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墨書 Inktalez
The carriage from the Chu Residence has arrived again.
Early in the morning, as Liu Ying stepped into the duty room, A Fu hurriedly ran in to report. After a moment of thought, she replied softly, "Please let them in."
The maid from the Chu Residence, Cui Yan, had been waiting for a long time. Dressed in a lake-green skirt, she exuded the elegance of a noble household despite being there merely to deliver a message.
" Lady Liu," Cui Yan said with a graceful bow, her tone carrying a hint of respect and humility. "My young lady has said that today is an auspicious time for divining marriage, as the Jade Balance Star is in a favorable position. She has specially sent this list of gifts and requests that you perform a calculation for her."
Liu Ying took the list but merely glanced at it before placing it on the table with a soft sigh. "Please convey to Miss Chu that calculating marriage fortunes requires not only the right timing but also alignment with heavenly will. Some matters cannot be forced."
"However..." Cui Yan's expression faltered as she hesitated to speak. "Miss said that if you agree, the amount on this list can be doubled."
Upon hearing this, Liu Ying's brow furrowed slightly. Just as she was about to refuse, a commotion outside interrupted her thoughts. Before long, the curtain of the duty room was lifted, and a young woman dressed in a pale yellow brocade robe strode in.
"Liu Ying, what do you mean by this?" The newcomer was none other than Miss Chu Yuyan, and her tone was far from pleasant as she questioned Liu Ying. "I have sent people to request your help multiple times, yet you always find excuses. Is our Chu family's sincerity not enough?"
Liu Ying remained composed as she slowly rose and returned the greeting. "Miss Chu speaks too heavily. I serve at the Qintian Observatory under imperial orders; calculating star positions is a matter of state importance. Conducting private marriage divinations... might not be appropriate."
"Hah!" Chu Yuyan scoffed. "You certainly know how to make excuses. But I heard that when Zhao's cousin came seeking a reading last month, you readily agreed. What? Are the rules different depending on who asks?"
Liu Ying discreetly glanced at the handkerchief tightly held by Chu Yuyan and calmly replied, "Miss Zhao's case was an exception due to the star positions indicating an anomaly in her fate; that is why I made an exception for her. It is not as Miss Chu imagines."
"In that case," Chu Yuyan interrupted her, "why don't you tell me how my fate appears?"
Liu Ying raised her gaze to observe the sky outside and recalled the unusual phenomena she had observed last night. After a brief contemplation, she said, "Miss Chu, if you truly wish for a divination regarding marriage, it would be better to wait until around Qixi. The celestial conditions will be clearer then and more suitable for calculations."
"Qixi?" Chu Yuyan raised an eyebrow. "That would mean waiting over half a month."
"Yes," Liu Ying nodded. "However, if Miss Chu can wait, you will surely receive an accurate answer."
Chu Yuyan studied Liu Ying for a moment before suddenly breaking into a smile. "Very well; I shall wait once more. But Lady Liu must remember what you said today. On Qixi day, I will come seeking an explanation." With that, she turned and left with Cui Yan.
Once they were gone, A Fu quietly approached Liu Ying. "Miss, that Miss Chu is quite overbearing. Why must you agree to this matter?"
Liu Ying smiled wryly and shook her head. "I have no choice but to comply. Miss Chu is the favored daughter of Lord Chu Shangshu; if I offend her... it could lead to trouble."
Before she could finish her thought, someone outside announced, "Reporting to Lady Liu: Lord Zhang requests your immediate presence at the Council Hall."
Liu Ying's expression changed slightly as she quickly adjusted her attire. Before leaving, she gazed thoughtfully at the horizon. The dawn light was breaking; the Morning Star still twinkled in the sky but seemed dimmer than usual.
Perhaps everything was indeed as the stars indicated—something significant was about to happen.
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