Disturbed by the matter of the Evil Buddha Statue, Yunniang’s heart beca a tangled ss, her complexion growing increasingly displeasing.
Qi Xingzi waved her hand in front of her, saying, "Don’t think too much about it. Perhaps she did it unintentionally, believing the temple to truly hold power, and ant well, only to have caused trouble instead. Now that the child has been safely born, you should focus on her and yourself."
After so thought, she reassured further: "Moreover, being able to follow your husband to his new appointnt ans you, as an official’s wife, will be the head of the household for the next few years, with no one to overshadow you; your good days are just beginning, so you should relax. With a calm heart, your perspective on things and people will broaden."
Yunniang felt sowhat ashad seeing such a youthful Qi Xingzi comforting her in turn, and said, "I understand. We are fortunate to have t a benefactor, otherwise, our whole family would have struggled to escape this calamity. I believe we will have blessings to co."
Qi Xingzi blinked and said, "Our Qingping Temple also has statues of the Grandmaster; when you have ti, co and pay respects and you can take one ho to ensure the safety and security of your household."
Yunniang: "!"
The people around looked at each other with peculiar expressions. Was she competing with so unknown temple for believers?
Teng Zhao: The Grandmaster must be consoled in his heart!
The Grandmaster smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum.
"I’ll definitely co and ask for one," Yunniang said with a smile.
Qi Xingzi then checked her pulse and body condition, saying, "It’s getting late, and as we enter autumn, the days grow dark quickly. About fifty li ahead, there seems to be a town. We’ll set off now so we can reach the town before nightfall and administer the necessary dicine."
"Alright."
Qi Xingzi then turned to Elder Yu, who said with a smile, "You’ve forgotten, you still have to administer acupuncture to to draw out this chill. You can’t just leave on the road."
Well then, let’s head out together.
Although the group was still curious about the bizarre happenings during the childbirth, they knew this was not the place to discuss such matters, especially since there was a new mother, a newborn infant not yet full-term, and an elderly person among them. The air had turned colder after the rain, and they could not endure much. Gathering their belongings, they headed towards the town.
After traveling fifty li, the group reached the town known as Huai Tree Town just before nightfall and settled into an inn. Qi Xingzi prescribed a nourishing and lactation-inducing prescription for Yunniang and a dicine bath recipe for the strengthening of Jingyao’s body.
"She too is born under the Qi Xing sign, not yet full-term. Regularly soaking in a dicine bath can help strengthen her bones and sinews. There’s no need for her to take oral dicine if you can breastfeed her yourself—that will be best for her."
Yunniang said, "I had already planned to nurse her myself."
Qi Xingzi nodded and continued, "Give her a nickna. A girl’s given na should not be revealed unless necessary, and you should remind those around you of that."
Though tired, Yunniang caught the hint in her words and signaled to her wet nurse, drawing the rest out of the room, and asked, "Master, is there sothing special about my daughter’s na?"
"The na is not the issue; it’s the Life Chart. You absolutely must not disclose it to just anyone," Qi Xingzi said. "The child has chosen an auspicious ti of birth, signifying a noble and extraordinary destiny; she..."
She whispered the baby’s Life Chart and its significance into Yunniang’s ear. Yunniang’s eyes widened in astonishnt.
"Are you serious?"
"Why would I joke about such things? I’m telling you because sotis a noble destiny can bring troubles. So people may go to any length for a noble destiny, like exchanging Life Charts. You wouldn’t want your daughter to suffer, would you? Therefore, do not casually disclose her Life Chart."
Yunniang steadied her mind and after a mont of contemplation, said, "Master, please give her a Daoist na then. We can address her by it in daily life, can’t we?"
Qi Xingzi raised an eyebrow: "She’s not one of our Daoists, what does she need a Daoist na for?"
"My child and the Grandmaster are fated," Yunniang said affectionately as she gently touched her daughter’s face. "To be a lay disciple at your temple is indeed a great fortune for her."
Qi Xingzi chuckled: "You really can bear to part with her."
"People need faith. My mother believes in Buddha, that’s why she prayed to that Buddha statue. My child can believe in Dao; for females to follow Dao is also permissible." Yunniang gazed at her earnestly: "After the child is a hundred days old, I will personally take her to your temple to offer incense and kowtow to the Grandmaster."
Qin Liuxi glanced at the swaddled baby, thought for a mont, and said: "In the past, those who achieved unity, heaven achieved clarity, and earth achieved tranquility. Let’s bestow upon her the Daoist na ’Tranquility,’ wishing her a safe and smooth life."
Yunniang repeated the na and was filled with joy.
The sky had turned completely dark, the sound of the wind outside moaning as if sothing was approaching.
Qin Liuxi’s smile vanished, she walked to the window, looked out, and stared at a spot: "Scram!"
Yunniang was startled, hugging the swaddling clothes tighter.
Qin Liuxi turned her head to look, searched upon her person, and took out a Jade Pendant, blessing it with the intent of Karmic Fire. The originally cold jade turned into warm jade.
She tied it with a red rope and placed it in the swaddle: "This child has a noble Life Chart, attracting both humans and ghosts. Keep this Jade Pendant close to her at all tis, and it will protect her from evil spirits."
Yunniang was both happy and shocked: "So when I was giving birth, those filthy things wanted to harm my child?"
"Hmm."
Yunniang was sowhat panicked.
Seeing her looking worried, Qin Liuxi reassured her: "Don’t worry, just keep the Jade Pendant with her. When she’s older, she can withstand her Life Chart on her own, and those Wandering Ghosts will find it hard to take it from her."
She gave several instructions before leaving the room, rubbing her sore temples.
Arriving at Elder Yu’s room, he was having tea with Tao Wencheng, giving advice on sothing.
Upon seeing her arrival, Tao Wencheng stood up, bowing as a sign of respect. Today, he hadn’t just t Qin Liuxi but also encountered Yu Miao, which was his fortune. Receiving his guidance on his career path had opened his future like the parting of clouds and moon.
Most importantly, having made acquaintance with Mr. Yu and having his na registered here, his future accomplishnts wouldn’t be brushed aside easily.
"An official should nurture his character to serve the people, rember these words, and go accompany your wife," said Elder Yu with a smile and a dismissive hand.
Tao Wencheng bowed deeply: "Your subordinate has learned a lot."
He hurried back to Yunniang’s room with uneven steps. Seeing that she hadn’t gone to bed, he said anxiously: "You’ve just given birth, you should rest more. Why aren’t you sleeping? Let the wet nurse take care of the child."
Yunniang smiled: "My spirit is fine, I’m not that tired, the ginseng given by the Grandmaster was indeed very good. Sit down, I have sothing to discuss with you."
Tao Wencheng sat down by the bed.
Yunniang then softly recounted what Qin Liuxi had said, startling Tao Wencheng, who suddenly stood up and looked towards the tiny swaddle, then smiled: "The Grandmaster is right, my child has an excellent fate, and she is our lucky star indeed."
Wasn’t the fact that they had encountered the renowned Yu Miao in such a desolate village evidence of her being their lucky star?
"Don’t be so visibly pleased, and don’t talk about it outside to avoid inciting jealousy. Even those around us need to be cautioned," Yunniang gave him a stern look and said gravely: "What happens in the future will be dealt with then. The most important thing is that our daughter grows up safely. Everything else is secondary."
"..."
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