After the admonishment, Consort De began to comb Su Li's hair and pin it. She symbolically combed the loose strands, then straightened the hairpin. This was the first pinning.
Su Li then rose and bowed, and accompanied by Wei Yuanyao and Qu Zhirou, went into the room to change into a dress that matched the hairpin.
Upon returning, she performed a formal bow to Minister Su and Madam Su, expressing gratitude for her parents' nurturing.
After the initial pinning and first bow, there were two more pinnings and two more bows, and finally, three pinnings and three bows.
Throughout the entire ritual, Su Li stood unwavering and resolute, not a single sway. The ladies present nodded to themselves in admiration. Princess Changning truly lived up to her reputation; her etiquette was probably unmatched even by royal princesses.
With the Hair-pinning Ceremony concluded, the banquet commenced.
Consort De took her seat, gesturing for Su Li to sit beside her.
"Li'er thanks Your Ladyship for coming," Su Li said with a smile, expressing her gratitude to Consort De.
"You must be exhausted. A girl's Hair-pinning Ceremony and marriage are grand occasions, the most tiring. You should quickly eat something yourself," Consort De said, smiling.
Su Li nodded. Indeed, as Consort De said, she truly felt an emptiness in her stomach. With graceful movements, she ate the food before her quickly and in small bites.
Just then, the butler led a man dressed in a Daoist robe into the hall. Su Li looked up and was momentarily stunned.
Daoist Master Wuxi was so young?
He looked more like a scholar, yet carried an additional aura of ethereal grace that scholars often lacked.
Minister Su rose and enthusiastically went to greet him. It was customary for distinguished families to invite a revered figure to divine their children's destinies and offer auspicious blessings during their daughters' Hair-pinning Ceremonies or sons' Capping Ceremonies.
Everyone watched the Daoist, wondering whom Minister Su had invited. He seemed quite young; what kind of words would he offer?
Minister Su smiled and bowed to Daoist Master Wuxi, then turned to introduce him to everyone: "This is Daoist Master Wuxi, the chief disciple of Daoist Master Tianchanzi from Taiqing Temple. I have invited him to bestow a reading upon my humble daughter. Li'er, quickly come and greet the Daoist Master."
As Minister Su's words fell, the surroundings immediately buzzed with discussion. Daoist Master Tianchanzi and Abbot Kongjian were both reclusive masters; Tianchanzi's chief disciple would naturally possess extraordinary abilities. Many had heard of Daoist Master Wuxi's name, but none expected him to be so young in person.
Su Li rose and slowly walked forward. "Greetings, Daoist Master Wuxi."
Daoist Master Wuxi returned a bow, saying, "Greetings, Benefactor."
Minister Su invited him to the seat of honor and ordered someone to bring writing brushes and ink. "Please bestow a reading upon my humble daughter, Daoist Master," Minister Su said with a slight smile.
Daoist Master Wuxi nodded slightly, picked up the brush, and began to write on the paper.
He quickly finished writing. Minister Su picked up the calligraphy, and his eyes gleamed with profound joy.
It read:
"A clear and enduring blueprint of destiny, long shall it flow;
The threads of karma intertwine, within this very threshold.
Nobility flourishes with gracious protectors,
Like twin lotuses blooming, sails catch the most favorable wind."
Minister Su looked at Daoist Master Wuxi and said, "Daoist Master, this..."
Daoist Master Wuxi responded, "The Princess has a supreme destiny."
Around them, a collective gasp arose. A supreme destiny! That was a fate possessed by only one or two in ten members of the imperial family!
Minister Su looked at the written reading, frowning in confusion, and said, "Daoist Master, I generally understand the last two lines – they mean my daughter will have noble protectors throughout her life and a beautiful marriage. But what do the first two lines mean?"
Daoist Master Wuxi looked at Su Li and said, "I think, Princess, you should know."
Su Li walked closer and looked at the written reading. 'A clear and enduring blueprint of destiny, long shall it flow; The threads of karma intertwine, within this very threshold.' Su Li's eyes widened. Could Daoist Master Wuxi have seen that she was reborn?
Seeing her surprise, Daoist Master Wuxi showed no other expression and offered no further explanation. Su Li slightly curtsied, saying, "Many thanks, Daoist Master, for bestowing this reading upon this humble girl."
At this moment, Jun Mo rose and stepped forward to look at the written reading on the paper. "This destiny is well-spoken. With this Prince protecting Li'er, she will naturally have a smooth life."
Daoist Master Wuxi glanced at Jun Mo, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes. "This must be His Royal Highness Prince Jing, yes? Indeed, you and the Princess are a match made in heaven," Daoist Master Wuxi said slowly, feigning unfamiliarity.
Jun Mo nodded, saying, "A match made in heaven? This Prince certainly believes it. But the Imperial Astronomical Bureau has some reservations."
Daoist Master Wuxi asked curiously, "Oh? What reservations?"
Jun Hui's face darkened slightly, and he coldly watched the two above.
Jun Mo handed over a piece of paper, smiling slightly, "This is this Prince's birth characters. You must have the Princess's birth characters, so in your view, Daoist Master, when would be a good time for this Prince and the Princess to marry?"
Daoist Master Wuxi lowered his head to look at the paper, then rose to carefully examine the faces of the two. After which, he returned to his seat, lowered his head, closed his eyes, and began to calculate.
At this moment, Jun Hui could no longer restrain himself. He rose and stepped forward, saying, "Seventh Brother, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau has already calculated for you and the Princess, stating there are no auspicious dates this year. Have you forgotten?" The words 'no this year' carried a weighty undertone, like a deliberate warning to Daoist Master Wuxi.
But Daoist Master Wuxi seemed not to hear, remaining with his eyes closed.
Jun Mo turned to look at Jun Hui, smiling slightly, "This Prince simply doesn't trust the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Since Celestial Master Wuchen passed away, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau has been greatly inferior to before. Sixth Imperial Brother, do you know why?"
Everyone watched the two above, both tall and elegant, with faces as flawless as jade. Although both were smiling, the air crackled with unspoken tension.
"What do you mean, Seventh Brother? You dare to question the Imperial Astronomical Bureau?" Jun Hui asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Jun Mo shook his head and said, "No, it's not questioning, but rather trusting Daoist Master Tianchanzi's esteemed disciple more."
At this moment, Daoist Master Wuxi opened his eyes. Both Jun Mo and Jun Hui looked at him.
Daoist Master Wuxi said calmly, "Prince Jing and the Princess are a match made in heaven. There are many auspicious dates. The best one this year is on a certain day!"
With that one sentence, a cold light flashed in Jun Hui's eyes!
"Daoist Master, be careful with your words! Are you going against the Imperial Astronomical Bureau?" Jun Hui said coldly.
Daoist Master Wuxi maintained his calm demeanor, "This humble Daoist merely speaks the will of heaven. Such is the will of heaven."
Jun Mo smiled, "Then, Daoist Master, what specific day is that?"
"Seventh day of the seventh month."
Jun Mo smiled, "This Prince thinks it's excellent!"
Consort De also rose, saying, "Daoist Master, is that true?" Of course, she hoped her son would marry soon. Those people from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau said there were no good dates this year, implying even next year was uncertain, and hinting that the two were incompatible. At this time, hearing the Daoist Master's words, she naturally preferred to believe Daoist Master Wuxi.
Daoist Master Wuxi rose, "It is true, of course."
Consort De looked at Minister Su, saying, "Minister Su."
"Your Ladyship Consort De."
"This Palace sees that the seventh day of the seventh month is good. After this Palace returns to the palace, I will explain it to His Majesty. How about setting the wedding date for the seventh day of the seventh month?"
Minister Su was shocked internally. How did a simple destiny reading for his daughter turn into discussing a wedding date? But since Consort De had spoken so, how could he refuse? Just as he was about to answer, he was interrupted by Jun Hui.
"This Daoist Master looks so young, this Prince thinks he's unreliable. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau has always performed calculations for the royal family and has never made a mistake. Your Ladyship Consort De, please do not defy the will of heaven."
Jun Mo sneered, "Compared to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Daoist Master Wuxi is naturally more trustworthy. This Prince thinks those people in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau might be eating the imperial salary, and having long faced no threat, have grown complacent and can no longer fathom the secrets of heaven!"
The two continued their contention without resolution. Consort De smiled, "Then let His Majesty decide."
Minister Su was momentarily bewildered. This had gone from a destiny reading to choosing a date, and finally to a contest between Daoist Master Wuxi and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and between Sixth Prince and Prince Jing. But seeing his daughter's calm expression, Minister Su steadied his heart.
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