A beautiful woman with features that nobody could locate came into the Hall... She walks on the floor as if she was hopping on water, her bare feet moving silently and the golden chains at her ankles tinkling like a fairy's laugh. Blue see through veils embraces each of her legs and silvery pants lays underneath, the belly exposed and hundred of chains with jewels circled her hips. White hair and red juicy lips formed the shape on an O when stopping in front of the Emperor, her hand risen high above her head as an eccentric introduction.
Everyone is still silent and completely mesmerized by the beautiful creature in front of them, the Emperor himself had to gulp down and cough hard to hide his interest -Tell then, what is this woman supposed to do for me?- Wang Chia-Hao reaches an hand toward Xian Len and he "happily" rushes to grab his hand before letting the merchant hold his waist -She's a Fortune Teller from far away lands, I just happened to cross paths with this beautiful wild flower when going about my day and knew immediately that she wasn't just a beautiful woman. So what gift is better for a young Emperor than knowing what his future bears for him and his govern? She will read your fate using cards from a distant land, the Chinese astrology might not recognize this method but I assure you that it's just as effective... I encountered such things many times during my travels and it was always spot on-
The Emperor's eyes sparkles with desire for a moment and his older brother mentally throws up -Bring in a table for the woman to read my fate! Only the softest pillows and coziest blankets- orders the Emperor.
...
Soon after everything is ready for XianLen and Wang Chia-Hao let's go of his hand with a strong squeeze -Remember what we agreed on- he whispers and the Prince nods, holding back the desire to spit on the ground. XianLen goes to seat down and spins around elegantly before falling on the pillows, the Emperor quickly rushes down the stairs and joins him.
-If I like this beautiful woman can I keep it?- smirks the Emperor toward the Wang Chia-Hao -Although everything in this land belongs to you and each of your desires is an order, this woman is not on sale and probably counts quite a few years more than Your Majesty...-
Unhappy with the reply he calls over for his counselor -What should I do to keep her?- he whispered in his ears, making the 4th prince's intenses spin around in disgust as he catches his words perfectly anyway -I'm afraid we are in a though spot, Your Majesty. You cannot marry her not make her your concubine, you're yet unmarried so taking a commoner of low origins as a partner will only ruin your name and it will preclude many of your possible political alliances... Nor can you give her a job as your personal Astrologist since the Imperial Astrologists would be all against it- the boy grunts -Ah whatever! Let's just start!-
The woman begins mixing the cards and soon after she lays them out and start her divination session... Finally she turns around the first card, XianLen gulps down nervous while trying to maintain a composed expression -Why is it reversed? Turn it around, I can't see it properly- The Emperor tries to reach out and hand but Wang Chia-Hao stops him -In this kind of practice even the facing side of a card is relevant, Your Majesty... Let's hear what the reader has to say-.
-"The Emperor". This card would normally symbolize control and authority, but on reverse it means Tyranny along rigidity and coldness... This card reads that Your Majesty will not be a loved Monarch and will rule with no justice while putting heavy weights on his peoples, not caring at all about their cry for help- -You!- The boy's face furns red and he stands up, ready to hit the diviner but Ying SheGu moves forward, taking the hit himself... Wang Chia-Hao comes forward -Your Majesty, I acknowledge that this is your first time having your future read with tarots and have no idea of how this work... But please, don't hurt this woman in front of everyone and allow me to explain. 3 card will be taken and interpretations will be given for each one, but only once all 3 are out together will the divination be absolute. So just because one card had a negative meaning that doesn't mean it will end on a bad note, please allow her to go on- the Emperor rolls his eyes and seat back down.
Another card gets turned around, XianLen looks down and then lock eyes with the Emperor in a concerning way -"The Fool" reversed... Meaning: Recklessness, Inconsideration, beigh taken advantage of- She says the last words with a scary expression making chills runs down the Emperor's spine... Everyone starts feeling nervous at those words, waiting for her explanation, and the room almost seems to be getting smaller and one's heartbeat starts echoing in their ears -Not only does this mean that the person rushes into action without thinking but also brings torment to oneself not thinking about the outcome of their actions-
Everyone can agree that all the interpretations given up untill now we're accurate, but there's still one last meaning to be interpreted from the second card and it happens to be the one everyone's most curious about, she start talking again -But, although the person is reckless there is someone or something gaining benefit from them ruining themselves... Someone working behind the scenes and taking advantage of the person who so much believes to be almighty. Who or what that is I don't know- sweat start dripping from the boy's forehead and he grips the pillow corners under the table, he doesn't say anything and just nods to the woman to keep going. He doesn't even care about loosing face in front of everyone at this point but just want to know what will happen with his life.
Third card... XianLen remains silent for s few seconds with a shocked expression on "her" face, Wang Chia-Hao leans forward and look at the card with a grieve face -What? What is that card meaning? Why are you looking so... Weird now?!- his palms sweating too and the air heavy, making it hard to breathe for him -Read my card, I command you!- she nods and brings the card forward in front of him
-"Ten of Swords" upright...- a gray mist seems to seep into the Hall, an unknown strong wind start howling outside and the window doers bang open making some of the men jump scared, along the emperor who whimpers scared... The air becomes similar to that of a graveyard at night -Meaning: Failure, collapse, Defeat... Simply put, it means Death- -ENOUGH!- The Emperor jumps up and throws around the table with rage -You are just here to mock me!- -Doesn't Your Majesty want to know the interpretation?- asks XianLen and the Emperor looks are him with bloodshot eyes -You want me to play this stupid made up came with you? Fine! I'll play and prove how much I couldn't care less about it!- he seats back down.
-The final divination, according to the cards order representing the past present and future, is as it follows: You Majesty was a cold and rigid person who felt no warmth I'm his heart, this lead him to chose the path of tyranny not feeling any love for those he hurt...- Which XianLen knows very well how this is an accuse to him slaughtering his own family, his brothers and sisters, just for power
-... Currently Your Majesty is making wrong choices and is bringing even more shame to himself with his actions. But that is exactly what someone else wants, playing straight into their plan since your ruin will bring them success...- This could refer to all the Nobles who take advantage of The Emperor's uncaring eyes to kill eachother and aim for his throne, all while he himself ruin his own name and forms apart the country. But it could also hint to something else, something that Wang Chia-Hao seems to know but haven't openly said.
With the desire to stab him into the heart with his own hands, the prince keeps going -... Lastly, the Emperor will fail whatever plan he has in mind or simply fail as a Ruler. That will bring him to his death- Declares Xian Len