Madam Luo was unaware of Madam Huangâs situation. Upon reaching the town at the foot of the mountain, their group stayed at an inn and had a good nightâs sleep due to the exhaustion from the journey.
In her dream, Madam Luo saw a Buddha Ancestor granting blessings to her child.
The child was healthy, and he was her son, a child full of fortune.
Madam Luo had a beautiful dream; although she did not receive a peace talisman from the Taoist Temple, since the Taoist suddenly spat blood and could not get the charm for them.
The next day, as Madam Luo and her group were about to set out, Madam Huangâs maid arrived.
The maid did not mention that their lady had an incident the previous day, but she looked haggard from staying up all night.
Seeing Madam Luo, she immediately said: "Madam Luo, this is the peace talisman our lady requested from the Taoist; please accept it."
Madam Luo, noticing Madam Huang was absent and seeing the maidâs exhaustion, assumed she might not have slept well at the foreign Taoist Temple and wondered why Madam Huang wasnât present.
She asked, "Where is your Madam Huang? Isnât she coming back yet?"
The maid lied, saying: "Our lady stayed at the Taoist Temple to pray for the young master two more days; please help inform the master at home not to worry."
Of course, she couldnât say that Madam Huangâs abdomen hurt last night, causing bleeding, and she lay in bed, afraid to move, needing to rest for two more days before returning.
She was also worried that staying out for two more days might raise suspicion, as the family wasnât aware of the situation.
Being alone, she had to take care of Madam Huang and also worry her husbandâs family might be dissatisfied.
Since following Madam Huang to the scholar familyâs residence, she understood there was a possibility she might become the masterâs concubine.
Many dowry maids were prepared for the husbands.
The maid believed that although the son-in-law was just a poor scholar, with Madam Huangâs plan, he might become a high-ranking official, wealthy and noble; being a concubine by his side was better than being with those ordinary folks.
Thus, she resolved to scheme well for madamâs sake.
She was a very scheming maid.
If she wasnât cunning, how could she stay beside someone as malicious as Madam Huang, offering tacticsâthe only maid who remained.
Madam Luo agreed and did not handle the talismans herself, instead letting her nanny receive them and gifting the maid money.
It wasnât distrust towards Madam Huang; she didnât deem it necessary to receive items personally.
The maid was pleased by the money, as receiving talismans then money was their original plan.
Madam Huang originally planned to have Madam Luo drink Talisman Water and wear talismans.
Though they were called peace talismans, they actually contained things specially configured for them.
The talisman was given to every member of the Luo Family, and once worn or placed beside, would transfer the personâs fortune to them.
They didnât only desire the childâs fortune but the entire familyâs fortune.
Though the familyâs fortune might not match the childâs, it was still considerable.
Madam Luo remained unaware that her friend had long prepared a pit for her, and feeling cheerful, she sent the maid off.
Then, they began their journey home.
As for Madam Huang at the Taoist Temple, she nearly lost her child the previous day, but later an old Taoist halted the bleeding.
After taking the fetus-stabilizing pills, her body remained weak, troubled in mind, having only slept for an hour before urging the maid to head down the mountain as daylight broke.
The earlier agreement was to present talismans to Madam Luoâs family, but after the Taoist spat blood, the matter was set aside.
However, last night, Madam Huang sought the old Taoist again, and the prepared talismans were delivered.
Later, the young Taoist delivered the talismans.
Because they had already transacted, paying a sum of money, and offered incense money while visiting.
Not only did they have guest offerings of incense money.
But they also took business such as fortune reading, hanging signs, and exorcising demons.
Though outwardly righteous sect Taoists, secretly they practiced cultivation techniques of non-righteous sects.
The talismans given by the old Taoist were not those originally made by the Taoist who spat blood.
Since the Taoist was injured by spitting blood, the power of his talismans was greatly reduced.
The old Taoist had hidden motives, allowing his discipleâs spell to backfire showed the person had strong fortune, beyond the discipleâs ability to contain.
Confident his skill surpassed the discipleâs, he believed he could contain it.
Being elderly, he more desperately needed longevity and fortune.
It could enhance his power and extend his life by over a hundred years.
Who wouldnât desire youth?
Absorbing such power could rejuvenate him, the temptation of youthful vigor was immense.
Moreover, these talismans werenât directly aimed at the child, only against his family; even if their power fell short, it wouldnât backfire.
He wouldnât foolishly target the fetus directly like his disciple.
Stupidly transferring fortunes to others, having already acted, why still grant others fortune?
Even if allied, not absorbing fortune from them was already considered merciful.
Madam Huang was unaware that her actions this time wouldnât bring fortune to her own family, layering troubles amid the journey, their previously healthy bodies now showed signs of miscarriage!
The fetus, though preserved, had already grown weak, not born frail, but weakened while still in the motherâs womb.