marriage sign

The daylight was nearing its zenith, and the thought of Miss Xiao and her companions still being in Lingyin Temple crossed Lin Wanrong's mind. He sighed inwardly; engaging in conversation with the old man made him forget about the time. Miss Xiao's state of mind at this moment was unknown to him.

Hastily entering the temple, he finally located Miss Xiao and the others. To his surprise, Miss Xiao was devoutly offering prayers to the Bodhisattva in the Grand Hall.

Lin Wanrong quickly grabbed Sideskill Dao and asked, "Miss Xiao hasn't been looking for me, has she?"

"No," Sideskill Dao replied, "Miss Xiao said, 'Third Brother has many affairs, so let us explore leisurely. When you arrive, Miss Xiao will be very devout.' She has paid her respects to every Bodhisattva in the temple and made offerings of incense."

Every Bodhisattva? Lin Wanrong broke into a cold sweat. Lingyin Temple housed over a hundred Buddhas of various sizes. How long would it take to pay respects to each of them?

Miss Xiao was currently offering prayers to the statue of Ao Yu Guanyin, with Guanyin Bodhisattva holding a pure water vase, saving sentient beings, and accompanied by the virtuous wealth boy. She was recounting the story of the virtuous wealth boy's worship of Guanyin.

The Grand Hall, majestic and grand, exuded a magnificent aura. In the center of the hall was a seventy to eighty-foot tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha seated on a lotus flower, splendid and vivid.

Having come to this sacred place, Lin Wanrong couldn't return empty-handed. He, too, paid his respects in front of the Bodhisattva, praying for wealth and a thriving family.

After paying his respects, Lin Wanrong noticed a divination table nearby, where an elderly monk was seated. He chuckled inwardly, considering divination and fortune-telling as matters of psychological manipulation. Typically, they would arrange for a kind-looking old monk with an air of enlightenment to make believers out of skeptics.

Xiao Feng walked up to him and said, "Lin brother, seeking divination in this temple is quite expensive."

Seeing Xiao Feng holding a divination stick, Lin Wanrong laughed, "What, have you already sought divination?"

Xiao Feng nodded, "One or two silver coins for seeking divination, two silver coins for interpreting the result. It's quite expensive."

Remembering the same price at Qixia Temple outside Jinling City, Lin Wanrong was surprised that the prices for these religious services were standardized.

Xiao Feng spent one silver coin to seek a divination, but hesitated to spend an additional two silver coins to interpret the result. He handed the divination stick to Lin Wanrong, saying, "Lin brother, you are knowledgeable. Would you interpret this for me?"

Unexpectedly, Xiao Feng considered me knowledgeable, Lin Wanrong thought with a laugh, "In that case, I'll interpret it for you."

Divination, essentially a form of trickery, relied on making vague and mysterious statements that would captivate believers. Lin Wanrong accepted the divination stick from Xiao Feng and read the verses written on it:

"At dawn and dusk, rely on Buddha's support,

It must be faced even when danger seems distant.

With guidance from a noble, fortune and wealth will follow,

When a benefactor points the way, prosperity will flow."

This stick even required interpretation by a person? Lin Wanrong shook his head, sighing at how ambiguous and unclear these verses were. However, he had no doubt about his own skill in the art of deception. Taking the divination stick, he looked at Xiao Feng and said with a smile, "Xiao brother, this is an above-average divination."

Upon hearing Lin Wanrong's seemingly profound interpretation, Xiao Feng eagerly asked, "What does an above-average divination mean? Lin brother, please enlighten me."

Lin Wanrong explained, "The first line speaks for itself, indicating that the course of your life, whether favorable or unfavorable, is entirely bestowed by the Bodhisattvas in this temple. Therefore, you must dutifully show gratitude to them. In the face of danger, your sincere devotion will naturally resolve it. Additionally, with the assistance of a noble person, prosperity and wealth will follow effortlessly."

While the verses were straightforward, the interpretation required by divination made believers like Xiao Feng stare at Lin Wanrong in amazement.

Respectfully, Xiao Feng said, "Lin brother, you are truly a wise man. However, I wonder if this divination can also inquire about one's marriage fortune?"

Amused by Xiao Feng's frugality, Lin Wanrong remarked, "You sought a divination for wealth, and now you want to inquire about your marriage fortune. That's a bit too much." Lin Wanrong laughed and added, "Xiao brother, the sincerity of your heart determines the effectiveness of the divination. May this divination bring you good fortune."

Xiao Feng, feeling a bit embarrassed, stopped asking about his marriage fortune and discreetly kept an eye on Xiao Miss's maid, Little Cui, who was trailing behind Miss Xiao.

Observing that Lin Wanrong could interpret divination, Little Cui also went to spend one silver coin on a divination stick and handed it to Lin Wanrong, saying, "Third Brother, can you interpret this for me?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Certainly, but I wonder what Little Cui wants to inquire about?"

Blushing, Little Cui lowered her head shyly and whispered, "I want to inquire about my marriage fortune."

Lin Wanrong thought, "As expected, these young ladies are all curious about their marriage fortune when they come to the temple." Taking the divination stick from Little Cui, he saw a verse written on it:

"The red string binds from past lives,

No need for matchmakers, it will happen.

In the quiet of the deep night in the new pavilion,

Suddenly, the phoenix's cry is heard."

Lin Wanrong sighed, "Little Cui, congratulations! This is an excellent divination."

Surprised and happy, Little Cui asked, "What does an excellent divination mean, Third Brother?"

Lin Wanrong explained with a smile, "The first line suggests that your destined marriage has already been arranged in your previous lives, and you don't need intermediaries. In a quiet night within a new pavilion, you will suddenly hear the cry of a phoenix, signaling the auspicious moment of your marriage."

While the verses were clear, the believers, influenced by Lin Wanrong's confident interpretation, found them more profound.

Respectfully, Little Cui said, "Third Brother, you are truly knowledgeable. Thank you for interpreting the divination for me."

Lin Wanrong nodded, "You're welcome. May this divination bring you happiness and auspiciousness."

Observing the amusing scene, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but think, "These young ladies are quite interesting, seeking divination for their marriage fortune. The temple must be a popular place for such inquiries."

Little Cui's spirits lifted upon hearing this and, disregarding her shyness, she exclaimed, "Is it true, Third Brother? Please interpret it for me quickly."

"This red string, also known as the marriage thread of the Matchmaker Deity, symbolizes predestined unions arranged by the Matchmaker Deity. The meaning of the first two lines is that even if you don't actively seek, fate will come uninvited. It is commonly referred to as a predestined connection, implying a destined relationship. As for the latter two lines, the 'new pavilion' signifies the bridal chamber, and the 'phoenix's cry' symbolizes the perfect union. This couplet signifies a predestined and destined connection. Congratulations, Little Cui."

Little Cui felt a pleasant surprise and sneakily glanced at Xiao Feng, who was also discreetly observing her. The two of them exchanged affectionate glances.

Lin Wanrong chuckled inwardly. It turned out that these two had long been involved, yet they still came to pretend to seek a marriage fortune sign. What a pair of cunning individuals.

Following suit, Sideskill Dao, not wanting to be outdone, sought a wealth fortune sign. To everyone's joy, it turned out to be an excellent fortune. Lin Wanrong interpreted the signs for them, bringing great joy to the group.

Sideskill Dao said, "Third Brother, all of us have sought signs. Why don't you go and seek one as well?"

Seeing everyone so enthusiastic, Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "Alright, I'll go and seek a sign."

He went to the divination table, spent one or two silver coins, and sought a sign. Upon reading it, he found: "The fish is trapped in the deep pond, yet to transform into a dragon; The splendid light shines from above at times of glory. A path to the green clouds must be reached; The setting sun rises towards the nine levels."

Accustomed to deceiving others, Lin Wanrong found himself at a loss when it came to interpreting his own sign. A gentle voice beside him said, "Let me do it." Everyone looked up and saw it was the Miss who had been devoutly praying to the Bodhisattva moments ago.

Seeing Lin Wanrong hesitate, Miss Xiao smiled and said, "Why? Don't tell me you don't trust me?"

"How could that be?" Lin Wanrong grinned, "I was afraid my excellent sign would frighten you."

Miss Xiao pouted, "Trust you? Hmph." She gently took the sign from his hand, looked at it, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Lin San, congratulations. This is an exceptional sign, and it has a dual interpretation."

"A dual interpretation? What does that mean?" Lin Wanrong asked in surprise.

"This sign of yours interprets both career and marriage. Isn't that a dual interpretation?" Miss Xiao laughed.

Sweat, I clearly only sought a career sign. How did it become a dual interpretation in Miss Xiao's hands? It's truly bizarre.

Miss Xiao continued, "As for this wealth sign, the verses are clear. Despite some setbacks, you will ultimately achieve success in your career, and wealth will flow abundantly."

Lin Wanrong had never doubted this aspect. Miss Xiao continued with a smile, "Regarding this marriage sign, let's interpret it carefully. The first line suggests that you are currently like a fish trapped in a deep pond, not yet transformed into a dragon. This means your current marriage fate has not arrived. The second line means that in the future, you will definitely marry a good wife, enjoy prosperity and wealth. The last two lines indicate that once your marriage fate arrives, you will soar to the sky and become wealthy. Isn't this an excellent sign?"

Upon Miss Xiao's interpretation, this sign did seem to have some meaning. Qingxuan is currently somewhere unknown. The path of marriage fate does seem a bit bumpy, but I still have Qiaoxiao and Yuxuan; I get along well with both of them. Moreover, what does marriage fate have to do with prosperity?

After contemplating for a while, he helplessly laughed. These are all things that young girls like to play with. Why should I care about these things when I have nothing better to do?

Little Cui, seeing Miss Xiao also holding a sign, exclaimed, "Miss, did you also seek a sign?"

Miss Xiao blushed slightly and softly replied, "Yes." Lin Wanrong was surprised. If she sought a sign in this temple, it must be about the financial fortune of the Xiao family. He smiled and said, "Miss, let me interpret it for you."

Miss Xiao's face reddened even more, and she whispered, "What do I need you to interpret? Later, I'll go ask that old monk."

Seeing Miss Xiao's shy appearance, Lin Wanrong was puzzled. If she sought financial fortune, there was no need to be so embarrassed. Could it be that she was asking about marriage?

Seeing Lin Wanrong's gaze fixed on her, Miss Xiao couldn't help but snort, "What are you looking at?"

Lin Wanrong smiled, "This sign is important; it's better to have the monk interpret it for you."

Miss Xiao, seeing his sneaky expression, with a smile in her eyes, knew that he had already guessed the purpose of her seeking a sign. Her face flushed with embarrassment.

Having taken the sign but not looked at it before, she couldn't help but take a look now. The verses on it read:

"In joy, in joy, secretly exploring;

Reflections of water and moon, ethereal towers in the sky.

Smashing rocks to fill the sea, casting pearls to attract birds;

Seeing but not perceiving turns into a delay.

Encounters and non-encounters, meetings and non-meetings;

The moon sinks to the bottom of the sea, and people are in a dream."

Other people's signs, whether about marriage or financial fortune, are usually straightforward. Why is mine so profound and seems to say something, yet nothing at all? Miss Xiao was puzzled.