Chapter 87 - Prophecy (Part I) (1/2)

In the time it took for a single stick of incense to burn, Jiang Xin Zhi took Jiang Ruan and left without a care and the slightest loss or disadvantage, leaving behind Jiang Quan who was suffocating from suppressed anger. Unfortunately the Jiang Zhi Xin of today had received meritorious accomplishment from the army, and his temperament had greatly changed. No longer was he that easy to handle. Yet, Jiang Su Su even thought to add fuel to the fire, “Father, look at Da Jiejie….”

“Shut up!” Jiang Quan was still raging. Seeing Jiang Su Su’s weak and feeble stature he couldn’t help feeling even more agitated as he stated, “If you’re stained by a filthy spirit, don’t walk around. Go back to your own courtyard!” After that, he glared at Jiang Chao and quickly left.

Jiang Su Su could only watch Jiang Quan leave with astonishment while a trace of hatred flashed in Jiang Chao’s eyes. The two siblings kept silent, but, at that very moment, they hated both Jiang Xin Zhi and Jiang Ruan bitterly.

* * *

After a peaceful night, the next day at first light when Jiang Ruan woke up, Lu Zhu stepped in with rose pastries[1]. “The rain is easing. It looks as though it’s going to stop.”

[1] T/N: Rose pastry/tart may refer to a common pastry formed like a rose made of flour and beans instead of the Yunnan rose petal filled pastry.

She looked somewhat worried, knowing a little of Jiang Ruan’s plan. How great would it be if the rain stopped now.

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and looked out from the window. The dense raindrops had become sparse. The water dripped down much slower from the eaves. The air started to become milder, sweeping away the dark clouds from the past few days. It seemed that the sky would clear up before long.

Lian Qiao handed the boiled red dates and cassia honey to Jiang Ruan. “It’s not the time yet. Just wait.”

Jiang Ruan took a sip of the honey water and tapped her fingers on the table unconsciously.

Hmm, the rain looked like it’s going to clear up, but actually… it was the rising wind that foreshadowed the coming storm.

* * *

On the edge of the Bo Chang reservoir, the reservoir chief wiped his sweat, running back and forth eagerly, constantly flattering the highly respected nobles in front of him. “The water has been brought under control and the reservoir is very stable. After observing the rain over the past few days, it seems to have dwindled down a lot and it will probably clear up soon. The flood control is all due to the work of His Highness, Eighth Prince, and Second Young Master Li.”

Xuan Li smiled gently. “I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do.”

The reservoir chief smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum when he heard this. His praise was even more dazzling. “Your Highness is modest. The lives of the people around the reservoir are in Your Highness’ hands. It is a blessing for the people to have such a man devoted to the people like Your Highness in the Great Jin dynasty. Later, this official will report Your Highness’ meritorious deeds to the court without fail.” He was full of thoughts; everyone knew that the Crown Prince was not in favour. Nowadays, the most powerful in the palace were Eighth Prince and Fifth Prince. Even though Fifth Prince was decent, in terms of authority in front of the emperor, he still lagged behind Eighth Prince’s birth mother.

After some consideration, Eighth Prince had a better chance of winning. Now that Xuan Li had done a good job in this matter, he should take the opportunity to please him. If he were favoured, his official career would be smooth sailing in the future. When he thought of this, the reservoir chief smiled even more sincerely.

Xuan Li’s smile was like a spring breeze. He neither denied nor approved it. There were a lot of people watching the bustling scene by the side of the reservoir. These days, Xuan Li made great efforts in flood control and the people witnessed it personally. They were both apprehensive and grateful for those in high positions who came down in person. Common people were always the easiest to satisfy. In addition, the reservoir chief excessively boasted about Xuan Li’s merits and so the people were even more grateful to him.

Receiving the admiring and respectful gazes from the people, Xuan Li’s smile deepened. Pride flashed in his eyes. This smile appeared very amiable when it came into the people’s view. Praises extolling the meritorious deeds of the gentle, handsome, and noble Eighth Prince rang out in the midst of the people.

In contrast, Li An, walking beside Xuan Li, still wore a gloomy expression. His expression made Xuan Li seem even more kind and approachable. While the people in the reservoir were giving praises one after another, there was an inopportune voice. “Disaster! Disaster!”

The voice was not ear-piercing in the midst of the praises, but it was exceptionally clear. Xuan Li turned his head to look at the spot where the person spoke from with a barely visible frown.

People gradually stopped speaking when they heard this. They saw a yellow-robed monk coming slowly from the crowd. He looked kind-hearted, his robe was clean without any dust, and he acted like a Buddha sitting on a white lotus, with a faint aura of holiness.

Someone in the crowd recognized him and spoke out, “Isn’t this Great Master Hui Jue? Why is Great Master Hui Jue here?”

“It really is Great Master Hui Jue! He is the senior monk in the capital. It’s Great Master Hui Jue who prophecies miraculous things!”

“What did Great Master Hui Jue mean by ‘disaster’?”

Xuan Li and Li An stared at this unexpected visitor. Hui Jue’s reputation was now very popular all over the aristocratic families in the capital, especially those families who worshipped the Buddha. They knew that this monk was very capable. However, Xuan Li and Li An were atheists and had no fear of supernatural beings, so they saw Hui Jue as a common swindler.

Hui Jue put his palms together. “Amitabha Buddha, this poor monk made a divination last night. The divination showed the collision of Western Dragon’s vital energy, while the Water Dragon raised its head. I’m afraid there will be a big storm. It will be dangerous; the dam may even be at risk of collapsing.”

“What?” The woman with the baby in her arms immediately panicked and said, “Is everything Great Master just said true?”

Hui Jue put his palms together and nodded in deferential manner.

Xuan Li and Li An walked slowly towards Hui Jue. When they got near him, Xuan Li smiled gently. “Did everything Great Master just say, true?”