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The old matriarch directly provided Chu Zhiyan’s birth date to Qingli. Qingli said calmly, “Old matriarch, please settle the payment first. Fortune-telling costs 188 taels, and those two spirit-calling talismans are 60 taels each.”
Facing such people, Qingli decided to scam them a bit. She didn’t want to give them a bargain.
Lin quickly said, “Master, I have prepared the silver. I’ll have someone bring it to you now.”
Hearing this, the old matriarch said hurriedly, “Quick, go get the silver.”
Qingli raised her hand slightly, stopping her. “Madam Lin, you don’t know. Those two talismans yesterday were for Lord Chu and the old matriarch. Although the old matriarch didn’t use them, she still needs to pay. I’m doing this for her well-being. Also, the money for Big Bai and Little Bai’s soul release is not only for my labor. I need to offer some to the Three Pure Ones. If they know the money wasn’t offered by the children’s father, it might affect Lord Chu’s official career.”
Qingli made up a bunch of nonsense, but it scared the Chu family.
Chu Xu hastily said, “Big Bai and Little Bai are my sons. It’s my duty as a father to release their souls. I should be the one to pay.”
Lin looked at Qingli with unease, but ultimately didn’t say anything more.
Chu Xu asked Qingli, “Master, how much is the total for the soul release, the talismans, and the fortune-telling for Zhiyan? I’ll have someone prepare it for you.”
Qingli replied, “It’s 580 taels in total.”
Hearing this, the old matriarch’s face contorted with pain, but she couldn’t say anything.
Chu Xu immediately called for someone to prepare the silver.
The old matriarch hurriedly said, “Master, can you take a look at my Zhiyan now?”
Qingli nodded and walked towards Chu Zhiyan.
Chu Zhiyan felt a little nervous. He looked up at Qingli and was stunned by her beauty.
He had only seen her from afar before, and even then, he thought she was beautiful. Now that he was closer, those fox eyes were strikingly beautiful, with their long, slightly upturned tails. Her gaze was captivating as her eyes moved.
Chu Zhiyan felt a little shy and lowered his head.
“Show me your hand.”
Qingli’s calm voice echoed.
Chu Zhiyan quickly extended his hand.
“Spread your palm.”
She said again.
Chu Zhiyan obediently complied.
Qingli looked at his hand and then at his facial features, then said, “This young master’s Palace of Wealth is quite full, indicating a blessed life.”
Hearing this, Chu Xu and the old matriarch were overjoyed, secretly thinking they hadn’t made a mistake.
However, Qingli didn’t mention that this fortune would only last for the first half of his life.
Lin and Chu Tianjiao’s faces turned pale. The person who stole someone else’s life could live so well, what about their Big Bai and Little Bai?
Hearing this, Chu Zhiyan couldn’t help but smile and bowed to Qingli. “Thank you, Master.”
Qingli said calmly, “You’re welcome. I’m paid to do my job. However, since I’m being paid, I’ll give you a piece of advice: Do the right thing, and you will be rewarded. If you act like a villain and play tricks, it may backfire.”
Chu Zhiyan didn’t take this advice to heart. He was a person who wouldn’t give up until he achieved his goal. Sometimes, to achieve success, he had to use some means. In his eyes, this was just a matter of skill and was perfectly normal.
But he still bowed and said, “Thank you, Master.”
Lin looked at Chu Zhiyan, her emotions complex. She hated him, but not to the point of wanting to kill or destroy him.
Seeing the joy on the faces of the Chu family, she instructed the maid beside her, “Yuanyuan, pack up my dowry. We’re going back to the Lin residence.”
The maid hurried off to prepare.
The old matriarch was feeling very pleased and quickly said, “Lin, you can still change your mind. Zhiyan only recognizes you as his mother; if you stay, he will still be your son.”
Chu Zhiyan also chimed in, “Mother, please stay! I will always be your son.”
Zhao, the midwife, who was on the ground, felt a mix of emotions upon hearing this.
Chu Zhiwei looked at Lin with hope in his eyes.
Lin sneered, “I only have two sons, Big Bai and Little Bai. You two are nothing but strangers to me.”
Lin turned to Qingli and said, “Master, this place is too chaotic. Please come stay at the Lin residence for a few days so I can properly thank you.”
Qingli shook her head and declined, “No, Madam Lin, I need to return.”
After thinking for a moment, Lin said, “Alright then! I won’t keep you. I’ll see you off.”
Qingli did not refuse.
Lin accompanied Qingli to the door and took a small box from the maid, handing it over. “Master, this is a token of my appreciation. Please accept it.”
Qingli pushed the box back. “Madam Lin, the gratitude was already given by Lord Chu—580 taels is quite a lot.”
Lin was unwilling to accept this, insisting that the money was from Chu Xu and had nothing to do with her. This gift represented her own heartfelt gratitude.
However, Qingli had already accepted the payment and insisted on refusing.
Lin, feeling helpless, finally said, “Then let this gift be a token of my gratitude for your fortune-telling for my daughter.”
“Master, to be honest, I’m not afraid of leaving the Chu family, but I’m worried about Tianjiao’s marriage. She has never been favored by Chu Xu or the old matriarch. Since she wants to come with me, I’ll take her, but the treatment of an official’s daughter and a merchant’s daughter is vastly different. I’m afraid that if she follows me, it will hinder her future.”
Qingli had already observed Lin and Chu Tianjiao’s features and had a general understanding of their destinies from their appearances.
She smiled at Lin and said, “Madam Lin, don’t worry. Miss Lin has a round and full face, with a strong presence of the official star and the seven killing stars. This indicates she will easily encounter suitable romantic prospects. I can see that she already has faint signs of peach blossoms in her partner palace, which means a suitable partner will appear for her soon. Miss Lin will lead a very happy life; you needn’t fret over this.”
Lin looked at Qingli in surprise, unable to help but confirm, “Is that true?”
Qingli nodded. “Yes, it’s true. However, there are two peach blossoms, so you might need to help her choose wisely when the time comes.”
Lin was astonished!
“Two? So that means Tianjiao will have two potential suitors?”
Qingli nodded. “Yes, Madam Lin, if you ever need anything in the future, you can contact me. Here’s a talisman for you; if you want to find me, just burn this talisman, and I will come to you.”
Lin nodded repeatedly. Hearing that there were two choices made her anxious, fearing she might choose the wrong one.
Qingli felt helpless; she knew she had to give a little more to feel secure about the money she had received.
With a way to contact Qingli, Lin felt reassured.
As she was leaving, Qingli couldn’t help but turn back and say, “Madam Lin, you will also have signs of peach blossoms in the future.”
After saying that, Qingli hurried away, feeling that she couldn’t say any more.
Lin stood there, staring at Qingli departing figure, puzzled by her last remark, her face filled with confusion.