Chapter 7: Dreams Foretelling Fortune and Misfortune

“Jing’er, where are you going? Didn’t you just start feeling better? Why are you heading out now?” Tantai Shanchang, having just enjoyed a moment of sweetness, called out. Su Yue, a young girl, had brought him some porridge. After a bit of wine and Su Yue’s deliberate seduction, Tantai Shanchang momentarily lost control.

Jing’s biological mother had passed away three years ago. To honor her memory, he had observed a strict three-year mourning period. In this region of Zecheng, it was difficult to find a suitable official’s daughter to take as a new wife. The Ye family, wealthy merchants with ample silver and an official brother, was thus supported as the rightful wife.

When Ye was still a concubine, she retained some charm and grace. But since being elevated to the main wife, she had tried to embody virtuous and gentle qualities, becoming rigid and lifeless, which only bred Tantai Shanchang’s resentment.

Su Yue’s arrival was timely. In a moment of impulse, Tantai Shanchang thought, she was only a maid. Since there was no concubine in the household, having a maid was no big deal. But after the indiscretion, he learned that Su Yue was actually Tantai Jing’s personal maid. He felt a pang of guilt—sleeping with Ye’s maid was one thing, but his own daughter’s maid? If this got out, his reputation would be ruined.

So, he coaxed Su Yue gently and kept her placated. Now, upon seeing Tantai Jing, he still felt a bit uneasy and his words carried a hint of concern.

After the commotion in the Hundred Gardens, Madam Xu and Su Xin had grown accustomed to speaking on Tantai Jing’s behalf.

Madam Xu stepped forward a few paces, bowed to Tantai Shanchang, and said cheerfully, “After the Third Miss woke up, she felt much better and wanted to take a walk. Worried that the master might come by, she only wandered within the Hundred Gardens. She picked some lemons and had a servant bring them to your study to place in a vase. The Third Miss wrote in my hand that lemon paired with the mint in your study is most refreshing and invigorating.”

Madam Xu’s words comforted Tantai Shanchang. They say a daughter is a father’s little jacket—indeed, the saying was true.

Though burdened by many thoughts, Tantai Shanchang did not dwell long on small matters. He strode toward the main room of the Pear Blossom Courtyard, lifted the bamboo curtain streaked by rain on banana leaves, and entered. After briefly surveying the furnishings, he said, “Use these for now. As for the dowry your mother left for you, your father will have the Ye family send it back to you. Rest assured.”

His tone carried a trace of anger. He had elevated Ye to main wife to bolster their financial power, hoping for support in crucial times. Yet, the more silver a family had, the stingier they were. Now the Ye family was scheming even within the Tantai household!

Tantai Jing still wore a gentle smile and looked at Tantai Shanchang gratefully. In that moment, the image of her father grew taller and grander in his own eyes, and some of the frustration within him dissipated.

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“Jing’er, about that dream concerning your father’s future—what exactly did you see? Can you explain it clearly to me?” As soon as Tantai Shanchang sat down, he asked anxiously.

Su Yue was pulled away by Su Xin to brew tea. Only Tantai Shanchang, Tantai Jing, and Madam Xu remained in the main hall.

Madam Xu carefully considered, then invited the two to the writing desk. Since the Third Miss could not speak, she could only communicate by writing.

Tantai Jing sat down by the desk, glanced at Tantai Shanchang who was watching her eagerly, and wrote on fragrant lotus stationery: “When Jing’er had a high fever, she dreamed of father being reprimanded, even in front of the county officials. Someone was whispering behind his back, saying that father’s evaluation had been tampered with, and promotion was unlikely.”

As she finished writing, Tantai Shanchang’s eyes nearly popped out in shock. Could it be that there was truly such a thing as spiritual insight? The affairs of the magistrate’s office had not even been mentioned by Ye. How could Tantai Jing, who never left the household, know?

He scrutinized Tantai Jing. Ye had said she nearly drowned and lost her voice, but was otherwise unharmed. Could it be that because Jing’er had glimpsed fate, Heaven had taken her voice to prevent her from revealing it?

While Tantai Shanchang was still stunned, Tantai Jing unfolded another sheet and wrote: “When Jing’er fainted, she dreamed again, but not of the magistrate’s office. She saw father riding a majestic horse, proud and spirited. It looked like a promotion!”

If Tantai Shanchang had any doubts, they vanished now. Grasping her wrist tightly, he asked repeatedly, “Did you dream of how to overcome this difficulty?”

Tantai Shanchang clung to this as a lifeline. The past days had been frustrating, then resigned. He had resolved to stay in this post if necessary, but now, there seemed to be hope.

Jing’s wrist ached from his grip, but she endured, using her other hand to pry his fingers open. Pressing her lips together, her brow furrowed in pain. Realizing this, Tantai Shanchang quickly let go. “Father was too impatient.”

Jing shook her head to show understanding. When a father’s future is at stake, impatience is inevitable.

This time, Tantai Shanchang personally spread out a sheet of stationery for Jing. Soon finding the small sheets too cumbersome, he fetched a large sheet of rice paper and laid it flat.

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“You write, I’ll watch,” Tantai Shanchang urged anxiously.

Lowering her head to hide the smile at the corner of her mouth, Jing wrote on one side of the rice paper: “The dream was vague, but I glimpsed a place. I’ve drawn it for father to see. Perhaps this place is where father’s fortunes will turn.”

Tantai Shanchang nodded repeatedly, eyes fixed on her pen.

In her previous life, Tantai Jing was a renowned talent, skilled in painting and calligraphy. She pondered and roughly sketched outlines on the paper: ancient trees, a Buddha statue, and a large bell.

Instinctively, Tantai Shanchang thought of the Great Buddha Temple. Several temples surrounded Zecheng, but only the Great Buddha Temple had the reclining, smiling Buddha like the one Jing drew.

He harbored no doubts—it must be a blessing from Heaven. Jing had never been to the temple; how else could she depict it so vividly except through dreams?

Yet Tantai Shanchang hesitated. As a man, it was awkward to visit a temple. If it were a woman, going to burn incense and pray was understandable, but for himself...

Sensing his thoughts, Jing lowered her head and wrote: “Mother’s death anniversary is approaching. Jing’er wishes to light a perpetual lamp at the temple for her. Father, do you have time to accompany me?”

Tantai Shanchang’s eyes brightened, finding his daughter ever more endearing.

Jing bowed her head slightly, a faint, inscrutable smile gracing her lips.