Chapter 68: Soaring to the Sky, Returning to One’s True Place

Tang Ying lifted her eyes, and the moment she saw Tang Mi, the smile on her face vanished instantly. “Eldest Sister.”

Qin Qingyu, noticing Tang Mi’s presence, also quickly restrained his smile and gave a respectful bow. “Greetings, Miss Tang.”

“Mr. Qin.” Tang Mi returned the greeting with a polite nod, then turned to smile at Tang Ying. “So Second Sister and Mr. Qin have come to offer incense together?”

Qin Qingyu blushed slightly and quickly turned his gaze away. “My cousin and I just ran into each other by chance.”

Trying to protect Tang Ying’s reputation from the appearance of a private meeting, Qin Qingyu tried to downplay the situation. But Tang Ying smiled openly and replied, “My cousin and I are soon to be married, so we arranged to come pray for a fortune together.”

Tang Mi raised her brows. “Oh? Then it must have been a highly auspicious fortune.”

Tang Ying glanced at Qin Qingyu and smiled sweetly. “Of course. My cousin and I are a perfect match naturally, it was a top fortune.”

Qin Qingyu hadn’t expected Tang Ying to speak so directly. His handsome face flushed again, but his eyes were full of joy and affection.

Tang Mi looked at him for a moment, then smiled at Tang Ying. “Since your happy day is approaching, I’ll draw a fortune too, perhaps I can borrow a bit of your good luck.”

With a slight nod toward Qin Qingyu, she entered the main hall.

Qin Qingyu looked after her figure with concern. “Cousin, will Miss Tang tell others that we were meeting in private?”

Tang Ying gave him a gentle smile. “What does it matter? We’re getting married soon. If she wants to say something, let her. I’m not concerned.”

“Cousin…” Qin Qingyu was moved, taking her hand tenderly. “I can’t wait to marry you. I’ll go back now and start preparing everything myself, I’ll make sure you marry me with great honor and celebration.”

A flicker of disgust flashed quickly through Tang Ying’s eyes, but she held his hand and pouted sweetly. “We don’t get to see each other often. Stay a few more days with me. After Father’s death anniversary, then you can return.”

Seeing her hopeful expression, Qin Qingyu couldn’t bring himself to refuse. “Then I’ll stay a few more days, what difference will it make?”

It was rare for them to have time alone like this, and the thought of being together every day in the future made Qin Qingyu feel as sweet as honey.

Inside the main hall, Tang Mi, accompanied by Ban Xia, finished offering incense and drew a fortune. Her brows furrowed the moment she read the text.

Seeing that she had drawn a bad fortune, Ban Xia quickly comforted her, “Miss, don’t worry. Fortune slips aren’t always accurate. But if you’d like to dispel its meaning, you can ask Master Liao Chan to interpret it. He’s the most accurate interpreter of fortunes, he’ll definitely help you resolve it.”

Tang Mi didn’t really believe in fortune slips, or in the Bodhisattvas, or in ghosts or gods. But after having lived a second life, how could she afford not to believe?

Besides, this fortune had left her deeply uneasy.

Master Liao Chan was the uncle-master of Jingkong, and one of the most senior monks of Baima Temple. Due to his age, he no longer interpreted fortunes in the main hall. If she wanted his help, she’d have to go to his quarters.

When the two arrived, they saw someone else already inside, someone Tang Mi had met a few times before: Prince Xuan.

She tried to avoid him, but he had already seen her.

“This young lady has come for a fortune reading as well?” Master Liao Chan looked kindly at Tang Mi.

Surprised, she realized that Prince Xuan must also be here for a reading.

The moment Ye Chenxuan saw her, his eyes lit up.

Since she couldn’t avoid the situation, Tang Mi entered calmly and bowed to Master Liao Chan. “I just drew a fortune and would like to ask the Master for guidance.”

“Please have a seat and wait a moment,” Liao Chan gestured to the prayer cushion beside him. “Let me first finish reading for this gentleman.”

Tang Mi looked up and met Ye Chenxuan’s eyes. She had thought to leave, but seeing no trace of displeasure or resistance in his expression, she unconsciously sat down.

Liao Chan examined Ye Chenxuan’s fortune slip for a while, then frowned. “This is a bad fortune, are you asking about your future path?”

Tang Mi’s brows instinctively twitched. She looked at Ye Chenxuan in surprise.

If the Master hadn’t been speaking to him, she would have thought those words were directed at her.

What a coincidence, she too had asked about her future path and received a bad fortune.

“Yes,” Ye Chenxuan replied, glancing at Tang Mi and catching her reaction.

Liao Chan nodded. “This is not a good sign. ‘The dragon has not yet leapt from the depths; danger lurks, and success is elusive.’ Though you are a true dragon, your time has not yet come. The road ahead will be rough, filled with peril. What you hope for may not be achieved.”

Ye Chenxuan’s eyes dimmed instantly.

Tang Mi also lowered her gaze, her expression faltering.

The reading was uncannily accurate. In her previous life, Prince Xuan had indeed failed to accomplish his goals and met a tragic end. But the slip described him as a true dragon, did that mean he was the destined emperor? He and Ye Junyu were both imperial sons. Why was he the true dragon? Could it be that the emperor had left a secret decree passing the throne to him? Or did it mean something else entirely?

While both were lost in thought, Master Liao Chan spoke again. “Actually, this is not the worst fortune. There is a resolution to this reading. If the seeker finds the right benefactor, the hidden dragon can soar and return to his rightful place.”

At the words return to his rightful place, Tang Mi narrowed her eyes.

“Please, Master, enlighten me,” Ye Chenxuan said urgently.

“There is another line to the reading,” Liao Chan explained. “If a worthy benefactor lends aid, the dragon will rise and soar. If you meet the right person, all difficulties can be overcome, and your wishes fulfilled.” He returned the fortune slip. “All you must do is wait for your benefactor to appear.”

Ye Chenxuan stared blankly at the slip in his hand. Where was this benefactor?

He wanted to ask further, but with Tang Mi still present, he held his tongue.

“Young lady, give me your fortune slip,” Master Liao Chan said, turning to Tang Mi.

She glanced at Ye Chenxuan, reluctant to have her reading interpreted in front of him. But seeing that he had no intention of leaving, she couldn’t very well ask him to go.

Forget it. She had heard his reading, this could be considered returning the favor.

Tang Mi handed over her slip. “Please, Master, help me understand.”

Master Liao Chan took one glance at the slip and his eyes flew wide open in shock. He looked at Tang Mi, then at Ye Chenxuan. “You two…”

Both were confused by his reaction.

“Is something wrong?” Tang Mi asked nervously.

The Master scanned her from head to toe, his eyes filled with disbelief. Finally, he nodded with wonder. “Remarkable. This young lady’s fate is truly remarkable!”

Tang Mi’s heart clenched in panic. She looked at Liao Chan in alarm.

Had the Master seen through her? Could he tell that she had lived a previous life?

She clenched her fists tightly, afraid that he would speak her secrets aloud, especially with Ye Chenxuan still present.