Luan’er sighed, “I was ill for several days recently. I’m just starting to feel better now, though I’m still weak and have no appetite.”

Daoist Cui repeatedly sighed, closed her eyes slightly, and muttered incantations while forming sword fingers. She took out a roll of yellow spirit money from her sleeve, circled it twice around Luan’er’s head, and then went outside to burn it. Returning inside, she said, “I’ve just dispersed the ill fortune and sickness for the Young Lady. After a good sleep, you’ll feel better. You’re experiencing an unlucky year, with disaster stars affecting your fate. This is why your body is weak, and you’re troubled by petty people and verbal disputes. Though you’ll have some good fortune in the first half of the year, the second half will bring difficulties and unexpected calamities.”

Every word struck home with Luan’er, who nodded quickly and said, “That’s exactly right! You truly are a divine immortal!”

Daoist Cui sighed again and said, “Fortunately, the Young Lady has a great fortune in your destiny, which has protected you so far. Who knows what might have happened to someone else!”

Luan’er leaned forward eagerly and asked, “Divine Immortal, please tell me, is there any way to resolve this?”

Daoist Cui crossed her legs on the kang bed and said, “It’s not difficult. The temple is holding a ceremony these days specifically to expel evil spirits. If the Young Lady donates some money for incense and oil, your merits will be doubled, the disaster stars will naturally retreat, and auspicious stars will shine upon you, bringing fortune, prosperity, longevity, and joy.”

Luan’er asked, “How much should I donate? I want to contribute.”

Daoist Cui replied, “Two Taels of silver isn’t too much, and one Copper Coin isn’t too little – it’s up to Young Lady’s discretion. However, for donations of one Tael or more, we write your name on a merit tablet to burn, and I’ll perform rituals at night to report to the Queen Mother’s attendants.”

Luan’er thought for a moment and said, “Recently, I’ve been surrounded by petty people, and things have been very unsettled. I should donate more and ask the Divine Immortal to put in more good words with the heavenly beings.” She then ordered Cun Xin to bring the key, unlocked the chest at the head of the kang, retrieved a brocade pouch from the bottom, and took out a piece of silver weighing two Taels, which she handed to Daoist Cui. The Daoist quickly said, “Amitabha! Young Lady is truly benevolent and righteous!”

Luan’er sighed and said, “It’s just a few Taels of silver, which I can afford. If this ceremony truly helps dispel my misfortunes and difficulties, it will be my good fortune.”

Daoist Cui smiled and said, “Why does the Young Lady speak this way? Young Master Lin is already a Third-Rank Official at such a young age, and he may become a marquis or minister in the future. Young Lady has a noble destiny, and when you bear a noble son, you’ll have endless fortune throughout your life.”

Luan’er laughed coldly and said, “What noble destiny? I’m like an autumn fan now, trampled by others. It’s bad enough that Young Master favors Hua Mei, but at least she was sent by Young Master’s superior, and her parents are officials, so it’s not too much to elevate her to a concubine. But…” She suddenly realized her indiscretion and stopped speaking.

Daoist Cui, being clever, observed her expression and asked, “Young Lady disapproves of Xiang Lan?”

Luan’er hadn’t intended to continue, but once Daoist Cui asked, she couldn’t contain her resentment. She laughed coldly and said, “Who else could it be? She’s supposedly a celestial maiden. Since Young Master acquired her, everyone else is treated like dirt. She may have a pretty face, but she’s timid and low-class – not worthy of any high position!”

Daoist Cui said, “I don’t think she’s any good either. I heard Young Master had taken a new person, and when I first came to this courtyard, I wanted to pay a visit, but that little maid blocked the door and wouldn’t let me in. Forget about offering hot tea – she didn’t even show basic courtesy. Buddha and the Jade Emperor be my witness, besides Madam, I’ve never seen such arrogance!”

Luan’er snorted, “Indeed! Young Master is confused to fancy her.”

Daoist Cui said, “As they say, ‘No one stays in favor forever, no flower blooms for a hundred days.’ Those who rely on beauty won’t last long. After some time, when Young Master’s novelty wears off, he’ll remember Young Lady’s goodness.”

Luan’er sighed deeply and said, “That’s all I can hope for. What else can I do?”

Daoist Cui said, “Why sigh, Young Lady? Don’t you still have Young Lady Shu Ran? She’s favored by Young Master and can speak up for you.”

Luan’er’s anger flared again, and she laughed coldly, “Her? When I was sick recently, she only visited once and sent some things. Now that she sees that little demon gaining favor, she’s rushing to curry favor with her. She’s forgotten all about me!”

Daoist Cui sneered, “I see Shu Ran is the same. She’s your cousin, she should be looking out for you in everything. If she had put in a bit more effort, that little demon wouldn’t be so arrogant. Come to think of it, since Young Lady lacks support, you should plan everything for yourself. How can you let others control your fate? If you don’t fight for yourself now, how will you ever rise?”

Luan’er said, “I want to fight, but I’m powerless. These things aren’t easy to plan. I wonder if the Buddhas and immortals can help with such matters. If you could pray for me more in the future, Daoist, I’ll reward you generously if it works.”

Daoist Cui scoffed, “Man proposes, Heaven disposes. If Young Lady doesn’t plan, how can Heaven help? I see Young Lady is clever, with a noble destiny, capable and sharp. If you set your mind to making connections and getting help, you’ll succeed. The Young Lady has been in the inner quarters too long and doesn’t know how many noble people outside rely on me to smooth their path in both the mortal and spiritual realms. If Young Lady lacks initiative, there’s nothing I can do.”

Hearing these promising words, Luan’er’s heart leaped. She refilled Daoist Cui’s tea and said, “Daoist, you’ve traveled far and wide and entered many great households. You must have experience and insight. We’ve always gotten along well and think alike. Now that I face such difficulties, please teach me.”

Daoist Cui said, “I dare not claim to ‘teach.’ I just can’t bear to see Young Lady suffer such indignity. However, helping Young Lady once will cost me dearly… perhaps ten years of my spiritual cultivation and five years of my mortal life!”

Luan’er smiled and said, “If Daoist helps me wholeheartedly, I certainly won’t shortchange you. When I become a senior concubine and bear a son, we’ll surely have a share in the Lin family’s vast fortune. I’ll never forget your kindness and remember it for life. Even now, I won’t treat you poorly.” She opened the chest again and took out a red silk package. Inside were a pair of gold-mounted red coral earrings and a gold necklace with a coral pendant, gleaming brilliantly yellow.

Luan’er handed them over and said, “Young Master brought these back from outside – they can’t even be found in Jin Ling. Look how blood-red this coral is. Take this set first, and there’s also a cyan silk robe that I thought looked too old and never wore – take that too. Plus ten Taels of silver that Young Master just awarded me. Use it as you need. If you can drive that little demon out and make Young Master turn his heart back to me, when you come again, I’ll thank you doubly.”

Daoist Cui had already grabbed the jewelry and silver, stuffing them into her sleeve while saying, “Young Lady is straightforward, so I’ll be frank too. This amount of silver makes it easy to deal with that little demon but to make Young Master change his heart, I’m afraid…”

Luan’er immediately said, “That can be discussed.” She took out several hairpins and saw some valuable jewelry at the bottom of the chest. After hesitating briefly, she couldn’t bear to part with them and only handed over the pins to Daoist Cui, saying, “These are all the valuable things I have. If you truly prove effective, I’ll empty my belongings and gather money from home to give it all to you.”

Daoist Cui smacked her lips without speaking, then after a while said, “This silver isn’t enough, but I see Young Lady is sincere, and we have a long-term relationship. How about this – Young Lady write me an IOU, so there’s proof for the future.”

Luan’er said, “That’s fine.” She called for brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Daoist Cui quickly wrote one out, read it to Luan’er, who pressed her fingerprint on it, and Daoist Cui put it away. She took out two cloth-wrapped packages and handed them to Luan’er, saying, “The red package contains a heart-returning charm. Take a strand of your hair and Young Master’s, tie them together, and place them with this charm under your pillow. It’s guaranteed to work within forty-nine days. The green package contains a death charm. Get a strand of that little demon’s hair, tie it to the paper figure, and burn it in a secluded place on the fifteenth of next month. After forty-nine days, she’ll die without a burial place.”

Luan’er was frightened and said, “I… I only wanted to drive her away, not kill her.”

Daoist Cui sneered, “You’re truly foolish. How can you have a future if she doesn’t die?”

Luan’er hesitated and dared not take them.

Daoist Cui said impatiently, “Since ancient times, who has achieved great things by being so indecisive? Young Lady, do you want them or not? If not, I’ll take them back.”

Only then did Luan’er take them. Daoist Cui talked with Luan’er a while longer before taking her leave. She then sat briefly in Hua Mei’s room before departing.

The next day, the new official robes and jade belts were delivered, and Young Master Lin finally smiled, bringing relief to everyone in Zhi Chun Hall. The Lin family had their small troupe of actors, and since Young Master Lin had been promoted and learned to sing several plays, Lin Dong Ling, Lin Dong Xiu, and others who were usually bored took the opportunity to set up a stage for performances. Madam Qin readily agreed, and by afternoon, the stage was erected in Jian Qiu Pavilion, with all the ladies of the inner quarters attending.

Xiang Lan naturally didn’t want to go but feared Young Master Lin would be displeased if he knew, leaving her no peace. So she waited for a long while before finally getting ready and going. By then, Madam Qin had grown tired of the opera and returned home supported by her maids. Second Madam Wang sat in the center, with Lin Dong Ling on her left and Lin Dong Xiu on her right. Lin Jin Yuan was running around with a wooden sword, with several servants anxiously guarding him nearby. Madam Wang called several times, “Good child, come here, I’ll peel some crab meat for you to eat.” But Lin Jin Yuan acted as if he hadn’t heard and continued running wildly, creating more excitement than the opera on stage.

Xiang Lan quietly went to the back, where she saw Hua Mei, Luan’er, and Ying Ge sitting at a table, all dressed elaborately. Hua Mei’s eyes were fixed on the stage as if she hadn’t noticed her. However, Ying Ge quickly stood up, pulled out the round stool beside her, and said, “Xiang Lan’s here, please sit.” She also arranged for maids to brew hot tea and smiled, “Why are you late? The first two acts were wonderful, it’s a shame you missed them.”