Chapter 19: The Talisman of Safety

Upon hearing Grandmother Qiao’s words, Qiao Yanxin’s expression darkened.

“Grandmother, is it really necessary to swear such a harsh oath?”

Though Qiao Yanxin did not believe in gods or Buddha, she understood the need to avoid ominous words. Speaking like that could only bring bad consequences.

But Grandmother Qiao was relentless. “What, you don’t dare to swear it? If you don’t dare, then why did you say those things before? If you won’t swear such an oath, how can I trust anything you say?”

Qiao Yanxin found herself trapped, unable to back down. Reluctantly, she agreed. “Alright, Grandmother, I’m willing to swear this oath.”

With that, she followed Grandmother Qiao to the family’s Buddhist altar. Being devout, Grandmother Qiao maintained a prayer room at home.

She lit three incense sticks and handed them to Qiao Yanxin. “Hold these and swear solemnly before the Bodhisattva.”

Seeing Grandmother Qiao’s seriousness, Qiao Yanxin felt a pang of grievance. “Grandmother, am I not your granddaughter? Why do you treat Qiao Yunzhou and me so differently? Moreover, Yunzhou isn’t even truly one of us!”

Grandmother Qiao’s eyes widened in shock. “What nonsense is that? Luckily Yunzhou isn’t here now, or hearing that would break his heart. Yunzhou has already taken the Qiao surname, so he is part of this family. I don’t want to hear such words from you again—mind your tone!”

“Besides, when Yunzhou was the only one who came to care for this old woman, where were you all? Apart from Yunzhou, he’s the only one who truly cares for me. The rest of you, I suspect, are just waiting for me to die so you can snatch my shares!”

“Grandmother, what are you saying?” Qiao Yanxin was shocked. “I never thought that way.”

Grandmother Qiao scoffed. “Does anyone else know what’s in your heart?”

“Enough talk. Swear now.”

Helpless, Qiao Yanxin knelt on the cushion, holding the three incense sticks.

“I, Qiao Yanxin, vow to love only Qiao Yunzhou in this life. For all my days to come, I will treat her well, love her, and never waver. Should I break this oath, may I meet a dreadful death and have no descendants.”

She placed the incense sticks into the burner.

Suddenly, outside, a fierce wind rose, accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunderclaps.

Boom!

A bolt of lightning tore through the sky, followed by a thunderclap that seemed to strike right at their souls. Qiao Yanxin was startled, feeling as if her very spirit might shatter. Looking up, she saw that the three incense sticks in the altar had snapped in two!

The sudden event shocked everyone in the prayer room. Though she did not believe in the divine, Qiao Yanxin knew a broken incense stick was a bad omen.

Grandmother Qiao’s legs weakened, nearly causing her to collapse. A servant quickly steadied her. “Madam, are you alright?”

Once a staunch materialist, Qiao Yanxin was now unsettled, staring at the broken incense without understanding how it happened—or why the thunder erupted just then.

Grandmother Qiao’s face changed, trembling as she pointed at Qiao Yanxin. “What have you done? A strike from the five thunders—this is a great ill omen!”

Qiao Yanxin looked bewildered. “Grandmother, I didn’t do anything. It’s probably just coincidence. Don’t worry so much.”

But Grandmother Qiao refused to believe it. How could such coincidence exist? Especially right after the oath was sworn? The whole affair felt sinister.

Seeing Grandmother Qiao so frightened, Qiao Yanxin felt guilty. “Grandmother, please don’t take it to heart. You should rest for a while.”

She gave a meaningful glance to a servant, who promptly helped Grandmother Qiao back to her room.

Pale, Grandmother Qiao clung tightly to Aunt Zhang’s hand, squeezing it hard. “Zhang, my heart has been uneasy lately. Every night for more than ten days, I dream of Yunzhou. Why hasn’t he called me even once?”

Aunt Zhang comforted her, “Madam, don’t worry so much. Maybe Young Master Qiao is just busy. He’s not ignoring you on purpose.”

Qiao Yanxin’s face turned pale upon hearing this. Everyone knew she and Grandmother had a close relationship and often spoke on the phone. How could Yunzhou have gone so many days without calling?

She had thought perhaps Yunzhou was just sulking and unwilling to come back, but he would have at least stayed in touch.

Suddenly recalling something, Qiao Yanxin’s expression shifted. “Grandmother, has Qiao Yunzhou truly not called you once all these days?”

Grandmother Qiao glared at her. “What are you implying? Do you think I’d lie to you?”

Seeing Qiao Yanxin nearly faint, struggling to stand, an icy smile crept into Grandmother Qiao’s heart. Finally, she sensed something wrong about Yunzhou’s disappearance.

Just then, a servant’s voice came from outside. “Madam, your package has arrived. It’s from Young Master Qiao!”

“What?!” Hearing it was from Yunzhou, Grandmother Qiao immediately sat up trembling under her covers. “Quick, bring it here!”

Qiao Yanxin’s face changed drastically. She stepped forward and took the package herself.

For some reason, seeing the package from Yunzhou made her feel relieved—perhaps because it meant he was still alive.

In truth, Yunzhou had prepared this gift before his passing. He had even taken it to the temple for consecration, which took a long time. To ensure it arrived for Grandmother’s sixtieth birthday, he had asked someone to send it that very day.

Fortunately, it arrived right on time.

Qiao Yanxin quickly opened the package and saw a talisman for safety inside.

Seeing her actions, Grandmother Qiao’s eyes widened in alarm. “You insolent girl, what are you doing? Who told you to open my package? Don’t touch it!”

Only then did Qiao Yanxin reluctantly hand the talisman over.

Aunt Zhang admired the talisman. “Young Master Qiao is truly filial. This talisman requires kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times to receive it.”