Font Size:
Shen Yu’an led Mr. Ji, along with Ji Xun and An Ling, to the papermaking workshop.
The workshop wasn’t far, and they reached their destination after a short walk.
Inside the workshop, everyone was busy with their tasks. When they saw Shen Yu’an leading her guests, they paused and greeted her.
Song Shi and her group, thinking that Shen Yu’an had something important to discuss, joined them when they saw her. They found out she was just showing the visitors around out of courtesy.
As they walked around with the three guests, Shen Yu’an had no fear that they would learn the method. If it were so simple to discover the technique, other papermakers would have already competed with her in the market.
After they left the workshop, Mr. Ji sighed and said, “Miss Shen is truly clever to come up with such an ingenious method for papermaking.”
Shen Yu’an used the same excuse she had given to outsiders and replied, “It was just a few days of research, and I happened to stumble upon it. It’s also a matter of good luck.”
Shen Yu’an had originally said this casually, but to her surprise, Mr. Ji continued the conversation, saying, “Miss Shen is indeed fortunate, and naturally, she has good luck.”
Shen Yu’an was taken aback for a moment, suddenly recalling that when she had rescued Ji Xun earlier, he had insisted on staying with the group, claiming it was her luck.
He also mentioned that he stayed in the bandits’ hideout because he was waiting for Shen Yu’an. As for why he was waiting for her, Ji Xun explained it was his master’s arrangement.
However, she had rescued Mr. Ji in Yunxi Town even before meeting Ji Xun. Why hadn’t Mr. Ji mentioned his intention to find her back then?
With these thoughts in mind, Shen Yu’an couldn’t help but ask, “Ji Xun, do you remember what you said when you first met me?”
Ji Xun, who had been lost in thought walking next to Mr. Ji, was startled when he heard Shen Yu’an calling him and almost stumbled.
He straightened himself and said, “Of course, I remember! You underestimate me. It was just last year; how could I forget!”
Shen Yu’an gave Ji Xun a glance and then turned her attention to Mr. Ji, asking, “Mr. Ji, you mentioned that you had seen me even before the drought and locust plague began. Why didn’t you say back then that you would come to find me?”
Mr. Ji stopped walking, smiled at Shen Yu’an, and replied, “Miss Shen is incredibly observant.”
“While I can glimpse into celestial patterns, it doesn’t mean I can foresee everything. The world’s causality can lead to chain reactions due to even the slightest changes. When you arrived from another world, your soul and body integration wasn’t complete, and the celestial patterns were highly unpredictable at the time. It’s not unusual that I didn’t anticipate this beforehand. Nevertheless, I did sense something unusual about your situation.”
Top of Form
“Indeed, I went to Yunxi Town at first to investigate what was happening. However, when I arrived there, all the celestial patterns returned to normal, and I was left puzzled,” Mr. Ji continued, noticing Shen Yu’an’s shocked expression.
Seeing her reaction, Mr. Ji continued, “Later, I sent Ji Xun to find you because your soul integration with this body was better, and I foresaw that you two would meet.”
Shen Yu’an’s eyes trembled. Mr. Ji had just openly stated that she was a soul from another world.
She turned her gaze toward An Ling, who didn’t seem surprised at all.
Shen Yu’an’s look turned cautious as she glanced around their surroundings.
The area they were standing in was flat, with no hiding places. She relaxed slightly but still asked, “Mr. Ji, besides the three of you, does anyone else know about this?”
“Or perhaps, is there anyone else who can predict this as accurately as you?!”
If only the four of them knew about this, she needed to ensure that the information wouldn’t leak…
Seeing Shen Yu’an’s cautious demeanor, Mr. Ji smiled gently and replied, “Miss Shen, rest assured, I can proudly say that there is no one else in this world with my level of foresight. So, apart from the four of us, there should be no one else who knows about this.”
He quickly added, “Moreover, Miss Shen’s presence here in Great Wei is to help stabilize the internal affairs and pacify external threats. Rest assured, the three of us will never utter a word about this to anyone else.”
Top of Form
Ji Xun had spent enough time with Shen Yu’an to gauge her skepticism based on her expression. He quickly reassured her, “Yes, yes, Master Ji is absolutely right. None of us will speak of this to anyone.”
Shen Yu’an didn’t entirely trust their assurances, or she wouldn’t have asked them in the first place. However, she still needed to clarify some things.
Since Mr. Ji had mentioned those celestial patterns and their connection to her, it was better to ask in advance to be prepared.
Seeing a few stone stools not far away, Shen Yu’an took a few steps forward and then stopped.
Afterward, she asked, “Can you please explain the celestial patterns that Mr. Ji mentioned, specifically the ones related to me? I would appreciate some clarification.”
Mr. Ji crouched down and sat on one of the wooden stools. He placed his cane to the side and motioned to An Ling, his attendant, to step back a few meters.
This way, they wouldn’t overhear their conversation, and An Ling could keep an eye out for anyone approaching.
Ji Xun also sat on a wooden stool and waved for Shen Yu’an to sit and rest for a moment.
Mr. Ji began slowly, “Miss Shen, your celestial patterns are unique. The celestial patterns of ordinary people are not visible in the sky, but when your celestial patterns emerged, I sensed a trace of the Phoenix pattern. Furthermore, your celestial patterns interacted harmoniously with the two newly arisen Emperor Stars.”
Top of Form
Shen Yu’an was puzzled. “Phoenix? Which Phoenix are you referring to? And why are there two Emperor Stars?”
Although she didn’t fully understand the intricate details of the celestial patterns Mr. Ji mentioned, she was aware that, historically, there had only been one Emperor, so there should be only one Emperor Star.
Mr. Ji explained, “The Phoenix refers to the Phoenix in the Dragon and Phoenix pair.”
“As for why there are two Emperor Stars, it’s because there is uncertainty in the competition for the next Emperor in Great Wei. The two contenders are in mutual suppression, and for the time being, it’s unclear which one will ultimately emerge victorious.”
“You, Miss Shen, are the key factor in this uncertainty. The outcome will depend on your choice.”
As Shen Yu’an listened, her eyebrows furrowed deeper. When she heard that the Emperor Stars were somehow related to her choice, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Her laughter broke Mr. Ji’s serious demeanor, and he couldn’t maintain his air of sagacity. He exclaimed, “What’s so funny, young lady?”
Shen Yu’an paused and then said, “So, according to your words, I might become an empress in the future?”
Mr. Ji nodded seriously and replied, “Yes, that’s what I meant. I told you, you’re a clever girl.”
Shen Yu’an couldn’t help but shake her head at Mr. Ji’s audacious response. She stood up and said, “I have other matters to attend to. Mr. Ji, you can go back and chat with my grandfather and the others.”
Mr. Ji sighed and said helplessly as Shen Yu’an began to walk away, “I’m telling you, young lady, every word I said is true.”
As Shen Yu’an continued walking, Mr. Ji couldn’t resist adding, “What if I told you that one of those Emperor Stars is related to the young man from the Fei family?”
Top of Form