Chapter 86: A Subtle Intervention, the Butterfly Effect

When the topic of marriage was brought up, a blush bloomed on Miss Chang’s face. Who wanted to ask about marriage anyway? Last time it was that young man rambling on his own, but... since she was already here, perhaps it wasn’t out of the question.

Zhang Yi observed the shifting expressions on her face, amused. Young women of this era, bound by propriety, possessed a gentleness and shyness that surpassed those of later generations. Miss Chang was truly beautiful, but alas, this flower was not destined for Huang Mu.

Thinking of the hapless Huang Mu, Zhang Yi sensed something was amiss. “You’re still as glib as ever, little master. I came here because my mother wishes you to divine the future of the Chang household...” she said.

But Zhang Yi refused to take the bait. “Sister, it’s not that I won’t help you, but such matters are beyond my abilities.”

Miss Chang smiled, replying, “I understand. I’ll use this as a reason to tell my mother. Oh, and little Daoist, here are some pastries I made for you!”

She opened a box in her hand, revealing an assortment of pastries. Zhang Yi’s mouth watered at the sight. Though life was decent for the Zhang family on Mount Longhu, being descended from a line of Daoists meant that sweets like these were rare treats for him, and he suddenly craved them.

“These are pastries I made myself. Try them for me, will you?”

“Oh, so you want me to be your guinea pig. Truthfully, it’s your beloved you hope to please. Fine, I’ll risk myself for your sake and taste them first!”

Fate between people is strange. Although Zhang Yi looked down on most of the Chang family, he felt inexplicably drawn to Miss Chang. He never ceased to mention her sweetheart, causing her heart to flutter. Perhaps, in learning to bake, her intentions were not entirely innocent, just as Zhang Yi suspected. But having it spoken aloud left Miss Chang flustered. Her bashfulness only made Zhang Yi marvel at how adorable a maiden awakening to love could be.

“You call yourself a Daoist, speaking of ‘feeding yourself to the tiger.’ I bet you were a monk in your previous life—living among Daoists but your heart belongs to the Buddha. Such a little trickster...” Miss Chang felt at ease with Zhang Yi, even more so than with her own brothers.

Hearing himself called a trickster, Zhang Yi smiled awkwardly. “Sister, don’t let my father hear you say that, or he’ll beat me for sure!”

Their banter rekindled the familiarity from their last meeting. Miss Chang set down the food box on the stone table in the courtyard. Zhang Yi eagerly grabbed a pastry and took a bite.

“Delicious!”

The blend of oil and sugar never fails to satisfy. “Is it sweet enough?” Miss Chang asked nervously.

“For me, it’s perfect,” Zhang Yi replied, “but if your sweetheart were to try it, it might be too rich.”

Miss Chang paused, “Is it because I used too much sugar?”

“No, it’s because you yourself are too sweet. He’d be overwhelmed.”

Pfft—

How could a girl of Ming hear such earthy words from the future? Miss Chang never expected to be teased by a seven-year-old.

“You’re such a rogue, but at least you’re a Daoist. Otherwise, who knows how many girls you’d trouble when you grow up...”

Zhang Yi grinned. “Sister, I am a householder Daoist. When I grow up, I can still trouble girls! Enough teasing, though. Your pastries are wonderful—rest assured they’re good enough for your beloved!”

His constant reference to her sweetheart made Miss Chang’s heart whirl, but she remembered her mother’s task and smiled.

“It’s said that one should repay kindness. I’ve paid my divination fee, so you must tell me my future now, yes?”

Zhang Yi was unfazed. “What would you like to ask, sister? I won’t speak about your father... Actually, hasn’t anyone told you about your father?”

“Who would tell me?” Miss Chang was puzzled. Zhang Yi thought of Huang Mu and said, “For instance, those relatives or countrymen who try to curry favor with your family?”

Miss Chang replied, “There are a few neighbors who visit, but my mother always says my father isn’t home and, as a woman, she can’t make decisions, so she turns them away.”

Zhang Yi pondered. The saying goes: ‘The poor are unnoticed in bustling cities; the rich have distant kin in remote mountains.’ Although Chang Yuchun had not yet been ennobled, everyone knew that as long as Ming survived, the Chang family would prosper. It was natural for people to seek connections; Huang and the elder Huang were likely among them. However, Lady Lan, despite her temperament, was sensible and hadn’t accepted much support. Thus, Huang Mu’s affection was truly unrequited—he wasn’t even known to the family.

Zhang Yi silently offered a candle for Zhu Biao, feeling a pang of sympathy.

“So, can you tell me... what fate awaits me?” Miss Chang, realizing Zhang Yi wouldn’t speak about Chang Yuchun, cleverly circled back to ask about her own destiny. As a daughter, her fate was intertwined with her family’s until marriage.

Zhang Yi saw through her little scheme and hesitated. Should he tell her fortune? It wasn’t difficult, but her fate was bound to Chang Yuchun and Crown Prince Zhu Biao—figures of the empire. He feared not the two themselves, but the emperor in the palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang was not easily served; he was not one to tolerate predictions he disliked, regardless of their accuracy. Speaking of Chang Yuchun or Zhu Biao would be asking for trouble.

Zhang Yi regretted teasing Miss Chang earlier. Why had he promised to divine her fate?

“Little Daoist, you aren’t going to break your word, are you?” Miss Chang placed her hand on the table. “Will you read my palm, cast a hexagram, or ask for my birth date?”

Zhang Yi took a deep breath, resigned. “None of those are necessary. I’ll just tell you directly...”

“Alright!”

“First, about your future... Your family’s status is assured, so I’ll mention only what’s different. Next year, there will be a major change in your household. Don’t ask why; the mysteries of heaven cannot be revealed. All I can say is three words: ‘Willow Riverbank.’ Remember them, sister...”

That was all he could say. Zhang Yi finally understood why Daoists, when telling fortunes, always spoke in riddles.

Miss Chang pondered, pressing, “Is it good or bad?”

Zhang Yi... Such questions were impossible to answer directly. Instead, he wrote down a phrase: ‘Transplanting flowers and trees, flourishing growth!’

Let her interpret it herself. Fearing she might ask further, Zhang Yi continued, “Sister, your Red Luan star will appear four years from now. You and your beloved will become husband and wife, and your marriage will be harmonious.”

This was not mere conjecture. Most members of the Zhu family were passionate by nature. Though history did not elaborate on Zhu Biao and Miss Chang’s relationship, the pattern of their children’s births suggested a peaceful union.

“Only your health is not ideal... I fear your lifespan may be short...” Zhang Yi thought for a moment and decided to write it down. He was fairly certain her early death was linked to her circumstances, so he wished to warn her.

As expected, upon hearing of her own issues, Miss Chang forgot to ask about Chang Yuchun and Willow Riverbank.

“Well...”

“Twenty-four years,” Zhang Yi wrote her life span, and Miss Chang’s face instantly drained of color.

She forced herself to remain composed, asking, “What about my children?”

Zhang Yi hesitated before saying, “Two sons and two daughters. Your daughters will be safe, but your eldest son—after you marry, watch his health. At age seven or eight, he will face a calamity... As for your second son, you need not worry—his fortune depends on his father's status. Regarding your eldest, fate has shifted; his calamity may no longer be an issue.”

If the father is gone, all is lost. Zhang Yi refrained from speaking too plainly, and Miss Chang misunderstood.

Since the second son depended on fortune, she need not worry; what of the eldest?

“Is there a remedy, brother? I am but a woman; if I die, so be it. As long as my husband and children are safe, all is well!”

Miss Chang, though deeply unsettled by Zhang Yi’s words, calmed herself and cared less for her own fate than for those she loved.

Zhang Yi nodded. Her character was worthy of his guidance.

“Actually, sister, you need not worry. The number has changed; your children’s destinies will change with it. Their fates are tied to the fortunes of the nation, beyond your control. But you should take care of your health—perhaps you can change your fate.”

He recalled her death, which came not from childbirth directly but occurred a month after her second child was born. Likely, her demise related to depleted vitality from childbirth or possibly infection. He could only advise her.

“Thank you, brother!” Miss Chang thought for a moment and bowed to Zhang Yi.

No wonder he was reluctant to speak; her fate was fraught with misfortune. Miss Chang couldn’t describe how she felt. She wasn’t too concerned for herself, but remembering Zhu Biao’s face, she couldn’t help but ask, “And what of my future husband?”

Zhang Yi laughed. “Sister, I don’t dare divine Uncle Chang’s fate, let alone His Highness the Crown Prince. Don’t put me in danger! In short, if you are well, he will be well. I care little for the prince; I only tell you these secrets because we have a bond.”

His words were sincere. In this world, Zhang Yi knew few people. Besides the Huang family and those on Longhu Mountain, Miss Chang was his first acquaintance. If he could alter her fate with little risk, he was willing.

After all, her destiny might affect the fate of Ming itself. If she lived, even if Zhu Biao died in the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu, Lady Lü would not become the Crown Princess, nor would Zhu Yunwen inherit the throne. Old Zhu would not purge the meritorious officials because Zhu Yunwen lacked a foundation, and the devastating civil war known as the Jingnan Campaign would not occur.

Thinking of this history, Zhang Yi felt frustrated.

A regret that cannot be resolved.

Three updates, over eight thousand words! The author asks for monthly votes and recommendations!

(End of chapter)