Chapter 28 The Mandate of Heaven

Seeing this, Yu Qingyan tugged at her sister's sleeve, signaling her not to speak. Then she apologized to Yu Qingci, "Don't blame her for getting angry with you. Just now, Fourth Sister was so worried when she found out you were missing. She took her maid and went out to look for you. But she was in such a hurry that she tripped and almost twisted her ankle."

Yu Qingci remembered that in her previous life, she obediently knelt throughout the entire religious ceremony without going anywhere. However, Yu Qingying secretly ran out for a stroll in the middle of the ceremony, but was almost involved in a disturbance by a group of worshippers. Qiao Shi was so angry that she gave Yu Qingying a severe scolding.

It seems that even in this second life, there are still some things that cannot be avoided, so how can you blame her?

Yu Qingci: "When I went out, I thought there were other worshippers in the front yard, so I only sat in the pavilion in the bamboo forest at the back for a while to avoid them, and I didn't run into anyone."

Yu Qingying was even angrier: "Are you saying I don't know how to avoid suspicion?"

As Mrs. Qiao listened, her face grew increasingly grim. Her youngest daughter was utterly clueless, never thinking before she spoke. Besides, was this the time to be talking about this?

"Alright, alright, now that Qingci is back, all of you sisters should say less."

Qiao stepped forward, took Yu Qingci's hand, and said to Yuan Kong, "Master, this is my family's third daughter. Before she left today, her grandmother specifically asked me to have you calculate her future destiny."

Master Yuankong opened his eyes, looked Yu Qingci up and down, and nodded, saying, "This female benefactor has a full forehead and a radiant face; she is clearly a person of great fortune."

Qiao presented Yu Qingci's birth date and time. Master Yuankong squinted and calculated for a while, then said with a look of satisfaction, "Amitabha, so the young general's good match should be here. It's truly a case of finding a new path after a long and difficult journey."

Qiao concealed the smile on her lips and asked with feigned incomprehension, "What makes you say that, Master?"

Master Yuankong said, “This female benefactor’s birth chart is very compatible with the young general’s. If the two of them can form a good marriage, it will be the will of Heaven. The female benefactor will surely have a smooth life, and the young general will also be blessed in the afterlife. Moreover, the fortunes of both families will not be disturbed. It is truly a match made in heaven.”

Still reeling from the shock of the marriage falling apart, Madam Ning, supported by her daughter, suddenly brightened up upon hearing Master Yuankong's words. She looked at Yu Qingci incredulously and asked, "Master, do you mean that the fate of the third daughter of the Yu family is a good match for my son?"

Master Yuankong closed his eyes and nodded again.

Madam Qiao looked at Old Madam Ning with delight and said, "This is truly a blessing from heaven. We just thought the marriage was off, and I was worried that the young general's spirit in heaven would not be at peace. But now, thank God, my other daughter is able to continue her marriage with the young general."

Madam Ning looked at Madam Qiao uncertainly and asked, "Is this true? Is Madam really willing to exchange your third daughter for a marriage with our family?"

Madam Qiao nodded firmly: "Of course, this is a divination personally performed by the master, so we have no choice but to believe it. The Nanping Marquis's Mansion keeps its promise, and no matter which daughter it is, the marriage agreement with the General's Mansion will never be easily reneged on."

As she spoke, she took Yu Qingci's hand and said, "Good child, you just heard it too. Your marriage with the young general was predicted by the master of Taijue Temple. Let's hurry back to the manor and tell your father and grandmother this good news. I believe they will be pleased to know."

Yu Qingci looked bewildered, as if she hadn't quite figured out what was going on.

Yu Qingyan came over and took her other hand, saying, "I never expected such a big change to happen today. My third sister has such a destiny. I can only envy her now."

Qingci raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a half-smile: "What does Second Sister envy about me?"

Qingyan's expression froze. Yu Qingying was about to speak when Qiao Shi secretly pinched her arm, making her wince in pain but dare not utter another sound.

Qiao smiled and said, "Qingci, the Ningyuan General's Mansion is renowned in our dynasty. The young general was willing to die on the battlefield for the peace of the people. All we, the Nanping Earl's Mansion, can do now is to keep our promise and fulfill our original marriage agreement."

As you know, it was originally supposed to be your second sister who was to marry into the family. Even though I was reluctant, I had already started arranging her wedding. I had even prepared her dowry. But now there has been such a change.

"You are not only the daughter of my Nanping Marquis's family, but your marriage to the young general is also ordained by fate. I hope you can marry him without hesitation, just like your second sister, so as not to bring shame to our family."

After saying that, he stared intently at the changes on Yu Qingci's face.

Madam Ning had already accepted this fact. She walked over and looked at Yu Qingci with hopeful eyes, saying, "Good child, would you be willing to marry into my General's Mansion in place of your sister?"

Yu Qingci looked blankly at Old Madam Ning, then at Madam Qiao, and deliberately hesitated, saying, "But I've only just come of age and haven't thought about getting married so early. Besides, one's life's most important matter should be decided by one's parents. How can I have the right to speak? In this matter, a daughter should naturally listen to her father and grandmother."

Upon hearing this, Madam Qiao said with delight, "Good child, it's rare to see someone so well-mannered. Don't worry, I will discuss this matter with your grandmother and father myself when we get back."

After bidding farewell to Madam Ning, Madam Qiao led her daughters out of the main hall, holding Yu Qingci's hand the whole way. Yu Qingci tried to break free several times, but Madam Qiao held on tightly, so she could only give up and silently follow behind.

At this moment, Madam Qiao's eyes were full of tenderness as she chattered on about how the Ningyuan General's Mansion held a superior position in the court, and how Old Madam Ning was known for her kindness and love of getting along with people. She said that as long as she married into the family, her life would be more comfortable and carefree than that of most young mistresses of noble families in the capital, and she would be able to enjoy wealth and honor.

If Yu Qingci hadn't been given a second chance at life, she would have loved to propose such a wonderful marriage to this mother and daughter. She would have preferred to go after her second sister.

As the group walked out of the temple gate and was about to get into the car, they heard a surprised voice from behind.

"Is that Lady Nanping ahead?"

Everyone turned around and saw a woman who looked to be about forty or fifty years old walking briskly toward them.

Judging from the woman's attire, which was nothing more than an ordinary cotton gown, her hair was tied up in a bun with a common silver hairpin, and her earrings were also silver. Judging from her appearance, she did not seem to be a servant or nanny from a high-ranking family.

The woman stepped forward and bowed deeply to Madam Qiao, her smile utterly obsequious: "It really is Madam! I was afraid I had mistaken her for someone else. This morning, as soon as I stepped out the door, the magpies in the tree by the gate started chirping at me. I knew I would meet a distinguished person today. See? It's all come true!"

When Yu Qingci saw the woman in front of her, who was gesturing wildly and talking incessantly, her pupils suddenly contracted, and her hands involuntarily clenched.