Chapter 100

In front of the fortune-telling stall, Suniang sat opposite Daoist Lu, her delicate face filled with doubt as she looked at him. Her current mood was extremely complex. If anyone else had spoken such absurd words, Suniang would have turned her back long ago, and even if they didn't argue, she would have walked away.

However, the Great Qin Empire revered Daoist practices, which subtly influenced every corner of the empire. Moreover, at this time, people strongly believed in fate. Daoist Lu also displayed a mysterious and profound demeanor, which made Suniang both disbelieve his words and not dare to disbelieve them. After weighing the options, she was more inclined to believe him.

Daoist Lu stroked his beard and said, "Young lady, this poor Daoist mentioned earlier that you have a gray aura between your eyebrows, but within that gray aura, there is a hint of red... This is an extremely strange omen. I couldn't see the underlying reason at first, but now I understand!"

Suniang looked puzzled and asked, "What do you understand?"

"This is a peach blossom calamity!" Daoist Lu said solemnly.

Suniang asked curiously, "Peach blossom calamity? What... What does that mean?"

Daoist Lu calculated with his fingers and sighed, "Young lady, the peach blossom calamity does not directly affect you, but it will bring disaster to you...!" He shook his head and remained silent.

Suniang became more and more confused, growing anxious, and asked, "Daoist, what do you really mean? Why can't I understand?"

Daoist Lu thought for a moment and finally said, "Young lady, if this poor Daoist reveals the heavenly secrets to save you, it is not impossible, but first, I must ask you, do you believe in this poor Daoist?"

Suniang glanced at Daoist Lu, slightly lowered her head, her face turning red, and her hands fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, looking very uneasy. If she believed Daoist Lu's words, it would mean she believed his calculation that they were "husband and wife in a past life."

She was the widow of Chuhuan's brother, and being associated with words like "husband" and "marriage" with her younger brother-in-law naturally felt very strange and unbelievable.

Daoist Lu said softly, "If you do not believe, then this poor Daoist cannot continue the divination. You can leave now!"

Suniang hesitated, finally blushing and looking very charming, stammering, "Daoist... Daoist, you say, I... I believe you..." Her heart beat faster, and her breathing became rapid, her full bosom rising and falling.

A hint of a smile crossed Daoist Lu's eyes. Seeing Suniang's reaction, he was almost certain that the relationship between this young lady and the man he had seen earlier was quite ambiguous. He then said calmly, "Since that's the case, this poor Daoist will speak frankly. Your past-life marital bond has not been severed, so it continues in this life. However, although your marriage is predestined, it is fraught with difficulties... There may be some obstacles to your marriage, right?"

Suniang's words were vague, and Daoist Lu keenly sensed that her relationship with Chuhuan was not something she could easily talk about. He was very good at reading people and deduced that the two were likely to have mutual feelings, but since Suniang was reluctant to speak, there must be some complications. So he said, "Young lady, your heart skipped a beat when I said this. It seems you have a complex feeling about it, and you didn't say anything."

Daoist Lu said softly, "I won't talk about the past, but just about your appearance, a great peach blossom calamity is imminent... If this peach blossom calamity cannot be resolved, even if your marriage is predestined, it will be difficult to achieve due to the peach blossom calamity."

"Daoist, what is a peach blossom calamity?"

"A peach blossom calamity is a marriage entanglement," Daoist Lu said slowly. "I just realized that the peach blossom calamity does not affect you but the man... Young lady, to be frank, if this peach blossom calamity cannot be resolved, the man's heart may be taken by someone else, and thus the marriage will be broken!"

Suniang blinked, thought for a moment, and understood, asking hurriedly, "Do you mean that Er Lang... Er Lang likes other women?" She blurted this out, and after saying it, felt it was inappropriate, as if she really cared about Chuhuan liking other women.

A hint of joy crossed Daoist Lu's eyes. The fact that she called the man "Er Lang" showed a close relationship, and he had no idea that Suniang and Chuhuan were actually brother and sister-in-law.

"It's not necessarily that the man likes other women," Daoist Lu said in a low voice. "It could also be that other women are luring him. In any case, from your appearance, this peach blossom calamity is inevitable."

Suniang thought for a moment and realized that Chuhuan would eventually marry. Whether he liked other women or other women liked him, it was natural. She then smiled, "This is not a peach blossom calamity. If someone likes him, it might not be a bad thing." But in her heart, she thought, "Is this old Daoist suggesting that Er Lang has already been involved with other women... Marriage is a matter of parents' wishes and matchmakers' words. At Er Lang's age, he should marry. I should talk to my mother about this later." At this moment, she forgot about the "past-life marriage" Daoist Lu had mentioned.

Daoist Lu thought Suniang was being magnanimous and chuckled, stroking his beard, "Young lady, you are broad-minded. But since this poor Daoist has revealed the heavenly secrets, I must speak clearly. Once the peach blossom calamity arrives, the man's heart will have no place for you. Your words and actions will no longer matter to him, and his heart will be completely taken by someone else. The marriage you were predestined to have in this life will become an illusion!"

Hearing this, Suniang felt a sudden sense of loss. If it was just about Chuhuan marrying, she might not have cared, but the old Daoist kept saying that once Chuhuan encountered the peach blossom calamity, he would no longer have a place for her in his heart, which made her very uncomfortable.

She didn't necessarily have any improper thoughts, as propriety and morals would make it absurd for a widow and her younger brother-in-law to have a relationship. However, if Chuhuan had no place for her in his heart, it made Suniang feel abandoned and sad.

Although she didn't show it, the faint sadness in her eyes was clear to Daoist Lu.

"Young lady, you are predestined to be a couple from a past life, and the heavens have brought you together in this life... As the saying goes, it's better to destroy ten temples than to break one marriage. This poor Daoist, being a monk, is kind and wants to help you resolve the peach blossom calamity," Daoist Lu said solemnly.

Suniang thought for a moment, feeling very complex, frowned, and hesitated for a long time before saying, "What you say... I don't believe... You are just talking nonsense...!"

"What do you not believe, young lady?" Daoist Lu frowned.

"I don't believe that we were... were a couple in a past life. I... I don't believe it," Suniang said insincerely. "There is no evidence, and you just say it casually. I don't believe you...!" She felt very agitated, stood up, and said, "You said that fortune-telling doesn't cost money, I... I don't have any money to give you!" She turned to leave.

Daoist Lu suddenly laughed, and Suniang turned back and asked, "Why are you laughing?"

"Young lady, I don't blame you for not believing me. Ordinary people find it hard to see through the cycle of life and death," Daoist Lu said calmly, taking out a yellow talisman from his sleeve and handing it to her, "Young lady, if you don't believe me, this is the evidence. Take it!"

Suniang frowned and took a few steps back, not daring to take it, and asked, "What... What is this?"

Daoist Lu was about to speak when he heard a commotion on the street. Suniang turned to look and saw people making way for a luxurious carriage slowly passing by.

The carriage was lavishly decorated, and even the exterior was very expensive, let alone the interior. Beside the carriage, several well-dressed attendants with swords followed, all tall and imposing.

The carriage moved slowly, and the curtains were only slightly open, revealing a pair of murky eyes peering out. The eyes could see everything outside, but it was difficult for people outside to see inside.

As the carriage passed the fortune-telling stall, Daoist Lu's eyes met the murky eyes inside the carriage. The murky eyes glanced at Daoist Lu and then at Suniang.

Suniang, though dressed simply and plainly, had a delicate and charming appearance. The mole below her lip added a natural and graceful charm, free from any vulgar makeup, giving her a fresh and natural look, like a simple country girl.

The murky eyes inside the carriage showed a hint of a smile, and the carriage continued without stopping, quickly passing the fortune-telling stall.

Suniang found it strange but didn't pay much attention, as there were many carriages in the city. She was still thinking about Daoist Lu's words and turned to look at the yellow talisman, asking, "Daoist, what do you mean by evidence?"

Daoist Lu beckoned, and Suniang thought for a moment and moved closer. Daoist Lu then lowered his voice, "This is a past-life marriage talisman. It doesn't matter if you don't believe me, but this talisman can determine if you and the man were a couple in a past life!"

Suniang was surprised, "Is there such a thing?" She couldn't resist taking it and examining both sides, but there were no drawings or words, just a blank piece of paper.

Suniang frowned, "Daoist, I can't see anything!"

"Young lady, don't be impatient," Daoist Lu said mysteriously. "Take the talisman home and keep it under your pillow overnight... Look at it again in the morning." He lowered his voice, "If there are no signs, then I was talking nonsense. But if there are signs, you will understand what it means."

Suniang was half-believing, half-doubting.

Daoist Lu continued, "Young lady, keep the marriage talisman. I must tell you that this matter should only be known by you and me, and no one else, not even the man. If you reveal it before the peach blossom calamity arrives, I won't be able to resolve it." Seeing Suniang's puzzled look, he added, "The peach blossom calamity will likely come soon. If you trust me, come alone before it happens, and I will teach you how to resolve it. Once the calamity arrives, it will be too late, and I will be powerless."

Suniang asked, "If you can resolve the peach blossom calamity, why don't you tell me the method now?"

"This is a heavenly secret," Daoist Lu said mysteriously. "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed. To resolve them, you must keep it secret and act discreetly." He whispered, "If you really want to resolve it, choose another time to come secretly, and don't let your family know. Otherwise, if everyone knows, it won't be a heavenly secret anymore." He raised his hand, "That's all I can say. Believe or not, it's up to you. You can leave now!"

Suniang hesitated, still half-believing, half-doubting. Daoist Lu's words were too absurd, and although she was a simple country girl, she didn't dare to fully believe them.

She put away the marriage talisman and walked forward, her mind full of Daoist Lu's words.

Suniang walked into the crowd, lost in thought, until she disappeared from sight. Daoist Lu then showed a strange smile, and a thin, dry man suddenly appeared beside him, the same man who had come to thank him earlier.

The thin, dry man chuckled, "Daoist, why is it a village woman this time? Although she is quite pretty, she is too plain, and that man probably won't be interested...!"

Daoist Lu glanced at him and said coolly, "What do you know? This is a true top-grade human vessel!"

"How can I tell?"

"You can't tell anything," Daoist Lu said irritably. "This woman has a straight waist, a slender neck, and a straight back. She should have been married long ago, but she is still a virgin... Such a mature body is a top-grade human vessel, and it's hard to find!" He chuckled, "Don't worry, they will be satisfied this time!"

The thin, dry man stroked his chin, somewhat worried, "Do you think she will come back?"

Daoist Lu chuckled, "Have you ever seen anyone not come back?"

...

...

...

Chuhuan was unaware of Suniang's experience on the street. He was very interested in the Su family's troubles and hoped to get some specific information from the owner of the cloth shop, Chen Dong.

Chuhuan, hearing that the Su family had offended a powerful person, was curious and asked softly, "Who is the powerful person Mr. Chen mentioned?"

Chen Dong hesitated for a moment and finally said, "Actually, many people know about this, but no one dares to say it openly!" He paused and continued, "The Su family offended the president of the Yunshan Prefecture Chamber of Commerce!"

"Chamber of Commerce president?" Chuhuan frowned and then sneered, "The president of the chamber of commerce is supposed to promote and coordinate local business development. As far as I know, the Su family is one of the top employers in the entire Yunshan Prefecture. Such a business should be supported, not suppressed. Moreover, Mr. Su is not an unreasonable person; he follows the rules. Why would the president of the chamber of commerce target He Shengquan?"

Chen Dong nodded, "Mr. Chuhuan is right. When the old Mr. Su was alive, he was highly respected in the business community of Yunshan Prefecture. He always had a seat at the top of the chamber of commerce. The Su family moved from Guanxi but has always followed the rules of Yunshan Prefecture, and their reputation is excellent."

"Given that, I don't understand why the Su family is being suppressed!" Chuhuan frowned, thinking of how Linlang had taken care of him, even risking her life to hit the drum and using a clever method to give him a house to make his family comfortable. He naturally paid attention to the Su family's affairs and would help Linlang if he could.

Chen Dong hesitated, seemingly reluctant to speak, but seeing Chuhuan looking at him, he finally smiled bitterly, "Mr. Chuhuan may not know, but the president of the Yunshan Prefecture Chamber of Commerce, Old Master Liu, has another identity. He is also a highly respected imperial appointee, a Guanglu Doctor, a third-rank official!"

Chuhuan was surprised and asked, "A Guanglu Doctor serving as the president of the chamber of commerce?"

"Exactly," Chen Dong said slowly. "As far as I know, government officials rarely get involved in business matters, as it would lower their status. Although Old Master Liu has retired and is no longer an official, he still holds a noble title and should not be involved in business affairs... But four years ago, the Ministry of Revenue in the capital issued a commission appointing Old Master Liu as the president of the chamber of commerce. When this news spread, the entire business community of Yunshan Prefecture was shocked."

Chuhuan pondered for a moment and then smiled faintly, "If there is action, there must be a purpose... For a Guanglu Doctor to serve as the president of the chamber of commerce, Old Master Liu must have some ulterior motives."

Chen Dong also managed a weak smile and said, "Compared to the presidents of other prefectures and states, Old Master Liu has much more power... The regulations of the Ministry of Revenue in Yunshan Prefecture sometimes don't even compare to a word from Old Master Liu. We merchants often joke that the Ministry of Revenue in Yunshan Prefecture could be abolished, as it just employs a bunch of idle officials, and the entire office is not as powerful as Old Master Liu's finger... Even the governor, it is said, gives Old Master Liu some face, and the military commander, General Luo, has a close relationship with Old Master Liu in private!" He smiled bitterly, "Mr. Chuhuan, if the Su family offended such a person, how could they have a good outcome?"

Chuhuan's expression became even more serious, realizing that the Su family had indeed gotten into serious trouble. Old Master Liu was a powerful figure in Yunshan Prefecture, and he asked softly, "Is it a grudge from the previous generation?"

He thought Linlang was a wise and reasonable woman and would not offend Old Master Liu.

Chen Dong's expression became complex, and he showed a very strange look. Chuhuan found it odd and saw Chen Dong lean in and lower his voice, "This grudge is not from the previous