Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
Advance chapters available for patrons on Patreon. And a chapter can be sponsored by buying me a ko-fi.
Zhuang Li only went to the city once, and when he came back he possessed so many rare treasures. Naturally, the villagers were curious and couldn’t help but ask about it.
The eight or nine young men who were taken by Zhuang Lao Er to work at the dock naturally became mouthpieces, vividly and embellishing the legendary stories of how Zhuang Li helped people with fortune telling, how he made accurate predictions, and how he sought divine assistance.
He lowered his voice and said mysteriously, “We discussed it privately and concluded that the nobleman who invited the scholar to perform the public character test must be the Qi Wang. Besides him, who else could produce a luminous pearl the size of a fist, and who else could treat Governor Qin like a servant?”
Having spent years at the docks, these people were quite knowledgeable and quickly guessed the tall man’s identity.
The villagers squatting around them immediately erupted in a horrified uproar.
Qi Wang was an unparalleled supreme being in Bazhou, and even in the entire Jin state. After the late emperor’s death, he was originally the most capable of ascending the throne, but for some reason, he gave up the struggle for the throne and instead helped a three-year-old child.
Even so, he was still the one who called the shots in the State of Jin.
Whoever he wanted to be emperor could become emperor. The late emperor’s sons who had reached adulthood were either killed or exterminated by him, and most of them died. The only surviving adult prince was demoted to a commoner and imprisoned for life.
The phrase “turning one’s hand to make clouds, turning it back to make rain” perfectly described him.
In this remote mountain village, Qi Wang was a figure from mythology, and no one could imagine that Zhuang Li would have an encounter with such an extraordinary person.
“I always knew that the scholar was a truly capable man. His brain disease might hinder his studies, but it couldn’t stop his future at all,” a villager exclaimed sincerely, prompting the others to nod in agreement.
Thanks to Qi Wang’s formidable reputation, Zhuang Li’s standing in Luoxia Village improved significantly. Those who had previously enjoyed secretly mocking him began to regret their actions, fearing they might have offended him unintentionally.
Just as Zhuang Lao Da was about to quietly slip away from the crowd, a villager grabbed his arm and asked gloatingly, “Big Brother Zhuang, how are you feeling right now? The family just split up this morning, and by evening Zhuang Lao Er has already made a fortune. Aren’t you envious?”
Zhuang Lao Da blushed with embarrassment and broke free from the man’s grasp, running away quickly.
A group of villagers pointed at his retreating figure and laughed. Seeing Big Brother Zhuang in such a sorry state made them feel better.
Although these villagers were jealous of Zhuang Lao Er, they knew that whether he became rich or not had little to do with them. Unlike Big Brother Zhuang, who could have benefited from the fortune but instead gave it away himself.
“If Zhuang Lao Er really buys back that five-courtyard house in Xishan, Zhuang Lao Da’s family will definitely regret it!” a villager said with certainty.
Another person immediately chimed in, “That’s right! If it were me, I would cling to Zhuang Lao Er’s leg and beg him not to split the family property!”
The others laughed even louder. Just then, an old man muttered, “How strange! Isn’t Zhuang Tian’er a lucky star? How come Zhuang Lao Er became so successful right after leaving her? Doesn’t everyone say that whoever offends Zhuang Tian’er becomes unlucky, and whoever is good to her is lucky? Zhuang Li cursed Zhuang Tian’er as an evil spirit, and Zhuang Lao Er usually wouldn’t even let Zhuang Tian’er eat an egg. There’s no reason for them to be so lucky!”
The laughter of the crowd stopped abruptly, followed by all sorts of doubts and speculations.
Unbeknownst to them, the idea that Zhuang Tian’er might be an evil spirit quietly took root in everyone’s hearts.
….
After returning home, Zhuang Lao Da recounted the information he had gathered in detail.
Grandma Zhuang and Grandpa Zhuang were stunned, murmuring in disbelief, “Da Bao can actually tell fortunes? That can’t be true!”
“It’s true. Even noble people say he’s accurate in his predictions and have rewarded him with so many treasures.” Zhuang Lao Da nodded with great certainty.
In this primitive era, the authority that came with a supreme position was unimaginable to ordinary people. The emperor’s command that his subjects die was a command that they had no choice but to obey. This simple statement could intimidate or even execute high-ranking officials who had long held positions in the court, let alone ordinary people.
Grandma Zhuang and Grandpa Zhuang were terrified by the name of the Qi Wang, their hearts going in turmoil, and they were filled with remorse.
What a fool they were! Why did they even want to split up their family property? Can one hundred taels of silver compare to a fortune of ten thousand? Besides, Zhuang Li has gained the favor of a nobleman and might even become an official in the future! Then the old Zhuang family will be able to change its social standing and rise above others!
Nobles and commoners are worlds apart! Without extraordinary abilities, who can bridge this gap? But Zhuang Li seems to possess that ability!
What a fool! Why did they even bother dividing the family property?! They didn’t get a single bit of this good fortune!
The more Grandma Zhuang thought about it, the more regretful she became. She thus quickly climbed off the kang (a heated brick bed) and ran outside, banging on the door of the west courtyard.
Old Zhuang clutched his chest and slowly collapsed onto the bedding, overwhelmed with regret and heartache.
Zhuang Lao Da rushed over to check on his father, completely at a loss. His already indecisive mind became even more confused.
Zhuang Tian’er ran to the kitchen, scooped up a basin of hot water, wrung out a towel, and slowly wiped her grandfather’s face, whispering, “Such great fortune, I wonder if big brother can handle it.”
“Bandits are rampant in Bazhou. A while ago, the imperial court’s 600,000 taels of disaster relief funds were all stolen by bandits, and their whereabouts are still unknown.”
“I heard that my elder brother has acquired a priceless treasure. What if some bandits, seeing the wealth, come to kill and rob him? Although the prince and the Governor are powerful, they are too far away to save him in time, right?”
Zhuang Tian’er paused for a moment, then earnestly advised, “Master, let’s keep our distance from eldest brother’s family. Fortune may bring misfortune, and it’s uncertain whether eldest brother can keep this fortune.”
With a heart full of pain, Old Man Zhuang scrambled to his feet and exclaimed, “Yes, yes, Tian’er is right! This is too much good fortune! Da Bao is too fragile; he can’t handle it! We should stay away from them; it’s too dangerous! They don’t even understand the principle of not flaunting wealth, and they call themselves scholars!”
After thinking for a moment, Old Man Zhuang said, “No, I have to tell my second son to be careful lately!”
Zhuang Lao Da tried to pull his father away, but couldn’t, and could only watch helplessly as he went outside.
Guys, ads are my only source of revenue, so please do not turn on the AdBlock when you are accessing this website…. Thank you, this would be a great help…
You can buy me a ko-fi and sponsor a chapter on: https://ko-fi.com/midnightrambles
Or become a Patron on: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=45665005
If you support me, I would be able to provide more chapters….
Previous • Table of Contents• Next