Qin Yining felt that Tianji Zi’s tone of voice was very inappropriate.

She didn’t know whether Tianji Zi was aware of the discord between her and A’na Ri, but to say in front of the Tatar Khan that the two of them had similar fate patterns—what would that make A’na Ri think?

A’na Ri had a meticulous mind and was extremely nervous about Si Qin, watching her husband particularly closely. Even though Qin Yining had no feelings for Si Qin and had never been intimate with him, A’na Ri could still conjure up various scenarios of Qin Yining seducing her husband. What if Tianji Zi’s words were added to that?

When Tianji Zi read people’s fortunes, she was famously accurate.

Qin Yining frowned, looking at Tianji Zi thoughtfully. Sure enough, she met Mu Jinghu’s gaze, and Mu Jinghu smiled at her somewhat embarrassedly.

And A’na Ri indeed reacted as Qin Yining had expected, her face darkening like water as she said with sarcastic undertones: “To encounter someone with a fate pattern similar to this Khan’s is truly not easy. This Khan was born noble and knew from childhood what I would become. I wonder if Prince Consort Zhongshun’s princess is the same?”

Qin Yining returned an unpleasant smile and said: “Naturally I cannot compare with the Khan. How many true dragon emperor fate patterns can there be in this world?”

Tianji Zi looked at Qin Yining with a smile, then glanced at A’na Ri with clearly scrutinizing intent: “This poor Taoist would not be mistaken. Both of you have the same fate pattern. Though there were hardships in youth, these are also destinies of accumulating strength for tremendous nobility, and both your destined marriages are to iron-blooded men of considerable literary and martial talents.”

A’na Ri’s eyes flickered as she looked at Si Qin beside her, more speculation arising in her heart.

By saying this, was Tianji Zi indicating that Qin Yining might very likely develop feelings with Si Qin as well?

This was exactly what she had been worried about all along.

A’na Ri knew well that in terms of appearance, she couldn’t compare to Qin Yining, and she knew that men all loved beauties. Moreover, ever since Si Qin had appeared in her sight with Qin Yining, Si Qin had never again treated her with the same gentle consideration as before. They had grown up together since childhood, yet it seemed she wasn’t as important in Si Qin’s heart as Qin Yining.

Originally she had wondered if Si Qin had taken a fancy to Qin Yining’s appearance.

But looking at it now, it was more likely because of their similar fate patterns!

What if Qin Yining wanted to compete for her Prince Consort and seize her position?

At this thought, A’na Ri even broke out in a cold sweat all over. Meeting Tianji Zi’s gaze that seemed to understand everything, and seeing the compassion hidden in Tianji Zi’s eyes, A’na Ri’s pupils contracted as she became even more worried and fearful.

No, she couldn’t just sit and wait for death. She couldn’t just wait for Qin Yining to take everything away from her.

Looking at A’na Ri’s expression, Qin Yining knew she had completely misunderstood.

Previously in the Great Yan Dynasty, she could be considered acquainted with Tianji Zi, and there might even be some master-servant relationship between Tianji Zi and Pang Xiao. But now, Tianji Zi was actually framing her?

Qin Yining couldn’t think of when she had ever offended Tianji Zi, nor could she figure out what purpose this would serve.

Moreover, since the mouth belonged to someone else, whatever Tianji Zi wanted to say was completely beyond Qin Yining’s control.

She could only be grateful that all this was happening before her eyes, allowing her to prepare in advance rather than being caught off guard when some unexpected situation really arose.

Tianji Zi picked up her tea bowl and leisurely took a sip. That clearly shrewd smiling face squeezed her eyes into slits, making it impossible to see her expression clearly.

A’na Ri said: “Someone come, escort Prince Consort Zhongshun’s princess back to rest. She’s tired.”

“Yes.” The maid beside her immediately responded, forcibly supporting Qin Yining by the arm and helping her to her feet.

Seeing Qin Yining being forcibly taken away, Mu Jinghu looked worried and took a step forward, but stopped under one look from Tianji Zi.

Qin Yining caught sight of Mu Jinghu’s movement from the corner of her eye, and her heart settled slightly.

At least Mu Jinghu still cared about her safety in his heart, which meant the relationship between Mu Jinghu and Pang Xiao hadn’t soured, and perhaps she could ask for his help in the future.

After Qin Yining was taken away, A’na Ri smiled at Tianji Zi: “Master, are you free now to take a walk with this Khan?”

Si Qin also didn’t say much, simply rising: “May the Khan rest well and relax. I happen to have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.”

A’na Ri nodded with a smile, but wasn’t comfortable letting Si Qin go out alone, so she gave a meaningful look to an attendant nearby.

Only after seeing that attendant follow Si Qin out did she directly question Tianji Zi.

“Master, this Khan understood your words just now. You said that woman surnamed Qin has the same fate pattern as me—is this true?”

“Naturally it’s true.” Tianji Zi smiled: “This poor Taoist has read fortunes for so many people and has never been wrong. Does the Khan not trust this poor Taoist?”

“Naturally I trust you.” A’na Ri quickly denied, saying: “When Master previously gave readings for Li Qitian, Ji Zeyu, and Pang Xiao, all three were very accurate, and the reading for the Prince Consort was also very accurate. How could this Khan doubt Master? It’s just that this concerns this Khan’s lifelong happiness, so this Khan must be cautious.”

Hearing this, Tianji Zi smiled warmly, just like a kind elder.

“This poor Taoist understands the Khan’s thoughts completely. You and the Prince Consort have deep marital affection and don’t wish for external forces to interfere.”

Hearing this, A’na Ri nodded repeatedly: “Master, you speak very accurately. This Khan and the Prince Consort have had feelings since childhood, supporting each other to reach today. I really don’t want any discord to appear between us, and this Khan doesn’t want his eyes to see anyone else besides me.”

Hearing this, Tianji Zi smiled but said: “However, people’s destinies are predetermined by heaven. Though the Khan was born to wealth and nobility, your fate pattern is not unique. Sometimes when two people’s fate patterns are too similar, if they were kept apart it would be fine, but if they meet, who will steal whose fortune is unpredictable.

“In this poor Taoist’s view, though the Khan and Prince Consort Zhongshun’s princess have different backgrounds, come from different countries, and are of different ages, your fate patterns and entanglements with the Prince Consort are extremely similar.”

“So that woman surnamed Qin is very likely to steal away the Prince Consort?”

A’na Ri stared wide-eyed, gritting her teeth: “The Prince Consort has always been devoted to this Khan alone. How could our feelings allow outsiders to interfere? If such a day really comes, it would only be because that woman surnamed Qin seduced the Prince Consort!”

Tianji Zi smiled and shook her head: “The Khan has misunderstood. That Qin woman is not of such a frivolous, seductive character.”

“You’re speaking up for her?”

“Not at all, Khan. This poor Taoist is merely speaking the truth. However, though the Qin woman is not of seductive character and won’t actively entice people, being born with such appearance is already original sin. Even if she doesn’t take initiative, naturally people will actively approach her.”

“So you mean the Prince Consort will take a fancy to her?”

A’na Ri suddenly stood up, looking at Tianji Zi with shocked uncertainty.

Tianji Zi only smiled without speaking.