"Though blessed with a phoenix's fate, a lifetime of confinement—what a pity."
Shen Miao's footsteps abruptly halted as she frowned at the Taoist priest. "What did you say?" she asked.
The priest merely turned his head away smugly and began humming a tune.
Jing Zhe said, "Don't take it to heart, miss. He's probably just some charlatan spouting nonsense." Though it was unclear why a Taoist would be at a Buddhist holy site, this priest seemed far from dignified, lacking the usual immortal aura of proper Taoist masters. He was likely no different from the street swindlers.
Shen Miao glanced ahead—Luo Xueyan and Luo Tan had already entered the temple. Behind her, several guards followed at a distance without approaching. After brief consideration, she sat down on the small wooden stool before the priest's stall. "I want my fortune told."
"My divinations come at a steep price."
Before he finished speaking, Shen Miao produced a golden peanut from her pouch—part of the contents from the purse Su Furen had gifted her earlier. Perhaps to avoid appearing overly extravagant, the purse had been filled with golden peanuts for convenient spending.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu grew anxious. Even the most expensive street fortune-telling usually cost just a few taels of silver—why use a golden peanut? But once Shen Miao made a decision, there was no changing it. The maids could only fret helplessly.
Shen Miao said, "If your reading is accurate, this golden peanut is yours. If not, I'll have your stall overturned and report you to the authorities for fraud."
The priest cheerfully pocketed the golden peanut, retrieving a bamboo cylinder from behind him. After shaking it, he handed it to Shen Miao with a smile. "Draw two lots, miss."
"Why two?" Gu Yu couldn't help asking. "Isn't one enough usually? Unless..." She suddenly understood. "One for safety and one for marriage prospects?"
Luo Xueyan had begun concerning herself with Shen Miao's marital future, so she'd alerted her chief maids. Both Jing Zhe and Gu Yu knew the main purpose of visiting Puji Temple was to toss a red string onto the Marriage Tree. Seeing the priest request two lots, they naturally assumed this was the reason.
The priest shook his head. "For fate."
"Why two lots for fate?" Jing Zhe asked, puzzled.
Stroking his beard, the priest gave Shen Miao a mysterious smile. "One lot cannot fully capture the young lady's destiny."
Shen Miao's heart stirred at his confident manner. Silently accepting the cylinder, she shook it, and two lots clattered to the ground.
As the priest picked them up, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu tensed. Swaying his head, the priest intoned: "A phoenix trapped, its life endangered when passion ceases. Before the executioner's block, all striving comes to naught." He concluded gravely, "This is an extremely inauspicious omen."
At these words, both maids paled. What did he mean by "extremely inauspicious"? What executioner's block? Jing Zhe exclaimed, "You fraud! Spouting such lies—who are you trying to fool? I'm reporting you to the authorities!"
"Now, now," the priest chided, "no need for haste. Why so impatient, young lady? There's still the second lot to consider."
But Shen Miao's heart was already pounding violently.Trapped in a gilded cage, she was confined within the cold palace of the nine-layered imperial court, struggling in vain. The misfortunes she brought upon others led to the complete downfall of the Shen family—was it not akin to the guillotine? And all her painstaking efforts to secure the throne for Fu Xiuyi ultimately amounted to nothing, repaid only with a three-foot white silk. Even Wan Yu and Fu Ming did not survive. He left her with nothing—how could it not all be in vain?
Shen Miao said, "Master, please read another fortune stick for me."
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu grew anxious, unable to comprehend why Shen Miao held this Taoist in such high regard, even allowing him to read another stick for her.
The Taoist chuckled, picked up another stick, glanced at Shen Miao, stroked his beard as before, and then slowly said, "After extreme adversity comes prosperity; auspicious energy arrives from the east. A most favorable omen—a top-tier fortune."
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu had feared the Taoist might utter more inauspicious words. With the New Year approaching, everyone dreaded ill omens bringing bad luck. Relieved by his words, Jing Zhe couldn't resist mocking, "I told you he's a fraud. One stick says misfortune, another says good fortune—which one is true?"
"Both are true," the Taoist replied. "Ask your young lady if this humble monk lies."
Shen Miao's heart stirred. "Jing Zhe, Gu Yu, go wait with the guards. I wish to speak with the master alone."
Jing Zhe wanted to dissuade her, convinced the Taoist was a swindler. But Gu Yu shook her head and pulled her aside, making space for Shen Miao and the Taoist to converse undisturbed.
Frowning, Shen Miao asked, "Master, do you know something?"
The Taoist continued packing his fortune sticks without turning. "I observe your countenance—you are destined for great nobility. Your fate aligns with the phoenix's, ordained for a life of splendor, adorned in jade and silk. Yet... your fate has been swapped."
"Swapped?" Shen Miao's voice grew urgent.
The Taoist paused and looked at her. "Your fate is peculiar. You will face one great calamity in life. Overcoming it ensures smooth sailing, but the first stick you drew indicates you failed to pass this trial."
"What is my calamity?" Shen Miao asked.
"A true phoenix and a false one. The false phoenix stole the true one's fortune and blessings, leaving the true phoenix imprisoned."
Shen Miao felt her heart leap into her throat. A true phoenix and a false one—could it mean she was the true phoenix, while the false one was Mei Furen? Mei Furen bore Fu Sheng, whom Fu Xiuyi adored. In her past life, Fu Ming died, and so did she. Fu Xiuyi would surely have made Mei Furen empress, and given his favor for Fu Sheng, might have passed the throne to him.
Was this not the stolen fate the Taoist spoke of?
Shen Miao asked, "The first stick speaks of my calamity. What of the second? Can I overcome it?"
"By your own strength, no," the Taoist shook his head. "But you are fortunate—your fate includes a noble savior."
"A noble savior?" Shen Miao pressed. "Who is my savior?""This noble person is fated with you, bearing the destiny of a fierce dragon—a dragon subdued by heaven, a phoenix caged. He can save you, and you can temper his ferocity. Should you encounter this man, borrowing his influence will restore your fate. What is lost shall surely be regained."
Shen Miao asked, "Where is this noble person? How can I find him?"
The Daoist smiled. "Far as the horizon, near as before your eyes."
This was his way of saying no more. Shen Miao's gaze flickered before she pressed on, "One more question. Ordinary people draw only one lot, so why did I draw two? Was this heaven's will?"
Having been reborn, she often felt an unreality about it all, fearing that one day she might wake to find herself still in the desolate cold palace, everything but a dream. Since this strange Daoist, appearing from who-knows-where, had spoken some truth, perhaps he knew something more.
"Heaven and earth are unkind, treating all as straw dogs. Your two lots were drawn by another on your behalf."
"Another?" Shen Miao seized the key point in his words. "Who was it?"
"One who owes you much." The Daoist rose from the ground, dusting off his robes. "The secrets of heaven must not be revealed. Today, I have already said too much. To speak further would bring misfortune. Ask no more, but remember this: The past is but a dream—cling not to it. After extreme adversity comes prosperity; auspicious signs arise from the east."
With that, he flourished his horsetail whisk and strode away, singing loudly.
Shen Miao stood frozen in place until Jing Zhe and Gu Yu approached. Jing Zhe remarked, "How bizarre. Where did he come from? Doesn’t Pǔtuó Temple keep better order?"
Yet Shen Miao felt she had glimpsed some hidden truth, leaving her with an indescribable sensation.
As she pondered, Luo Xueyan and Luo Tan emerged from inside.
Luo Tan carried a small basket filled with red-stringed pouches, smiling brightly. "Little cousin, come, let’s go hang the red strings. Why did you fall behind?"
Luo Xueyan added, "Earlier, I heard a master was giving a sermon in the meditation hall and wanted to call you over. But when I turned back, you were lingering behind. What kept you so long? Would you still like to listen now?"
Shen Miao’s mind was in turmoil after the Daoist’s cryptic words. She had no heart left for monkish sermons and shook her head. "No, let’s not."
"Then let’s go hang the red strings first," Luo Tan said eagerly, pulling Shen Miao forward.
In the meditation hall Luo Xueyan had passed earlier, the old monk’s wooden fish stick paused mid-strike. A young novice asked, "Master, it’s already past noon. Didn’t you say she would come? Will she still arrive?"
Master Guan Zhen rose from his meditation cushion and shook his head. "She will not come."
"Not come?" The novice was puzzled. "Why?"
"She has met another."
The novice frowned. "Why would meeting someone else stop her? Didn’t you wait here all these days just for her? If she doesn’t come, wasn’t it all for nothing?"
"No matter." Master Guan Zhen pressed his palms together. "The one she met is also fated with her."
"This is karma."
Shen Miao and Luo Tan stepped outside, arriving beneath the matchmaking tree.The Matchmaking Tree was originally a massive osmanthus tree, extremely thick and sturdy. However, now its branches were barely visible, completely covered by the pouches hanging from red threads tied to it.
Luo Ling and Shen Qiu ultimately didn’t come—after all, this was meant for women. Luo Tan grabbed a handful of red threads and handed them to Shen Miao, saying, “Little cousin, write your name on a pouch and toss it up the tree. If it catches, it means the Matchmaker has heard your prayer and will arrange a good marriage for you.” Then she stuffed another large bundle of red threads into Shen Miao’s hands. “Take more, little cousin. The more you throw, the higher the chance one will catch.”
Shen Miao watched silently as Luo Tan enthusiastically wrote her own name on the remaining pouches. But young women generally believed in such things—why not take the auspicious omen? Luo Xueyan also encouraged, “Jiaojiao, write a few and toss them up. Don’t be afraid.”
Shen Miao eyed the basket of red threads skeptically but, unable to resist Luo Tan and Luo Xueyan’s urging, finally picked one and wrote her name on a single pouch.
Seeing this, Luo Tan exclaimed, “Little cousin, you’re taking too few! One thread won’t make it up there. Take more—there are plenty here.”
Luo Xueyan agreed, “Jiaojiao, one isn’t enough.”
Shen Miao felt like throwing none at all. Besides, her mind was still preoccupied with the Taoist priest’s words—how could she focus on this? So she tossed it carelessly.
“One thread definitely won’t catch. You should still—Huh? It caught?” Luo Tan cried out in surprise.
Luo Xueyan was equally astonished. Generally, the more threads thrown, the higher the chance of catching a branch. A single thread had little weight and shouldn’t have made it. Yet Shen Miao’s casual throw had not only caught but on a high branch, firmly lodged, unlikely to fall even in wind or rain.
“Little cousin, you’re so lucky!” Luo Tan grabbed Shen Miao’s arm excitedly. “Look, look! That branch is so high—it means the man you’ll marry is truly outstanding! And it’s so steady, meaning this marriage is practically guaranteed. It’s perfect!”
Who wouldn’t enjoy such auspicious words? Luo Xueyan beamed. “Jiaojiao, that was a good throw. I was just thinking that if yours didn’t catch, I’d find a way to hang it for you.”
“But there are many smaller branches around it,” Luo Tan mused, stroking her chin with mock seriousness. “They’re all stretching toward little cousin’s pouch. Do you know what that means? It means little cousin won’t have just one marriage proposal! Auntie, this is good—many will seek her hand! Your future son-in-law will have his work cut out for him!” She giggled.
“Nonsense,” Shen Miao retorted, though inwardly, she recalled the Taoist priest’s strange words: Dark circles under the eyes—trouble with peach blossoms. Could it be true? Then she chided herself—there wasn’t even a single peach blossom in sight, so where was this so-called trouble? Luo Tan was just spouting nonsense, and she was actually taking it seriously.The day passed unusually quickly. Luo Tan also hung many of her own red ribbons, offered incense, donated some money, and had vegetarian meals at the temple before returning. By the time they got back to the Shen residence, it was already evening. Everyone was exhausted from the day's activities and retired early to rest.
Yet Shen Miao couldn't stop thinking about what the Taoist priest had said earlier.
A destined calamity, aided by a noble person—who could that noble person be? And who was the one who had drawn two divination sticks for her, or rather, the one who had sought the chance for her to be reborn in this life?
In her previous life, almost all her relatives had vanished before her death. Shen Miao thought that even after she died, there likely wouldn’t have been anyone to collect her body. So who could have had such vast influence? With such power and such a connection, why would they go out of their way to secure this rebirth for her?
No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t imagine such a person existing.
Suddenly, Shen Miao remembered something and called out, "Cong Yang."
A black-clad figure appeared instantly in the room.
Shen Miao rubbed her temples, feeling that Xie Jingxing's Shadow Guards were so elusive that even their master could be startled. She said, "About today’s events—what the priest told me—you are not to report it to Xie Jingxing." Then she added, "If you tell him, I’ll accuse you of harassing me."
Cong Yang: "..."
"Remember that," Shen Miao threatened.
...
Every day in Fixed Capital, countless people busied themselves with trivial matters. Young women worried about marriage, young men fretted over imperial examinations, the elderly declined, and the young remained naive—all bustling about for profit and gain.
Some schemed for petty gains, others gambled for vast fortunes, and still others staked their lives, yet their eyes were set on the world itself.
Within the Ming Qi imperial family, as Emperor Wenhui's health worsened day by day, the princes beneath him grew increasingly restless. The faction of Prince Zhou was arrogant, while Prince Li's faction was also making significant moves. Initially, the ninth prince had seemed docile, but then the incident involving the Shen family and the Qin State occurred. After all the calculations, it turned out the Crown Prince was the weakest of them all.
Emperor Wenhui sighed, his brow shadowed with an air of decline. Perhaps due to prolonged illness, his complexion had grown extremely poor. The anger he displayed in the Golden Luan Hall was merely a facade, for there were many eyeing his throne. If he were to fall, chaos would erupt in the court, and those with ulterior motives would surely seize the opportunity.
In his youth, when the princes were still young, he hadn’t noticed anything amiss. But as he aged, he realized with a start that he hadn’t raised sons—he had raised a pack of wolves. Now that the young wolves had grown, some things had spiraled beyond his control.
"How is the Crown Prince’s health lately?" Emperor Wenhui asked the eunuch Su beside him.
Eunuch Su hurriedly replied, "Yesterday, Her Majesty the Empress met with the Crown Princess, who mentioned that the Crown Prince’s condition has improved somewhat. The imperial physicians also said that with more time for recuperation, he will recover further."
Emperor Wenhui shook his head. "The Crown Prince’s health remains a problem." As the most legitimate heir to the throne, the Crown Prince was unfortunately frail. Though he had supporters and had managed to maintain authority in earlier years, as the factions of Prince Zhou and Prince Li grew stronger, the Crown Prince’s influence had been overshadowed. Especially with the recent rise of Prince Ding, Emperor Wenhui felt nothing but a headache. Fortunately, despite his frailty, the Crown Prince had already fathered an imperial grandson. Thus, even if Emperor Wenhui were to pass away and the Crown Prince remained weak, as long as he held on until the imperial grandson was older, the throne could be passed directly to him.Imperial Physician Su maintained a composed demeanor, appearing completely oblivious to Emperor Wenhui's intentions. Yet inwardly, he was acutely aware that the emperor currently favored the Crown Prince above all others. The reasons were simple: firstly, the Crown Prince's succession was legitimate by right, and secondly, his frail health made him the least threatening to Emperor Wenhui. Unlike his other sons—Prince Zhou's faction was arrogantly overbearing to the point of insolence, Prince Li's faction appeared amiable but secretly cultivated ties with many officials, and even Prince Ding, who seemed the most indifferent to power, now appeared in the emperor's eyes as a silent but dangerous dog. Each was as fierce as wolves and tigers, forcing Emperor Wenhui to remain vigilant.
A cold breeze drifted in through the window, causing the rice paper on the imperial study desk to curl slightly. Noticing this, Imperial Physician Su quickly rose to close the window, saying, "The night is deep and heavy, Your Majesty. It would be best to retire early."
Meanwhile, the very Crown Prince whom Emperor Wenhui had been discussing was at that moment engaged in conversation with someone—a sight that would have shocked any onlooker, for the person speaking with the Crown Prince was none other than Prince Ding, Fu Xiuyi.
One was the "legitimate heir" in Emperor Wenhui's eyes, the other a "silent but dangerous dog" in the hearts of the other princes. Yet here they sat, facing each other across a table, warming a pot of plum wine over a small flame, engaged in quiet discourse.
The Crown Prince said, "Ninth Brother, don't take this matter to heart. Father has merely been misled by slanderous words. In time, the misunderstanding will clear, and he will treat you as before. Why abandon hope?"
Fu Xiuyi shook his head. "Eldest Brother, you don't understand my anguish. When disaster strikes from nowhere, there's no escape. I've always been a man of leisure, with no desire for power or wealth—only a free and unburdened life. In all these years, apart from my duties, have I ever meddled in other affairs? Yet when the Shen family incident occurred, Father still suspected me. Such paternal affection feels bitterly cold."
"Ninth Brother, mind your words!" The Crown Prince was startled and quickly interrupted Fu Xiuyi. "No parent is without fault. You are Father's son—he would never harm you. Blame only those vile schemers."
The matter they discussed was the recent confiscation of the Shen family's property. Though Emperor Wenhui had kept it tightly under wraps, the princes each had their own informants in the palace. Moreover, with Shen Wan's testimony, the true reasons behind the Shen family's downfall were well-known among them. This revelation had drastically altered their perception of Fu Xiuyi. Previously, the princes had fought fiercely for the throne, each assuming the ninth prince had no ambition beyond enjoying his idle princely life, and thus had never targeted him specifically. But now, they realized he had been quietly maneuvering in the shadows—a dangerous prospect in the high-stakes game of imperial succession, where an unseen enemy could prove fatal. Prince Ding, having observed the struggle from the shadows, might well have been waiting to profit from their strife.
Once treated with polite indifference, Fu Xiuyi now found himself the common enemy of his brothers, having unwittingly made too many foes in one stroke.
And after becoming the target of his brothers' collective hostility, the first person Fu Xiuyi sought out was the Crown Prince.Whether sincere or not, the Crown Prince always appeared soft-hearted and kind in front of others, making him the easiest to deceive.
Just like now, instead of mocking or belittling, he turned to comfort Fu Xiuyi.
Fu Xiuyi smiled and said, "Enough, let’s not talk about me. Let’s discuss your affairs instead, Eldest Brother."
"Me?" The Crown Prince was puzzled. "What affairs of mine?"
"Everyone is fighting tooth and nail now. You, the most legitimate heir, are instead being overshadowed—this is not a good sign." Fu Xiuyi smiled. "Originally, I wanted no part in these matters and deliberately avoided them, yet people still sought me out. Since that’s the case, I might as well step in willingly. I intend to support you, Eldest Brother."
The Crown Prince was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Fu Xiuyi to say such things. He first gave a bitter smile, then shook his head and said, "Ninth Brother's kindness is appreciated, and I won't stand on ceremony. But... you know my health condition. If I were strong and healthy, naturally I could contend for it. However, with this body of mine, how long I can last is already a question. These matters... let them be as fate wills." By the end, there was a faint sense of despair in his words.
"Eldest Brother must not belittle yourself," Fu Xiuyi said. "You are the Empress's own son, His Majesty's legitimate eldest son, and the Crown Prince. By both sentiment and reason, you are the future master of Ming Qi. If you yield, I fear others will laugh at Ming Qi for failing to uphold its succession."
"But I truly have no ability," the Crown Prince said somewhat despondently. "Seeing my condition, the ministers are unwilling to follow me. Those who once supported me have dwindled in number. Ninth Brother tells me to contend, but apart from the title of Crown Prince, what ability do I have to compete?"
Hearing this, Fu Xiuyi poured wine for both himself and the Crown Prince, took a sip, and said, "That is precisely why Eldest Brother needs a powerful ally now more than ever."
The Crown Prince shook his head. "A fine bird chooses a worthy tree to roost upon. Why would capable men choose me?"
"Eldest Brother need not think it so difficult," Fu Xiuyi replied. "Finding many influential people is indeed hard. But to simplify, you only need one powerful supporter—whether or not you have other followers is unnecessary. Or rather, once you secure this person, a great many officials will naturally flock to your side."
"Who does Ninth Brother mean...?" the Crown Prince asked suspiciously.
"Grand General of Might, Shen Xin," Fu Xiuyi answered.
The Crown Prince paused.
"Shen Xin holds military power. With the Shen Family Army charging ahead and the Luo Family Army covering the rear, even after two years away from the capital, his prestige among the people remains undiminished. Even Qin State and Great Coolness treat him with respect. With General Shen's support, others will naturally view the Crown Prince's strength in a new light. Men follow the path of advantage as water flows downward—followers will come of their own accord."
After listening to Fu Xiuyi's words, the Crown Prince laughed. "Ninth Brother speaks well. But you must know that General Shen's current prominence makes him everyone's favorite. My other brothers think the same. Why would the Shen Family Army choose me?"
"Because you are the Crown Prince," Fu Xiuyi said calmly. "If my other brothers sought General Shen's support, it would likely provoke Father Emperor's suspicion. But you are different. You are the rightful heir to the throne and the son Father Emperor values most. General Shen joining your side would be something Father Emperor welcomes. What would be a calamity for others is a blessing for you. Such great military power cannot fall into the hands of outsiders."
The Crown Prince stopped laughing, for Fu Xiuyi's words made perfect sense. Emperor Wenhui was suspicious by nature. If Prince Zhou, Prince Li, or even Prince Ding Fu Xiuyi gained Shen Xin's support, it would spell disaster for them, as Emperor Wenhui would regard them with even greater distrust. But the Crown Prince was different. Emperor Wenhui had long lamented the Crown Prince's weak position, unable to counterbalance the other princes. Moreover, as the future heir in Emperor Wenhui's eyes, it was only natural that he would wish for the Crown Prince to have a strong ally."But why would General Shen choose me?" The Crown Prince still shook his head, seemingly unconvinced by Fu Xiuyi's words. "Getting involved in these matters is risky after all. General Shen has no reason to wade into these troubled waters—he could live quite comfortably without it."
Fu Xiuyi smiled and said, "General Shen has no reason to choose Eldest Brother, but Miss Shen might."
The Crown Prince was taken aback.
Fu Xiuyi continued nonchalantly, "The fifth legitimate daughter of the Shen family, General Shen's treasured pearl, has reached the age for marriage arrangements."
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Every schemer shoulders the great mission of playing matchmaker—it's essentially speaking nonsense with a straight face...
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