Chapter 263: Heaven's Will

Seeing his friend's maddened fury, Li Chunfeng for a moment didn't know what to do.

But if he put himself in the other's shoes, Li Chunfeng could probably understand Yuan Tiangang's feelings.

Tragic!

Really tragic!

"Brother Yuan, the matter has come to this; continuing to be tangled is meaningless. You should calm down quickly, recuperate, and replenish yourself."

"Otherwise, I'm truly afraid something will happen to you."

Li Chunfeng's worry was not unfounded; Yuan Tiangang had been lying in bed for four months, only recently awakening, and his body was extremely weakened in every aspect.

He feared that if Yuan Tiangang caught fire, he would die on the spot.

"Sigh~" Yuan Tiangang's face was gaunt, looking extremely desolate, "I understand, Brother Li. Since I've awakened, it's actually not a big deal; the body can't be healed in a day or two, so take it slowly."

"I've been away so long; I imagine it's hard to explain to His Majesty. Let me go to the palace tomorrow, inform His Majesty of my condition, and then make plans."

"Alright." Li Chunfeng, seeing that Yuan Tiangang understood, felt a weight lift from his heart.

"By the way, Brother Li," Yuan Tiangang suddenly looked up, his gaze stubbornly fixed on his friend, "Back then we jointly divined the future's heavenly mechanisms, but after you were summoned to the palace by His Majesty, you gave up continuing the divination with me, just when a variable emerged."

"Before, when I asked you, you always evaded."

"Did you... already sense something?"

"This..." Li Chunfeng was utterly embarrassed.

How could he explain to Yuan Tiangang?

Could it be that the appearance of this variable is related to himself?

It was because he had calculated the Eight Characters for Chen Yan and Princess Gao Yang, and then the variable immediately surfaced.

If there were no connection here, Yuan Tiangang couldn't believe it.

"Ah, Brother Yuan, now that things have come to this, I won't hide from you." Finally, Li Chunfeng still intended to speak truthfully, "The reason I was unwilling to continue divining the future's heavenly mechanisms with you is because I have some connection with that variable."

"One could say, if it weren't for me, that variable might have appeared later."

Yuan Tiangang, upon hearing that, nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

Fine then!

You old brat.

No wonder when I asked you before you stubbornly refused to speak; it turns out you had a hand in that variable appearing so quickly, causing my failure at the crucial moment.

You damn it, you really are my good friend!!!

Yuan Tiangang's face flushed red, his lips trembling, his eyes fixed on Li Chunfeng, unable to utter a word.

"Brother Yuan, calm down, calm down!" Li Chunfeng hurriedly comforted, "Actually, whether the variable appears early or late makes no difference; the outcome is the same!"

"Even if you successfully complete the divination, once the variable appears, you still fail."

"Right?"

Yuan Tiangang was stunned, as if he had instantly aged several years, and remained silent.

Li Chunfeng, with a hint of apology, said, "In fact, I didn't expect to cause the variable to appear early. At that time I was merely fulfilling the Empress's request, calculating the marriage Eight Characters for Princess Gao Yang and Marquis of Weinan Chen Yan; that was a normal matter, but..."

He sighed, "Alas, I only acted out of compassion. I couldn't see through Marquis of Weinan Chen Yan's fate; his Eight Characters were extremely bizarre, only revealing supreme nobility. Considering that Princess Gao Yang's original marriage fate was a cursed bond, harming others and himself."

"Yet when the two are together, their five-element auras complement each other, forming a 'Water-Fire Balance' state. Therefore I spoke truthfully, informing His Majesty and the Empress that their Eight Characters Heavenly Harmony was a destiny ordained by heaven, also meant to unite them."

"And it was then... Marquis of Weinan Chen Yan became that massive variable."

"So that's how it is..." Yuan Tiangang's tone was indescribably complex, part lament, part self‑mockery.

"Never mind, never mind, perhaps this is Heaven's will."

"Perhaps... Heaven's will does not permit this thing to appear in the world." Yuan Tiangang fished a tiny, unremarkable booklet from his bosom and casually tossed it onto the table.

"Brother Yuan, it's fine if you can see reason," Li Chunfeng glanced at the booklet, smiling, "May I ask where you intend to recuperate from now on?"

"Here, or do you plan to return to your hometown?"

"I..." Yuan Tiangang began to speak, but instantly realized something, "Brother Li, what is your esteemed opinion?"

"I have no lofty insight," Li Chunfeng smiled even wider, "It's simply extremely suitable for your recuperation."

"Perhaps you'll even get to witness a new world."

"......"

The next day, Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang, this pair of close friends, entered the palace to appear before the sovereign.

Li Shimin was stunned at the sight of Yuan Tiangang.

"National Teacher... you, what's wrong with you?"

"Imperial Physician, quickly summon the Imperial Physician!!"

"Your Majesty, I attempted to divinate beyond my capability and suffered a backlash; you need not worry," Yuan Tiangang shook his head, refusing Li Shimin's kindness.

His own condition was not something the Imperial Physician could cure.

"I see..."

Li Shimin looked at the suddenly aged Yuan Tiangang before him and asked with concern, "Does the National Teacher have a remedy?"

"My son‑in‑law does know some medical arts, enough to impress even the Imperial Physician Command; perhaps I should summon him to examine you?"

"No need, Your Majesty," Yuan Tiangang politely declined, "My injury is not ordinary; medicine cannot save me, only gradual nurturing will work."

"Therefore, I am here today to earnestly request Your Majesty to let me find a place to recuperate; my condition is indeed very serious."

"No problem!" Li Shimin answered in one breath.

Like Li Chunfeng, whether the Court has Yuan Tiangang matters little; a figure like Yuan Tiangang only proves useful at critical moments.

"One more matter, Your Majesty," at this moment Li Chunfeng suddenly stepped forward.

"Oh? What does the Grand Historian have, feel free to speak."

"The thing is, I wish to take Brother Yuan to Weinan County, hoping Your Majesty will approve," Li Chunfeng said, bowing with both hands.

Li Shimin twitched the corner of his mouth.

Why do both of them want to run to Weinan County?

It's fine if one's own son or daughter runs over.

You two old Taoist priests also want to run over.

"Fine, if you want to go, then go, just don't affect what's happening over there." Li Shimin thought for a moment, but still agreed.

Because he knew the two were almost obsessed with certain things; for example, Li Chunfeng, with just a bit of knowledge, would willingly address a child under twenty as "sir".

Li Shimin found it hard to say anything and could only respect the two.

After all, the two had helped him a great deal.

Li Chunfeng was pleased and said, "Thank you, His Majesty."

Yuan Tiangang didn't know why he needed to go to Weinan County, but since his friend said so, he didn't ask and bowed, saying, "I, your servant, thank Your Majesty."

Just as the two were about to take their leave, Li Shimin suddenly thought of something and called Yuan Tiangang back, "National Teacher, the art of physiognomy is renowned throughout the world; since you're going to Weinan County, why not also let my son‑in‑law have a look?"

"When you have a result, just write a letter to inform me."

"......"