Chapter 79: I Don’t Lack Wealth
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“Not so, not so.” Yu Zhi Yi defended the reputation of Mystic Sect practitioners earnestly. “We’re not ascetics. Everyone has desires. However, most practitioners of the Dao face the Three Harms and Five Shortages. Some are destined to lack wealth, so they cease struggling in that regard. That’s why all you see of them is… well, the impoverished side.”
“But as for me, I don’t lack wealth.”
Du Zi Heng’s eyes flickered as he turned to look at her. The slight lift of her smiling face was brimming with confidence and pride.
Rather charming, he thought.
Realizing his own thoughts, he awkwardly averted his gaze.
Yu Zhi Yi ignored the fleeting look beside her and earnestly named her price. “My standard rate is one silver tael per divination. Of course, if someone wishes to give more, I wouldn’t refuse. You two can decide how much to pay.”
After being pulled into such a treacherous royal mystery that could claim her life at any moment, wasn’t it fair to charge a little extra as compensation for her energy, fears, and mental anguish?
The Emperor caught her underlying implication and laughed, scolding her, “Money-grubber!”
“Fine. I get it. Your fee won’t disappoint you.”
“No matter what result I divine, whether you’re satisfied or not?”
The Emperor paused before answering. “…Yes, whether I’m satisfied or not, I’ll ensure you’re satisfied.”
Having received the promise, Yu Zhi Yi wasted no time and grew serious in an instant.
“The misunderstanding between Your Majesty and Prince Shun stems from a single person—the late Princess Consort Shun.”
Neither the Emperor nor Prince Shun reacted much.
This matter wasn’t exactly a secret in the capital. Those with connections in aristocratic circles already knew the details.
Yu Zhi Yi continued, “Your Majesty and Prince Shun grew up together, as close as brothers. You once innocently believed you held an irreplaceable place in each other’s hearts. Your Majesty believed Prince Shun would never betray you, while Prince Shun believed that if you ascended the throne, he’d never have to fear ‘accompanying the ruler as accompanying a tiger.’”
“At the height of your mutual trust, you met a woman. She was beautiful, elegant, well-read, and considerate. This woman later became Princess Consort Shun.”
“At the time, however, she was merely the daughter of a merchant, and her meeting with you two was purely coincidental.”
“Both Your Majesty and Prince Shun found themselves drawn to her, but neither realized the other shared the same feelings. This led to an awkward situation where you both pursued the same woman.”
“Caught between the two of you, she decided to leave the Sheng Capital to prevent brotherly conflict.”
“Upon learning of her departure, you both went after her, only to discover each other’s affections.”
“Meanwhile, the former Emperor passed away. Your Majesty had no choice but to prioritize succession matters, forfeiting your pursuit. You could only watch as Prince Shun married her.”
“After the wedding, Prince Shun, feeling guilty toward Your Majesty, volunteered to lead a campaign to quell uprisings.”
“Thus, Prince Shun and Princess Consort Shun left the capital. For two years, despite the hardships of war, they lived a life akin to celestial harmony.”
“Then, in the third year, Prince Shun’s mother fell gravely ill. Though anguished, Prince Shun couldn’t abandon the battlefield, so Princess Consort Shun returned to the capital to care for her.”
“Not long after her return, news came that she had died in the palace.”
“Prince Shun, fueled by grief and anger, hastened the campaign but fell into an ambush due to his recklessness, losing both legs. Fortunately, reinforcements arrived in time to save his life.”
“Though victorious, Prince Shun felt no joy. Returning to the capital, he stormed into the palace to demand why Your Majesty had caused his wife’s death. Distrusting Your Majesty’s explanations, he even speculated that you might have tried to defile her, driving her to suicide.”
“Since then, Prince Shun has harbored resentment. When Your Majesty reclaimed half his military power, he grew convinced you not only coveted his wife but also doubted his character and loyalty, feeling you had betrayed your friendship.”
“From then on, Prince Shun feigned illness, avoided court, ignored rumors, and refused all gatherings.”
Prince Shun cut her off impatiently. “Are your ‘divine’ titles all hot air? Can you say something useful?”
Yu Zhi Yi wasn’t offended. “Fine, I’ll tell you what neither of you knows.”
“Your wife, the merchant’s daughter, wasn’t actually from the Great Sheng Empire. She was from the An Kingdom, destroyed decades ago.”
The Emperor and Prince Shun were both stunned. “What?!”
“That’s impossible!” Prince Shun exclaimed. He had met her family at their wedding; they were clearly locals.
Yu Zhi Yi’s tone was calm. “This conclusion comes from reading your birth charts. Her presence was to sow discord between you two. But if you want specifics, I’ll need her birth chart.”
Eager to disprove the accusation, Prince Shun quickly provided it.
Yu Zhi Yi glanced at the chart and shook her head. “This isn’t hers.”
“What do you mean?” Prince Shun frowned, increasingly suspicious of her abilities.
Yu Zhi Yi replied with certainty, “Based on your charts, Princess Consort Shun died years ago. The owner of this chart is still alive.”
“Prince Shun is thirty-three this year. Even with an age gap, Princess Consort Shun wouldn’t be younger than twenty-six or twenty-seven. Yet the owner of this chart is forty.”
“And most importantly, he’s a man.”
She spread her hands. “If you don’t believe me, consult other monks or Daoists. It’s a simple task for them.”
After exchanging glances, the Emperor instructed, “Send someone.”
Prince Shun called for his confidant, who took the chart to various monks and Daoists.
Soon, the confidant returned, confirming Yu Zhi Yi’s findings.
Prince Shun was speechless.