Chapter 3: The Newcomer's Arrival, Ominous Aura Descends

Damn it, he just knew his fate was connected to Kuangbei.

Ever since the Grand Fate Master mentioned it during the morning court session, Cao Ronghai found his eyelids twitching uncontrollably, and he even stumbled several times on his way home.

He had no doubt about Chu Li’s words because this time, the Grand Fate Master’s divination was never publicly announced—the emperor sealed it with his own mouth right then and there.

So Cao Ronghai had every reason to believe that this wandering sorcerer before him had divined it herself.

“Master, may I know your name?”

Cao Ronghai dared not be disrespectful to Chu Li anymore; in fact, he began to show her a hint of reverence.

Chu Li waved her hand. “Names don’t matter. Remember my words: head north. If you’re willing, scatter some money along the way to accumulate merit.”

Though it pained him to part with his silver, Cao Ronghai agreed to everything, intending to put it into action later.

He had served as Deputy Minister of Revenue for many years, amassing considerable wealth. Money could be earned again, but if he lost his life, all that would be left was a mound of earth.

After thanking Chu Li, Cao Ronghai hurried away, evidently to prepare for the journey north.

The onlookers were dumbfounded. Although Lord Cao was fond of fortune-telling, he was shrewd—so why would he spend silver so freely?

“Did you hear what that old man said to Lord Cao? Lord Cao gave him a silver note! And those items in the wooden box—weren’t they supposed to be congratulatory gifts for the prince’s residence?”

Lord Cao must be out of his mind to believe a wandering sorcerer to such an extent!

Meanwhile, at the You Palace.

In just one night, the mansion was adorned with red decorations, brimming with festive joy.

Fu Heng remained bent over his desk in the study. He never stayed overnight in Chu Li’s room. Even if they stayed up late together, he would return to the study, burning the midnight oil. Today was no exception.

Suddenly, a shadow flickered across the study.

Black Sha reported expressionlessly, “Your Highness, someone set up a stall at the palace gate, offering fortune-telling.”

Fu Heng’s hand paused slightly as he held his brush, then continued writing casually, asking without much interest: “Did anyone consult the fortune-teller?”

“Yes. Deputy Minister Cao visited, paying a hundred taels of silver, plus... originally a congratulatory gift meant for Your Highness.”

Fu Heng let out a short laugh. He knew Cao Ronghai—mediocre in ability but a master at amassing wealth. Holding the position of Deputy Minister of Revenue, he was clearly overqualified.

But then Black Sha spoke again, his expression finally showing a trace of change.

“Your Highness, that sorcerer seems unusual. She told Lord Cao to head north to Kuangbei, and he seemed to know about Kuangbei?”

As Black Sha finished, a ripple stirred in Fu Heng’s usually calm eyes. His brush deviated slightly, spoiling the manuscript.

“Keep a close watch. Whether he’s just rambling or if there’s truly something amiss, have someone keep a tight grip on him.”

“Wait,” as though recalling something, Fu Heng asked, “What else did the sorcerer say?”

“She said to go north for an on-site inspection—to understand the people’s conditions—and that Lord Cao should scatter money along the way to accumulate merit.”

Fu Heng frowned slightly, rubbing his fingers thoughtfully. “Bring the sorcerer here. I want to see her.”

*

Meanwhile, Chu Li was already slipping away with Qiu Yi beneath her feet.

She had intended to pull someone else out for extra travel funds, but a sudden, sharp premonition struck her forehead. An ominous feeling surged within, so she left immediately with Qiu Yi.

Though she couldn’t divine her own fate, her sixth sense was unnervingly accurate.

It seemed her setting up a stall at the wedding gate was indeed unwise—she must have been targeted.

“Master, where shall we go?”

“Back first. Change outfits, then attend the banquet!”

Qiu Yi was speechless.

She had thought her mistress had finally woken up and was seriously trying to escape, but instead, she still cared about the feast.

When they reappeared, Chu Li and Qiu Yi had transformed into a young married couple. Of course, Chu Li was dressed as a man. Although Qiu Yi still wore simple women’s clothes, her appearance had changed so much even her parents wouldn’t recognize her.

Qiu Yi had become numb; as long as her mistress sketched on her face and opened her eyes, she would become a new person.

Back at the palace gate, the crowd had grown thicker. Chu Li keenly detected several hidden presences lurking in the shadows—clearly, the shadow guards following Fu Heng.

Each of them possessed formidable inner strength, not to be underestimated.

Chu Li breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Fortunately, she hadn’t been careless or captured.

Though confident in her disguise skills, the transformation charms had a time limit; if she didn’t refresh her makeup in time, exposure was inevitable.

Seeing so many shadow guards hidden in the darkness, clearly unwilling to give up, Chu Li’s heart grew heavy with complex emotions.

Fu Heng evidently valued this wedding greatly. Perhaps because the stall at the gate marred the cityscape, he had sent so many shadow guards out to seize the culprit.

Within the mansion, Black Sha reported that the stall was still there, but the person was gone.

Fu Heng grew increasingly uneasy and immediately dispatched agents to search the entire city.

He had a strong sense that he couldn’t let that person escape.

At that moment, a servant carrying a wedding robe stopped at the study door.

“The prince is to be the groom today. Why is he still handling official business? The bridal sedan chair is about to arrive.”

“Your Highness, the matchmaker has brought the new robe. Would you like to try it on?” the servant called softly.

Fu Heng was somewhat impatient. “Leave it at the door. I have official duties to attend to. Don’t disturb me.”

The servant nodded and turned to leave, but heard a reminder from inside.

“Tell the staff to be gentle. Don’t disturb the princess’s sleep.”

He had indulged too much last night; Li’er must be exhausted. Today was just about bringing someone in—nothing urgent.

The servant promptly relayed the order.

Everyone in the mansion knew the prince doted on the princess. Indeed, even as he welcomed a new concubine, she was still sound asleep.

After the servant left, Fu Heng didn’t look up but instructed Black Sha:

“Dispose of the wedding robe. Continue watching over the princess for me.”

After Black Sha left, his expression sharpened—not toward his lord, but toward the princess, who seemed only interested in eating and drinking!

He was a top shadow guard, the prince’s most trusted subordinate, yet he had to stand guard outside that woman’s courtyard every day. Who would believe it?

A little later, festive sounds of drums and gongs echoed down the main street outside the palace.

A wedding sedan chair, not overly extravagant but exquisitely crafted, was escorted toward the palace.

The dowry behind it belonged to a family of modest means.

Inside the sedan, the carefully dressed Fang Siyao was both excited and nervous. In her hand, she tightly clutched a copper military talisman—a gift from her grandfather and her greatest support!

The sedan chair came to a steady halt at the palace gate, which was already packed with curious onlookers.

Faces full of curiosity seemed to want to peer inside, eager to see who was so fortunate.

After three years, the You Palace was finally welcoming a new member.

Chu Li cast a faint glance, and as her eyes passed over the red sedan chair, her heart suddenly jolted.

Such a dense aura of malice!

From the sedan flowed a continuous stream of dark red malevolent energy. What kind of woman could emanate such intense killing intent?