Chapter 1

    During the day, when the sun was at its highest and most intense, the manor of a minor official was in a state of turmoil. The wife of the main household was about to give birth to her second child. The eldest young master, nearly four years old, was pacing back and forth in front of the birthing room, alternating with his father, the master of the manor, who kept sitting and standing. Meanwhile, the wife of the secondary household’s master was also heavily pregnant. Hence, everyone in the manor was busy, preparing things to ensure nothing would go wrong on this day.

    “Why hasn’t she given birth yet?” Gao Ximing asked in an anxious tone. The servants around him bowed their heads, with only the butler daring to answer his master’s question.

    “Master, please calm down a bit. Childbirth naturally takes time.” Upon hearing from his confidant, who was older and had more experience than him, he could calm himself down a bit.

    Gao Ximing took a deep breath, ignoring those around him, and focused again on the painful cries coming from the birthing room. He then glanced at his eldest son, who seemed just as excited.

    “Big Brother, how is Sister-in-law?” Gao Qingchao, his only blood brother, hurriedly joined them, looking startled. The elder brother turned to look at him before replying with a voice tinged with worry.

    “There’s no sign yet. I’m getting anxious. Why are you here? Isn’t Sister-in-law heavily pregnant too?”

    “She’s worried about you and Sister-in-law, so she sent me as her representative. Besides, Qingyan isn’t having any contractions yet. We thought it’d be better to come and check on you to put our mind at ease.” The second master sat next to his older brother. When they were close to each other, the servants couldn’t help but mentally compare the two. The First Master, strict and fitting his role as an official, albeit a low-ranking one, contrasted with the gentler Second Master, who taught scholars at a renowned academy.

    “Thank you, I’m really anxious.” Gao Ximing was unable to sit still. Seeing his elder brother's restlessness, the younger brother patted his broad shoulder gently.

    “Big Brother, you’ve once experienced having a child, yet you’re still not used to it. I’m about to have my first, and I’m trying to keep calm,” Gao Qingchao smiled relaxedly despite his previous words.

    “Sigh, unlike me, you’re able to remain calm.” Having someone to talk to, in order to pass the time, the anxious atmosphere subsided.

    As the two brothers conversed, the sun’s bright rays dimmed. This unusual phenomenon spread across wide area. Many villagers looked up at the sky. They then told each other to look at the midday’s sun, which was slowly being consumed by darkness, creating a sound of surprise and panic throughout the town, including at the manor, where they were all busy with the Furen’s birthing situation.

    The two brothers jumped up from the chairs and stared at the sun, now partially covered in black. The darkness was expanding, enveloping half of the sun. The midday light grew dim, eventually turning into total darkness. Villagers and townspeople lit torches to add to the brightness. Many started to whisper in fear of the unprecedented event.

The people in the Gao Manor could not spare much time to care about what had happened, as cries of pain filled the birthing room. Several maidservants carried basins of hot water into the room. Although Gao Ximing wanted to go in and see his wife and his child himself, the midwife and her assistants strictly prohibited men from entering the birthing room at the time. Hence, all he could do was crane his neck to see until...

    “Waah, waah, waah.” The cry of a newborn baby echoed through the room. The midwife then opened the door of the birthing room. The elderly woman cradled the tiny body wrapped in silk.

    “Congratulations, Master Gao Ximing. You have a daughter.” The midwife handed the newborn to the father, who looked delighted with his first daughter. The nearly four-year-old boy was also eager for his new younger sister. Gao Zhengwu tried to cling to his father to get a glimpse of the baby’s face.

    “So adorable, my daughter. Come, come, Zhengwu, do you want to see your little sister?” Gao Ximing crouched down so his son could join the admiration. That was when he saw Gao Zhengwu’s sparkling eyes.

    “Big Brother, you finally got the daughter you wanted.” Gao Qingchao looked at his little niece who had cried only at birth and was now so calm. She closed her eyes and seemed to be so sleepy.

    “Haha, now we have to get ready for your residence. Sister-in-law is heavily pregnant, and if the babies are born close together, they could grow up as close friends” The older brother, already a father of two, who was in a state of great joy, which helped ease the atmosphere around him.

    “Well then, I’ll go back to check on my wife. Please give my congratulations to Sister-in-law,” Gao Qingchao smiled, wanting his older brother to spend time with his family.

    “All right, all right. If Sister-in-law is close to giving birth, send someone to inform me, so I’ll come to keep the new father company.” The first master gave the instructions. He then carried his daughter to his wife, with his eldest son, who was fond of his little sibling, following closely behind. After the room was cleaned up, the butler handed a pouch of money to the midwife and instructed her to follow the second master to the other residence to assist his wife, who was also nearing childbirth.

    The light dimmed for just one ke, then gradually returned to normal. People murmured in fear, speculating that it might be a bad omen, especially in a tavern where customers were dining. In one corner, a priest dressed in clean and modest robes was listening to the conversations, fanning himself. The corner of his lips curled deeply as he lowered his eyes, seemingly deep in thought. He set aside the fan once a worker of the tavern brought the foods he had ordered to the table. He then began to slowly eat the food. All of which were vegan foods.

    The main branch of the Gao family didn’t pay much attention to the event that had happened, as they were entirely focused on the easy-going baby girl, who was different from most children. Gao Waqi was still exhausted, so she just leaned back against the headboard. She, with a sweet gaze, watched her husband and son gather around her daughter’s cradle.

    “Waqi, why don’t you get some rest? Zhengwu and I will take care of her.” The young man moved from beside his daughter’s cradle to sit by his wife’s bedside, his voice filled with concern. Childbirth is a significant event for every woman.

    “Just a little longer, please. I want to name our daughter first.” She took a deep breath. Despite feeling exhausted, she wanted to force herself to complete the important task before lying down to rest. The husband held the slender hand then tapped the back of it lightly.

    "Alright, alright, as you wish. But after naming her, you must quickly take a rest, understood?" Gao Ximing made a stern expression, but not only did the one who received it did not feel intimidated, she even responded with a sweet smile.

    "Mother, Father, what will you name my little sister?" Gao Zhengwu sat down on the chair with soft cushion beside the cradle, refusing to leave. The husband and wife exchanged smiles, feeling affectionate towards their eldest son, who was starting to act like a big brother, eagerly doting on his new younger sibling.

    "Mmm, I will name your little sibling Jinlu. What do you and Xiao Wu think?" The mother paused to think for a moment before her eyes sparkled as she mentioned the name she had planned to give to their newest child.

    "Jinlu... Gao Jinlu. It's a good name," Gao Ximing nodded, satisfied with the name. His eldest son felt the same, he quickly turned to softly call the name to the tiny figure in the cradle. After that, the father and son allowed the one who had just given birth and the newborn to really take a rest.

    Later that night, the secondary household sent the words to inform that the Second Master Gao Qingchao’s wife had gone into labor. Hence, the first master went to keep his younger brother company outside the sister-in-law’s birthing room. The atmosphere was similar to the day, but the servants had to light a fire to provide the light to the nearby areas, even though the bright moonlight illuminated the night sky. They endured a long while of restlessness, then the cry of a newborn was heard. Suddenly, there was a halo around the moon illuminating the surroundings. At that moment, the midwife came out, carrying another newborn girl. Her face was radiant, as she had earned a high wage that day. As for the two brothers, they were not too concerned with the events around them.

    In contrast, the other people, including those in the manor, noticed the phenomenon and hurried to point it out to each other. They spoke words of auspicious meaning since it was the light that banished the darkness. It was a beautiful sight, starkly different from the day’s events. Naturally, the two miraculous events, occurring at different times, led to various speculations about what might happen to the region. Still, no one dared to speak and criticize openly, fearing the authorities might capture them to punish for creating rumors that affected the security of the region.

    "Young Miss Jinlu and Young Miss Yanyan were born at different times. Does this not signify something about their fates?"

    "Shh... What are you all talking about so loudly? Do you want to be whipped till your back splits?" A servant who was responsible for buying goods from outside had heard many rumors and was cautioned by a companion’s stern voice. Outsiders might not understand, but the servants of this manor were well aware of what had happened the previous day. It was unclear when the gossip would reach the ears of the masters and their wives. Even if it seemed like nonsense things that they would not believe, doubt would eventually creep in after time had passed.

    Indeed, what the servants speculated turned out to be true, though not from the masters themselves. On the seventh day after the birth of the two young misses, a revered priest visited the manor, expressing a desire to read the newborns' fortunes. Although the first master was not fully convinced, he couldn’t oppose the wishes of his wife and sister-in-law. Gao Qingchao, too, had no opinion on the matter, only saying that if it brought peace of mind, it wouldn’t hurt to proceed, though he cautioned them not to believe in all of it and that they should prepare their mind for it.

    The fortune-telling ceremony was kept secret, with only the masters, the butler, and close servants that were allowed to know. Even the two wives had to ask for a permission to listen from behind a screen, despite not having completed the process of staying by the fire after childbirth. The two masters discreetly observed the appearance of the middle-aged man who claimed to be a priest. He wore simple white robes. The texture was neither great nor coarse. He held a paper fan painted with a mountain landscape with his left hand. The painter’s skill was ordinary, not a famous master. The materials used were not of high quality either. The servants quickly served tea to the masters and the priest before withdrawing.

    "This household has two newborns—one born during the day and the other at night, correct?" The priest spoke calmly as he set his fan down and picked up a teacup, though he didn’t drink from it. He only gazed at the reflection in the cup with a calm demeanor.

    "How did you know that?" Gao Ximing narrowed his eyes. He was certain he had strictly instructed the servants to keep the births of his daughter and niece a secret until the one-month mark, so they could arrange a blessing ceremony for both babies.

    "How I know is not important. What you should be concerned with is the contrasting destinies of these two young misses, which not only affect them but also extend to those around them." The priest paused, letting out a deep sigh and shaking his head with a troubled expression. "One was born to steal the light from others, while the other was born to give light to those around her. One will have a great power, like a lucky star, but as for the other, I see only darkness, a path with no way forward. No way forward."

"My... my child."

    "Sister-in-law!" A commotion arose from behind the screen as soon as the priest finished speaking. The two masters sitting in front nearly jumped out of their seats but tried to keep their emotions in check. They only quietly instructed the servants to attend to the wife carefully. A close maid emerged to report with flustered look that Gao Waqi Furen was only slightly startled.

    "How much of what you said can we believe?" Gao Qingchao faintly smiled, befitting second master who could always remain calm in any situation, in contrast to the first master, who now had a furrowed brow and gripped the armrests of his chair so tightly that they were nearly crushed in his hands.

    "I have nothing to prove to you. I am merely here to deliver a warning." The priest placed the untouched teacup back on the same place, his indifferent demeanor adding to his credibility in the brothers' eyes.

    "Is there any way to change it? How could my daughter, who is just a little child, have such a cruel destiny?" A weak voice asked from behind the screen. The middle-aged priest’s expression grew solemn once again, his eyes reflecting thought as he slowly waved his fan using his left hand.

    "There is no way to change it... but there may be a way to lessen the severity. After all, she is your precious daughter. I can offer some guidance, but it depends on how much you are able to do." At this, the two Gao brothers exchanged glances, consulting each other. However, it was the person behind the screen who was the anxious one. The same voice urgently asked  for details about what the priest was willing to reveal.

    "Please, tell me what we can do. I don’t want my newborn daughter to be seen as a curse in the eyes of others."

    "Furen, calm down. Don’t jump to conclusions just yet." The husband cautioned Gao Waqi’s thought using a persuasive tone because he well understood how sensitive women can be about their children after childbirth. The priest didn’t object, continuing to wave his fan leisurely.

    "Husband, even if you don’t believe it, shouldn’t you listen when someone comes with a warning?" The wife sat while taking a deep breath. Behind her was Gao Qingyan, the wife of the second master, supporting her sister-in-law whose face was pale, ensuring she didn’t fall from the soft seat and get injured.

    "Don’t be too quick to think the worst. Let’s hear what guidance I can offer first, and you can decide whether or not to follow it." The priest opened his fan to cover his mouth, leaving only his eyes visible.