Strange. She couldn't fathom this man's fate at all. There was no cause and no effect.
She could discern his fate chart, but his fortune was like being veiled in a mist, making it impossible for her to see anything clearly.
Jiang Zhao had observed countless people, but this was the first time she had encountered such a situation. Her already uneasy heart grew even more so.
She simply said, "Sir, there are rules in our profession. We don't talk about one's lifespan or predict death."
"Fortune is like flowing water, changeable and guidable. However, fate is like a deeply - rooted tree, not something I can simply speak of."
Fu Shengyan couldn't help but look at the two of them. When did Jiang Zhao have such a rule? In the past, she would tell people whatever they asked.
Xie Si glanced at Jiang Zhao indifferently. "Since that's the case, I won't force you."
"I wonder if the thing I have in mind will come true?" Xie Si leaned forward, his gaze on Jiang Zhao obscure and unfathomable.
Jiang Zhao slightly turned aside, avoiding his eyes. She took out three copper coins and put them in a tortoise shell. "Sir, just keep your wish in mind."
Jiang Zhao tossed the coins six times in a row, then poured them out of the tortoise shell. "This hexagram changes from Ze Huo Ge to Shui Huo Ji Ji. The matter you asked about must not be an ordinary wish."
"It implies that success depends on one's efforts. Whether it's good or bad is up to you to choose."
"Success depends on one's efforts, huh." Xie Si lowered his head and looked at the hexagram on the table, lost in thought.
What he wished for in his heart was for her to die.
Jiang Zhao stood up. "If there's nothing else, sir, please leave. We're going to close the shop."
"I'll surely keep what Master Song said in mind." With that, Xie Si turned and left without looking back.
Jiang Zhao turned to Fu Shengyan and said, "If he comes again in the future, tell him I'm not here."
"This man is no ordinary person. It's better to have less contact with him to avoid getting into trouble."
Although she was a bit curious, a person whose fate couldn't even be fathomed was not worth getting too involved with.
Fu Shengyan nodded. How could Xie Chang'an, the heir of the Rongwang Mansion, be an ordinary person?
...
Jiang Zhao arrived at the Chen Mansion in the carriage prepared by Fu Shengyan.
The mansion in front of her was extremely imposing. It was decorated magnificently, with carved beams and painted rafters. There were also two majestic stone lions at the entrance.
The Chen family was indeed a well - known wealthy merchant in the capital. It was no less imposing than the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion.
Jiang Zhao walked up to the stone lions and took a look. Both of them were cracked and useless.
After receiving the news from Jiang Yunxi, Chen Huainan had been waiting at the entrance early.
Jiang Yunxi didn't mention that Song E would come, so Chen Huainan just assumed it would be Jiang Zhao.
When he saw a shabbily - dressed person wearing a mask acting furtively in front of the stone lions, he instinctively stepped forward to drive the person away. "Get out of here! Where did this stinky beggar come from? Go away!"
Jiang Zhao stood up straight and looked down at her own attire. Did she look that much like a beggar?
"Chen Huainan, I'm here to save you." Jiang Zhao lifted her chin.
"Who allowed you to call me by my name!" Chen Huainan was used to being arrogant. He immediately wanted to call his servants. "If you don't leave right now, don't blame me for being rude!"
"Hurry up and get out! You're such an eyesore!"
Jiang Zhao then realized that Chen Huainan didn't recognize her at all.
Afraid of really getting beaten, she quickly said, "Didn't Jiang Yunxi tell you?"
"My name is Song E. Jiang Zhao is my disciple. I'm here to help you at my disciple's request. What's your attitude?"
Realizing that he had almost offended the master of his savior, Chen Huainan immediately slapped himself twice. "Master, please don't be angry. It's my fault for being blind. Please come inside."
The young lady Jiang was so beautiful, but her master looked like a madman.
Jiang Zhao didn't move. Instead, she asked, "Do I look like a beggar?"
"Ah?" Chen Huainan was stunned. Afraid of making the person in front of him angry and leaving, he quickly said, "No, no."
"You... have an otherworldly air! You're elegant and free - spirited!" Chen Huainan used all the good words he could think of. "With such a celestial appearance, you must be a hermit expert. How could you look like a beggar!"
Although this master did dress like a beggar and wore an extremely ugly mask, perhaps this was the difference between hermit experts and ordinary people. Their ideas were just a bit more eccentric.
Unconventional! Don't understand but respect.
Flattered by the praise, the corners of Jiang Zhao's lips involuntarily curled up. "Naturally."
"Let's go. Let's go in and take a look. By the way, although these stone lions can guard the house, they're about to crack. You'd better dispose of them."
Chen Huainan readily agreed and immediately ordered his servants to carry the stone lions away.
Jiang Zhao followed Chen Huainan into the mansion, observing the layout as she walked.
"The layout of this mansion was designed by someone, right?"
Chen Huainan's eyes widened. He gave a thumbs - up. "Sure enough, you're a master. You can tell at a glance."
"Even the location of this mansion was specially chosen by my father after consulting an expert."
Jiang Zhao nodded. The feng shui was excellent. It was indeed a good place.
After walking around, Jiang Zhao didn't find anything wrong with the mansion. On the way, she met a young man.
He was said to be the son of the mansion's steward, but his dressing was on a par with Chen Huainan's.
Jiang Zhao couldn't help but admire. The Chen Mansion was really wealthy. Even the steward's son was dressed in gold and silver.
Chen Huainan didn't have a good attitude towards him. In fact, it was extremely bad.
When he heard from Chen Huainan that Jiang Zhao was the expert he had invited, he immediately wanted to drive her out, but was severely scolded by Chen Huainan.
Finally, he left reluctantly, rolling his eyes.
Jiang Zhao took a quick look at the young man. His face didn't look like that of a good person.
"Mr. Chen, could you take me to your courtyard?"
Chen Huainan had no reason to refuse. He immediately led Jiang Zhao to his courtyard. "Please, master."
Just as Jiang Zhao was about to step into the house, she suddenly stopped. Her eyes were fixed on a corner.
Chen Huainan swallowed hard and stammered, "M, M, Master, what's wrong?"
Jiang Zhao pointed to the corner. "That thing is right there."
"It's a female ghost. She's all wet and is looking at us."
Hearing this, the foot that Chen Huainan had just stepped into the house quickly retracted. "R, R, Really?"
Jiang Zhao calmly walked into the house. "Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you?"
"If I'm not mistaken, this female ghost is the concubine who drowned herself in the well in your mansion."
Seeing Jiang Zhao enter the house, Chen Huainan followed. Hearing what she said, his legs went weak and he almost knelt in front of Jiang Zhao.
The female ghost was wearing white clothes. Her wet hair was stuck to her face, making it impossible to see what she looked like.
The female ghost just glanced at Jiang Zhao and then shifted her gaze. Instead, she continued to stare at Chen Huainan menacingly.
She just stared and didn't step forward.
Jiang Zhao was a bit surprised. If it were other fierce ghosts she had encountered before, they would have rushed up already.
This female ghost was quite calm. Moreover, the female ghost didn't pester Chen Huainan day and night.
Otherwise, Chen Huainan wouldn't be standing here now.