Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 68 Good luck
Zhang Dai was quite interested in ancient rituals of fasting and offering sacrifices. Apart from the superstitious undertones, they were also a form of traditional culture, reflecting the ancient philosophical thinking of the connection between heaven and man...

Well, he just wanted to watch the fun. Later, he also saw some religious ritual performances at some tourist attractions, but they were often too commercial and lacked the solemn sense of ceremony.

The ritual held at the Qiwang Mountain Pavilion today was presided over by Sima Chengzhen, the most famous Taoist priest in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. The purpose was to exorcise evil spirits and prolong the life of the prince. Such things were not often seen, and Zhang Dai naturally wanted to broaden his horizons.

However, the attic on the west side had been surrounded and blocked by the servants of Prince Qi's mansion, so Zhang Dai could no longer climb up to see it. He could only look at the so-called star lights that were lit one after another in the attic on the east side and imagine it.

At this time, Ding Qing outside the building shouted again that there was a visitor. Zhang Dai went out to see, and saw Gao Lishi striding towards him, followed by two Taoists in robes. One had white hair and looked very old but still energetic and walked steadily, while the other wore a veil hat and looked like a woman from her posture and gait.

He was about to raise his hand in greeting, but Gao Lishi stopped him, gesturing for them to go inside and talk. They entered the hall, where armored soldiers immediately stood guard at the entrance. Gao Lishi raised his hand, pointed at the two people behind him, and introduced them, "This immortal is the Great Master Daoyin of Wangwu Mountain..."

After hearing this, Zhang Dai was immediately filled with awe and quickly saluted the old Taoist priest with white hair and a youthful face.

The Tang Dynasty established Taoism as the state religion, and Sima Chengzhen was a very famous Taoist priest during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, of course, only within the religious community. If we talk about the identity of a Taoist priest, then Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was also a Taoist priest, Yang Yuhuan was also a Taoist priest, and Li Bai was also a Taoist priest. As long as you receive the Taoist certificate, you are a Taoist priest.

Sima Chengzhen nodded to Zhang Dai, and Gao Lishi pointed to another person wearing a veiled hat and introduced her, "This one is the Princess Yunyang, the beloved daughter of Prince Qi. She dedicated her life to Taoism in exchange for the blessing of her family. You can call her Yunyang Zhenren."

As Gao Lishi spoke, the girl had already lifted the veil covering her head and face, revealing the beautiful face that Zhang Dai had once glimpsed in the palace and mistaken for an immortal, and which had also appeared in his dreams. Zhang Dai was slightly surprised by the sight, "Yun, Master Yunyang..."

A sudden realization dawned on Zhang Dai, who quickly regained composure and shifted his gaze away from the girl's pretty face. He then looked at Gao Lishi, whom he was most familiar with, and said, "The ceremony seems to be about to begin. Do you have anything else you need my help with?"

Gao Lishi nodded upon hearing this, but before he could say anything, the Princess of Yunyang, who was worried about her father's condition, spoke first, "I do have a request. Today, I need to perform a ritual for those whose horoscopes match the family's fate, and pray to the astrological officials for blessings and protection for the patient. I had everything ready, but something unexpected happened, and I need to find someone to take my place. I'm in such a hurry, and I don't know where to turn, but my brother is here. Could you please do it for me?"

The girl's voice was a little hurried and hoarse, but still coherent. Although Zhang Dai didn't understand the matter of fasting and offering sacrifices, after listening to it, he realized that it might be because she happened to be on her menstrual period, so she had to find someone else to replace her.

If it were anything else, Zhang Dai would have agreed, but how could he agree to something like this? If he could help, it would be fine, but if he couldn't, what would the family think? No, even if he helped, it wouldn't be okay!
Thinking of this, Zhang Dai couldn't help but secretly glance at Gao Lishi. You knew about this, so you told me to stay, right? But this was just a thought. Even if Gao Lishi was so perverted as to count the county lady's menstrual periods on his fingers, he couldn't have predicted that he would come here today.

He looked troubled and remained silent for a long time. Gao Lishi, standing beside him, said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty is the Saint's beloved brother. Since falling ill, the Saint has been uneasy and worried day and night. I happened to be in such a difficult situation. If I refuse to help, I'm afraid your parents will not forgive me!"

The Yunyang County Lady even wanted to bow down and kowtow, but Zhang Dai naturally couldn't bear it and quickly dodged. Then, with a look of worry on his face, he said, "I know what Duke Bohai said, but I'm just in a hurry and worried about not being thorough. If it doesn't work out, my guilt is a small matter. The safety of Your Majesty is the most important. I really don't dare, I really don't dare..."

"Brother Shi, you worry too much. My illness has lasted until now, and human efforts have exhausted all possible means, so we must rely on divine will. However, my family still harbors some reluctance, hoping for a little favor. This is a one-in-a-million chance. If it succeeds, the whole family will be happy. If it doesn't, it's fate."

Besides my brother, there are many other talented young men from the clan involved today. I am deeply grateful for your help. If my brother is willing to help, how could I dare to blame him for the success of this matter?

The Princess of Yunyang County was now in tears and spoke with a sad face.

The old Taoist priest Sima Chengzhen also spoke up, "Today's ceremony is just the best we can do, and we'll leave it to fate. We try our best, but success or failure depends on fate."

Zhang Dai saw that he couldn't refuse anymore, so he could only nod and agree.

When he heard Sima Chengzhen asking about his birth date, he called Yingniang over to tell him. Sima Chengzhen listened and recited silently for a long time. Zhang Dai saw this and asked again, "Excuse me, immortal, is there anything wrong with my birth date?"

"It was indeed a hidden danger, but now it is all gone. Good times are coming, good luck!"

Sima Chengzhen slowly opened his eyes, looked at the expectant young man and spoke softly.

Zhang Dai was also somewhat surprised and confused after hearing this, not sure whether this old Taoist priest was really capable or just trying to be mysterious. The saying "after adversity comes good fortune" was not wrong, it was literally true. After overcoming the test of life and death, he changed his name to Zhang Dai, which meant good fortune!
Next, Sima Chengzhen asked him how his diet was today. Although the current Taoist rituals were not as strict as those in later generations in terms of food taboos, some attention still needed to be paid.

Zhang Dai had been very busy recently, with no time for a big meal. Even today, he'd only eaten a few eggs while visiting his grandparents in the morning, then rushed back and forth to the neighborhood. He hadn't eaten lunch or dinner yet, and was still trying to figure out what to eat. But now he didn't have to worry about dinner anymore. Sima Chengzhen had someone bring him a wine made from cypress fruit and other herbs, and then he made him chug several large bowls straight away. Then his stomach started rumbling, and he had to run to the restroom twice before being ordered to bathe. After more than half an hour of tossing and turning, he was even dressed in a Buddhist robe. He felt completely rejuvenated, and even walking felt like he was floating in the air, his eyes dizzy.

"The county lady will stay here for now. When the time comes, go up to the tower with Zhang Lang. Zhang Lang will take the star seat, and the county lady can sit facing him."

After Sima Chengzhen gave some instructions, he hurried back to the pavilion on Qiwang Mountain to preside over the fasting and prayer ceremony, and Gao Lishi followed him.

"If anything I say or do is inappropriate later, please remind me, County Lady, Immortal. I've never experienced these fasting and prayer ceremonies before, and I'm really nervous."

Zhang Dai really couldn't bear the responsibility for the success or failure of King Qi's life extension. Now he was forced to do it, and he looked at the girl sitting opposite him with some trepidation and said.

"Brother, you can call me by the common name, or Yuniang. This isn't the first time we've met. I've heard about your deeds in the palace a few days ago, and I admire you deeply. I also hope to be able to save my loved ones from danger like you did, but it seems that it's really difficult to describe your filial piety."

The Yunyang County Lady didn't have the overbearing airs of a woman of the royal family, nor was she coy. Although there was an undisguised sadness between her brows and eyes, her speech was still graceful and elegant. This also made Zhang Dai feel a little relieved. At least this county lady was not the kind of person who would make unreasonable demands.

The two were not familiar with each other, and now they were waiting for the fasting and offering ceremony to begin with a solemn mood. After exchanging a few words, they fell silent.

Time passed quietly, and after a while, the Yunyang County Lady suddenly said to the maid beside her, "I'm a little thirsty. Go back and get me some drinks. Make sure you get the wrong ones, and make sure they're what you've been drinking recently."

After hearing this, the maid hurried out, and the room fell into silence again. After more than a quarter of an hour, the maid hurried back, holding a large silver bottle in one hand and a cup in the other.

When the drink in the silver bottle was poured out, a sweet and delicious aroma filled the room. Zhang Dai couldn't help swallowing when he smelled it.

He had just been forced to drink several bowls of cypress wine, and then had diarrhea and took a bath. He was a little thirsty now, but he was too embarrassed to ask for it.

"You guys should withdraw and don't disturb the ceremony. Brother Shi and I will wait here."

The girl drank several cups of drinks in a row without giving way to Zhang Dai. When she was full, she waved her hand to signal the maids to leave, and the silver bottle was taken away with her. Zhang Dai felt unhappy when he saw this.

After everyone had left, perhaps feeling a little awkward sitting alone with a stranger, the Yunyang County Lady stood up and slowly paced around the room. As for Zhang Dai, he remained seated, fearing that something might go wrong later in the ceremony.

Suddenly, he heard some strange noises behind him. Turning around, he saw the county lady standing in a corner, vomiting with her hands covering her mouth and stomach. He quickly stood up and said, "The county lady seems to be feeling uneasy. Should I call the waiter?"

"No, no need! I just had a stomachache after a few days of fasting. It's nothing serious. The ritual is more important."

Upon hearing this, Princess Yunyang quickly raised her hand, took a deep breath, and wrapped up everything she spit out with a brocade handkerchief, not throwing it away carelessly.

If you don't eat and drink so many beverages during your period, you will definitely have a stomachache.

Seeing that she had stopped vomiting, Zhang Dai thought that she was fine, so he sat back down.

When he saw that the county lady had properly put away the handkerchief and not thrown it away anywhere, he felt that this girl was not completely useless besides her beauty. At least she was hygienic and polite, and her visit would not cause too much trouble to the host.

He hadn't been sitting here for long when the clear and melodious sound of jade chimes suddenly rang out from outside. Immediately, a Taoist priest came in and said, "Master, you may go up to the tower with Master Zhang."

(End of this chapter)