If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1001 The Greatest Fortune Teller in the World
Putting himself in her shoes, Dou Gengyan agreed to Xu Shimei's request and accompanied her to the street outside Xianyang Palace.

Not to mention that Yu Fengxian is now the Celestial Master of the Great Qin Dynasty.

Back when they were still at Hongxiufang, Yu Fengxian had already participated in the Battle of Feixiandu, witnessed her father Dou Yilin's defeat and tragic death, personally killed her beloved Uncle Kong Zan, and then killed her Uncle Zong (the Thief Saint).
"Will we be able to see Yu Fengxian, Empress Dowager Zhao, and Li Si here?"

Dou Gengyan looked up at the restaurant's sign: Xiankeju.

The carriage stopped directly outside Xiankeju.

“Princes, ministers, princes, and princesses often dine here. Before the Lunar New Year, Yu Fengxian also came here with Prince Gao,” said Junior Sister Xu.

"You even knew that Yu Fengxian had a meal with Prince Gao before the New Year?" Dou Gengyan asked in surprise.

“A powerful figure like Yu Fengxian, who can influence the situation in China, will be watched closely by many people with ulterior motives whenever she makes a move,” said Junior Sister Xu.

Dou Gengyan was momentarily dazed again, "Have they all become important figures?"

Zhou Fu, who was rushing to catch the carriage, whispered a few words to the shopkeeper at the counter, and then a capable shop assistant led the two women up to the seventh floor.

They opened a private room in a location facing the street.

The two women sat by the window, where they could even see the Zhangtai Palace, which was four hundred feet away.

Dou Gengyan asked, "Who is the owner of Xiankeju, and what is his background? How could he build such a tall tower around the palace? If people can just look out at the palace from there, what kind of majesty does the emperor have left?"

Junior Sister Xu said dismissively, "Even the tallest tower can't be as high as an immortal."
Those who need to use the tower to look out over Zhangtai have no ability to threaten the Emperor, let alone the right to challenge his majesty.

Even Qi Refiners and Human Immortals who don't need towers could secretly fly into the air and escape the clutches of the Human Emperor if they wanted to gaze upon Zhangtai.

Dou Gengyan murmured, "When I was still in Xilu, the King of Lu clearly stipulated that no building could be built in Jinyang City that could overlook the palace."

—This Sister Dou is good in every way. She is beautiful, has a refined temperament, is highly skilled in Taoism, and has strong swordsmanship. However, she has a bit of a petty, foreign air about her and hasn't seen much of the world.

The barbarity hadn't faded; there was still a bit of a village feel to it.

While thinking of "Dear Sister Dou," Xu Shimei said aloud, "This afternoon, I'll take you for a stroll around Xianyang City and let you see the mansions of all the powerful and influential people."

Even more luxurious than Zhangtai Palace can be found everywhere inside and outside the city.

"Afternoon." Dou Gengyan glanced at the sun outside, did a quick calculation, and determined the time: 9:15 AM.

"It's still early before lunchtime."

Junior Sister Xu said speechlessly, "Does Sister Dou think I'm waiting for Yu Fengxian, Li Si, and Empress Dowager Zhao to come to Xiankeju for lunch? And to catch a glimpse of them?"
Even if important people frequently visit this place, it doesn't mean they eat here every day.

Especially Yu Fengxian, that guy only went out for a stroll on the first day, and then stayed in the Imperial Observatory and didn't go out.

I have no idea what she's up to.

Many spies, even immortals, came to Xianyang to keep an eye on her, but they could never catch a glimpse of her.

Even her Kunlun slave, 'Fat Mole,' ate, slept, and practiced Taoist magic in the Emperor's Palace.

If you really wait passively at Xiankeju, you might not even see her for half a year.

Dou Gengyan said, "I thought you would stay at Xiankeju until they passed by or came up for a meal."

Junior Sister Xu pointed to the gate of Xianyang Palace and said, "Did you see that? There are guards leading men to clear the street in front of the palace gate."

Following the directions, Dou Gengyan saw that there were indeed fully armed guards lined up in a long queue outside the palace gate.

She didn't quite understand. "Isn't it normal to have guards outside the palace gates?"

Junior Sister Xu subtly pursed her lips. "Today is the ninth day of the first lunar month. There is a grand court assembly, the first court assembly after the New Year."

Therefore, the Commandant of the Guards is needed to lead the guards to clear the streets, facilitating the ministers' entry into the palace and also protecting them.

"The Grand Court Assembly?" Dou Gengyan glanced at the sun again, realizing it was indeed past 1:15 AM.

"It's already this late, and the court assembly is still not over?"

This time, Junior Sister Xu didn't look down on "Sister Manzi" in her heart; instead, she felt somewhat embarrassed and ashamed.

"It's not that it's not over, it's that it hasn't even begun."

Dou Gengyan exclaimed in surprise, "Is this also a custom of the upper class? Is 'When the rooster crows, the morning is full' a lie?"

This was her first time visiting Shangbang Zhonghua, and her first time visiting the capital city of Xianyang, but she had read the Book of Songs in her early years.

The line “The rooster crows, the morning is full” comes from the Book of Songs.

"During the reign of the Emperor, it was indeed the first crow of the rooster that signaled the start of court. If there were no major events, court would have already ended by then."

The current Regent Empress Dowager Zhao Ji is a lazy bum and a lecher. Ah, here we go. A minister has arrived. Sister, please wait a moment, I'll go take a look.

Junior Sister Xu stood up, spun around twice, her body shimmering with celestial light, transforming from a stunningly beautiful fairy in palace attire into a girl next door dressed in coarse linen.

Her appearance hasn't changed, but her temperament and clothing have changed drastically.

With a light stomp of her foot, she transformed into a wisp of smoke and drifted away.

A short while later, a village girl carrying a basket walked past in front of Xianyang Palace.

Dou Gengyan's eyes dimmed, and he only glanced at the street and the scene in front of the palace gate out of the corner of his eye.

After the first minister arrived, more princes and ministers followed by arriving by carriage.

They disembarked outside the palace gate and walked towards Zhangtai Palace; no one rode directly into the court on horseback.

About half an hour later, a wisp of smoke drifted in through the window, landed on the chair, and transformed into Sister Xu, the girl next door.

"Can you see it clearly now?" Dou Gengyan asked curiously.

Junior Sister Xu's expression was complicated as she said, "You can probably start now."

The rumors were true; ten years is indeed a significant milestone!

I also visited Xianyang at the beginning of last year. The ministers there were still incredibly noble, blessed with long life, and unapproachable.

When I arrived at the gate of Xianyang Palace today, it felt as if I had seen a group of ghosts.

Even Li Si, whose noble and refined aura was enough to form a 'pillar reaching the heavens,' showed signs of death.

At the end of last year, a rumor circulated in Xianyang that Yu Fengxian had broken Li Si's "auspicious aura," and it seems to be true.

Ten years ago, even the Golden Immortals were awestruck by Li Si's aura, and a young boy in green robes would clear a path for him with an incense burner in his hand.

When you get close to him or face him, you immediately become timid and hesitant.

The immortal demeanor was completely absent, while Li Si possessed a graceful and dignified bearing, creating a striking contrast.

Looking at Li Si today, the divine light on his forehead is scattered, and his eyes are not as firm as before.

Sigh, Yu Fengxian is such a weirdo.

Even Li Si, the "most noble person in the world," couldn't resist the bad luck emanating from her.

Dou Gengyan suppressed his joy and asked, "Even Li Si looks like he's about to die, doesn't that mean the Qin Dynasty is doomed this year?"

Junior Sister Xu pondered and said, "Li Si's fate is exhausted, Feng Quji and his son Feng Jie's fate is also about to end, and Wei Liaozi's lifespan is about to end. He will 'pass away' this year."

It's a pity I didn't see Empress Dowager Zhao and Lao Ai; they probably entered Xianyang Palace through the east gate.

Judging from the demeanor of the three highest officials in the imperial court, the Qin Dynasty was indeed showing signs of imminent collapse.

However, several important ministers among the Nine Ministers showed signs of rising fortune and soaring to great heights.

For example, looking at officials like Ying Ziying, the Grand Master of Ceremonies; Zhang Han, the Minister of the Imperial Household; and Sima Xin, the Chief Clerk, one might think that the Qin Dynasty was in a state of vibrant vitality, where everything was flourishing.

Dou Gengyan asked doubtfully, "The Three Dukes are all nearing the end of their lives, yet the Nine Ministers are thriving. Could it be that the Three Dukes are dying so they can take their places?" Junior Sister Xu shook her head and said, "I don't know. My art of physiognomy and observing aura has a major flaw—it only looks at individual fates and cannot control the direction of the grand scheme of things."

I can see the fate of all the ministers of Qin, and even the Empress Dowager.

I'm also confident that it's pretty close to the truth.

But the Qin Dynasty itself... I'm not good at that.

Alas, in the end, my skills were insufficient.

Dou Gengyan said, "Junior Sister Xu is too modest. My master and several senior uncles all praise you as the number one fortune teller in the world!"
Our next move depends on Xu's judgment.

Ultimately, the overall trend is formed by the combined efforts of a series of important figures.

By consolidating the destinies of key figures, the overall situation becomes clear.

After praising Junior Sister Xu, Dou Gengyan asked, "Now that we have met the important officials of the court, shall we part ways here?"

I must go to Jingyang Street to find the Hermit of Qinglian and tell them the news.

"Wait a little longer, Yu Fengxian hasn't arrived yet," said Junior Sister Xu.

“Both Chancellors Li Si and Feng Quji have arrived, but she hasn’t. She probably won’t be attending the court assembly. Or perhaps she’ll use some kind of magic to enter the palace,” Dou Gengyan said.

"Don't rush, let's wait until the court session ends and see which direction she comes out from."

Junior Sister Xu called in the "driver" Zhou Fu, "Sister Dou has come all the way to Xianyang, go pick out a few of her signature dishes and bring them up for us to try."

Dou Gengyan did not refuse her kindness.

Soon, the food and wine were served. The two ate and chatted while glancing out of the corner of their eyes at the street outside and the distant Zhangtai Palace.

They were quite far from Zhangtai Palace, and the dragon energy within the palace could easily interfere with Taoist magic, so they could not and dared not use their spiritual eyes to look around.

All that could be seen was the procession of court officials entering Zhangtai Palace, and the faint sound of the bronze bell announcing the start of the morning court session could be heard.

However, the street scenery is open to all.

Although Dou Gengyan had always harbored the ambition to rebel against the Qin Dynasty and had been a "righteous man" since childhood, this was his first time visiting China. Today, he was truly amazed by what he saw and found it quite novel and delightful.

A full half hour later, a commotion suddenly broke out at the south end of the street.

I could also vaguely hear calls like "Grand Tutor Yu".

Dou Gengyan turned his head and looked closely. He saw a robust Kunlun slave standing tall and striding towards the Xianyang Palace to the north, a hundred feet away.

The Kunlun slave also held up a small wooden pavilion with one hand.

The small pavilion was built with precious wood, exquisite and luxurious, measuring about ten feet in length and width.

Through the thin gauze curtain, one could vaguely see a chair inside, and there should be someone sitting on it.

The small pavilion had three legs. The Kunlun slave grabbed one of the legs and lifted it high above his head, allowing it to walk calmly and steadily through the bustling streets.

There were many people in the market pointing and whispering about the small pavilion, but they didn't seem too surprised.

Even Dou Gengyan, the "country bumpkin," didn't find it strange.

Because in Xilu, a region of shifting sands, wealthy families also have the custom of keeping Kunlun slaves.

The robust Kunlun slaves also used this method to take their masters on trips.

It's much better than using an ox or a horse.

Walking on the street, it attracts countless eyes; walking in the wilderness, it is as smooth as walking on flat ground, with absolutely no bumps, and can adapt to all road conditions.

If needed, they can even climb cliffs and cross the Yangtze River.

Kunlun slaves became a top luxury item not through packaging.

The quality of Kunlun slaves is in a class of its own.

Just like the service of Silla maids and the songs and dances of Bodhisattva Man.

"It's Yu Feng Xian! Sister Dou, you continue eating, I'm going downstairs."

Junior Sister Xu apologized and then excitedly went downstairs.

Dou Gengyan's curiosity about Master Yu far surpasses that of Li Si and Feng Quji before him.

She leaned out of the window and stared at the small pavilion all the way to the entrance of Xianyang Palace.

As the Kunlun slave put the small pavilion down, a graceful woman in a black robe walked out of the pavilion.

I also saw her turn her head and glance in her direction.
"Oh dear!" Dou Gengyan was startled and quickly pulled her head back, her heart pounding. "Why are you so alert? Did you see me? You shouldn't have, there are so many people on the street, it's so far away."

For a long time, Dou Gengyan was unable to calm down.

"Thump~~" A strange sound came from the other side, and she came back to her senses.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Junior Sister Xu who had returned.

However, Junior Sister Xu's condition was very wrong. She seemed to be having an epileptic seizure. Her eyes kept rolling back, her upper and lower teeth kept clashing, and her body was as straight as a dead fish, but she was twitching and trembling incessantly.

"Junior Sister Xu, what's wrong with you?" Dou Gengyan asked in confusion. He quickly went over and helped Junior Sister Xu, who had slipped to the ground, back onto the chair. He also used his immortal power to help her catch her breath.

After struggling for half an hour, Dou Gengyan tried several times to find a doctor for her, but Zhou Fu dissuaded him.

"Don't worry, Fairy Dou, my young lady is using her powers."

Zhou Fu remained calm, with an undisguised look of surprise on his face.

"Use your power?"

—I think she's having an epileptic seizure!

Dou Gengyan inwardly complained, but his worry lessened somewhat.

"I feel that her internal energy is very chaotic, and her consciousness is also in disarray, as if she has gone into a state of demonic possession."

Zhou Fu said, "It's not that she's gone mad. Every time she glimpses a significant destiny, Miss will act like this."

The fact that she reacted this way immediately after meeting Yu Fengxian shows that she has already glimpsed Yu Fengxian's destiny.

She'll recover in a moment.

"She just met with Li Si and Feng Quji, and there wasn't the slightest abnormality," Dou Gengyan said curiously.

Zhou Fu sighed, "Yu Fengxian is a notorious scoundrel. Offending the Queen Mother and the Jade Emperor is secondary."

It's mainly related to this great calamity.

She is a key figure in the great calamity, and may even be the protagonist.

Anyone who comes into contact with her may be tainted by the aura of calamity and be drawn into the great calamity.

Since she is the chosen one in the great calamity, wouldn't prying into her destiny be the same as prying into the calamity itself?

Although Li Si and Feng Quji held high positions and wielded great power, they were probably beyond saving.

Just as he said, after waiting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Junior Sister Xu slowly woke up.

"Grand Master Yu, stabilize the heavens!" These were the first words she uttered after opening her eyes.

(End of this chapter)