Chapter 208: Attracting Butterflies

The woman seemed to be challenging the other person. “Then why were there no celestial phenomena last year on the small county princess’s birthday?”

The person huffed, “You women with long hair and short knowledge, it’s obvious. Last year, Heaven must have been tired and didn’t want to show phenomena. For nine years, Heaven supported the small county princess. That alone is a huge blessing. Ordinary people don’t even get one sign, but the small county princess had nine! So this year, Heaven must be refreshed and showing signs again.”

The woman retorted, “You speak as if you are Heaven itself.”

The person was at a loss for words.

There’s an old saying: never provoke a woman with a sharp tongue. If she starts, her words could drown you in saliva.

Luo Zifeng pointed at a few people, “Zian, these people don’t seem like ordinary citizens. Look at their black boots and how they walk like seasoned practitioners.”

Usually, Luo Zifeng and his friends practiced martial arts, so he could tell.

“It seems they’re intentionally leading the citizens to the temple square,” Di Zian said, stroking his chin with a smile.

[The little heroine is at it again.]

[Di Hongluan, you really don’t see the coffin until you shed tears. I’m the one who understands you best, and today you’ll cry so hard even your parents won’t recognize you.]

Di Zian and Luo Zifeng, upon hearing the thoughts, looked at the little girl sitting on the rice sack and found she was no longer there.

The two exchanged glances.

“Where did my sister go?”

“Uh, she must have gone ahead. Let’s look for her.”

The two were in perfect sync, not knowing that each could hear Ah Bao’s thoughts.

Despite the theatrics, the people in line for the roast chicken remained unmoved. However, those who had received the roast chicken and rice, eager for some festivity, were attracted to the temple square.

The Han Princess was overjoyed seeing the crowd before her.

“The floral fragrance is so strong.” Someone asked, “Where is this floral scent coming from?”

“Don’t you remember? When the small county princess was born ten years ago, the wilted flowers and trees in the capital bloomed overnight. It was early spring, yet the flowers were even more vibrant than in summer. I remember it well; the scent filled the entire capital, uplifting everyone.”

Not just him, but that scene from ten years ago was unforgettable for that generation of capital residents.

“Look, butterflies! So many butterflies!”

“But it’s only early spring, and the weather is still cold. How could butterflies be flying around?”

Di Hongluan stood in the square, hands clasped in prayer, facing the direction of the temple, sincerely praying.

Another hundred meters forward was the actual temple.

Even though there was no national deity, the temple was still crowded during festivals.

The temple may not have a national deity, but the national deity resides in the hearts of the people.

A butterfly fluttered down gently onto Di Hongluan’s head, its wings flickering as if adding a splash of bright color to the pale winter day. This scene attracted everyone’s admiration and astonishment.

“Wow, so beautiful and so spiritual. Even the butterflies recognize the uniqueness of the small county princess,” the people who received money encouraged the atmosphere among the crowd.

Their words had the desired effect.

Someone looked at Di Hongluan and couldn’t help but exclaim, “It seems the small county princess is truly the chosen one, the so-called heavenly birth.”

—

“We’re all quite fortunate, aren’t we? We’ve benefitted from the small county princess’s good fortune. Come closer and soak in some of that good fortune.”

Luo Zifeng looked at the scene, confused, and nudged Di Zian. “Is the Princess Hongluan really that impressive? The celestial phenomena around her seem to recur year after year.”

“Her good fortune is her own business; I’m not envious,” Di Zian said, pursing his lips. He disapproved of how Di Hongluan was flaunting herself so openly on the street. It seemed a bit forced, as if she was trying too hard to prove something.

[She’s playing the role of a great beauty; it’s not just about good fortune. Even if she wants an aura of immortality, people who secretly admire her have to create something for her to absorb.]

[She’s no heavenly-born child. She’s just an ordinary person. Attracting butterflies might be a phenomenon, but it’s nothing more than spreading a bit of honey on her hair. If you stood there, you’d attract butterflies too.]

[And this pervasive fragrance throughout the city? Hmph, I bet the Han Princess is so poor now she can barely afford her pants. She must have spent all her assets to buy top-quality night-blooming jasmine, lit ten times more charcoal in her room than usual, and created a large warming room to smoke the flowers open overnight. Then she secretly planted the night-blooming jasmine along the streets of the capital. This fragrance isn’t just a pleasant smell; it’s the scent of gold!]

Luo Zifeng’s mouth twitched, trying not to laugh.

Ah Bao quickly made him realize the truth: So that’s where the fragrance and butterflies were coming from!

Indeed, this so-called “celestial phenomenon” was vastly inferior compared to the previous nine years.

He remembered that in the past nine years, on this day, there would be fierce winds, thunder, and rainbows—such a grand display.

Since last year, inexplicably, the phenomena had ceased.

[Uh… Could it be that Heaven is disappointed in me? It doesn’t want to play anymore?]

Old Bai had told her something like, “This is your tenth reincarnation, my lord. You must succeed this time.”

And it truly did succeed.

Ah Bao didn’t know that Heaven had been tricked by her nine times before and was now quite befuddled.

When the tenth time came, and Heaven thought it had finally outsmarted itself, Ah Bao was born.

Heaven, sipping tea contentedly, thought:

“No way. Little King of the Underworld, is this how you’re playing me?”

Heaven had a task: when Ah Bao was born, there needed to be a celestial phenomenon.

But the task remained unfulfilled because every time Ah Bao reincarnated, something went wrong.

Heaven had been silent for a year, planning to make up for the missed phenomenon from last year.

“Everyone, look up quickly! A swarm of butterflies is flying towards the small county princess. It’s so beautiful.”

Ah Bao, who couldn’t see the butterflies in the crowd, sneezed.

—