Jinxi Yaojiashan Temple Fair

"That's naturally not something you need to worry about. Also, Tang Feng, I'm not Zhou Ziliang. I won't spoil you without limits. I hope you remember what it means for a ruler to be a guide for his subjects."

Tang Feng bowed to Li Yunrui. "Your Highness values ​​my son Ziliang, and as a result, you also give me a second glance. I am only benefiting from Ziliang's favor. However, Your Highness, rest assured, I will neither lend you a hand on your path to the throne nor become a stumbling block for you."

"Then...that would be the best."

The morning had passed in a blur, but thankfully, all the necessary tasks were completed. Tang Feng turned to look at the plaque that read "Prince Duan's Residence," and smiled. Yang Fei, though unreliable, always had a point: serving a ruler is like walking on thin ice. He figured in a few days, this plaque would be replaced with "Crown Prince's Residence." Although Prince Duan was benevolent, he was still a legitimate prince, possessing both authority and cunning. He simply wanted to stay in Xiling, avoiding conflict and ignoring everyone.

"Brother... I'm hungry!" Qin Liuliu had been waiting for Tang Feng in the carriage all morning. When she saw him come out, she rushed over to him. Tang Feng rubbed Qin Liuliu's head and said, "All you ever think about is eating. Let's go! If we don't go back soon, Sister Jiu will be worried sick!"

Tang Feng's guess was correct. Qin Jiujiu was indeed quite anxious. She hadn't seen Tang Feng and Qin Liuliu since early morning. After asking around, she learned that they had prepared a carriage early in the morning. Upon hearing this, Qin Jiujiu guessed that Tang Feng had taken Qin Liuliu to the pawnshop. She quickly called Zhang Mobai over and asked how to resolve the matter. "Tell me, why is Xiao Feng so stubborn? He said no, no, but the pawnshop isn't a place you can just go to and from whenever you want! I know he dotes on Liuliu, but he can't just do whatever he wants!"

Zhang Mobai sat to one side, watching Qin Jiujiu pacing anxiously, and smiled awkwardly, "Miss Jiu, please sit down and rest! Young master is never one to fool around; bringing Liu Liu along naturally indicates he has a plan."

Seeing that Qin Jiujiu still had a long face and was not happy, Zhang Mobai didn't know what to say. He simply told her he would go and keep watch at the entrance and left. Standing at the entrance, Zhang Mobai sat on the stone lion, rubbing the hem of his clothes. "Why hasn't my little brother come back yet?" Hearing the sound of horses' hooves, he looked up and quickly stood up. "Oh my brother! Where have you been? Miss Jiujiu was almost worried to death. She dragged me here before I even opened my eyes this morning!"

"I'll explain in detail later," Tang Feng said as he got off the carriage. "I'll go explain to my sister first." Seeing Tang Feng go inside, followed by Qin Liuliu, Zhang Mobai grabbed him and said, "Just calm down for a bit! Don't worry, your sister won't do anything to your brother, but I'm not so sure about you. Just stay with me quietly!" Indeed, as Zhang Mobai said, Tang Feng didn't hear any arguing after he went inside. When he came out, Qin Jiujiu smiled and said to Qin Liuliu, "Your brother Tang spoils you. Stay close to him and don't cause trouble. Mobai, Xiao Feng and I are discussing it. The Yaojiashan Temple Fair in Jinxi is starting in a few days. Let's go together then."

Zhang Mobai nodded. "If Miss Jiu says it's okay, then it's okay. You two set a date, and I'll go back and make preparations."

"The eighth day of the sixth lunar month is an auspicious day, and it's also the first day of the temple fair."

"How did you coax him?" Zhang Mobai nudged Tang Feng and whispered beside him.

"Ugh! Cry, make a scene, threaten suicide! That's the way my sister falls for it the most." Tang Feng said, pulling Zhang Mobai closer to him. "It never gets old."

The eighth day of the sixth lunar month was an auspicious day. When he woke up early in the morning, the sun was shining brightly. Looking at Liu Yiwan standing at the door, Tang Feng frowned. "How come there's such a thing?" He watched Qin Jiujiu and Qin Liuliu go upstairs, then turned and got into a dark white carriage. "Why aren't you with Miss Jiu?"

"Seeing Liu Yiwan makes me feel terrible," Tang Feng said with his eyes closed. What still haunted him was the time when he was sixteen, after Liu Yiwan betrayed him, and he was beaten for the first time. That memory was still vivid, and the pain would stay with him for a lifetime.

"So, Miss Jiu won't say anything to you?"

"How could that be? She'd be more than happy if I were!" Tang Feng gripped the car window and looked out. "Why is Yang Fei so slow and indecisive?"

"It's not that Yang Fei is slow, I think you're complaining that Zi Liang is slow," Zhang Mobai said, leaning back in the carriage. "Let's go first, they're on horseback, they're fast." Just as Zhang Mobai said, the carriage had barely left Xiling City when Zhou Ziliang and Yang Fei caught up. "Bai Bai, are you really ruthless! You didn't even wait for me!" Zhang Mobai took an apple out of the carriage and threw it to Yang Fei through the window. "Shut up!"

"Xiao Feng, were you waiting for me?" Zhou Ziliang rode his horse to the window, leaned down to meet Tang Feng's eyes, and Tang Feng slowly lowered the curtain. "Waiting for you? You're really putting on airs."

Arriving early at the temple fair is for praying for blessings, while arriving late is for fun. Tang Feng didn't really believe in these superstitions, but Qin Jiujiu did, insisting on burning the first incense stick of the day. Jinxi Yaojiashan wasn't far from Xiling, and they arrived while talking and eating along the way. As soon as they got off the carriage, Qin Liuliu rushed off like a car with a motor. Tang Feng, seeing this, called Liu Yiwan over and asked him to follow. Even though Liu Yiwan was unreliable, he was still good at these kinds of things. Liu Yiwan didn't hesitate and followed after receiving the order. "Liuliu, this child probably hasn't traveled far much except for that time she went to the academy to find you!" Zhang Mobai waved his folding fan and leaned forward, ignoring Yang Fei, who was tethering his horse behind him.

"Don't let Sister Jiu's gentle and soft-spoken manner fool you; she doesn't spoil Liu Liu at home."

"Liu Liu isn't a child anymore; he should see more of the world. Little brother, didn't you plan this all along? Taking Liu Liu to the pawnshop was just to give him some experience."

Tang Feng scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Yes... I did have that thought," but privately, Tang Feng knew that all his ulterior motives stemmed from simply wanting someone to serve him tea and water.

Out of curiosity, Qin Liuliu didn't wait for Tang Feng and ran straight in. If Liu Yiwan hadn't been skilled on his feet, he really wouldn't have been able to catch him. Qin Liuliu managed to climb all 9,999 steps from the foot of the mountain to the top using both hands and feet. "Oh my, my little darling, why are you running so fast! Have some pity on your brother, okay? My hip bones are about to fall off!"

Qin Liuliu rolled her eyes at Liu Yiwan. "You're not my brother! Don't try to take advantage of me, or I'll tell my sister."

"Fine, fine, I give up!" Liu Yiwan pointed to the prayer temple in front of them. "Since you're already up here, why don't you burn the first incense stick for your sister? You like your brother, right? Pray for his marriage and good fortune, since your sister will pray for him too."

Qin Liuliu thought for a moment. She naturally wouldn't refuse to help Tang Feng, so she nodded. "How should I pray for blessings?"

"That's simple. Once inside, there are three Bodhisattvas. Look closely at the one on the left; that's for praying for marriage. Kneel down and shake the divination sticks. Whatever stick you get, just repeat what you hear, then kowtow to make your vow."

Qin Liuliu nodded, seemingly understanding, and entered the temple. Seeing him go in, Liu Yiwan didn't want to disturb him further, so he found a shady spot near the entrance and waited for Qin Jiujiu and the others to come up. Once inside, Qin Liuliu deliberately turned his back, raised his left hand, and then looked over there. He placed ten copper coins on the incense table, picked up the divination stick container, and shook it. Seeing a stick fall, he quickly bent down to pick it up. Looking closely, he saw it read "Many children, many blessings." Upon seeing this, Qin Liuliu exclaimed, "Heaven's will! This is truly heaven's will!" He then clapped his hands together twice, pressing his palms together. As they were about to fulfill their vow at their own forehead, Tang Feng and Zhou Ziliang were pushed and shoved in by Zhang Mobai and his group, who said they wanted Tang Feng to pray for their marriage. Tang Feng and Zhou Ziliang went in and saw Qin Liuliu kneeling inside, performing a series of dramatic actions, kneeling there with utmost piety. "Isn't this what she's praying for?" Tang Feng walked over and heard Qin Liuliu say, "Your Majesty, please grant my brother a belly full of children." Tang Feng almost collapsed into Zhou Ziliang's arms, taking three steps in two, and slapped Qin Liuliu's head hard.

"Do you think I'm a fish? You're saying you're giving me a belly full of seeds? That's giving me a child! Bah! What would I do with a child? I don't have that ability!" Tang Feng pulled Qin Liuliu up and glanced at the fortune slip he had drawn. "Many children, many blessings? Why are you praying to the Goddess of Fertility?"

"Pfft! Okay, okay, don't be angry," Zhou Ziliang patted Tang Feng on the back. "Children say things without thinking, the old lady won't take it to heart."

Qin Liuliu, still reeling from Tang Feng's earlier slap, clutched her head, looking somewhat aggrieved. "The...the Goddess of Fertility? No! I came to pray for a good marriage...really!" Seeing Qin Liuliu's pitiful expression, Tang Feng sighed, hoping the old goddess wouldn't grant his wish, as that would be too frightening. He then pulled Qin Liuliu out the door. Qin Jiujiu, sitting outside, greeted Tang Feng upon his arrival, "So fast! Xiao Feng, you don't look well! Did your prayers not go as planned?"

But Tang Feng completely ignored Qin Jiujiu, grabbed Qin Liuliu and shouted, "Liu Yiwan, you little brat, get out here!" Zhang Mobai, sitting to the side, shook his head. He was angry, and it seemed he was quite upset this time. Zhang Mobai turned to look at Liu Yiwan, who was squatting behind him, and said, "Alright, alright, stop hiding. Your little brother is looking for you." Liu Yiwan knew that Qin Liuliu had probably messed things up, so he tried to slip away from behind, but Yang Fei grabbed him by the back of the neck and dragged him out. "Bai Bai told you to go, so just go. Your young master has a good temper; he won't eat you."

As soon as Liu Yiwan arrived, he saw Tang Feng standing with his hands on his hips, glaring angrily at him. Liu Yiwan stepped forward and chuckled, "Oh, young master, you came up pretty fast. So, did you get the fortune slip you wanted?"

"Liu Yiwan, stop giving me that nonsense. Tell me, why did you make Liu Liu go and pray to the Goddess of Fertility?"

"Goddess of Fertility?? Young Master, I swear to God! I told the young master it was on the left!"

Qin Liuli hid behind Tang Feng and tugged at his clothes. "Pah! I'm right next to Xu on his left. I specifically raised my left hand to look for him. How could I be wrong?"

"Hey! I told you to face the inside left side, but you're facing the outside, so how can that be the left side!"

"Alright, alright, hurry up and do what you need to do, my head hurts," Tang Feng waved his hand. Seeing Tang Feng was about to leave, Qin Liuliu was about to follow, but Liu Yiwan grabbed her arm. "Little darling, don't go! What are you going to do there? How embarrassing!"

Since transmigrating, Tang Feng has visited numerous temple fairs and lantern festivals, and the novelty has long since worn off. However, a stroll through them is still pleasant, serving as a way to pass the time.

Zhang Mobai didn't follow Tang Feng; he just wanted to take a leisurely stroll. "Oh, young master, please wait a moment. May I have my fortune told?" Zhang Mobai turned around and saw an old fortune teller. "Blind Liu?"

"It is indeed I," the fortune teller stood up and bowed to Zhang Mobai. "Please sit, young master."

"This...maybe we should just forget about it," Zhang Mobai hesitated, but Yang Fei immediately pressed him down onto a bench. "Bai Bai, why don't you give it a try! This old gentleman seems to be very accurate in his calculations."

"Oh my, young master, you have a good eye! I'm not bragging, but I can tell you everything—marriages, official matters, even prayers for good fortune. I see you two are destined for each other. How about this? I'll tell your marriage fortune slips and charge you one less slip."

Upon hearing this, Yang Fei thought, "Isn't this perfect?" He casually picked up a fortune stick from the tube, which read, "Great fortune; a hundred years of cultivation brings us to share a boat ride, a thousand years of cultivation brings us to share a pillow—a match made in heaven."

"That's great!" Yang Fei rubbed the tip of his nose with his finger.

Zhang Mobai frowned, pushed Yang Fei aside, and took a fortune stick for himself. "Great fortune: May we be birds flying wing to wing in heaven, and trees with intertwined branches on earth—flying together as a pair." Zhang Mobai's frown deepened, reassuring himself, "Don't be afraid, it's just not allowed, it's just not allowed." "Great fortune: Two phoenixes perch on the phoenix tree branch, and mandarin ducks stand side by side among the lotus blossoms—a divine couple."

"No, no, no!" Zhang Mobai pulled another one out of the tube. "I just don't believe it!"

The fortune slip was tossed onto the table, and the two huddled together to look at it: "A hundred years of loving devotion, two hearts bound together; a thousand miles of destiny, tied by a single thread—growing old together in happiness."

"...I said...Grandpa," Zhang Mobai clutched the skewer slips in his hand, "are all of these skewer slips...the same?"

Upon hearing this, Blind Liu became displeased, stood up, and slammed his hand on the table, causing the fortune sticks beside him to tremble. "What do you know, you little brat? Although my hearing is poor, my fortune-telling is the most accurate. In my fortune-telling container, there are over a hundred sticks, and only four are the best. If you don't believe me, see for yourselves."

As Yang Fei apologized, he examined the fortune sticks in the container. "Bye... there really are only four very auspicious ones."

"I'm not playing anymore. Go do whatever you need to do! I'm going to find my little brother." Zhang Mobai turned and left after hearing this. Yang Fei quickly handed the fortune sticks to Liu the Blind Man to put away. "Bai Bai, fate is inescapable! Fate is inescapable!" After saying that, he turned to follow him. "Young master! Fortune telling costs money." Just as he was about to leave, Liu the Blind Man grabbed Yang Fei's arm.

"How much silver?" Liu the Blind Man chuckled and said, "The worst fortune is one tael, the worst is two taels, the middle is five taels, the best is ten taels, and the best is fifty taels. You and that young master drew four best fortunes, so it should be two hundred taels. I just said I'd give you one, so you should give me one hundred and fifty taels." Yang Fei froze upon hearing this. "Old man, are you fortune teller or robbing me? One hundred and fifty taels is a rip-off!" Liu the Blind Man placed the best fortunes Yang Fei and Zhang Mobai had drawn on the table and said, "Oh, young master! You need to think long-term. It takes a lot of luck to draw four best fortunes. One hundred and fifty taels isn't a loss..."