Master Yuankong was a renowned monk across the Great Zhou, esteemed by the royal family and beloved by the people. His junior, Master Yuanhui, was equally respected, and his words held as much weight as Yuankong's. Now, he was saying that Song Chuyi had two life fates, each requiring the loss of her parents first and both leading to disaster and bloodshed. His words were precise and unsettling.

  Princess Duanhui was struck with fear, her face paling as she anxiously asked Master Yuanhui how to break this fate. "A life under a star of misfortune?! Is there a way to counter this?"

  A woman's reputation was crucial; who would dare marry someone with such an ominous fate? No matter how high her status, many would hesitate. Princess Duanhui was so distressed she nearly burst into tears, holding onto Song Chuyi, unsure of what to do.

  It was rare for her to show such panic, and Lady Yu stepped closer, also uneasy, csping her hands in prayer. She asked, "What is a 'star of misfortune'? And who is destined for such bloodshed?"

  Seeing no one else to consult, Princess Duanhui pulled her aside and anxiously recounted what Master Yuanhui had said about Song Chuyi's fate. "We must find a way to break this fate; how else can she live with such a reputation?"

  Lady Yu gnced at Song Chuyi, frowning slightly as she reassured Princess Duanhui. "The child isn't worried, yet here you are fretting. There's no fate that can't be changed. Besides, Master Yuanhui is a deeply learned monk; with him here, what is there to fear?"

  Master Yuanhui shook his head with a mysterious smile. "That's not entirely accurate. Some things are beyond human intervention. No matter how capable you are, it's impossible to defy the heavens. Remember, moving mountains and shaking the seas has never been within the power of mortals."

  Song Chuyi found his words intriguing, sensing he was subtly speaking to her. Yet she felt a tinge of fear—not for herself, for she was a reborn soul with a grudge and nothing to fear in terms of bloodshed or karma. Her extra years and all she'd changed were a gift, but if her fate was indeed as he described, could it impact others? Master Yuanhui's point rang true: only divine forces could alter the world. Even her rebirth was a rare mercy from above. She worried not for herself, but for Song Yan and First Lady Cui, fearing they might be implicated.

  Lady Yu also grew pale. Though not typically superstitious, Master Yuanhui's predictions, especially about Song Chuyi's dual fate, were hard to dismiss.

  Meanwhile, though tense, Song Chuyi maintained her composure, a slight smile on her face as she asked him, "Then, Master, which of these two fates is more perilous?"

  Master Yuanhui's kindly face looked even more compassionate, the prayer beads in his hand shining faintly as he spoke words that naturally drew attention. "The first fate is indeed more dangerous. It foresees ruin, broken family ties, and an estranged husband repced by a new wife. The second fate is somewhat better."

  His accuracy made clear that Master Yuanhui indeed possessed true abilities, and both Lady Yu and First Lady Cui widened their eyes, staring at him with nervous intensity.

  Song Chuyi, however, showed little reaction, only lowering her head with a faint smile, her fingers idly tracing the smooth surface of a porcein teacup. "Oh? In what way is it better?"

  "The benefit is that it's not entirely without a remedy," Master Yuanhui replied with his usual gentle smile. "If one can exercise restraint, accumute good karma for their loved ones, and refrain from pushing things too far, the misfortune of the 'star of camity' might spare those closest."

  Song Chuyi fell into a long silence, and after a while, she looked up at Master Yuanhui, asking, "There's no way to alter it?"

  "There is no way to alter it," Master Yuanhui replied, his gaze steady and sincere. "If Miss Song were willing to join my sister in her secluded practice, she might be able to avoid this camity altogether."

  Song Chuyi knew that Master Yuanhui was showing a bit of compassion, hoping she would willingly let go.

  But she was already deeply entangled in this web—how could she extricate herself simply by wishing it? And withdrawing now would only bring disaster upon the Song and Cui families even faster.

  Lady Yu and Princess Duanhui were both so frightened they nearly broke into tears, and in unison, they pleaded with Master Yuanhui, "Why can't it be changed? I've heard... of even worse fates being resolved in the end."

  Qingying's face had gone pale as she followed Song Chuyi out, worry etched into every feature. If word spread that Master Yuanhui had decred her fate ill-starred and destined for bloodshed, what would happen? Her marriage prospects would be one thing, but even Young Master Song Yan might be tainted by association, with people casting doubts on his future because of an unlucky fate.

  "Miss, we shouldn't believe him." She mustered her courage to comfort Song Chuyi. "We'll go see Master Zhang from Longhu Mountain ter; his word is what counts."

  Some people believed in Buddhism, others in Daoism, but more leaned toward Daoism. Even if a Buddhist monk like Master Yuanhui spoke ill, if a Daoist master like Master Zhang contradicted him, wouldn't that create some bance? Master Yuanhui might be esteemed, but Master Zhang was also a revered celestial teacher.

  Song Chuyi, however, wasn't concerned about her fate. Whether her fate was good or bad, it hardly mattered to her; she had never truly expected a future of marriage and children. As long as she could protect Song Yan and others for a lifetime, she would be content.

  What concerned her was that from the moment Master Yuanhui spoke about her fate, a trap had been id, waiting for her to fall into it—a fate marked by misfortune and bloodshed. Should an "accident" happen to her, others would view it as inevitable. With the reverence people held for Master Yuanhui, they would likely only praise him as a wise and accurate monk, with no suspicion directed elsewhere.

  Chen Xiang's tactics were swift and insidious, aiming to discredit her from the shadows so that even her death would leave no avenue for justice. Truly... venomous. If not for Lai Chenglong's timely letter, she wouldn't have immediately connected Master Yuanhui's fortune-telling with Chen Xiang and Prince Duan. Master Yuanhui's words were ambiguous yet ominous, leaving no room for doubt.

  With a faint smile, she let Qingying and Ziyun fret while she calmly ground ink and wrote a letter, instructing Qingying to deliver it to the Crown Prince's heir.