Chapter 105: Is Cheng Zhao in Trouble
The Dowager Madame led the group as they strolled through the layers of the Double Ninth Temple.
They arrived at a small shrine, where clay statues of Thousand-Mile Eyes and Wind-Following Ears stood at the entrance, with the Heavenly Empress enshrined inside; behind it stretched a vast bamboo grove.
The rain had stopped, but a faint mist still lingered among the bamboo. The colors within the grove were lush, emerald green interspersed with golden yellow.
Sun Zhiya remarked in surprise, “Is this bamboo grove dying? Why are there so many withered leaves?”
The Dowager Madame chuckled and said, “In spring, new bamboo shoots sprout and leaves renew, so the old leaves turn yellow at this time.”
Eldest Madam Song smiled, “I never noticed that. How observant of Zhiya.”
Mu Jiang sniffed lightly, “That’s just ignorance.”
Consort Dou grew even more displeased.
After all, Sun Zhiya was her future daughter-in-law; even if she had some flaws, it was not for others to criticize her.
“A-Jiang has a sharp tongue, and that temper of hers has been spoiled by me,” the Dowager Madame said with a laugh.
The Marchioness of Qingyuan quickly chimed in, adding a few words of praise for Mu Jiang.
Grandmaster Yang arrived again.
The Dowager Madame smiled and asked, “Is it about to begin?”
“It has already begun, Dowager Madame. You needn’t sit and wait; let the junior disciples conduct the rites themselves,” Grandmaster Yang said with a smile. “Have you enjoyed your stroll? Are your feet tired?”
“The Double Ninth Temple has excellent feng shui; it nourishes one’s vitality. I don’t feel tired at all while walking,” the Dowager Madame replied.
She then added, “Grandmaster, since we’re at leisure, how about giving A-Jiang’s unborn child a childhood name and writing a name-talisman to be placed before the gods? When the child is born, we can come back to retrieve it.”
Grandmaster Yang eagerly agreed, saying it was an honor.
He suggested “Minxing,” which the Dowager Madame found suitable. Mu Jiang thought it lacked refinement and backbone, but she dared not act out.
Taking this opportunity, Grandmaster Yang began fortune-telling for everyone.
According to his readings, each person’s fate was auspicious; he could explain precisely why it was good, never repeating himself, and striking a chord in everyone’s heart.
But when it came to Cheng Zhao, Grandmaster Yang praised her as “blessed by Heaven,” drawing the attention of Consort Dou and the Fifth Prince.
This praise seemed excessive.
Second Madam, who had been silent all along, could no longer hold back. “Old Immortal, please don’t overpraise her. She’s just a child and cannot bear such flattery.”
What was deemed great fortune might instead invite misfortune—this was clearly a veiled attempt to exalt only to harm Cheng Zhao.
Grandmaster Yang smiled and said, “Third Young Madam indeed has a noble fate, which is why she faces many trials. Recently, she is due for a calamity. If she cannot avoid it, she may suffer bloodshed—at worst, her life could be at risk.”
Second Madam’s expression shifted again.
The brothers Zhou Yuanshen and Zhou Yuanqi both turned to look at Cheng Zhao, their gazes probing.
Cheng Zhao seemed flustered and quickly asked, “Old Immortal, what should I do?”
“Boundless longevity. Do not panic, Young Madam. This old Taoist will devise a solution for you. Ahead lies the bamboo grove. I will set up an array there, and if you enter and meditate for half a day, it may ward off the disaster,” Grandmaster Yang said.
Cheng Zhao asked, “Is it that simple?”
Everyone’s thoughts were mixed.
Second Madam held her breath, her expression very grim. “Grandmaster, I fear you’ve misjudged?”
“Mother, please don’t question the Old Immortal,” Cheng Zhao said. “Old Immortal, please dispel my misfortune!”
Second Madam called out urgently, “Zhaozhao!”
She desperately tried to signal her.
What calamity was there to dispel? This was clearly slander. First, he praised her, then sought to undermine her.
Yet Cheng Zhao seemed bewitched, trusting the words completely. Could everyone have a flaw—was Cheng Zhao’s simply a superstitious devotion to Taoists?
Second Madam grew frantic.
Zhou Yuanshen spoke from the side, “Since that’s the case, I request the Old Immortal to set up the formation for my wife.”
The onlookers grew even more curious.
Consort Dou wondered if there was a way to have her die within that array, given that Grandmaster Yang did possess real skill.
Or perhaps...
She signaled her attendant eunuch with a glance.
The Dowager Madame gazed at Cheng Zhao with a kind expression.
Earlier, a Daoist ritual was ongoing, so the crowd waited briefly before returning to the main hall to sit, leaving Cheng Zhao alone in the bamboo grove.
Several members of the Second Branch accompanied her for a while.
Then, they went upstairs.
The Dowager Madame asked with concern, “How is Cheng?”
“She is meditating,” Zhou Yuanshen said. “The Old Immortal said an hour would suffice to dispel the misfortune. He is highly accomplished, and I trust his words.”
The Dowager Madame nodded slightly. “It’s fortunate we encountered the Grandmaster today to ward off Cheng’s disaster.”
Huan Qingtang sat quietly beside them, her gaze unflinching.
Eldest Madam Song silently speculated, though unsure of what was truly happening.
Zhou Yuanshen had returned, but Zhou Yuanqi had not.
After a long while, Zhou Yuanqi finally came upstairs. As a child, he moved stealthily, unnoticed by most.
He whispered something to Zhou Yuanshen, and Mu Jiang overheard, “There’s no compass...”
Zhou Yuanshen replied, “Don’t worry about it. Just sit still.”
“Don’t be smug. Without a compass, you can’t...”
Noticing Mu Jiang eavesdropping, Zhou Yuanqi fell silent and even shot her a sharp glare. Mu Jiang found the little brat annoying, but she couldn’t stoop to his level, as he was her brother-in-law after all.
She asked ingratiatingly, “Yuanqi, what are you two discussing?”
“Naturally, we’re talking about economics and scholarship. Do you understand that?” Zhou Yuanqi retorted.
Mu Jiang: “...”
Zhou Yuanshen said flatly, “Don’t be impertinent.”
A warmth filled Mu Jiang’s heart.
Third Brother always stood up for her.
Zhou Yuanqi snorted and sat upright.
When the Fifth Prince, Helian Hong, quietly slipped downstairs, Mu Jiang noticed him; Sun Zhiya immediately followed.
Mu Jiang curled her lip in disdain. “Running after the Fifth Prince like that—how pathetic is it?”
She held nearly everyone in contempt.
The eunuch personally attending Consort Dou came upstairs and whispered something in her ear; she simply nodded slightly.
Second Madam sat restlessly, several times on the verge of rising, only to be held back by Zhou Yuanqi.
Zhou Yuanshen soon also went downstairs.
Mu Jiang couldn’t resist wanting to follow and take a look, but was stopped by Nanny Sun, who served the Dowager Madame.
“Secondary Wife, with child, it’s best not to wander around,” Nanny Sun said.
Mu Jiang replied, “I just need to get some air.”
“Please sit down. Don’t worry the Dowager Madame,” Nanny Sun said coldly.
Mu Jiang had no choice but to stay seated.
She knew something was afoot, yet didn’t know exactly what was being orchestrated.
Cheng Zhao had gone to meditate. Without her, shouldn’t everyone be happier and more at ease? Why did everyone seem unable to sit still?
Were they trying to help her, or to harm her?
Mu Jiang had always detested Cheng Zhao, and if something befell her, Mu Jiang would be delighted.
Unable to leave, she had to sit there patiently.
Fortunately, Zhou Yuanshen returned soon, as if he had merely taken a brief stroll downstairs.
This time, he didn’t move again.
Mu Jiang looked at him, feeling reassured and calm. The Dowager Madame and Huan Qingtang sat together, both composed and unruffled, eyes fixed straight ahead.
Mu Jiang felt as if she had been sitting forever; the Taoist rites made her drowsy, and when the theatrical performance was about to begin, she almost fell asleep.
She was indeed nodding off when a piercing, abrupt cry burst into her ears, jolting her awake.
“Disaster! Disaster, Grandmaster!”
The young acolyte’s voice was tinged with tears and terror.
Mu Jiang’s drowsiness vanished completely, a surge of joy rising in her: Could Cheng Zhao have run into trouble?
Everyone present reacted differently. Second Madam sprang to her feet, panic-stricken and pale, while the rest remained remarkably calm.
Grandmaster Yang said with a smile, “My little disciple, don’t panic. What could have happened?”
Without waiting for the young acolyte to speak, he turned to apologize to the Dowager Madame and Consort Dou. “Forgive me for disturbing Your Graces.”
“What trouble could there be, Old Immortal?” Consort Dou replied with a smile, unconcerned. “Children are always excitable.”
The Dowager Madame also smiled. "Quickly, ask what is wrong with the child. Don't let him be too anxious."
Only then did Grandmaster Yang turn to the young acolyte. "What has happened?"
"Grandmaster, someone has died. Someone has died!" the young acolyte said, barely suppressing the tremor in his voice.