Emperor's Cunning Wife

One could only widen his sight when looking at things to see the answers that one seeks. For an instance, in a poker game, if one wanted to win, one should not focus on the dealer's cards or spy at other's cards, or end up caught with cheating. Instead examined the opponents, their every movements and expressions because by doing so, you could tell the cards they held. This is the same way for reading people; there are all sorts of information and stories just looking at their faces, how they dress, and their conducts and so on, and most importantly the first impression is usually pretty accurate.

When Ning Lou referred the clothing store to be 'decent', what she meant was a place where she could bargain. She was going to take advantage of the store's lack in customers. There were dusts on some corners on the counter and under the poles where the sewed dresses were displayed. In addition there was no sign of shoe prints on the floors coming in from the outside, they mostly can be found lingering near the counter and beside the entrance, and these shoe prints were only of two sizes specifying the number of people.

"My eyes can see what others could not, and since childhood this grandpa could read others' fortune just by looking at them." Ning Lou titled her head while rubbing her chin and recalled an old memory.

She hasn't done fortune telling in ages, so she could only come up with some things that she could remember.

Owner Han had seen her ability to read fortunes and felt he could at least ask her for some help. This was also the same for Little Ou, his heart had been clawed already, and he was only waiting for the owner's decision.

"Then does exalted monk have some ways to get rid of the bad luck?" Owner Han inquired the tone tinge with anxiety.

Little Ou also sharpened his ears. The owner took the words right out of his mouth!

"As I've said before, purifying requires energy. This grandpa is afraid that by the time the ritual is done, my body will be out of any pure energy unless…" Ning Lou pounded her palm; his gaze went towards the stores interior looking for something that she could use. She closed her eyes and roamed while inhaling some air seemingly sensing something oozing with the energy she needed.

"Unless what?" Owner Han asked, excited and curious. His restless hands opened and closed dearly waiting for Ning Lou's next words.

"This grandpa sensed some holy things filled with energy, if owner can part with it. This grandpa can use it to replenish some energy with the help of Old Zhang." Ning Lou looked at the direction of the counter.

"But…..this one can't give it to exalted monk." Owner Han's brows wrinkled evidently expressing his refusal. Based on his reactions, he clearly knew what thing Ning Lou was referring to. He was astonished as to how the monk could guess that there was a holy item inside the shop. His eyes flew to a direction behind the counter and felt that there was not even a clue to give outs its location.

Ning Lou raised her eyebrows after confirming her conjectures. The two pairs of shoes never intersected at the counter which means the owner forbade the server from accessing that part. But, a store with a bleak future, the owner would not get too invested on it, he would be absent from the counter on some time, and when that happens the young man would be in charged. However, that was not the case, this owner probably forbid the young man for some reasons. A store not going well could have that much money to tempt the young man, so there must be some valuables, and these valuables must be related to holy items that can ward off evil spirits.

Ha! Ha!

Little Ou on the side listened to them talking and didn't have a single idea.

"This grandpa knows what you're worried about. Don't worry this Grandpa is not even interested in that thing; this grandpa is only after its pure essence. You can get back that thing after I extracted the energy. This grandpa will leave it that Zhang guy." Ning Lou finished speaking, her expression full of disdain as if Owner Han's precious heirloom was nothing but an ordinary thing in her eyes.

"Exalted monk really knows High Priest Zhang?" Owner Han once asked again. His eyes sparkled catching Ning Lou off guard.

"Not only does this grandpa know that Old Zhang, I also know that Abbot He, and that bunch of bald headed old monks, and not to mention those little radishes that sprouted out of nowhere. Wait, why is this grandpa reminiscing those old guys who doesn't want to cultivate? Alright, stop asking unwanted memories, or I'll walk out the door." She coughed calming her mind again. It seemed this guy had some dealings with that Zhang guy.

In conning one must fool oneself in order to fool others. These barrages of comments that came out of her mouth signified different meaning to the listeners' ears. Her voice exuded confidence, not even a police officer could detect any anomalies, much less these two whose minds were warped by desperation leading people to believe in superstitions. Science and logic had not been introduced in this era, so she could guess how people live these days. The earlier scene of Brother Qian and the others bootl.i.c.k.i.n.g through palmistry further solidified her assumptions.

Owner Han heard her rude remarks towards the reputed priest and his expression eased a little bit. High Priest Zhang had a prestigious reputation among the masses, so her using him as an affiliation could ease his mind. Plus, he remembered that today seemed to be the monthly fate readings, so this monks' arrival must be partly because of that, and could it really be as High Priest Zhang said?

"Then, can exalted monk wait a little bit and let this one get that thing?"

Little Ou observed them once again talked about thing. His eyes filled with wonder. He basically had heard of monks cultivating immortality and instantly awed by this grandpa's accomplishment. To be able to retain youth and read fortunes, he was bursting with admiration.

Ning Lou waved her hand to excuse the Owner.

The young man immediately grabbed the chance to ask Ning Lou's thought on his fortune. "Grandpa, am I able to enjoy a good life after warding off the bad luck?"

"Young man, this grandpa's clothes got messed up by you. This old man didn't even charged you with the consultation fee for the divination a while ago and now this old man's robe got affected by your bad luck. How will you compensate this old man?" Ning Lou grabbed a hold of the corner of her robe stained by snouts and tears, her face full of disgusts.