Madam Chen’s expression relaxed slightly.

She believed that the renowned abbot would not harm a mere child.

However, she could not understand the master’s true intentions.

Master Zhikong closed his eyes again. “Madam, your daughter is extraordinary.”

“Madam, if she makes a choice in the future, I hope you will not stop her.”

Madam Chen was utterly confused.

She knew her daughter was special, but what exactly did the master’s words mean?

As she left, her silhouette disappeared into the distance.

Pu Xuan couldn’t help but ask, “Master, why didn’t you give that madam a direct answer?”

Zhikong opened his eyes. “I cannot see her fate clearly.”

What?!

“Master, is there anything in this world beyond your foresight?”

“The cycle of cause and effect governs all things. Sometimes, being unable to see is a blessing.”

Pu Xuan nodded, half understanding.

“Oh, right, Master. There is another madam waiting outside to see you.”

Zhikong opened his eyes and frowned. “I did not invite anyone else.”

Pu Xuan chuckled and leaned in closer to Zhikong.

“Master, I already took her silver. Please help this once.”

Zhikong let out a cold snort, turned around, and went back inside.

“You accepted it, you deal with it.”

With a bang, the door shut.

“Master, this madam is of royal lineage and extremely generous. That’s the only reason I made the decision for you,” Pu Xuan said, refusing to give up.

“Master, please help her. The temple needs repairs, and everything costs money.” The master refused to accept royal aid.

The temple’s current state was built through years of frugality and hard work by the monks.

A voice drifted out from inside the room. “A monk must not be troubled by worldly matters.”

“But Master, the little junior monk has been drinking only thin porridge for three days now.” If this continued, he would surely lose weight.

The others could endure, but the little junior monk was still growing.

No matter how much he pleaded, silence was the only response from inside.

Pu Xuan regretted his decision.

The person outside was not someone they could afford to offend.

What should he do now?

---

When Jiang Yuanxi woke up, she found herself lying in a temple bed.

She vaguely remembered the old monk tapping her forehead, and after that, she remembered nothing.

[Damn it! That bald donkey tricked me!]

She absolutely hated being attacked.

[So infuriating!] She had dominated the Heavenly Realm for thousands of years, and this was the first time someone had ambushed her.

That old bald monk was the first to challenge her.

Fine. She would remember this grudge.

[Where’s Mother? Is she alright?]

Jiang Yuanxi looked around and finally spotted Madam Chen.

“Mother!” Jiang Yuanxi climbed off the bed and ran toward Madam Chen.

With proper nutrition and care, she was growing steadily, and her steps were becoming more stable.

Madam Chen naturally picked up her daughter, and Jiang Yuanxi nestled into her arms.

“Yuanxi, are you hungry?” Madam Chen asked.

Just as Jiang Yuanxi was about to answer, her stomach growled, answering for her.

Chun Zhi brought a bowl of porridge.

Jiang Yuanxi pushed it aside with a look of disdain.

“I don’t want it.” It was too plain.

Chun Zhi sighed helplessly. “Madam, the temple only has porridge.”

Despite the temple’s grand appearance, they couldn’t even put together a decent vegetarian dish.

Jiang Yuanxi didn’t want to drink it, but her stomach kept growling.

In the end, she had no choice but to gulp it down.

After eating, Jiang Yuanxi decided to find that old monk and settle the score.

“Mother, let’s go outside,” Jiang Yuanxi pointed.

Madam Chen was copying Buddhist scriptures, which were to be used for prayers the next day. There could be no mistakes, and she didn’t have time to go out.

“Chun Zhi, take Yuanxi outside.”

Just then, Jiang Yuanyuan walked in.

“Mother, I’ll take my little sister for a walk.”

Madam Chen agreed.

Jiang Yuanyuan had been back for a while but had rarely spent time alone with his sister.

Since he was free today, he wanted to spend some quality time with her.

Jiang Yuanxi had planned to go out alone, but now that her brother was with her, she had to temporarily put her revenge plan on hold.

Given the choice between revenge on the bald monk and spending time with her brother, of course, she chose her brother.

Jiang Yuanyuan was different from their other brothers—he was quiet along the way.

In the original story, he was described as cautious and timid. Yet, this very person later established the greatest merchant fleet in the Yufeng Empire. After discovering his family’s tragic fate, he led a rebellion that nearly overthrew the entire Yufeng dynasty.

[Sigh, Third Brother has been preparing for the imperial exam for years. Even at thirty, he still hasn’t passed. How should I tell him to change paths and avoid wasting time?]

Jiang Yuanxi stared at Jiang Yuanyuan, lost in thought.

Jiang Yuanyuan lowered his gaze.

His eldest brother was exceptionally talented, and he, too, wanted to make a name for himself.

However, the art of commerce was not seen as honorable.

The only viable path was through the imperial exams and becoming an official.

He wanted to try—what if he succeeded?

If he failed this time, he would follow his little sister’s advice and turn to business.

“Yuanxi,” Jiang Yuanyuan suddenly asked, “what do you think of the art of business?”

Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes widened.

“Money! I love it!”

[Does Brother finally want to make money? Ahh, that’s great!]

Overjoyed, Jiang Yuanxi pulled out a silver ingot from her pocket and kissed it twice.

“Silver is good.” She gave a thumbs-up, hoping her brother would understand.

Jiang Yuanyuan was deep in thought.

Just as he reached out to take the silver ingot, the little one quickly stuffed it back into her pocket.

[What does Third Brother want? I have no money. If he wants silver, he should earn it himself.]

Jiang Yuanyuan’s hand froze mid-air.

Why hadn’t he noticed before that his little sister was a money-grubber?

And she was so stingy.

Suddenly, he heard movement nearby. Instinctively, he grabbed his sister and hid behind a canopy in the courtyard.

A noble and elegant figure slowly entered their view.

With the guidance of a young monk, the Grand Princess led her daughter inside.

“Yuting, I went through great trouble to convince Pu Xuan to let us in. We might as well take a look,” she said gently.

Behind her, a young lady in a yellow gauze dress pouted, dragging her feet.

“Mother, I don’t want to go.”

The Grand Princess ignored her protests.

She had spent thirty thousand taels to open this path. Her daughter had to go in, whether she wanted to or not.

Mo Yuting was forcibly dragged to sit before the canopy.

The young monk spoke, “Your Highness, please wait for a moment. The Abbot will be here shortly.”

After that, the monk hurried away. Whether or not they would get better meals in the future depended on his senior brother.

The Grand Princess! A noble lady!

Jiang Yuanyuan was stunned, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

[So this is where the bald monk meets the Grand Princess for fortune-telling?]

[Third Brother, you sure know how to pick hiding spots.]

The courtyard had few places to hide, so it wasn’t his fault.

The Grand Princess traveled with many attendants. There was no way for them to escape now.

After a while, Mo Yuting grew impatient.

“Mother, fate is decided by oneself. How can prayers change anything? Besides, Master Zhikong clearly doesn’t take us seriously.” Otherwise, why would he make them wait?

“Silence!” The Grand Princess scolded. “Show respect.”

Master Zhikong was said to possess great wisdom—even the Emperor respected him.

Suddenly, a loud crashing sound came from behind the canopy.

The Grand Princess’s face lit up with excitement.

“Master Zhikong, I’ve heard much of your wisdom. You are indeed extraordinary.”

Surrounded by guards, the master had appeared without a sound—clearly, he was powerful.

The Grand Princess respectfully asked, “Master Zhikong, could you tell my daughter’s future marriage prospects?”

Inside the canopy, Jiang Yuanxi and Jiang Yuanyuan exchanged glances.

Jiang Yuanyuan had been so startled that he had knocked over the table.

Now, how would they explain this?

This was the Emperor’s sister! Offending her could lead to dire consequences.

Jiang Yuanxi sighed at her brother’s panicked face.

Without her, this family would fall apart.

Under Jiang Yuanyuan’s shocked gaze, she lifted the curtain.

Casually, she climbed onto the table.

From behind the canopy… emerged a baby! (Translator: LOL)

The Emperor never mentioned Master Zhikong was a child.

Could it be that he had achieved enlightenment and reversed aging? But no—this was clearly a little girl.

Mo Yuting stared at her in shock.

She was adorable.

Jiang Yuanyuan quickly stepped forward and bowed.

“Jiang Yuanyuan and my sister Jiang Yuanxi greet Your Highness and the young lady. We accidentally stumbled here and beg for Your Highness’s pardon.”

The Grand Princess’s face immediately darkened.