Chapter 42 Fellow villager, you really acted like a charlatan!
As the bell rang three times, the monks of Longhua Temple lined up and marched out.
Abbot Xuanmi of Longhua Temple slowly walked out, holding a gilded Zen staff. His voice suddenly resounded throughout the courtyard, not loud but as if it were right next to our ears: "Everyone, by imperial decree, today we will choose those who are blessed with good fortune to bless our Great Lin Kingdom with a long and prosperous reign."
Those present were generally aware of the true purpose of the banquet and were not overly surprised.
The young monk proclaimed loudly, "We respectfully welcome the Imperial Preceptor to pray for the well-being of all people!"
A figure in white robes and wide sleeves arrived, bathed in the golden sunlight. A plain gauze hat hung down to the ground, and with each step, the bronze bells hanging from her waist rang out with a clear, crisp sound.
"It's the Imperial Advisor!"
During the gathering, everyone cast curious glances at him, after all, the Grand Preceptor was too mysterious, and no one had ever seen his true face.
Li Bao'er's hand, which was holding a teacup, suddenly trembled. As Fang Xu passed by her desk, the light veil of his hat fluttered without wind, revealing half of his jade-like chin. The smile on his thin lips reminded her of a snow fox she had glimpsed on a winter night—breathtakingly beautiful, yet chillingly cold.
"You've been waiting for a long time." Fang Xu stopped next to Abbot Xuanmi and gave a slight bow to the abbot.
Xuanmi nodded, his wise eyes beneath his white eyebrows sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on the second-floor pavilion beside the courtyard. He clasped his hands together and spoke in a booming voice: "Amitabha, on behalf of all the monks of Longhua Temple, I respectfully welcome His Highness Prince Jing to witness this Heavenly Selection Ceremony."
A sudden mountain wind picked up, scattering golden fragments of ginkgo leaves across the ground.
A figure in crimson purple shattered the dappled sunlight and flew straight down from the second floor, its python-patterned robes fluttering in the wind.
The jade belt around Mu Cenlin's waist reflected a cold, sharp light, making his narrow waist appear as sharp as a blade, and giving him an imposing presence with every step.
The light-colored scar under his right eye looked startling in the sunlight, and his brows and eyes were covered with frost that had never melted for thousands of years, as if he were a god of death banished from the ninth heaven.
"Your Highness Prince Jing!" came a loud exclamation from the crowd.
The wind he stirred up as he walked carried an aura of iron and blood. His robe swept across the bluestone steps, revealing the dragon pattern embroidered on the lining. Each scale was embroidered with silver thread mixed with human hair, and legend has it that it could suppress evil spirits.
Once they regained their senses, the crowd rose and bowed, saying in unison, "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Jing."
Fang Xu's white robes fluttered wildly in the wind, and his veil and gauze hat lifted halfway up on their own, only to be hurriedly pressed down by him.
Everyone was then shocked to realize that the two men, one in black and one in white, formed an incredibly stark contrast, like the contrast between a god and a demon.
Fang Xu stepped forward. "It is an honor for Your Highness to grace me with your presence." Fang Xu stopped three steps in front of Mu Cen's seat, tilting his veil slightly as a gesture of respect.
But this imperial advisor treated Prince Jing with the same courtesy! This was clearly a great disrespect!
Mu Cenlin was not annoyed. He walked straight past the altar and sat down in the head seat, saying, "Let's begin."
The three words silenced the entire courtyard, yet everyone obeyed obediently.
Taking this opportunity, Li Bao'er once again stole a glance at Fang Xu's wrist, where the peculiar pattern was now completely covered by the white gauze.
With a wave of his wide sleeves, twelve boys and girls filed in, each carrying a star chart.
Behind them, a graceful figure emerged slowly, her pomegranate-red skirt sweeping across the blue bricks, the gold-embroidered butterflies and flowers shimmering in the sunlight. Who else could it be but Li Yan?
"It's actually Miss Li the Second!" The room erupted in discussion.
Li Yan's face was as beautiful as a lotus flower, but the corners of her eyes were tinged with an unnatural blush.
Under the curious and surprised gazes of the crowd, Fang Xu personally welcomed Li Yan over. "Everyone, half a month ago, I observed the stars at night and saw the Vermilion Bird constellation shining in the direction of the Li residence. The next day, the Second Miss came to the temple to pray for blessings. I deduced the secrets of heaven and found that she was destined to have the arrival of a phoenix."
Fang Xu paused for a moment and then grasped Li Yan's hand. "That's why we're having this banquet today."
Fang Xu waved his sleeve, and wisps of green smoke suddenly rose from the altar. "If someone's destiny is more noble than the Second Miss's, then it is an auspicious sign ordained by Heaven. Otherwise, the only auspicious sign for Da Lin can be Miss Li."
As soon as Fang Xu finished speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar.
"Miss Li the Second? Her?" Someone at the table immediately sneered, their voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone to hear. "A concubine's daughter from the common people, dares to call herself an auspicious omen?"
"Shh!" The person next to him hurriedly tugged at his sleeve, but couldn't help glancing at Li Bao'er. "Keep your voice down."
All eyes darted back and forth between the Li sisters, whispers spreading like wildfire. Who didn't know that Li Xiangyuan favored his illegitimate daughter? If Li Yan truly became the chosen one today, the eldest Miss Li, who only held the title of legitimate daughter, would likely become a laughingstock.
"Interesting." The daughter of the Minister of Personnel covered her lips with her fan and deliberately raised her voice, "I heard that Miss Li's birth mother came from a brothel back in the day?"
Immediately, some of Li Yan's supporters retorted, "What nonsense! You all judge a person by their family background. Sister Yan'er is proficient in all the arts, unlike some people." Their gazes swept meaningfully towards Li Bao'er, "All she does all day is chase after men."
Li Bao'er lowered her eyes and sipped her tea, as if she hadn't heard the discussions.
Li Yu was furious, her face turning ashen, her fists clenched so tightly they cracked. She was about to rush forward to argue when Bao'er stopped her with a look. She wanted to see just how far Li Yan was going to go.
Li Zhou sat to the side with a furrowed brow and disapproval in his eyes.
From the altar, Li Yan took in everything.
The crimson at the corners of her eyes intensified, and she deliberately leaned closer to Fang Xu, saying in a coquettish voice, "Grand Preceptor, they seem... not to believe it."
Fang Xu chuckled lightly and waved his wide sleeves.
The wisp of smoke suddenly condensed into a phoenix phantom, which circled around Li Yan three times before suddenly disappearing into her forehead.
Everyone present was shocked, and Li Bao'er watched with great interest. This fellow villager's portrayal of the charlatan was so lifelike.
If his abilities didn't impress these ancient people, it would be a disservice to his coming from the future.
Although 001 hasn't really confirmed that Fang Xu is another time traveler, she's almost certain that he's watched a lot of fantasy dramas.
Could Fang Xu's mission be to find the chosen one to safeguard the fate of the Great Lin Kingdom?
Li Bao'er connected with 001 again: "Shouldn't the one destined for this world be Mu Cenlin?"
001, observing the energy fluctuations on the numerical panel, has confirmed that Fang Xu's acrobatic skills originated from another system. [Logically, that makes sense; this person's mission is rather strange.]
"I may have to disappear for a few days again. I need to go back to headquarters to investigate," 001 said solemnly.
"Then go ahead, it won't make a difference if you leave in a few more days anyway." Hearing that 001 was leaving, Li Bao'er didn't actually have much of an emotional reaction.
She's used to being strong... well... actually, she's out of options.
Fang Xu gently grasped Li Yan's hand, his veil facing the crowd, "Now, does anyone have any doubts?"
The room was deathly silent. Suddenly, a soft laugh broke the silence.
"I have a question."
Mu Cenlin stood up at some point, and looked at Fang Xu with a half-smile: "The Imperial Preceptor's magic trick is more exciting than the street acrobatics."
"Why don't you explain why this smoke smells so much like datura from the Western Regions?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com