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

Chapter 1002 New Year’s Eve Party
"Grand Master Yu, Ding Tian?" Dou Gengyan asked with a puzzled look, about to ask.

Junior Sister Xu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly asked, "What did I just say?"

Dou Gengyan was speechless, and then suspected that she had "sick" in the head.

But the butler, Zhou Fu, was very familiar with his young mistress's situation and was not surprised at all; on the contrary, he was quite excited.

Amidst the excitement, many doubts also arose.

“Miss, you must have uttered a prophecy related to Yu Fengxian, namely ‘Grand Tutor Yu will stabilize the heavens’!”

"Oh, I remember now, it is indeed a prophecy."

Junior Sister Xu seemed to have suddenly regained her lost memories, and a look of realization appeared on her face, which was then replaced by doubt.

What is the meaning of this prophecy?

"I don't know, Miss, please think about it again." Zhou Fu looked at her expectantly.

Junior Sister Xu drank a cup of tea, pondered silently for half an hour, and shook her head, saying, "I can only be sure that this is a prophecy, but I don't quite understand what 'fixing the heavens' means."

Dou Gengyan said, "Aren't prophecies all very simple and easy to understand? Even you don't understand what 'fixing the heavens' means, so others are even less likely to understand."

Since no one understands it, this prophecy has no meaning.

Junior Sister Xu pondered for a moment and said, "Most prophecies are concise and straightforward, and ordinary people can understand them."

However, true destiny often lies hidden deeper and differs considerably from our understanding.

This prophecy should be no exception.

To understand its basic meaning, there's no need to overcomplicate it.

'Grand Master Yu stabilizes the heavens' is exactly what it sounds like.

True destiny may deviate, but the deviation won't be so great as to be completely misunderstanding or going in the opposite direction.

"Grand Tutor Yu is fine; Yu Fengxian will probably become the official Grand Tutor of Qin."

What is the literal meaning of '定天'?
"Thirty-three Heavens, the world, or 'God'?" Dou Gengyan asked.

Junior Sister Xu said, "Take it literally, don't overthink it. 'Sky Dome' is the most likely, followed by 'World'."

"What does 'stabilizing the heavens' mean?" Dou Gengyan asked, puzzled.

Junior Sister Xu shook her head and said, "Sister doesn't understand, and I can't figure it out either."

It's not that there's anything wrong with the prophecy; the prophecy itself is still simple and straightforward.

Unfortunately, our experience is ultimately too limited.

We need to find a powerful immortal who has lived a long life to interpret the prophecy.

I can say it now, but I can't solve it.

Or, should we wait a few years and let the signs appear on their own?

Dou Gengyan nodded and asked, "You saw Yu Fengxian? What was her condition like?"

"Her demeanor is fake, her appearance is fake, and even she herself is somewhat fake."

"I can only 'see' this prophecy; I can hardly see anything else," said Junior Sister Xu.

"She's fake? I feel like she's real!" Dou Gengyan said doubtfully.

Even if she only glanced at it from afar, she was certain that it was her childhood friend!
"She is real, and she is fake. Not only did she use celestial divination to disguise her weather and appearance, but she should also have used the technique of creating an external body. The one who came to the Grand Assembly today is definitely not her real body," Junior Sister Xu said with certainty.

Dou Gengyan exclaimed, "Junior Sister Xu truly deserves to be called the number one fortune teller in the world."

Even though she concealed her true form and omens, you still managed to discern the secrets of heaven through prophecy.

Junior Sister Xu frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "Perhaps, I didn't say this prophecy."

I am able to speak of it today because it already existed before.

If I were to try to uncover this secret myself, I would surely vomit blood and go blind for years.

This backlash won't be limited to just today's minor incident.

Dou Gengyan exclaimed in surprise, "Sister, are you saying that someone has already glimpsed Yu Fengxian's destiny and uttered this prophecy, but the prophecy has not spread?"

Junior Sister Xu nodded gently and sighed, "How many extraordinary people, mysterious arts and secret techniques are there in the Divine Land?"
My title of "Number One Fortune Teller in the World" is nothing more than a result of my relatives and friends creating hype and praising me.

If I took that seriously, I'd be a conceited fool.

"Sister, please don't underestimate yourself. Your physiognomy skills are something that many Golden Immortal seniors on Penglai Immortal Island would be ashamed of."

"In the mortal realm of China, no one can surpass you," Dou Gengyan said with certainty.

—Sister, you're just a bumpkin from another land, making a fuss over trivial matters in Xianyang. How dare you discuss the depths of the immortal path in the Divine Land?

While feeling touched, Junior Sister Xu couldn't help but harbor some resentment.

It was indeed inappropriate for Junior Sister Xu to make up stories about "Dear Sister Dou" in her mind.

But what she really thought wasn't wrong.

China is a land of deep waters.

Xiao Yu believed that after the Heavenly Secrets Technique was updated to version 3.0, he would not claim to be unparalleled in the world.

Even the most unparalleled divination techniques in the world would find it difficult to discern her true nature.

But today she didn't even realize that she was being spied on by Junior Sister Xu.

Li Si, Feng Quji, Wei Liaozi, and other Qin Dynasty officials didn't feel anything either.

At least when Junior Sister Xu looked at her face with her naked eye, Xiao Yu didn't feel anything unusual at all.

Because Junior Sister Xu really only judges by appearance.

The practice of observing the qi (vital energy) does not involve directly looking at the "human qi" above one's head, but rather indirectly inferring the weather conditions through facial features.

Walking down the street, so many people saw Xiaoyu's appearance.

Junior Sister Xu's gaze was exactly the same as that of the many passersby, without any difference, and she did not use any supernatural powers or secret techniques.

It wasn't until Junior Sister Xu uttered "Grand Master Yu stabilizes the heavens" that Xiao Yu suddenly felt a surge of irritation.

However, she had already arrived at the imperial court by then.

Even with distractions and secret calculations, one cannot find the specific reason for anxiety.

The Empress Dowager was asking her questions, so she couldn't afford to be distracted.

"Master Yu, do you know where Grand Tutor Meng has gone?"

"I only know that Lord Meng Zhenjun resigned his post and left, and even the Celestial Master's token was left in the main hall of the Imperial Observatory. I really don't know where he is now."

Xiaoyu glanced at the civil and military officials on either side of her out of the corner of her eye.

She noticed that quite a few people were secretly observing her, their gazes quite complicated.

—It seems that today's court assembly is related to the position of Grand Tutor.

She understood, but wasn't worried much, and didn't care much about what they thought.

She hasn't gone anywhere recently.

He didn't try to curry favor for the position of Grand Tutor, didn't take the initiative to visit the Empress Dowager, and didn't go out and about during the New Year.

Not to mention the powerful and wealthy in Xianyang, even the Third Holy Mother invited her to Huashan to attend the "New Year Fairy Gathering" before the New Year, but she declined, citing her busy work schedule at the end of the year.

On New Year's Eve, they didn't even invite their nephew Danzi to the reunion dinner.

She had been practicing the "Refining Spirit by Mixing Wind and Water" at the Imperial Observatory.

She's not very interested in having a godfather now. She's overeaten and has difficulty digesting.

If the Empress Dowager hadn't sent someone to the Imperial Observatory to summon her, she wouldn't have attended the first grand court assembly of the new year.

Xiao Yu's indifference displeased Empress Dowager Zhao. "Master Yu, the court officials believe that since Grand Tutor Meng has resigned, a new Grand Tutor should be selected to restore the Imperial Observatory to normal operation. What do you think?"

Xiaoyu asked, "What does the Empress Dowager mean by 'normal operation'?"
"I am currently living and eating at the Emperor's Palace, and I have not found any problems with the Three Ministries and Nine Offices."

Li Si asked, "Master Yu, did the Imperial Observatory hold any blessing ceremonies this year?" Xiao Yu nodded and said, "On New Year's Eve, I wrote a petition to the Jade Emperor, praying that Heaven would bless the Qin Dynasty with favorable weather and a long and prosperous reign."

She was not trying to fool Li Si.

She was basically familiar with the work of the three departments and nine offices of the Imperial Observatory.

Even if there were any oversights, Master Guan, Daoist Yangli, Master Huihe, and He Lin would all remind them and provide assistance.

Praying for the dynasty on New Year's Eve was part of the Grand Tutor's duties.

She did not neglect her duties.

Unfortunately, the golden book she presented to the Jade Emperor received no response, and even the Great Destroyer Father was not activated.

The Jade Emperor probably saw it, but he disregarded its contents and refused to devote even a single thought to it.

Li Si asked, "Anything else?"

"I've already prayed to the Jade Emperor for blessings, what else can I do?" Xiaoyu said.

Li Si said, "When the late emperor was still alive, he would hold grand ceremonies to worship Heaven and ancestors."

The water and land festival can last from a few days to as long as thirty-six or forty-nine days.

The entire city's residents gathered to watch, and officials from the imperial court participated, making it a spectacle that surpassed even the New Year festival itself.

Only such a grand event can move heaven and earth, comfort our ancestors, and unite the people.

Does the Imperial Observatory currently have enough Celestial Masters to preside over a sacrificial ceremony of this scale?

Xiao Yu laughed and said, "Prime Minister's court robes aren't splendid enough!"

She then glanced at the others, "And you ministers, look at yourselves, dressed exactly the same as usual even though it's the New Year."

How can one perform their duties well next year and make Qin great again if things remain so mundane and unremarkable?

"Master Yu, what does what clothes you wear have to do with doing your job well?" Imperial Censor Feng Jie asked, frowning.

Doctor Shusun Tong said in a deep voice: "Master Yu, you have been in Xianyang for many days. As an important official in the court, how come you still do not know the etiquette of China?"

The court dress is the most solemn formal attire.

Regardless of the festival or event, one should wear the appropriate court attire according to etiquette.

Xiao Yu said, "Just now, Prime Minister Li complained that the Imperial Observatory's sacrificial ceremony to Heaven was not luxurious or grand enough."

I pondered, isn't the court dress for officials what the rituals were for the Celestial Master?

Ministers Feng Jie and Shusun Tong froze, realizing they had misunderstood.

They weren't talking about the court attire; they were using it as a pretext to criticize Prime Minister Li for being ignorant and lacking in manners!
Li Si said indifferently, "How can the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven be equated with court attire?"

The grander the ceremony, the more moving it is, the more—

"Hehehe!" Xiaoyu interrupted him with a light laugh.

Li Si shouted, "Master Yu, how dare you behave so disrespectfully in the imperial court? Are you showing disrespect to the ministers and the Empress Dowager?"

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself when you were talking nonsense with such a straight face."

Xiao Yu smiled and bowed to the Empress Dowager and the assembled officials, saying, "Your Majesty, I have been impolite. Please forgive me."

The Empress Dowager frowned and asked, "Where did Prime Minister Li go wrong?"

Xiao Yu said, "Prime Minister, Empress Dowager, and everyone else, you are not Celestial Masters and do not understand the Way of the Celestial Masters."

The essence of the Celestial Masters Way lies in the heart.

To move Heaven's will with the hearts of men, and to achieve a communion between Heaven and man, is to become a Celestial Master.

The rituals are merely a formality, used to express piety and reverence to Heaven.

During the reign of the late emperor, the number of golden immortals recorded by the Imperial Observatory could fill a basket, and the Qin Dynasty was at its peak.

If we act within our means, we can hold a Water and Land Dharma Assembly that lasts for forty-nine days.

Today, the Imperial Observatory has just over fifty official Celestial Masters, and the Qin Dynasty is not as powerful as it used to be.

Do what you can, just like I did. Don't cause trouble, just take the Celestial Master to the Temple of Heaven to offer sacrifices and pray for blessings.

Just like people offering sacrifices to gods, they would offer pig's head meat during a year of good harvest.

In years of famine, they would offer a stack of sesame cakes instead of putting on a show by selling their sons to buy pig's head meat to offer to the gods.

Selling one's child as a sacrifice to the gods will not be appreciated by a righteous god with good morals; instead, the god will condemn the person to a grave sin and punish them with calamities.

As I said before, court officials have their own etiquette, and we Celestial Masters also have our own rules.

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly. "What Master Yu said makes sense. I am not a master, and I was somewhat presumptuous before. Prime Minister Li, what do you think?"

Li Si said, "I have associated with many famous scholars in the world, among whom there are hundreds of Qi cultivators practicing the Way of the Celestial Masters."

There are also dozens of immortals whose names are recorded in the Heavenly Register.

How could I not understand the Way of the Celestial Master?
Your subject's meaning is that the ceremonies of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau can be simplified, but the Imperial Astronomical Bureau must have a Celestial Master who is proficient in grand ceremonies.

Not doing something and being incapable of doing it are two different things.

Xiaoyu laughed again, "Prime Minister Li, I've said so much, but you still didn't listen!"

Ritual is like clothing. No matter how gorgeous the ministers' clothes are, can they use their clothes to make the government affairs they are responsible for better?
Of course, a renowned prime minister like Li Hongzhang, with sufficient ability, could also pursue fine clothing.

However, the elaborate costumes were never the main point.

Li Si said, "Only the best celestial master is worthy of the Great Qin."

The best Celestial Masters are not only proficient in various sacrificial rituals and capable of presiding over grand ceremonies, but also possess other Celestial Master techniques.

Xiao Yu sighed, "I'm ashamed! I'm far from being proficient in sacrificial rituals. Last time, when we offered sacrifices to Heaven, several masters taught me on the spot."

—Otherwise, why do you think I started with rituals? It's because I know you're no good, and I still want to shut down the True Man Sect!

A faint look of disdain appeared on Li Si's face. "Therefore, we need better Celestial Masters!"

Xiao Yu touched his nose and laughed, "Prime Minister Li is indeed an outsider. I am not familiar with complicated rituals, but I am the 'Number One Master Under Heaven' that you mentioned, with the bearing of an Ancestral Master."

Li Si was taken aback.

How can this guy be so shameless?
This is the imperial court! If she boasts in front of all the ministers, what will happen when word gets out? Doesn't she care about her reputation?

Xiaoyu gave a shy smile. "Prime Minister Li, go and ask your Taoist master friend."

Recently, my story has been circulating throughout the immortal realms of China, hasn't it?

Were they all shocked—Yu Fengxian was truly a born saint; her talent in the Celestial Masters sect was unprecedented?

Or they might marvel at how "Yu Fengxian possesses the bearing of the Celestial Master."

Even the Empress Dowager on the dragon throne felt embarrassed for her.

The courtiers whispered among themselves, pointing and whispering about her.

Li Si's expression became uncertain.

Lao Ai, sitting below the dragon throne and on the steps, also frowned.

After a moment of silence, Li Si slowly said, "To call it 'the Immortal Realm of the Divine Land' is somewhat of an exaggeration."

However, within the Guanzhong region, in the Huashan Immortal Abode, there are indeed Qi cultivators who, unaware of the truth, are making wild guesses.

Xiaoyu didn't want to waste any more time arguing with him, so she asked directly, "What exactly is Prime Minister Li trying to say? We can't exactly be discussing legends about me in court, can we?"

Li Si, holding his official tablet, bowed to the Empress Dowager and said, "I believe that the Imperial Observatory cannot be without a Grand Tutor for even a day."

Now that Lord Meng Zhenjun has resigned his post, the court should issue a public notice to the world, inviting virtuous people from all realms to come to Xianyang to support the Qin dynasty.

The Empress Dowager looked at Xiaoyu expressionlessly and asked, "Master Yu, what do you think?"

—I think you're a bunch of ungrateful idiots!

Xiaoyu muttered to herself.

(End of this chapter)