Chapter 77: The Marriage Tree

How many servants are there in that mansion?

"At the beginning of spring, there were 140 people. This year, at the beginning of summer, we took in two pageboys to accompany the young master in his courtyard, so now there are 142 people."

"My aunt and father continue to receive their incense money as usual, and all the servants in the household donate according to your share."

The servants in Aqing's courtyard, along with you and Hongxiu, should also make a separate donation; the two taels of silver will be drawn up by the accounting office.

Yuan Siyin rarely had the chance to hold her head high because of her status.

The last time I was this happy was before.

She was, after all, a villainous supporting character with dignity and backbone. It was one thing for her to be subservient to the innocent-looking girl, but in other areas, she wanted to do things her own way and live comfortably.

The main reason is that the Yuan family can afford her extravagance. If the Yuan family were so poor that they couldn't even afford to eat, she would have no choice but to become a submissive worker.

But who can blame us for escaping poverty?

Although Zi Yuan was taken aback, she didn't say anything and just nodded in agreement.

A "whoosh" came from the corner. Someone's sleeve brushed past, accidentally knocking over the bamboo tube used for drawing lots. The wooden slips with inscriptions scattered all over the ground with a clatter, and the rustic bamboo tube rolled all the way to her feet.

Yuan Siyin turned around and nodded to the two women, telling them to donate the sesame oil first. Then she squatted down and picked up the bamboo tubes and scattered wooden sticks.

Abbot Kongchan stood up, put his hands together, and said, "Amitabha, thank you for your help."

"Abbot, you're too kind."

As she spoke, she picked up the last wooden stick and was about to put the bamboo tube back on the table in front of him when the abbot suddenly stopped her: "Please wait, benefactor."

"...What advice does the abbot have for me?"

So harsh, is she so heinous that she's not even allowed to touch anything in the temple?

"Now that you have drawn a lot, what is your request?"

Yuan Siyin looked down at the last wooden stick she was holding in her hand, opened her mouth, and said, "Friend."

She handed the wooden divination stick to Abbot Kongchan and waited anxiously for him to interpret it.

Before long, Abbot Kongchan chanted "Amitabha," clasped his hands together, and said to her, "The benefactor has drawn the eleventh Guanyin divination slip, which is an auspicious sign that turns misfortune into good fortune."

Desiring great success is impossible, but family and friends keep one busy for days; in the end, it will surely turn into a deer-arrow, with a noble person guiding one to a noble place.

Yuan Siyin's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, "May I ask what the interpretation of this divination slip is, Abbot?"

The Buddha said, "It cannot be spoken."

The reasons for this must be understood by the donor themselves.

After shaking his head and speaking, Abbot Kongchan quietly closed his eyes and sat down again.

Unable to fathom the situation, Yuan Siyin could only whisper "Amitabha" to the master before bowing her head and exiting the main hall through the side door.

But as soon as she raised her eyes, her gaze met that of someone she had never expected.

"Wanqi...Jiao?"

Just as Yuan Siyin was struggling to remember, Wan Qijiao had already smiled and bowed to her.

"We've finally found Miss Yuan."

"Hmm, what a coincidence."

The woman before me had blue eyes and brown hair, adorned with cat-eye-sized gems; she was truly a rare beauty.

However, Yuan Siyin had no intention of getting too involved with characters unrelated to the original plot. She gave a perfunctory answer on the surface, but secretly considered what excuse would be most appropriate to use to get away.

"Unfortunately, I came here after inquiring about Miss Yuan's whereabouts."

So it wasn't a chance encounter, it was a deliberate arrangement.

Wan Qijiao didn't shy away from the truth and readily revealed everything.

"It seems the princess has something to ask of you."

Yuan Siyin understood perfectly.

Since the other party was a straightforward person, she didn't need to use any sign language.

"It's not convenient to say more here. I've heard that there's a marriage tree at Tantuo Temple that's extremely effective. Would Miss Yuan be willing to go and see it with me?"

Yuan Siyin nodded, which was taken as an agreement.