Xiao Baoshan said, “Wait a second. I’ll just go down to arrange something.”


  According to Ye Xiaoxian’s script, she was to act as the Avalokiteśvara (a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas), so she had covered herself entirely in white clothes, dressed up just like the bodhisattva in those portraits.

  As for Xiao Baoshan, he was responsible for being a lookout and covering her. After a short while, Xiao Baoshan got up again. He told Ye Xiaoxian, “Everything’s in order. You can get down now.” Xiao Baoshan then held Ye Xiaoxian’s waist and flew down to the yard.

  A household like that of Jia Zhenbo’s family did not have many guards. They had at most one or two night-watch servants who would merely look around by the gate rather than go patrolling throughout the property. Therefore, it would be easy to slip into Jia Zhenbo’s room……

  Jia Zhenbo had been sleeping soundly but something suddenly struck him and he woke up. He felt a gust of blowing on his face and then heard a woman’s voice. “Jia Zhenbo, Jia Zhenbo.” Her voice was gentle and also very benevolent.

  Jia Zhenbo turned over and saw “Avalokiteśvara” sitting about one meter away in front of his bed. Despite the silk crepe bed curtain between them meaning that he could not see her face clearly, still, she must be Avalokiteśvara herself judging from her appearance. She was in the same kind of white dress with the same kind of head accessories. She also had a vase in her hands and was perched on the lotus seat.

  He was so taken aback that he was going to get out from behind the bed curtain and worship Avalokiteśvara.

  Ye Xiaoxian quickly said, “You do not have to come out or pay your respects to me. I shall leave after giving you my instructions.”


  “What, what is it?” asked Jia Zhenbo.

  People in this era revered gods and spirits a great deal. Not only in this era but even in modern times, Ye Xiaoxian could manage to fool others by dressing in such a way.

  Ye Xiaoxian said in a gentle voice, “I am here to inform you that the girl from the Liu Family who you had a blind date with days ago is the person you are destined to be with. If you marry each other, it will be a heavenly match. If you have a son in the future, he will be the incarnation of the Megrez star (believed to be in charge of wisdom in Chinese folklore).

  “The incarnation of Megrez? You mean he will come first in the highest imperial examination?” asked Jia Zhenbo.

  “It depends on how you raise him. Fine, I have finished giving my instructions and you must obey me. Never disobey your destiny or listen to other petty men’s slanderous talk. Tomorrow afternoon you will go to the lotus pond outside of the town where you will meet the person of your destiny.”


  After Ye Xiaoxian finished, Jia Zhenbo was again struck by something and then fell asleep immediately.

  Ye Xiaoxian saw this and asked Xiao Baoshan, hidden in the darkness, “Baoshan, did I do well? Did I look like the real Avalokiteśvara?”


  Xiao Baoshan walked out. He packed things up for Ye Xiaoxian while saying, “You were so accurate. I wonder if you were happy putting on the show?”


  “I’m so happy. I’m so happy and excited! I’m also very satisfied and entertained!” Ye Xiaoxian said proudly.

  “I’m glad you’re happy!” Xiao Baoshan did not mind tidying things up for Ye Xiaoxian at all.

  Ye Xiaoxian’s “lotus seat” was also made by him. He had decorated it with many lotus flowers picked at the lake. When they tidied things up, it seemed that Ye Xiaoxian did not notice that a petal fell onto the floor and was left in Jia Zhenbo’s room……

  When Jia Zhenbo woke up, he at once felt that he had headache. It seemed like he had been hit by something between his eyebrows. When he touched there, it was a bit swollen. He then remembered Avalokiteśvara.

  Had Avalokiteśvara really visited? No way! Was it a dream?

  Thinking about it, ‘what had the bodhisattva said to him again?’