Yan Jiaqiang entered his home and saw Du Rulan sitting in the living room, absentmindedly flipping through TV channels and occasionally glancing at the door. It was obvious that she was waiting for him.
He felt a pang of apprehension. Could it be that Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen had told Du Rulan about the situation? To be honest, causing such a scandal at his age was quite embarrassing, especially since his illegitimate son was practically the same age as his grandson, Xiao Si. But over the years, Du Rulan had shown signs of aging, growing increasingly ordinary. She was nothing like Yin Huiru, who was young, beautiful, and understanding.
Yan Jiaqiang understood that if this matter were exposed, his reputation would undoubtedly be tarnished. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to give up Yin Huiru. His youngest son, Yan Lu, was even cuter than his other three sons.
“Husband, you’re back.” Du Rulan’s eyes showed a smile as she walked up, quickly taking the briefcase from Yan Jiaqiang’s hand.
Yan Jiaqiang felt relieved. “Why aren’t you asleep so late?” His expression was quite composed. He always bought his clothes in pairs, even making sure he had replacements at Yin Huiru’s place in case they got stained. This was one of the reasons why he and Yin Huiru had managed to keep their affair hidden for the five years they’d been together.
“It’s all because of your youngest son. He threw a tantrum earlier. You’ve spoiled him too much,” Du Rulan said playfully, giving Yan Jiaqiang a teasing look. Unfortunately, due to her age, this gesture didn’t carry the same charm and cuteness as it used to.
“What’s wrong with Yan Yan?” Yan Jiaqiang found this awkward and irritating. If this were happening at Yin Huiru’s place, they would have coaxed Yan Lu to sleep and then chatted about some lighthearted topics or engaged in activities they both enjoyed. Yin Huiru would never complain about this and that in front of him.
Du Rulan helped him loosen his tie and she instructed the maid to prepare a bath. She sighed, “I tentatively mentioned the idea of arranging a marriage between him and the Zou family’s youngest daughter. He immediately changed his expression. He was even smashing things in his room earlier. Husband, I think we should drop this matter. Let Yan Ge handle the arranged marriage. As for how to convince him, I’ll find a way. I refuse to believe that I, as his mother, can’t control him anymore.”
“No!” Yan Jiaqiang opposed immediately.
Du Rulan was taken aback, thinking she had misheard, “Husband, what did you just say?”
Yan Jiaqiang softened his tone, sat down on the sofa, and said, “Didn’t Weifeng tell you? He had people investigate the man around Yan Ge, but they found nothing. The man’s identity must be extraordinary. Our Yan family is at a critical moment right now so I think it’s better not to provoke them. Otherwise, even if the arranged marriage with the Zou family goes well, it might not save the Yan family.”
Du Rulan sat next to him and held his arm, disagreeing, “Our Yan family has a history of several hundred years in the capital. Are we afraid of some man who suddenly appeared out of nowhere? I’ve had someone inquire, and I’ve never heard of a powerful Huangfu family. Besides, Yan Yan is our most beloved son. Are you not concerned about making him marry someone he doesn’t like?”
“I said no, so it’s a no!” Yan Jiaqiang retorted, pulling away his arm and looking stern, “Don’t privately contact Yan Ge. I can’t risk the Yan family. Besides, feelings can be nurtured. The Zou family’s youngest daughter is quite good-looking, and her temperament is pleasant. She’ll definitely get along with Yan Yan. The matter is settled. I’m going to take a shower.”
After saying that, he stood up and went upstairs.
Du Rulan stared at his back in a daze, suddenly feeling that he was a stranger. This version of Yan Jiaqiang was strange. Yan Yan was their most cherished child and they had pampered him since he was young. Even when Yan Yan was occasionally willful and she reprimanded him, Yan Jiaqiang would rush to stand up for him, afraid that even a finger lifted against him might cause a storm. Once, they joked that when Yan Yan got married, he probably wouldn’t be as close to them, but rather to his wife and Yan Jiaqiang said, “That’s fine too. As long as our precious son is happy.”
But now, Yan Jiaqiang was rigidly setting up an arranged marriage for Yan Yan, regardless of her objections and Yan Yan’s feelings. It was as if he had completely changed!
Once suspicion crept in, Du Rulan couldn’t help but notice more odd behaviors from Yan Jiaqiang recently. Leaving aside his attitude towards her, he suddenly seemed to care very little about Yan Yan. Could he be under some kind of influence?
Her immediate thought was to seek help from Master Xuyan.
Master Xuyan was the abbot of Mo’an Temple and a highly accomplished monk. When Yan Ge was born, Master Xuyan had told her and Yan Jiaqiang that this child would have a certain impact on the fortunes of the Yan family’s business. The only solution was for neither she nor Yan Jiaqiang to get close to him; they were only to provide for his basic needs. Additionally, when he reached the age of twenty-five, he would face a great calamity. Initially, both she and Yan Jiaqiang hadn’t believed it. However, on the third day after Yan Ge was born, the Yan family had nearly become embroiled in a massive tax evasion scandal. That’s when they started to believe and since then, they had treated Yan Ge as an adopted child, focusing only on his basic needs and rarely showing concern. As predicted, when Yan Ge turned twenty-five, he had a health crisis and disappeared without a trace. Both she and Yan Jiaqiang had thought he had died. Now Yan Ge had suddenly reappeared, coinciding with a crisis in the Yan family. Du Rulan had even greater respect for Master Xuyan.
So, at the slightest doubt, she immediately thought of seeking guidance from him.
Back in the bedroom, Yan Jiaqiang finished his shower and was lying in bed, flipping through a magazine.
Du Rulan also went to take a shower. When she emerged, Yan Jiaqiang had already turned his back to her and fallen asleep.
She opened her mouth, but said nothing. She got onto the bed and lay down quietly.
…
After breakfast, Du Rulan watched Yan Jiaqiang’s car drive away. She deliberately changed into a simple outfit and switched from high heels to flats. Carrying a slightly bulging handbag, she instructed the driver to take her to Mo’an Temple.
Mo’an Temple was one of the four major ancient temples in the capital, known for its flourishing incense. One of the reasons was its abbot, Master Xuyan.
Master Xuyan was said to be over a hundred years old, and was known for his generosity and adeptness in divination. He was highly regarded in the capital, and even a provincial governor had come to him for advice. However, Master Xuyan had a strict rule: divination was a matter of revealing heavenly secrets, so he only performed three divinations per month. Making an appointment to see him required booking several years in advance.
But Du Rulan wasn’t worried. The first time they met, Master Xuyan had actively sought them out, saying that they had a connection. So, while others had to wait in line, she didn’t need to, although she still had to offer incense money.
Inside Mo’an Temple, Master Xuyan was in his meditation room, sitting on a cushion, fixated on an ancient bronze triangular mirror on a small table before him. A faint smile played on his lips as his gaze left the mirror and turned towards the closed door.
The sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears, and after a while, the door was knocked on. A young voice came from the other side.
“Master, Madam Yan is here.”
Master Xuyan’s eyes gleamed for a moment, and he responded calmly, “Which Madam Yan? I’ve already said that I shouldn’t be disturbed.”
The young monk replied, “It’s Mrs. Du Rulan.”
“Ah, it’s Mrs. Du. We have a connection with the Yan family. Please let her in.”
“Understood.”
Du Rulan waited in the corridor outside, feeling somewhat nervous. Although Master Xuyan had said that there was a connection between him and the Yan family, this was already her third time coming to disturb him. Master Xuyan was a highly accomplished monk; she wasn’t sure if he’d be willing to meet with her again. As the young monk approached her, she was still worried.
However, once the young monk said that Master Xuyan was inviting her in, she let out a sigh of relief. Her eyes behind the sunglasses noticed the jealous and envious gazes from people nearby who also wanted to meet the Master, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She adjusted her posture, her waist straightened, and her lips curved into a subtle smile.
On entering the meditation room, Du Rulan became extremely respectful. She bowed slightly toward the center of the room, and then mirrored Master Xuyan’s pose as he sat cross-legged with a prayer bead in hand. “Greetings, Master. Du Rulan has come to disturb you again.”
“Namo Amituofo. Mrs. Du doesn’t need to be overly courteous. Please have a seat,” Master Xuyan said, closing his eyes briefly before reopening them.
“Thank you, Master.” Du Rulan expressed her gratitude and took a seat beside him.
With a gentle smile, Master Xuyan spoke in a calm and assured tone, “Mrs. Du seems to be troubled.”
Du Rulan sighed, “To be honest with the Master, I’ve come this time because of my husband.”
“Oh?” Master Xuyan responded, “Mrs. Du, please feel free to share.”
Du Rulan had great trust in Master Xuyan and wasn’t concerned about him spreading the Yan family’s affairs. She proceeded to describe the recent events, “It’s like this: a few days ago, my second son, Yan Ge, returned… My husband has changed completely. He agreed to arrange a marriage for Yan Yan! You must know that he used to dote on Yan Yan the most.”
Master Xuyan’s tone was contemplative, “As expected.”
Du Rulan was surprised, “I wonder what Master means by this?”
Master Xuyan didn’t reply directly but closed his eyes, calculating briefly before opening them again. “This matter is still connected to the Second Young Master.”
Du Rulan’s lips tightened, and she asked nervously, “Master, what should I do now?”
Master Xuyan remained silent.
Du Rulan became increasingly anxious. “Master, please, you must help me. Can it be that Yan Ge’s fate is so inflexible? Not only is he going to harm our Yan family’s legacy, but he’s also going to harm his own biological father?” Seeing Master Xuyan’s continued silence, she grew alarmed. “Master? You can’t possibly mean…he is my biological son, after all…”
