Chapter 51

Lan Xiu didn’t quite understand what he meant by “a few days.” She agonized over whether to tell the young lady or the lady about the incident, but in the end, she decided to place some trust in Jiang Yi.
She also wanted to see what would happen in the coming days.
Lan Xiu sat by Yan Yiming’s side, pulling the blanket up for her. Gazing at her young lady’s exquisite features, she suddenly thought it was no wonder the young master had fallen for her.
Now that Jiang Yi was highly regarded in the household, everyone addressed him as “young master” daily, and Lan Xiu had almost forgotten that he was not a biological son of the Jiang family.
She had never considered this possibility before, but now that she knew of the young master’s feelings, she couldn’t help but view Jiang Yi from a different perspective. Upon reflection, she realized that, aside from his humble background, the young master was far superior to any other young gentleman in countless ways.
His devotion to the young lady went without saying, Lan Xiu doubted any other man in the world could care for her more deeply. As for his appearance, although Lan Xiu hadn’t encountered many men, among all the males in the Jiang residence, none could compare to the young master.
Then there's his talent. He passed the child-examination at the county level at just thirteen, and even the master said the young master was exceptionally gifted and a rare seedling. The young master himself is also very driven, working much harder than the other young gentlemen in the mansion. I heard from the young lady that next year is the triennial provincial examination, and the young master plans to take it. If he passes, he’ll become a provincial scholar!
In her usual chats with the young lady, Lan Xiu learned that throughout history, those who stood out from a young age like the young master rarely ended up in mediocrity. Most became high-ranking officials or distinguished figures. Though the young master is still young now, who knows what heights he might reach in a few years?
After mulling it over, Lan Xiu even felt that the young master was in no way inferior to the third son of the magistrate’s family.
That third young master’s background is unclear, and while he seems to like the young lady now, who knows what the future holds? Our young lady’s health is frail, she’s constantly on medication and frequently falls ill. If things drag on, what if the Jing family mistreats her?
In this world, aside from the master and madam, the only one who treats the young lady so well is the young master.
Feeling a bit dazed, Lan Xiu opened the window, sat for a while, and then stepped out. Little A, having waited so long, finally saw that no one was around and excitedly woke Yan Yiming from her sleep.
Yan Yiming, disturbed from her slumber, sighed helplessly, covering her eyes as she mumbled, “What did you see while you were out wandering…”
Little A had grown bored while Yan Yiming slept and, unable to check Jiang Yi’s status through the system as before, drifted out to see what he was up to. As it turned out, it stumbled upon something quite amusing.
“That third son of the Jiang family, unwilling to give up without seeing you, lingered in the back garden for a long time and ended up running into Jiang Yi,” Little A said, finding it hilarious. “Jing San even thought Jiang Yi was his future brother-in-law and went over to chat with him. Before leaving, he asked Jiang Yi to deliver a hairpin to you, but Jiang Yi just tossed it into the lake.”
Yan Yiming chuckled softly into her pillow. “That Jing San is practically being toyed with by him.”
“Exactly,” Little A sighed, then remembered it hadn’t finished the story and added, “Oh, and after that, Jiang Yi came to see you, but you were asleep, hehe…”
Yan Yiming raised an eyebrow. Little A’s tone suggested there was more to it, and after a moment’s thought, she guessed most of it. “What, did he take advantage of me?”
“Ahem, not exactly taking advantage. That kid is so innocent, even his kiss was just at the corner of your mouth,” Little A said, sounding a bit disappointed. “I thought he would…”
Yan Yiming sat up and shot Little A a resigned look. “Jiang Yi isn’t Jian Yuyan, with all that experience. Besides, he’s still just a teenager, keep your thoughts a bit purer.”
“The minds of young people are far from pure,” Little A said dismissively. “But among these four male leads, Jiang Yi actually has the most innocent feelings. By the way, Lan Xiu just came in and saw it, but Jiang Yi sent her away.”
“Let her see. She'll find out sooner or later anyway,” she said, getting out of bed and putting on her shoes before slowly walking to the dressing table to leisurely comb her hair. “It might even be within the next few days.”
Her host really had a knack for guessing right, Jiang Yi had said the same thing. Little A sighed in admiration. Having followed Jiang Yi around for half the day, she was feeling a bit tired and turned back to shut down and take a nap.
Nearly a month had passed since Madam Jing arrived at the Jiang residence. Still somewhat uneasy, Madam Jing had heard rumors outside that the Jiang family's young lady suffered from congenital heart disease. She found an excuse to have a trusted physician personally examine Yan Yiming. The physician said it wasn't congenital heart disease and, as long as she took good care of herself, it wasn't a fatal illness.
Afterward, Madam Jing visited again in person and later had someone ask for Yan Yiming's birth date. In another two days or so, the marriage arrangement would likely be finalized.
Everyone in the Jiang residence was overjoyed. The Jing family, too, was filled with some cheer as they prepared for the happy occasion. Over these days, Madam Jing had gradually grown closer to Lady Jiang, and the two often went to watch operas and drink tea together, always getting along very well. Only once, at an opera house, did they run into another lady, and Madam Jing's face immediately showed some awkwardness.
Madam Jing truly hadn't expected to encounter the Zhou family while with Lady Jiang. The Zhou family's young lady was the daughter-in-law she had previously chosen for her son. Although it hadn't been explicitly stated, it was already an unspoken understanding.
Who would have thought her son would become so bewitched and fall for Yan Yiming instead?
Throughout the journey, Madam Jing felt somewhat unsettled, as if something was about to happen. As she and her maids passed by a street stall, an elderly man with white hair and a silver beard suddenly called out, “Please, stay a moment.”
Madam Jing halted her steps and, upon closer inspection, realized he was a fortune teller.
Madam Jing believed in fate. Seeing his ethereal, immortal-like demeanor and feeling her heart racing uncomfortably, she pondered for a moment before approaching him and asking, “Might I ask where you hail from, venerable sir?”
“I come from nowhere and go to nowhere. I merely noticed that your household has a joyous occasion approaching and came to offer my congratulations.”
Although the Jiang and Jing families had nearly settled the marriage arrangement, outsiders were still unaware. Madam Jing's heart stirred, and she grew more convinced, yet she still feigned ignorance and asked softly, “Might I ask what joyous occasion you refer to?”
“It is, of course, the joy of a wedding.”
Madam Jing exchanged a glance with her maid, then bowed slightly and said with humility, “I am ashamed to admit it.” Suddenly struck by a thought, she took the brush and paper beside the fortune teller, wrote down a few characters, and handed them to him. “To be frank with you, sir, it is indeed my son who is to be wed. I would trouble you to examine whether these two birth dates are well-matched.”
The fortune teller took the two pieces of paper, compared them, and then picked up the one with Yan Yiming's birth date. After scrutinizing it for a while, he furrowed his brow.
Madam Jing suddenly grew anxious. “Is there... something amiss with this birth date?”
“This is a fate of premature death,” the fortune teller said slowly. “A fate of premature death means a short lifespan. This birth date is entirely cold water and damp earth, with a weak constitution relying heavily on seals, yet encountering wealth that breaks the seals, a fate of premature death. The energy is turbid, the spirit withered, a sign of a short life. Might I ask, madam, does this person suffer from a chronic illness?”
Madam Jing's expression changed drastically.
The fortune-teller glanced at Madam Jing and continued, “Moreover, this birth chart lacks the element of wood, indicating a predisposition to blood-related illnesses. Judging by this fate, it aligns with that of a celestial being.”
“...What does that mean?”
“Destined to have no sons.”
Madam Jing's face turned deathly pale.
She knew Yan Yiming was frail, but she never imagined he wouldn't live long, and most importantly, that she was fated to have no sons...
The fortune-teller, however, seemed intrigued. “I have never encountered such a weak fate before. May I ask where you obtained this information, madam?”
Madam Jing pressed a hand to her chest, and after a long silence, she replied bitterly, “This is my son's marriage destiny.”
“This...” The fortune-teller stroked his long beard thoughtfully before saying, “I have calculated that you are bound to receive great news soon. Perhaps you have mistaken your son's marriage destiny?”
Mistaken?
“If I am not mistaken, this must be your son's birth chart. In this eight-character chart, the official star is weak, while the day master is strong. With the presence of a wealth star, it will give rise to a crown star.”
“With the wealth star, it will give rise to a crown star.” Madam Jing repeated these words to herself over and over before murmuring, “But where can such a wealth star be found?”
“There is a woman in the east, rich in metal and abundant in water. As for the rest, I dare not say more.”
A woman in the east...
The east.
The Jiang family was in the west, not the east. A woman in the east with a wealth star, wasn't that the Zhou family, whom she had previously considered for her son?
Madam Jing left in a daze, unaware that after she departed, the fortune-teller went upstairs to a teahouse. When he reappeared, he had shed his long robe and was laughing and chatting with a tall, elegant young man before leaving together.
By the time she returned to the Jing residence, Madam Jing had lost her earlier enthusiasm. Watching her cheerful youngest son, she found herself at a loss for words and could only discuss the matter with Magistrate Jing that evening.
Magistrate Jing was half-convinced, but believing it was better to be safe than sorry, he discreetly sent someone to the Zhou family to obtain the birth chart of the Zhou daughter for further analysis.
The Jiang family remained completely unaware of this.
Days passed in the blink of an eye, and Lady Jiang began to notice that the Jing family's visits had become less frequent. She felt slightly puzzled but could get no clear answers when she sent someone to inquire.
There had to be a reason for this change. Lady Jiang sensed something was amiss, but given the Jing family's status, she couldn't confront them directly. Following Lord Jiang's advice, she patiently waited for three more days.
Unexpectedly, on the second day, news spread throughout Luoyang that the third young master of the Jing family, drunk and careless, had been involved in an indiscretion with the Zhou daughter. It was said that many people were present that day, making it impossible to conceal the incident.
Madam Jing was shocked. Although she had already decided not to pursue the marriage with the Jiang family, she never intended to sacrifice her son's reputation for it. How... how could such a thing have happened!
It was the Jing family who had deceived first, yet now the fault had abruptly fallen upon the Jiang family.
Madam Jiang sank back into her chair, stunned. Seeing her son brought back, she had been furious and wanted to strike him, but seeing his dazed and bewildered expression, she ultimately withdrew her hand.
Never mind. Fortunately, it was the Zhou family's daughter and not someone else. Since it was fate, they would formally clarify matters with the Jiang family and cut ties cleanly from then on.