Chapter 4(1): Unsuitable for Reunions
The chapter titles are either Suitable for… or Unsuitable for… (宜忌) based on the Chinese calendar which shows what the date is suitable/unsuitable for (eg. Weddings, proposals, praying at the temple etc.)
So the chapter titles are either Suitable for… or Unsuitable for… (宜忌) based on the Chinese calendar which shows what the date is suitable/unsuitable for (eg. Weddings, proposals, praying at the temple etc.)
Qiu Xin Ran had read Xia Xiu Yan’s fortune once many years ago when she was studying in the Imperial Academy. At the time, the Princess of Qinghe was still around and the twelve year old girl, with her hair tied into two little buns at the top of her head, had cupped her cheeks in her hands and asked curiously, “Xin Ran, can you tell a person’s fate at a glance?”
Qiu Xin Ran shook her head but the Princess of Qinghe didn’t believe it and leaned close to her ear and secretly asked, “Look at Prince Xia’s face, what will happen to him in the future?”
Qiu Xin Ran followed her gaze and looked towards the southeast corner which was the sunniest area in the room. Xia Xiu Yan was frail and sick so he always sat there. However, despite this, his skin was still fairer than the other princes, perhaps because he didn’t usually take archery and riding lessons.
The person in the corner probably sensed something. He looked up and meeting her gaze, he raised his eyebrows slightly. Qiu Xin Ran looked at him calmly for a while then turned her eyes as if nothing had happened, “Why are you asking about him?”
The Princess of Qinghe replied vexed, “A few days ago, Xiao Ling told me that she wanted to marry Prince Xia when she grew up but seeing that Prince Xia is so weak, what if he can’t last until she grows up?”
The little princess looked innocent and cute as she worried with great seriousness about this matter for her little sister. Her two thin eyebrows were like two caterpillars twisted together, making Qiu Xin Ran unable to help but laugh, “Then Princess should convince Young Lady Han to find someone else to like.”
The Princess of Qinghe was greatly shocked when she heard this and moved closer nervously, asking worriedly, “He… Is his life really short lived?”
“It’s hard to tell if it’ll be short lived,” Qiu Xin Ran lowered her head and wrote stroke by stroke on the piece of paper, “But judging from his face, he is heartless.”
……
The Marquis of Dingbei who had a heartless face was standing by the side of the lake, asking her with a smile that wasn’t a full smile, “How have you been, Astrologer Qiu?” Qiu Xin Ran kept feeling like she could hear some sense of regret inside his words and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond in a way to make him pleased.
“All is well. Marquis seems to be in great health as well.”
“All thanks to Astrologer Qiu,” Xia Xiu Yan replied pointedly, “You can’t lead an army with a sickly body.”
Qiu Xin Ran laughed drily, “Marquis left the Capital early on so you may not know but I am no longer serving in the Imperial Observatory.”
Xia Xiu Yan paused slightly then said with a hint of sarcasm, “The Emperor is willing to let you out of the palace?”
His words would be considered extremely disrespectful if it spread out but he was different from the past. Even if Emperor Xuande heard his words, he’d probably laugh and not take it to heart.
Qiu Xin Ran who was dressed fully in white naturally could only pretend not to have heard . She looked down at the water by her foot and went forward with a small step.
Xia Xiu Yan seemed to have read her thoughts and paused before saying strangely, “Taoist Priest’s courage has become smaller after these years.”
Qiu Xin Ran cupped her hands, “It’s windy and cold at night so this humble Taoist won’t disturb the Marquis…”
Before she had finished speaking, a figure appeared on the garden path not too far away. His figure was too dark to be seen clearly but his identity was clear through his voice, “Marquis, I’ve been looking for you inside!”
He Zhong had drank a lot. He wasn’t drunk but he was in a great mood. He only noticed that there was someone behind his Marquis when Xia Xiu Yan turned around, but he wasn’t able to tell from the dress if it was male or female. If it was a normal day, he would’ve wisely retreated but his mind was clearly still muddled so he just stood there blankly, squinting his eyes to try and see clearer.
Qiu Xin Ran suddenly remembered what he had said earlier to Zhou Xian at the banquet and subconsciously moved further behind Xia Xiu Yan’s back. He Zhong didn’t wait for a response. He assumed that as he was standing far away, the Marquis didn’t hear his words so he took a few steps forward.
Seeing him get closer, Qiu Xin Ran couldn’t help but take two steps back. Xia Xiu Yan was about to open his mouth to talk to He Zhong but he noticed from the corner of his eye that Qiu Xin Ran was already standing right by the lake. His eyelids twitched, “Stop – -“ Before he had even fnished his words, an exclamation followed by a direct ‘plop’ sound of the water sounded behind him.
Before Qiu Xin Ran stepped into air, she could see the person with his back to her turn around and reach out to try and grab her hand. It was a pity that she was wearing robes with narrow sleeves so she could only watch as that pair of hands passed her sleeves and grab onto thin air. She then fell helplessly into the icy water that had just melted from the February weather, creating a big splash.
Tofubyu 