Chapter 129: One Hundred and Thirty-Six: Hardly Beating the Elder Brother

One Hundred and Thirty-Six: Hardly Beating the Elder Brother's Stubborn Head

Magistrate Ouyang Rong couldn't help leaning forward to glance at Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang's back as she prayed.

Is it really taking her this long just to burn incense and draw a lot?

But then he remembered she might not only be drawing a lot for herself—she might also be drawing one for Su's little sister.

Besides, she might even be chatting with the Buddha on his behalf, asking Guanyin to sprinkle some divine light upon him.

Thinking of this, Magistrate Ouyang Rong felt at ease.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" he suddenly withdrew his gaze and turned to ask curiously.

"Nothing. Amitabha."

Master Venerable Shan Dao lowered his eyes, clasped his hands, and softly chanted.

The old monk's peripheral vision flickered again toward the noblewoman kneeling before the Buddha, and he sighed inwardly for her.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong rubbed his face—it felt normal, so why did Master Venerable Shan Dao's gaze just now seem so odd?

Had he stopped just watching the wives and daughters of wealthy families below the mountain and decided to expand his business to him?

Master Venerable Shan Dao asked gently: "Won't the County Magistrate draw a lot too?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong replied without expression: "Master, how much incense money do you make from one temple fair?"

The originally eager matchmaker's face changed slightly, then instantly returned to normal as he solemnly said:

"Amitabha, County Magistrate, you don't understand—this temple fair's funds are entirely donated by a few benevolent patrons from below the mountain."

"Oh, most of the temple's incense money goes toward repairing the Beitian Relief Center—you'll see for yourself when you visit later, I'm not lying."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded, smiling broadly: "Just asking out of curiosity, Master, no need to get flustered."

"Not flustered at all, County Magistrate, you're joking."

Master Venerable Shan Dao secretly exhaled in relief.

The County Magistrate's skill at extracting money was growing ever more refined.

At that moment, a soft "clack-clack-clack" came from ahead—the sound of a bamboo tube being shaken.

Both turned to see Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang had already respectfully placed her incense and now held a bamboo tube containing a hundred slender wooden lots.

This sight immediately drew the attention of Magistrate Ouyang Rong and many other worshippers nearby.

All saw a graceful woman of extraordinary beauty and luminous grace, her hair styled in flowing cloud buns, dressed in a pale pink long skirt, elegantly kneeling on a yellow cushion, both hands cradling the bamboo tube filled with Guanyin's divine lots.

She was as pure as an autumn chrysanthemum, as radiant as a spring peach.

Her face glowed like peach blossoms, her cheeks shimmered like pearls kissed by moonlight and jade bathed in glow, faintly flushed as if from wine, her brows carrying a quiet scholarly elegance—yet now they were slightly furrowed.

As if burdened by sorrowful thoughts.

Other women who had come to draw lots were stirred deeply—some envious, some jealous, some whispering inwardly:

Who is this lucky man who has won her heart, yet fails to cherish her, leaving this beauty so heartbroken?

At this moment, the Chenjun Xie woman, her eyebrows painted in feminine grace, held the bamboo tube.

First, she said nothing, gently shook it once.

After a pause, one bamboo lot fell out.

It landed horizontally on the ground.

She didn't even lift her eyelids—didn't pick it up.

She shook the tube again, her delicate lips parting slightly, as if whispering a prayer.

This time, she seemed more cautious.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang shook it for a long, long time before one bamboo lot finally bounced out of the opening with a soft "clack" and fell to the ground.

She immediately set down the tube, picked up the second lot, and brushed off the dust.

Then she also picked up the first lot—this one was for Su's little sister.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang tucked away the first love lot.

With two hands, four fingers, she pinched the second love lot.

She rose lightly, lowered her gaze, and walked toward Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Master Venerable Shan Dao.

Maybe her long legs had gone numb from kneeling too long.

Or maybe her toes had clenched too tightly—when nervous, Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang always instinctively curled her toes inside her shoes.

Her legs and feet were numb.

Though the distance was less than ten meters, Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang felt as if she'd walked for ages.

But a shy daughter-in-law must meet her in-laws. She didn't look at her elder brother, instead handing her love lot to Master Venerable Shan Dao and whispering:

"Master, please interpret this for me."

"Is this yours, little sister? Let me see…"

As Master Venerable Shan Dao bent to examine the lot, Magistrate Ouyang Rong tilted his head curiously to glance at it too.

The lot bore a line of regular script.

"Guanyin Divine Lot No. Five… Climb over the neighbor's wall and embrace his maiden, and you shall win a wife. Do not embrace, and you shall not win a wife."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong read it aloud, then muttered curiously:

"Huh? What does this mean? Does little sister need to climb over the east wall and hug the neighbor's maiden? But… isn't the east courtyard next to her Su's little sister's? So does this mean…"

He thought it over, his expression slightly stunned—what kind of love lot was this for his little sister?

Before Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang could blush and glare at her overactive elder brother, Master Venerable Shan Dao turned, chuckled, and stroked his beard:

"County Magistrate, don't overthink it. All one hundred Guanyin divine lots are merely metaphors—they don't mean Chenjun Xie the noblewoman must actually hug a neighbor's maiden."

After helping her out, Master Venerable Shan Dao lowered his eyes again, studying the characters on the lot.

He fell silent for a moment, stroking his beard without speaking.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang and Magistrate Ouyang Rong also fell quiet.

The atmosphere grew still; the noblewoman's delicate toes, tucked inside her embroidered silk socks, began lightly tapping the sole of her shoe.

Master Venerable Shan Dao raised his head.

His gaze moved silently, circling between Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang and Magistrate Ouyang Rong's faces.

He nodded and said:

"This is a superior lot."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong spoke for his little sister: "Good, a superior lot—so what should she do?"

Master Venerable Shan Dao didn't look at him; he turned solemnly to Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang:

"Noblewoman, I shall interpret this lot for you—but take it as mere suggestion. Whether to believe or discard it is your own judgment."

"Alright." Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang lifted her chin slightly.

Master Venerable Shan Dao gazed toward the sky beyond the temple hall, stroked his beard, and sighed:

"The meaning of 'Climb over the neighbor's wall and embrace his maiden, and you shall win a wife. Do not embrace, and you shall not win a wife' is this…"

"Whether you meet someone by chance or through proximity—if you feel they are someone worthy of a lifelong bond, then… you must have the courage to pursue them and seize the moment."

"Do not hesitate. Otherwise, you will lose this precious chance forever."

Master Venerable Shan Dao turned back, his expression solemn:

"In short—such a blessed union must not be delayed. When the fruit is ripe, only bold action will bring success!"

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang froze, as if rooted to the spot.

No one knew what she was thinking.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong listened intently, thought it over, then frowned slightly, feeling annoyed on her behalf:

"Master, this feels awfully vague—just telling little sister to wait around? It's saying nothing at all!"

For some reason, neither Master Venerable Shan Dao nor Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang responded to him—not even glancing his way.

Not getting a reply, Magistrate Ouyang Rong felt a little awkward.

Master Venerable Shan Dao spoke again without expression:

"Here's what I suggest, Noblewoman: make a small donation of incense money, and I'll gift you two red love cords. Keep one yourself, and the other…"

"If you find someone you love, find a way to tie it on him—then you'll bind his heart, and this blessed union will surely come to pass."

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang stared blankly for a moment, then her face slowly grew serious.

She gave a barely perceptible nod.

She stood still, lowering her gaze to stare at the two red cords resting in her pale palm.

Beside her, the ever-entertained Magistrate Ouyang Rong let out a soft "huh," chuckling to himself.

He shook his head in amusement—goodness, Master Venerable Shan Dao, your Yan Kingdom map has shrunk to two lousy cords? Trying to swindle little sister out of more incense money? Who'd believe this nonsense?

The next instant, he suddenly noticed Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang's gaze flickering toward him, faint yet unmistakable.

"..."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's smile slowly vanished.

This chapter had no filler—everyone will understand next chapter. But right now, looking around, no one seems to guess what little Rong's up to… Recent translation issues have been severe; let's work harder, update faster. Please exit reading mode with a small gesture. Thank you.