Chapter 3 - ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 3

Old Lady Wang brought water for Li Zhizhi to wash up. It was early morning, and sunlight streamed in through the window, making everything bright and clean. The wooden basin was filled with clear water, and as the ripples spread across its surface, a suffocating feeling of being overwhelmed came over Li Zhizhi. Memories of her desperate struggles before her death flashed vividly in her mind, one scene after another. She stood still, almost paralyzed, unable to move.

Old Lady Wang was unsure of what was happening and asked, “Miss, what’s wrong?”

“Granny…” Li Zhizhi forced a smile and softly said, “Could you please help me wring this handkerchief?”

Old Lady Wang didn’t say anything and quickly wrung the handkerchief for her, observing that there seemed to be something different about Li Zhizhi today compared to the previous days, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

After finishing washing up, Li Zhizhi saw the torn and dirty clothes piled up together. Although the servants of the Li family might not be fond of her, she knew that someone must be behind this. Unfortunately, in her past life, Li Zhizhi was oblivious to everything.

Silently, she patched up her clothes. In the village, she could still wear clothes even with patches, but she didn’t expect that Li Cen would be displeased when he saw them. He chided her, almost reproaching her, telling her to throw away those clothes. He reminded her that this was the Li family, not some rural place, and she should abandon her improper habits and learn the rules and etiquette so as not to disgrace the Li family.

Li Zhizhi picked up one of the clothes and examined it. It was just an ordinary coarse cloth garment, perhaps even something the servants of the Li family looked down upon. Nevertheless, it was her best one, and she considered herself lucky that it wasn’t dirty, just cut at the collar.

Old Lady Wang noticed it too and exclaimed, “What happened to your clothes, Miss?”

Li Zhizhi lowered her eyes and replied, “It was like this when I brought it back yesterday. It’s okay.”

She hugged the clothes to her chest and put on a brave face, smiling at Old Lady Wang, “Could you please find some needles and thread for me?”

Old Lady Wang understood the situation instantly. She wanted to say something but hesitated. Mumbling a few incoherent words, she went to fetch the items, sewing the clothes for Li Zhizhi. As she worked, she said, “I’ll inform the Madam later. Since you’ve returned to the mansion, you’ll need some new clothes.”

Li Zhizhi didn’t refuse her kindness this time. Reporting to Madam wouldn’t help. Madam didn’t care about her at all. She didn’t even want to hear Li Zhizhi’s name mentioned.

Old Lady Wang’s sewing skills were excellent, but despite that, there was still a noticeable stitch line at the collar. Li Zhizhi didn’t mind, and she put on the clothes, saying, “Granny, you can go about your tasks. I’ll take a walk around the mansion.”

Old Lady Wang advised her to rest and recover, and Li Zhizhi obediently agreed. However, as soon as Old Lady Wang left, she sneaked out. She deliberately used a secluded side gate to leave the mansion. Outside was a long street, and at the end of it, after crossing a bridge, was the Eastern Market, bustling with people buying and selling all sorts of goods, peddlers and entertainers making it a lively and busy scene.

At the bridgehead, there was a fortune-teller’s stall, where a blind Taoist sat. Li Zhizhi stopped in front of him, and the Taoist seemed to sense her presence, saying, “Fortune-telling costs ten coins. No deception, and the price is firm.”

Li Zhizhi smiled and took out a silver ingot, tossing it into the small bamboo tube in front of him, producing a clear ringing sound. She said, “Master, I want to make a deal with you.”

The blind Taoist replied, “I only tell fortunes.”

“Ten taels of silver.”

As soon as the words fell, the Taoist immediately opened his eyes and asked, “What business?”

Li Zhizhi smiled and said, “Master, let’s talk in private.”

It was early morning, and some mist rose by the riverbank. Willow trees leaned over the water, with small buds the size of thumbs blooming on their slender branches, exuding a lush greenness. On the other side of the willow tree was a small building with blue tiles and white walls, giving it a touch of the charm of the Jiangnan region.

Partly concealed by the willow tree, this place seemed quite secluded. The Taoist rubbed his hands, sounding excited as he asked Li Zhizhi, “I wonder what kind of business the virtuous lady wants to do with this humble Taoist?”

Li Zhizhi whispered, “At the time of You hour today, go to Zhuluo Street and wait for someone…”

She explained everything clearly, and the Taoist suddenly realized, “You want me to deceive someone.”

Li Zhizhi sneered, “Where do you get such words, Master? It’s just a fact. How is it deceiving anyone?”

The Taoist scrutinized her for a moment, clearly hesitating. Li Zhizhi smiled and said, “It would take you many fortune-telling sessions to earn ten taels of silver back. But of course, I won’t force you. I remember there’s another fortune-teller at Feng’s Bun Shop. Perhaps he might be interested.”

Implying that if he’s not interested, someone else will be. This immediately made the Taoist uncertain, and he asked, “Tell me more in detail.”

As they were conversing, Li Zhizhi suddenly heard some noise. She stopped speaking, on high alert, but then she heard the meowing of a cat from somewhere nearby. The soft and pleasant sound calmed her nerves, and she let the Taoist know a few more details before watching him walk away.

Li Zhizhi stood by the wall for a while until it became quiet inside, and then she left. After a while, a voice came from inside the wall, “Young master, what are you doing there?”

Under the wall, a large cluster of morning glory flowers was in full bloom, and a man in a beautiful jade-colored robe sat on a chair. He had a slender figure, somewhere between youth and adulthood, with a slightly furrowed brow, a pair of beautiful phoenix eyes, a straight nose, and an incredibly handsome appearance that anyone would praise as a dashing young master.

The young man was squatting with a black-as-ink cat in his lap. Its eyes were golden, which made it quite unique. He reached out and gently stroked the cat’s fur. A string of purple sandalwood beads wrapped around his wrist, reflecting a faint light in the sunlight.

Facing the puzzled gaze of his servant, Xiao Yan simply smiled and said, “It’s nothing, just overheard an interesting conversation at the wall.”

Servant: …

Only their master would so openly admit to eavesdropping on others by the wall, right?

…

In the evening, Li Cen finished his duties and returned home in a green-covered sedan chair. Unexpectedly, the sedan chair stopped halfway, and a servant came to him and said, “Master, there’s a Taoist blocking the road ahead. He wants to talk to you.”

Frowning, Li Cen was about to refuse when he heard a voice reciting loudly, “Auspicious clouds embrace five colors, and the blue phoenix returns to the imperial capital. Yaochi’s spring is like the sea, and the precious cauldron shines with the marks of the emperor.”

After hearing this, Li Cen quickly got out of the sedan chair and indeed found a Taoist dressed in Daoist robes standing in the middle of the road. As he approached, he noticed that the Taoist had his eyes tightly closed; he was actually a blind Daoist.

Li Cen thought of the poem the Taoist had just recited and respectfully asked, “May I ask, Master Tao, what was the profound meaning of your words?”

The Taoist chuckled and replied, “Last night, with nothing to do, I cast a divination. There were auspicious five-colored clouds in the southeast direction, and the Blue Phoenix returned to its position, which happens to be where your noble mansion is located. As for the poem…,” he laughed without saying more.

Li Cen quickly commanded someone to offer some silver coins, but the Taoist declined, shaking his head, “I am just passing by, not here for money.”

He spoke cryptically, leaving Li Cen even more anxious. Just when he didn’t know what to do, the Taoist spoke again, “Our karma is not enough for me to reveal the heavenly secrets.”

Li Cen asked, “How can I establish good karma with Master Tao?”

The Taoist replied, “If a virtuous person is willing, they can present the longest-held possession they carry with them to me, and thus it shall be done.”

Li Cen hesitated but eventually took off the jade pendant that he had cherished for the longest time and offered it with both hands, saying, “Master, please accept this.”

The blind Taoist felt around and took the jade pendant from Li Cen’s hand, then mysteriously said, “Although the Blue Phoenix has returned home, why is there a fake phoenix occupying its position? A virtuous person should not mistake fish eyes for pearls.”

Li Cen was greatly shocked. He was a person who cared about his reputation, so he had kept his family matters secret and never let outsiders know. But his daughter, Li Zhizhi, had just returned home yesterday, and now a Taoist appeared, seemingly aware of things he wanted to hide. Could it be that there was really something mystical about this?

While still doubting, the blind Taoist laughed, “When true and false clash, there will be turmoil in the fortune. Within a month, misfortune will inevitably befall your mansion. That’s all I can say. The virtuous person will just have to wait and see.”

After saying this, the blind Taoist ceased talking and left gracefully, moving with ease as if he were an ordinary person. Li Cen couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation.

With various speculations in his mind, he returned to his mansion by sedan chair. On his way, he overheard voices in the front yard, a clear and melodious voice of a young girl, yet somewhat unfamiliar. After listening for a while, Li Cen finally realized, “Oh, that’s my recently returned daughter.”

The other person was Wang Pozi, and she said, “Young miss, I’ve already informed the madam. In a few days, a tailor will come to measure you for new clothes.”

Li Zhizhi, however, smiled and replied, “It’s alright. I’m fine with wearing this outfit. No need to trouble yourself.”

Wang Pozi sighed, “But it’s been cut with such a large hole, how can it be fine?”

“It’s all thanks to your excellent needlework, so the cut marks are hardly noticeable,” Li Zhizhi cheerfully remarked.

Wang Pozi seemed pleased, “Young miss, you really know how to speak.”

As the voice drew closer, in the next moment, Li Cen caught sight of his daughter, Li Zhizhi, and Wang Pozi turning around the corner. She hesitated for a moment, then quickly lowered her head and said, “Father.”

Li Cen’s gaze swept over her and settled on the neckline, where despite the skillful needlework, he could still see a long mending mark. He frowned and asked, “Who damaged your clothes?”

“Ah,” Li Zhizhi shook her head, looking innocent and clueless, “I don’t know.”

Suddenly, the words of the Daoist came to Li Cen’s mind, and they became clearer and clearer. He inexplicably said, “You should move to Ziteng Manor.”

Li Zhizhi was taken aback and quickly said, “No need, Father. Sister’s health is not good, and she needs to rest. Besides, I like living in Shuyue Pavilion; it’s quiet there, and I can hear birds singing early in the morning, which is quite pleasant.”

Of course, it’s quiet. Shuyue Pavilion is the most secluded courtyard in the Li Family. Seeing her naive and innocent look, Li Cen felt somewhat uncomfortable. He suddenly felt that his wife’s arrangements were somewhat excessive. Even if Li Zhizhi couldn’t compare to Li Suwan, she was still their own child. Even without affection, she should be treated properly.

Thinking of this, Li Cen’s expression turned displeased, and he said to Wang Pozi, “Go and have someone measure clothes for her now. Why should we wait for a few days for such a matter? Also, find out who damaged the young lady’s clothes. Is there no discipline here? After finding out, punish them according to the family rules and then send them away.”

Wang Pozi quickly agreed and went to investigate. They indeed caught several maids who had done wrongdoings, and some of them had previously worked in Ziteng Manor. They were all given a beating and expelled, but that’s a story for another time.

Soon it was dinner time in the evening. The Li Family had many rules, and one of them was that all family members must dine together in the dining hall at the appointed time. When the second quarter of the hour had passed, Li Zhizhi arrived on time. Lady Li and Li Xingzhi were already present.

Li Cen sat at the head of the table, with Li Xingzhi on his left and Lady Li on his right. Next to Li Xingzhi was the seat reserved for Li Suwan. Li Zhizhi went over and sat down, smiling as she greeted, “Father, I’m a bit late. Apologies for making you wait.”

Lichen also smiled, “No problem, you’re right on time.”

The atmosphere between the father and daughter was harmonious, which made others feel a bit uneasy. Li Xingzhi turned his head and reminded, “This is Li Suwan’s seat.”

Even without him saying it, Li Zhizhi knew it. She did it on purpose. Since Li Suwan was currently “ill” and couldn’t come to the dining hall, she obviously wouldn’t take her seat. Li Zhizhi pretended to be surprised and said, “Is this sister’s seat? I’m truly sorry; I didn’t know. I really didn’t mean to take her place.”

Saying that, Li Zhizhi stood up anxiously. Li Cen didn’t think much of it, but for some reason, he suddenly recalled the words of the Daoist, “When the green luan returns home, the false phoenix occupies the spot.”

He felt a sudden impulse and scolded his son, “What do you mean by ‘taking her place’? We are all family, and if a seat is empty, it’s meant for someone to sit. Since Li Suwan can’t come, why can’t your sister take the seat?”

He then said to Li Zhizhi, “Sit properly; when Li Suwan gets better, we’ll ask her to sit next to you.”

Li Zhizhi hesitated for a moment, looking at Li Xingzhi’s stern face, and said, “But… if I sit here, won’t sister be unhappy? Otherwise, I can change to another seat.”

Li Xingzhi’s face remained tense, and although unwilling, he said, “Li Suwan won’t mind. Just sit here.”

Li Zhizhi picked up her chopsticks and started eating happily. She suddenly realized how delightful it was to cause trouble for others.

Li Suwan’s possessiveness was so strong. When she found out about today’s events, she would surely be infuriated and unable to sleep all night.

Thinking this way, Li Zhizhi felt even more pleased and ate another bowl of rice.