Chapter 66

Chapter 66

After leaving Daoist Priest Huaizhen, Lu Maomao and the others strolled around the temple grounds.

When they arrived at the fortune-telling area, Yu Xiaoyu saw people drawing fortune sticks and getting interpretations—some looking happy, others disappointed—and found the whole thing quite amusing. He tugged Lu Maomao over to try drawing a fortune stick.

“Xiaoyu, people usually draw lots because they have questions and want guidance from the Patriarch. What do you want to ask?”

Yu Xiaoyu thought hard but couldn’t come up with any particular question.

Maybe something about studying?

Lu Maomao quickly stopped him. “No, no, no. We can ask Grandpa, Father-in-law, Second Brother, or Fifth Brother about that at home. No need to trouble the Patriarch.”

“Then… can we go out tomorrow?”

“Such small matters can be decided by yourself or discussed with the family. Better not ask about that either.”

“Then what should I ask?”

“You could ask about our marriage prospects,” Lu Maomao suggested in a hushed, sly tone. A good fortune about marriage always says flattering things, and Lu Maomao wanted to hear some praise at the Three Purities Temple.

Just as Yu Xiaoyu was about to agree, Yu Changan interrupted them. “The first consultation brings truth; to ask again is to show disrespect. Your matter has already been mentioned by Daoist Priest Huaizhen several times—he’s practically acted as your matchmaker himself. Asking again might offend the Patriarch.”

Lu Maomao: …

“It’s just for a lucky omen; it won’t annoy the Patriarch.”

“Oh, then I don’t understand.”

If you understand the Book of Changes, is there anything you don’t get?

While Lu Maomao bickered with Yu Changan, Yu Xiaoyu confidently plucked a top-tier fortune stick from the container.

Lu Maomao was overjoyed. “Xiaoyu, what did you ask? Was it about our marriage prospects?”

Yu Xiaoyu blinked his innocent big eyes. “I didn’t ask anything.” He just wanted to play; he had no real question for the Patriarch. It was fine not to ask.

Lu Maomao: “…That’s our Xiaoyu for you.”

Yu Changning found the scene amusing.

“Feifan just wants a bit of a lucky sign; the Patriarch likely isn’t annoyed. Fifth Brother, since you’re marrying Miss Feng next year, why not draw one too to set your mind at ease?”

Lu Maomao, as if he'd caught Yu Changan in a trap, egged him on to draw one. “Fifth Brother, go ahead and ask about your situation with your fiancée.”

Yu Xiaoyu, beaming, handed the lot container to Yu Changan. “Here you go.”

Yu Changan calmly pushed the container back to Yu Xiaoyu. “Your sister-in-law and I have already had our horoscopes matched and exchanged betrothal cards. We’ll grow old together, so no need for you to worry.”

Lu Maomao: “Fifth Brother, you’re no fun.”

Yu Xiaoyu chimed in: “Fifth Brother is no fun.”

“You two are the fun ones,” Yu Changan said irritably. “Why not have Xiaoyu ask on behalf of Mao’er whether you’ll pass the county-level imperial examination in two years?”

The smile slowly faded from Lu Maomao’s face. “Fifth Brother, that’s not fair.”

It was supposed to be a good day for fulfilling a vow and enjoying a leisurely outing—why bring up such a heavy topic? Sigh, would the Patriarch of the Three Purities Temple laugh at a cat taking the imperial exams?

Yu Changan turned slightly to avoid Lu Maomao’s gaze. “Xiaoyu wants to know too, right?”

“Is Maomao going to take the exam? The one Yu Xu took?”

“Exactly. I’m surprised you remember Yu Xu.”

“I’ve recovered,” Yu Xiaoyu said unhappily, then became enthusiastic again. “Then let’s ask! Maomao definitely won’t do worse than Yu Xu!”

Lu Maomao: …

Xiaoyu’s trust in him was too pure and too heavy.

Yu Xiaoyu rubbed his hands together, shook the container solemnly, and a terrible fortune stick flew out.

Lu Maomao: …

Lu Maomao picked up the lot and stuffed it into his sleeve. “Xiaoyu, this one doesn’t count. Let’s draw again.”

“Doesn’t count?” Yu Xiaoyu asked curiously, his eyes going round.

“Right, it doesn’t count,” Lu Maomao said very seriously. “When it comes to fortune-telling and drawing lots, we only believe the good parts. Ignore the bad parts. If you draw a bad lot, throw it away and keep drawing until you get a good one.”

Yu Changan snorted.

“Let’s ignore Fifth Brother and keep drawing.”

Yu Xiaoyu said “Oh,” feeling it was a bit strange. Maomao’s attitude toward drawing lots seemed different from his serious approach earlier, but Yu Xiaoyu couldn’t pinpoint exactly how. He continued shaking the container.

From bottom-tier to lower-middle, upper-middle, top, and top-tier lots, Yu Xiaoyu drew them all in sequence.

Yu Changning had gotten a real taste of Lu Maomao’s positive mindset—haggling so many times over drawing a lot.

“With so many lots, there’s no need to trouble the interpreter. You two can look them over slowly when you get back,” Yu Changan said.

“We’ll just take this one,” Lu Maomao said to Yu Xiaoyu, holding the top-tier lot.

Yu Xiaoyu was all shook out, so he let Lu Maomao handle the lots. Ending with a good one left him satisfied.

“Maomao will definitely do very well in the exam.”

Before Lu Maomao could speak, Yu Changan said, “Maomao will definitely do well; otherwise, he’d be letting down all the lots you shook for him.”

“Better than Yu Xu!”

“He will.”

Don’t set me up for failure!

Lu Maomao was certain he had somehow offended Fifth Brother again, which was why he was giving him a hard time. They no longer studied together, ate together, or even saw each other much—what could he have done to upset him? A man’s heart is as deep as the ocean; a cat can’t understand it.

Seeing that Lu Maomao was done, Yu Changning spoke. “I’ll go make a donation. Feifan and Xiaoyu can follow your Fifth Brother to look around the talisman area.”

Lu Feifan nodded in agreement, glanced at Yu Changan, and quickly pulled Xiaoyu away. “Xiaoyu, let’s go.”

“Running off like rabbits. It’s not like I’ll eat them.”

Yu Changning: “Don’t bully them too much.”

“Mao’er is too carefree. If I don’t tighten the reins, he often forgets what he should be doing.”

"Mao'er has some grand origins?" Yu Changning was still puzzled about that business of the divine blessing.

Yu Changan nodded, "There are indeed some peculiar aspects—it's all just illusory talk of past lives and present existence. Master Huaizhen just said *he* has no affinity for immortality in this lifetime, so he should finally let go of that hope."

"If he's truly interested, practicing cultivation at home in the future isn't impossible."

Yu Changan didn't plan to control Lu Maomao his whole life either, to never let him get involved with Taoist practices. Forget about temples and monasteries; even the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi would be impossible to keep from him. But there's an order to things, "Once he establishes himself in the world, we can discuss other matters."

Yu Changning, "Indeed, starting a family and building a career are the most urgent matters at hand. We mustn't let Father know Feifan has had these ideas."

"This is good leverage over Lu Feifan. If Lu Feifan doesn't listen, we can use this to threaten him."

"Be nicer to Feifan. If you scare him off, you won't find anyone as good for Xiaoyu."

"Don't worry, he's not going anywhere."

"And don't bring disgrace on Father. If he finds out you're using him to threaten Feifan, he'll have your hide."

"Then he'd definitely deal with Lu Feifan first before it's my turn."

"Alright, hurry and go keep an eye on those two, don't let them clash with anyone." Yu Changning urged his mischievous younger brother to leave.

Yu Changan shook his head and leisurely went to find them.

"Consort of Chu, those who just ran by looked like Uncle's third son," said Qing Ye, the chief maid of the Consort of Chu.

The Consort of Chu was taking a stroll in the monastery with her attendants when two figures swiftly ran past them, with a matron and a maid panting as they chased from behind.

"You mean Lu'er?"

"Judging by the figure, it was Young Master Lu," another chief maid, Hong Ye, also said.

"What is he doing at the Three Purities Monastery alone?"

"It looks like he had an arrangement to meet a young man from another household," Qing Ye said.

The Consort of Chu revealed a smile, "If this child has someone he likes, why doesn't he have the adults propose marriage?"

But Hong Ye said, "Consort, perhaps you'll soon hear good news about Young Master Lu."

"I hope so."

"Consort, shall we send someone to call the third young master over?" Qing Ye inquired.

"Forget it, let them play. I won't spoil their fun."

"Yes."

Old Master Yu and his party ate the vegetarian meal at the Three Purities Monastery and rested for an hour before returning home in the afternoon.

After seeing them off, Master Huaizhen had Jue Ming pack his things, planning to embark on a journey.

Jue Ming, "Master, you never mentioned going out before. Why suddenly decide to travel now?"

"Naturally, because we've encountered big trouble."

"Whose trouble?"

Master Huaizhen pointed upward, referring to the imperial family.

"Master, you mean the matter of the Consort of Chu seeking a child."

"Exactly."

"Master, the fact that the Prince and Consort of Chu have no children is known to everyone in the capital. The Prince of Chu and the Consort have consulted so many famous physicians over the years, built several Taoist temples and monasteries, and done plenty of good deeds, yet still haven't achieved their wish. Even if we can't cure it, they can't pin the blame on us. Why should we hide away?"

"The root of the Chu Prince's household's childlessness lies with the Prince of Chu himself. He has no affinity for offspring in this lifetime. Even with all my abilities, I can't treat it. If ordinary men are infertile, they'd fight anyone who brings it up. Knowing too much about these imperial nobles' secrets is ultimately not good for us."

Hearing his master's explanation, Jue Ming became very worried, "The Prince of Chu is also notoriously hot-tempered. Master, do you think if he becomes desperate for a son, he might kill us to silence us?"

"We'll go where he can't find us, wait until the storm passes, then return."

"Alright."

"Patron Yu and his family returned just in time, right before you leave, Master."

"Their family is also a big trouble."

"That live-in son-in-law of his has a complicated background."

"Ah, then why didn't you tell Old Master Yu, Master?"

Of course, to buy time to leave, but he couldn't tell his foolish disciple yet, "This matter will unfold on its own; we don't need to interfere."

"Jue Ming, though beauty is pleasing, it affects the path of cultivation." Seeing Jue Ming's concern for the Yu family, Master Huaizhen thought of their increasingly spirited second son and advised him.

Jue Ming blushed, "Master, I have no improper thoughts toward Patron Xiaoyu. Seeing him free from illness, pure and lovely, I'm happy for him."

His feelings toward Patron Xiaoyu were merely pure appreciation for something beautiful, containing nothing else.

"As long as you know your own mind, that's fine."