you to give her a thorough reading, and tell us how to avert any misfortune.” The Old Madam’s eyes brimmed with tears as she recalled her late cousin and Liu Chuyan’s tragic fate, her plea heartfelt.

“Since you ask so sincerely, Old Madam, I will not hold back.”

“Please, Master.”

“The young lady’s surname is Liu, given name Chuyan, meaning beautiful woman. Though to a monk all beings are equal and beauty is of no consequence, even I must admit her beauty is exceptional. According to her birth chart, the disaster has passed, yet she cannot escape a fate of serving others by virtue of her beauty. Her looks could rival the very power of the throne. However, His Majesty loves beauty but not women, so she will not wed into the imperial family. Still, her fate dictates she must encounter three men in her life—each with great power and each of questionable character. Such is her inescapable misfortune.”

Liu Chuyan’s knees nearly buckled; only Songling’s quick support kept her from collapsing. She had indeed encountered three men—Zhao Panyu, Wei Wuliang, and Zhou Baiqing—each powerful and unscrupulous. The master’s reading was uncannily accurate. But now that she had been reborn, was she truly unable to escape this fate?

Seeing her distress, Master Yixing smiled slightly. “Miss Liu, though your birth chart is inauspicious, your face and palm are extremely fortunate. If you meet a person of great destiny, you may yet avert disaster. Though you are fated to serve others because of your beauty, if those you serve are women or your future husband, perhaps this is not so terrible.”

Despite these words of comfort, Liu Chuyan remained dispirited.

The Old Madam patted her hand and looked to Master Yixing. “Master, may I ask where such a benefactor might be found?”