"Yingxue, stop making a scene. It's not appropriate for us to stay here any longer..." Su Yuting looked at Shen Yingxue, a dark glint flashing in her troubled eyes.
“Yuting, my sister said in the front hall that she was here to set up a memorial tablet for Lady Qingzhu. How could it be inappropriate for us to be here?” Shen Yingxue smiled like a cat that had stolen cream, her smugness evident in everything she said.
Shen Lixue sneered. Shen Yingxue wanted to use her own reasons to hurt her and make her angry, but she didn't know that she was just there to set up a memorial tablet, and that meeting Prince An was just a coincidence: "Sister, you still haven't told me what the fortune slip you drew was?"
Shen Lixue's gaze was cold and her tone was calm. She saw that Shen Yingxue was furious but pretending to be calm. She was secretly overjoyed. "You bitch, keep pretending. I'll expose your wounds and make you bleed. Let's see how you pretend then."
"Listen up, sister!" Shen Yingxue slowly unfolded the fortune slip, glanced triumphantly at Shen Lixue, and read aloud: "The wind is calm and the waves are clear enough for a boat to sail, just like the full moon of Mid-Autumn Festival. There is no need to worry about anything, and you will be blessed with both fortune and happiness."
Su Yuting stared at Shen Lixue. She was very calm and showed no sign of anger. Shen Yingxue's clever plan was useless in front of her. Her flamboyant attacks were like those of a clown jumping around in front of a master.
"According to the meaning of this fortune slip, as long as you sit quietly, good fortune and prosperity will come to you automatically!" Shen Lixue smiled in a half-smile. As the granddaughter of the Grand Commandant's family and the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's family, she was the apple of Shen Minghui's eye and received endless love. Coupled with her stunning beauty, she captivated countless young talents. Naturally, she had everything she could want.
"Maybe so. I haven't had anyone interpret the fortune yet, but it's said to be an extremely auspicious one!" Shen Yingxue said modestly, but her eyes were full of pride and provocation. According to the meaning of the fortune, she could easily get whatever she wanted, and the position of Princess Consort of Anjun would definitely be hers in the future.
"Amitabha!" An old monk with a completely white beard walked into the courtyard with his hands clasped together. His red kasaya fluttered gently, and he exuded an otherworldly and refined air. His kind gaze fell on Shen Yingxue: "Was that fortune slip you drew just now, female benefactor?"
"Master Yan Hui!" Shen Yingxue exclaimed in surprise, then curtsied in return, her eyes filled with undisguised pride. Master Yan Hui was always reclusive and rarely met outsiders except when preaching Buddhism. Now, her marriage fortune slip had actually surprised him, which showed that her fortune slip was indeed very auspicious.
Master Yan Hui carefully observed Shen Yingxue: "This is indeed a very auspicious divination. If you, the female benefactor, do good deeds and accumulate merit every day, this divination will naturally come true. However, if you help the wicked and commit evil deeds, the meaning of the divination will be completely the opposite!"
Shen Yingxue was taken aback: "I don't understand what you mean, Master!" What do you mean by having sins? It's the complete opposite. From childhood to adulthood, she has always done good deeds and accumulated merits. She has never even stepped on an ant. How could she have sins?
“Benefactor, remember to keep Buddha in your heart and do good deeds!” Shen Yingxue wanted to continue asking questions, but Master Yan Hui was unwilling to say more. He put his hands together and looked at Su Yuting: “May I take a look at your fortune slip?”
Su Yuting paused for a moment, then presented a fortune slip to Master Yan Hui: "Master, please take a look!"
The sign unfolded and read: "Heroes were presented at the Feast at Hongmen, but the fine horses galloped across the perilous terrain. Fan Zeng's brilliant plan was not heeded, and Bi Jing was destined to suffer misfortune afterward!"
Shen Yingxue raised an eyebrow. Su Yuting's fortune was at most a medium-sized one. No wonder she didn't have it interpreted. It turned out that the fortune was ominous and she didn't dare to interpret it. She herself had drawn a very good fortune, so there was no need for detailed interpretation!
Master Yan Hui looked at Su Yuting and said, "Benefactor, you are wise and will surely understand what the higher-ups mean. You must act according to your ability and never ignore advice or go your own way. Obsession is too harmful. Benefactor, you must broaden your mind and learn to let go!"
"Thank you, Master. I have learned a lot!" Su Yuting bowed in return, her smile somewhat stiff and her expression slightly unpleasant.
“Sister, Master Yan Hui rarely interprets fortune sticks for people. Why don’t you go and get one too, and let the master interpret it for you!” Shen Yingxue was in a good mood and deliberately provoked Shen Lixue. Her top fortune stick was not something that anyone could get just by asking for it.
Su Yuting, the daughter of the Duke of Wen, drew a much worse fortune than herself. Shen Lixue, a country girl, would be lucky to get even a medium fortune. It will definitely be a heavy blow to her.
“This place is quite far from the main hall, and it takes a lot of time to come and go. Master Yan Hui’s time is precious, and Li Xue dares not delay!” Shen Yingxue’s purpose was simple: she wanted to see her bad luck slip to humiliate her. She had no interest in lowering herself to Shen Yingxue’s level.
Master Yan Hui looked at Shen Lixue, then at Dongfang Heng by the pond, his gaze loving as he stroked his beard and exclaimed, "A perfect match made in heaven!"
Su Yuting's face turned pale instantly. Her lips moved, but she couldn't utter a single word!
Shen Yingxue's anger flared up instantly. Shen Lixue and Prince An? How could this be? Didn't the fortune slip say that she was the Princess Consort of Prince An? How did it turn into Shen Lixue after all this time? Is this old monk really an enlightened monk? He flatters everyone he meets.
Dongfang Heng stood with his hands behind his back, motionless, his gaze fixed on the shimmering water, his obsidian-like eyes unfathomable.
Shen Lixue's eyes were calm and still, like an ancient well. Master Yan Hui had misjudged this time. Putting aside her engagement with Dongfang Heng, he only had three months left to live. How could they be a perfect couple?
Two young men walked in through the doorway, dressed in brocade robes and exuding an extraordinary air. Shen Yingxue saw them first and gracefully bowed, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Zhan!" Their sleeves flowed slowly and gently fell to the ground, complementing the simple colors of their clothes. Their bright smiles were captivating.
“Miss Shen, there’s no need for such formalities. Please rise!” Dongfang Zhan smiled gently, his demeanor as warm and refined as jade.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Seeing the ardent gaze that Dongfang Zhan gave her, Shen Yingxue felt smug. She was the most beautiful woman in Qingyan, and every man who saw her was infatuated and adored her. Prince An had little contact with her and had not yet seen her good qualities. Once he understood her like Prince Zhan did, he would definitely fall in love with her.
Prince An is aloof and difficult to approach, so I'll first get closer to Prince Zhan and use Prince Zhan to get closer to Prince An.
"Your Highness!" Su Yuting curtsied, her eyes taking in a pair of sandalwood boots embroidered with dragon patterns, the lines flowing smoothly like clouds and water, and her heart began to skip a beat.
"No need for formalities!" Dongfang Hong stopped a step away from Su Yuting and did not step forward. Su Yuting secretly breathed a sigh of relief. A deep laugh sounded beside her: "Prince An walked ahead of me and the Third Prince. Have you seen him?"
"I have only just arrived and have not yet seen anyone!" Dongfang Heng shook his head, his face indifferent.
"He's been in seclusion for fifteen years. I wonder if he'll ever see us again!" Dongfang Hong gazed in one direction, his eyes somewhat unfocused.
Shen Lixue raised her eyebrows slightly. Dongfang Heng, Dongfang Zhan, and Dongfang Hong came to Xiangguo Temple to see the same person?
“Your Highness, it is an honor to have you, the Crown Prince, and the Prince of An personally come to see him. That person must be extraordinary. May I ask who he is?” Shen Yingxue interjected, her beautiful eyes feigning profundity.
"He is indeed a master!" Dongfang Zhan smiled, a hint of mockery in his smile. "As for his name, it's not appropriate to reveal it for now. You'll know when you see him!"
"I can also go with you to see the master!" Shen Yingxue was taken aback, then her heart pounded with happiness. To accompany the Crown Prince, the Prince, and the County Prince to visit a reclusive master was a blessing that not everyone had. She had made the right choice coming to Xiangguo Temple.
Dongfang Hong frowned, seemingly disapproving of Dongfang Zhan's approach.
“He probably really enjoys being in a lively atmosphere right now!” Dongfang Zhan smiled slightly, his words carrying a hidden meaning. Dongfang Hong’s gaze darkened, and he remained silent.
Ignoring Shen Yingxue's probing questions and Dongfang Zhan's polite explanations, Dongfang Hong turned to Master Yan Hui and said, "Please lead the way, Master!"
"Amitabha!" Master Yan Hui clasped his hands together, glanced at Dongfang Hong, Su Yuting, Dongfang Zhan, and Shen Yingxue, shook his head, and sighed silently, "Benefactors, this way please!"
Dongfang Hong left directly, and Su Yuting breathed a sigh of relief. Before her eyes, a light blue figure flashed by, and a faint fragrance lingered in the air. Su Yuting was startled and looked to the side. Shen Lixue walked towards Dongfang Heng: "Aren't you also going to see someone? Why don't you go with them?"
“Your Highness, since Prince Zhan has already come to see you, I need not go to any more trouble!” Dongfang Heng’s sharp gaze remained fixed on the pond, but a layer of emotion, unreadable to others, appeared deep within his eyes—an emotion directed at Shen Lixue.
Su Yuting's clear eyes dimmed instantly. Dongfang Heng, Shen Lixue.
Not far away, Shen Yingxue's enthusiastic inquiries, rising and falling in a continuous stream, reached Su Yuting's ears. Su Yuting looked at Shen Lixue and said with a charming smile, "Sister Lixue, aren't you curious about that expert's name and where he lives?"
"Once we meet that master, all our questions will be answered. Why ask any more?"
Shen Lixue's tone was cold, but Shen Yingxue heard only mockery. Her smug questioning stopped abruptly, and her face instantly turned as black as ink: "Prince Zhan, I have overstepped my bounds!"
"It's alright!" Dongfang Zhan smiled warmly, unconcerned: "Curiosity and asking questions are human nature!"
Shen Lixue smiled but didn't speak. At first glance, Dongfang Zhan's words seemed polite, but upon closer inspection, they were perfunctory. Shen Yingxue was foolish not to realize this.