My Lady Always Lacks Ambition
Chapter 167 - 166 Liu Xi Interprets the Divination

Chapter 167: Chapter 166 Liu Xi Interprets the Divination

In recent days, the incense offerings at Qingping Temple have been more prosperous than usual, and the reason is simple. Just two or three days earlier, some people came to the temple to offer incense and add incense oil, and incidentally asked for quite a few peace charms and lit long-burning lamps. Such generous patronage sparked the curiosity of those fond of gossip, and upon inquiry, it was revealed that they had come to fulfill a vow, claiming that a Peace Talisman from the temple had saved their life.

As that person vividly recounted how they met Qin Liuxi, had their face read by her, and spent a hundred taels of silver on an Amulet, then how they turned danger into safety, some were skeptical, accusing them of being a shill hired by Qingping Temple to boost its reputation and attract more worshippers.

That person, incensed, swore in front of the Grandmaster’s image, thumping their chest and saying loudly: "If I, Niu Dashan, am really a shill, may I meet a terrible fate, and the Grandmaster can hear this loud and clear."

Such a bold oath—one must not make carelessly, especially in the presence of the gods—but this man dared, momentarily silencing the skeptics.

Just then, someone came to offer incense and upon hearing Niu Dashan’s story, mentioned that there was a closed case due to an incident at a certain dock, where the Black Ship Family plotted against merchants but were counter-killed, leading to a mandate from the governmental office that ships had to register before operating to ensure the safety of merchants and passengers, making it easier to find people in case of any incidents.

Niu Dashan then said: "That was me, I’m that merchant, do you believe me now?"

Everyone began to believe, appreciating the necessity of talismans. Though expensive, their effectiveness was worth every penny.

As a result, the Peace Talismans started to run out at the temple, Daoist Qingyuan had to send multiple messages before finally bringing the "ancestor" Qin Liuxi over.

Seeing Yu Changkong also arrive, the person said: "Oh, Mr. Changkong, are you feeling better now?"

Yu Changkong looked at Qingyuan’s apparition, made a long bow and said: "Many thanks to Daoist Qingyuan for the referral, Changkong has greatly recovered."

"Good, Mr. Changkong, please have a look around. I’ll get my brother... to draw a few peace charms, as there are good people waiting," Qing Yuan said with a smile.

Qin Liuxi said: "I haven’t had my noon meal yet."

"I’ll have Aunt Lu make you some flaky pastries and Four-Red Porridge," Qing Yuan said softly, pushing her, "Quickly, there are still many places in the temple waiting to be renovated."

While the incense offerings are plentiful, hurrying, no, let’s say, spreading more kindness!

Qin Liuxi: "!"

Yu Changkong watched the two head towards the living area, his lips curling slightly, wondering if he had misheard when Qing Yuan called Qin Liuxi a moment ago, his tone faltering for a moment.

Brother?

"Master, shall we have a vegetarian meal first?" Uncle Qian said.

Yu Changkong touched his stomach and replied: "Sounds good."

Drawing talismans might take a long time; one has to burn incense to calm the mind and report to the deities. And not to mention, from what Qing Yuan said, there seemed to be quite a few people waiting, so it seemed like it would be rather time-consuming.

But what he thought would be time-consuming turned out to be just the duration of a vegetarian meal, and Qin Liuxi had already reappeared in his field of vision.

Yu Changkong stood up and asked, "Master, are you hungry? Do you want to eat before drawing talismans?"

"I’m done," she said.

"Ah?" Yu Changkong said: "One charm?"

"How could that be, do you think I’m a tortoise? I’m the fastest talisman drawer in the temple, I’ve drawn hundreds of them. Enough to last until the New Year!" Qin Liuxi rubbed her wrists.

"Hundreds?" Sifang was stunned, "Are peace charms that easy to draw?"

"Not for others, but for me, it’s easy. I’m very remarkable," Qin Liuxi said proudly, "The legendary ’A little spirit light can form a charm’ is exactly what I can do."

Yu Changkong looked down to hide the amused smile in his eyes, having heard this claim more than once.

Uncle Qian then said: "Master, we should ask for a few charms too. With the Double Ninth Festival approaching, we should get some for peace of mind."

"Alright," said Yu Changkong. "Let’s also light two long-burning lamps."

Qin Liuxi’s eyes shone brightly: "Lighting lamps? Come, come, come, let me take you there!"

Long-burning lamps, kept alight all year round in prayer, were indeed a big drain on the incense oil.

The group moved to the main hall. Qin Liuxi lit three sticks of incense, held them to her chest to bow several times, and then placed them one by one in front of the incense burner.

She saw Yu Changkong holding the incense, so she stepped forward to help him adjust the position, "When offering incense, one should lift it with both hands in front of the chest; this is known as ’heart incense.’"

Her hand was warm, and as she gently adjusted his hand’s position, it felt soft and tender.

Yu Changkong discarded any distracting thoughts, held the incense, and performed the ritual thrice before, under her guidance, placing the incense into the burner.

"What are your parents’ names?" Qin Liuxi asked: "I’ll light long-burning lamps for them."

Yu Changkong was taken aback; she actually knew that he was lighting lamps for his parents.

Yu Qingbai, Yun Zhuying.

He muttered the two names.

"Covering the shadows of the bamboo and cypress, what night is without the moon, what place is without bamboo and cypress?①" Qin Liuxi recited a line and said, "The names of the old friends complement each other; in life, they must have been a celestial couple."

"Mmm," Yu Changkong’s fingertips trembled slightly as he watched her light the two long-burning lamps and set them before the deities, waves of longing for his parents surging in his heart.

Father, Mother, your son misses you.

After placing the two lamps properly, Qin Liuxi turned her head and saw the surge of emotions in him, but she didn’t disturb him, retreating quietly to the side to watch as devotees came to pray and kneel in reverence.

A modestly dressed couple, their clothes patched, entered the hall together, offering their own incense in silent prayer – what were they seeking...?

A child?

Qin Liuxi stepped forward to suggest that those desiring children should go to the side hall where there were deities dedicated to childbearing. However, after glancing at the couple, she instead picked up a fortune-telling container.

After they finished their prayers and the young man helped the woman to rise, he said, "Everyone says that Qingping Temple’s peace charms are very effective. In a moment, we will ask a Daoist for one, or perhaps seek a childbearing talisman, and with luck, our wishes will soon be fulfilled."

The woman managed a strained smile: "I hope so."

Qin Liuxi came forward, smiling as she offered the fortune-telling container: "You two, draw a divination stick. The interpretation is free."

The couple were taken aback and looked at each other. The woman, after hesitating upon seeing Qin Liuxi holding out the container, accepted it, knelt down again, closed her eyes, and shook the container while silently reciting her wishes.

Swish, swish, swish.

The sticks inside the container rattled, and soon enough, one fell out. The woman opened her eyes and picked up the stick to look.

The 59th fortune stick of the Guan Emperor’s Divine Fortune-Telling, self and Ren, moderately auspicious.

Qin Liuxi took the stick from her hand, looked at it, and said, "Deng Bodao without a child. The door is weak, the household cold and miserable, it’s lamentable that prayers don’t always come true. Fortunately, the ancestors’ spirits are present, and the incense smoke continues to bring forth descendants. The two of you, your wish is not as you desire!"

Upon hearing those words "without a child," the couple’s faces paled, and after Qin Liuxi said their wish was not as they desired, the woman’s body shuddered, and she leaned to one side, her eyes reddening.

The young man, a bit annoyed, put his arm around his wife’s shoulders and rebuked: "Who are you, who are not a temple Daoist, to spout nonsense and scare people? My lady, let’s go, don’t listen to his blind blather!"

Qin Liuxi was not upset, and as they turned to leave, she said: "Good people, it is you who are without child, not your lady, oh!"