From street beggar to high-ranking official

Chapter 50 Born with a Killing Face

"This way, Supervisor Liu." Lu carefully helped the old man, whose wealth was worth a thousand taels of silver.

An old man is certainly not worth that much money, but inviting someone into the palace requires approval from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs. It involves connections and procedures, and the total cost can easily reach four figures.

There are people in the Imperial Observatory who can tell fortunes, but it is a popular job. Princes, princesses, and even some princes have all asked for it. However, Lu Li's requirements are a bit special. No matter what terrible omen Liu Jiancheng sees, he has to boast that the mother and son are of one mind and that the dragon's fortune has been entrusted to him.

It seemed that when Imperial Physician Zhang was treating her, Supervisor Liu had never even seen Consort Wu's face before. He was also looking at a painting, which also included the lines on his palm for identification.

Lu Li stared at the old man with white hair and age spots on his face, hoping that this man would not say the wrong thing. He had heard that Supervisor Liu was a senior member of the Imperial Observatory and could read palms, faces, and had a unique bone structure.

Originally, Lu Li wanted to find someone casually, but after listening to his godfather's advice, he learned that the more famous the person, the better, because the more famous they were, the more convincing their deception would be.

The key here is not to make everyone believe the fortune teller's words, but to make Consort Wu believe the words of Supervisor Liu.

"A face without any lines indicating harm to offspring, a deep and long philtrum without any blemishes, thick and smooth earlobes without any defects, and a forehead with a jade-like luster—this is the appearance of someone who cherishes a pearl and reflects the moon. A double phoenix pattern appears on the left hand's Kun position, and a Qilin halo appears on the right hand's Zhen position, forming an auspicious dragon and phoenix configuration. The Kan water lines in the palm are clear, deep, and unbroken, indicating that the foundation of offspring is as solid as a rock."

"Does the fortune teller mean that I will definitely give birth to a dragon son in the future?!" Consort Wu exclaimed in surprise through the curtain.

Liu Jiancheng didn't finish his sentence: "As the saying goes, the moon wanes when it is full, and water overflows when it is full. Relying solely on medicine is ultimately just borrowing from external things. Your Majesty already shows signs of being of one mind with your son, so why seek anything else?"

"The timing, location, and people are all auspicious. The Empress is favored by His Majesty during the Mid-Autumn Festival and is pregnant with a child. Her face is full of life. This is the timing. She sits alone in Jingyang Palace, which is located in the north and east. There is the auspiciousness of the sun rising in the east and sitting in the north looking south. This is the location. Only the people are missing!"

""

Upon hearing this, Lu Li wanted to applaud Supervisor Liu. Even Consort Wu smiled and immediately agreed, saying, "Indeed, if it weren't for these troublesome servants, why would I have to worry for so long?"

Supervisor Liu and Clerk Lu were immediately rewarded.

On the way out of the palace, Lu Li slipped another small red envelope to Supervisor Liu: "Thank you for your kind words, Supervisor Liu. Consort Wu is worried about the imperial heir; if it weren't for Supervisor Liu..."

'

"You flatter me, Eunuch Lu," said Supervisor Liu, waving his hand tremblingly. "Consort Wu is destined to give birth to the emperor's heir, and even without me, that possibility remains unchanged."

Lu, the official, asked in surprise, "Is that really so?"

"I'm not talking nonsense; I only consider the people involved," Liu, the supervisor, said meaningfully. "Since you're already here, I'll also take a look at Eunuch Lu's fortune."

Lu Li was not really convinced. In the past, he would have thought that the princes and imperial concubines in the palace were born holy. Now he realized that he was just ignorant and shallow in the past. However, just as he was about to refuse Liu Jiancheng, he said seriously, "One cause and one effect is predestined! My invitation to read the Empress's fortune is the cause, and reading Eunuch Lu's fortune is the effect."

,

Lu Li didn't understand the cause and effect relationship, but seeing that Supervisor Liu insisted, he couldn't refuse, so he decided to just take it as an opportunity to broaden his horizons.

So the two of them sat facing each other in a secluded courtyard.

A pair of rough, large hands covered Lu Li's palms. The calluses made Lu Li think that what was rubbing him was some kind of rough leather. Then, the leather landed on his face and was rubbed and pinched.

"A golden knife-like pattern running through the palm does not necessarily indicate ferocity; clear, deep, and unbroken horizontal lines, combined with a soft palm shape, indicate pioneering ability."

"Eyes showing three whites, but gray pupils like a misty leopard, this is the intention of a gentleman's transformation like a leopard. Cheekbones are the peak of power, which should be hidden in flesh. If they are solitary and lack flesh, ancient books say that they are lonely and unable to get along with their relatives."

,

After muttering a long speech, Supervisor Liu asked, "Did Eunuch Lu's family suffer a complete loss of life?"

Lu Li nodded.

"Has Eunuch Lu ever personally killed his enemies, showing no hesitation in murder, and even having a penchant for killing?"

He did kill someone, but he did hesitate for a moment. As for his penchant for killing... who wouldn't be happy to see their enemy die in front of them?

After listening to Lu Li's answer, Supervisor Liu pondered for a moment and said, "The golden knife pattern on your palm still indicates a chance for change; the three self-revealing features in your eyes suggest a leopard-like transformation. However, your unique and unyielding nature cannot be changed. Eunuch Lu should refrain from committing any more killings in the future to avoid violating the laws of fate."

Lu, the official, scoffed, "Is there really such a thing as changing one's fate?"

"Eunuch Lu has horizontal lines on his palms, a naturally murderous look, and cheekbones that indicate a spendthrift nature. One of the three omens has already come true. If this gentleman undergoes a transformation, there will be a turning point," Supervisor Liu reminded him.

Lu Li didn't quite understand what "a gentleman's transformation" meant. Liu Jiancheng explained it simply, meaning to restrain one's true nature, change one's previous fierce behavior, and not go far even if there are piles of corpses on the road.

"Thank you for the suggestion, Supervisor Liu." After listening, Li Lu continued to escort Supervisor Liu to the gate of the Forbidden City before leaving.

With someone waiting for Liu Jiancheng outside, the apprentice helped his master walk slowly, asking, "Master, has this karmic debt been settled?"

"It's over, and I've tried to persuade him." Liu Jiancheng's tone was calm, yet somewhat unwilling: "It's just a pity that a beggar like me entered the palace, and he had no choice in his own life!"

'

"Master, is it really that difficult to change one's fate?" The disciple understood his master's intention. The art of physiognomy, when taken to its extreme, has become both illusory and mysterious, and is almost incomprehensible to ordinary people.

"Supernatural powers are ultimately no match for destiny," sighed Liu Jiancheng.

Inside Jingyang Palace, thanks to the results of Prime Minister Liu's magic, Consort Wu was unusually happy for a day. She even stayed up late tonight, taking a stroll in the small courtyard of Jingyang Palace to relax, attended by eunuchs and maids.

Consort Wu rarely takes a walk to admire the moon; she usually stays in her quarters reading and painting at this time of year, so it's rare for her to be in such a good mood.

Holding a pearl and reflecting the moon, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Consort Wu became increasingly convinced that the moon was the source of her own fortune. It was precisely because she usually went to bed early and rarely saw the moonlight that she was so restless.

Following behind Consort Wu, Lu Li listened to her unusually rapid heartbeat and truly felt that Supervisor Liu's eloquence was indeed remarkable.

At the same time, she knew that this was all she could do in front of Consort Wu.

Consort Wu finally rested and went to bed at 11:45 PM.

The night passed exceptionally quickly.

As time went by, April arrived in the blink of an eye.

Xiaoman (Grain Buds)

Consort Wu's pregnancy was growing larger, and even Emperor Yongxi came to see her. Seeing that Consort Wu was full of vitality, he was very pleased and praised the servants in Jingyang Palace for their proper service.

As for how many palace maids and eunuchs Consort Wu punished and killed, those are minor matters.

In addition, Lu Li will soon have been in office for a year.

He had gradually become familiar with his own rhythm of life, clocking in every day, practicing his skills, and serving others. Because he had a lot more time, he almost naturally crossed the threshold of becoming a seventh-grade martial artist.

True Qi nourishes the five internal organs and six bowels, allowing one to work more and sleep less.

Summer brings not only pleasant temperatures and climate, but also mosquitoes.