At the foot of Mang Mountain.
Chu Ruoyan didn’t have to wait long in the pavilion before she saw Xue Ling’s carriage arrive.
Accompanying Xue Ling were two young ladies—one with red lips and almond eyes, poised and graceful, while the other, delicate and demure, seemed somewhat shy.
Xue Ling introduced them: "This is Xie Yaozhi, the only daughter of the Earl of Nanping, and that is Jiang Yi, younger sister of the Director of the Astrological Bureau, Jiang Buyi. Both are slightly younger than you."
Chu Ruoyan was surprised. She had only asked her cousin to invite a few noble ladies as witnesses, never expecting Xue Ling to have such connections—even securing someone from the influential Jiang family of the Astrological Bureau.
The Astrological Bureau had always been responsible for observing celestial phenomena and divining fortunes. If this anomaly could draw their attention, it might yield twice the results with half the effort.
With this in mind, she nodded graciously. "Sisters Xie and Jiang."
Xie Yaozhi and Jiang Yi returned the greeting in unison: "Greetings to the Lady of Anning Marquis."
Chu Ruoyan smiled. "No need for formalities. If you don’t mind, you may call me by my name."
The two girls exchanged a glance. Xie Yaozhi replied cheerfully, "Very well, then I’ll boldly address you as Sister Chu."
Xue Ling clicked her tongue. "Boldly? Since when have you ever been so reserved?"
Xie Yaozhi burst into laughter. "Don’t expose me! You’re always saying your cousin is delicate—I didn’t want to scare her!"
"You and your sharp tongue!"
As Xue Ling and Xie Yaozhi bantered, Jiang Yi covered her mouth, giggling. The harmonious atmosphere made it clear they were close friends.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the four prepared to ascend the mountain.
Most of Mang Mountain was occupied by the late emperor’s mausoleum, heavily guarded, with only a temple at the foot called Mangshan Temple.
Though far less renowned than the Nanshan Temple of the previous dynasty or the current dynasty’s Guardian Temple, its excellent feng shui still drew many worshippers.
At the temple gate, several monks stood waiting from afar.
"Amitabha. Are you the family of General Yan?"
The three ladies instinctively turned to Chu Ruoyan, who stepped forward. "Indeed. May I ask who you are, venerable masters?"
The lead monk clasped his hands. "Amitabha. This humble monk and the entire temple owe a great debt to the general for his service in defending the borders. It is only right that we welcome you. Please follow me inside."
The girls were both astonished and delighted.
The monks of Mangshan Temple were notoriously aloof—even the Wife of the Chancellor had been met with indifference years prior. Such a formal reception was unprecedented!
Chu Ruoyan knew this respect was earned through the Yan family’s military achievements. She straightened her sleeves solemnly. "Thank you, Master."
The four followed the monks into the bustling temple, its halls filled with worshippers and incense smoke.
They first paid homage in the Grand Hall, then drew divination sticks.
"Sister Yaozhi, aren’t you going to draw one?" Jiang Yi asked.
Xie Yaozhi waved dismissively. "No need. I’ve nothing to ask for. I’ll wait outside."
Chu Ruoyan also drew a stick at random, handing it to the temple attendant without a glance.
Not that she disbelieved in such things—she simply wasn’t in the mood.
Since entering the temple, she’d been observing her surroundings. The usual cacophony of cicadas was absent, and even moths and insects seemed to have vanished overnight...
Lost in thought, she suddenly heard Jiang Yi’s excited voice. "Mine’s an auspicious sign! Wonderful—this means my brother will recover and live a long life!"
She had drawn the stick for her brother, Jiang Buyi.
It made sense—orphaned young, the siblings had relied on each other. Jiang Buyi had climbed from a lowly sweeper to Director of the Astrological Bureau through sheer determination...
Meanwhile, Xue Ling stood frozen, staring at her stick.
Jiang Yi peeked over. "'The human heart wavers between love and hate, sprouting feathers one moment and festering sores the next'—Heavens, this is inauspicious!"
The verse suggested fickleness in affection—adoration could turn to revulsion in an instant.
And Xue Ling had drawn it for a marriage divination. Did this mean her future husband would...?
Xie Yaozhi quickly interjected, "Sister Xue, don’t fret! The interpretation must be wrong. As the legitimate daughter of Marquis Chengen, who would dare to be unfaithful?"
But her words offered little comfort. Xue Ling smiled bitterly. "This wasn’t for me... it was for Mother."
The others gasped.
Chu Ruoyan pressed her lips together.
Did this mean Aunt’s future madness was tied to Uncle, the Marquis Chengen?
Suppressing her shock, she said gently, "Cousin, divinations aren’t absolute. Besides, Aunt has the Duke of Chu's Mansion behind her. Father would never let her suffer."
Xue Ling’s expression eased slightly, but she murmured, "Father’s been absent from the manor often lately. I drew this for Mother because I worried..."
Chu Ruoyan patted her shoulder. Just then, the lead monk emerged, his face grave, hands trembling as he held a stick.
"Third Young Madam... perhaps you should draw again?"
The group was stunned.
In a sacred place, redrawing a divination was unheard of.
Yet the monk’s expression was deadly serious. Chu Ruoyan stepped forward. "Master, is there an issue with the previous stick?"
The question seemed to weigh heavily on him. "This... Third Young Madam, please come with me."
He led her to a secluded chamber before presenting the stick. "May I ask what you sought in your divination?"
She answered truthfully. "My husband’s future."
"Then... it matches." The monk’s voice shook. "'Death gods and calamity stars bring unparalleled disaster; all schemes shall come to naught.' In twenty years at this temple, I’ve never seen such an ominous reading!"
Yet when Chu Ruoyan saw the words "all schemes shall come to naught," her heart leapt. "Master, does this mean my husband will achieve nothing?"
If so, then the rebellion, the burning of the city, Father’s death—none would come to pass!
But the monk only shook his head. "Future divinations often reveal only a year’s fortune, no further. And with death gods clouding the reading, the fate is unclear!"
Disappointed, she asked, "Master, your faith believes in destiny. But can destiny not be changed?"
"Amitabha. Fate, luck, and feng shui—much is predetermined. Yet change isn’t impossible. The prince of the previous dynasty was fated to live only twenty years, yet he still lives today. There must be a way..."
She knew he referred to the regent who’d vanished over a decade prior.
With a sigh, she let it go. "Thank you, Master. As for this divination..."
The monk understood. "Rest assured, Third Young Madam. This humble monk will speak of it to no one."
She nodded. The moment she stepped out, the ground seemed to tremble beneath her—a fleeting quake, gone as quickly as it came.
Glancing back, she saw the monk’s puzzled expression, but he dismissed it as imagination.
Taking a deep breath, she rejoined the others. Xue Ling rushed over. "Well? What did he say?"
Chu Ruoyan shook her head. "Nothing important. Just now..."
"Just now what?"
The group looked utterly bewildered, as if completely unaware of anything amiss.
Chu Ruoyan’s heart sank. "It's nothing. Let’s head back first."
The four women each boarded their carriages.
Shortly after leaving Nanshan Temple, chaos erupted outside.
Then, Yulu cried out in alarm, "Miss, look quickly!"
Chu Ruoyan lifted the carriage curtain and saw a small stream where fish were leaping ashore in droves, as if committing suicide, while snakes, rodents, and insects scrambled frantically to escape the water...
The most horrifying sight was a massive serpent, as thick as a bowl, nearly crashing into their carriage shaft—
"Watch out!"
