Chapter 256: The Missed Great Fortune
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
The abbot’s face held a gentle smile as he spoke to Lu Yuan Ze with exceptional warmth.
“Lord Lu, there is no need for such formality. Even without the prayer beads, no evil spirits dare to step into this place.”
“Three years ago, I happened to encounter your household members. From afar, I could see that the Old Madam was shrouded in the radiance of merit, her fortune overflowing.”
“Within ten years, the Lu family will rise to prominence, attaining noble ranks and titles.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s brows twitched, suppressing the excitement burning within him. His eyes flickered with blazing fire.
“Abbot, are you certain of this?” He could not contain the joy in his voice.
“Naturally, I am certain.”
“Back then, I foresaw that someone of unparalleled merit would be born in your household—a child favored by the divine.”
“Lord Lu, you need do nothing but raise this child well, and everything will be delivered into your hands.”
“There is no need for worry. Throughout your life, you shall turn calamity into fortune, misfortune into blessings, with prosperity ever in your wake…”
Lu Yuan Ze could barely restrain his delight. Lowering his gaze to Lu Jing Yao, his eyes burned with fervor.
Indeed, he had made the right choice.
What was Madam Xu compared to this? What was Lu Chao Chao?
What did it matter if Lu Yan Shu refused to return home?
He still had Jing Yao!
Lu Jing Yao’s heart surged with excitement as she looked up at her father, her face beaming with joy.
“With the abbot’s words, I can finally feel at ease. But my household has been troubled lately, and I do not know what has gone wrong.” Lu Yuan Ze sighed lightly.
“In just two short years, my marquis title was stripped, His Majesty reprimanded and demoted me, my mother suffered a stroke and is bedridden… and my son…” Lu Jing Huai had become a laughingstock, mocked wherever he went.
The abbot was visibly taken aback.
“How could your family be facing misfortune? That is not right. After your daughter’s birth, your career should have flourished, and your fortune should have grown boundlessly.”
The abbot pinched his fingers, calculating swiftly, his expression growing uncertain.
“Strange… something is not right.”
“Your eldest son was destined to face calamity, with water bringing him misfortune. But with his sister’s birth, he should have turned adversity into prosperity, soaring high as the top scholar of the imperial exams. Has there been some mistake?” The abbot’s fingers moved faster, sensing something was amiss.
Lu Yuan Ze froze.
A young monk behind the abbot interjected, “Master, Young Master Lu Yan Shu has indeed achieved the top scholar title. The capital is already abuzz with the news—he has attained the triple crown, reaching great heights in his youth.”
“And your second son, his fate is tied to the battlefield. Has he joined the army?” the abbot asked.
Lu Yuan Ze stammered, “Yes, he has.”
“And your third son should be following the path of literature, correct?”
Lu Yuan Ze nodded. “That is correct. But…”
The abbot furrowed his brows in confusion. “Then why has fortune not favored your house? Have you mistreated your daughter?”
Lu Yuan Ze shook his head vehemently. “How could I mistreat her?”
“I cherish her beyond measure.”
The abbot continued his rapid calculations, his face growing increasingly perplexed.
“No, something is definitely wrong.”
“Her immense merit should be shielding the Lu household, ensuring continuous prosperity. Even before she was born, her merit was already affecting the Old Madam, elevating the family’s fortune.”
“Now that she has been born, your household should have seen a remarkable transformation.”
“Where is the child?” the abbot suddenly demanded.
Lu Yuan Ze nodded, but then, recalling that the abbot was blind, he quickly spoke, “She is here. Jing Yao, come forward and let the abbot see you.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Abbot, I am Yao Yao. Thank you for bestowing the prayer beads upon me. Unfortunately, they shattered and can no longer protect the family.” Lu Jing Yao said with disappointment.
The abbot set the prayer beads down, then suddenly fell to his knees.
“Master!”
“Venerable Abbot!”
“Abbot!!” Lu Yuan Ze was taken aback, hurriedly stepping forward and pulling Lu Jing Yao aside.
The abbot was a revered master, even the Emperor himself was only granted a nod of acknowledgment from him.
“Do not move away, do not move away! She possesses boundless merit, receives incense offerings from the people, and is worthy of this kneeling!”
“To divine her fate is already an offense.” The abbot waved his hand dismissively.
Below the high platform, the gathered audience stood in stunned silence.
“The abbot… actually knelt before Lu Yuan Ze’s daughter?!” Prince Jing Xi’s voice carried disbelief.
At that moment, Madam Xu happened to see Lu Chao Chao stepping out of a carriage.
“Lord Lu’s fortune is truly grand. Though his eldest son was erased from the family registry, losing a top scholar, his illegitimate daughter’s destiny is so noble that even a high monk must kneel to touch her bones.”
“His first half of life relied on Madam Xu, the latter half on Madam Pei. What great luck he has!” someone remarked sourly.
Madam Xu paused.
“Chao Chao, find a mat to sit on.” Madam Xu led Chao Chao to a seat beside the Eldest Princess and Princess Consort Jing Xi.
Princess Consort Jing Xi looked awkward, clearing her throat.
Xie Yu Zhou, being young and unrestrained, snorted coldly and retreated to a corner.
“The heavens must be blind! How could a daughter born of a concubine be so distinguished? The heavens have no eyes!”
“I am not defending you, but as the principal wife, I naturally share animosity toward mistresses.” Princess Consort Jing Xi spat in disdain, speaking in an irritable tone.
The Eldest Princess shot her a glance and pulled Madam Xu and Chao Chao closer.
“Ignore her. The only thing she’s good at is talking tough.”
“A few years playing local tyrant in the countryside, and now she can’t even distinguish between major and minor royalty. She always needs a scolding to wake up.” The Eldest Princess spoke bluntly. Back when Princess Consort Jing Xi had not yet moved to her fief, she had already been arrogant and domineering.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Princess Consort Jing Xi awkwardly fell silent.
Of course, it also helped that the Empress Dowager had warned her.
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan Ze stood, shaken, as the high monk knelt before his daughter.
To receive the incense offerings of the people…
Lu Yuan Ze’s face was alight with joy, unable to suppress his laughter.
Even the Emperor himself had never been granted such a gesture from the abbot!
“I am blind and can only divine by touch. Forgive my offense…” the abbot murmured, kneeling as he lightly grasped Lu Jing Yao’s hand.
At first, his expression was solemn.
Then, in an instant, his face changed drastically.
“No! This is wrong! Wrong!!” The abbot sprang to his feet.
“Lord Lu, how dare you deceive me with an imposter?!” The abbot’s face twisted in anger.
Lu Yuan Ze looked at him in bewilderment.
“Imposter? Abbot, what do you mean?! This is my daughter, Lu Jing Yao!”
“You personally bestowed your blessing upon her. Her mother was even present at the time, standing right beside the Old Madam!” Lu Yuan Ze hurriedly explained, seeing the abbot’s displeasure.
The abbot’s brows furrowed tightly, his expression grim.
“Was that not a maidservant?” he blurted out.
“What?!” Lu Yuan Ze was thunderstruck.
A chill surged from his feet up to his skull. A terrible premonition gnawed at his mind.
His heartbeat quickened, and his body turned cold.
“That was my concubine! She was pregnant with Jing Yao at the time! You even gifted her the prayer beads!” Lu Yuan Ze stammered.
“Impossible!” the abbot refuted instantly.
His face bore utter disbelief.
“Such a divine fate could never belong to a concubine’s child! Lord Lu, what were you thinking?”
“A destiny so blessed, favored by the gods—she must come from a proper lineage! If she were truly born of a concubine, she would one day pierce the heavens themselves!” The abbot’s voice was urgent, his former calmness gone.
“You… you didn’t… make a mistake, did you?!” The abbot’s face contorted in horror.
Had he…
Let such boundless fortune slip through his grasp?!!