Chapter 32: Clever Use of Memory to Make Big Money

After sitting down, the two didn’t bother with formalities and went straight to the point.

“It’s said, sir, that you came concerning the child in my wife’s womb. I’d like to hear the details,” Zhao Xichi said, calmly observing the man before him.

He Yanxin repeated his earlier story—that he had passed through Yongqing County today, sensed something extraordinary, and upon closer look, realized the Literary Star had descended to the mortal world. That’s why he knocked on the door.

After hearing this, Zhao Xichi narrowed his eyes. It was unclear whether he believed it or not.

The Literary Star… That referred to a top scholar. But becoming the top scholar was no easy feat.

He himself was of mediocre talent, had studied diligently for twenty years, and only managed to place 36th in the second class of successful candidates.

He had spent a few years working at the Hanlin Academy in the capital, then was posted here in Yongqing County to build experience. In another year, he would return to the capital to report his service.

How trustworthy was this man’s claim?

After all, the fact that his wife was pregnant wasn’t hard to find out. Anyone could fabricate such a story.

He had just come from the inner residence, where his wife was having a difficult labor. It had already been two hours, and the child still hadn’t been born.

He had been pacing in the outer room in anxiety when he heard someone outside asking to see him, claiming it concerned the pregnancy. That was the only reason he came to meet the visitor.

People called it “an old clam giving birth to a pearl,” but his wife was only thirty-three. Still, in an era where people commonly married at fifteen or sixteen and the average lifespan was around fifty or sixty, the phrase wasn’t entirely inappropriate.

“Oh? The Literary Star has descended, you say? Then tell me—when will the child be born, and is there any danger?”

He was truly worried. If this went on, both mother and child could die. At this point, he could only treat the desperate as the hopeful and ask this man for an answer.

He Yanxin lowered his head, pretending to calculate with his fingers, then looked outside. The sun hadn’t risen yet, but golden light was already glowing faintly on the horizon.

In the previous life, the magistrate’s young son had been born just after sunrise—around 7:15 a.m., during the early hour of the dragon (辰时初).

“No need to worry, My Lord. Madam will be safe. The young master is under heaven’s protection and will be born at sunrise, under the radiance of first light.”

Zhao Xichi’s face lit up. Didn’t that mean the birth was less than half an hour away?

He decided to wait and see. If the child was born as predicted, this man might be genuine. If not, he would have him arrested—how dare he deceive a magistrate!

The two sat quietly while a maid refilled their tea from time to time.

Zhao Xichi asked subtly about He Yanxin’s background, while He Yanxin was carefully laying the groundwork for the real pitch.

“I studied physiognomy and divination in the mountains. Though I can’t compare to my master or senior brothers, I’ve achieved some skill. Since I happen to have fate with you, My Lord, perhaps I could give you a reading.”

If he didn’t first establish credibility and win the magistrate’s trust, he might end up jailed as a fraud once he revealed what he truly came to say.

By making his origins seem mysterious, he could create a sense of awe and caution.

Zhao Xichi was anxious but had no way to help in the delivery. There were professional doctors in the back courtyard. So, he figured—why not just hear the man out?

“I see you were born into a noble family. You have one son and one daughter—seventeen and fifteen years old. Your daughter should be married by now, yes?”

Zhao Xichi nodded. His daughter had married the year before. His son hadn’t followed him to this post and remained in the capital to study. His wedding was set for early spring two years from now.

“Hmm… Very good, very good. Your son-in-law—his surname is Lu, isn’t it? Nineteen years old. Blessed with good fortune, he will certainly pass the imperial examination in two years. Your descendants will flourish. And next year, you’ll have a grandson. Double blessings await you.”

In the previous life, the original host had gone to the capital and happened to be there when the exam results were posted. He overheard someone say that a certain scholar was almost disqualified because his father-in-law had been implicated in Prince Qi’s rebellion. Fortunately, the investigation cleared the matter. Otherwise, his name would’ve never made it on the Golden List.

Curious, the original host looked into it and found out the scholar’s father-in-law was none other than Magistrate Zhao of their county.

The original host had always acted with propriety. Though free to move about, he never entered places he shouldn’t, like someone’s private quarters.

During his five years of wandering and despair, he hadn’t deliberately gathered much information. Otherwise, He Yanxin could’ve just set up a stall and read fortunes for a living.

He had only ever seen the magistrate’s daughter a few times when she went out. So all he knew was a rough idea and focused on describing the son-in-law.

He had also visited the Zhao household once. The Zhao family was a scholarly clan in the capital, and the visit had broadened the original host’s horizons.

As a science major in modern life, He Yanxin had no clue how to pull off this ancient-style act. He was simply mimicking the formal ways of interaction he’d seen in the original host’s memories.

If it were his modern self, he would’ve just spoken plainly the entire time. But that would’ve sounded too unrefined to convince a scholarly man like the magistrate.

Hearing this, Zhao Xichi blushed slightly. He was about to become a grandfather, yet he and his wife had ended up having another son—truly embarrassing.

Still, doubt began to gnaw at him.

He had served in Yongqing for three years, and news of his children was indeed not hard to obtain. But his son-in-law had not yet entered officialdom and had never been mentioned in public.

Surname Lu—nineteen years old—that was all correct.

Could this man truly read fate and destiny?

“And your son…” He Yanxin frowned as he mentioned the magistrate’s son.

Later, when Zhao’s involvement in the rebellion wasn’t yet resolved, his son’s engagement was broken off. The original host had been present at the time and remembered how poorly the other party had behaved.

If the magistrate were convicted, even in-laws wouldn’t be spared. So, the other family publicly broke off the engagement in a dramatic attempt to distance themselves.

“Is there a problem with my son?” Zhao Xichi, beginning to believe, asked quickly when he saw He Yanxin’s expression.

“There’s no major issue. He’s a fine young man. But… his in-laws are questionable. They may not be reliable in times of trouble.”

He Yanxin meant: families that flee at the first sign of trouble shouldn’t be kept. Even if Zhao came out clean this time, there’s no guarantee of stability in the future.

“That’s… impossible, isn’t it?”

The marriage was arranged before he was posted here. The families were well-matched and had been pleased with the match.

“No, no. That family won’t do,” He Yanxin shook his head and continued, “Your in-law’s surname is Huang, correct? While serving as a senior official in the Ministry of Revenue, he embezzled tens of thousands of taels of silver.”

This was later uncovered by Zhao’s family. While they could understand the engagement being broken, the Huang family’s arrogance had been too much. They had to be taught a lesson.

No lives were taken, but an official memorial had been submitted to force the Huang family to return triple the embezzled amount to the treasury.

Not long into the conversation, Zhao Xichi was already so shocked he’d forgotten the time. How did this man know so many secrets? Could he truly be…

Just then, Cui Liu, the maid, rushed in with a joyful expression, shouting, “Congratulations, My Lord! Madam has given birth! It’s a baby boy!”

Looking outside, the sun had just risen.

“Good! Good! Good!” Zhao Xichi stood up and said “good” three times, then turned to He Yanxin. “Sir, please make yourself at home. I must take my leave.”

With that, he strode out with great energy.

He Yanxin didn’t really make himself at home. He stayed seated—he couldn’t risk breaking character, especially with guards still outside.

Still, he reached for the pastries on the table. He hadn’t had breakfast before rushing over and was truly hungry.

He stopped after a few pieces, then lowered his head to sip tea and quietly contemplate.

It seemed the magistrate was beginning to believe he had some skill. But the real challenge was still ahead. The main course hadn’t even been served yet.

(End of Chapter)