fortune telling
Gu Sidu's first words were to Daoyun: "Madam is in the room calculating Miss Shen's fate. Everyone knows that my madam is the most accurate at this. Whatever she says will come true. You should all stay away and not disturb her, otherwise you will miss the secrets of heaven."
Seeing Gu Sidu acting so erratically, Daoyun didn't ask any further questions. Something was definitely amiss. Daoyun walked over, shielded his eyes with his sword, and lowered his head to speak to Gu Sidu: "My lord, I just went to investigate. It's Miss Shen's father. Lord Shen is next door."
"Understood." Gu Sidu nodded, indicating that Daoyun didn't need to say anything. This was perfect; the hype had been built up, and all that was needed was for Jiang Yufan to put on a good show.
Daoyun felt relieved, but then she looked at Gu Sidu, her expression changed, and she coughed lightly a few times: "Sir, you didn't do anything to us Buddhist nuns while you were in the room, did you?"
Gu Sidu's eyes flickered as he recalled everything that had just happened. The Bodhisattva had personally taken his hand, served him food, and leaned against his chest. He had memorized the Bodhisattva's fragrance; he would make a point of finding that fragrance to blend in the future.
It smells so good, it's like a Bodhisattva.
However, he couldn't tell Daoyun about these intimate encounters; if he did, he wouldn't survive the night. He could only say guiltily, "No, I was very respectful to the Bodhisattva just now."
He had better prioritize the overall situation and stand with Gu Sidu on either side of him at the door, waiting for Jiang Yufan to come out.
Outside, snow was falling heavily, and guards stood watch at the door, but inside, anticipation filled the air. Jiang Yufan watched as Shen Qianqiu stretched out his hand. She merely glanced at it perfunctorily; how could she possibly understand these things? But he didn't understand, and neither did the young lady of the Shen family. These birth dates and destiny matters—she would simply say a few words that Shen Qianqiu wouldn't comprehend to brush him off.
Since Shen Qianqiu likes storybooks and admires talented scholars and beautiful women, then she should describe a few characteristics according to Gu Sidu to convince Shen Qianqiu. After that, she should take out some things she brought specially and let Shen Qianqiu cast the fortune sticks and make her own calculations.
Jiang Yufan was familiar with these methods.
She first acted mysteriously, making Shen Qianqiu believe everything and nod repeatedly. Then she took out the box that Gu Sidu had been carrying for her, took out a divination tube from it, and said to Shen Qianqiu, "Wash your hands, shake the divination tube, and silently recite your wish and the kind of person you are asking for. I will interpret the divination for you."
At this point, Shen Qianqiu had no reason not to believe. She sincerely drew a fortune stick. When the fortune stick came to Jiang Yufan, Jiang Yufan looked down and saw that the words written on it were not important. Jiang Yufan was puzzled. She had something to say to Shen Qianqiu. If Shen Qianqiu went home and told her father, that would be Jiang Yufan's purpose.
"Your fortune slip says that your future husband is the reincarnation of the star Wuqu. You cannot find him among civil officials, but rather among military officers who will take the imperial examinations in the future."
Jiang Yufan's move was to first distance herself from Gu Sidu's involvement, but that was too obvious, so Jiang Yufan continued, "Judging from this fortune slip, it's not the best one, but your future husband will be the one who can save your family's life."
"What does this mean?" Shen Qianqiu didn't understand.
"The Shen family will face calamity in the future, but this is a secret of heaven that cannot be revealed. If you wish to overcome this calamity, then your future husband will be the one to avert it." Jiang Yufan closed her eyes, truly as if she were speaking to someone.
"By seeing through your obsessions, letting go of the past, and seeking out those with whom you are destined, you can be reborn."
You need to let go of Gu Sidu.
Jiang Yufan watched Shen Qianqiu's reaction, hoping she hadn't given herself away and hadn't messed up Gu Sidu's performance. Shen Qianqiu pondered for a moment, then stood up and said to Jiang Yufan, "Madam Gu, you have a face like Guanyin, reminding me that the Shen family is in trouble. I believe you. I will have my father reconsider my marriage. Today, I will consider you a friend and will explain to my father that I will not disturb you and Lord Gu."
"I used to admire Lord Gu to some extent, but I also know that as a member of the Shen family, I have something to do for the Shen family. Don't worry, now that I have this direction, I will find someone who treats you as well as Lord Gu did for you, and I will not compromise easily."
Jiang Yufan felt a pang of regret. She had only mentioned it casually, yet it had led Shen Qianqiu to set her sights on military generals. She wondered if this might cause her to miss out on a good match. However, if she were to suggest civil officials as well, Gu Sidu would be troubled, as she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Jiang Yufan nodded slightly to Shen Qianqiu in greeting. Watching Shen Qianqiu open the door and leave, she realized that her casual ramblings earlier were just like those of the person who had lied to her to trick her into entering Chenxiang Temple in order to achieve her own goals.
She became the person she hated most, for her own selfish purposes.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yufan lowered her head.
After opening the door, Shen Qianqiu went straight to the next room. Gu Sidu and Daoyun also entered the room. They saw Jiang Yufan with her head down in the room. Gu Sidu quickly went over and sat down next to Jiang Yufan.
"Buddha, did you fail?" Daoyun asked with concern.
Jiang Yufan shook his head: "No, Lady Gu should not be entangled, but I feel a little guilty towards her because with just a few words, her life will be changed, and I am the one who started it."
“Even a Bodhisattva shouldn’t think like that,” Gu Sidu poured more tea and said, “People may not believe what you say casually. If they did, then the Bodhisattva didn’t say anything bad about Miss Shen in those words. Miss Shen is still Miss Shen. But that monk wanted the Bodhisattva to give up wealth and status. He didn’t consider the Bodhisattva’s feelings at all. In comparison, the Bodhisattva is much kinder.”
"Besides, the Bodhisattva is just a fake Bodhisattva anyway, how could his words come true? You shouldn't worry about those things, let's go home, nothing will happen."
That makes sense, but Jiang Yufan looked at Gu Sidu and gave him a polite smile.
These words don't sound like praise for Jiang Yufan; who would want to be praised as a fake bodhisattva?
Jiang Yufan's persistent smile made Gu Sidu realize what was going on, and he immediately reached out his hand to beg for forgiveness: "I misspoke. Although the Bodhisattva is a fake Bodhisattva, he is still a very lucky one, a good Bodhisattva who can get whatever he wants, a little lucky star!"
"Actually, I'm not just making this up. The fortune slip says something similar to what I said. I've been trying to see if what I think is the same as what I get."
Speaking of which, Jiang Yufan had previously calculated her and Gu Sidu's birth dates and times.
"Did the result confirm it? Was it accurate?" Gu Sidu pressed. "What were the results calculated based on our birth dates and times?"
"Do you really want to hear this?" Jiang Yufan asked.
"Yes, you really should listen."
Jiang Yufan said, "The calculation shows that our birth charts are incompatible, so there's no future for us."
How could such a compassionate face utter such cold words? Gu Sidu closed his eyes and took a deep breath, while Dao Yun beside him couldn't help but burst out laughing. Gu Sidu regulated his breathing, opened his eyes again, and said to Jiang Yufan, "I don't think that's accurate."
"Where there's a will, there's a way. I'm determined to overcome anything. As long as I'm determined, I can have a future with the Bodhisattva."
Hearing Gu Sidu's determination, Jiang Yufan smiled helplessly. She said seriously, "Whether it's accurate or not, we'll only know when we get there. Before I left, I also asked Buddha and Bodhisattva, which is why I said those things just now. If they believe it, and if it's not accurate, then it can only be considered that I'm not skilled enough."
Eight years at Chenxiang Temple—for those without innate wisdom, no amount of effort is of any use.
Some things simply cannot be forced.
Gu Sidu didn't care about any of that. He only cared about whether his birth date and time were truly incompatible with the Bodhisattva's. He was going to ask that question, but suddenly someone stopped at the door. Jiang Yufan and Gu Sidu both stopped talking and looked at the door.
Standing at the door were Lord Shen and Shen Qianqiu. At this moment, Jiang Yufan looked at Gu Sidu and subtly moved two steps closer to Gu Sidu.
Who knew the door was left open? Who knew someone would come back to ambush them?
Jiang Yufan tugged at Gu Sidu's sleeve from under the table. Gu Sidu immediately understood, put down his teacup, and leaned forward to drink the cup in Jiang Yufan's hand. Gu Sidu pretended to be casual and said, "Madam, please give me the tea in your hand. The tea in your hand is more fragrant."
Jiang Yufan had no choice but to force a smile and hand the teacup to Gu Sidu. Gu Sidu, however, simply tilted his head back and drank it down. To onlookers, it looked as if Jiang Yufan was feeding Gu Sidu tea, and even more so, tea that his wife had already drunk from.
"Husband, someone's here," Jiang Yufan said to Gu Sidu, taking over the role.
Gu Sidu then looked towards the door and said to the people outside, "Lord Shen, Miss Shen, when did you arrive?"
Gu Sidu helped Jiang Yufan up by the hand before getting up himself to greet them.
Lord Shen could see through these little tricks, but he didn't expose them. He simply said, "Lord Gu, the wind and snow outside are very heavy, and the road I took to pick up my daughter is difficult to travel. This place is too far from your residence, but my home is nearby. Why don't you and your wife stay at my residence for the night?"
"We can't be late for court tomorrow, don't you think?"
Good heavens, so this was what they were waiting for. They'd set up yet another obstacle. Lord Shen didn't actually believe them; they needed to continue the charade. Staying at the Shen family's house was naturally a good idea; husband and wife couldn't sleep in separate rooms. This was a golden opportunity for Gu Sidu. He turned to look at Jiang Yufan.
All we need to do is wait for Jiang Yufan's approval.
Upon hearing Lord Shen's words, Dao Yun frowned slightly. If she went along, the reputation of the Buddhist nun might not be preserved, but if she didn't go...
Jiang Yufan hadn't expected things to turn out this way. With four pairs of eyes staring at her, she felt like she had a fishbone stuck in her throat, unable to agree or refuse.
They were a fake couple, but there was genuine affection in Gu Sidu's eyes.
Jiang Yufan's throat tightened. She could only take Gu Sidu's arm and lower her eyes, saying, "Of course I will listen to my husband."
"Then let's go!"
Gu Sidu's voice was a little too smug, and Daoyun gripped the sword in his arms tighter.
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