Chapter 18: Indirect Inquiry, Consulting the Seeress!

Chapter 18

“Stop standing there like a fool and get busy. We don’t need to prepare dinner tonight—your father has found something delicious for you all!”

Seeing the little boy dazed, Li Feng ruffled his hair again and then stepped out with Er Niu.

Along the way, Er Niu felt uneasy, a gnawing anxiety deep inside.

Had Father discovered that he had been influencing his younger siblings?

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to honor his grandparents, but they didn’t treat them like human beings.

If they weren’t regarded as people, how could they expect respect for the elderly and care for the young?

“Er Niu, are you sure you want to study now?” Li Feng’s voice sounded.

Er Niu came back to himself and looked up.

Before him, Father was a half-step ahead, hands clasped behind his back, standing tall and straight.

The sun was setting in the west, stretching Father’s shadow long and just covering Er Niu, like a towering tree shielding him from harm.

“Father…” Er Niu murmured, lost in thought for a moment.

Even years later, when he held a high position, whenever he saw Father, he would instinctively stand before him, shielding him from the harsh winds and frost.

“Hm?”

After walking a few steps, Father noticed Er Niu hadn’t kept up and stopped, glancing back.

That foolish boy, lost in thought again.

He moved on a couple of steps, saw Er Niu catch up, and said, “It’s never too late to study, as long as you have the heart.”

“Right now, your father hasn’t separated from your grandparents yet, so your schooling will have to wait.”

“But before you start, your father must teach you some truths!”

“For over ten years, you’ve been busy working the fields, with little exposure to the wider world. Today, I’ll take you to see something new!”

“Remember, if something can be solved with money, it’s not really a problem. Understand?”

Hearing this, Er Niu looked at Father with puzzled eyes. Was that really the truth?

The two of them chatted and laughed as they reached the edge of the village.

There stood a low, windowless house, dark and gloomy.

Er Niu hid behind Li Feng slightly.

This place was forbidden in the village—rumor had it the old woman inside could eat people.

No child in the village dared to come near.

Why was Father here? Was he going to hand him over to the witch?

Er Niu’s eyes darkened.

Li Feng knocked on the door.

After a long moment, a hoarse voice called out, “Come in!”

Li Feng glanced at Er Niu before they entered the cramped room.

It smelled unpleasant inside—a dizzying mix of various medicinal herbs.

Er Niu followed Father closely, cautiously eyeing the witch nearby.

The sight nearly frightened Er Niu to death.

The witch wore a wild pheasant feather headdress; her face was painted with strange, multicolored patterns. Combined with the deep lines of age, she looked eerie.

Li Feng was surprised at first but showed no fear.

He stepped forward, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, “We’d like to have a fortune told. Do you have time?”

The witch opened her cloudy eyes, looked at Li Feng, then pointed to a nearby bamboo basket.

Li Feng understood immediately and pulled out a handful of copper coins from his sleeve—at least twenty or thirty.

The coins clinked pleasantly against each other.

The witch’s eyelids twitched slightly.

Good. This one brought money.

Finally, not a bunch of poor souls!

Er Niu’s heart bled.

Such fine coins, and Father was giving them away?

Could wild boar and those other things be worth so many coins?

Although he hadn’t been to town much, he had heard his Third Uncle complain about how mercilessly high the trade taxes were.

If the family’s wealth wasn’t deep enough, paying taxes could crush the entire household.

Third Uncle had said life was becoming unbearable.

Father’s hunting trade was also taxed; with all these costs, how much could they actually keep?

But Father…

Looking at Father’s transformation, Er Niu moved his hand, then gave up. If they didn’t spend now, they’d have to pay Third Uncle later—might as well get it over with!

Li Feng sat up straight.

The witch held some unknown beads in her hand.

After a long pause, she spoke: “You are about to face great calamity…”

Li Feng instantly understood. He reached into his sleeve again and threw another handful of copper coins into the bamboo basket.

The clinking sound was especially pleasing.

The witch was speechless.

So straightforward?

“Cough, cough!”

Li Feng’s generosity left the witch somewhat taken aback.

After a while, she continued, “It’s not that there is no way to break the curse…”

This time, Li Feng took out a string of copper coins and slammed them into the basket.

“Thud!”

With a sudden sharp sound, the witch’s half-closed eyes snapped open. She glanced at the pile of coins, then quickly looked away.

Seeing the moment was right, Li Feng spoke, “Divine one, my family has been unfortunate lately. My father and mother have faced nothing but misfortune.”

“Whenever I come near them, they get hurt. Now they both lie bedridden.”

“It pains me deeply, and I have no other way but to come here to seek answers—how can I help my father and mother recover?”

“Divine one, if you have a solution, I am willing to pay any price. Please save them!”

Li Feng’s face was honest and sincere, his words heartfelt, leaving no suspicion.

The witch was stunned.

Was there such a devoted filial son in Li Family Village?

Lost in thought.

“Thud!”

Another muffled sound.

“Divine one, this is all I have left. Please have mercy and give me a way to break this curse!”

Li Feng’s expression was earnest as he looked reverently at the witch.

For a moment, the witch almost believed she truly was a divine being.

She sat confidently in her seat, frequently glancing at the bamboo basket. After a long moment, she said, “I understand your plea. Go back for now. I will perform my ritual, and in seven days, your family’s clouds will clear, and all will be well!”

“Thank you, divine one!” Li Feng bowed and quickly left with a bewildered Er Niu.

As they stepped outside, they heard clattering sounds from within.

Er Niu hesitated to speak.

Li Feng’s expression was unreadable.

“Father!”

On the way back, Er Niu could no longer hold back. He looked up at Father. “That witch is clearly a fraud. Why did you…”

Why give away all the family’s money?

“I thought you wouldn’t ask,” Li Feng said, turning to Er Niu. He suddenly wasn’t in a hurry to go home.

He was ready to teach his son.

If he wanted to lie back and live off his son, that son had to be capable.

They found a decent spot. With Er Niu’s help, Li Feng sat straight on Er Niu’s coat, while the boy squatted attentively by his feet.

It was a scene of fatherly kindness and filial devotion.

Looking at his obedient son, Li Feng asked, “How much did your father just spend?”

“More than two thousand big coins!” Er Niu replied.

“Do you think it wasn’t worth it?”

Er Niu pursed his lips, silent.

Without money, they’d be hungry again, right?

His face was full of gloom.

Though he had great ambitions, being trapped in this small place, unable to realize them, was suffocating.

He only wished for his family to live well—nothing more.

“Fish have their ways, shrimp have theirs. The witch may be a fraud, but she can help us get things done!”

“In five days, your Third Uncle will come home. Today, I gave the witch money and explained our family’s situation.”

“For money’s sake, the witch will spare no effort in investigating our affairs.”

“Your grandfather and grandmother’s misfortunes have long led them to seek divination.”

“Your Third Uncle’s examination is imminent. If your father has a bad fate, what do you think your grandparents will do?”

Er Niu pondered.

Then he looked up, eyes shining brightly at Father. “I see.”

“But…” After understanding, Er Niu furrowed his brows even tighter. “If Father has a plan, why not just tell the witch clearly and let her help us succeed?”

Why make things so complicated?

“Because your father wants to leave with a clean reputation. If you want to study, you must not carry any ill repute!”

“They are your grandparents. If I resorted to bribery, it would add risk. If it were exposed later, what would you do?”

“Everything must be done cautiously. Until you have the power to deal with anyone, everything must be flawless—no mistakes, no clues for others to seize.”

“You must learn to adapt to circumstances and avoid staining yourself with dirt. Understand?”

“Today, although your father spent money, he gained a reputation for pure filial piety. When your grandparents come and mention this, the witch will understand.”

“At that time, with your grandparents and your Third Uncle, the witch will help us achieve our wishes.”