Ascending Hexagram (Sheng Gua) - The Most Auspicious Hexagram
Chapter 46 Auspicious Hexagram - Chamber of Commerce
Li Fuquan watched intently as she took out a tortoise shell and a Song Dynasty copper coin from her sleeve, using the three to cast a divination.
Seeing his expression, Rong Yan explained, "The auspicious time is not a complicated matter, and there is no need to use a complicated method. The tortoise shell divination is sufficient."
Li Fuquan couldn't understand it, but he could tell that she put the copper coin in, shook it nine times, and then poured it out. After repeating this six times, she didn't need to remember the positive or negative sides. It seemed that she already knew what the divination meant. She put the things away and uttered a few words.
"The closest time is 3:45 AM on the 28th day of the third lunar month. It won't matter if we are delayed by a quarter or two."
Li Fuquan was so surprised that he almost lost control of his expression. Not only was she so young and skilled, but she also had such a good memory. He hadn't even figured out what was going on, and she had already calculated it all.
I noticed her casual demeanor before, and although I didn't dare to question her, I didn't expect her to figure it out so quickly. My daughter is a few years older than her, but her actions are worlds apart from hers.
“Young mistress is indeed very capable. Then I will write the auspicious day on red paper and announce it at that time.”
Rong Yan nodded and instructed Wang Mama, "Then let's go to the Chamber of Commerce."
The Chamber of Commerce was located at the beginning of Qingfeng Street, not far from Fenglelou Restaurant. When the two passed by, Fenglelou was bustling with noise.
The windows on the west side of Fengle Tower were all closed, avoiding any view of the palace. After glancing at them a few times, Rong Yan looked towards the entrance of the Chamber of Commerce.
After the two alighted from the sedan chair, Wang Mama handed Rong Yan's name card to the gatekeeper and then returned to her side to wait.
Unexpectedly, when the gatekeeper returned, he not only refused to let Rong Yan in, but also spoke disrespectfully to her.
"Our steward said that the Taoist priests of Hebai Temple are naturally ethereal and otherworldly, but they don't understand human relationships. They should go back and learn properly. If a woman in charge of a household is so ignorant, even if royalty came, they would end up the same way today. Madam, please go back."
Upon hearing that even a gatekeeper dared to speak so rudely, Madam Wang immediately flew into a rage. "How dare you speak to my wife like that?"
Rong Yan wasn't angry. She nodded to Wang Mama, who then presented her with a small gift, saying, "Here's a small gift; I hope you'll accept it."
To everyone's surprise, the gatekeeper of the Chamber of Commerce didn't even glance at them.
Unmoved at all, Rong Yan had seen gatekeepers who used their authority like a chicken feather, but he had never seen anyone so arrogant. It was clear that the people in the Chamber of Commerce were all from powerful backgrounds.
"A Taoist temple is a Taoist temple. Since a Taoist temple also engages in business, even the Three Pure Ones must abide by the rules of our Chamber of Commerce! You are just a woman. No matter how noble your status is, the Chamber of Commerce is not just for the sons of marquises and dukes. You two should go back."
"Wait a minute, how can you treat your distinguished guest so disrespectfully? Anyone who doesn't know the situation would think that the Chamber of Commerce has such low moral standards and is so arrogant." A deep male voice sounded from behind him.
At this moment, a person walked out from inside the door. He was tall and spoke in a slightly cold voice. His black hair was tied up high, and his face and voice were different, with a touch of scholarly air about him.
Unexpectedly, it was Liu Ziqian, with whom she had been betrothed since childhood, who came to her rescue.
Liu Sanlang also has connections with the Chamber of Commerce?
Rong Yan looked at him. Through a layer of gauze, he saw him step steadily across the threshold, his bright eyes finally settling on Rong Yan.
She took a step and slowly walked towards him. Liu Ziqian bowed to her, his tone calm and his expression gentle, and slowly said, "Greetings, Madam."
Rong Yan smiled and said, "Greetings, Lord Liu."
"It has been many years since we last met. I never expected that you would still remember me, Liu."
Rong Yan did not answer directly, but said in a very worldly manner, "In the whole of Bianliang, who does not know Lord Liu who passed the imperial examination with top honors in all three levels? Even I, a mere woman, know Lord Liu."
Liu Ziqian's black hair fluttered slightly, but he gave a self-deprecating smile, "So what if I passed the imperial examination with top honors? I haven't yet thanked Madam Xie for saving my sister's life."
Liu Ziqian deliberately addressed her as Madam Xie, but this did not elicit the slightest change in Rong Yan's mood. Rong Yan simply smiled and exchanged pleasantries.
"I happen to know a little about pharmacology, so there's no need for thanks."
"Madam is indeed intelligent. What a pity, what a pity."
Liu Ziqian seemed somewhat arrogant, and the unspoken words were likely a regret that she had married a short-lived man, though he didn't say it aloud.
Upon hearing this, Wang's mother could only say a few words, feeling that he was very unlikable. Was it inappropriate for someone who had broken off their engagement to say that the person she married would die young?
Rong Yan didn't respond to that question, but instead asked the question that had been on her mind, "Since Lord Liu is here, could he also be a member of the Chamber of Commerce?"
Liu Ziqian chuckled, his muffled voice sounding rather strange. "No, I'm only here to do something for an old friend. The reason you were stopped at the door is twofold: firstly, the gatekeeper's disrespect towards women, and secondly, everyone happened to be in a meeting, which gave you a chance to see them."
After Liu Ziqian led Rong Yan to the front hall and bowed, he said, "I will take my leave now."
Madam Wang had some doubts. "This Lord Liu seems to be very familiar with the Chamber of Commerce. My gatekeeper treats him with great respect. We can't even get in with gifts, but we can see him just because of a word from Lord Liu."
"It's not just the Chamber of Commerce; many others will also try to curry favor with him in the future. After all, he's a new powerful figure, so it's normal."
"I've heard that Liu Sanlang has a gentle and magnanimous temperament, but he seems completely different today."
Rong Yan sighed, "What the outside world says is true, but he has a very strong sense of pride. My annulment of the engagement hurt him at the time, which is why he told me these things."
However, Wang's mother felt that ordinary men were more magnanimous than women, and that he must really like the young mistress to be so different and mock her like this.
However, she still knows what to say and what not to say.
Madam Wang was stopped by someone, "Steward Xu only invited Madam Rong."
Rong Yan turned around and exchanged a glance with Wang Mama before smiling and replying, "I'll be right back."
Madam Wang objected, saying, "No, Madam, it's not appropriate for you to go alone when there are only men inside."
"Hmph, do you think our Chamber of Commerce is some low-class guild?!"
Rong Yan winked at Wang's mother, indicating that she didn't need to worry.
Even when he was alone, Rong Yan's steps showed no sign of timidity; he walked with composure and an upright posture.
Upon entering the front hall, one sees eight men sitting in two rows in the main hall.
The person sitting at the head of the table must be Steward Xu.
"Madam Rong, the abbess of Hebai Temple, requests an audience!" The guide beside her announced loudly, and everyone sitting inside turned to look at her, their gazes somewhat presumptuous and disrespectful.
"Oh, so you're the female Taoist priest from Hebai Temple?"
"My daughter Rongyan requests an audience."
"I heard she's the woman who solved the Fulou murder case, it's a pity she's a woman. If she weren't, I would want to ask her to stay with the Chamber of Commerce and serve us."
"I'm not saying this to be mean, but women in business just don't know the rules. I heard that the Taoist temple only came to visit after they got their identity tokens and were about to open for business. They really have no manners."
Steward Xu had plain features, a square face that gave him a somewhat serious and condescending air. Ignoring the whispers below, he lightly tapped the table and said, “In the Chamber of Commerce, regardless of status, there are only rules. Today, if the young master were to join our Chamber, I would say the same thing. Of course, I was referring to men; women rarely join. So, we won't hold your ignorance of the rules against it. If you want to reopen your Taoist temple, that's none of our business. But the first thing anyone wants to do when opening a shop or starting a business isn't to renovate the store or the temple, but to come and ‘greet’ the Chamber of Commerce. Do you understand?”
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