Chapter 1545: Chapter 1545: Child’s Play

Zhou Shuren felt that fortune-telling was a bit of a joke. No matter how the Retired Emperor questioned Master Huixin, he would only reply with the four words ‘peace and prosperity,’ and nothing more. When pressed, Master Huixin would just chant Amitabha.

Even if the Retired Emperor was unwilling, it was no use. He knew the skills of the old monk, as someone had once predicted his fate accurately in the past.

The string of pearls in the Emperor’s hand rotated rapidly, indicating his displeasure. He wanted to hear more; people are always greedy.

The Crown Prince looked left and right, finally standing honestly. It would have been better if he ignored the glance he gave Zhou Shuren.

The Retired Emperor looked at the closed-eyed Master Huixin and, after a long silence, sighed, “I’ve troubled you today. You know what can be said and what cannot be said.”

Only then did Master Huixin open his eyes, “Amitabha, this humble monk understands.”

Zhou Shuren scrutinized Master Huixin, noticing when the master looked at him. Huixin’s age showed in his profound eyes, giving Zhou Shuren the feeling of being seen through. Yet in the next instant, Master Huixin smiled, as if it had been an illusion.

Zhou Shuren, “!!”

He felt that the old monk had more to say, his heart beating wildly!

This small gesture went unnoticed by the Emperor and others. The Retired Emperor, still unwell and fatigued from the prolonged session, spoke, “Master Huixin, I shall not detain you further.”

After a pause, he addressed Zhou Shuren, “Marquis Zhou, you may also leave.”

Zhou Shuren, “…”

Feeling secure now that it was confirmed he was not needed, he thought it best to leave after the fortune-telling.

Master Huixin rose, followed by Zhou Shuren, and they both exited together.

Outside the main hall, Zhou Shuren exhaled deeply. Having not left since entering the day before, he was eager to return home; his wife would undoubtedly be worried!

Zhou Shuren nodded to Master Huixin, then quickly left. He had no desire to converse with the old monk, his instinct telling him to stay far away.

Only after traversing half the path out of the Palace did he notice that Master Huixin was following at an unhurried pace. Zhou Shuren, no fool, stopped, “Master Huixin.”

Huixin chanted Amitabha, “This humble monk wondered when Marquis Zhou would stop. As expected, Marquis Zhou has a discerning heart.”

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes inwardly, returning the compliment, “I’m not worthy of Master Huixin’s praise. I’m actually just an ordinary person, a very ordinary person.”

Huixin, “All are ordinary people in the mundane world, yet Marquis Zhou sees clearly.”

Zhou Shuren, “…”

Fine, you are the master; what you say is life’s reasoning.

Master Huixin had long wanted to meet Marquis Zhou in person, but unfortunately, Zhou was unwilling to come to Huguo Temple, and Huixin couldn’t often leave the temple. This being their first meeting, “This humble monk has always been curious about Marquis Zhou. Now having met you.”

Zhou Shuren asked, “Disappointed?”

“No, meeting today has actually eased this humble monk’s heart.”

If not, he wouldn’t have spoken out in front of Marquis Zhou. Human hearts are greedy; Marquis Zhou is not, hence he was willing to speak but hesitant to elaborate.

Huixin continued, “This humble monk is quite familiar with Marquis Zhou’s policies. Marquis Zhou is dedicated to the people, and this humble monk admires this, hoping Marquis Zhou’s heart for the people remains unchanged. Amitabha.”

Zhou Shuren’s eyes grew complicated. The old monk was being modest, likely having thoroughly studied his policies, showing trust in him, “This marquis’s original intention remains unchanged.”

Master Huixin smiled, “Very good.”

This conversation quickly reached the ears of the Retired Emperor and the Emperor. The Retired Emperor coughed, “What do you think of Zhou Shuren?”

The Emperor put down the string of pearls in his hand, looking serious, “A normal person hearing they are one to bring peace and prosperity would be somewhat pleased. Zhou Shuren was not, instead listening as if to a joke.”

Zhou Shuren appeared to think, ‘Is that it for the fortune-telling?’

The Retired Emperor chuckled softly, “This man does not seek fortune-telling. Their family never uses divination except for matching birthdays, but Master Huixin left words unsaid.”

The Emperor, “He didn’t speak to Zhou Shuren about it, but affirmed his dedication to the people.”

The Retired Emperor said in a contemplative tone, “Perhaps I am too obsessed.”

The Emperor, “Or maybe the nightmares are too vivid.”

The Retired Emperor didn’t want to recall them and gestured to his grandson, “You were present today. I do not wish for you to rely too heavily on Marquis Zhou, but you must also respect him. This balance is yours to maintain.”

The Crown Prince, “Yes.”

The Retired Emperor continued, “Forget about today’s events.”

The Crown Prince, “I promise to keep silent.”

He’s not foolish enough to leak the information. Grandfather had Zhou divined twice, showing he completely trusts Zhou to maintain peace and prosperity. He wouldn’t let others know.

At the Zhou household, Zhulan acknowledged Shuren’s entry. With all the maids around, it wasn’t a good time to inquire, so she asked, “Need a bath?”

Zhou Shuren hadn’t washed since yesterday and indeed wanted a bath, “Okay.”

Zhulan followed him into the room, “Then you bathe, I’ll have the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes.”

Zhou Shuren said, “Don’t prepare too much, I can’t finish it. Make just a little.”

“Okay.”

Saying this, she let Zhou Shuren change himself and went out to make arrangements.

Zhou Shuren had a quick bath, then nestled on a small bed, sipping prepared fruit juice to hydrate. Feeling comfortable, he smiled, “A golden nest or a silver nest doesn’t compare to one’s own nest. Home is always more comfortable.”

Zhulan had already dismissed the maids and ensured no one was guarding outside, “Today, Eldest and Chang Yi wanted to stay home, but I didn’t allow it. I sent them away in the morning. Eldest should return from the estate soon.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shuren recounted what happened in the Palace, “This matter can’t be told to Eldest and others. The imperial family’s intention is also for me to stay silent; there were no outsiders in the hall then.”

Zhulan took a while to process, “You had your fate told twice? Was it accurate?”

“Whether accurate or not, the things we’ve done over the years are indeed wise policies. Compared to the Retired Emperor’s nightmares, our current life confirms the kingdom’s stability. Huixin Master spoke with me for a while before we left the palace. This master is indeed skilled.”

Zhulan, “That’s why I hate fortune-telling the most. Wu Ming’s grandmother also had his fortune told, and it was accurate too.”

Zhou Shuren, “…”

Frightened, frightened indeed, but since his fortune was told today, he’s even less likely to visit Huguo Temple.

Zhulan tapped the table, “Let’s continue as usual, else the imperial family may get other ideas.”

“I know what to do. Things are the same with or without a fortune.”

Zhulan coldly laughed, “What sweet dreams are you having?”

Zhou Shuren, “Hmm?”

“Having your fortune told twice, along with the Retired Emperor’s added nightmare, do you think the imperial family would let you go.”

Zhou Shuren, “…”

Zhou Shuren had left the Palace, and together with Master Huixin, everyone was bewildered. After the confusion, they were eager to know what had happened inside the Palace.

So not long after the couple spoke, Rong Yushang arrived.

Zhou Shuren kept silent, not wishing to lie. Lying would mean covering it up, better to remain silent.

Realizing he couldn’t get anything out of him, Rong Yushang didn’t press further, feeling reassured once Shuren returned, “I have something to discuss with you.”