Chapter 256: The Missed Fortune
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
The abbot’s face held a gentle smile as he addressed Lu Yuan Ze with extreme kindness.
“Master Lu, there’s no need for such formality. Even without the prayer beads, no evil spirit would dare enter your home,” the abbot assured.
“Three years ago, when I encountered your family members, I could see from afar that the elderly lady was enveloped in the aura of good deeds and prosperity. The Lu family will rise to greatness within ten years, with someone becoming a minister and others earning noble titles.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s eyebrows twitched as he tried to suppress his excitement, his eyes burning with hope. “Are you serious, Abbot?” he asked, unable to hide his joy.
“Of course,” the abbot confirmed. “I saw then that your household would produce someone of unparalleled virtue, a child favored by the divine.”
“All you need to do, Master Lu, is to raise this child well. Everything you desire will come to you naturally. You will navigate all troubles with ease, and fortune will always follow you.”
Overwhelmed with happiness, Lu Yuan Ze looked down at Lu Jing Yao, his eyes filled with fervent heat. [He was right after all. What did Madam Xu matter? What did Lu Chao Chao matter? And so what if Lu Yan Shu refused to come home? He still had Jing Yao!]
Lu Jing Yao’s heart swelled with pride as she looked up at her father, delighted.
“Thanks to your words, Abbot, I feel reassured,” Lu Yuan Ze sighed. “Lately, our household has been troubled, and I’m unsure what taboo we’ve offended.”
“In just two short years, our marquis title was stripped, I was demoted by the king, my mother had a stroke…and my son…” Lu Jing Huai had been a disgrace, mocked by everyone he encountered.
The abbot was taken aback. “How can this be? This isn’t right. After your daughter was born, you should have experienced success and prosperity.”
He calculated on his fingers, his face showing uncertainty. “This can’t be…”
“Your eldest son has a misfortune involving water, but after your daughter’s birth, he should have turned this calamity into a blessing, soaring to great heights. Did something go wrong?” The abbot’s fingers moved rapidly as he calculated.
Lu Yuan Ze was stunned.
A young monk behind him said, “Master, Young Master Yan Shu became the top scholar! The capital is already abuzz with the news. He achieved first place in all three examinations, a rare and outstanding success.”
“And your second son’s fortune lies on the battlefield. Has he joined the army?” the abbot asked.
“Yes, he has,” Lu Yuan Ze replied hesitantly.
“And your third son is pursuing literature, correct?”
“Yes, but…”
The abbot was perplexed. “Then why is your household in turmoil? Have you mistreated your daughter?”
Lu Yuan Ze shook his head vehemently. “Absolutely not! We cherish her dearly.”
The abbot continued to calculate with his fingers, deeply puzzled. “No, this isn’t right. There must be a mistake somewhere.”
“Her virtue should be enough to ensure the household’s prosperity. Even before her birth, her grandmother was already benefiting from her aura, bringing immense fortune to the family.”
“After her birth, this should have become even more apparent. There should have been significant positive changes.”
“Where is this child?” the abbot suddenly asked.
Lu Yuan Ze nodded but then remembered the abbot was blind. “She’s here. Jing Yao, come forward and greet the abbot.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Abbot, I am Yao Yao. Thank you for the prayer beads, but unfortunately, they broke and can no longer protect the family,” Lu Jing Yao said, disappointed.
The abbot set down the prayer beads and suddenly knelt.
“Master!”
“Reverend!”
“Abbot!” Lu Yuan Ze exclaimed in shock, quickly moving Lu Jing Yao aside.
The abbot was a revered monk, and no one could accept his kneeling. Even the king only received a slight nod from him.
“No need to avoid it. She possesses immense virtue and enjoys the incense offerings of the common people. She can bear this reverence,” the abbot said, waving them off.
The crowd below the platform stood in stunned silence.
“The abbot knelt to Lu Yuan Ze’s daughter?” Prince Jingxi’s voice was filled with disbelief. [How fortunate was Lu Yuan Ze!]
Madam Xu happened to see Lu Chao Chao stepping out of the carriage.
“Master Lu’s fortune is truly remarkable. Although his eldest son was removed from the family register and he lost a son who was a top scholar, the daughter born of his mistress has a noble fate, so revered that even a high monk kneels to touch her bones.”
“He relied on Madam Xu in the first half of his life and now relies on Madam Pei in the latter half. Such good fortune!” the crowd murmured enviously.
Madam Xu was stunned.
“Chao Chao, find a cushion to sit on,” Madam Xu said, leading Chao Chao to a seat next to the princess and the wife of Prince Jingxi.
The wife of Prince Jingxi looked embarrassed, clearing her throat.
The young Xie Yu Zhou, unyielding, huffed and moved to a corner.
“How unfair the heavens are, blessing a daughter born of a concubine with such a noble fate. Heaven is truly blind!”
“I’m not speaking for you. As the legitimate wife, naturally, we must stand united against the concubine,” the wife of Prince Jingxi spat, uncomfortable.
The princess glanced at her, pulling Madam Xu and Chao Chao close. “Ignore her. She’s all talk.”
“Being a petty tyrant in the countryside for a few years, she’s forgotten her place. Needs a good scolding to wake her up,” the princess said bluntly. The wife of Prince Jingxi, arrogant by nature, was no match for her.
Knowing she was at fault, the wife of Prince Jingxi could only respond awkwardly, “Of course, the queen’s advice has been invaluable.”
Lu Yuan Ze faced the monk’s reverence, shock etched on his face as he stared at his daughter.
[Enjoying the incense offerings of the common people?]
Lu Yuan Ze couldn’t stop smiling. Even the king had never received such respect from the abbot.
“I am blind, so I must read the girl’s bones. Forgive the intrusion,” the abbot said, kneeling. Lu Jing Yao extended her small hand.
The abbot gently held it, examining it closely.
As he did, his serene expression suddenly changed.
“No, no! This is wrong!” the abbot exclaimed, standing abruptly.
“Master Lu, how dare you deceive me with an imposter?” the abbot’s face turned angry.
Lu Yuan Ze looked at him in bewilderment.
“Imposter? What do you mean, Abbot? This is my daughter, Jing Yao!”
“I blessed her myself back then. Her mother was present too, standing next to the elderly lady!” Lu Yuan Ze said, trembling.
The abbot’s face grew even darker. “Wasn’t that the maid?”
“What?” Lu Yuan Ze was shocked.
A cold sweat broke out as he felt a sense of foreboding.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“No, the one standing next to the elderly lady was my concubine. She was pregnant with Jing Yao at the time, and you blessed her with the prayer beads!” Lu Yuan Ze’s voice trembled.
“Impossible!” the abbot refuted.
“Such a noble fate could not come from a concubine. Master Lu, what were you thinking?”
“A person of such immense virtue and divine favor must have a legitimate birth! If she were a concubine’s daughter, wouldn’t she cause havoc when she grows up?” the abbot’s tone grew urgent, losing its previous caution.
“You… You must have made a mistake!” the abbot’s face was filled with horror.
[This immense fortune, he… had missed it?]