Chapter 188: Timely Rain

Forbidden City, Warm Pavilion.

Emperor Hongzhi felt there was no difference between today and any other day.

Another busy day started early. He woke up early, so naturally his mealtime was also earlier.

After the morning meal, the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat and Mou Bin, Commander of the Imperial Guards, including Xiao Jing, the Chief of the Eastern Depot, had already gathered around him.

The issue to be discussed today was a crucial one.

Even now, Emperor Hongzhi could not make a decision.

Standing on the right side below the Warm Pavilion were the three Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat.

Regarding the matter of Brocade Guard members being killed by villains, they hoped to stabilize the situation without resorting to drastic measures.

The current situation in the Capital was already like dry wood waiting for a spark. The repeated celestial phenomena, combined with incitement by certain people, had caused discontent to grow among many commoners.

Under such circumstances, taking drastic actions, once the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard were dispatched on a large scale to make arrests everywhere, public resentment was bound to rise. Because arrests would lead to unjust imprisonments, once the crackdown on those spreading rumors and causing trouble was expanded, it would play right into the villains’ hands.

But obviously, Xiao Jing and Mou Bin did not share this view…

At this moment, Xiao Jing, with his usual faint smile, looked at Emperor Hongzhi and said, “Your Majesty, this old servant should not interfere with court affairs, but this time, the killings involved the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard. This old servant has to speak up boldly. From the intelligence gathered by the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard inside and outside the Capital, those spreading rumors and causing trouble by exploiting the celestial phenomena are getting worse. If the imperial court does not take control, a few Brocade Guard commandants died a few days ago. What will happen in a few more days? The state has its laws. If even the Imperial Guard is killed, and the imperial court cannot immediately respond and retaliate thoroughly, it will only make the villains more rampant. When things reach an irreversible point, it will be difficult to control the situation. Your Majesty, indecision leads to trouble. This servant’s meaning is…”

Although Xiao Jing was usually cheerful, in an instant, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. “The Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard should be dispatched immediately to eliminate the root of the problem, uprooting it completely, leaving none behind.”

After he finished speaking, the Warm Pavilion fell into a deathly silence.

Both sides in the dispute had their reasons.

At this time, large-scale arrests of rebels on charges of spreading rumors would lose the people’s support.

But… letting things go unchecked was worse than eliminating the root cause.

Emperor Hongzhi anxiously clasped his hands behind his back. He did not speak, remaining silent.

After a long while, he finally said, “Each of you has your own valid arguments. Being the Son of Heaven is difficult. Where does the difficulty lie?”

He sighed and continued, “The difficulty lies in the fact that all matters in the world have both advantages and disadvantages, gains and losses. There is nothing in this world that has all advantages and no disadvantages, nor anything that has all disadvantages and no advantages. They say the Son of Heaven decides everything alone, but I… I am well aware that at this moment, a single thought of mine will affect countless people. After careful consideration, I find it frightening…”

Liu Jian on the side smiled wryly and said, “But matters have reached this point, and a decision must be made.”

“Yes.” Emperor Hongzhi nodded. He closed his eyes, showing a pained expression. “That person who calls himself the leader of the Beggar Sect, is his name Wu Xinjie?”

“Yes.” Xiao Jing and Mou Bin answered in unison.

Both the Eastern Depot and the Brocade Guard had put a lot of effort into investigating the Beggar Sect’s background. Both Xiao Jing and Mou Bin were afraid that Emperor Hongzhi would think they were incompetent.

Emperor Hongzhi narrowed his eyes. “I heard he is a failed Xiucai. Someone who read the Classics of the Sages could act like this!”

He still seemed indecisive. Clearly, no one had expected that a mere secret society could create such a huge crisis for the imperial court by exploiting a severe drought.

Emperor Hongzhi wished he could tear that so-called leader into pieces, but… at this moment, he still hesitated. If they could really capture this person, it would be fine. The key problem was that no matter how strong the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard were, they were in the open. He did not want to cause greater unrest.

Sigh… if only there could be a timely rain now, how good that would be…

This thought flashed through his mind.

Emperor Hongzhi then smiled wryly.

If it came just because he wished for it… then being the Son of Heaven would be too easy…

Just at that moment…

Boom…

A clap of thunder.

Emperor Hongzhi’s expression changed instantly.

Everyone in the hall also changed their expressions.

Thunder?

Noise from eunuchs came from outside. “The wind is rising, the wind is rising! A sudden clap of thunder, dark clouds… it’s dark clouds…”

Whoosh…

Emperor Hongzhi’s face stiffened.

The Imperial Palace had always been strict with rules. Who would dare make such loud noises unless… something extraordinary had happened.

And now… wasn’t it something extraordinary?

Thus, even the eunuchs outside the Warm Pavilion dared to be so bold.

Emperor Hongzhi finally snapped out of his astonishment.

He exchanged a look with Xiao Jing. In Xiao Jing’s turbid eyes, there was only shock.

Then his gaze fell on Liu Jian.

Liu Jian was like a statue. The only thing proving he was flesh and blood was that Liu Jian’s arm was trembling uncontrollably, trembling violently.

Thud…

Mou Bin directly knelt down, his eyes red.

In recent days, his pressure had been immense.

Rumors were everywhere, sorcerous talk was misleading people everywhere. The Brocade Guard commandants and enlisted soldiers sent out were all eager to make arrests and calm the situation.

But he knew very well that they could not arrest people everywhere because of this. Now, due to this severe drought, public resentment was already widespread. If they arrested those who were just venting with their words, the final consequences might be unimaginable.

He knew in his heart that as long as the drought did not end, this disastrous situation would never change.

And now…

He knelt on the ground and said with a choked voice, “Your Majesty… it’s going to rain.”

Liu Jian and the others were also suddenly touched by something.

It had not rained for over two months. Such a severe drought had brought immense disaster.

Emperor Hongzhi took a deep breath, his gaze somewhat vacant.

Since ascending the throne, he was nominally the Son of Heaven, but in reality, he was an emperor fighting against Heaven. Disaster after disaster, each time he was wrestling with the heavens.

And in fact, no matter how much he worried and labored, he lost more often than he won.

Now, at least he could breathe a sigh of relief.

He was silent for a long time. Suddenly, Xiao Jing spoke up, “Dare I ask Your Majesty, were the Crown Prince and Fang Jifan performing the Rain Prayer Ritual today?”

Instantly, everyone looked at each other.

Actually, for everyone, this was just a frivolous game by the Crown Prince and Fang Jifan.

The reason Emperor Hongzhi did not stop this farce might only be because Fang Jifan was involved. Perhaps it was because Fang Jifan had given too many surprises, making Emperor Hongzhi feel a faint sense of expectation for no clear reason.

So… he stood by watching indifferently. Even because there were too many pressing matters, he had already forgotten about the Rain Prayer Ritual.

And now, this memory was revived.

“Your Majesty, it seems it was today, at noon today.”

“Noon…” Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes widened suddenly, his lips trembling. “Now…”

“It is noon.” Xiao Jing himself was startled, staring intently at Emperor Hongzhi.

Emperor Hongzhi was completely stunned.

It was at this time.

Emperor Hongzhi clasped his hands behind his back. Without regard for the others, he quickly strode out of the Warm Pavilion.

Just as he stepped out of the Warm Pavilion, a gust of strong wind made him squint. He looked up, gazing at the sky. The sky had turned completely dark. The blazing sun that had tormented the Capital sky for over two months was ruthlessly covered by dark clouds.

Boom…

Another flash of lightning and thunder, a dazzling light lit up the sky.

Emperor Hongzhi looked at all this in disbelief. He did not speak for a long time, as if entranced.

The ministers in the Warm Pavilion also had turbulent thoughts.

“Immediately… immediately summon the Crown Prince, summon… Fang Jifan…”

Emperor Hongzhi suddenly turned back, looking at the stunned ministers in the Warm Pavilion. He raised his eyebrows and said, “Even if it’s pouring rain, they must come immediately. Quickly!”

Could it be that in this world, there really existed so-called Dragon Kings?

Did those ghostly and strange things truly exist?

At this moment, Emperor Hongzhi had far too many questions in his heart that needed answers.

…

In Kunning Palace, Taikang Princess Zhu Xiurong was leaning on the windowsill of the bedchamber. Empress Zhang sat to the side, holding embroidery, skillfully doing needlework.

As the Empress, she should not bother with such matters, but… to set an example, Empress Zhang, who presided over the Inner Palace, did not seem to mind.

She was not born into a wealthy family and had been familiar with needlework even before she married.

“Empress Mother… do you think it will rain today?” Zhu Xiurong gazed out the window distractedly.

Her clear, expressive eyes looked up at the sky. The weather was very hot, making her sweat profusely.

Empress Zhang was slightly taken aback. “Sigh, it hasn’t rained for two months. Who knows about the matters of Heaven? But your Imperial Father has been worried about this. Last night, he again did not sleep well. Oh, you… why do you ask?”

A trace of disappointment flashed in Zhu Xiurong’s eyes. After a moment of silence, she said, “The Crown Prince is performing the Rain Prayer Ritual, and so is Fang Jifan.”

“…” Empress Zhang did not know what to say.

“Sigh…” She eventually decided she should say something. “They are just playing around, but I suppose they mean to share your Imperial Father’s worries. However, matters of Heaven are not something they can control.”

“But if they can’t pray for rain, what will happen?” Zhu Xiurong said haltingly. “Imperial Father will definitely spank the Crown Prince. As for Fang Jifan… he has a Brain Illness, so perhaps he can avoid it.”

Empress Zhang merely smiled gently without comment.

She focused intently on her needlework, threading the needle. After a long while, noticing Zhu Xiurong hadn’t spoken, she glanced at her again. She saw Zhu Xiurong still leaning on the windowsill, looking up at the sky motionlessly.

Empress Zhang originally wanted to scold her. Under the scorching sun, wasn’t she afraid of the heat? As a princess of the nation, she had no decorum at all!

She meant to say: “Come here to Empress Mother, girl.”

But just as she was about to speak, Empress Zhang seemed to recall something. She pursed her lips slightly, looked at Zhu Xiurong’s back, her eyes flickering. Then she put the embroidery aside and looked at a eunuch nearby.

The eunuch saw this and hurried forward to tidy up the embroidery, then bowed and stepped back, leaving only Empress Zhang and Taikang Princess!