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By the time Fu Xuan and Qingque reached Yu Que, it was already evening.
Fu Xuan suggested, "During our stay here at Yu Que, Qingque, you should reside with my family. It just so happens that this venerable one also needs to visit relatives."
Qingque hesitated slightly, "I-is that appropriate?"
"It's not a problem," Fu Xuan reassured her indifferently. "Yu Que is my hometown, after all; offering hospitality comes naturally. Plus, this will save on travel expenses, and the accommodations won't be any less comfortable than a guesthouse."
"Indeed." Fu Xuan paused briefly before adding, "Of course, your originally allocated travel allowance will still be provided as usual. You may use it at your discretion."
Qingque immediately cheered, "Yay! Long live the Grand Diviner!"
Just as expected, the Grand Diviner has such a kind heart!
Though strict in work, he truly is a great person!
[Fu Xuan (pondering): Hmm, rewarding with sweetness after demanding work... This approach indeed seems effective.]
[Qingque: ??? Are you using me for practice?!]
[Stelle: Amused.]
Qingque accompanied Fu Xuan to their home, marveling at how befitting it was for a renowned astrologer lineage—the grand residence truly exuded opulence.
First, they met Fu Xuan's father and some elder family members. Fu Xuan's father, a stern middle-aged man, despite not having seen his daughter in a long time, only inquired about her work at Luofu and her current well-being. At the end, he briefly mentioned that she should rest well now that she was home.
Fu Xuan responded accordingly, accustomed to such interactions. In contrast, Qingque felt somewhat nervous, standing tall and offering polite greetings.
The atmosphere relaxed considerably when they followed Fu Xuan's mother to a nearby room.
With a gentle expression and a smile in her voice, Fu Xuan's mother seemed approachable and warm-hearted. It was evident from their features that Fu Xuan closely resembled her, clearly indicating a mother-daughter resemblance.
[March 7th: Feels like Fu Xuan's family is very traditional, with a strict father and nurturing mother archetype!]
After exchanging pleasantries,
Fu Xuan's mother looked at Qingque. "Are you Xuan'er's friend?"
"Her...friend?" Qingque glanced at Fu Xuan, unsure.
Fu Xuan quoted an ancient saying, emphasizing that one should treat their subordinates as they would their friends.
It seemed like she acknowledged Qingque as her friend, yet also not quite so.
[Silver Wolf: ?? Isn't this classic tsundere behavior?]
[Fu Xuan: ? In a tsundere's eyes, everyone is a tsundere.]
[Silver Wolf: ???]
[Seele: Hahaha, totally owned!]
Following this exchange, Fu Xuan cleared her throat. "Also... ahem, Mother, with guests present, please refrain from using my pet name."
Fuxuan's mother feigned tears, "My dear, as you grow older, you're becoming more distant. It truly breaks my heart."
Feeling helpless, Fu Xuan replied, "Fine then. Call me whatever you wish."
[Stelle: LOL.]
[Qingque: LOL.]
[At the time, Qingque had to suppress her laughter and couldn't burst out, but now in the chat, she could finally let it loose.]
During their conversation, Qingque mentioned how Fu Xuan had told her about being apprenticed to a master.
Recalling the past, Fuxuan's mother said, "Ah, the story of Xuan'er becoming Su Qing the Grand Diviner's apprentice? That was over a hundred years ago..."
Seeing Qingque's keen interest, Fu Xuan's mother shared her perspective on the events at that time.
"I remember before Grand Diviner Su took on apprentices, he conducted thorough investigations of all potential candidates."
"For Xuan'er specifically, not only did he have detailed conversations with me and her father, but he also visited her school teachers, obtained her exam papers, and sought to understand her reputation. He examined every aspect, from academic achievements to character traits."
[March 7th: So he came fully prepared!]
[March 7th: By the way, Fu Xuan must have been the type to score perfect marks in every subject while at school, right?]
[Fu Xuan: Pretty much.]
[March 7th: Suddenly feeling curious, @Qingque, what were your grades like during school?]
[Qingque: ...Uh, I think...they were all just passing scores, around 60.]
[March 7th: Huh?]
[Sushang: All passing grades, impressive!]
[March 7th: No, no, no, consistently getting exactly 60 points isn't as simple as it sounds!!!]
Hearing these details from her mother, Fu Xuan was genuinely surprised.
Before taking her as his disciple, had her master really conducted such extensive research?
"I never heard my master mention these details." Fu Xuan, now intrigued, inadvertently asked, "Then what about our chance encounter in the courtyard?"
Fu Xuan's mother smiled. "How could it be a coincidence? Meeting randomly on the street is one thing, but encountering each other in your own backyard?"
Fu Xuan was momentarily speechless.
Yes, as her mother said, it was quite obvious in retrospect.
Yet, she only realized this now...
Her mother continued, "Do you remember why I sought you out that day?"
Despite boasting an excellent memory, Fu Xuan couldn't recall the specifics. She vividly remembered reciting The Profound Mysteries of Change word for word that day, but not much else.
"At the time, you were deeply immersed in divination books, hardly ever putting them down," Fuxuan's mother explained. "Even when Grand Diviner Su came to assess you, you were studying in the library."
"Grand Diviner Su observed from the doorway and insisted there was no rush, saying he would wait until you finished reading before discussing matters with you. He decided to go outside to the courtyard."
"But we couldn't let him wait too long. So, using the excuse that staying indoors all day wasn't healthy, I prompted you to take a stroll in the courtyard."
As she reminisced about her daughter's childhood anecdotes, Fu Xuan's mother smiled again. "Even then, you wouldn't let go of your book. You insisted on reading while strolling, leaving everyone at a loss."
[Bronya: Ha-ha-ha! Fu Xuan, you were quite the avid learner!]
[Qingque: Sweating.]
[Sushang: Sweating. +1]
[Seele: Sweating. +2]
Hearing her mother's story, Fu Xuan vaguely recalled those moments but still seemed puzzled. "Really?"
[Sparkle: ?? Fu Xuan: Y-yes, really?]
Fu Xuan's mother continued, "When Grand Diviner Su spoke with you, we were watching from afar, all quite anxious. Only after hearing his high praise did we finally breathe a sigh of relief."
When Fu Xuan recounted this past event to Qingque, it was through her own perspective and memories.
She had simply assumed their walk that day was a chance encounter, as if guided by some inexplicable fate, predetermined from the start. She believed her master only decided to take her as his disciple because the divination results foresaw these events.
Now, Fu Xuan realized that her master had already gathered extensive information about her beforehand. He even spoke at length with her parents and teachers from the academy.
So then...
Between his understanding of her and the divination results, which one truly was the decisive factor for accepting her as his disciple?
Fu Xuan shook her head, puzzled by why this suddenly bothered her.
She pressed further, "And after that? Were there any other events during my apprenticeship ceremony that I'm unaware of?"
Initially, it was Qingque who brought up this topic out of interest, but now Fu Xuan found herself eagerly questioning.
Qingque listened attentively on the side, relishing every moment. This time, she could enjoy the story without having to work—a real win-win situation.
[Stelle: Enjoying, huh? Qingque sure is the epitome of a dedicated spectator!]
Fuxuan's mother pondered for a moment before responding, "During your apprenticeship ceremony, everyone was present, so there likely isn't much you wouldn't know."
"I remember sitting beside you, watching as your eyes were fixed intently on the Grand Diviner's star chart, completely absorbed," Fu Xuan's mother continued. "Concerned about etiquette, I whispered to you several times, but you didn't respond. It wasn't until Grand Diviner Su Qing announced her intention to accept you as her disciple that you finally seemed to snap out of it."
[Himeko: Based on Fu Xuan's earlier account, I thought Su Qing was deeply engrossed in divination, oblivious to her surroundings.]
[Himeko: Now it seems like Fu Xuan might have been even more immersed than she was?]
[Stelle: Yes, yes indeed!]
[Qingque: Speaking of which, the Grand Diviner is always fully dedicated to her work now. I can imagine what she must have been like back then.]
Fu Xuan's mother added, "Oh, there's one detail, Xuan'er, that you probably weren't aware of.
"Before taking you away, Grand Diviner Su Qing specifically asked me if there were any particular things she should keep in mind regarding your upbringing."
"I told you then, please don't look back."
"Xuan'er, although you appeared strong at that moment, it was your first time leaving home, and feeling sad was inevitable. I asked Grand Diviner Su Qing not to turn around to bolster your resolve. Perhaps if he hadn't, you wouldn't have ended up crying..."
"Mother, there's no need to continue!" Fu Xuan abruptly interrupted, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his tone. "I understand what you mean now; when my master didn't look back, it was mainly... because he feared I might struggle with letting go."
[Sparkle: "Feared I might struggle," quite the euphemism!]
[Sparkle: @Fu Xuan, let's be honest, wasn't it just because he didn't want you to burst into tears?]
[Bronya: Sparkle always gets straight to the point!]
[Fu Xuan: ...@Black Swan, when will we get to see this Masked Fools simulation?]
[Firefly: +1, I want to watch too! Sparkle kept teasing me about it back then! Can't wait for my chance to return the favor!]
[Silver Wolf: +2]
[Kafka: +3]
[Jingliu: +4]
[A wave of agreement followed. Everyone wanted to witness whether Sparkle, who usually reveled in others' misfortunes, would still find amusement in this situation.]
[Sparkle: Hehe, I'm almost embarrassed now. Who knew I'd be so popular and well-liked??]
[Seele: Laugh, highly popular indeed.]
[Stelle: Laugh, well-liked, sure.]
[Black Swan: (Smiling) It will come, it all will. But probably not until Penacony arrives.]
On-site, Qingque couldn't possibly engage with Fu Xuan's antics like Sparkle did.
Instead, she pretended to admire the room's decorations.
From Qingque's expression, it seemed as if she was saying: Hey! Look at this, and over there too—how exquisite!
[March 7th: Ha ha, Qingque knows her social etiquette.]
[Stelle: As expected from a Diviner who manages to coast by while slacking off most of the time—her emotional intelligence and social skills must be top-notch!]
After some casual conversation, it grew late, and it was time to arrange accommodations for the night.
Naturally, Fu Xuan would stay in her old room.
She also arranged a nearby guest room for Qingque.
***
Fu Xuan hadn't returned home in twenty or thirty years, but her room still looked familiar, devoid of dust, indicating regular cleaning.
She took a stroll around the house.
First, she visited the study and found a copy of "The Mysteries of Divination Unveiled," which was well-preserved.
Fu Xuan opened the book, and as expected, every word felt deeply familiar. Having memorized it thoroughly, there was no need to carry it with her. She placed the book back in its original spot and continued strolling along the corridor.
At the place where she first saw Su Qing, Fu Xuan paused. She hadn't anticipated that returning home today would reveal such a contrasting perspective from her mother's viewpoint.
Times had changed significantly.
Externally, Fu Xuan hadn't altered much—still petite and delicate. However, her mindset and demeanor were vastly different from those days past.
On Xianzhou, plants have long lifespans. Although not yet in bloom, the plum trees matched her memories well enough.
Fu Xuan didn't enter the courtyard; she simply stood by the corridor, taking in the scene before her once again.
For a moment, Fu Xuan was lost in thought.
The scenery remained unchanged, but the old acquaintances were gone.
"...It matters not."
After a while, Fu Xuan turned to leave, her pink pigtails swaying alongside the flutter of her white dress.
As if speaking to herself or emphasizing her resolve, she murmured, "All these events belong to the past now."
Just minor discrepancies, after all.
Given the time that has passed,
dwelling on these thoughts serves no purpose anymore...
***
The next morning.
Fu Xuan and Qingque headed together towards Yu Que's Divination Commission.
The Divination Commission here differed significantly from Luofu's.
Qingque looked around with a mix of novelty and wonder, occasionally posing questions. Fu Xuan provided explanations, affirming that as the origin of the Divination Commission system, Yu Que indeed had much for Luofu to learn from.
With a hint of pride, Fu Xuan added, "Of course, thanks to this venerable one's efforts, Luofu's Indigent Observation Array is no less impressive than what you see here."
Qingque readily agreed. Having served as a diviner for over a decade, she was well aware of her own Grand Diviner's exceptional abilities.
While not precisely analogous to a branch office and headquarters, facing fellow diviners at Yu Que still made Qingque somewhat nervous. However, Fu Xuan remained remarkably composed.
Despite her petite stature, it did not diminish her presence or authority in the slightest. When interacting with Yu Que's Diviners, Fu Xuan displayed impeccable poise and gracious demeanor. As the Grand Diviner of Luofu, she naturally received the highest respect.
Interestingly, within the Yu Que Divination Commission, Fu Xuan often encountered acquaintances. Several times, upon spotting Fu Xuan from afar, individuals would excitedly approach to greet and converse with her.
Qingque thought to herself,
Can they recognize her from such distance? Well, the Grand Diviner is indeed quite distinctive...
Upon reaching the guest room, they were promptly introduced to the current Grand Diviner of Yu Que.
This visit was official business, so after exchanging pleasantries and sharing pre-agreed-upon materials, the conversation naturally shifted to catching up.
Qingque then realized that even the current Grand Diviner of Yu Que was acquainted with Fu Xuan!
[Stelle: Networking at its finest!]
[Himeko: After all, Fu Xuan was brought here by Su Qing and groomed as the next Grand Diviner. It's no surprise they're familiar with everyone around.]
While awaiting confirmation on some materials, the Grand Diviner of Yu Que intended to stay in the reception room with them.
However, Fu Xuan said, "No need to trouble yourself. As fellow Grand Diviners, I understand our work is demanding. Please attend to your duties; Qingque and I will wait here."
The Grand Diviner of Yu Que then rose and temporarily took their leave.
[Seele: Impressive! Not only is Fu Xuan composed on someone else's turf, but also considerate of their responsibilities!]
[Natasha: Looks petite yet truly remarkable~]
[Fu Xuan: ...As this venerable one has often emphasized, height isn't important. What matters are inner qualities, abilities, and character.]
[Stelle: Uh-huh (crosses arms), got it! Height doesn't matter at all!]
[Seele: You've got it again?]
[Silver Wolf: @Stelle, you're the tallest one here—what would you know?!]
[March 7th: Ha ha, the bitterness from little Silver Wolf!]
Noticing Fu Xuan about to resume her work, Qingque hastily interjected, "Grand Diviner! Didn't you say we should first finish our tasks before discussing future events? I've completed my assignment; could you please share what happens next?"
"...Oh right, there was indeed something like that."
Fu Xuan set aside the documents she had been handling.
Qingque had done well with her task, so Fu Xuan couldn't go back on her word.
After pondering for a moment, Fu Xuan continued, "Since we're here now, let me tell you about my early days learning divination under my master when I first joined the Jade Capital's Divination Commission."
Last night, Fu Xuan's emotions had been somewhat turbulent. But today, her expression remained remarkably calm as she recounted past events, as if she truly had let go of the past and regarded it all merely as bygone history, no longer dwelling upon it.
[March 7th: So from this, it seems...]
[March 7th: Perhaps the bond between Fu Xuan and Su Qing as master and disciple wasn't particularly strong?]
[Black Swan: Hold on, let's see how things unfold further.]
[Silver Wolf: ?]
[Silver Wolf: Isn't the story starting thirty years after Su Qing's death already?]
[Silver Wolf: If anything needs time to develop, these bullets have been flying for thirty years! That's three whole decades—surely nobody could be that oblivious, right?]
[Sparkle: Well, who knows!]