Chapter Eighteen: He Reminds Me of That Old Father

“So, what does the Grand Diviner plan to do next?” Shen Fuyu regarded him with a touch of nonchalance. If he could deduce that she was not truly Shen Fuyu, then what about her secret—her endless rebirth, the mysterious space? Would he discover these as well?

“Your Majesty is a bringer of prosperity.” Rong Xuan replied with a smile. “What I mean is, it is you, as you are now, who corresponds to the hexagram. You are the one who brings fortune to Da Xun.”

“I advise you to put less faith in such superstitions.”

Shen Fuyu was cautious, for she had no desire to become the pillar of the nation that Rong Xuan spoke of. Besides, she had no special talents. By sheer luck, she had revived Qin Zhiyi—could she really save Da Xun with nothing but her silver tongue?

Superstition was not the answer!

“Why must Your Majesty be so averse?” Rong Xuan tapped his finger lightly on the table. “My hexagrams are never wrong. In this, I am confident.”

“Then let me advise you not to be overly confident.” Shen Fuyu took a silent step back. “I understand the principle of fulfilling one’s duty in one’s station, but if I err, when faced with the censure of Da Xun’s people, what then?”

It wasn’t as though she couldn’t live as an ordinary person. But with her space unmaxed, even at the end of her natural life, she would be forced to reincarnate. At first, once or twice, she hadn’t minded, but endless repetition had long since worn thin.

“I never make promises I cannot keep.” Rong Xuan’s gaze fixed unwaveringly upon her. As the saying went: ‘Judge a man by his deeds, not his heart.’ One should first judge a person’s heart by their actions, not the other way around. He was perhaps unremarkable, but the ability to read people seemed innate to him. Outsiders might see Shen Fuyu as rebellious and unfit for great responsibility, but that was because they judged her actions by their opinion of her heart. Having already branded her a villain, how could they believe she might do any good? Rong Xuan did not see it that way. He had hesitated before, unsure whether to choose her, but now he realized—there was no better choice than Shen Fuyu. “Your Majesty, have you ever heard the saying: ‘By chance, willows are planted, and in their shade we find respite’?”

“Stop trying to hoodwink me. I don’t believe a word of it.” Shen Fuyu sneered. Chance bringing prosperity? She had only managed to revive an emperor. If she truly had some protagonist’s halo, she wouldn’t have been given such a useless space. Heaven only knew how many times she had died simply to reach this thirtieth level—she was sick of it!

“Don’t be angry, Your Majesty.” Rong Xuan calmly produced something from beneath the table. “There is plenty of time. Why not take a look at this first?”

It was a small booklet, clearly aged, its pages worn from frequent reading. Shen Fuyu glanced at Rong Xuan, frowning slightly, then leafed through a few pages.

“…And what does any of this have to do with me?” She barely glanced at it before tossing it back. “The instability of the former dynasty—what has that to do with a woman like me? Or do you believe the Shen family can be used, and so you intend to start with me?”

“Save yourself the trouble. All these so-called noble families are cut from the same cloth—hardly something to place one’s hopes in!”

“Your Majesty is mistaken. This has nothing to do with the Shen family. In truth, just as you do not wholly belong to the Shen family, so too are we all beset with enemies on every side within this palace. Why not cooperate?” Rong Xuan retrieved the booklet and looked at her. “We… each take what we need from the arrangement. What do you say?”

“And how exactly would that work?” Shen Fuyu arched an eyebrow. “Grand Diviner, perhaps you should be more specific.”

“The Emperor and I both wish for peace and prosperity for Da Xun. Yet the roots of the former dynasty run deep—it is impossible to move against them. The Emperor’s heart belongs to Da Xun, but the court does not accept him. Would Your Majesty be willing to serve as the breakthrough?” Rong Xuan explained his plan unhurriedly. “As for you, simply maintaining your current situation is all we ask.”

“For such a major matter, are you sure you don’t want to call him in to discuss it together?” Shen Fuyu nodded toward the door.

“He is always scolded by you, so it is better for me to handle this,” Rong Xuan said with a smile.

Shen Fuyu: “…”

He really did seem like an old father.

But judging by Rong Xuan’s proposal, this cooperation… was actually quite appealing!

“Even if we didn’t cooperate, I would still do as I please. Do you really think you could stop me?” Shen Fuyu blew on her nails. She did not fear death—before her space reached full level, she could never truly die. Cooperation gave the other side an advantage, but what did she gain? Such an arrangement was hardly fair.

“Your Majesty jests. Within this palace, or even the entire realm, who would dare hinder you?” Rong Xuan replied. “Since we propose cooperation, naturally we will not let you suffer any loss. Status and fortune will all be yours. But surely you understand: if you continue acting as you do, it is only a matter of time before you become a thorn in someone’s side. With the Emperor as your shield, you have a chance at lasting peace. Isn’t that so?”

Tsk, it really was hard not to be tempted!

After all, a single act of saving a life could only buy her so much time, but with this partnership, she could extend her days even further!

“Well then, since this is a mutually beneficial arrangement, let us wish for a pleasant cooperation!” The more Shen Fuyu thought about it, the happier she became. On further reflection, she realized she needed an even more envy-inducing identity. Being a palace concubine wasn’t enough—being a favored concubine was best. That would truly stoke the jealousy of her sisters in the palace, and the anger she could draw would be incomparable!

She could even pull Qin Zhiyi’s hair in broad daylight, and he couldn’t do a thing.

“Does the Grand Diviner have any other business?”

In the blink of an eye, Shen Fuyu seemed like a different person entirely, as if she had received some tremendous good news. Her eyes narrowed to slits and her whole demeanor softened, truly a sight to behold.

Rong Xuan folded his hands atop the table. “I hope you will show a bit more restraint toward the Emperor. With the others, do as you please.”

“All right.” Shen Fuyu nodded. A little restraint was fine; he was still giving her plenty of room to maneuver. “By the way, Grand Diviner, there is something else I wish to ask you.”

“Please, Your Majesty.”

“Apart from what you have seen—that I am a bringer of prosperity—do you know anything else about me?” Leaning her chin on her hand, she gazed at Rong Xuan. She had been a little too pleased just now and had nearly forgotten this matter. The space annoyed her, but it was also her trump card. With Rong Xuan’s insight, he could surely sense her difference. But regarding the space, she would never share that with anyone.

“As I said, no more than that. The will of Heaven cannot be divined—there is nothing more I can see.” Rong Xuan did not hide the truth. He was certain there were other mysteries about her, but that was already beyond his ability to discern. “Your Majesty, anyone can have secrets. Even those who trust each other need not lay their hearts bare.”