Chapter Nineteen: Divining Fate Through the Six Lines

Jiang Dun did not establish a grave for Jiang Zhuo’s late mother in the capital. Since that was the case, Jiang Zhuo interred her father’s cenotaph beneath a century-old peach tree on the grounds of White Horse Temple in the outskirts. The peach tree was considered a surrogate for her mother, and by burying her father beneath it, it was, in a sense, a joint burial.

Out of concern for Jiang Zhuo, Shen Guanzhi accompanied her, chatting and pointing out flowers and willows along the way in an attempt to lift her spirits. Yet, Jiang Zhuo remained listless, unable to muster any interest.

"Although it was not my intention, I have been granted the position of Consort to Prince Jing. Jiang, my dear sister, do you harbor any resentment toward me for this?"

After circling the subject, Shen Guanzhi finally voiced her hidden worry with hesitation.

"I have been granted the title of County Princess. Does my sister harbor any resentment toward me for that?" Jiang Zhuo sighed, lifting her eyes to ask in return.

"Of course not!" Shen Guanzhi answered without a moment’s hesitation.

Shen Guanzhi was unappreciated in her own home, and Jiang Zhuo was her first true friend. They were not biological sisters, yet their bond was deeper than that.

"Then the same is true for me. At the Qionghua Banquet, I not only recommended you, Sister, but also voiced my refusal in public. You should know by now that I have no interest in Prince Jing."

"I understand that, but..." Shen Guanzhi explained hesitantly, "It’s just that two months ago, you were adamant about marrying no one but Prince Jing. I simply do not understand how you could have changed so quickly."

*She truly is the heroine; she sensed my transformation so quickly,* Jiang Zhuo thought.

Stunned for a moment, Jiang Zhuo quickly fabricated an excuse. "The Imperial Court is a treacherous place. I am the only daughter of the Jiang family and have never understood the dangers of inner-chamber strife. I lack your cleverness, Sister. If I had truly entered the Prince’s manor, I fear I wouldn't have known how I died. My father’s resignation was likely due to his realization that prosperity inevitably leads to decline, though it is a pity he still could not escape this calamity."

Shen Guanzhi nodded, and just as she was about to offer comfort, a light rain began to drift down with the wind. Their carriages were parked at the foot of the hill, and before Jiang Zhuo could react, Shen Guanzhi pulled her toward a nearby pavilion for shelter.

Although it was only a light drizzle, the dash left them both slightly disheveled. While they were tidying each other’s clothes, Jiang Zhuo—who had been preoccupied with her father’s funeral—noticed for the first time that since Shen Guanzhi’s engagement to Prince Jing, her hairpins and garments had become significantly more opulent.

Just then, the rain began to intensify.

Seeing that they were about to be trapped in the pavilion, Jiang Zhuo took a closer look at the structure and realized that, besides herself and Shen Guanzhi, there was a ragged beggar lying on the ground.

"What a pitiful soul," Shen Guanzhi said, her compassion stirred. She took some small pieces of silver from her purse, intending to offer alms.

The man refused. "I am no beggar, miss; I am a fortune teller."

Jiang Zhuo eyed the man who called himself a Taoist with deep suspicion. White Horse Temple was a Buddhist monastery filled with monks who taught sutras; it was bizarre to find a Taoist lying in a pavilion there, telling fortunes.

"Then please, tell a fortune for each of us sisters. Consider this your fee." Shen Guanzhi, full of curiosity, sensed nothing amiss.

The self-proclaimed Taoist tossed three ancient copper coins—so dirty their faces were barely distinguishable—into the air. He threw them six times before speaking.

"Upper Xun, Lower Li, transforming into Kun-Earth. The Official Star becomes the Emperor's Throne; the Earthly Chariot bears the sign of Heaven." The ragged Taoist muttered to himself as if waking from a dream, then suddenly stood and bowed to Shen Guanzhi. "Young lady, you possess the phoenix-destiny of an Empress."

*...So, the protagonist has encountered a plot-pusher,* Jiang Zhuo thought, exhaling in relief. *He’s actually quite accurate.*

"Is that so? Then I must offer my congratulations to you, Sister," Jiang Zhuo teased with a feigned expression of surprise.

"Don't speak such nonsense!" This was the first smile Jiang Zhuo had shown since leaving the palace. Though Shen Guanzhi tried to stop her, she laughed helplessly. "I didn't even say what I wanted to ask about, yet he cast the coins. How can that be accurate?"

"The young lady is exceptionally clever and leaves no plan unfinished; you will surely obtain what you desire," the Taoist added, seeing Shen Guanzhi’s disbelief.

*Leaves no plan unfinished?* Jiang Zhuo paused. *Does Shen Guanzhi need to scheme?*

Since the Emperor had already bestowed the marriage, the processes of 'proposing' and 'inquiring after her name' had likely passed. Jiang Zhuo recalled that they were likely in the stage of 'announcing the good fortune,' where the imperial ritual officials would place the birth horoscopes of Shangguan Xue and Shen Guanzhi in the ancestral temple for seven days to show them to the gods. If there were no ominous signs, the marriage would proceed.

It was during this time that Shangguan Xue, unable to restrain herself, would attempt to tamper with Shen Guanzhi’s horoscope records, hoping to block her entry into the house by claiming it was ill-fated. Unfortunately, the clumsy Shangguan Xue ended up burning down the entire ancestral temple. Her actions were discovered that very night, leading to the annulment of her engagement to Prince Jing and her subsequent house arrest for arson. Shangguan Xue was born arrogant and headstrong; she would never have been willing to marry on the same day as a commoner like Shen Guanzhi. In the previous life, having been caught red-handed, almost no one doubted the truth of the incident.

*Perhaps he is referring to the affairs of her family?* Jiang Zhuo mused. *Shen Guanzhi’s household is always rife with internal strife; one of her younger half-sisters even climbed into Zhao Mingjing’s bed.*

"You only choose to say what sounds pleasant," Shen Guanzhi laughed. "Then why not tell the fortune of the young lady beside me?"

"No need, I—" Jiang Zhuo hesitated, wanting to decline. If this Taoist truly had some ability, it would be terribly awkward if he revealed something about her marrying four husbands or her rebirth in front of Shen Guanzhi.

But the Taoist tossed the copper coins the moment Jiang Zhuo spoke. "Once a divination has begun, there is no turning back."

The coins were tossed six times again, but this time, the Taoist wore a look of confusion.

"Upper Zhen, Lower Kan, transforming into Fire over Lake. The Black Tortoise entangles the Official Star, the Heavenly Wolf illuminates a lost path... I find I cannot quite see through this young lady’s fate."

"Is that good, or bad?" Shen Guanzhi asked with concern.

"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined; success depends on human effort." The Taoist looked directly at Jiang Zhuo’s face, his brows furrowed. "However, the young lady possesses a stunning beauty, and with such a volatile destiny, I fear the omens of disaster far outweigh the auspicious ones."

"It’s all just for fun anyway, Sister Jiang. Let’s not believe him," Shen Guanzhi said, frowning as she offered comfort.

"Then do you know what I am seeking in my heart?" Jiang Zhuo probed.

"That is natural," the Taoist smiled. "The matter the young lady wishes to pursue lies in the south. This journey may not yield the results you expect, but you will certainly gain something."

The rain of midsummer comes and goes quickly. A ray of sunlight appeared on the horizon, and the downpour outside the pavilion began to cease. Jiang Zhuo felt her brows unfurl, and she took out a silver ingot for the Taoist.

"A-Zhuo, what did he mean by all that?" Shen Guanzhi asked, having listened to the cryptic conversation.

"I haven't had the chance to tell you yet, Sister, but I intend to travel south to my father’s homeland," Jiang Zhuo confessed. "I am departing tomorrow."