After the Hair-pinning Ceremony banquet concluded, those involved entered the palace together.
After the Emperor heard the full story, he pondered for a long time. He looked at the still-young Daoist Master, then at the pompous Celestial Master from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. In comparison, the young Daoist Master indeed appeared more ethereal and otherworldly.
"Imperial Father, since both claim their calculations are correct, why not have them prove who can better discern the secrets of heaven?" Jun Mo said, cupping his hands towards the Emperor seated above.
The Emperor also thought this plan was feasible, so he asked, "How should they prove it?"
Jun Mo cupped his hands again and said, "Then let the two of them compete in a match. Have them calculate when the next rainy day will be, the more precise the time, the better."
The Emperor nodded and said, "This method is good. What do you two think?"
The Celestial Master glanced disdainfully at Daoist Master Wuxi and said proudly, "This Celestial Master has no objections! This young Daoist will be made to concede wholeheartedly!" Since he took over the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, no one had ever dared to challenge him. This was the first time, and his opponent was merely a young whippersnapper. Naturally, he was unwilling to yield.
Daoist Master Wuxi said calmly, "This humble Daoist also has no objection."
The Emperor gave the final word, saying, "Good! Then you two calculate here and now, then each write your findings on paper and present them."
The Celestial Master was stunned. He was just about to say that he needed to go back to use his astrolabe for the calculation, when he saw the young Daoist Master pick up a brush and immediately start writing!
The Celestial Master exchanged a glance with Jun Hui. Seeing a slight smile on Jun Hui's lips, he let out a sigh of relief. He had been practicing divination and physiognomy for half his life, and no one had ever calculated so quickly. This young Daoist was probably just blustering. He didn't fall behind either, and began to calculate with his eyes closed.
Daoist Master Wuxi finished writing and handed it up. The Emperor glanced at it and asked, "Daoist Master, don't you need to calculate a bit more?"
"No need."
The Celestial Master opened his eyes, squinted at him, and sneered, "Arrogant!"
By the time the Celestial Master finished his calculation, half an hour had already passed.
The Emperor above looked at the dates on the two papers. The difference was too great.
"Are you two not going to change your answers?"
"No change!"
"No need!"
Jun Mo smiled, "Since that's the case, then Imperial Father, please announce the dates the two have calculated."
The Emperor looked at the papers in his hand and said, "The Imperial Astronomical Bureau has calculated two days from now, during the Sì hour. The Daoist Master has calculated three days from now, at the third quarter of the Shēn hour."
Jun Hui's face showed surprise; the difference was so vast!
Jun Mo said, "In that case, let's see the outcome two days from now."
"However, since it's a competition, there will naturally be winners and losers. If the Imperial Astronomical Bureau loses, what then?"
Jun Hui said coldly, "Why do you think the Imperial Astronomical Bureau will lose?"
"This Celestial Master certainly won't lose!" The Celestial Master's face was full of confidence.
Daoist Master Wuxi said, "If this Daoist loses, I will forfeit my life."
The Celestial Master was startled. So confident?
The Emperor suddenly changed from his amiable demeanor just moments ago and said coldly, "Good! If you lose, your life will not be spared! Celestial Master Xiang, you too!"
Xiang Huai wiped his sweat. His previous confidence wavered somewhat, but now that it had come to this, there was no turning back.
...
In a teahouse by the street, Su Li held up a cup of tea and said, "Su Li offers tea instead of wine to Daoist Master, thanking you for cooperating with us in putting on this play!"
Daoist Master Wuxi smiled and said, "This is nothing much; it's merely a cleansing of the sect."
Su Li looked at him in confusion.
Daoist Master Wuxi explained, "The previous Celestial Master of the Imperial City, Wuchen, was the eldest disciple of my Martial Uncle, and he was like both a brother and friend to me. At the last moment of his life, he came to the temple and informed me that he had been poisoned with a deadly venom and had not much time left. He knew this poison was administered by his own disciple, Xiang Huai. As soon as he finished speaking, the poison took effect, and he died."
Su Li's mouth parted slightly in surprise. Wuxi, Wuchen—so they were actually fellow disciples from the same sect. She glanced at Jun Mo; clearly, he was also unaware.
"No matter what, Daoist Master, you helped me, and even took such a great risk," Su Li said.
Daoist Master Wuxi glanced at Su Li and smiled, "Princess knows, there was no danger in this. It is I who should be thanking you. If it weren't for the scheme the Princess devised, how could I have so smoothly avenged my senior brother?"
Su Li was startled. She realized that since he could discern she was reborn, he naturally knew the date and time she provided were accurate. It made sense that he said there was no danger.
The reason she clearly remembered that it would rain three days later at the third quarter of the Shēn hour was because something deeply memorable had happened during the rain in her previous life.
In her previous life, her face had not been healed, her reputation was also poor, and few people attended her Hair-pinning Ceremony. She knew that after the Hair-pinning Ceremony, she would be old enough to marry. But in her condition, who would possibly come to propose marriage?
Just as she was feeling melancholy and dispirited, Su Yue came to find her mysteriously holding a piece of paper, saying that a young master had arranged to meet her three days later, during the Shēn hour, by Peach Blossom Lake. Seeing her bashful appearance, the Su Li of that time was envious.
Su Li couldn't refuse her, so she agreed to accompany her.
Upon arriving at Peach Blossom Lake, there was no one by the lake. Su Yue said to wait a bit longer. Just as she was looking at the willow branches by the lake, she suddenly felt a powerful shove and fell into the water without any warning. She struggled in the water, while Su Yue called for help from the shore.
Just then, a fierce wind raged across the sky, and heavy rain began to fall. Her and Su Yue's cries for help were drowned out by the sound of the rain, and she gradually lost her strength.
Just then, Zhao Huai'an passed by and rescued her.
This meticulously planned incident was the beginning of her tragic life.
"Li'er?" Jun Mo waved a hand in front of her eyes.
Su Li came back to her senses and smiled, "Since that's the case, let's just wait and see the good show two days from now."
The three of them drank tea, chatting like good friends. Su Li realized that Daoist Master Wuxi truly wasn't like ordinary Daoist Masters. He was knowledgeable and well-traveled, neither pedantic nor ignorant of worldly affairs. Chatting with him was very comfortable; no wonder he was good friends with Jun Mo.
Meanwhile, at the Sixth Prince's Estate, Jun Hui and Xiang Huai were not so relaxed.
"Your Highness, if there's no rain two days from now, you must save my life!"
Jun Hui said with a grim face, "Are you so uncertain? You can't even win against a young Daoist Master?"
Xiang Huai said with a pained expression, "Well... of course, I'm confident, but aren't I just worried about the 'what if'?"
"There is no 'what if'! You must win!" Jun Hui said coldly. He didn't have many people he could use left; he couldn't afford to lose!
Xiang Huai dared not speak again. He could only hope his calculations were perfectly accurate.
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