“Master’s wife…”

Pei Zichen’s heart panicked. He hurriedly opened his mouth to try to stop her, but Jiang Zhaoxue raised her fan and cut off Pei Zichen’s words. She looked at an elderly woman who hesitantly approached, seeming somewhat uncertain as she asked, “Young lady, what do these words mean?”

“Exactly what they say.” She smiled and held the fan surface toward the elderly woman. “If my reading is inaccurate, I’ll refund your money.”

Upon hearing this, the surrounding area immediately erupted in discussion.

The elderly woman’s eyes lit up, then she asked, “How much do you charge for one reading?”

“This much.”

Jiang Zhaoxue held up one finger.

The elderly woman hesitated. “One wen?”

“One tael of silver.”

This was equivalent to one month’s rent for the house they’d rented. The elderly woman’s expression instantly changed. She said angrily, “Con artist?”

With that, the elderly woman turned and walked away with a flick of her hand. “A young lady like you—already deceiving people at such a young age? Hmph.”

Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing. She waved her fan, saying leisurely, “Madam Dan, be careful this afternoon.”

“Are you threatening me?”

The elderly woman turned back furiously. “You…”

Before she finished speaking, she suddenly froze and couldn’t help but ask, “How do you know my surname is Dan?”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled without answering. She raised her hand to support her forehead and closed her eyes to rest, saying, “Tomorrow at chen hour, I’ll be waiting for you here.”

She looked extremely young, but when these words left her mouth, she unexpectedly possessed the bearing of an expert.

Madam Dan stood frozen in place, suddenly feeling somewhat awed. For a moment she didn’t dare speak, yet feeling all eyes upon her and afraid of losing face, she could only snort coldly and turn to leave.

The fortune-telling stalls around them all secretly glanced over. Some were full of curiosity, others were full of disdain, but none exposed her.

After all, everyone setting up stalls here was a con artist. What proper Immortal Master would set up a fortune-telling stall here?

After this encounter with Madam Dan, the other people only looked on curiously. Seeing no one approach, Pei Zichen breathed a sigh of relief. He accompanied Jiang Zhaoxue as they sat for the entire day, then packed up and returned home in the evening.

Walking on the road, night had already fallen. Once night fell in Taizhou City, there were no more people about. As the two walked through the alley, Pei Zichen asked with considerable concern, “Master’s wife, having made such bold claims, do you truly intend to read the fates of these mortals?”

Jiang Zhaoxue listened with her arms crossed, raising her eyebrows to look at him. “What, worried about me?”

Pei Zichen was momentarily at a loss for words. Having it stated so directly, even though this was indeed the case, it somehow felt rather awkward.

He didn’t know why he felt awkward. He only pretended not to recognize these emotions of his, saying slowly, “Prying into heavenly fate will damage Master’s wife’s own essence. Naturally, this disciple is concerned.”

“How long will you worry about me?”

Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look at him. The questions she asked were always different from what he expected. He didn’t dare force Jiang Zhaoxue to answer his questions, nor did he know how to answer this question.

Seeing his difficulty, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t press him. She smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I have my limits. If reading fate damages one’s fortune, then I simply won’t read it.”

“Then can you read accurately?”

“I can’t.”

“Then that Madam Dan…”

“Oh, I sprinkled some Yin-Yang Powder on her.” Jiang Zhaoxue spoke honestly. “She’s going to see ghosts all night tonight.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen immediately understood Jiang Zhaoxue’s plan. He pondered without speaking.

Seeing Pei Zichen remain silent, Jiang Zhaoxue assumed he was unhappy and explained, “But don’t worry, she’ll just be able to see them. The Yin-Yang Powder is stained with my aura, so ordinary evil spirits won’t dare approach.”

“Oh.” Pei Zichen realized Jiang Zhaoxue was explaining to him. He wasn’t particularly concerned and just nodded. “No matter. This disciple is only worried about Master’s wife. Madam Dan relies on drugging—what about the others?”

“The others?” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled. “That depends on my true ability.”

The two chatted casually as they returned. Pei Zichen began tidying the house. He had already simply cleaned out Jiang Zhaoxue’s room and started working on his own. Jiang Zhaoxue listened to him bustling about outside for half the night. Sighing, she rolled over and opened her eyes to stare at the ceiling.

A’Nan, who had been tormented along with Jiang Zhaoxue, couldn’t help but inquire, “It’s so late—isn’t he tired?”

“He’s tired.” Jiang Zhaoxue yawned knowingly. “But his body is too healthy. If he doesn’t exhaust himself thoroughly, how can he fall asleep?”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue sighed, listening to the sounds from outside—sweeping, moving things, wiping tables—one after another…

Although Pei Zichen had already controlled the volume very well, each time she was about to fall asleep, the sounds would start again.

About to fall asleep, then the sounds again.

She was tormented until her mind became hazy. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she got up, put on her clothes, yanked open the door, and said with a cold face, “Come on, let’s go buy medicine.”

Pei Zichen looked confused. “Master’s wife?”

Jiang Zhaoxue pulled him along and strode out, searching from one medical clinic to another.

Finally finding a clinic, she pounded on the door. The physician had just woken up. Opening the door and seeing Jiang Zhaoxue, he was so frightened he immediately closed the door and cried out in alarm, “A woman!”

“What are you doing?” Jiang Zhaoxue knocked on the door. “Open up, I need to buy medicine.”

Hearing her words, the physician breathed rapidly, his voice trembling. “You… are you alive?”

“Obviously.” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately replied. “I need calming medicine, the dosage for a cow, ground into powder to take immediately.”

Listening, the physician slowly calmed down. He cautiously opened the door and looked Jiang Zhaoxue up and down before slowly reacting. “Outsider?”

“Yes.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. “Are there special rules?”

“Oh…” The physician breathed a sigh of relief and finally opened the door wide, letting the two enter. He put on his clothes and fetched medicine for Jiang Zhaoxue and the others. “These past few years, women who go out at night all end up… Ah, it’s been so long since I’ve encountered a woman traveling at night.”

“Evil spirits?” Jiang Zhaoxue asked curiously.

The physician shook his head. “I don’t know, but anyway, once everyone stopped going out at night, there were no more incidents. The Ye Family has retained an Immortal Master—there won’t be trouble during the day.”

With that, the physician placed the medicine in Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand, quoted her a price, then reassured her, “Don’t worry.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t take it to heart. Every place had these kinds of late-night legends.

She left carrying the medicine. Only belatedly did Pei Zichen become somewhat embarrassed. “Master’s wife… was I the one who woke you?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Zhaoxue handed him the medicine and couldn’t help but say, “If you really can’t sleep and have so much energy, why don’t you start a family? Once you have a family, you’ll sleep soundly.”

Listening, Pei Zichen didn’t quite understand what Jiang Zhaoxue meant. With confusion mixed with apology, he said, “I’m sorry, in the future I won’t…”

“Oh dear, I must be muddle-headed.” Seeing his expression, Jiang Zhaoxue patted her forehead and waved her hand. “Forget it, forget it. Just remember to take the medicine every night from now on. Anyway, if you take it long enough…”

“You’ll develop chronic insomnia,” A’Nan interjected.

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, took a deep breath, turned to look at Pei Zichen, and said seriously, “You’ll have a new life.”

Pei Zichen quietly watched Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue turned and walked ahead. “Keep moving forward and you’ll find things that make you feel happy and joyful. Then you won’t feel the pain anymore—you’ll just feel that being alive is wonderful, and you’ll want to borrow another fifty thousand years from Heaven!”

Carrying the medicine, Pei Zichen looked at the woman striding ahead with her hand raised energetically. He couldn’t help but laugh softly, then lowered his eyes and followed her shadow.

When the two returned, Pei Zichen quieted down.

Jiang Zhaoxue slept until dawn. Half an hour before chen hour, Pei Zichen came to knock on her door at the time Jiang Zhaoxue had told him. Jiang Zhaoxue hastily washed up, then groggily followed Pei Zichen to set up their stall.

She made a mental note not to set the stall opening time this early in the future.

Just as they arrived at their stall location, from far away she could see Madam Dan already waiting in place. Around her were people looking at her with shock and uncertainty. The moment Jiang Zhaoxue appeared, Madam Dan immediately rushed forward and dropped to her knees with a “thud” in front of Jiang Zhaoxue. Pei Zichen instantly pulled Jiang Zhaoxue behind him, blocking between the two, vigilantly watching Madam Dan as she cried out loudly, “Immortal Master! Save me, Immortal Master!”

This sudden turn of events startled Jiang Zhaoxue. When she came to her senses, she raised her hand to press down Pei Zichen’s arm blocking her and said rather helplessly, “Madam Dan, why such panic? You are my customer.” Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand to help Madam Dan up, being quite friendly. “Come, sit down. Zichen, serve tea.”

Listening, Pei Zichen poured tea from the pot they’d brought and handed it to Madam Dan.

People all around gathered over, watching as Madam Dan said urgently, “Immortal Master, just as you predicted, last night I saw a ghost!”

“All right.” Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at her, shook the divination cylinder, and handed it to her. “Draw one.”

Hearing this, Madam Dan tremblingly drew a divination stick. Jiang Zhaoxue took out the jade stick, scanned the divination text, then sighed. “This calamity… is related to something from your past.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Dan’s expression changed drastically.

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes, speaking with profound mystery. “Yesterday happened to be the anniversary of when you formed a connection with her. She’s come back to find you.”

“Con… connection? What connection do I have with her…”

Madam Dan couldn’t figure it out for the moment. Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing more, only tossed the jade stick back into the cylinder and said flatly, “This matter harms heavenly virtue. I won’t take your money. Go to the bridge below the city gate, find the person and bury her. Make offerings for seven days and you can safely pass through this calamity. Otherwise, there will surely be a bloody disaster.”

Hearing “the bridge below the city gate,” Madam Dan’s expression changed drastically. Her eyes immediately reddened and her lips trembled.

The surrounding people showed expressions of surprise. After exchanging glances, they seemed to understand everything.

It took Madam Dan a long time to react. She said in a panic, “Thank you, Immortal Master, thank you. I remember now—this year she would have been twenty years old… a milestone age… I’ll go right now… right now…”

With that, Madam Dan wiped her tears, got up, and fled in panic.

As soon as Madam Dan left, the surrounding area erupted. A moment later, a young lady in pink rushed forward and slapped one tael of silver on the table, her eyes full of expectation. “Immortal Master, please read my fortune.”

“Give me your hand.” Jiang Zhaoxue tapped the young lady’s hand with her fan. The young lady quickly extended her palm.

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at it and shook her head. “This romantic match won’t be easy.”

The young lady froze, then immediately became anxious. “You… what kind of fraud are you? How is it not easy between me and my brother?”

“He’s older than you.” Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at her and continued, “He’s a kind-hearted person. His status means he’ll have some reservations. Even if he has feelings in his heart, he won’t casually show them to others.”

“That’s right.” The young lady nodded. “He’s someone who says the opposite of what he means.”

“You can try being a bit braver.” Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at the cat fur on her clothing, then said, “Give him a cat.”

“Give him a cat?” The young lady murmured, then understood. “That’s right, cats are so adorable, he’ll definitely like it. I need to be braver.”

“Keep at it. Although there will be some setbacks, as long as you have enough sincerity, you will definitely succeed!”

“Thank you!” Hearing this, the young lady finally showed gratitude. “Actually, I came today just to ask about this. He just rejected me yesterday and I didn’t know if I should continue. Thank you, Immortal Master, for your guidance. I’ll go back right now and work hard!”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and nodded, saying warmly, “With a sincere heart, Heaven’s Way will naturally assist you. Go on.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue looked toward the queue that had already formed and raised her hand to beckon. “Next.”

In no time, a long line formed at Jiang Zhaoxue’s stall.

Although she wore a veil, she was clearly beautiful. With Pei Zichen standing at her side, they were like a golden boy and jade maiden, possessing extraordinary immortal air.

Everyone who left her stall was extremely happy, as if her readings were very accurate.

When night fell and the two packed up to leave, Jiang Zhaoxue looked at Pei Zichen walking beside her carrying the banner. She tapped her shoulder with her fan, smiling as she asked, “Did you figure out how I told fortunes today?”

“Observation and pleasing words.” Pei Zichen summarized. “You speak ambiguously, saying broad and pleasant things, then mix in specific information obtained through observation. This makes people feel accuracy. If you can guess their personality and goals and speak according to their expectations, you become a divine fortune-teller. At the entrance of Yuelao Temple, most are frauds. Those who come to the temple for fortune-telling mostly have everyday life troubles and won’t be too serious about it.”

“Oh my, you’re not easy to deceive.” Jiang Zhaoxue said with a smile. “Want to learn? You could make a living with this in the future.”

“But I don’t understand.” Pei Zichen was curious. “How did you know that the person related to Madam Dan had their body buried under the city gate bridge?”

“Because the karmic connection on Madam Dan that was blood-stained involved kinship.” Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone became calmer, speaking flatly. “And when I asked her about forming this connection, she didn’t even know what connection she’d formed with the other party. This shows they spent very little time together—it should have been a very young child. In the Mortal Realm, many places have fixed locations for abandoning infants. The place for abandoning infants in Taizhou City—”

“Is under the city gate bridge.”

Listening, Pei Zichen learned the reason. His expression showed not a ripple of emotion, only saying, “So Master’s wife refused to take her silver because her karma must be repaid by herself.”

“Correct.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, her gaze carrying a coldness detached from heaven and earth. “I didn’t intervene for that child when she abandoned them, so naturally I cannot interfere now that the child has returned.”

Madam Dan’s case made Jiang Zhaoxue famous in one battle.

From that day on, Jiang Zhaoxue began setting up her stall daily. In front of Yuelao Temple, there appeared a mysterious, beautiful fortune-telling Immortal Master who lived in a haunted house without trouble and walked Taizhou City at night in perfect safety.

Every day Jiang Zhaoxue earned her fill, enjoying it immensely. Pei Zichen saw that she had almost forgotten her original purpose and wanted to remind her of why she’d started fortune-telling in the first place, but seeing Jiang Zhaoxue so happy, he didn’t disturb her.

She told fortunes for over ten days straight, yet the Ye Family showed no movement. Finally, in early May, just as Jiang Zhaoxue was preparing to close up early and take Pei Zichen to eat roast duck, she stood up and heard a woman timidly ask, “Excuse me… are you Immortal Master Jiang?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue turned and glanced at the speaker.

This was a young married couple who didn’t look particularly wealthy. Their clothing was simple, but their bearing was clean—they should be from an honest family.

The two stood very close together, suggesting a good relationship. The woman’s eyes were red and swollen, as if she’d been crying for a long time. She didn’t look particularly special, but the only thing that caught Jiang Zhaoxue’s attention was the infant the woman held in her arms.

In Jiang Zhaoxue’s vision, that infant practically glowed with golden light. This was the dharma light that only those with great fortune possessed.

She raised her eyebrows, her tone becoming much better. “What can I do for you two?”

“I’d like to ask the Immortal Master to read my son’s fortune.”

Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue speak, tears immediately filled the woman’s eyes. She looked down at the sleeping infant in her arms and said tearfully, “This is my newborn child, but all the Immortal Masters say he has a solitary inauspicious fate. If we insist on keeping him, he’s destined to bring calamity to his six relations. No matter how long he lives, he’ll live at most to seventeen years old. Everyone in the clan wants us to abandon him, but this is our child—how can I abandon him? Please, Immortal Master, read his fortune—”

As the woman spoke, she glanced at her husband beside her. Her husband stepped forward and respectfully handed Jiang Zhaoxue a brocade pouch. With one glance, Jiang Zhaoxue could tell there were at least ten taels inside.

Her fortune-telling cost one tael, a price already extremely high among the fortune-telling stalls at Yuelao Temple. With a thought, she knew what this couple meant. They weren’t asking her to truly read his fortune, but rather to speak favorable words so this child wouldn’t be discriminated against and oppressed by clan members, so they could properly love and cherish him.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the brocade pouch and laughed scornfully, suppressing her anger. “Take your money back. Who read his fortune? Have them come find me. A bunch of incompetent fools—deceiving people is one thing, but how dare they deceive people about such matters? Did you not pay them enough?”

These words stunned the couple. Jiang Zhaoxue looked toward the infant, took out a pouch of silver, placed it in the infant’s embrace, lowered her eyes to look at the child, and said softly, “What is this child’s name?”

“We haven’t given him a proper name yet… his milk name, we call him Niannian.”

“Niannian—never forgotten.” Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the child, saying calmly, “This is a person of great fortune. Take him home and care for him well. His life will be smooth sailing with blessings extending far. His six relations will benefit, his clan will prosper. With him present, the family will surely flourish.”

Hearing these words, the couple’s faces showed shock.

Pei Zichen turned to look at her, wanting to say something but forcibly holding back.

Jiang Zhaoxue paid no attention. She only played with the infant. The child seemed to hear Jiang Zhaoxue’s voice. He slowly opened his eyes, and upon seeing Jiang Zhaoxue, he wasn’t afraid at all. Instead, he babbled and reached out his hands as if wanting to grab hold of her.

Jiang Zhaoxue was amused by him, and the slight displeasure in her heart dissipated somewhat. She only raised her eyes to the couple and said, “Go back. Don’t listen to their nonsense anymore.”

“But…” The husband said incredulously, “But even the Ye Family’s retainer…”

“Have him come find me.”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him sideways, saying directly, “I’ve given my reading for this child’s fate—go by what I’ve said. Whoever disagrees can come compete with me.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue turned. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Zhaoxue took Pei Zichen back. Pei Zichen was already a man of few words, and on this journey he spoke even less.

Jiang Zhaoxue sensed his abnormality and turned to inquire, “You’ve seemed unhappy since earlier. What’s wrong?”

“Master’s wife… do you like children very much?”

Pei Zichen asked hesitantly. Jiang Zhaoxue hadn’t thought through why he was asking this and replied casually, “I suppose so.”

“Then…” Pei Zichen didn’t quite know what he was asking. “With Master…”

“Oh dear, my ears hurt.” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately raised her hands to cover her ears, clearly unwilling to hear about this matter.

Pei Zichen froze, thinking of Jiang Zhaoxue’s time at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. He immediately realized how despicable he was being.

Jiang Zhaoxue wasn’t made of clay—how could she not have some temper? Those days must have been ones she disliked.

Seeing him silent, Jiang Zhaoxue covered her ears and turned back. “What exactly do you want to ask?”

“Master’s wife just now…” Pei Zichen hesitated. At the moment he spoke, he didn’t know why, but he felt that chest cavity that was already terrifyingly empty begin to overflow with dense sourness. “Were you changing that child’s fate?”

Just like with him, changing his fate of being solitary and inauspicious to his six relations.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him strangely. “How is that possible? His fortune is very good. I gave him money precisely to earn some fortune in return from him, all right?”

These words left Pei Zichen stunned.

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at him with considerable disdain, then walked forward. “Except for you, I won’t change anyone’s fate.”

Pei Zichen stood in place, unable to speak.

He only felt that his heart seemed to suddenly leap, then suddenly fall.

In that moment, he suddenly perceived that when she turned to look at him and said those words “Except for you, I won’t change anyone’s fate,” he seemed to suddenly hurt a little less.

She could see him.

He seemed to give birth to a kind of longing, yet he didn’t dare recognize it.

He could only silently walk forward, stepping on her shadow behind her, following her home.

The next day, Jiang Zhaoxue followed Pei Zichen to work at noon. Just as they arrived at Yuelao Temple, she felt something was wrong. Ahead, there was a grand commotion with a group of people gathered at the entrance of Yuelao Temple.

Leading them was a white-haired elder in Daoist robes, holding a whisk and standing at Jiang Zhaoxue’s original stall location, looking at the banner Jiang Zhaoxue had hung.

Jiang Zhaoxue stopped in her tracks. Pei Zichen immediately stepped forward, shielding Jiang Zhaoxue behind him while leaving her space to observe others.

Hearing the sound, the elder sensed Jiang Zhaoxue’s arrival.

He turned and swept his gaze over, his eyes scanning across Jiang Zhaoxue before saying slowly, “Are you Jiang Zhaoxue?”

“Yes.”

With one glance, Jiang Zhaoxue knew his purpose. She said directly, “Was it you who gave Niannian that reading of being solitary and inauspicious to his six relations?”

“It was.” The elder answered without hesitation. He flicked the whisk in his hand and raised his hand in a Daoist salute, saying seriously, “Ye Wenzhen of the Tianji Academy, greetings to you, young friend.”