Daoist Jing Xu smiled faintly and turned around, saying, “Everyone, would those who belong to this household please step forward.”
His words were directed at the guests, naturally excluding the maids. Only the Zhou sisters, Zhuang Yu Shan, Han Yan, and Zhuang Shi Yang were present. Zhuang Han Ming was practicing martial arts at the Shun Chang Martial Arts School, while Evening Concubine and her daughter hadn’t come out at all.
After they stepped forward, the Daoist priest clasped his hands together and said, “Would the young ladies of the household please step forward.”
Zhuang Yu Shan was somewhat puzzled, but after catching Madam Zhou’s eye, she calmed down and stepped forward very naturally, even remembering to shoot Han Yan a gloating look. In her view, Han Yan was now in trouble.
Without raising his head, Jing Xu continued, “Would the unmarried young ladies please step forward.”
At this point, only Han Yan remained.
Jing Xu finally raised his head slowly, and his eyes lit up the moment he saw Han Yan’s face.
Han Yan was naturally delicate and lovely. She had grown taller recently, and the first hints of feminine grace were beginning to show. Though not as strikingly beautiful as Zhuang Yu Shan, she possessed a unique fresh, and natural charm. Up close, her skin was as white as jade, her features exquisite and endearing, with clear, bright eyes. Given time, she would surely become one of the great beauties of the age. Most importantly, she carried an innate air of nobility that even princesses couldn’t match. What had seemed like an ordinary transaction… Jing Xu’s eyes narrowed… had unexpectedly yielded such a prize.
Han Yan simply allowed him to examine her, though she felt somewhat displeased. The priest’s gaze was far too lecherous, his eyes so lustful that they seemed to regard her as a woman he could freely take advantage of. She raised her head and gave Jing Xu a graceful smile, asking, “Master Daoist, is there something wrong with me?”
Zhuang Shi Yang, who had been impatient all along, quickly followed up, “Yes, Master Daoist, have you discovered something?”
Jing Xu stroked his beard and looked at Han Yan, shaking his head as he spoke, “In this poor priest’s view, the problem lies with this young lady.”
These words caused an immediate stir among those present. Madam Zhou smiled and asked, “What do you mean by that, Master Daoist?”
Jing Xu circled Han Yan once or twice: “This girl has an unusual fate, and being unmarried, she easily attracts evil spirits. Ah…” He shook his head, appearing extremely regretful: “That’s why there’s such an overwhelming amount of ill fortune in your household.”
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Shi Yang’s gaze toward Han Yan immediately turned to disgust, but Elder Madam Zhou calmly spoke up: “Master Daoist, if this is true, is there any solution?”
“It’s not difficult,” Jing Xu said, twirling his small beard. “She just needs to return to my temple with me. This poor priest has ways to dispel the misfortune surrounding the young lady. Once the ill fortune is gone, all will be well.”
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Shi Yang hurriedly said, “In that case, take her away quickly.” He appeared eager to be rid of her, showing not the slightest concern. Now Han Yan appeared as an evil spirit in his eyes, as if merely being near her would taint one with misfortune.
Elder Madam Zhou also chimed in, “Fourth Young Lady, for the peace of the household, why don’t you go with the Master Daoist?”
“Indeed,” Madam Zhou was delighted inside. “You surely wouldn’t want to risk all our lives for your sake. Remember that Concubine Mei just had a miscarriage – perhaps that was caused by these evil spirits.”
Seeing Han Yan remain silent, others began to chime in. Zhuang Yu Shan’s eyes flickered as she said sweetly, “My dear sister has always been the most compassionate and believing in spirits. Usually, you’re the most devout one – going with the Master Daoist won’t hurt. Unless you’re deliberately staying to bring trouble to the household?”
Though this statement was somewhat illogical, it was hard to refute. Amidst the chorus of voices, Han Yan finally raised her head and smiled slightly. Her smile was gentle and lovely, showing no sign of distress as if she had just heard an ordinary joke. But the fact that she could smile in such a situation sent an inexplicable chill through everyone present.
Han Yan’s gaze slowly swept across the crowd. For some reason, though her eyes curved in a smile, they carried a hint of mockery that made people’s hearts skip a beat.
Han Yan waggled her finger and said, “Master Daoist, you’re saying that I’m the one who attracted evil spirits?”
Jing Xu’s eyes had long since been fixed only on Han Yan’s fair face and graceful figure, and he nodded repeatedly.
“And if I go with you, the negative energy will be dispelled?” she continued, her smile growing brighter.
Jing Xu and Elder Madam Zhou exchanged glances and pompously nodded: “That’s correct.”
“I see,” Han Yan said lightly. “I’ve heard that any truly virtuous and accomplished person must examine one’s birth date and time to calculate their life’s fortune. I never expected Master Daoist to be so capable that you could see my entire fate with just a few glances, without checking my birth details. What remarkable skill indeed.” By the end, her tone had suddenly intensified, her eyes deep with meaning, showing none of her earlier docile and gentle manner.
The priest, who was merely doing someone’s bidding for money, was momentarily stunned by Han Yan’s words.
Han Yan paid no attention to his expression and continued smoothly: “Perhaps Master Daoist doesn’t know that I’m about to become the consort of the current Prince Xuan Qing. The Prince is, after all, of royal blood. I’ve spent many days with His Highness, yet haven’t dispelled this negative energy.
According to Master Daoist’s logic, it seems the Prince’s royal authority is inferior to your abilities. Why don’t I invite the Prince here? Since he’s been around me, he must have been tainted by this negative energy too. Perhaps Master Daoist could dispel the evil spirits for both of us?” She turned her head, her smile faint, but to Jing Xu’s eyes, it was incredibly unnerving.
“That won’t be necessary, that won’t be necessary,” he coughed lightly. “The Prince’s noble status naturally repels evil spirits.” No one had informed him that this young lady was to be Prince Xuan Qing’s consort. Knowing that Prince Xuan Qing wielded immense power if he were truly summoned and discovered his background, it could bring great trouble. Yet this young lady from the Zhuang family was being so aggressive. His mind raced quickly, and he smiled, “The young lady makes an excellent point. Though this poor priest has some unusual abilities, to be certain, please provide your birth details.”
Han Yan smiled slightly and took out a handkerchief from her sleeve: “My birth details are written here. I had intended to use it for incense offerings, but it seems it can be put to use now. Please take a look, Master Daoist.”
Jing Xu accepted the handkerchief from Han Yan’s hand, furrowed his brow as he looked at it, and after a long while, shook his head: “Young lady… this… ah.”
Zhuang Shi Yang impatiently asked, “What does this mean, Master Daoist?”
The priest moved his lips, as if finding it difficult to speak, and finally sighed again. His manner had raised everyone’s curiosity. Han Yan also smiled and said, “Master Daoist need not hesitate, please speak freely.”
Jing Xu sighed: “The young lady has a noble fate, however…” He shook his head continuously. “She brings misfortune to both father and husband. She was born under the White Tiger star – a most inauspicious sign that brings unrest to the household. Ah…” After speaking, he kept shaking his head.