Mayi Physiognomy

Zhou Rui called me, simply saying he wanted to meet tomorrow without elaborating on the specifics. I felt a pang of apprehension. Was he coming to confront me because I'd told Xiong Jiu about the things I'd seen on his face? I hadn't even had a chance to ask what it was about before he hung up after hearing my "I'm free." I didn't feel like calling back either.

I locked up the shop and headed home to sleep. As for the ashes from the paper Chengguo and Bai Jing burned, I wasn't about to touch them in the dead of night—bad luck. I'd leave them for the street sweepers in the morning.

The next morning, after breakfast, I opened the shop. If business didn't pick up in the next few days, I'd seriously have to consider changing careers again. Feeling listless myself, I sat cross-legged on a chair and practiced the qigong techniques Grandpa taught me. It felt mysterious at first, sensing nothing, but over time, I truly felt a current of energy, like a small fish, swimming through my body. It would gently tap each of my physiognomy gates as it passed, leaving me feeling incredibly refreshed.

Grandpa had said that once I could feel this energy circulating among my physiognomy gates, I'd be considered an entry-level Yellow Rank fortune-teller. My divination skills would improve too, though the progress would be subtle, barely noticeable.

Just as I was immersed in sensing this energy, the shop door creaked open. Instantly, the energy inside me seemed startled, bumping against a physiognomy gate before dispersing. A wave of frustration washed over me. My mental state wasn't stable enough yet; my surroundings easily disrupted my Qi through my fluctuating focus.

Irritated, I opened my eyes, ready to snap, but seeing who stood at the door, I simply said, "Your timing couldn't be worse."

It was Zhou Rui and a woman I hadn't seen before. She looked about Zhou Rui's age, very beautiful with a great figure. She was holding his arm, likely his girlfriend. I guessed this because Zhou Rui's face showed no signs of marriage yet.

Zhou Rui chuckled apologetically. "Sorry to disturb your rest, Master Li."

"It's fine," I waved it off, pointing to two chairs beside my consultation desk. "Please, have a seat." I asked him directly about the purpose of his visit.

Instead of answering, Zhou Rui posed a challenge: "I heard from Boss Xiong that you're an expert in divination, Master Li. Can you discern my reason for coming just from my face?"

He was testing me. Young and proud of my divination skills, I wasn't about to back down from a challenge in my own field! I looked Zhou Rui over, then sat down behind my desk with a smile. "Your ears, the Listening Official, are slightly flushed. There's a thread of destiny Qi swirling there, entangled with the energy of my shop. Clearly, you've come seeking counsel."

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhou Rui's face. I was right. I continued, "A few days ago, when I saw you, you showed signs of change and relocation, yet your complexion was radiant, your fortune strong. The destiny Qi in your Servant Palace was deeply intertwined with Ziqiong Pavilion. This means your fortune is tied to it. If I'm not mistaken, your elders will soon hand full control of Ziqiong Pavilion over to you, entrusting you with its weight. That's why, despite the troubles at your family's business, your physiognomy showed soaring luck."

Zhou Rui's expression had shifted from surprise to outright astonishment. I pressed on, "However, your complexion today isn't as vibrant as before. The destiny Qi in your Glabella is darkening, and the light in your Wealth Palace is mostly dim. This indicates that since taking full control of Ziqiong Pavilion, you've encountered major troubles. Though you are now the head of the household, you're beset by problems. Your career has stalled, even showing signs of regression."

The moment I finished, Zhou Rui shot up from his chair. His previous calm composure was gone, replaced by panic. His secrets laid bare, there was no point in pretense. The beautiful woman beside him stood too, tugging his arm, trying to calm him. He shook her off and said to me, "Master Li, everything you said is correct. Not a single point is wrong. Much of this involves internal family decisions outsiders couldn't possibly know. To think you deduced my entire fortune just from my face, sitting here… I believe you, Master Li. Please divine for me. Show me a way forward."

He looked like he might kneel. Zhou Rui's basic fortune was excellent; his current troubles were temporary, and he was destined for greatness. If I accepted his bow now, I'd suffer backlash from his ill fortune. I quickly rounded the desk and steadied him. "No need for kneeling. I opened this divination shop to help people find answers. As long as you seek the truth sincerely and can pay, I will hold nothing back."

Zhou Rui hurriedly said, "Master Li, I came with sincere intent. Please forgive my earlier disrespect."

Hearing someone older than me say that felt slightly awkward. Before I could respond, Zhou Rui gestured to the beautiful woman. She pulled a thick stack of bills from her purse and handed it to me. A quick glance told me it was at least twenty thousand yuan. My eyes practically lit up.

Suppressing the urge to grab the money, I motioned for them to sit. I needed to perform a detailed divination for Zhou Rui. His problem was significant. Simple number divination felt too crude; changing lines wouldn't reveal enough. After a moment's thought, I said to Zhou Rui, "I will make a series of hand gestures. You mimic them. I will divine your base hexagram and changing lines by observing the shifts in your knuckle joints, then interpret it for you."

Zhou Rui nodded.

This divination method was taught by my grandfather, a secret technique unique to our lineage. It combined the 64 hexagrams with bone physiognomy, specifically designed for resolving complex dilemmas.

A human hand typically has fingers with three knuckles each (excluding the thumb). Eight fingers give twenty-four knuckles. Counting both sides makes forty-eight knuckles, corresponding to forty-eight of the sixty-four hexagrams.

The thumb has two knuckles. Both sides make four knuckles. Two thumbs give eight knuckles, corresponding to another eight hexagrams.

That still left eight hexagrams missing. These eight are the "wandering hexagrams," moving among the previous fifty-six, potentially replacing them. Identifying them requires observing the specific gestures Zhou Rui would make and his destiny Qi.

This method was complex but offered high precision, which is why I chose it for Zhou Rui's case.

The sequence of gestures wasn't complicated. Zhou Rui learned it quickly and soon performed it smoothly himself. He repeated it three times, allowing me to determine his base hexagram and changing lines.

By the time I had the hexagram, I was drenched in sweat. The beautiful woman offered me some tissues. I thanked her, wiped my brow, and announced, "Your base hexagram and changing lines are revealed."

Zhou Rui asked for the outcome. I took a deep breath. "Your base hexagram is 'Jié' ( Moderation). The superior man brings peace to his household through regulation and wins others through virtue. He does not seek revenge or profit through opportunism. Upright conduct brings fame and fortune naturally."

I took another breath and interpreted carefully: "The hexagram shows you currently face many difficulties. Many in your family are dissatisfied with you. However, you must not act rashly. You must use regulation to manage them and win them over with the magnanimous virtue within you. As the saying goes, 'To pacify the external, first pacify the internal.' Harmony in the family brings prosperity in all affairs. Your first task is to resolve the conflicts within your household as I described above."

Zhou Rui nodded. "What else, Master Li?"

I continued, "I know you deal in antiques. Sometimes, you might skirt the edges of legality. Today, I must warn you: avoid such deals during this period. Though lucrative, ventures that aren't entirely legitimate will plunge you into deeper trouble."

Zhou Rui seemed thoughtful. "Master Li, rest assured. I will cancel that deal as soon as I return. Truthfully, I felt it was risky myself. Thank you for your wise counsel."

I shook my head. "I'm not finished." Zhou Rui immediately gestured respectfully for me to proceed.

I nodded. "Additionally, this hexagram is Water over Marsh. It symbolizes water flowing into marshland, signifying that a blessed marriage will pave the way for your career. This corresponds to the strong Yang line in the fifth place. Obey the decree. Though this marriage may be largely arranged, you will inevitably grow fond of your partner. It will be a lasting and harmonious union."

My words stunned not only Zhou Rui but also the beautiful woman beside him. Clearly, she hadn't expected me to divine their relationship. I had already assessed her physiognomy – she bore the signs of a wife who brings prosperity to her husband, and her compatibility with Zhou Rui was strong. An excellent match.

Zhou Rui and the woman were speechless for a moment. I added, "If you follow all I've advised, your hardships will soon turn to sweetness."

As my final words hung in the air, Zhou Rui remained silent. The beautiful woman took another stack of bills from her bag and pushed it forward with the first one.

Grandpa taught me that charging for divination is justified, but greed invites disaster. I pushed one stack back towards her. "One stack is sufficient. Taking more would turn this good deed ill."

The woman nodded. "Thank you, Master Li. My name is Zhou Ziyu. I'm Brother Zhou's fiancée. I…" Before she could finish, Zhou Rui interjected, "Enough, Xiaoyu. Master Li has already revealed plenty."

Zhou Ziyu nodded and stepped back beside Zhou Rui. Zhou Rui looked at me and said, "Master Li, when my fortune turns, I will return with a substantial gift."