[Feb 14][Shediao Yingxiong Zhuan][The Trick of Deduction]

[lilacfield.livejournal.com]

Title: The Trick of Deduction
Day/Theme: Feb 14/4
Series: Shediao Yingxiong Zhuan
Characters: Guo Jing, Huang Rong, Yi Deng
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Shediao Yingxiong Zhuan belongs to Jin Yong, et al.


"Four is the number that has helped me realize that happiness does not lie in worldly wealth." Yi Deng moved to pour tea for Guo Jing, and the latter hastily took the teapot from the old monk's hand. "Do you know why, Jing-er?"

Guo Jing smiled. "I bet Rong-er can answer that one."

"Now, Brother Jing, Master Yi Deng already knows that I know. Give me that teapot - you answer while I pour for both of us."

"But I...Wait. Four is the number of ministers that have followed you into seclusion. They were loyal to you while you were still royalty, and they are still loyal to you now. That's it, isn't it?"

Yi Deng's eyes twinkled. Guo Jing blushed, thinking that he, as usual, had given a foolish reply. "See, you are not as slow as you think you are," Yi Deng said, and Guo Jing's color deepened. "But number four has another meaning for me. Rong-er?"

She put her head to one side and held the teapot in a cute pose, then grinned at her own silliness. "You are one of the Five Greats, and you believe that, compared to the other four, you have the most peaceful life."

"That's right. Do you think that having a peaceful life equals happiness, Rong-er?"

"I would like to," she said, a little wistfully, "but that sort of existence would also seem a little mundane." She smiled at Yi Deng. "But in the meantime, you can teach us how to see auspiciousness in what is usually not."