The inner courtyard of the imperial palace, the emperor's study.

Gu Zhan stood below with his head bowed, his attitude respectful yet not servile. The emperor, having heard of Xu Nian's deeds among the common people, summoned him to inquire about them.

After he finished recounting the whole story without any embellishment, she thought for a moment and said, "Miss Xu is kind-hearted, courageous and resourceful. I don't think anyone else could be so generous and selfless."

The emperor nodded slightly. "Hearing you say that, I'd really like to meet this girl." He knew Gu Zhan well; he rarely commented on anyone. Now that he was praising Xu Nian so highly, it seemed that the woman was truly capable.

Upon hearing this, the personal eunuch glanced at Gu Zhan's expression and then said with a glint in his eye, "In that case, why don't we have General Gu bring Miss Xu into the palace? Such an extraordinary woman must have some remarkable qualities."

Outside the palace, in front of a secluded alley in the north of the city, a very low-key carriage was parked. Wang Er stood by the carriage window, holding onto his canvas, looking uneasy.

A delicate hand emerged from inside, revealing the pretty face of the person inside. "This is the deposit. If you can ruin that woman's reputation, we will certainly reward you handsomely."

Holding the heavy bag of silver coins, Wang Er grinned so hard his face was all bunched up. "Don't worry, girl! With her mediocre skills, I'll definitely handle things perfectly for you, so that girl will never dare to set up her stall again!"

"Xiao Hong, let's go." The person in the carriage seemed quite satisfied with his words and gave the order. Under Wang Er's respectful gaze and movements, they slowly left the deserted place.

"My fortune teller, my shoulders have been aching lately. Could you please tell me if I've offended someone who's wronged me?"

Xu Nian's lips twitched. "With your symptoms, you should go to the clinic across the street." As she spoke, she took out a lucky charm and handed it over. "Next."

This person looks really fierce.

[He wasn't exactly fierce, just had shifty eyes and didn't look like a good person.]

[Don't judge a book by its cover, okay? That's just how they look; it doesn't mean they're not a good person.]

Wang Er, hunched over, his gaze darting back and forth across the stall, said, "This gentleman, Master Xu. I'd like to have my fortune told to see when I'll become rich. You..."

"Birth date and time, one divination, fifty coins, plus a free amulet. Pay first, then the divination, no refund if you're not satisfied." Xu Nian glanced at the person in front of her. His narrow eyes were darting around. Judging by appearances wasn't a good idea, but she had a gut feeling that this person had some ulterior motive.

Wang Er rubbed his hands together, then seemed stunned upon hearing this: "This, this, I have no money. Can you tell my fortune for free? I really, I can barely afford to eat."

They can't even afford a meal, yet they come here to have their fortune told?

Plain linen clothing was the common style worn by ordinary people in the capital, but this person's clothes looked to be made of better quality fabric. It was probably more expensive cotton, and yet he was telling her he couldn't afford to eat?

Xu Nian twitched her fingers slightly, putting the tortoise shell and brush back in their original positions. "Uncle, I'm just a small business owner. I don't offer credit. You'd be better off using the money you have to buy some steamed buns. This divination is just for peace of mind."

[Exactly! They come for fortune telling even though they have no money for food, and they don't even want to pay! I'm speechless.]

[You absolutely mustn't agree to that, streamer. If you do, nobody will pay you anymore.]

Wang Er's eyes darted away, and he immediately knelt down, frowning. "My sage, benefactor! I beg you! Everyone says you're a great philanthropist, please tell my fortune! I beg you!"

His forehead hit the ground with a loud thud, a sound that was heartbreaking to hear.

Sure enough, someone nearby suggested, "Fortune teller, why don't you give him a free fortune telling? This guy looks rather pitiful."

"That's right, it's just a divination, it's not a big deal."

"Stop kowtowing! Your head is about to break open! Immortal, you're a good person, but this person is in such a state, aren't you going to do anything about it?"

Wang Er's forehead quickly turned red, and the sight of blood flowing down his temple was shocking.

Xu Nian watched coldly; she had seen this kind of moral blackmail many times before, back in the mountain gate. This door to free fortune-telling absolutely could not be opened today.

Otherwise, how can I continue doing this business?

She bent down to help the man up, but he dodged her, so she simply let go and stood aside. "It's just a divination. Is there anyone here willing to pay these fifty coins for him?"

Everyone avoided her gaze.

Fifty coins could buy twenty large steamed buns. None of the people here are particularly wealthy; they've only come for fortune-telling to join in the fun. Who would have the money to spend another fifty coins these days?

"Aren't you a great philanthropist? Fifty coins isn't a lot of money, why can't you waive it?" A woman's voice suddenly came from the crowd.

Hearing this, everyone began to agree, saying that Xu Nian had to do something practical since he had taken on this title, otherwise he would be contradicting himself.

"You little girl, how can you be so heartless at such a young age? This person is already in such a state; fortune-telling is just a small favor. Why don't you help?"

That's really easy for someone who's not in the situation to talk!

This moral blackmail is really effective.

[Is it possible that someone deliberately made the streamer do this? I find this very suspicious.]

There are always strange things happening every year, but this year there seem to be an unusually large number.

[The streamer should just agree to his request; what if he really has some kind of reason for his distress?]

Xu Nian remained unmoved, meeting the questioning gazes of the crowd with a firm and resolute tone, "Whoever said I'm a great philanthropist, go find them! My family isn't wealthy either; I only support my two younger brothers on this meager income. If I offer one free divination today and two free divinations tomorrow, how am I supposed to make a living?!"

“If this uncle really can’t afford to eat, there are charitable organizations in the capital. There are plenty of jobs in this huge city. He can solve his food problem first and then come here to have his fortune told. Why lose face and dignity here and struggle to survive? Everyone here has family matters to attend to. You are wasting everyone’s time.”

"What's wrong?" Gu Zhan left the palace and arrived at Xu Nian's stall, where he saw it surrounded by crowds.

Someone recognized him and automatically made way for him. The general took three steps at a time and walked quickly to the girl's side. His gaze swept around, and he understood the situation perfectly without even thinking.

Before he could speak, a young girl, wrung out her handkerchief and with flushed cheeks, approached him. "This uncle wants his fortune told, but he's penniless. He's begged Miss Xu for so long, even kowtowing until his forehead bleeds, but Miss Xu still won't agree. He looks quite pitiful."