Chapter 1218 – Mr. Yuanjing’s Verdict
Cheng Cheng’s illness was far more serious than what the letter had described, reaching a point where his consciousness became muddled.
The renowned doctors in Wanzhou had all examined him. Some wrote prescriptions while others subtly advised the family to prepare themselves mentally.
Cheng Madame refused to accept reality, shaking off her despondency that had been washed in tears, and instead sought to inquire about better physicians.
The result was disappointing.
A cloud of gloom hovered over the Cheng residence, and Cheng Yuan was hit hard. He had to manage the funeral for his eldest brother, Cheng Xun, while also caring for his ailing father and his exhausted mother. Before long, he appeared much more haggard; his whole frame seemed to have slimmed down two sizes.
Cheng Yuan repeatedly lamented to himself that if he had detained Cheng Xun early on, preventing him from crashing into a wall and ending his own life, perhaps he wouldn’t have died.
However, he also knew in his heart—Cheng Xun had already resolved himself to die; how could he have been so easily stopped?
“Second Young Master, someone has sent a visiting card,” a servant announced.
Cheng Yuan took a deep breath, trying to shake off the fatigue from a sleepless night, and reached for the visiting cards.
He glanced briefly at their contents and signatures, forcing himself to perk up.
“Quickly, invite Mr. Yuanjing and Mr. Feng to the side hall. I’ll freshen up and join them shortly. Don’t neglect our esteemed guests.”
Cheng Cheng, Feng Ren, and Yuanjing were colleagues and had a good private rapport. Since Cheng Cheng was gravely ill, the other two naturally came to pay their respects.
As Cheng Yuan worked to receive them, Feng Ren inquired about Cheng Cheng’s current condition, while Mr. Yuanjing remained deep in thought, frowning.
“My father vomited several times last night and couldn’t retain his high fever. Despite the doctor employing various methods, nothing seems effective, and instead, his condition worsens,” Cheng Yuan recounted, recalling his father lying unconscious on the sickbed. His eyes instantly reddened at the memory. Even in his state of delirium, his father mumbled “Eldest Brother,” indicating just how much his eldest son’s death had affected him. Now, Cheng Yuan couldn’t even risk sleeping a wink, afraid that Cheng Cheng may just pass away like this. “…Thank you, sir, for coming to visit. If my father awakens, I will ensure our servant informs you both immediately.”
Feng Ren sighed, and memories of Cheng Cheng’s past dreams flooded his mind.
Cheng Xun’s death had been foreshadowed!
As he thought of his own sons, Feng Jue and Feng Jin, similar worries crept into his heart.
Just as Feng Ren was about to speak, Mr. Yuanjing interjected, “May I ask, do you know the Four Pillars of Destiny for Mr. Gong Liao?”
Cheng Yuan paused and shook his head in confusion.
“I don’t know. What do you need my father’s four pillars for, sir?”
In ancient times, unlike other eras, people placed significant importance on the Four Pillars of Destiny.
When a baby was born, parents would write down the four pillars and secure them in a prepared box.
Newborns exude weak yang energy, making them susceptible to malevolent entities; locking away the four pillars was equivalent to locking in the child’s “fate.”
When the child reached the appropriate age for marriage, parents would then open the box.
Generally, the four pillars were only known to a few very close relatives.
Cheng Yuan, as a son, was not among them.
Mr. Yuanjing replied, “Mr. Wenfu’s illness appears to be severe, and I’m concerned that it might be due to some malevolent interference—”
People back then were quite superstitious, and with Mr. Yuanjing being a capable practitioner, no one dared to doubt his words.
Cheng Yuan relayed this to his mother, and Cheng Madame seemed to clutch at a last straw, hastily writing down Cheng Cheng’s four pillars.
Upon receiving the four pillars, Mr. Yuanjing examined them briefly, immediately frowning, and as he scrutinized them further, his frown deepened as if trying to crush a mosquito.
Cheng Madame, anxious, asked, “Sir, is anything wrong with my husband? Could it truly be a malevolent spirit causing this?”
After a moment of contemplation, Mr. Yuanjing spoke, “A blessing in disguise comes from misfortune. Rest assured, Madame Cheng, Mr. Wenfu’s serious illness is an auspicious sign.”
Cheng Madame was taken aback.
With the eldest son dying by crashing into a wall and the husband hanging by a thread—
Such a miserable state could actually be an auspicious sign?
Her expression shifted as Mr. Yuanjing hastily added, “Madame Cheng, I will speak plainly. Mr. Wenfu’s four pillars are fraught with danger.” He continued, “He is destined to harm his wife, son, and daughter. According to the fate chart, he will lose two sons and a daughter in middle age, and after several years of hardship, will even lose his wife. This is a decree set by the heavens; it is exceedingly difficult to change the fates of mere mortals. Mr. Wenfu’s current illness is due to an outer force altering his predestined fate. The originally perilous fate has transformed into auspiciousness. Such a profound change is beyond what a mortal body can withstand, hence the resulting illness. By midnight, Mr. Wenfu’s condition should improve, and he shall awaken by dawn.”
Seeing Mr. Yuanjing speak with such certainty, Cheng Madame’s worries lightened a bit.
“So, does that mean my husband will turn danger into safety?”
Mr. Yuanjing nodded, “Naturally.”
Cheng Madame commented, “I am not one versed in the occult, so I do not understand fate, but I do recognize that fate is hard to change…”
Mr. Yuanjing replied, “While fate is difficult to alter, those endowed with great fortune are exceptions. One who follows heavenly will shall undoubtedly receive favor.”
With Mr. Yuanjing’s assurance, Cheng Madame felt more at ease.
Feng Ren wore a strange expression and quietly asked, “Is what you said true, sir?”
Regardless of whether outsiders believed it, Feng Ren was skeptical.
Mr. Yuanjing’s words sounded dubious, resembling the nonsensical ramblings of a paid water army hired by Jiang Pengji.
What did it mean, “one who follows heavenly will shall undoubtedly receive favor”?
From a political standpoint, didn’t that imply that heavenly will was on Jiang Pengji’s side?
That opposing her was akin to going against fate?
Historical emperors had a similar tendency, loving to evoke divine signs, believing that phenomena must occur before and after their births to affirm their status as the heaven-appointed sovereign. Wondrous occurrences such as grains yielding nine ears, auspicious light filling the room, or mothers dreaming of holding the sun while pregnant—these mythological narratives, upon analysis, were mere political propaganda to deceive the populace.
Mr. Yuanjing chuckled, “Of course, it is.”
Having spoken the truth, what others believed mattered little to him.
Let alone whether others believed it, even Mr. Yuanjing himself didn’t want to believe it.
Shifting fates was no good thing!
If Cheng Cheng’s fate could be altered by external forces, the true fate of the rightful king could be swayed too.
Feng Ren’s brow furrowed as the scales in his heart began to tip.
“Should I send you two sets of Four Pillars tomorrow for you to read? Just a basic reading—”
Having witnessed the fate of Cheng Xun and Cheng Yuan, Feng Ren was also concerned for his two troublesome sons.
Mr. Yuanjing remarked, “No need to send them.”
Feng Ren blurted out, “Why not?”
Mr. Yuanjing replied matter-of-factly, “Sheng De is looking to read the fates of the Second Young Master and Third Young Master, isn’t he?”
Feng Ren said, “No parent wishes to witness such a scenario where they bury their children.”
“Third Young Master is destined for wealth and honor, with a twist of fate that promises adventure. The Second Young Master is different; his career path is fraught with obstacles, leading to frustration,” Mr. Yuanjing explained, “But their fate lines have also changed. My abilities are limited, and I cannot discern their altered fates just yet.”
“Their fates have changed too?”
Feng Ren’s mood felt like a roller coaster, rising and falling.
“Yes,” Mr. Yuanjing said. “However, one thing is reassuring—there is currently no blood disaster.”
In other words, no matter the outcome, both should survive.
Feng Ren felt a mixed bag of emotions.
After some time, he finally said, “As long as they live—”
That’s certainly better than living in eternal separation.
