On this day, Empress Zhangsun arrived at Fengtian Monastery and immediately started a ritual.
Fu Rou took a walk alone during her free time, since she was feeling unsettled. She received the handkerchief that Sheng Chumu asked Consort Han to send, and understood the meaning of the stitches. She followed the Empress to Fengtian Monastery but did not know what Sheng Chumu was planning to do.
All of a sudden, someone yelled, “My robe! My pills! Destroyed! Destroyed! What is going on?”
Fu Rou turned towards the direction of the yell and saw a priest holding a red colored robe jumping up and down. Another disciple wore a humbled expression and seemed to be arguing with the priest. The priest was Sun Siyao and he specialized in alchemy. He was about to make another pill but as a very superstitious man, he would only wear blue robes. Who knew that the robe would turn red? Sun Siyao saw this as an inauspicious sign and did not know what to do.
The argument between the two became more heated and Fu Rou decided to step in. She asked, “Masters, did you all put any insect repellent items in the box you used to store these robes?”
“How did you know? This robe is even more valuable than my eyes. There are a lot of insects during the wet and cold season in the mountains. I am afraid that the insects would bite the robe and I specially bought Wu Wei Leaves, an effective insect repellent a few months ago.” Sun Siyao was very agitated.
Fu Rou nodded and continued, “You must have placed quite a lot right?”
Priest Sun shook his head and denied, “Not a lot. It was only twelve bags.”
“Twelve bags…” Is that not a lot?
“The robe is very precious. As long as I can keep it in good condition, I am willing to spend as much as possible on the insect repellents. However, I did not expect it to change colour instead. Aiya, my robe… Master, I have disappointed you.”
Fu Rou explained, “This robe is dyed with woad blue dye. The Wu Wei Leaves you bought contains turmeric and purple essence. You placed a huge amount of it in the box for a long time. When the insect repellent came into contact with the woad blue dye, it would react and cause the colour to fade slowly. However, as long as we control the color contrast technique properly, this can be corrected.”
The pair of disciples stared blankly. Fu Rou laughed and explained, “I mean that it is easy to dye the robe back to its correct colour.”
Priest Sun jumped for joy.
Fu Rou obtained a few herb dyes from Sun Siyao and brought a cauldron of water to boil. She placed burnt herb dyes into the hot water and explained, “There are many similarities between dyes and alchemy. For instance, the Chinese nut-gall and the dried pagoda tree flower can both be dyes and medicinal ingredients. Just like how different medicinal ingredients can be transformed into different elixirs under the expert hands of an alchemist, different dye ingredients can be changed into different colours through careful manipulation and special techniques by a dyer. The wood in the box had allowed the purple essence in the Wu Wei Leaves to dissipate quicker.”
Priest Sun exclaimed in realization, “That is interesting.”
Fu Rou placed the robe into the water and allowed it to soak for a while. However, when she took the robe out, it was still red.
Priest Sun panicked and asked, “This...why is it still red?”
“It has to dry under the sun.” Fu Rou confidently answered.
Priest Sun and the disciple wringed the robe dry of water and hung it out on a rack to dry. The sun rays shone on the robe and slowly dried the robe. At the same time, a mysterious thing happened, the red colour slowly turned blue.
Priest Sun exclaimed, “It has changed! It has really changed!” When he turned around to look, he wondered, “Hm, what happened to the lady from before?”
Fu Rou left once she helped the pair as she had to catch up to Empress Zhangsun.
The disciple was also puzzled and he said, “We were so focused on the robe, I didn’t see where she went.”
“We should thank her when we have the chance. Quickly quickly, I need to hurry along and get the fire started! Master, please bless me!” Priest Sun wore his robe and dashed into a room.
The next morning, Empress Zhangsun and the Imperial Emperor arrived and sat in their seats. Master Yuan was stifling a yawn, he had not slept well the previous night. First, the Empress Zhangsun had sent Wei Song to give greetings to him. Next, the Imperial Emperor sent someone else to threaten him. Master Yuan had dismissed him and he was only focused on his chess.
Empress Zhangsun raised her eyebrows and asked, “Master, did you have a good rest yesterday night?”
Master Yuan replied, “I did not sleep well last night. Grand Emperor and Empress, whose fate would you like me to look at?”
Empress Zhangsun answered, “I would like to seek your help with a female official under me, Fu Siyan.”
“This is very interesting. Why are so many people interested in a female official’s fate reading?”
The Grand Emperor laughed, “Fu Siyan is no ordinary person. There are actually four men who asked for her hand in marriage. One of them is my son, Grand Prince Liang.”
The Empress also laughed, “The Emperor said that this matter is in my hands. However, I am troubled. I do not know who to bless with this marriage and hence, I can only seek your help.”
The internal attendant led Fu Rou into the hall.
Master Yuan looked at her and remarked, “No wonder there are four men chasing one lady. She is dignified and elegant. Who is interested in her?”
The Empress did not reply to his question directly but said, “Master, two amongst the four are officials and are not worth mentioning. Look at her features, fate and destiny. Is there a chance that she is qualified to marry Grand Prince Liang…or Prince Zhou?”
“I will do my best.” Master Yuan stroked his beard and instructed, “Fu Siyan, please take two steps towards me.”
Chapter 44.2: Fire and Blood
Fu Rou walked forward and maintained a calm expression although her eyes quavered with her worry. She did not know what method Chumu used to influence Master Yuan to help him.
“The sky is full, the people are clear, the beauty is here. Her appearance…” Master Yuan continued, “She is incredibly lucky.”
Grand Prince Liang roared with laughter. “It seems my taste in women is not bad.”
Empress Zhangsun continued to inquire, “How about her and Prince Zhou…”
Grand Emperor said, “Empress, why do you have to mention Prince Zhou? Fu Siyan is lucky and she should serve Grand Prince Liang. You have to give me some face and make me happy right?”
Fu Rou could no longer maintain calm as she turned around nervously to look at Empress Zhangsun. However, Master Yuan impatiently waved at her and said, “What are you all so anxious about? I am not done speaking. Her luck is in contrast and conflict between the two royal men.”
Grand Prince Liang frowned, “What are you talking about? Since she is lucky, why would there be conflict?”
“Fate would differ between each person. Just like water, if a fish was put in it, it would swim freely. But if you put a tiger in it, the tiger would drown. Fu Siyan is strongly affiliated to the element of water but Grand Prince Liang, as the Grand Emperor’s son, has a strong dragon energy around him and is therefore affiliated with fire. If the fire dragon meets water, it will not be a good thing.” Master Yuan shook his head.
The Grand Emperor did not give up. “What can be done if Grand Prince Liang wants her?”
“Both sides will meet with calamity.” Master Yuan’s words immediately changed the Grand Emperor’s attitude.