The imperial capital.
With the Lantern Festival approaching, the streets gradually became lively. There were lanterns and streamers everywhere, and many vendors seized the opportunity to launch a variety of exciting activities.
The people poured out into the streets, their faces brimming with festive joy.
When Wanyan Luosang walked out of the coaching inn with her entourage, she was wonderstruck by the hustle and bustle before her eyes.
Having lived in Danjue since she was a child, she had never seen such a buzzing scene before.
The pedestrians were all dressed in brand new clothes, their faces beaming joyfully.
She sighed to herself. No matter how powerful Danjue was, it could never compare with Great Shang.
Great Shang’s prosperity and vibrance could never be found in Danjue.
“It’s so lively, Your Highness! Why do all of them look so happy?” her personal maidservant exclaimed in Danjue language.
“Because of the upcoming festival, I suppose. I heard from the coaching inn caretaker that Great Shang is celebrating its Lantern Festival tomorrow. It’s one of their liveliest festivals. There will be a lantern show too, and it will be even livelier than right now,” Wanyan Luosang explained.
The maidservant did not know much about the festival, but she understood that the next day would be even more fun and exciting than the present.
Looking at the princess’ beautiful face, she could not help saying dolefully, “It would be great if you could stay in Great Shang, Your Highness.”
Hearing this, the other attendants immediately glared at her.
“No matter how amazing Great Shang is, we’re the people of Danjue, and Danjue is our motherland. How could you even have such a thought?”
“Well, Her Highness came here to secure a marriage alliance, didn’t she?” The maidservant retorted.
As the argument persisted, Wanyan Luosang’s mind started to wander.
She liked Great Shang, and after coming here and seeing how prosperous it was, she even thought of not returning to Danjue.
Besides, she had indeed come to secure a marriage alliance with Great Shang.
However, the person she wanted to marry was hardly interested in her.
Her heart filled with melancholy.
Distracted, she bumped into a passer-by.
“I’m sorry,” the other person immediately apologized.
It was an old woman in her seventies or eighties, with a hunched back and a face covered in wrinkles and spots. Feeling sympathy for her, Wanyan Luosang waved a hand hastily. “It’s not your fault. I was the one who bumped into you.”
The old woman lifted her clouded gaze and glanced at her, then suddenly muttered mysteriously, “I can see a radiance on your face. You should be expecting good news in a few days.”
Wanyan Luosang was about to leave but stopped in her tracks when she heard this. “What kind of good news are you talking about?”
Usually, she would not believe in such suspicious, fraudulent claims, but she longed to alleviate the distress in her heart, so she ended up voicing her question.
The old woman calculated with her fingers before croaking her answer, “Marriage.”
Wanyan Luosang’s heart pounded. “You practice physiognomy?”
The old woman said, “I know a little about it.” With that, she leaned on her crutch and started to totter away.
Wanyan Luosang quickly shot her arm out to block her. “Since you practice physiognomy, why don’t we find a place to sit down so you can tell my fortune?”
The old woman was somewhat reluctant. “But my husband’s still waiting for me to go home.”
“I won’t take up too much of your time.” Wanyan Luosang took out a gold ingot and placed it into her hand.
The old woman sighed. “Since fate has led me to you, I’ll go with you and see what I can do.”
Wanyan Luosang ordered her maidservant to support the woman by the arm. They then found a teahouse and sat down inside.
In a private room.
Wanyan Luosang poured a cup of tea for the old woman herself.
The woman took a slow sip.
Glancing her over, Lu Liangwei found that her demeanor was not brusque at all. Although she was decrepit in appearance, she radiated an air of mystery. In that instant, Wanyan Luosang felt that this person might truly be a sage capable of telling the future.