Chapter 50: Blessings and Misfortunes Entwined

Tan Qingjiu frowned at the words. "So soon?"

She then turned her head to look at Qingdai. "Is it one of our people? Didn't you say Chen Yueyu had already sent someone to contact the person we arranged? Wasn't it set that they'd enter the household the day after tomorrow? Why has it changed to today?"

Qingdai was equally bewildered. "Yes, that's what they told me. Could something have gone wrong midway?"

Tan Qingjiu paused, even Qingdai didn't know? She turned her gaze to Zisu and asked, "Did you find out who this eminent monk Chen Yueyu invited is?"

"I asked around, but everyone said they didn't know," Zisu replied, eyes lowered. "I've heard it was personally invited by Tan Yun, someone with considerable background."

"They entered the household together with Tan Yun."

"I didn't know about your arrangements, my lady, so I assumed it was someone you arranged and didn't investigate further."

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes. "Tan Yun personally invited this person? Entered the household with Tan Yun? And has a significant background?"

"Alright, let's go and see."

Zisu and Qingdai hurried after Tan Qingjiu.

Qingdai's face was filled with concern. "If this person wasn't invited by us, all our plans will be thrown into chaos. Chen Yueyu wants to use the monk's words to shift blame for the incidents in the household onto Miss and the late madam. We had prepared to counter this, but now, with this sudden development, things might turn against us."

"We'll deal with whatever comes. Let's see what happens first," Tan Qingjiu said.

She led Qingdai and Zisu to the main courtyard, where Tan Yun stood with his back to the entrance, speaking to someone before him. His broad figure blocked the view of the person he addressed, whose head was bowed, revealing a round, gleaming bald head.

Chen Yueyu stood quietly to the side, her manner utterly respectful.

The other concubines of the household arrived one after another. Only then did Chen Yueyu, taking advantage of a lull in conversation, softly say, "Master, everyone is here."

Tan Yun turned, moving aside to reveal the person he had been speaking to.

When Tan Qingjiu saw the man's face, she halted abruptly, the corners of her lips lifting—truly, a person of great consequence.

Tan Yun spoke, "Recently, our Tan household has been plagued by strange events. To settle everyone's minds, I personally invited the State Preceptor to come and have a look."

At these words, the women in the courtyard began whispering among themselves again.

"The State Preceptor? Is it really him? He's so young and handsome!"

"I've heard talk in the city about the Second Young Master and the heir of Prince Ding, and the State Preceptor. I've seen the Prince's heir at the household before; though he's somewhat frivolous, his looks are beyond compare. When the eldest Miss stands beside him, she seems utterly dim in comparison. Now, seeing the State Preceptor, it's clear why they're called the Twin Stars of the Capital."

"For Master to invite the State Preceptor, what an honor!"

Though their voices were low, Tan Yun heard every word clearly.

He couldn't help but listen, a smile tugging at his lips. He was surprised himself that he had managed to invite the State Preceptor.

What's more, after the morning court, the State Preceptor had sought him out, saying he had divined that the Tan household was experiencing unusual phenomena and wished to investigate.

Previously, when Chen Yueyu reported the strange happenings in the house, he hadn't paid them much mind. Only when the State Preceptor came to him did he begin to believe.

After all, the State Preceptor, as His Majesty said, seldom made predictions, but was never wrong when he did.

"State Preceptor, I've already shown you around the Tan household. Have you seen anything? We've indeed had many incidents lately—can you discern the cause?"

Li Xiao slowly closed his eyes, calmly turning the Buddhist beads in his hand. "Misfortune is the root of fortune, fortune the root of misfortune. What has appeared in your household recently must be misfortune, yes?"

"Yes." Tan Yun nodded. "First, I fell gravely ill without warning. Then my daughter Yunge kept encountering troubles. Afterwards, someone tried to frame Qingjiu. Two unidentified corpses appeared, then my wife saw ghosts at night and was nearly strangled—these are all misfortunes."

After speaking, he reflected on Li Xiao's words. "State Preceptor, do you mean these misfortunes are actually a blessing?"

Li Xiao opened his eyes, filled with compassion. "Indeed, it is a blessing. Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Your household's recent misfortunes are only because the fortune this time is especially great."

Tan Yun's eyes brightened. "Exceptional fortune? State Preceptor, what do you mean by this fortune?"

"Someone."

As Li Xiao spoke, Tan Yun exchanged a glance with Chen Yueyu. The whispers in the courtyard grew louder. "Someone? Who?"

Li Xiao's fingers moved swiftly, and he recited an incantation. "A star of fortune has descended, entering the Tan household. That person was born at the hour of Shen on the third day of the third month in the fifth year of Minghua."

Tan Yun's brows twitched. "The fifth year of Minghua, third day of the third month, hour of Shen?"

"That's—"

One of the concubines who had been in the household for a long time suddenly realized, "Isn't that... Second Miss's birthday?"

Every gaze fell upon Tan Qingjiu.

Tan Qingjiu was utterly perplexed, raising her hand to point at herself. "Me?"

Li Xiao followed everyone's gaze to Tan Qingjiu, a swift smile flickering in his eyes. "Is this the Second Miss of the household?"

"Yes, yes."

Li Xiao nodded. "Second Miss bears a red aura of fortune. She must be living on the eastern side of the household now?"

Tan Qingjiu turned to Qingdai. "Is our Yunshang Court on the east side of the Tan household?"

She had little sense for directions.

"Yes, it's east."

"Then that's it."

Li Xiao's gaze burned as he looked at Tan Qingjiu. "Second Miss, you are the fortune entwined with misfortune in the Tan household."

"Second Miss can bring new vitality and luck to the household. If Master Tan can seize this opportunity, his future will be illustrious and prosperous."

"If not... it may bring disaster upon the entire household."

Tan Qingjiu lifted her eyelids. Disaster upon the household?

That was accurate.

Tan Yun trembled, staring at Tan Qingjiu for a long time. "Is... is that so?"

He still doubted, but Li Xiao's reputation was overwhelming, and he had never erred; he couldn't help but believe.

Li Xiao nodded, a smile curling his lips. "Second Miss possesses a most peculiar fortune—not innate, but one that suddenly appeared more than six years ago."

"I've never seen such a thing. Master Tan, do you permit me to speak privately with Second Miss, to ask what happened to her more than six years ago? It would help me discern the origin of this fortune."