Chapter 20

Daoist Master Yunguang had been cultivating at Xuanqing Temple for more than ten years.

Everyone knew that her fortune-telling was astonishingly accurate. Ordinary people couldn’t even hope to get an audience with her. Even the Empress Dowager treated her with great respect, often inviting her into the palace. Not long ago, Daoist Master Yunguang had even presented the Emperor with a medicinal elixir recipe that could cure his chronic illness, much to the Empress Dowager’s delight.

Now that Qin Jiu, this fresh-out-of-the-oven “noble heiress” had been labeled by Daoist Yunguang as possessing the fate of a “Solitary Star of Heavenly Calamity,” even with Empress Wei supporting her, she would likely have no place left in the capital.

Even more so when Qin Jiu had just ruined the birthday gift that had originally been meant for the Empress Dowager.

Everyone looked at Qin Jiu with complicated expressions.

They all knew that this Third Young Miss Qin was finished. Even if the Qin family sent her far away to live in a country estate, the Empress wouldn’t be able to say anything about it!

Qin Jiu held her fruit drink with an innocent expression. Facing the mixture of pity and schadenfreude in everyone’s eyes, she suddenly understood.

So this was why Qin Sheng had gone to such lengths to insist she come over to look at this painting! It had all been for this moment.

Qin Jiu’s gaze swept across in a circle, slowly shifting from Daoist Master Yunguang to Qin Sheng, and then to Qin Xin.

Needless to say, the only person who would go through such roundabout schemes was Qin Xin.

Ai.

Sure enough, dreaming of being a salted fish was just wishful thinking.

Qin Xin calmly returned Qin Jiu’s gaze, the corners of her lips lifting almost imperceptibly. Even if someone realized that she was targeting Qin Jiu, so what? It’s not like any of these noble young ladies or gentlemen would actually stand up for a wild girl like Qin Jiu.

Qin Jiu set down her fruit drink, rose to her feet, smoothed out her skirt, and slowly walked forward.

The noble young ladies immediately recoiled in alarm, retreating as though afraid they might catch the bad luck clinging to her.

“Daoist Master Yunguang,” Qin Jiu said with a slight smile, seeming completely unaware of her predicament, “you just said my birth chart marks me as a Solitary Star of Heavenly Calamity?”

“Indeed.” Daoist Master Yunguang gave a slight nod, her dignified face full of compassion. “This young miss, according to your birth chart, you should have enjoyed a lifetime of honor and glory. However, your fate bears the signs of loneliness and isolation. You are marked as a Solitary Star of Heavenly Calamity, one who brings harm to father, mother, husband, and child alike.”

Qin Jiu’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. She didn’t even raise an eyebrow. Pointing at Qin Xin, she asked, “Then what about my second sister?”

Flicking her horsetail whisk, Daoist Master Yunguang replied, “Second Miss Qin was born with an exceptionally noble fate. She carries official fortune in her destiny and can even bring blessings to her family. I have never seen anyone with a better fate than hers.”

“So that’s how it is.” Qin Jiu let out a soft sigh.

Beside her, Qin Xin stared fixedly at Qin Jiu, her gaze dark and inscrutable.

She hadn’t wanted to take things this far. Qin Jiu had forced her hand!

Why couldn’t she just stay quietly in the countryside? Why insist on returning to the capital?!

This was all Qin Jiu’s own doing!

As long as the label of “Solitary Star of Heavenly Calamity” stuck to Qin Jiu, the Emperor would never allow her to marry the Second Prince.

Qin Xin’s hands that were hidden within her sleeve clenched tightly. She couldn’t wait to see Qin Jiu panic in despair and helplessness.

However—

What rang out instead was Qin Jiu’s cool, clear voice: “Since my second sister’s fate is so wonderful and can even bless her family, then her parents should definitely be fine.

“That’s good then. I suppose I won’t need to worry anymore,” Qin Jiu sighed in relief.

What did that mean?! The noble young ladies and young masters were all thoroughly confused.

Everyone had heard of the Qin family’s scandal.

It was said that back then, the daughter born to the eldest branch’s Madam Wei had accidentally gone missing during exile and was never found. Su Shi, who at the time was not yet the Marchioness, couldn’t bear to part with the second daughter she had secretly given birth to during her mourning period. After much hesitation, she brought this daughter—who had been raised outside the family—into the manor under the identity of the eldest branch’s legitimate daughter. Unexpectedly, fourteen years later, the real missing daughter of the eldest branch was found again, so the two cousins had no choice but to return to their rightful places.

Honestly, this story had been the talk of the capital for days now. If not for the fact that Qin Xin was the future wife of the Second Prince, the rumors would probably have spread even more wildly!

The crowd exchanged puzzled glances.

But what  did Qin Jiu mean by those words? Could something have happened to the Marquis and his wife?

Realizing something, Qin Xin’s expression changed.

Just as Qin Xin parted her lips to speak, Qin Jiu beat her to it and said worriedly, “…Second Sister, don’t tell me you still don’t know? The Li couple killed someone and are on the run. The authorities have already issued wanted notices for them.”

“…” Qin Xin’s hand trembled involuntarily, her pupils constricting sharply.

Mother and Father had killed someone?!

She didn’t believe it!

Her parents were kind-hearted people who had always run their small business honestly. How could they possibly kill anyone?!

“You…” Qin Xin wanted to say that she was talking nonsense. She only managed a single word before swallowing the accusation back down and changing her tone, “What does that have to do with me?”

“Huh?” Qin Jiu tilted her head innocently, “Does it have nothing to do with you?”

She smiled slightly, but in Qin Xin’s eyes, that smile seemed utterly malicious.

Qin Jiu continued, “Actually, I think Daoist Master Yunguang’s fortune reading is terribly inaccurate.

“Otherwise, how could she have misread Second Sister’s fate?

“Don’t you agree, Second Sister?”

Qin Jiu gazed deeply at Qin Xin. Qin Xin’s expression darkened further, unease churning in her heart. Why was Qin Jiu deliberately bringing up her parents in public? Could it be that she intended to reveal the truth about her background?

How dare she?!

Wasn’t she afraid that Grandmother would blame her and leave her with no place in the Qin family from then on?!

Qin Xin’s eyes grew darker and darker, deep as a bottomless pool.

“Daoist Master Yunguang.” Qin Jiu turned again toward the Daoist master, her almond-shaped eyes bright and clear as she said meaningfully, “Take another good look. Is my second sister truly destined for nobility, or is her fate lowly? Surely I can’t be the only one with the fate of a Solitary Star of Heavenly Calamity?”

“That’s enough, Third Sister.” Though Qin Xin was inwardly anxious, not a trace showed on her face. She smilingly reached out and took Qin Jiu’s hand, “Daoist Master Yunguang only meant well.”

“You can’t say that.” Qin Jiu’s smiling eyes curved into crescents as she gently shook off Qin Xin’s hand, “This painting of Second Sister’s is supposed to be presented to the Empress Dowager as a birthday gift during the Thousand Autumn Festival. If Second Sister’s fate is ‘also’ bad, wouldn’t that bring ill fortune to the Empress Dowager?”

The undercurrents surging between the two naturally did not escape the notice of the others. Hearing these words, doubts began to sprout in the minds.

They didn’t quite understand everything these cousins said, but they could tell that Qin Xin must have some compromising secret in Qin Jiu’s hands. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be swallowing her anger like this now.

As they carefully considered Qin Jiu’s earlier words, some of the sharper minds began to pick up on certain implications. An unbelievable conjecture slowly surfaced in their hearts.

No way…?!

“Sister Xin,” Princess Yingluo asked hesitantly, “what exactly does your third sister mean by all this?”

Everyone else stared intently at Qin Xin as well.

Qin Xin’s heart skipped a beat. The surrounding gazes—some scrutinizing, some suspicious—made her heart flutter with panic.

She lowered her eyes slightly, her long curled lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, looking delicate and pitiful. It was as though she wanted to speak but could not.

Seeing his beloved like this, Gu Jing felt as though needles were piercing his heart. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and comfort her tenderly.

Ah, his Xin’er was just too kind-hearted. Out of sisterly affection, she allowed this wild girl to slander her so freely!

“Someone come.” Gu Jing ordered coldly.

As a prince traveling outside the palace, he naturally had guards accompanying him. At his command, two tall and imposing guards immediately strode forward aggressively.

The corners of Gu Jing’s lips curved slightly, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes. He thought to himself: Qin Jiu had truly delivered herself right into his hands.

Qin Jiu was a Solitary Star of Heavenly Calamity, yet the Empress had kept this niece of hers in the palace for so long, causing Father Emperor’s health to decline recently… If this matter was handled properly, he could surely avenge the humiliation of his mother consort kneeling outside Fengluan Palace for an entire day and night!

“Take her away!” Gu Jing commanded.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The two guards strode toward Qin Jiu, but she remained perfectly calm. She calmly turned to look at Gu Zezhi who was seated nearby, and flashed him an exceptionally radiant smile.

In Gu Zezhi’s eyes, the little girl’s bright smile now was worlds apart from the fake smile she had worn earlier.

Gu Zezhi curled his lips slightly. His smile carried one part warmth, two parts amusement, and three parts a smile yet not a smile.

“Second Prince,” Gu Zezhi said with a smile, “let Third Young Miss Qin finish speaking.”

His tone was gentle and calm, yet carried an indisputable authority.

The moment he spoke, everyone present was stunned, exchanging bewildered glances once again.

What exactly was the relationship between the Third Young Master of Prince Duan’s household and this Third Young Miss Qin?! To even make him stand up for her!

The Second Prince was certainly of noble status, but Gu Zezhi was no less impressive. Although he was not the heir of Prince Duan’s estate, he was Prince Duan’s only legitimate son. More importantly, he was also the Second Prince’s elder relative. No matter what, the Second Prince had to give him some face.

Gu Jing’s expression shifted.

He stared at Gu Zezhi for a moment before finally saying, “Since Imperial Uncle has spoken, this nephew will naturally comply.”

His voice betrayed neither joy nor anger.

The smile on Qin Jiu’s face deepened. She thought to herself: This bargain big brother is quite dependable! No wonder he’s the future great villain whom the male and female leads will hate to the bone and will go to any lengths to get rid of!

Qin Jiu blinked at Gu Zezhi, signaling her thanks.

The reason why Qin Jiu had dared confront Qin Xin head-on was precisely because she had this golden thigh Gu Zezhi here.

She believed that the big villain definitely wasn’t on good terms with the story’s male and female leads. Besides, she had called him “Big Brother” for a few days now. Surely this bargain big brother wouldn’t just stand by and watch her get bullied!

The hands hidden within Qin Xin’s sleeves clenched even tighter, her nails digging into her tender palms.

Everything had already spiraled completely out of her control.