During the day, Liu Qingxi went to Longhua Temple, and at night she fell into a dreamscape.

In the dream, during the Mid-Autumn Festival of when she was seven years old, she met Shen Chen for the first time, an encounter she slowly forgot. To her, he was just the grandson of a servant, with both parents deceased, someone who couldn’t help her rise further, naturally dispensable.

What truly made her take notice of him later was an incident involving a fortune-teller who read Shen Chen’s fortune on the street. After the man left, Shen Chen was murmuring to himself, unable to believe what he’d heard.

Liu Qingxi accidentally witnessed this moment. Shen Chen, with his rosy lips and white teeth, left an impression on her. Out of curiosity, she stepped forward to inquire about the fortune-teller’s remarks. The old man with the white goat beard solemnly said, "The young gentleman who passed by just now, I read his fortune, and he will be someone extraordinary, brilliant beyond imagination."

She sneered, "You sure have a way with humor, old sir. Do you know his background?"

The fortune-teller stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Of course I know. Born under the Lone Phoenix star, facing a childhood fraught with difficulties, he is bound to endure countless hardships. Only with the advent of the Star of Fortune can relief come. Unfortunately, the Star of Fortune hasn’t appeared amidst the Daqing Dynasty. Even if he reaches a high official position, he will still be alone."

The old man’s laughter faded, and his expression turned serious, "Young lady, judging by your demeanor, you’re acquainted with the young man who just passed. Today, by chance, I’ll share some insights with you."

Liu Qingxi looked at the old man with puzzled eyes, narrowing them slightly, and spoke clearly, "Oh, go ahead, tell me."

Her maid, Cai Yu, stepped forward to try to interrupt the fortune-teller’s theatrics, only to be stared back by her mistress.

The fortune-teller carried on unfazed, "The young gentleman just now will become the most powerful man in the Daqing Dynasty in the future. Just as the sharpness of the sword comes from honing, and the fragrance of plum blossoms emerges from bitter cold, he will endure hardships before achieving fame and success. Young lady, if you pay more attention to him, you might receive unexpected surprises."

In the shadowy corner.

A simply elegant girl in red stood in front of the fortune-teller’s stall, listening to his words, shaking her little head like a rattle drum, indicating disbelief.

The old man’s temper flared, eager to validate his claims. He insisted on reading Liu Qingxi’s fortune, pointing out a few major events, and all predictions came true.

Only then did she believe.

"That young man, once accomplished, even the emperor must defer to him in certain respects. Should he harbor ambitions for power, he will surely succeed in great undertakings. But he does not; as long as he stands beneath only one and above millions, he is content."

Cai Yu admired the old man’s eloquence, spouting vigorously, feeling as if the words were merely fabricated, ultimately unable to listen any longer, "Miss, I think he’s just making things up. Do not mind him. Isn’t Shen Chen someone you met before? I still remember. Isn’t he just the son of a housekeeper? I reckon he might occasionally run into you and could be colluding with this fortune-teller to fool you."

Liu Qingxi calmly said, "Too much talk. You’ll kneel in my garden for two hours tonight."

Despite being only seven or eight years old, her words carried not an ounce of childish naivety, only an unyielding authority.

The chatty handmaid’s face immediately turned pale, daring not to utter another word.

Liu Qingxi continued asking the fortune-teller about other matters, but he dared not speak further, lest revealing secrets of heaven might shorten his lifespan. He mentioned that in two years he might seek sustenance in Yan Country, as the Daqing Dynasty would not accommodate him in a few years.

After returning to the mansion, she paid attention to Shen Chen’s news, intentionally or unintentionally. Eventually, he passed the child student exam, achieving top honors, leading to minor interactions between them, and she started to approach him favorably.