Chapter 64: Destiny Naturally Arises, Joyous Events in Succession

The incense at Chengqi Temple was flourishing.

Fragrant smoke coiled through the air, filling the entire temple with the faint scent of sandalwood.

Endless streams of worshippers came and went—some were high-ranking nobles, others were ordinary common folk.

Madam Li led Su Miao, her two younger sisters, and Tang Chaoyang into the main hall.

They knelt reverently to offer incense, then went to draw lots.

Su Ling wanted to draw a lot about marriage. She gently shook the bamboo tube, her expression extremely devout.

Tang Chaoyang had no intention of drawing lots herself.

However, after Su Miao finished, she handed the tube straight to Tang Chaoyang.

With a serene smile, she said, “Cousin, why don’t you draw one too? I’ve heard the lots at Chengqi Temple are very accurate.”

Tang Chaoyang accepted her elder cousin’s kind intention with a slight curl of her lips. “All right.”

When Su Ling heard her elder sister speaking so kindly to Tang Chaoyang, she pursed her lips, unable to understand why her sister treated Tang Chaoyang so well.

Tang Chaoyang shook the bamboo tube. A single stick fell to the ground. She picked it up calmly and went to the monk to have it interpreted.

Su Ling pricked up her ears, eager to hear what lot Tang Chaoyang had drawn.

The old monk recited an “Amitabha,” then said, “Benefactor, this is an upper-upper lot. A blessed union destined by heaven—born of fate, naturally accomplished, bringing one joyous event after another. Your marriage will be harmonious, and you will live a hundred years in peace. The old man under the moon secretly ties the red thread, and two hearts blossom together in joy.”

“….”

The corner of Tang Chaoyang’s mouth twitched slightly. A divorced woman with a ruined reputation—where would she find such a perfect marriage? But she still donated an offering and said calmly, “Thank you, Master, for interpreting the lot.”

When Su Ling heard that Tang Chaoyang had actually drawn an upper-upper lot, she thought Tang Chaoyang must have stumbled into ridiculous luck. And when she heard the explanation, she felt both envy and jealousy.

She was sure her own lot would be better than Tang Chaoyang’s.

After Tang Chaoyang left, Su Ling handed her own lot to the old monk.

He again intoned “Amitabha,” then asked gently, “Young lady, this is a middle lot. What are you asking about?”

He hadn’t needed to ask Tang Chaoyang’s question earlier, since her lot had clearly been about marriage.

Su Ling twisted her fingers in her handkerchief. She had only drawn a middle lot. Lowering her voice, she said, “I’m asking about marriage.”

The old monk smiled serenely. “Gain and loss follow fate—do not question Heaven.”

Hearing this, Su Ling felt distinctly displeased.

What did he mean, gain and loss follow fate—do not question Heaven?

Clearly, he was telling her to simply let things run their course. But she wanted to enter the palace!

Madam Li made an offering and thanked the monk.

Next, it was Su Miao’s turn to have her lot interpreted. She had asked about her fortune.

The old monk examined it. “Upper-upper lot.”

Su Miao’s lovely face lit with a touch of joy. “Master, I wish to ask about my prospects.”

The old monk smiled. “Good fortune will come naturally. A splendid future of long-lasting blessings and peace.”

Hearing that her elder sister, too, had drawn an upper-upper lot, Su Ling thought her own luck today was simply awful. A sour feeling settled in her heart.

Madam Li paid no mind to her youngest daughter’s sulky mood. There was still an important matter to attend to today.

She took Su Miao and the others to a private side chamber reserved for women to rest. Madam Wang was already waiting inside.

Tang Chaoyang and the younger women saluted Madam Wang.

Madam Wang looked at Tang Chaoyang, her eyes carrying both a hint of scrutiny and a trace of warmth. “Chaoyang, this is a little gift from me to you.”

She took Tang Chaoyang’s hand, studying her carefully, then slipped an exquisite jade bracelet onto her wrist.

Tang Chaoyang lowered her gaze to the bracelet, feeling somewhat baffled.

A gift from an elder could not be refused outright.

Still, she removed it with a calm smile and set it on the table. “Madam, this gift is too precious. I feel unworthy of receiving it without merit.”

Madam Wang smiled. “It’s just a small token of greeting. You truly won’t accept it?”

She called Su Miao and Su Ling over as well, giving them each a similar gift.

Madam Li looked toward Tang Chaoyang and said in a warm voice, “Chaoyang, just accept it. It’s a little kindness from Madam Wang to all of you. You three go and stroll in the back mountain for a while. I have some things to discuss with Madam Wang.”

Tang Chaoyang and the others saluted before leaving the inner chamber.

Even in winter, the scenery of Chengqi Temple’s back mountain held a unique beauty. The rocks in all shapes and the evergreen bamboo lent it a distinctive charm.

Tang Chaoyang intended to find a spot to sit and rest until it was time to eat the vegetarian meal, and then they could descend the mountain after noon.

Su Miao and Su Ling continued exploring, while Tang Chaoyang chose a stone bench to sit and recover her strength.

It was then that Wang Quan appeared. He stood before her, lowering his eyes, his face faintly flushed as he cupped his hands in greeting. “Miss Tang, I am Wang Quan.”

Tang Chaoyang looked up, rose to return the courtesy, and nodded. “Young Master Wang.”

She intended to leave.

“Miss Tang, please wait.” Wang Quan’s voice held a note of nervousness. “I was too abrupt last time. There are a few things I wish to say to you.”

Madam Wu stood discreetly beside Tang Chaoyang, quietly sizing up Wang Quan.

This young man had an air of scholarly refinement. Judging by his demeanor, he was clearly interested in her young mistress.

Wang Quan spoke earnestly. “All my life, I did not know longing. Now that I have tasted it, I am tormented by it. My feelings are genuine—I sincerely wish to marry you.”

Tang Chaoyang: “…”

All my life, I did not know longing. Now that I have tasted it, I am tormented by it. This line came from “Zhe Gui Ling.” It expressed the sweetness and pain of falling in love.

Tang Chaoyang arched a brow slightly, her gaze calm. “Young Master Wang, as I said before—”

All my life, I did not know longing. Now that I have tasted it, I am tormented by it… So, Miss Tang, after leaving your husband’s house, you so quickly found yourself an admirer? Are the two of you secretly pledged to each other?

Several noble ladies and young men had just rounded the artificial hill, emerging into view.

The speaker, mocking and amused, was the Princess of Runan.

They all began eyeing Tang Chaoyang and Wang Quan up and down.

Su Ling stood among these noble youths as well. She stepped forward, smiling sweetly as she explained, “Your Highness misunderstands. It isn’t a secret affair—Young Master Wang simply wishes to propose marriage to my cousin.”