Chapter 166: Divination

"Even though a Phoenix's destiny is good. It is a pity to be imprisoned for a lifetime."

Shen Miao's steps suddenly paused as she looked at that Taoist priest with a frown and asked, "What did you say?"

That priest however turned his head smugly and started to sing a little tune.

Jing Zhe said, "Young Lady must not let it get to one's heart, it could be a fraud from who knows where spouting nonsense." Even though one did not know why a Taoist practitioner would come to a Buddhist compound, but this priest was not serious at all, much less have any immortal air like normal priests. One thought that it was just casual words, no difference from the frauds on the streets.

Shen Miao looked in front and saw that Luo Xue Yan and Luo Tan had gone in, leaving her behind, with some guards following her, not approaching. She thought about it for a moment before sitting down on the wooden bench in front of the priest's booth and said, "I want a divination."

"This priest's divination is very expensive."

Before the voice fell, Shen Miao took out a golden peanut from her back. This was what was inside the pouch that Su Furen's previously gifted. Most likely one feared that gifting something too valuable would be too arrogant, thus gifting a full pouch of golden peanuts so that it was easier to purchase things.

However Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was a little anxious watching. The most expensive on the streets for divination was only a few silver, why was there a need to use golden peanuts? But there was no way to turn around the decision that Shen Miao had made. The two maids were anxious but were also helpless.

Shen Miao said, "If you are accurate, this golden peanut is yours. But if it is not accurate, I will call people to smash your booth and call the officials to arrest you on the grounds of swindling on the streets."

That priest was in all smiles as he accepted the golden peanut and bought out a divination cylinder over. He shook it before handling it to Shen Miao with a smile, "May Young Lady pick two divination lots."

"Why two divination lots are needed?" Gu Yu could not help but asked, "Usually it would be picking one divination lot. Could it be that…" She suddenly came into understanding, "One for safety, one for marriage?"

The priest shook his head, "Telling one's life fortune."

"Why would two lots be required to tell one's life fortune?" Jing Zhe was confused.

The priest looked at Shen Miao before flicking his beard and smiling mysteriously, "One divination lot is incomplete for Young Lady's life fortune."

Shen Miao's heart moved and glared at the priest, who seemed to have a card up his sleeve, before taking the divination cylinder and shook it. Two divination lots fell onto the floor with a 'pa ta' sound.

That priest picked up the divination lots to look and Gu Yu and Jing Zhe became somewhat anxious. The priest shook his head and said, "Phoenix's destiny trapped in a cage, life in a dangerous and hatters would spring up. Before the guillotine, the barracks are empty." He said, "This is a great inauspicious lot."

As soon as the words were said, Jing Zhe's and Gu Yu's faces changed. What great inauspicious? What guillotine? Jing Zhe said, "What a good fraud! With this mouthful of nonsense, who are you lying to? I see that you are just a liar. I will go and report to the officials."

"Oh oh oh." That Taoist priest said, "What is the rush? How can a young lady be that impatient? There is still one more divination lot."

Shen Miao's entire heart was thumping away.

Phoenix's destiny trapped in a cage, this was saying that she was trapped in the Cold Palace of the Imperial Palace and no fruit would bear no matter how much one struggle. Created misfortune and implicated the family that the entire Shen family was executed, so wasn't this the guillotine? And she had work hard and put in all efforts to help Fu Xiu Yi to sit on the throne but all hopes and effort came to nothing. Fu Xiu Yi still gave her three feet of white silk. Even Wan Yu and Fu Ming did not survive, nothing actually was remained. How can it be not futile?

Shen Miao said, "May this priest help be to take a look at another divination lot."

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu became worried as they could not figure out why she would see the priest differently from them and even willing to let this priest to take a look at her other divination lot.

That priest smiled and picked up the other lot. He glanced at Shen Miao and as usual stroke his beard before saying slowly, "Out of the depth of misfortune comes bliss, the auspicious portent (direct translation from Chinese is Purple Cloud) comes from the East. A superior lot."

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu initially scared that the priest would say something bad and it was near the year end now so everyone was afraid that bad fortune words would stick to oneself. Seeing that he said as such, they sighed in relief. Jing Zhe however ridiculed, "I had said that he is a fraud. One divination is great inauspicious lot and another superior lot. Just which lot is it the real one?"

"Both lots are real." The priest said, "If you don't believe, ask your Young Lady if this priest said correctly?"

Shen Miao's heart moved and she said, "Jing Zhe, Gu Yu, go over to the guards first. I have something to say to the Taoist priest alone."

Jing Zhe wanted to persuade a few more words as she felt that this priest was a swindler. However Gu Yu shook her head at her and pulled her to the side, making room for Shen Miao to speak to the Taoist priest with a peace of mind.

Shen Miao frowned as she looked at the Taoist Priest, "Does this Taoist Priest know something?"

The priest kept the divination lots and said without turning his head, "I see from Young Lady's facial features, it is of a noble person. Then one looked at Young Lady's assigned fated and saw that it belongs to that of a Phoenix's destiny. One originally would be living a lifetime of glory and splendor, eating jaded food and wearing brocade. Unfortunately… One's fate was changed."

Shen Miao said, "What change of fate?" Her voice was somewhat hurried.

The priest's hands stopped and he looked at her, "Young Lady's fate is very peculiar. There would be one big calamity in one's entire life and once this calamity has past, it would be smooth for the rest of one's life. However in the first divination that Young Lady had drawn, one did not pass this calamity."

"What is my calamity?" Shen Miao asked.

"One true Phoenix and one fake Phoenix. The fake Phoenix had robbed the blessing and fate of the true Phoenix. The true Phoenix was instead imprisoned."

Shen Miao only felt that her entire heart wanted to jump out from her throat. True and fake Phoenixes, could it be said that she was the true Phoenix and as for the fake Phoenix, could it be Mei Furen? Mei Furen gave birth to Fu Sheng and Fu Xiu Yi doted on Fu Sheng that much. In her past lifetime Fu Ming died and she also died so Fu Xiu Yi would establish Mei Furen as the Empress and with Fu Xiu Yi's love of Fu Sheng, perhaps he would let Fu Sheng inherit his throne.

Wasn't this saying that one's fate was robbed?

Shen Miao said, "This Taoist Priest spoke of the first divination lot. Then in the second divination lot, can I pass through the calamity?"

"With Young Lady's ability, it is impossible." That priest shook his head, "However Young Lady's luck is good as there is help from a benefactor in one's fate."

"Benefactor?" Shen Miao asked, "Who is my benefactor?"

"This benefactor is fated with you with fate of a fierce dragon. The fierce dragon overcomes the Heavens, the imprisoned Phoneix in a cage. The person can save you and you can absolve one's evil tendencies. If one were to encounter this person, by borrowing this person's power, Young Lady's fate can be returned to its original and everything that was lost would be gained."

Shen Miao asked, "Where is this benefactor? How would I be able to find the person?"

The priest smiled, "Far in the horizon, as near as one's sight."

There was no need to say more. Shen Miao's gaze flashed before she asked again, "There is still one more question. Ordinary people can only draw one divination lot so why do I draw two? Is it Heavens intention?"

She was rebirth to relive the lifetime and every time when she thought about it there was a sense or unreality. One feared that there would be a day where one would wake up and find oneself in that cold and lonely Palace and all these was just a dream she had created. Even though this eccentric priest that no one knew from where, spoke a bit accurately, perhaps he would know about this.

"Heavens and earth is not benevolent and treats all creation like sacrificial straw-dogs. The two divination lots of Young Lady's was requested by another."

"Another?" Shen Miao grabbed onto the keywords of that priest's words, "Who is that person?"

"The person who owed you a lot." The priest stood up from the floor and patted the dust off his clothes as he said, "The mysteries of Heavens must not be revealed. Today this priest had already revealed too much to Young Lady and any more would be cutting one's blessing. Young Lady do not ask more and just remember this. The past is like a dream, avoid entanglement, out of the depth of misfortune comes bliss, the auspicious portent (direct translation from Chinese is Purple Cloud) comes from the East."

After finishing, he took a big step and strode off singing.

Shen Miao stood still on the same spot until Jing Zhe and Gu Yu walked over. Jing Zhe said, "It's so eccentric and one did not know where he came from. Is there no one managing this Pu Tuo Monastery?"

Shen Miao however felt that she had peeked into some secrets and unable to tell the feelings in her heart.

Just as she was thinking, Luo Xue Yan and Luo Tan walked out from inside.

Luo Tan had a small basket in her hands and in it, there were a large number of red ropes which were connected to pouches. She said with all smiles, "Youngest Biao Sister, let us go and hang the red ropes. How did you fall behind?"

Luo Xue Yan also said, "Just now one heard that there is a Grand Master that is in the Zen chambers lecturing about the Buddhist sutras and wanted to call you to listen. However one saw you being delayed for so long when I turned my head over. Now do you still want to listen to it?"

After Shen Miao heard the words from that Taoist priest, her brain became strangely chaotic so how would she have any mood to listen to monks lecturing on sutras? She then shook her head, "Not going."

"Then let us hang the red ropes first." Luo Tan was however very excited and dragged Shen Miao before going forward.

In the Zen chambers where Luo Xue Yan passed by just now, the action of knocking on the wooden fish by the old monk paused and the young monk asked, "Teacher, it is already passed noon. Didn't Teacher said that the person is coming? At the end, is the person coming or not?"

Grand Master Guan Zhen stood up from the futon and shook his head, "Not coming."

"Not coming?" The young monk was stunned, "Why?"

"Had met another person."

The young monk was puzzled, "Why one does not come after meeting another person? Didn't Teacher specifically wait for the person here? Aren't the days spend waiting wasted if the person did not come?"

"There is no harm." Grand Master Guan Zhen put his hands together, "One had met up with a fated person."

"This is the cause and effect."

Shen Miao and Luo Tan walked out and reached that Tree of Cultivating Destinies.

The Tree of Cultivating Destinies was a huge sweet-scented Osmanthus tree. It was extremely thick and strong but currently one could not see clearly it's branches and shrubs as it was all covered by the hanging red ropes and pouches.

Luo Ling and Shen Qiu did not come after all, since this was for females. Luo Tan handed Shen Miao a handful of ropes and said, "Young Biao Sister should right one's name on the pouch first then throw it up the tree. If it was hung up, it means that the Old Man of the Moon had head you and would arrange a good marriage." After finishing, she then handed over another large bundle of ropes, "Youngest Biao Sister should take more. The more one takes, the chances of it hanging up is higher when one throw them up together."

Shen Miao was somewhat speechlessly watching Luo Tan eagerly writing her name on the remaining pouches. However a female would most propably believed it this and hope that it was a good omen. Luo Xue Yan als said, "Jiao Jiao should write on some and hang it up. Don't be afraid."

Shen Miao looked pickly over the basket of red ropes after dropping the matter with Luo Xue Yan and Luo Tan, she could only pick one for herself and wrote her name in the pouch.

Luo Tan saw it and said, "Youngest Biao Sister, you took too little. How can a single piece be hang up? Take a few more, these are enough."

Luo Xue Yan also said, "Jiao Jiao, one is not enough."

Shen Miao felt that she did not even want to throw up any and moreover at this moment her thoughts were all occupied with those words that the priest said, so how would she have the heart to do this? Thus she just threw it casually.

"Just one piece cannot be hung. It is better for you to… Oh, how did it hang up there?" Luo Tan cried out in surprise.

Luo Xue Yan was also astonished. Generally speaking, the more red ropes were thrown, the higher chances there were for it to be hung on the branches. One piece would not have weight so it would not be able to hang no matter how it is thrown. Who knew that one casual throw from Shen Miao, it actually hang up. Not only that, it was on a top branch and was hanging steadily. One feared that no matter how much wind and rain there was, it would not fall off.

"Youngest Biao Sister, you are just too blessed." Luo Tan grabbed onto Shen Miao's arm and said excitedly, "You see. You see. That branch is so high up and that means that the person that Young Biao Sister is marry would be a dragon among people. That branch is also steady and sturdy, indicating that this marriage is extremely certain and very good."

Who would not love to hear words of blessing? Luo Xue Yan's face was filled with smiles, "Jiao Jiao's throw was not bad and I still say you cannot hang it up and wanted to think of ways to help you hang it up."

"But there are many other branches around this branch." Luo Tan stroke her chin and explained it seriously, "The directions of these branches are all towards Youngest Biao Sister's pouch. What does this illustrate? This means that Youngest Biao Sister do not have only one marriage predestined by fate. Youngest Gu, this is a good news. One family's daughter is requested by a hundred families. The future brother-in-law will suffer." Luo Tan said in laughter.

Shen Miao said, "What nonsense." But she thought about the strange sentence from that Taoist priest about her the fund of the eyes were green, indicating difficulties in marriage (or romance). Could it be that it was true? Afterwards she was stunned at her thoughts, now she did not even see a blossom flower or leaf at all, so where would there be difficulties in marriage (or romance)? It was Luo Tan that spout nonsense and she was the one who treated it as real.

This day went pass quickly. Luo Tan later hang a number of her red ropes up and prayed to Buddha before offering incense and only left after having a vegetarian meal in the monastery. When they returned to the Shen mansion, the skies had turned dark and since everyone was tired, everyone went back to their own rooms to rest early.

Shen Miao's heart repeatedly thought about the words that the Taoist priest said.

There was a calamity in her life and a benefactor would help. Who is that benefactor… Who requested two divination lots for her, or to say, who was the one who requested a rebirth for her?

In the previous lifetime, all her loved ones had disappeared before she died. As Shen Miao was thinking, even if she had died, she feared that there would not be anyone who would come to collect her body. So how would anyone have eyes and hands to clear through Heavens? With this kind of abilities and with this kind to relationship, why would one seek a rebirth for her?

No matter how she thought, she was unable to think of such a person.

Shen Miao suddenly remembered something and said, "Cong Yang."

In a flash, a black clad person appeared in the room.

Shen Miao supported her head and felt that Xie Jing Xing's secret guards appeared like Gods and vanished like Devils that one feared even the owners would jump in shock. She said, "Regarding today's matter on the conversation between the Taoist priest and me, you are not allowed to tell Xie Jing Xing." She then added another sentence, "If you were to tell Xie Jing Xing, I will accuse you of indecent assault."

Cong Yang, "…"

"Remember that." Shen Miao threatened.

*****

There was countless number of small messy stuff that numerous people in Ding capital were worried about. Young girls are worried about marriages, youth were frustrated about taking the examinations and gaining fame, the elderly were worried about dying, the young ones too child-like and so on. These bustling made benefits flow from one end to another.

Some people schemed to gain small benefits, some gambled on tens of thousands of the family's wealth and others even bet of one's life but overlook everything under Heavens.

In the Imperial family of Ming Qi, as Emperor Wen Hui's health decline every day, the Princes below were all eager to move. Prince Zhou's clique was arrogant, Prince Li's clique's actions were also not small. One had initially thought that Number Nine knew his place but at the end after the matter with Shen family and Qin country, it was still the Crown Prince that was too weak after all the calculations.

Emperor Wen Hui sighed and there was a layer of wane and tiredness on his brows. Most likely it is because of being ill for too long, one's expression was not good at all. Normally one would get angry in court but it was all stubborn appearances, after all there were numbers of people eyeing on this position like a tiger walking its prey. If he were to collapse, there will be chaos in court and one feared that others would take advantage of the empty seat.

When one was younger, one did not feel anything about the Princes but as age caught up, one was surprised to feel that one had not raised sons but a pack of wolves. Now that the cubs had grown up, some matter had became uncontrollable.

"How is the Crown Prince's health recently?" Emperor Wen Hui asked Su GongGong at his side.

Su GongGong quickly replied, "Yesterday when the Empress saw the Crown Prince Consort, the Crown Prince Consort said that there was a turn for the better with the Crown Prince's health. The Imperial Physician also said that after nursing for some time, it would be even better."

Emperor Wen Hui shook his head, "The Crown Prince's health is a problem." As the most rightful heir to the throne, the Crown Prince was sick. Even though there are still a lot of supporters, it was still alright in the early years but as the fraction of Prince Zhou and Prince Li grew bigger, the little influence that the Crown Prince had was however suppressed. In particular lately Prince Ding pop up, making Emperor Wen Hui's head ache more. Fortunately even though the Crown Prince was weak, he had born the Imperial Grandson early, thus even if Emperor Wen Hui pass on and the Crown Prince was weak, as long as the Imperial Grandson was older, he could let the Imperial Grandson succeed him.

Su GongGong had eyes and hears but seemed not to have discovered Emperor Wen Hui's intention. However he was very clear in his heart. Currently Emperor Wen Hui was the most optimistic about the Crown Prince. There was no other reason than the Crown Prince was the rightful heir and that the Crown Prince's health was not good and thus less threatening to Emperor Wen Hui. Unlike his other sons, Prince Zhou's clique was so arrogant that he viewed others as invisible, Prince Li looked kindly on the surface but privately had a lot of dealing with most of the higher ranked official. Even Prince Ding, who looked like he had no intention on the surface, had become a dog that would bite and not bark at all. Each of them were like wolves and tigers, making Emperor Wen Hui guard against.

A gust of cold air blew in from the window that made the reports on the table of the Imperial Study slightly furl up. Su GongGong saw it and quickly got up to close the windows, "The night is very late. May Your Majesty rest early."

At the same time, the Crown Prince who was mentioned by Emperor Wen Hui was talking to one person at the same moment. If anyone were to see it, they would be shocked. The person that was talking with the Crown Prince was none other than Prince Ding, Fu Xiu Yi.

Among these two people, one was the rightful heir of the Imperial Throne in Emperor Wen Hui's eyes and the other was a 'dog that would bite and not bark at all' in all the Princes' heart. These two people were sitting at to sides of the table at this moment as the small fire warmed the green plum wine on the table. They were actually chatting and drinking.

The Crown Prince said, "Ninth Younger Brother must not take this matter to heart. It is only because Imperial Father listened to vile characters and misunderstood you. The days will pass and the misunderstanding will be resolved and naturally one would treat you like before. Why does Ninth Younger Brother give up on oneself?"

Fu Xiu Yi shook his head, "Eldest Brother do not know the bitterness in my heart. In the face of the sudden and unexpected disaster that flew in, one cannot avoid it at all. I am a leisurely person and is not want power or riches. One only want to live freely. Those previous days, other than the matters on hand, I would not intervene in any other matter but once the Shen family matter came up, Imperial Father still view me with suspicion. The feelings of a father and child is just too thin."

"Ninth Younger Brother, guard one's mouth." The Crown Prince jumped in shock and quickly stopped Fu Xiu Yi's unfinished words, "All the parents in the world are the same. You are Imperial Father's son so Imperial Father will not treat you like this. If one must blame, it is those vile characters."

The matters that they were discussing were about the Shen family's house being searched and possessions being confiscated. Even though Emperor Wen Hui tightly hid it but each Prince had informants in the Palace. Moreover there was the opening from Shen Wan's end, thus the Princes knew clearly of the truth of the Shen family's case. It was because of so, the Princes' view of Fu Xiu Yi was especially different. Originally in the fight for the heir apparent, it would be fighting for one's survival and another death and one had thought that the Ninth Prince did not ambitions and was happy on being a leisurely prince thus they did not deliberately target Fu Xiu Yi. Who knew that after this matter came out, one only realised that he had even buried pieces in the dark. In a fight, the most taboo thing was that the enemy was in the dark and one was in the light especially in a fight for everything under the Heavens. That was a big matter that a single small mistake could take the lives of the entire family. Prince Ding had been in the dark watching the fight for so long and perhaps wanted to be the fisherman that catches the sandpiper and clam when they war together.

Previously everyone was gracious to Prince Ding but now in everyone's gazes of Fu Xiu Yi, it was the same as looking at an enemy. Fu Xiu Yi had given himself too many enemies in a short period of time.

After Fu Xiu Yi because the target of all the brothers, the first thing he did was to look for the Crown Prince.

No matter it was sincere or with false intentions, the Crown Prince was a softhearted master in front of everyone. He was very kind but was the easiest to deceive.

Just at this moment, he did not attack with ridicule and turned his head to comfort Fu Xiu Yi.

Fu Xiu Yi smiled, "Never mind. Let's not talk about my matter and discuss about Eldest Brother's."

"Me?" The Crown Prince was somewhat baffled, "What matter do I have?"

"Now that everyone is fighting till skulls are broken and blood is flowing but Eldest Brother who is obviously the rightful heir, was overwhelmed by the momentum. This is not a good sign." Fu Xiu Yi smiled, "Previously I did not like to partake in such matters and deliberately avoided it but who knew that trouble still came knocking. Since it is as such, why not actively come in. I intend to support Eldest Brother."

The Crown Prince was startled as he had not expect that Fu Xiu Yi would say that. Afterwards he smiled bitterly before shaking his head, "Ninth Younger Brother's sincere heart, I cannot not thank. It is just that… Ninth Younger Brother know my health. If I am healthy and strong, naturally one can compete but with my current body, it is already a question how long can it last. These things… Just follow one's fate." When he reached to the end, there was a faint sense of despair.

"Eldest Brother by no means should undervalue oneself. Eldest Brother is born from Her Ladyship, the Empress, and is the Crown Prince. Be it the situation or reasoning, you are the future master of Ming Qi. If this was to be given away, one fear that others will laugh that Ming Qi does not have people to succeed."

"But I really do not have any abilities." The Crown Prince was somewhat disheartened, "The high ranking officials look at my sicky body and are not willing to follow me. Even those previous followers, there are not many left now. Ninth Younger Brother asked me to fight but other than the empty title of the Crown Prince, what other abilities do I have to fight with?"

When Fu Xiu Yi heard of it, he however poured a drink for the Crown Prince and himself and took a sip before saying, "That is why at this time, Eldest Brother need a strong assistant."

The Crown Prince shook his head, "A fine bird chooses a tree to nest in. How would those talented people choose me?"

"In fact Eldest Brother need not need to think so hard." Fu Xiu Yi said, "It is indeed difficult to find many people with power. However the easy thing is that once one is able to find one strong and powerful assist, one would not need the rest of the followers. Or to say, as long as this person is found, the rest of the officials would also follow Eldest Brother's side."

"Ninth Younger Brother is referring to…" The Crown Prince was in doubt.

"The Formidable Great General, Shen Xin." Fu Xiu Yi answered.

The Crown Prince was startled.

"Shen Xin holds the military power. In the front, the Shen family army will charge into the battle and at the back the Luo family army will bring up the rear fiercely. In the two years leaving the capital, the reputation among the commoners was not at all reduced and even the Qin country and Great Liang have to be somewhat courteous. With the help of General Shen, everyone opinion of Crown Prince would be higher. One would seek one's way up just as water seeks its way down. Naturally followers will hear of it."

When the Crown Prince heard Fu Xiu Yi's words, he however smiled, "Ninth Younger Brother said it well. But Ninth Younger Brother knows that now that General Shen's influence is illustrious and everyone's thoughts are good of him. Moreover the rest of the brothers would also think so but why would General Shen choose me?"

"Because you are the Crown Prince." Fu Xiu Yi said calmly, "If the rest of the brother chose General Shen, one fear that it will provoke Imperial Father's anger but it is different from Eldest Brother. You are the rightful heir of the thrown and is the son that Imperial Father look most to. When General Shen land in your hands, it is a matter that Imperial Father is happy to see. It is a curse to others but a blessing to you. Such a large military power cannot land on another's hand."

The Crown Prince no longer smiled as what Fu Xiu Yi said was extremely reasonable. Emperor Wen Hui was very suspicious thus if it was Prince Zhou, Prince Li or even Prince Ding, Fu Xiu Yi, gained Shen Xin's military power, it would only be the start of disaster for them as Emperor Wen Hui would not be kind to them. The Crown Prince was however different. Emperor Wen Hui had dislike that the Crown Prince's influence was too weak and unable to have check and balances with the other Princes. Moreover the Crown Prince was then the future monarch in Emperor's Wen Hui's mind and naturally he hoped that he would have strong arms to help him.

"But why would General Shen choose me?" The Crown Prince still shook his head as he did not seem to be agreeing with Fu Xiu Yi. He said, "Partaking in these matter would be dangerous and General Shen does not need to wade in these troubled waters. He can live comfortably."

Fu Xiu Yi smiled and said, "It is of no necessary for General Shen to choose Eldest Brother but Young Lady Shen can."

The Crown Prince was startled.

Fu Xiu Yi lightly elaborated, "The Di born Fifth Young Lady of the Shen family, the pearl in General Shen's hands, has reached the age to be engaged."