Chapter 869 03-25 - 869: Character Testing
Chapter 869: Chapter 869: Character Testing
About Water Cloud Nunnery, the people here each have their own stories.
The exact year of its construction was no longer traceable, but initially, it was said to have been built by merchants from the capital to facilitate religious ceremonies for married women through collective fundraising.
As time passed, Water Cloud Nunnery’s scale gradually expanded, and many high-ranking officials and nobles started sending their “sick” family members here for “treatment.” Over time, Water Cloud Nunnery became famous far and wide!
Liu Sisi listened carefully to the person beside her as they detailed the past of Water Cloud Nunnery, all the while staying aware of her surroundings.
Not until the group entered the main hall did she catch a glimpse of Gan Miaoruo.
With a twist of her wrist and an incense stick at hand, Sisi bowed three times before handing the fragrant incense to the Master beside her.
…
“Donor, the revered Master of Water Cloud is currently inside meeting with a noble guest. You may need to wait a little longer. There are vegetarian meals available in the side hall of the temple. You could move there and partake in the vegetarian meal,” she suggested.
They had risen early in the morning and by now, everyone was starving. Hearing this, they naturally followed a young nun to the vegetarian canteen.
As always, the vegetarian meal at Water Cloud Nunnery was plain. Everyone casually ate a little to fill their stomachs before moving to the Hall of Good Fate at the back.
The Hall of Good Fate was bustling with life, with people busy telling fortunes, measuring words, seeking marriage partners… all manner of people were engaged in their activities.
But looking up, Sisi caught sight of Gan Miaoruo and two young girls gathered in a corner of the Hall. They seemed to be in the midst of a heated discussion, all glaring furiously at each other, obviously nobody willing to back down, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder.
Sisi did not approach them; instead, she turned with Xiao Feng and walked to the other side, where they casually sat down on a bench.
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“Donor, would you like to have a fortune told or your palm read?”
While Sisi was keeping an eye on the three people in the corner, someone suddenly inquired from in front of her, nearly giving Sisi a start!
It was only then that she noticed the bench she had casually sat down on was in front of a stall of a fortune-telling Sir. This fortune-teller had the appearance of a childlike elder, exuding an aura of immortal wisdom.
Thinking of the little one taken away by Taoist Master Zhu, she was too annoyed to sit still, and quickly shook her head, “I did not intend to have my fortune told, you…” and she was about to stand up while speaking.
“Noble guest, the mere act of sitting down before my humble stall suggests that fate has brought us together. Since we are so fated, we should cherish this connection and abide by the designs of destiny…” Surprisingly, the elder proved quite the smooth talker, and Sisi found herself unable to extricate herself from his persuasive words.
Feeling compelled, Sisi sat down again and looked more closely at the fortune-teller. Suddenly she changed her mind and picked up a paper and brushing-pen to write down a simplified character for “one.”
“The character ‘one’ signifies the principle of unity. What is it that you seek, Madam? Is it marriage fortune or luck and misfortune?”
The fortune-teller stroked his long beard as he inquired.
“I seek to know about luck and misfortune,” Sisi said indifferently.
“The ‘one’ is the origin of all things. Holding the ‘one,’ the world is tried.”
Carefully observing Sisi’s expression while stroking his beard, the fortune-teller shook his head and pondered, “It is also said that one person can have affairs in all directions. The matter of luck and misfortune that Madam seeks must be for someone thousands of miles away, isn’t it?”
Sisi was taken aback. Was her demeanor really that transparent, or did the Taoist Priest before her genuinely possess some skill?
“Continue with your interpretation, Sir. If it’s good, rewarding you with some money should not be a problem,” she said.
Her words seemed to ignite a spark in the Taoist priest’s eyes. He immediately bowed deeply and continued, “Firstly, when a single man faces difficulties, seven temples are destroyed, and he dies by human hands, becoming a laughingstock to the world. It appears, Madam, that the divination you seek truly bears mixed fortunes; within the great misfortune lies great fortune, a blend of good and ill, all hinging upon Madam’s Buddhist nature and fate.”
Without waiting for him to finish, Liu Sisi sprang up from her chair: “Nonsense! Over a trifling character, you spout grandiose nonsense. If you’re after some divination money, you shouldn’t alarm people with such shocking words.”
The Taoist priest showed not a hint of fear but squinted at Liu Sisi instead, “Firstly, it also means the emperor. The fortune you seek is for a person…”
“Silence! You mad Taoist. If you spout any more nonsense, beware of my wrath!”
Liu Sisi could no longer bear listening, and she harshly scolded him.
Still unafraid of death, the Taoist priest continued, “Firstly, it means two adjacent things! The person whose fortune you inquire about is not one, but two people. However, these two individuals are separated from you as if by the stroke of your writing brush. They seem close at hand, but in reality, they are as distant as the ends of the sky.”
“If you’re running short of silver to spend, just speak up. I am not stingy. However, next time you’d better not spout such nonsense carelessly, or you may end up in the hell where tongues are plucked!” As she spoke, she nodded slightly to Xiao Feng beside her and turned to leave.
Xiao Feng hurriedly took out a piece of 50 taels of patterned silver and placed it in front of the Taoist priest’s stand.
“Take this, and next time don’t go about deceiving people. This is only because my Third Aunt is kind-hearted. If it were someone else, they would have you arrested and locked away for ten days and a half month to begin with.” After speaking, Xiao Feng quickly caught up with Liu Sisi’s pace.
The commotion naturally attracted the attention of many onlookers, who immediately started pointing and discussing among themselves.
The Taoist priest simply laughed, showing no annoyance whatsoever. He seemed completely unconcerned as he pocketed the silver, began packing up his things, and swiftly disappeared into the crowd, leaving no trace.
Meanwhile, Liu Sisi walked faster and faster, repeatedly mulling over the fortune-teller’s words in her head.
She hadn’t mentioned anything specific, yet that foul Taoist had inferred so much – truly astonishing! It seemed she needed to find an opportunity to meet with him properly later.
“Third Aunt, that fortune-teller just now… was simply incredible!” Xiao Feng also exclaimed in amazement.
“Hmm! We should not spread word of this. We’ll talk more when we get back home later.”
Liu Sisi was equally eager to learn the outcome but couldn’t continue to listen to him in that chaotic place.
She hoped he understood the message in her words.
As she was thinking, she saw Gan Miaoruo hurrying over with a quick trot.
“Mr. Liu, why have you only just arrived? Ruo Ruo has been waiting here for such a long time.”
Gan Miaoruo’s face was filled with a hopeful expression as she briskly approached Liu Sisi and grasped the hem of her clothes, as if afraid she might suddenly leave.
“I saw you earlier, but it seemed you were with two other misses, so I didn’t greet you,” Liu Sisi said indifferently.
“Oh! Mr. Liu… You actually saw us and didn’t greet us? You should have come out to help Ruo Ruo just now!”
Gan Miaoruo pouted.