Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(107)
The three fell quiet. The moment that young child appeared, he’d fallen off the city wall before the eyes of millions, cutting the Shangyuan Heavenly Ceremonial Procession short after it only made three rounds. When he reappeared, Qi Rong was venting his anger by dragging him through the streets in that horse carriage, disturbing the public, and it all eventually caused Feng Xin to break his arm while Xie Lian butted heads with the king and made the queen’s tears roll. This time, all the resentful spirits of Mount Taicang broke out of their seals within the black pagodas and even burned down the Palace of Xianle. Indeed, his misfortune was endless, following him like a shadow.
“Is there any way to resolve this?” Xie Lian asked.
“Resolve it?” the State Preceptor asked. “What do you mean? Change his fate?”
Xie Lian nodded. The State Preceptor said, “Your Highness, you haven’t learned the art of divination from me, so when it comes to these matters, you really don’t understand anything. If you did, you wouldn’t have asked.”
Xie Lian was taken aback and sat up straight. “Please elaborate.”
The State Preceptor took the teapot on the table and poured a cup. “Your Highness, do you still remember that day when you just turned six, when His Majesty and the queen bade me to enter the palace to divine your fortune? Do you recall that one question I asked you?”
Gazing at that steaming cup of tea, Xie Lian thought for a moment. “Do you mean the riddle of the two people and the cup of water?”
That year, the State Preceptor had asked Xie Lian many questions to help tell his fortune. There were questions with answers, and ones without, and with every answer Xie Lian gave, the State Preceptor would have with a variety of praises for the boy, making the king and queen beam with smiles. Many exchanges from that conversation were later passed around as beautiful tales. But there was one question to which, when Xie Lian answered, the State Preceptor gave no commentary. Very few knew of the details, not even Feng Xin, never mind Mu Qing. That question was “Two People and a Cup of Water.”
The State Preceptor spoke, “Two walked the desert, about to die from thirst, and there was only one cup of water. The one who drinks lives, the one who doesn’t dies. If you were a god, who would you give that cup of water to—don’t speak yet, I’ll ask the other two and see how they answer.”
The latter part was directed to the two standing not too far behind. Mu Qing contemplated and responded prudently.
“May I ask who those two people are, what their natures are like, and of their merits? A decision can only be made once all the details are known.”
Feng Xin, on the other hand, answered, “I don’t know! Don’t ask me—tell them to decide amongst themselves!”
Xie Lian snorted and laughed. The State Preceptor admonished, “What are you laughing about? Do you remember how you answered?”
Xie Lian schooled his expression and said solemnly, “Give them another cup.”
Hearing this, between Feng Xin and Mu Qing, one turned his face away and the other lowered his head, as though hiding their reactions. Xie Lian looked back and deadpanned his response.
“Why are you guys laughing? I’m serious. If I were a god, I would definitely give them another cup.”
The State Preceptor gently shook that cup of tea in his hand, and the tea swirled in the cup as if it had a life of its own. He continued, “All fortunes in the world, good or bad, are limited. Just like this cup of water, there’s only so much. Once you’ve drunk your fill, there’ll be no more left for others. If one receives more, another must receive less.
“Throughout the ages, all conflicts are born from the fact that there are many in this world, but only one cup of water, and there is a good reason to justify giving it to any of them. You want to change fate? It’s difficult but not impossible. But if you change that child’s life, someone else’s life will also be changed, and more grudges will be created. Once upon a time, you said to just give another cup of water, just like how today you wanted to choose a third path. Your intention is to expand the source—a beautiful thought. But I must tell you, it’s basically impossible.”
Xie Lian listened silently but disagreed wholeheartedly; still, he didn’t rebut. “Thank you, State Preceptor, for your wisdom.”
The State Preceptor drank the tea, smacked his lips, and said, “Don’t trouble yourself. Wisdom or not, you don’t listen anyway.”
“…” Having been seen through, Xie Lian softly cleared his throat. “State Preceptor, earlier today in the Palace of Divine Might, in a moment of passion, this disciple offended you. Please forgive me for my affront.”
The State Preceptor shook out his sleeves and smiled. “You’re my favorite disciple, as well as the crown prince; how could I not forgive you? Your Highness, I can tell you that you are the most beloved by the heavens I have ever seen.”
Xie Lian didn’t understand, so he listened closely.
The State Preceptor continued, “You have the innate talent, the ambition, the heart, and you’re not afraid of hard work. You have a prestigious background but still have a compassionate nature. No one is more worthy of the title ‘Darling of the Heavens.’ Still, I am worried about you. I’m afraid there will be a trial you won’t be able to pass.”
“And that is?” Xie Lian asked.