Chapter 38 Offering an Umbrella Before the Rain, Drawing Fortune Sticks at the Temple
A light rain was falling outside the window, and raindrops dripped down the eaves, making the gardenia branches and leaves in the corner tremble.
A short while later, the rain stopped and the clouds cleared.
Zhang Ting straightened her clothes in front of the mirror. This dark purple robe was made by an embroiderer that Xiao Yi had ordered. The gauze was light and flowing, and the texture was soft and delicate. She wore a jade pendant with a floral and bird pattern at her waist. Overall, she looked both precious and elegant, and was in no way inferior to noble ladies from aristocratic families.
After everything was packed up, Zheng Er came to report that the carriages and horses were ready.
Zhang Ting walked slowly, her robes swaying in the wind, which accentuated her graceful figure and elegant demeanor.
A figure chased after them from inside the door, shouting, "Wait—"
Zhang Ting stopped and turned around to look.
The boy ran quickly to her, his face flushed and slightly out of breath, and handed her the oil-paper umbrella.
He looked up and stared intently at Zhang Ting, his eyes brighter than starlight, a faint smile playing on his lips. He said, "I wonder if the weather will change again this afternoon. Miss, please take this umbrella with you, just in case."
Zhang Ting looked away, her gaze falling on the scratches on the umbrella handle, and softly instructed, "There's no need to wait for me for dinner today."
He nodded, lowered his eyes, and said softly, "Then remember to come back soon..."
"Hmm." With that, he grasped the umbrella and stepped into the carriage.
Li Ruilian sat in the front room in place of the coachman, and drove the carriage slowly away from the Zhang residence.
While the atmosphere here was harmonious and pleasant, the Xu family residence was in complete chaos.
Xu Lan gritted her teeth and complained to Xu You, "You have no idea what kind of arrogance that Zhang Ting had that day! My mother even scolded me for her!"
She was still furious, so she slammed her hand on the table and overturned the cups and saucers, shattering them on the floor.
Although Xu You had some complaints about Zhang Ting's association with Luo Zijun, she greatly admired Zhang Ting's character.
Xu You frowned and retorted, "Sister Zhang is of noble character and polite in manners. How could she be the arrogant and domineering person that my cousin describes?"
"Cousin, don't take your anger out on others just because your aunt scolded you."
Xu Lan had his back to her, his face dark and terrifying.
When Xu Shan came to see her daughter, she looked up and met this face. Her expression immediately darkened. Looking at the mess on the ground, what else could she not understand?
First, let Xu You return to his room and instruct the maid to close the doors and windows tightly.
"Kneel down!"
Xu Lan clenched his fists, suppressing the turbulent emotions within him, and knelt straight on the ground.
Xu Shan went outside and pulled up a thick, long vine from the bushes. When she saw her stubborn temper, she was furious!
She gripped the rattan cane and lashed it hard against Xu Lan, lowering her voice: "I've painstakingly raised you for over twenty years, and you've turned out to be such a vicious person?!"
"I'll teach you to have such wild ideas!"
"I'll teach you to be indiscriminate in your likes and dislikes!"
Each lash struck Xu Lan, causing her to groan in pain. She clenched her fists and knelt upright again. Soil fell as the vines trembled, some scattering on the ground and some splashing into her eyes, stinging her and bringing tears to her eyes.
Seeing her daughter in tears, Xu Shan sighed and threw away the rattan cane. She suddenly squatted down in front of her, gripped her shoulders tightly with both hands, and her old eyes glistened with tears.
"The Xu family can't withstand any more trouble, my dear!"
Xu Lan bit her lip hard and shook her head. "Mother, I'm not reconciled. Why?!"
Stubborn and unruly!
Enraged, Xu Shan slapped her hard across the face, yelling, "You wretched child!"
Xu Lan covered the numb half of her face, brushed the hair away from her eyes, and remained silent.
Xu Shan took a deep breath, got up and opened the door.
He summoned the butler and coldly ordered, "From now on, without my permission, Miss is not allowed to step out of her room!"
"yes."
......
Zhang Ting and Qiu Yuan met at the foot of Pingji Mountain, but they still had to wait for the other two ladies to go up the mountain together.
With nothing else to do, Qiu Yuan praised Zhang Ting's unique outfit, saying she wondered how many young men it would charm.
Zhang Ting also praised her for her elegant demeanor, saying she was a model of a noblewoman from a prominent family.
The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.
Soon, two carriages arrived side by side.
The two women were dressed in different colors. One wore a light green gown with a jade pendant in a ring around her waist. She was tall and exuded an air of nobility. The other wore a dark blue brocade robe with a snow-white cloak draped over her shoulders. She was pale and frail.
Zhang Ting also knew one of them.
As the man passed by Zhang Ting, he glanced at her and gave her a loud "humph."
Qiu Yuan pulled Zhang Ting aside and whispered in her ear, "Little sister, don't take Xu Zhengrong's words to heart. That's just how stubborn she is."
Qiu Yuan was actually quite speechless. She hadn't initially planned to invite Xu Zhengrong out for a trip. At the time, she was discussing with her friends who to invite, and this guy overheard her and actually came over to ask why she wasn't invited?
Grand Secretary Xu wielded immense power, and Qiu Yuan dared not offend Xu Zhengrong, so she sent him a copy of the letter.
When Xu Zhengrong's other friends at the Imperial College heard that she was coming, they had all agreed, but then they quietly turned their backs on her.
Therefore, only four people traveled together this time.
Qiu Yuan introduced another person to Zhang Ting, "This is Fang Ting, a man of exceptional talent and learning, from Zhangzhou Prefecture."
Upon hearing this, Fang Ting nodded slightly to Zhang Ting.
"I've heard about it for a long time."
Zhang Ting smiled faintly: "So we're from the same hometown? I'm also from Zhangzhou Prefecture."
Fang Ting was surprised, and then carefully examined Zhang Ting, asking her where in Zhangzhou Prefecture she was from and whether her parents were still alive.
Zhang Ting smiled bitterly: "I was originally from Luchuan County, but later I met... Judu... Alas!"
Fang Ting was also from Luchuan County, Zhangzhou Prefecture. He had witnessed the riot and survived by chance. Upon hearing this, he immediately understood what Zhang Ting meant.
"Please accept my condolences, sister!"
Zhang Ting looked melancholy, her eyes reddening, and waved her hand, saying, "I'm used to it."
Fang Ting lowered her eyes, empathizing with Zhang Ting's sadness, and took out a handkerchief to hand to her.
Having shared similar experiences and being from the same hometown, Fang Ting immediately became friendly towards Zhang Ting.
The three of them went up the mountain together.
Ahead, Xu Zhengrong turned around and saw this scene. His face turned pale. He exhaled and turned to go up the mountain with a sullen face.
We arrived at Guoan Temple at the end of the 9-11 AM.
Qiu Yuan suggested that they go and draw lots, and the other two naturally agreed.
The document wobbled and fell to the ground.
Qiu Yuan drew the image of "An ancient mirror is restored to its original state, and the woman seeks a husband again while the man remarries."
She had come to inquire about her career prospects, but instead drew a fortune slip about love and marriage, including the idea of a broken mirror being mended. It sounded very bitter, and her face immediately fell.
What Fang Ting sought was to unexpectedly meet a kindred spirit and, together, ascend to the heavens.
Zhang Ting stared at the fortune slip in her hand, which read: "One day, your life will be transformed, and you will leap over the dragon gate."
It was clearly a good omen, which even brightened Zhang Ting's mood.
The three of them took the fortune sticks to be interpreted.
The young nun looked up at Qiu Yuan, then down at the fortune slip, and wondered, "It's a very auspicious slip, indicating good fortune in marriage and wealth. Why are you looking so worried?"
Qiu Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed heartily: "That's good, that's good!"
The young nun took Fang Ting's fortune slip and interpreted it as: "A chance encounter with a kindred spirit will bring the help of a benefactor, turning misfortune into good fortune; this is a medium fortune."
For some reason, upon hearing this, Fang Ting subconsciously glanced at Zhang Ting.
The young nun took Zhang Ting's fortune slip, her brows furrowed, and said to her, "Your Majesty, this is an unfavorable fortune slip."
Zhang Ting's smile froze instantly.
"This divination slip says that a woman should remain calm and patient, and wait for the right opportunity; otherwise, great misfortune will ensue."
"In addition, marriage will be difficult and finances will be unfavorable."
Bad luck with money?
Her face immediately fell.
The other two came over to comfort her, but Zhang Ting shrugged indifferently.
Anyway, she doesn't believe in ghosts or gods.
After interpreting the divination slips and offering incense money, the three of them went to have a vegetarian meal together.
Although the vegetarian meal contained no meat, it had a unique flavor that differed from home-cooked meals, and Zhang Ting was quite satisfied with it.
After the meal, Qiu Yuan wanted to draw a fortune stick again to inquire about her career, and Fang Ting accompanied her.
Zhang Ting hated that place and came to the release pond alone to relieve her feelings. Suddenly, a little nun called out to her.
She looked at Zhang Ting hesitantly, "Benefactor, do you wish to request a talisman?"
Seeking a symbol?
Zhang Ting raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you have any wealth-attracting talismans?"
The young nun quickly replied, "Yes."
"Then please consecrate it for me."
"Benefactor, would you like any other talismans?"
Zhang Ting stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, "Then give me another amulet for peace and protection, and have it blessed."
After paying the fee for the Buddhist items, the young nun took the talisman to the main hall for consecration.
In the afternoon, a light drizzle began to fall again, and mist gradually rose from the temple.
Zhang Ting strolled around with an oil-paper umbrella and was surprised to find that the bamboo shoots at Guoan Temple were growing quite well.
As she walked to a corner, she suddenly caught sight of a hand holding a string of Bodhi seeds lying in the corner.
She bent down to pick it up, her hands covered in water stains, indicating that she had been there for quite some time.
Turning back into the corridor, Zhang Ting caught a young nun and beckoned her over, handing her his hand.
"I found this around the corner. Could you please help me find the owner?"
The young nun took the item from Zhang Ting and nodded. "Amitabha, you are very kind. I will place this item in the main hall later and inform the abbot so that someone with the right affinity can come and retrieve it."
"Thank you for your help, young man."
Zhang Ting returned the way she came and continued wandering around aimlessly.
...
Han Bingyue accompanied her father to Guoan Temple to offer incense today. On the way to the vegetarian meal, her father lost a string of bracelets, which belonged to her deceased mother.
The father covered his face and wept, filled with self-reproach.
Han Bingyue was also very anxious, but her group searched the temple almost everywhere without finding it.
Upon arriving at the main hall, the abbot greeted them and handed them a string of coins, saying, "Benefactor, is this the item your mother lost?"
Han Bingyue took it and examined it carefully. He noticed a crescent-shaped scratch on it and nodded. "This is it. May I ask where you found it, Master?"
The host said, "Amitabha Buddha, this has nothing to do with this humble nun. It was found by a benefactor in the backyard, who specially picked it up and gave it to the person with affinity."
Upon hearing this, Han Bingyue felt a sense of goodwill and hurriedly asked the person's name and appearance.
The abbot was also unaware, so he summoned the young nun to answer.
The young nun said, "I don't know his name, but that benefactor was dressed in purple robes and had an extraordinary demeanor and elegant manners."
Han Bingyue frowned and asked, "Little Master, could you be more specific? How do you use these words to identify appearances?"
The young nun thought for a moment, then nodded to him: "If fate allows, you will know at first sight."
Han Bingyue regretted that he could not thank his benefactor, so he handed the hand to his father and, after his father calmed down, helped him down the mountain.
Qiu Yuan and Fang Ting waited for Zhang Ting in front of the mountain gate.
When they saw Lord Han arrive, they were about to pay their respects, but then they saw a figure slowly approaching from not far away, and for a moment they were stunned and forgot to bow.
The person held up an umbrella, revealing a section of her fair chin. As she moved, the umbrella surface shifted, revealing her exquisite features, clear and jade-like skin, and a flowing purple robe that seemed to float on clouds, ethereal and otherworldly.
Han Bingyue also saw it. She parted her lips slightly and sighed inwardly: "She really can recognize people at a glance."
She had seen this person at Xu Shan's birthday banquet; I think his name was Zhang Ting?
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