Chapter 315: Destinys Will?

The night brought wind and rain. By dawn, little puddles had formed on the Imperial Road.

Moyuan passed through Yan County. On the road, he saw the rundown tea stall. Without people around, it had become very broken in just a year or two.

He let out a soft sigh and kept walking.

He arrived at the Li family’s yard but didn’t see Advisor Li. His wife Madam Song opened the door. She was dressed like a farm woman, over thirty years old, yet her face had no wrinkles. She must have had an easy life.

Seeing the visitor dressed finely in expensive clothes, Madam Song quickly said, “Young Master, have you come to find my husband? He went to the Yamen this morning and won’t be back until afternoon.”

“Went to the Yamen?”

Moyuan thought for a moment. “No matter.”

He took three incense sticks out from his sleeve.

“I was asked to deliver these. A friend of Old Mr. Li’s sent them. He couldn’t come himself since he’s very busy. He hopes Advisor Li will light them for Old Mr. Li.”

Madam Song paused. “Please come in for tea. We have some fresh fruit to cool you down.”

Moyuan replied, “I couldn’t impose. Thank you, Madam.”

“But that won’t do. You must have traveled far. At least take a cup—”

“I must go.”

Moyuan smiled and waved his hand, giving the incense sticks to Madam Song.

She took them with both hands. “Which elder asked you to come? So my husband knows who sent them.”

Moyuan thought. “Mr. Chen.”

“Mr. Chen?”

Madam Song tried to remember but couldn’t recall any friend Mr. Chen had known.

As she raised her head to ask more, the finely dressed man was gone.

She stepped outside and looked down the long hallway. No one was there. She froze, feeling puzzled.

“He disappeared?”

There were no corners in the alley. How could he vanish in the blink of an eye?

She couldn’t understand. Looking at the incense sticks in her hands, she felt this must be important. Otherwise, why would someone do something so strange?

Advisor Li returned at sunset.

Madam Song told him about the incense sticks.

Advisor Li stared at them thoughtfully.

“Mr. Chen? A mister?”

He frowned but couldn’t recall any friend with that surname knowing his dad.

Madam Song said, “Maybe Father knew him from longer ago? You wouldn’t know.”

“Impossible.”

Advisor Li shook his head. “My father never traveled far. How could he meet friends from elsewhere?”

Madam Song added, “Remember? Our father met lots of folk running the tea stall outside Autumn Moon Market. Perhaps from then?”

Advisor Li nodded. “Maybe. And this Mr. Chen couldn’t come personally, busy with things. He might be a great person…”

“I’ll light them right away.”

Advisor Li carried the incense sticks to the Ancestral Hall.

He named who sent them, bowed three times, and then felt calm.

In Yan County, Day Patrols spotted a burst of fortune rise suddenly.

“Fortune? Where’d that come from? Whose house?”

Several Day Patrols rushed to look.

They were shocked to discover its source.

“It’s from three incense sticks!”

“The Li family! Such great fortune!”

“Where did they get this opportunity?”

“I’ll report to the City God!”

The remaining Patrols watched.

Tap.

Then suddenly, a roof tile fell—straight onto the incense burner.

Advisor Li gasped, stumbling back.

Madam Yu hurried forward. “My dear, are you hurt?”

“No.”

He looked: The burner was fine. But one incense stick had broken.

“One crushed!”

The Patrols watching sighed with regret.

“What a pity!”

“Those three sticks could’ve blessed three generations!”

“Now it’s just two. Such a loss.”

When the Yan County City God learned, he visited the Li family Ancestral Hall. Seeing the remaining two incense sticks burning and releasing fortune surprised him.

“Great person!”

The Yan County City God ordered an investigation.

He sent his Yin Attendants to listen to the couple.

They learned where this chance came from.

“City God, it seems a Mr. Chen sent the incense sticks.”

“Mr. Chen…”

The City God frowned… then jolted as memories surfaced.

‘Could it be that mister?’

The one whose mere words sealed the Dragon Clan’s fate?

“Did you find out where he is?”

Patrols and Yin Attendants all shook their heads. Not only did they lack answers, the Li couple had no clue who Mr. Chen was.

The City God sighed. “What a shame…”

“The Li family has good fortune… but one incense stick broke…”

He frowned and murmured, “Could this be Destiny’s Will?”

Some things… just cannot be explained.

.

.

Early morning, Tao’er swept the yard.

She hadn’t swept like this in years.

Her gaze lingered on the withered peach tree. She sighed after a long look.

Moyuan entered the Main Hall and noticed. “Regrets?”

Tao’er turned and shook her head. “Not regret. It’d produce many peaches this season. Mr. Changsheng would often pluck some to eat. After I became a spirit… it withered away.”

Moyuan studied the dead tree. It had stood here, decaying for so many years. Moss and weeds covered its trunk; its heart had rotted away.

Suddenly, someone spoke behind him.

“A dead tree may still greet spring. One day, blooms and fruit will come again.”

Miss Tao’er greeted, “Mr. Changsheng.”

Seeing him appear ready to leave, Moyuan asked, “Are you going out, sir?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “The Old Dragon King invited me to drink. Will you both come?”

“The River and Sea Grand Banquet?” Moyuan brightened. “The one Yingyuan mentioned?”

“Yes,” Chen Changsheng replied.

Moyuan’s interest grew. “We must see! They say the Old Dragon King is generous with treasures.”

Tao’er also wanted to go but worried about nearing wedding dates. She asked if they’d return in time.

Chen Changsheng replied, “It’s just two or three days. Plenty of time. Don’t worry.”