Chapter 854 : Birth Chart
Chapter 854: Birth Chart
"Asking about love and marriage."
The old monk withdrew his gaze, shaking his head slightly. His cloudy eyes swept over the fortune slip, and he murmured the content written on it.
"In the midst of 10 mu, the mulberry trees grow leisurely."
"This fortune slip is an auspicious one for the patron."
"Once there was a family with 5 mu of land, planted with mulberry and hemp. The family could have three meals and be well-fed. Now, with 10 mu of land to plant mulberry and hemp, life will naturally be more comfortable and stable."
"One should be indifferent to fame and fortune. With a light heart towards these things, life will be joyful."
Su Ruochu bowed respectfully.
"Master, could you explain in more detail?"
The old monk pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"The meaning here is that once there was a family with 5 mu of land, planted with mulberry and hemp, which provided three meals and kept the family well-fed. Now, with 10 mu of land to plant mulberry and hemp, life will naturally be more comfortable and stable."
"If one can be indifferent to fame and fortune, and be content with their lot, they will naturally receive blessings from heaven and have a happy life."
"The patron drawing this slip indicates that current blessings from heaven are sufficient. Although there may be some difficulties and lack of opportunities at present, as long as one stays within their bounds and does their best, they can ensure a smooth and fulfilling life."
"If the patron is asking about career, they should not be tempted by beauty or fame and fortune, becoming fickle and greedy. Otherwise, it will surely invite heaven's punishment and lead to ruin."
"If the patron is asking about relationships, this slip indicates a match made in heaven."
"If asking about marriage, the patron should cherish their blessings and fate, be content with their lot, and they will naturally have a harmonious marriage for a hundred years."
Su Ruochu understood and bowed again.
"Thank you, Master."
The old monk raised his head and observed Su Ruochu's face for a few seconds, then slowly said.
"However, looking at the patron's complexion, it seems there are still some unresolved issues in your heart."
"The patron should understand that marriages are predestined. Don't force things. Caring too much might lead to loss. Sometimes, letting go of a knot in your heart might bring you more."
Su Ruochu's body trembled slightly, and she looked at the old monk before her with some surprise.
She felt that the old monk's words seemed to have a hidden meaning, but they were vague and unclear.
When she tried to ask a few more questions, the old monk had already stopped speaking and began chanting sutras with his eyes closed.
Su Ruochu could only bow slightly to the old monk and rise to walk towards the hall's exit.
As she walked out, her mind was still replaying the old monk's final words.
It wasn't until she reached the square outside and Chen Fan called out to her that Su Ruochu suddenly snapped back to reality.
She quickly turned her head to look back at the main hall.
The setting sun cast a layer of golden light on the golden glazed tiles on the top of the hall, making it look sacred and solemn.
"What are you looking at?" Chen Fan teased with a smile. "Did you offer incense?"
Su Ruochu nodded.
"What wish did you make to Buddha?"
Su Ruochu felt a bit embarrassed, "I won't tell you."
"Tch. You don't need to tell me, I already know."
Su Ruochu asked curiously, "What is it?"
Chen Fan pretended to analyze seriously, "It's simple, I can guess right away."
"You wished to Buddha that you want to marry me soon, become Mrs. Chen, then give me a bunch of little babies, and stay with me till the end of time..."
Su Ruochu blushed and lightly spat.
"Pah! You're so shameless."
Chen Fan laughed heartily.
"It's okay. If you're too shy, I already told Buddha earlier. It's the same no matter who says it."
Su Ruochu asked curiously, "You made a wish too?"
"Oh! I just wrote down my wish and hung it on the tree."
Su Ruochu was a bit curious, but Chen Fan pulled her towards the exit.
"I won't show you. This is my secret."
Su Ruochu pouted, allowing Chen Fan to lead her around the temple.
Chen Fan was very interested in the preserved stone tablets and plaques, so Su Ruochu accompanied him to look at them all, taking many photos along the way.
As dusk fell and it started to get dark, the two began to walk towards the temple exit.
Arriving at the gate outside the temple walls, Su Ruochu noticed that in the square outside the temple, there were many stalls selling souvenirs.
Among them, there were also quite a few stalls for fortune-telling and divination.
Su Ruochu suddenly had an idea.
"I want to buy a souvenir."
"Huh?"
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Most of the souvenirs here are fake, and the prices are expensive. They're just ripping people off."
But Su Ruochu wheedled, "Just buy me one, please. Even if it's fake, after staying in front of Buddha for so long, it must have absorbed some Buddhist energy."
Chen Fan was defeated and smiled as he asked, "Alright. What do you want?"
"A bracelet. Not too expensive. But it should be pretty and nice-looking."
"I'm a bit tired, I'll sit here and rest while waiting for you. Be quick, okay?"
Chen Fan led Su Ruochu to a sturdy willow tree nearby and sat down on a cement platform.
He handed over the bottle of mineral water he was holding.
"You sit here and rest, I'll go over there and pick out a bracelet for you."
"Okay."
Watching Chen Fan leave, Su Ruochu's gaze swept to the side.
Next to her was an old man wearing a tattered Taoist robe, looking disheveled, holding a blackened baked sweet potato in his hand, staring intently at Su Ruochu.
"Young lady, since you're free anyway, would you like to have your fortune told?"
Su Ruochu looked at this guy's appearance and questioned his professionalism.
Her gaze unconsciously turned towards the other stalls.
The old man seemed to see through Su Ruochu's thoughts and said with a smile, "Outward appearance is just the shell. Does dressing neatly and cleanly make one more professional?"
Su Ruochu looked at him and asked, "Can a Taoist priest also tell fortunes for others in a Buddhist temple?"
The old man smiled and asked in return, "As the saying goes, Buddha saves the destined, Bodhisattva saves all beings. Taoist priests are also among all beings, so why can't they be here?"
Su Ruochu wanted to say that this was a bit of a forced argument.
But the old Taoist priest smiled and said, "At the temple gate, in front of Buddha, patron, you're being too literal."
Su Ruochu's expression froze slightly, and she looked at the old man in tattered Taoist robes with a strange expression.
He was dressed like a Taoist priest, yet his mouth was full of Buddhist phrases.
The old Taoist priest seemed to be able to see into people's hearts. He took a big bite of his baked sweet potato and swallowed it contentedly.
"As long as it can help people, what's the difference between Buddhist teachings and Taoist teachings?"
Su Ruochu stared blankly at this old man, feeling that every sentence he spoke was filled with Zen wisdom and seemed to have hidden meanings.
After hesitating for a moment, Su Ruochu spoke softly.
"What can you divine?"
"Physiognomy, palmistry, birth charts, divination..."
Su Ruochu couldn't help but laugh and cry, "Master, you know quite a lot."
"Hehe, to make a living in this world, one needs to have some skills."
Su Ruochu casually asked, "How much for a birth chart reading?"
"10 yuan."
Su Ruochu nodded.
"Then please help me read my birth chart."
Unexpectedly, the old man suddenly held out his hand.
"Pay first."
Su Ruochu felt a bit helpless. This was the first time she had met someone so greedy.
Now she began to doubt his professionalism again.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally took out 10 yuan from her wallet and handed it to him.
"Is this okay now?"
"If it's not accurate, I'm going to take my money back."
"Don't worry. If it's not accurate, the money will be returned."
The old Taoist put down the sweet potato in his hand, casually wiped his greasy hands on his dirty robe, an action that made Su Ruochu frown again.
"Whose birth chart does the patron want to read?"
"Mine."
"Good. Please write your birth date and time on this piece of paper."