Chapter 217: Mr. Ding's Remarkable Accuracy
After changing her attire and completing her grooming, Yun Chu was personally escorted by Chu Yi to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
By this time, nearly all the invited guests had arrived.
Maintaining her composure, Yun Chu followed the matron inside. Her eyes immediately fell upon two children chasing each other around the pavilion.
That single glance alleviated the longing she had carried for days.
She first went to pay respects to the Empress.
"Chu'er has arrived," the Empress said with benevolent warmth. "I heard the old general has fallen ill. How is he? Would you like me to arrange for a royal physician to examine him?"
Yun Chu curtsied. "Grandfather suffers from a chronic condition he's had for years. He just needs some rest to recover. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
"That's good to hear," the Empress smiled. "Go sit with your aunt."
Consort Yun was seated not far below. Yun Chu walked over and sat beside her. "Aunt, you seem somewhat haggard."
Consort Yun sighed.
Ever since the Yun family's troubles began, she hadn't been eating or sleeping well, which naturally showed on her face.
Deep within the inner palace, there was little she could do.
"Don't worry, Aunt. Grandfather is actually quite well," Yun Chu whispered. "Rest assured, the Yun family will overcome this crisis."
Consort Yun's eyes brightened.
Chu'er must have dreamed that the Yun family would emerge from their current predicament.
While others' dreams were merely dreams, Chu'er's dreams foretold events that would truly come to pass.
This reassurance comforted Consort Yun greatly.
When the appropriate time arrived, the Empress declared the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet officially open.
Surrounding the pavilion, chrysanthemums of various breeds competed in brilliant bloom, displaying a magnificent array of colors.
Somehow, Yun Chu found herself thinking of the wild chrysanthemums she had seen near Prince Zhuang's palace earlier. Those casually growing flowers seemed more vibrant than every meticulously cultivated blossom here.
There had been rumors among the common folk that the former Crown Prince was unworthy of his position, hence his early demise.
As for Prince Zhuang, the former Crown Prince's only legitimate son, it was said he shouldn't have been born at all. Having defied the natural order, he came into the world with congenital deficiencies, a sickly child from birth.
It was rumored that only the heart's blood of young maidens could sustain his life.
She had always believed these were merely terrifying tales fabricated by the common people.
Never had she imagined such things would so tangibly happen to her.
Yun Chu didn't dwell on these thoughts further, for she overheard several noblewomen nearby discussing Ding Yiyuan.
"Have you heard? Marquis Pingjin's household invited a fortune-teller to their residence. His predictions are remarkably accurate, though he charges a thousand taels per reading."
"Is that the same Mr. Ding who used to sell copper coins on the streets? I believe he was the one who predicted the disappearance of the Pillar of the Nation Great General."
"Is this Mr. Ding truly that accurate? Could he be a fraud?"
"Marquis Pingjin's wife asked him when their heir would marry and have children. Guess what? Mr. Ding said the young master already had a child. Sure enough, the Marchioness discovered he had been keeping a mistress outside, with an illegitimate son already over a year old."
"When Marquis Pingjin asked Mr. Ding which generation would see the end of their noble title, he said the next generation. The Marquis immediately went to the palace to petition for a change in the family heir."
"..."
"I'd like to invite Mr. Ding to read my fortune too."
"Who wouldn't? But they say Mr. Ding has raised his prices—apparently two thousand taels per reading now."
"That's practically robbery! No one's money grows on trees."
"Exactly! Shouldn't such esteemed individuals be detached from fame and fortune? What does he need so much money for?""The Marquis Pingjin's wife says this Master Ding only reads fortunes for those with a predestined connection—it's not something money can buy."
"……"
Yun Chu lowered her head and took a sip of chrysanthemum tea.
Ding Yiyuan's reputation had spread so quickly among noble families thanks to the Marquis Pingjin household's relentless promotion.
Throughout the Great Jin Dynasty, from top to bottom, everyone believed in fate. It seemed Ding Yiyuan's fame would soon reach the Emperor's ears.
"Sister Yun Fei, your tea has splashed onto my dress."
A discordant voice suddenly rang out.
Yun Chu turned and saw Yuan Fei, seated on the other side of Yun Fei, wearing a provocative expression.
"This dress was made from the Cloud-Water Heavenly Brocade bestowed by His Majesty. If it's stained with tea, that would be a grave disrespect to the Emperor. Can you bear such a responsibility, Sister Yun Fei?"
Yun Fei's expression remained placid. "It seems my sister is quite skilled at staging her own dramas."
What annoyed Yuan Fei most was Yun Fei's composure—as if no matter how earth-shattering the event, nothing could ruffle this woman's calm demeanor.
Yun Fei was five or six years older than her, yet while Yuan Fei felt her looks were fading, Yun Fei appeared unchanged from before. The Emperor still visited Yun Fei's palace every month or so.
How could this not breed jealousy?
Now that the Yun family had fallen from grace, Yun Fei would naturally lose favor. Of course, Yuan Fei had to step forward and kick her while she was down.
"Does Sister believe I'm falsely accusing you?" Yuan Fei put on a wounded expression and turned to the Empress. "I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for your humble servant!"
The Empress massaged her temples.
These women in the rear palace constantly bickered over clothes, jewelry, monthly stipends... each conflict gave her a headache.
They were always invoking "disrespect to the Emperor." His Majesty was occupied with countless state affairs—how could he remember every item he bestowed? Where was the disrespect?
But as mistress of the rear palace, she had to patiently resolve each issue.
Just as the Empress was about to speak—
A small figure suddenly came tearing through like a whirlwind.
Before anyone could react, Yuan Fei—who had been standing before the Empress—was knocked down by the small figure.
There happened to be a table there, laden with freshly steamed crabs and condiments, along with various chrysanthemum teas and wines. The table overturned from Yuan Fei's impact.
The entire spread of food and drinks spilled all over Yuan Fei.
A stream of soy-vinegar dressing, mixed with the scent of chrysanthemums, dripped from her hair onto the precious Cloud-Water Heavenly Brocade.
Yuan Fei was nearly driven mad. Suppressing her rage, she looked up and saw the Young Son of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.
Among the youngest generation of the imperial clan, this Young Son was the Emperor's favorite. Yuan Fei didn't dare cause trouble for him.
More importantly, she was utterly disgraced. Being witnessed in such a state by so many would surely make her the biggest laughingstock inside and outside the palace.
She wanted to die!
"My apologies, Consort Yuan..." Chu Hongyu hung his head, speaking in a flustered, awkward manner. "I saw a bug on you and rushed over to catch it... I'm sorry, I was wrong..."
"Now, whether there was a tea stain or not can't be seen anymore," the Empress interjected. "No matter how expensive this dress is, it cannot compare to a child's sincere apology. Let this matter rest."
Yin Pin stepped forward and said, "Yu Ge'er was too reckless. It was my failure to watch the child properly. Later, I'll have the matron deliver a bolt of Cloud-Water Heavenly Brocade to Consort Yuan's palace. Please do not hold it against the child."
Yuan Fei felt darkness swim before her eyes.She had only obtained a few feet of Cloud Water Heavenly Brocade, which she then made into a garment and wore it out as if to show off.
In contrast, Yin Pin could casually produce an entire bolt of Cloud Water Heavenly Brocade. Comparing people to people is truly infuriating.
The Imperial Consort dared not stay any longer; utterly disheveled, she hastily left while leaning on her palace maid's arm.
Chu Hongyu raised his head and looked in Yun Chu's direction, revealing a triumphant smile.
Yun Chu shook her head.
The little one was using his own method to protect his family.
However, this method was not advisable.
She first made a gesture of thanks, then mouthed the words: "Just this once."
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