Finest Servant

Chapter 150 The Marriage Fortune Stick

As the day approached noon, he suddenly remembered that the Eldest Miss and others were still at the Lingyin Temple. A sudden worry hit him. He had lost track of time while talking with the elder and wondered anxiously what state the Eldest Miss was in by now.

He rushed into the temple, finally finding the group. He saw the Eldest Miss, deeply engrossed in her prayer to the Bodhisattva in the Grand Buddha Hall.

Lin Wanrong quickly pulled aside Si De and asked, "The Eldest Miss hasn't been looking for me, has she?"

"No," Si De replied, "The Eldest Miss said you're always busy, so they told us to take our time and enjoy the visit. She's been very devout, praying to each and every Bodhisattva in the temple and lighting incense."

Every single Bodhisattva? Lin Wanrong broke out in a sweat. There were over a hundred statues of Buddhas of varying sizes in the Lingyin Temple. When exactly was she planning to finish her prayer?

The Eldest Miss was currently praying to a standing statue of the Goddess of Mercy, who held a vase of pure water to deliver all beings from suffering. Beneath her was a statue of Sudhana, signifying the story of Sudhana paying homage to Guanyin.

The Grand Buddha Hall was solemn and majestic, with an awe-inspiring atmosphere. Right at the center of the grand hall was a statue of Sakyamuni sitting on a lotus, about seventy to eighty feet tall. It was exquisitely and solemnly carved, full of lifelike charm.

Seeing as he was at the temple, Lin Wanrong thought it wouldn't be appropriate to leave without doing something. He too prayed before the Bodhisattva, asking for great wealth and a multitude of wives in the coming years.

After finishing his prayers, Lin Wanrong saw a fortune-telling booth nearby, with an old monk seated there. He laughed to himself, realizing that fortune-telling was essentially a psychological game. Most temples would have a kindly old monk looking like a high-ranking monk to make you believe even if you were skeptical.

Xiao Feng came over and said, "Brother Lin, asking for a fortune here is quite expensive."

Seeing the fortune stick in Xiao Feng's hand, Lin Wanrong smiled, "So, have you asked for one already?"

Xiao Feng nodded and said, "One tael for a fortune and two for the interpretation. It really is quite costly."

Sweat. Lin vaguely remembered that it was the same price last time at the Rosy Cloud Temple outside Jinling City. It seemed that the price of incense was uniform everywhere.

Xiao Feng had spent one tael on a fortune but was reluctant to spend another two on interpretation. He handed the stick to Lin Wanrong and said, "Brother Lin, you are knowledgeable. Can you help me interpret this?"

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "I didn't expect to be seen as knowledgeable in your eyes, Xiao Feng. Alright, I'll interpret this for you."

Interpreting fortunes was all about trickery. The vaguer and more mysterious it was, the more people would believe it. Lin Wanrong had no doubt about his ability to trick others. He took the stick from Xiao Feng and read the four-line verse on it:

"Morning and night, rely on the Buddha for support,

Only then can danger be turned into safety.

If guided by a noble person,

Wealth and prosperity will follow."

‘Did this really need interpretation?’ Lin Wanrong sighed and shook his head. Such ambiguous language could be interpreted in many ways.

"Xiao Feng, what did you want to ask?" Lin Wanrong asked with a smile.

"I wanted to ask about my mar—ah, I mean, my financial fortune," Xiao Feng answered somewhat embarrassedly.

‘Seriously? This was obviously a fortune about wealth, and yet he had the audacity to say it was about marital fortune.’ Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, unabashedly saying, "Xiao Feng, this is a good fortune, ranking above average."

Upon seeing Lin Wanrong speaking so convincingly, Xiao Feng promptly asked, "What do you mean by an above-average fortune? Quickly, Brother Lin, explain!"

Lin Wanrong replied, "Well, the first line of the verse does not need explaining. It means that the quality of your life is entirely at the mercy of the Bodhisattvas in this temple. So, you must respect them properly. Even if you encounter dangers, they can automatically resolve them. As long as you receive the help of a noble person, wealth and prosperity will come rolling in."

The verse was easy to understand, but interpreting fortunes needed someone else's expertise, especially someone like Lin Wanrong, who easily fooled Xiao Feng into understanding the complexity of the prediction.

Respectfully, Xiao Feng said, "Brother Lin, you truly are a wise man. But I wonder if this fortune can tell about marriage prospects too?"

Good heavens, this lad was a penny-pincher. He had asked for a wealth fortune stick and now wanted it to predict marital fortunes too. It was quite outrageous. Lin Wanrong laughed and said, "Brother Xiao, one must be sincere when asking for a fortune for it to work."

Xiao Feng chuckled awkwardly and decided not to inquire about his marriage prospects. Instead, he sneakily kept his eyes fixed on Xiao Cui, a maid accompanying the Eldest Miss.

Upon seeing Lin Wanrong's ability to interpret fortunes, Xiao Cui also ran to spend a silver tael to get a fortune stick. Handing it to Lin Wanrong, she asked, "Brother San, could you interpret this for me too?"

Lin Wanrong laughed and replied, "Of course, but may I ask what question you have in mind, Sister Xiao Cui?"

Xiao Cui's face brightened, and she lowered her head in shyness, whispering, "About marital prospects."

‘Damn it, just as I expected, all these young maidens want to ask about this. Every girl is romantic at heart, and when in a temple, they undoubtedly ask about marital prospects.’ Lin Wanrong took her fortune stick and read the verse written on it: "The red string signifies the previous life, no need to ask for a matchmaker, everything can be achieved. In the quiet moonlit night within the new pavilion, suddenly a phoenix's song can be heard."

Lin Wanrong chuckled and said, "Sister Xiao Cui, congratulations, this is a top-tier fortune."

Xiao Cui's spirits lifted immediately, no longer caring about her shyness, she asked, "Is it true? Brother San, quickly interpret it for me."

"This red string, also known as the red thread, represents the matchmaker, the Old Man Under the Moon. The first two lines mean that the matchmaker has paired you with someone, even if you don't seek it, destiny will come uninvited, commonly referred to as 'fated to be together.' The last two lines suggest the bridal chamber, and the phoenix's song indicates a perfect match. This prediction suggests a person who is destined and will naturally achieve what they desire. If this isn't a top-tier fortune, I don't know what is. Congratulations, Sister Xiao Cui."

Xiao Cui was overjoyed, sneaking a glance at Xiao Feng, who was also looking at her. They began to exchange romantic looks.

Lin Wanrong laughed to himself. It seemed these two had been involved with each other for a while, pretending to seek a marriage fortune was just an act. What a fine pair of lovers they were!

Following this, Si De also went to get a wealth fortune stick, which also turned out to be a top-tier fortune. Lin Wanrong's interpretation delighted everyone.

Si De suggested, "Brother San, all of us have asked for fortunes. Why don't you try your luck too?"

Seeing everyone in such high spirits, Lin Wanrong laughed heartily and agreed, "Sure, I'll go and get a fortune stick too."

He rushed to the altar, spent a tael of silver, and also sought a fortune stick. Looking at it, it read: "The fish is trapped in the deep pool and has not yet turned into a dragon, the splendid light above shines sometimes gloriously, there is a path in the azure cloud that must be reached, and the mountains are towering toward the nine heavens at sunset."

Lin Wanrong, accustomed to tricking others, was at a loss when it came to his own fortune. Although the prediction seemed simple, he didn't know how to interpret it.

"Let me do it," a gentle voice sounded next to him. Everyone looked up and saw that it was the Eldest Miss who had been devoutly worshipping the Bodhisattvas just now.

Seeing Lin Wanrong's hesitation, the Eldest Miss laughed and said, "What, you don't believe me?"

"How could that be?" Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I'm just afraid that the quality of the prediction is so good it might scare you."

The Eldest Miss playfully retorted, "I'd be a fool to believe you." She gently took the fortune stick from his hand and glanced at it. After pondering for a while, she said, "Congratulations, Lin San. This is a superior fortune and it has a dual interpretation."

"A dual interpretation? What does that mean?" Lin Wanrong asked curiously.

"Your fortune stick, it interprets both career and marriage fortunes. If this isn't a dual interpretation, then what is?" the Eldest Miss chuckled.

Lin Wanrong was baffled. He had only asked for a career fortune stick, but when it reached the Eldest Miss's hands, it magically had a dual interpretation. It was truly mysterious.

The Eldest Miss explained, "This fortune stick about wealth is clear in the verse, even though there will be ups and downs, you will ultimately achieve success in your career and wealth."

Lin Wanrong had never doubted this. The Eldest Miss continued with a smile, "As for this marriage fortune, it needs a good interpretation. The first line means you're like a fish trapped in a deep pool, yet to turn into a dragon, meaning your marital fate has not yet arrived. The second line suggests that you will eventually marry a good wife and enjoy wealth and honor. The last two lines mean, once your marital fate arrives, you will rise straight to the top, becoming immensely wealthy. If this isn't a top-tier fortune, what is?"

After the Eldest Miss interpreted his prediction, it really made sense. Lin Wanrong thought about his relationship with Qiaoqiao and Yushuang. He was on good terms with them both. Moreover, what did this matter of marital fate have to do with wealth and honor?

He thought for a while and then started to laugh helplessly. These were the things that young girls liked to engage in. Why should he, an adult man, care about these things? Was he just killing time after a full meal?

Xiao Cui saw the Eldest Miss also holding a fortune stick and exclaimed in surprise, "Eldest Miss, you also asked for a fortune?"

The Eldest Miss's face reddened slightly, and she gently nodded. Lin Wanrong was startled. This girl who always prioritized business was asking for a fortune in this temple. It must be about the wealth of the Xiao family. He chuckled, "Eldest Miss, let me interpret yours too."

The Eldest Miss's face turned even redder. She said softly, "What do you need to interpret? I'll go and ask the old monk later."

Seeing the Eldest Miss's bashful expression, Lin Wanrong was puzzled. If she asked about wealth, there was no need to be shy. Could it be that she asked about marriage?

The Eldest Miss noticed his gaze lingering on her. She couldn't help but softly huff, "What are you looking at?"

Lin Wanrong laughed, "This fortune stick is important. It's indeed safer to ask a monk to interpret it."

Seeing his sly demeanor and eyes filled with amusement, the Eldest Miss knew he had guessed the purpose of her divination. A flush of warmth spread across her face.

She had taken the fortune stick earlier without a glance, but now she couldn't resist looking. It read:

"Happiness and joy, groping in the dark

Mirage of the moon on the water, a castle in the sky

Filling the sea with pebbles, tossing pearls to sparrows

Seeing but not noticing, resulting in a delay

Meeting without a meeting, encountering without an encounter

The moon sinks into the sea, the person is in a dream."

Other people's fortune sticks, whether they asked about marriage or wealth, were all clear and easy to understand. Why was hers so obscure, seemingly saying something, and yet nothing at all? The Eldest Miss was puzzled.

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